Regarding “paying Hurts” or anyone high $$$. Totally agree especially with JS and FO we have now. However, when reading your comment, go back 20-30 40 years (84 Hawks). Those of us at Seahawks Stadium in Jan 22, 2006, 30 years in the making, the joy of finally reaching the SB only to have the NFL steal it from us. Yes, we would not care back then to “pay up” for a Lombardi. The old men then who were from beginning original season ticket holders. Living through the early stages, the closeness of Ground Chuck ball. The hatred for everything California (Behring is still a 4 letter word). Paying for a Lombardi back then. We all would want it. Now, totally hope your assessment of SD etc is accurate.
I went to WSU so I'm a fan of the Cougs and there was no player who elevated his team more than Leaf did in his final season. The Cougs had a freakin' 10-2 season, he was constantly making big plays downfield and almost beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
My favorite college player is Karl Douglas, the QB who lead the Texas A&I Fighting Javelinas to consecutive NAIA championships back in the late 60s. Douglas had an arm like you wouldn’t believe—I was 12-13 when he was in his heyday and thought that throwing 60-yd strikes was normal.
Douglas was drafted by the Colts in the day when few thought that black men could play QB at the pro level. I’ve often wondered what he could have accomplished today playing for a team patient enough to develop him.
Favorite all-time college players include Barry Sanders, Herschel Walker, Tommie Frazier and Michael Vick. But as much as all of their games were "appointment viewing," so was Grayson McCall's. I can thank this newsletter for getting me to fawn over a college player like I did when I was young and fit enough to still run gassers.
I'm not the first to make this comparison, but I have to wonder if Jalen Hurts isn't about to have a Russell Wilson type career trajectory. If I was Howie Roseman, I'd be on the phone.
I completely agree with your thoughts about the QB market. I have been hoping for several years that the Seahawks have convinced themselves that paying ANY player more than 18-20% of the cap is bad for business. I am also convinced that eventually there is going to be a QB that realizes that taking less money and being able to have a better supporting cast is actually MORE valuable (in long term legacy and $$$) than getting today's equivalent of $60M per year. If you win 3 super bowls as a QB, you can basically have any job you want for the rest of your life... and you will make up the difference. Anyway, that is my rant on the subject. BEGAW!!!
It'll get very interesting if the Seahawks repeat too. But I'm of the mind that Darnold will bet on the long-term value of taking less and winning more.
Tom Brady always played on a sensible contract. You'd think 7 rings might impact other QB's thinking when it came to negotiation time, but it hasn't seemed to yet.
I fully believe that no one player on a 53 man roster can actually be worth over 10% in terms of ability to win games. If Denver were willing to kick field goals and just take the points, they could have won that game with a back up. The trouble is, when it comes to Darnold, JSN got over $42 million. Look at the number of touches he gets a game and compare it with Darnold. If they win the Super Bowl again this year, I think $55 million is the floor. I think Milroe may get a look this year to see where he’s at. I don’t see JS going any where near $55 million. I’d break the rule on giving out extensions and get him for $43 million this year.
Brady's contracts helped the team, the team dominated for 20 years, now Brady is worth a lot more because he's considered the GOAT. I agree that's the way to go if you bet on yourself as a QB.
Regarding “paying Hurts” or anyone high $$$. Totally agree especially with JS and FO we have now. However, when reading your comment, go back 20-30 40 years (84 Hawks). Those of us at Seahawks Stadium in Jan 22, 2006, 30 years in the making, the joy of finally reaching the SB only to have the NFL steal it from us. Yes, we would not care back then to “pay up” for a Lombardi. The old men then who were from beginning original season ticket holders. Living through the early stages, the closeness of Ground Chuck ball. The hatred for everything California (Behring is still a 4 letter word). Paying for a Lombardi back then. We all would want it. Now, totally hope your assessment of SD etc is accurate.
Yeah, it's a new outlook with the front office from 2010-now.
Favorite college player of all time - Ryan Leaf
I went to WSU so I'm a fan of the Cougs and there was no player who elevated his team more than Leaf did in his final season. The Cougs had a freakin' 10-2 season, he was constantly making big plays downfield and almost beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
My favorite college player is Karl Douglas, the QB who lead the Texas A&I Fighting Javelinas to consecutive NAIA championships back in the late 60s. Douglas had an arm like you wouldn’t believe—I was 12-13 when he was in his heyday and thought that throwing 60-yd strikes was normal.
Douglas was drafted by the Colts in the day when few thought that black men could play QB at the pro level. I’ve often wondered what he could have accomplished today playing for a team patient enough to develop him.
https://javelinaathletics.com/honors/javelina-hall-of-fame/karl-douglas/26
https://lonestarconference.org/hof.aspx?hof=3
It's been great to see Leaf re-write his story in the last 20 years to something more positive.
Favorite all-time college players include Barry Sanders, Herschel Walker, Tommie Frazier and Michael Vick. But as much as all of their games were "appointment viewing," so was Grayson McCall's. I can thank this newsletter for getting me to fawn over a college player like I did when I was young and fit enough to still run gassers.
I'm not the first to make this comparison, but I have to wonder if Jalen Hurts isn't about to have a Russell Wilson type career trajectory. If I was Howie Roseman, I'd be on the phone.
Another comparison could be Cam Newton. A player who was all but toast by 30.
I completely agree with your thoughts about the QB market. I have been hoping for several years that the Seahawks have convinced themselves that paying ANY player more than 18-20% of the cap is bad for business. I am also convinced that eventually there is going to be a QB that realizes that taking less money and being able to have a better supporting cast is actually MORE valuable (in long term legacy and $$$) than getting today's equivalent of $60M per year. If you win 3 super bowls as a QB, you can basically have any job you want for the rest of your life... and you will make up the difference. Anyway, that is my rant on the subject. BEGAW!!!
It'll get very interesting if the Seahawks repeat too. But I'm of the mind that Darnold will bet on the long-term value of taking less and winning more.
Tom Brady always played on a sensible contract. You'd think 7 rings might impact other QB's thinking when it came to negotiation time, but it hasn't seemed to yet.
I fully believe that no one player on a 53 man roster can actually be worth over 10% in terms of ability to win games. If Denver were willing to kick field goals and just take the points, they could have won that game with a back up. The trouble is, when it comes to Darnold, JSN got over $42 million. Look at the number of touches he gets a game and compare it with Darnold. If they win the Super Bowl again this year, I think $55 million is the floor. I think Milroe may get a look this year to see where he’s at. I don’t see JS going any where near $55 million. I’d break the rule on giving out extensions and get him for $43 million this year.
Brady's contracts helped the team, the team dominated for 20 years, now Brady is worth a lot more because he's considered the GOAT. I agree that's the way to go if you bet on yourself as a QB.
Sucking the life out of the Team's salary budget won't make you any friends in the locker room.