09-10-2017, 02:07 AM
(09-10-2017, 12:00 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Between the way the NFL TE market has been blown up (Gresham $7m/yr, Jack Doyle $6.5m/yr, Charles Clay $7.6m/yr, Dwayne Allen $7.3m/yr, etc) and the fact that Eifert was barely healthy last year while making only two starts. Then add on his offseason back surgery and current knee tenitis, there was no way that the Bengals should have given him a long term deal.
Let him play on his 5th year option, and if he plays 14+ games, tag him. Then figure it out from there based off his tagged season.
Eifert has missed 27 games in 4 years.
Bob Sanders missed 25 games in his first 4 years.
MLJ missed 22 games in 4 years and many tantrums were thrown when he didn't get big money in Cincy. Just sayin.
A lot hinges on this season. If he plays close to a full season, then he'll have 3 seasons out of 5 where he played at least 13 games. Suddenly his career wouldn't look so bad. Especially at a position that sees a shit ton of injuries (something people on here like to ignore).
I will give you that the TE market is a little worrisome. I'm not sure why teams are investing so much in that position when injuries are so common there. That said, the salary cap has skyrocketed since 2012 and some positions are benefiting more than others. $7 million for Gresh (an average at best player) may sound ridiculous now, but $16 million for Dalton sounded high a few years ago. Now look.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
