NFL: Thoughts On The Drew Brees Contract Situation

[AsylumGuido]

Okay, I'll share my thoughts on this. As you could well imagine, this is a hot topic on my home forum. The following is what I posted there yesterday ...

What people here need to realize is that there are two parties involved in these negotiations, not just the front office. The players' agent is just as key. One thing to consider is that Brees and Nicks are both represented by the same agency. They know that Brees isn't going anywhere and that a long term deal will be made with the Saints for his services whether he initially gets tagged or not. They also know that it would be far less likely that Nicks would get a long term deal this year if he gets the tag. Therefore, it is to their advantage to force the Saints to use the tag on Brees, thus forcing the Saints to either give in to their demands on a deal with Nicks or letting him go to the open market.

My thoughts are that Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Brees' and Nicks' representatives, have highballed the Saints with a deal that they cannot make to force their hand with the franchise tag.

I put zero blame on Loomis here. Welcome to the 21st century and greedy agents.

I would like to also point out that a franchised Brees would be less of a cap hit than the $16.5 to $18 million he is likely to receive once the deal is done.

Colston has already come out saying he wants $7 million a year which is very doable for the Saints front office regardless of what else happens.

While Nicks is an excellent guard, he is by no means irreplaceable given the fact that the remainder of the offensive line remains intact. Remember that he was a late fifth round pick and Loomis has a way of finding those late round/undrafted gems. Condon is demanding that Nicks get paid more than Jahri Evans. Not many NFL teams will pony that much up for him.

[AsylumGuido]

The following news will also help out the issue. My bet is a Brees deal happens by Saturday at the latest now.

Yahoo's Jason Cole reports that the Saints are working to restructure RE Will Smith's contract ahead of the start of free agency.

Smith is owed a $1 million roster bonus on March 27 and carries a $10.15M cap number, according to The Sideline View's Adam Caplan. By moving money around and guaranteeing some of Smith's base salary, the Saints could save $5 million to $6 million. Per Cole, the reworked contract "could be done today."

Source: Yahoo Sports

[RnB]

Guido, lots of people said the same thing about Dahl when we had to let him go. That he is not irreplaceable, the line as a unit will still be fine, etc. We saw first hand how important Dahl (also a Guard) was for our line and that was backed up by our OLine performance the first half of the season: our OLine was fucking atrocious. Dahl went on to be one of the best OLinemen in the league with the Rams, at both OG and OT.

All I am saying is, do not underestimate how important Nicks is to the Saints.

The same agent representing them definitely affects the negotiations for both guys. It is a TOUGH situation that the Saints are in right now. I am loving it, as a Falcons fan.

[AsylumGuido]

(03-01-2012 03:41 PM)RnB Wrote:  Guido, lots of people said the same thing about Dahl when we had to let him go. That he is not irreplaceable, the line as a unit will still be fine, etc. We saw first hand how important Dahl (also a Guard) was for our line and that was backed up by our OLine performance the first half of the season: our OLine was fucking atrocious. Dahl went on to be one of the best OLinemen in the league with the Rams, at both OG and OT.

All I am saying is, do not underestimate how important Nicks is to the Saints.

The same agent representing them definitely affects the negotiations for both guys. It is a TOUGH situation that the Saints are in right now. I am loving it, as a Falcons fan.

I'm just saying that Loomis has an excellent track record of finding gems in the rough and Payton's offensive style can more than cover until any replacement gets his stride. That said, WWL out of New Orleans is reporting that the hold up on the Brees signing is his desire to keep both Nicks and Colston. Loomis has worked magic with the cap in the past.

[Falconidae]

(03-01-2012 11:45 AM)AsylumGuido Wrote:  Okay, I'll share my thoughts on this. As you could well imagine, this is a hot topic on my home forum. The following is what I posted there yesterday ...

What people here need to realize is that there are two parties involved in these negotiations, not just the front office. The players' agent is just as key. One thing to consider is that Brees and Nicks are both represented by the same agency. They know that Brees isn't going anywhere and that a long term deal will be made with the Saints for his services whether he initially gets tagged or not. They also know that it would be far less likely that Nicks would get a long term deal this year if he gets the tag. Therefore, it is to their advantage to force the Saints to use the tag on Brees, thus forcing the Saints to either give in to their demands on a deal with Nicks or letting him go to the open market.

My thoughts are that Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Brees' and Nicks' representatives, have highballed the Saints with a deal that they cannot make to force their hand with the franchise tag.

I put zero blame on Loomis here. Welcome to the 21st century and greedy agents.

I would like to also point out that a franchised Brees would be less of a cap hit than the $16.5 to $18 million he is likely to receive once the deal is done.

Colston has already come out saying he wants $7 million a year which is very doable for the Saints front office regardless of what else happens.

While Nicks is an excellent guard, he is by no means irreplaceable given the fact that the remainder of the offensive line remains intact. Remember that he was a late fifth round pick and Loomis has a way of finding those late round/undrafted gems. Condon is demanding that Nicks get paid more than Jahri Evans. Not many NFL teams will pony that much up for him.

Really wonder who takes the hit if this really goes south- Brees or the Saints?

You really want to bet Brees health to an unknown guard?

[AsylumGuido]

(03-01-2012 06:39 PM)Falconidae Wrote:  Really wonder who takes the hit if this really goes south- Brees or the Saints?

You really want to bet Brees health to an unknown guard?

Both Nicks (4th round) and Jahri Evans (6th round) were relatively unknown guards when the Saints drafted them. Zach Strief, the starting RT, was also an unknown drafted in the 7th round. Starting LT Jermon Bushrod was an unknown 4th round pick out of Towson. Center Brian de la Puente was undrafted. I'm not worried.

But, I really doubt it "goes South" anyway.

[Falconidae]

(03-01-2012 06:53 PM)AsylumGuido Wrote:  Both Nicks (4th round) and Jahri Evans (6th round) were relatively unknown guards when the Saints drafted them. Zach Strief, the starting RT, was also an unknown drafted in the 7th round. Starting LT Jermon Bushrod was an unknown 4th round pick out of Towson. Center Brian de la Puente was undrafted. I'm not worried.

But, I really doubt it "goes South" anyway.

If they have another undrafted or underdrafted multiple pro bowler on the Oline, I'll be impressed, but all streaks end. If the next guy up isn't as good,I'd worry about my QB.

If I'd ask you if Brees would have to be franchised 6 months ago, you would have laughed at me and said don't worry.
A month ago, or 2 weeks ago, same thing.

72 hours or so to go, still isn't signed, you'd think Brees and the Saints can get it together, but maybe not.

[AsylumGuido]

(03-01-2012 07:02 PM)Falconidae Wrote:  If they have another undrafted or underdrafted multiple pro bowler on the Oline, I'll be impressed, but all streaks end. If the next guy up isn't as good,I'd worry about my QB.

If I'd ask you if Brees would have to be franchised 6 months ago, you would have laughed at me and said don't worry.
A month ago, or 2 weeks ago, same thing.

72 hours or so to go, still isn't signed, you'd think Brees and the Saints can get it together, but maybe not.

There is plenty going on behind closed doors that we know nothing about. Everyone knows the best deals are made just before the deadline. The same thing is going on with free agents all across the league right now.

[pauliwood]

I predict there is a 0% chance that Brees plays a single snap next year for a team not named the New Orleans Saints.

[Anomaly]

As much as we all know Brees won't jump ship to another team, I wonder if they would have the balls to use the franchise tag on Nicks or Colston and let Brees hit the open market knowing he would resign down the road.