What’s up with Jones?

[Rat]

One thing that we do know: Schneider is willingly taking the risk of letting him hang, hoping that no team will step up to sign him, in return we can sign him at at our price.

What would you suggest Schneider do, just give him whatever he wants? It's like some of you think these players (and their agents) dread the hassle of their upcoming free agency and are just sitting around, willing to give concessions and hometown discounts, waiting for their team to offer an "everybody wins" type of fair market deal. If Jones was willing to sign such a contract, it would already be done. They know a potential free agent bidding war just drives up their prices, and with a salary cap floor, there are more than enough teams willing to spend.

And Schneider isnt "willingly taking the risk" yet. Free agency hasn't started. The franchise tag deadline hasn't arrived.

 

[Seattle Person]

What would you suggest Schneider do, just give him whatever he wants? It's like some of you think these players (and their agents) dread the hassle of their upcoming free agency and are just sitting around, willing to give concessions and hometown discounts, waiting for their team to offer an "everybody wins" type of fair market deal. If Jones was willing to sign such a contract, it would already be done. They know a potential free agent bidding war just drives up their prices, and with a salary cap floor, there are more than enough teams willing to spend.

And Schneider isnt "willingly taking the risk" yet. Free agency hasn't started. The franchise tag deadline hasn't arrived.

Schneider said it on his show last week. They'll go into the Combine and meet with agents and teams. I'm sure Jones will be talked about. They'll have a more clear idea of where his market is. If it's a crazy number then I doubt the team goes that high.

It's a calculated risk that worked with Leo Williams but didn't work with Jordyn Brooks. I think Jones wants to be compensated at fair value. $18m APY is going to put him near Trumaine Edmund. T.E only had 1 Pro-Bowl to his name prior to his huge contract and no All-Pro. He had age and upside going for him.

Jones is at a similar age and has been very productive. However, he has no major awards to his name. I think letting Jones and his agent explore their value is smart. Ultimately, I don't think teams are going to value Ernest Jones at that $18m APY range. I think they'll view him closer to that Milano, Queen, and Owusu-Koramoah range of $13m-$14m.

You can see why an extension hasn't been worked out yet. Jones has all the right to view him a certain way. He has said he likes his situation in Seattle and wants to stay. It is a little telling that his previous two teams chose not to extend him. Again, I don't think teams view him as high as he and/or his agent views him.

 

[Rat]

Again, I don't think teams view him as high as he and/or his agent views him.

In general, probably not, but it only takes one team willing to pay what he's asking for. We still have to be willing to outbid, or at least match, everyone else.

 

[sutz]

I don't think teams view him as high as he and/or his agent views him.

Probably true of most players in the league.

 

[Seattle Person]

In general, probably not, but it only takes one team willing to pay what he's asking for. We still have to be willing to outbid, or at least match, everyone else.

Sure.

Some players want to chase the highest bidder. However, it is telling that the Titans didn't want to pay him top dollar. And...they have a lot of cap space. I don't think teams are going to be rushing to pay him $15m+.

But ultimately, you're right. It just takes one crazy team. That's the risk that Schneider is willing to take though. After seeing where his market was with his 2 prior teams -- I think I'm leaning towards thinking Schneider is right for doing this particular strategy.

 

[sutz]

Well, both sides have expressed a desire to get something done to keep him here. I have to believe they will get it done.

Another comment re: "hometown discounts" Many people's expectations for that are way off base IMO. I suspect we might get one from EJIV, but it would be in the $1 mill on top of at $14-15mill contract, not $5 or $10 mill.

IIRC he has one of the tougher agents in the business. We'll see.

 

[NoGain]

I don't know about these character issues, though I can see him being frustrated about being moved around and not getting the contract he wants. You only have limited time to get your stash in the NFL. It's hard for me to see us losing a very good player in the prime of his career at 25 years old.

 

[OneLofaTatupu]

But to call someone a cancer when you have nothing to back it up?? Come on dude.

Sounds like modern day society to me

 

[Sperrydogg]

I agree with the caveat that he’s not offered crazy money he can’t turn down elsewhere. I don’t think he’ll get that type of market though. We should be able to sign him to a contract that is fair for both sides.

For anyone to call him a cancer though seems utterly ridiculous though. I loved what I’ve seen from him here both on and off the field.

And in his interviews

 

[Sperrydogg]

I was under the impression that the reason he's been traded for peanuts twice in the past year is because of exorbitant demands on his next contract. Teams were understandably hesitant to trade significant capital for a guy with one year left on his current deal when they know that their best offer could very well not get an extension done. It's further complicated because you can't just franchise tag Jones. Since LBs are all lumped together under the tag, regardless of what LB position they play, tagging Jones means you're paying him $4 million more next season than the current highest-paid MLB actually gets. I'm sure he and his agent are aware of the leverage he has in Seattle. Those of you who think we're getting him back on a "reasonable" contract are delusional. If we get him back, it's because we offered more money than anyone else would.

I havn't heard anything negative about his character though. Regardless, I think going after fans on social media like this is a bad look. If there were rampant rumors circulating that he's a bad teammate, I'd understand the need to put out a general statement defending himself, but this was what, one fan maybe? This is kind of a Streisand Effect thing where the vast majority of us didn't even realize his character was remotely in question by anyone. I shudder to think of the kind of the thin-skinned reaction he might have when he inevitably has a few bad games at some point and the dogs REALLY come after him.

Yeah it seams weird. I could understand his position if this was coming from a peer, but it seams like one fan on the internet and even the way he talks about how long it’s been bothering him. Just kinda weird

 

[chris98251]

He likes it here, he knows the defense can be special, he wants to be respected and given a home and paid his value. John will let him test the market and may even have a side deal to go see what is out there come back with numbers and we can start from there.

 

[HawkFreak]

I think MacD knows what EJ brings to the defense he wants to run. I'm guessing he will do whatever he can to make sure JS makes every possible effort to keep him.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Sounds like modern day society to me

DK says hold my beer.

 

[Mase]

-- I think getting Jones was a great trade, and I truly hope he gets resigned. I don't think 32 teams are interested in his services, because I think he is a better fit with what we are doing. There are a number of good MLBs on the market this year, assuming the don't get reupped by their own teams, and that might actually help drive the market price down.

Zack Baun
Dre Greenlaw
Nick Bolton
Jamien Sherwood
Robert Spillane
Kyzer White
Tyrel Dodson
Lavonte David
And of course, Bobby Wagner.

-- Some of these guys might fit other schemes better, but the market is likely to be more balanced with this many options. Here's hoping.

Mase