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The Eagles and Bears have 2 of the best front offices for this very reason. If you go and look at Kreutz, Urlacher, Mike Brown, John Tait, Fred Miller, Garza etc's contracts now, it is nothing compared to what people are getting paid today. Extend your own talent well before they hit FA. They get security earlier, you get value rather than being forced to overpay in FABriggs was the only exception and even then, I see the franchise tag as being cheap if we can tag him 2 years in a row....and then trade him if he is not extended by then.
Sure, but that's why it's so important for NFL franchise to be proactive in their negotiations. The Eagles now have leverage because Big Cat is signed long-term. If he has another Pro Bowl season in 2007 and sees all the $$$ going toward middle tier guards; he has the right to ask for a new deal but what's he really going to do? Hold out? He's signed for too long to make that move.The more likely scenario is in 2008 or 2009, the Eagles will redo his deal if the market bears that out. But rather than worrying he will be snatched away, if they don't pay MAX value, all they have to do is make the case they're doing right by him. Huge difference in the salary cap era between those two situations.
I think both parties understand the risks and benefits of signing a long-term deal early. The Eagles have a chance to get a quality player for a good price but there is also a chance that he won't pan out. The player is getting a decent amount of money up front and insuring against a possible injury that could ruin their careers. They might be underpaid in the years to come but it might be worth it to them for the peace of mind.
Who are the mediocre interior OL getting BIG bucks? I think most of the interior guys have been pretty good. Leonard Davis is the guy that stands out as someone that's gonna get way too much dough.... but it's pretty hard to compare the salary of a T to that of a G.JetMaxx said:
