Quote
dzrams
Quote
zn
Quote
jemach
stated on this board with the signing.
Overall looked at as a good move and sets up cap help for future years.
Has nothing to do with how well Hav played, you can replace a right tackle more easily than any other position on the OL.
AND since they they can only have so many big contracts, extending a right tackle is questionable. When they have Donald and Goff both under extensions they can afford at best 6-7 other big contracts. Why would you use one on a ROT? That means you leave off someone who plays a position where it's harder to find good players.
There's a reason ROT is THE lowest paid position among NFL starters (looking just at the 22 O and D starters, not special teamers). It's because it's far easier to find a good replacement at ROT than most positions on an NFL roster.
And as a matter of fact the Rams seem to be cognizant of all that, since his extension is the only one of the ones they signed recently where the team can get out of it by dropping him after 2019 with no cap hit. No other Rams extension is structured that way.
BTW although Hav is ranked high in run blocking, he is much lower in pass pro.
...
Initially I had the same sentiments that you did. I thought Hav was easily replaceable. Still do...
But interestingly enough you stated the reason why it still may have been a good idea to extend him. Why not extend him while Goff is still inexpensive?
As you noted, his contract would be easy to get out of. So once Goff gets extended maybe Hav won't end up being one of the 6-7 big money contracts. The salary cap is a fluid thing.
In the meantime, you keep continuity on the line and a high performing player.
So I'm fine with it for now.
Why not? To extend others instead with frontloaded deals. That way you get the player and by the time you're paying for Goff at least one player is less expensive.
The entire premise being, there are positions you will have a harder time replacing than right OT. So if you want one of those on the (short) big contract list by the time Goff signs, use resources wisely and lock up someone NOW who is not as easily replaced as a right tackle is. If you frontload that guy now, you have an advantage later.
...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2019 07:30PM by zn.