Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2018 13:49:40 GMT -6
I'm sure there are mixed opinions on Eli. On one hand, he has won multiple Super Bowls as a true Franchise QB. On the other hand, he has been somewhat "unlikable" since before he was drafted (i.e. refusing to play in SD). He is also getting older and his output has diminished (due to himself, team, dysfunctional coaching or all of the above). His low point was being benched last year for one game. Health wise, he has compiled consecutive starts that rival the best. Due in large part to the big public relations fiasco in NY last season (both Eli and otherwise), the party line so far looking forward has been very "sunny." The new HC can't wait to work with Eli and he can't wait to lead the team back to relevance. That all sounds, well, like it should sound.
Let's take a step back and look at the big picture:
Team: the NYG are at a low point, which comes with the reward of having a top pick in the draft. I don't believe they are even close to a return to the SB. They are in the rare position of having a top two draft pick in a draft with four legitimate candidates and, as with Wentz and Goff, there is little consensus on who is number one. They might not have this opportunity again for twenty years. Conclusion: they have to pick a franchise QB and fully support his development with near term playing time.
Eli: he is nearing the sunset of his career. While loyal to the NYG, he is likely thinking about that final run and getting a last payday. Neither is going to happen in NY. The "no trade" clause in his contract seemed to be a big limiter to him moving, until the Alex Smith trade. I firmly believe that if Alex Smith had a no trade clause, everything would have transpired in exactly the same way it did. Alex would have approved the trade and cashed his new pile of guaranteed money. This can't be lost on Eli (just as it is not lost on Rodgers and Ryan - except for the trade).
Broncos/Vikings/et al: there are teams who feel they are close to a Super Bowl but are desperate at the QB position. They have neither the opportunity, nor the patience, to rely on the draft as the solution. They are looking at the upcoming Cousins deal (let's say $30M per year with $90M guaranteed) and questioning if this is their best path forward for the next two to three years. The answer has to come with comparisons to all other options. I believe that as GMs talk at the upcoming combine, several teams will inquire as to Eli's availability. I think that agreements will be reached to allow one or two teams to speak with Eli's agent wrt extension contract terms. If the price is cheaper than Cousins, or if the teams feel Eli is a better near term solution, then I fully expect a trade to happen.
Please note, I'm not expressing an opinion on his suitability for the Vikings. Just looking at the big picture and reading the tea leaves. All are welcome to come back to this thread in two months and point out that my vision was way off and that I should have just swallowed the media party line.
Thoughts?
Let's take a step back and look at the big picture:
Team: the NYG are at a low point, which comes with the reward of having a top pick in the draft. I don't believe they are even close to a return to the SB. They are in the rare position of having a top two draft pick in a draft with four legitimate candidates and, as with Wentz and Goff, there is little consensus on who is number one. They might not have this opportunity again for twenty years. Conclusion: they have to pick a franchise QB and fully support his development with near term playing time.
Eli: he is nearing the sunset of his career. While loyal to the NYG, he is likely thinking about that final run and getting a last payday. Neither is going to happen in NY. The "no trade" clause in his contract seemed to be a big limiter to him moving, until the Alex Smith trade. I firmly believe that if Alex Smith had a no trade clause, everything would have transpired in exactly the same way it did. Alex would have approved the trade and cashed his new pile of guaranteed money. This can't be lost on Eli (just as it is not lost on Rodgers and Ryan - except for the trade).
Broncos/Vikings/et al: there are teams who feel they are close to a Super Bowl but are desperate at the QB position. They have neither the opportunity, nor the patience, to rely on the draft as the solution. They are looking at the upcoming Cousins deal (let's say $30M per year with $90M guaranteed) and questioning if this is their best path forward for the next two to three years. The answer has to come with comparisons to all other options. I believe that as GMs talk at the upcoming combine, several teams will inquire as to Eli's availability. I think that agreements will be reached to allow one or two teams to speak with Eli's agent wrt extension contract terms. If the price is cheaper than Cousins, or if the teams feel Eli is a better near term solution, then I fully expect a trade to happen.
Please note, I'm not expressing an opinion on his suitability for the Vikings. Just looking at the big picture and reading the tea leaves. All are welcome to come back to this thread in two months and point out that my vision was way off and that I should have just swallowed the media party line.
Thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.