Is the Henry deal enough for Mixon?

[Whatever]

(07-21-2020, 07:57 PM)jj22 Wrote: Mixon has carried this offense on his back seemingly since he got here and teammates seem to love him and the energy he bring. That's a form of leadership. It's not his fault their is a lack of team success while here. There's been plenty good leaders on bad teams. I'm disappointed in the shot taken at his leadership using that argument.

The social media presence likely isn't a big deal either for everyone under 30. It's that generation and that's just going to be athletes platforms.

Mixon has been great while here, and if there is any doubt of his extension there's no reason to point to leadership. Not with legit arguments to be made about paying rb's, oline making rb or rb making oline, how long is there nfl lifespan, and how prevalent they are in the draft (late if you have the oline).

Joe averaged 3.5 ypc as a rookie and sucked the first half of '19 until they changed the blocking scheme.  1-1/2 years of good play in 3 is not carrying the offense on his back.  He's a system RB.  You don't pay $10+ mil a year for a system RB because if you have to can Zac and company after another terrible campaign and the new HC brings in a new offense, you'll be back to 3 ypc Joe.

It's not a shot at Mixon to say he's not a great leader until he actually accomplishes something as a leader.  Is it a shot at Burrow to say he's not a great QB until he proves he's a great QB?  Plus, the best leader you've got isn't necessarily a good or great leader.  Bodine was our best C for years.  That doesn't mean he was good, just that he was the best the Bengals had.  Plus, different people respond to different kinds of leadership.  Some guys need the rah rah pep rally guys like Mixon. Others need a teacher/mentor.  Some need the drill sergeant.  Some need a confidence boost and others need to be shamed.  

What a truly great leader has is tools to motivate different personality types. They aren't one dimensional.  Joe has shown none of that.  While it's silly to say no great leader has ever played on a bad team, the Bengals have never played up to expectations whole Joe has been a leader, either, and a great leader gets the most out his teammates.