2014 NFL off-season thread

[LongTimeListener]

The bottom line is he isn't worth elite QB money, at least not yet. That said, there's a really good chance he'll get it for the same reason Romo and Flacco got paid -- who out there can they get who will be as good or better?

They identified Kaepernick (and traded up for him) in the second round of the draft. Someone else would come along. heck, they won 13 games with Alex Smith.

 

[joe king]

A bad QB with a big salary cap hit is a killer. The Jets went all in on Sanchez on the idea that they made the AFC Championship 2 years in a row.

I have not spent a lot of time on the math but it seems like giving Kaepeernick the money he wants now as opposed to holding him to existing contract would cost
the 49ers at least 3 other productive players due to salary cap issues.

A productive QB with low salary is gold in the current make up of The NFL.

Absolutely, and I love the line of thinking. Keep him under his existing contract for this season. If he kicks ass, pay him. If he sucks, well, he's lost some leverage. If he doesn't like what you're offering, you can franchise him and keep negotiating.

 

[joe king]

The bottom line is he isn't worth elite QB money, at least not yet. That said, there's a really good chance he'll get it for the same reason Romo and Flacco got paid -- who out there can they get who will be as good or better?

They identified Kaepernick (and traded up for him) in the second round of the draft. Someone else would come along. heck, they won 13 games with Alex Smith.

There's no guarantee they'll find someone as good in the draft right away, and the team is in championship or bust mode, so they can't afford to wait to find or develop a starting-caliber player. Contrary to popular belief, Alex Smith -- who last season quarterbacked an 11-win team, BTW -- is not chopped liver, and those guys aren't growing on trees.

 

[JC]

I'm surprised we haven't heard more about Cam Newton's contract talks. I'll be curious how much he gets.

What do backup QB's get?

 

[joe king]

By the way, LTL, that doesn't mean the 49ers aren't thinking the same way you are, and they might be right, which is why I said there's a really good chance CK will get his money rather than saying he'll definitely get it.

 

[Mark2010]

The bottom line is he isn't worth elite QB money, at least not yet. That said, there's a really good chance he'll get it for the same reason Romo and Flacco got paid -- who out there can they get who will be as good or better?

They identified Kaepernick (and traded up for him) in the second round of the draft. Someone else would come along. heck, they won 13 games with Alex Smith.

There's no guarantee they'll find someone as good in the draft right away, and the team is in championship or bust mode, so they can't afford to wait to find or develop a starting-caliber player. Contrary to popular belief, Alex Smith -- who last season quarterbacked an 11-win team, BTW -- is not chopped liver, and those guys aren't growing on trees.

Yeah, they couldn't play both and they hitched their wagon to Kaepernick. Now they have to find a way to make it work.

 

[LongTimeListener]

The bottom line is he isn't worth elite QB money, at least not yet. That said, there's a really good chance he'll get it for the same reason Romo and Flacco got paid -- who out there can they get who will be as good or better?

They identified Kaepernick (and traded up for him) in the second round of the draft. Someone else would come along. heck, they won 13 games with Alex Smith.

There's no guarantee they'll find someone as good in the draft right away, and the team is in championship or bust mode, so they can't afford to wait to find or develop a starting-caliber player. Contrary to popular belief, Alex Smith -- who last season quarterbacked an 11-win team, BTW -- is not chopped liver, and those guys aren't growing on trees.

I agree about Alex, but the idea that Harbaugh would go into a year with that as the plan drew laughter around the league.

You're right they are in championship mode. Their window is two years before age takes its toll. Why would they worsen their overall cap situation in that window when they don't have to?

Plus, I don't think Harbaugh finds it all that essential to have a superstar quarterback. I think his belief system tells him that if Kap doesn't show up for camp, they roll with Colt McCoy and win 10 games. That's another reason I think they wait, they have to resolve the coach deal first.

 

[Boom_70]

I would not pay a QB big money who has a high percentage of their value tied
to their legs / running ability. Before I give Kaepernick big money
I would want to see him develop more as a pocket passer.

 

[outofplace]

By the way, I agree that the 49ers should wait at least another year to lock up Kaepernick given that they have the option to franchise him for 2014. It's the idea of tossing his best games when evaluating him that is crap.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

PFT seems to think the Niners and Bears are the favorites to sign Michael Bennett.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Bennett wants to get paid and the Niners can't afford him. I'm guessing Chicago makes a lot more sense.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

LaCanfora thinks Vick will wind up with the Jets.

That would be interesting to say the least. I think Minnesota makes more sense.

There's part of me that wants Sanchez to sign with SF for the minimum just to see if Harbaugh can get anything out of him.