08-18-2022, 12:52 AM
(08-18-2022, 12:15 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Is it clear that Bates deserves more than the Bengals offered?
At times, he plays like a top 5 safety. Other times he plays like an average safety.
Say we sign him to a Derwin James type contract and he plays like that average safety...that wrecks our cap.
Yes without a doubt he deserves a big time contract. Let's look at the facts.
1.) He is reliable. He has missed one meaningful game in his Career and that was on a short week.
2.) He has lead the team in solo tackles the past two seasons and he was 2nd on the team in solo Tackles in his first two seasons.
3.) He has made an all pro 2nd team and was the best player at safety according to PFF in 2020. The guy has proved elite ability in his Career. He is still only 25 years old the best football his ahead of him.
4.) He played the best ball of his career during the biggest games of his career. Can we really afford to lose a player that plays his Best when the lights are on.
5.) He has the highest rate of forced incopletion rate at 19% since the start of 201 season. .
On the flipside- let's say Bates leaves next season and shows he is the best coverage safety in the NFL for the next 5 seasons? Can the We really afford that as a franchise?
Also I'm not against losing Bates what I'm against is losing Bates for free. He is too good of a player to let walk without compensation.
