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Blue and Gold
Yes, the comparison is not perfect, but Rams coaches thought Duncan could come in and do what London did. London was short, fast, was not a "super star" or Pro Bowl MLB like Urlacher, Lewis, Zach Thomas, but he was very good.
Watkins is similar but even more talented but now we want to dump him for one of these inferior WRs over a few million? When we HAVE the cap room?
I don't get it.
Flawed premise, B&G.
Where to start?
There are 5 potential receivers on any given O snap, but only 1 MLB. IOW, Watkins is only one of 5 possible targets, whereas Fletcher was IT at MLB.
Fletcher was already a Pro Bowler and a SB winner, at that. How many Pro Bowls for Watkins?
Hindsight tells us that Duncan failed to fill Fletcher’s spot. We’ll have to wait a while for hindsight to confirm whether Watkins will be a stud in this McVay spread it around O. Much less at a $16 million tag figure.
I think that a much more relevant comparison would be the incoming FA Woods coming in and having a helluva year in this O. I mean, they were Bills teammates, played for same coaches, same QB, both same age, etc. Woods greatly exceeded expectations, while Watkins disappointed.
If that doesn’t prove that a shrewd FA acquisition that is a good McVay “fit” can inexpensively get the job done, then I don’t know what it’s gonna take. This O is not all about Watkins. He is a piece of the puzzle, true. But just one of many.
I repeat. If Watkins will sign for $10 million per, or less, then fine, let’s do it by all means. But if not? This FO will find an adequate replacement and/or this coaching staff will coach up Reynolds or Thomas.
One last thing. You disparage the saving of a few million on the cap like it’s a bad thing. It isn’t. Saving $4-8 million could enable the signing of 2-3 more second tier players that could be significant difference makers in a playoff run.
