Once again, as a RFA, Leon is going to make what the market thinks he is worth, not what he and his agent think he is worth - so this is really a moot point.
What you all haven't figured out yet and maybe for once the Jets FO has is that there are only 2 or three RBs in the entire NFL that may be worth exorbitant contracts and Leon Washington and Thomas Jones aren't on that list. Even the ones who are are one cheap shot away from unemployment. RBs are a dime a dozen and that is just how the Jets are treating them..tough shit..let them leave.
how? if no other team wants to do business, he's still going to turn to the Jets and say, "I had a career year for you, pay me." the Jets will be paying more money no matter what. Its another year past, which means contract demands go up anyway due to the increase in cap space - if there is even a cap. If there is no cap, I can only imagine what they'll be asking for. The logical conclusion to this scenario is becoming the franchise tender, which will then make him overpaid according to what you want him being paid. Market value won't help the situation, and no one is paying a 1st and a 3rd for a 1b/ST RB. The NFL is too smart for that.
you still think people are going to pay a 1st and 3rd. You think that everything goes the Jets way. You think by reaching RFA status leon is going to come cheaper, or the Jets are going to fleece a team out of two valuable picks. And no one will pay him enough per year so that it reaches a 1st and a 3rd - maybe a 1st only. You're conclusion is franchise tender.
So in essence... sign him now: Pros: He'll get proof he's valuable for the team Cons: He hasn't established how important a RB he is He might lose motivation since he got his big paycheck (but I don't think this is the case for a guy like Leon) sign him next year when he is a RFA: Pros: We'll have a better understanding of what role he can have in the team This year we have more money to sign Sanchez and possibly TJ Worst case scenario is we get a 1st and a 3rd for him Cons: He might play 2009 frustrated because he doesn't feel important for the Jets We might loose a good player Overall I think it's pretty obvious what we should do! An extra option would be going to Leon and say: "Given that we hold you by the balls, we think you are an important football player for us... we either give you 3.5 mill a year now and you got you big paycheck or you can aim at something more, which we might give you, but you have to show us what you can do so play with your current contract and next year we'll see." This way I think we can both keep him motivated and still have an advantage contract-wise...
Question about how RFA works... if we offer him an offer sheet, does he HAVE to sign it or can he refuse?
You STILL don't get it. As an RFA, if no other team extends him an offer, he either accepts the Jets offer or goes home. Literally.
NDmick...seriously, I like ur opinions. But Im telling, the Jets have all the leverage in this situation. We can keep him for 2 more yrs for about $2 mil without giving him a new contract. After those two yrs, he can be free or simply sign a 3 yr $15mil contract at the most or something. Let me make it clear here: Option1: New contract. 5 yrs $25mil Option 2: No deal. 2009 = $500k+ 2010 = Max Tender I think about $2 mil for 1 yr or 2010 = Deadskins sign him away on a 6 yr $72 mil and we get a 1st and a 3rd or 2010 = Pats offer 4 yr $20 and we match it if we wish or take the picks If we sign him on a one yr tender, then offer him a contract the subsequent yr of 3 yrs $15 mil and hope he accepts it but Im not gonna guess how he'd perform in the next three yrs.
I believe, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong (and please provide a source), that if a RFA recieves no other offer sheets other than his original clubs, should he not agree to the deal he has no other option than to sit the year out.
U actually don't know the RFA rules. It is the Jets the offer the tender which sets his compensation. It has nothing to do with any other team. Other teams can offer him 5 yr $5mil and the Jets would still get a 1st and a 3rd if they desire. And yes, Leon will come cheaper via RFA or we will get picks in other case. See my post before the last one. Leon will be making about $17mil over the 5 yrs if he ends up signing a 3 yr $15 mil contract after 2010. That is a good contract for a standout STer or a #2 RB.
And I'm willing to bet that the total cost of his contract as an RFA next year will be significantly higher than what Leon is asking for this year. The difference is that if the market values Leon higher than the Jet's FO, then theoretically at least, we will have lost a player we could have retained for significantly less money than what we will surely have to pony up next year.
the first refusal rules are confusing. I'd have to read them carefully. I hate legalese, to many unneeded words to get to the point.
I have no source, but I believe its a tool given to the NFL teams. If he refuses to sign the tender, it would make no sense if he is able to join any other team without any compensation. RFA concept would have no meaning if a player can refuse and sign elsewhere.
And who said you have to sign ur franchise tender? Its a tender again and the Jets would be flat out stupid if the franchise him paying him $10+ mil when they can pay $2 mil. U don't have to sign the franchise tender.
You're both right, you're just thinking in different terms. He's figuring that Leon will demand an extra $500k - $1 million per season if he has a career year heading into restricted free agency. You're thinking of the overall financial impact. The only place where I have a problem with yours is the idea that we don't resign him until 2010. If no one picks up Leon in RFA next season, I think it gives us some leverage to sign him to a contract immediately. Up his pay from the $3 million tender he'll receive and still maintain the sole right to negotiate with him. If we don't work anything out, I wouldn't be surprised to see us negotiate a 5 year $25 million contract after he proceeds through the RFA process. That's still $25.5 million over 6 seasons rather than $20 million over 5 if we signed him to a $4 million per contract this year. An extra season for $5.5 million? I'll take that for Leon, no question. I don't think anyone picks him up for a 1st and a 3rd, but I also don't think it's really as relevant as NDMick wants to make it. It secures the sole right to negotiate for the pursuant season if no one signs him to an offer sheet. We're in a good position and, while I'd like to see him signed this season, I'm not too worried about it if he's unable to get his deal before 09.
Nope. If he refuses to sign, he sits out. The club has to be the one to withdraw its tender to institute unrestricted free agency.
ok that part i didn't know. and the offer for RFA is 110% of their salary after first refusal. If I remember correctly. But your other post makes a good point - but I also fear that with an uncapped year, this goes out the window and the negotiation take on a newer life. A more dangerous life.
We'll only get the current market value if someone signs him and we match. If we don't match we'll get what we tendered him in return in draft picks. If no one signs him and we pay him the tender and he has a career year then we will be paying a ton of money to keep him. The whole thing is a bit of a gamble.
