...for Randall Cobb?
I think we all agree that we want Cobb back, we just disagree on how much we should pay him. A lot of people are willing to say "we shouldn't overpay" which I think a lot of us agree with, but far fewer seem to be willing to throw out a number they would be willing to pay.
If you are one of those who thinks the position should dictate the salary more than the production how much would you pay arguably the best slot receiver in the game?
If you are one of those who thinks the #2 WR deserves to be paid a lot less that the #1 WR so you don't hurt the #1's feelings and upset things in the locker room how much would you pay for one of the best #2 WRs in the game?
If you are one of those who thinks paying 18-20 million a year for 2800 yards and 25 TDs is too much how much would you be willing to pay to keep one of the top 5 pass catching duos in the game?
For me that number would be around 10 million maybe a bit more (10.2, 10.3 maybe even stretch it to 10.5 depending on the other offers, structure, guarantees, who made it etc.) Truthfully, I think we could even work 12 into our cap without killing it (especially if we could get a 5 year deal) but I honestly would not want to do that. I don't think it would kill the cap to the extent we would have to starting cutting players we want just to stay under the cap (like the Saints have to do which would be my definition of killing the cap) but it could limit future additions and retention.
I base my opinion on the following, in no particular order
A) He is young and I have seen nothing that would indicate he will not continue at this level for many more years.
B) By signing him you keep an already dangerous duo intact and keep our WR group intact for at least 2 more years which will allow us to concentrate our efforts on improving other areas. If we keep him we can still draft a promising WR if one is available but we won't be forced to address the issue.
C) I think we can afford to keep him and not have any negative impact on our salary cap situation. It would be a difference of maybe 2 million dollars a year tops and I think pretty much any team could fit that into their cap for a player of Cobb's caliber. Where do I come up with 2 million you ask? If the Packers are willing and able to work 8 (or even 9) into their cap they can work in 10 (or 11)
D) I don't think signing him for that would impact our ability to keep Bulaga which some people deem even more important (and I wouldn't argue) or House.
E) I don't think it sets any sort of precedent that we are willing to let other teams run our salary cap (because I don't think it does that) or makes Jordy feel slighted in any way because he made his choice last year.
F) I think it strengthens Teds mantra of draft and develop and tells young players that the Packers will take care of you if you produce.
G) It won't set any negative precedent with other players who will think all they need to do is play hardball because players of Cobb's caliber do not come around every year and as long as Ted keeps making cuts to players like Hawk and Jones it tells players that if you don' produce you will be gone. This goes hand in hand with F.
H)lastly, and this is a small factor admittedly but it is a factor, by signing him we keep him away from potential competitors. If he gets a big offer from Jacksonville or Oakland maybe this won't be a huge factor as we will likely see him only once in the contracts lifetime but if he goes to Seattle or the 49ers or the Bears or vikings or even the Patriots or Colts (SB) it could factor in.
So there it is. What I would be willing to pay Randall Cobb and the reasons why. If you like feel free to add what you would be willing to pay and if you like please feel free to say why he should get that much or why we should only pay so much.