Quote:
Originally Posted by AnonEmouse
With his injury history I'd be surprised if Scherff just sits on the tag until next spring. A guaranteed long term deal now after another injury hit season would be security he doesn't have right now, especially with guarantees. I mean, he could be just looking at it like he's made a bundle already and every year is a bonus, but the way he plays says to me he wants to keep playing as long as he can (and maybe have a shot at Canton?). Personally I don't think he's being mercenary he just wants paying what he's worth. I agree with Chief, I think he was feeling out the market and once the draft is out of the way he may well get on the phone to his agent to get a long deal done.
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The sticking point in deal was almost certainly length and guarantees, not money. I believe Keim reports truth. He is a scrupulous journalist. If he reports we offered Scherff highest paid contract for G, believe him, but devil is in details of deal. What matters in big contracts is guaranteed money. So Washington could have offered him deal that made him highest paid, but with outs if he's injured or with much of money incentives for health. Scherff may have said no, I want more guaranteed money and years. Anyone who thinks he is magically going to get more healthy after 30 is dreaming. Our FO would be stupid to give the things Scherff is probably demanding. I also think Scherff is perfectly willing to play out the tag and become a URFA because tagging him next year becomes insane. He'll move to a team that contends and take a bit less money to get the ring, with guarantees he wants. A deal with less overall money but better guarantees is actually better in the NFL. Very few players see the end of their deals, especially big deals after 30 for non-QBs. I would be stunned if something like this not what going on behind scenes.
I also think liking the new culture is different than being delusional and thinking we will win a SB next three years or that Snyder won't meddle eventually. We still have no answer at most important position, and have made poor decisions at that position this offseason. No one without blinders really thinks Fitz-Inconsistent is leading anyone to a SB. He is too up and down and has never lead a team to playoffs. Does anyone think a player on their first playoff run at 39 is leading team to SB? No way. Scherff can hold out for EXACTLY the deal he wants and if not pick whatever team he wants in FA next year by lowering his price a bit or wait for one team to foolishly pay him what he wants. That is almost certainly his agent's advice and his philosophy. Play conservative, don't risk injury, if you miss 8 games, who cares, fully guaranteed, but be healthy for year after, if Washington doesn't give EXACTLY what you want, let them franchise you for $20M+ next year or walk. Scherff is probably looking for 5 year deal worth $80M-$90M with absurd guarantees. If not, fine, go play for a SB contender next year for $15M a year. He'll give the discount to another team, but not us, that is the reality once you franchise a guy. Scherff isn't evil for doing this, anymore than Cousins, or Dak. Business is business, and NFL labor agreement rarely favors players like this. Bottom line, we're hosed. Why trade for Scherff when you can just sign him in FA next year? No one's trading a ton for him anyway because of injury history and he's a RG. The combination of picks and huge salary and no long-term deal huge poison pill except maybe for contender with major injury. Coaches should not be GMs.