Yes that does happen at times, others his motor is just not there...whereas the linebackers we are running out there now go all day long. DD
Mario = Beast Averaging over 10 sacks per year in his career and was on pace for 16 this year. Resign him if you can for sure. My only concern is his injuries. He sure seems to play hurt a lot.
But that will require one or both players to take a paycut. And both will get paid top dollar in the open market. Spoiler I want both back too...
Here's what I think is going to happen: Arian Foster signs a fair contract for everyone involved. Noticeably less than Chris Johnson's but still top-tier running back money. He gets something creative put in about seven-figure donations to a particular charity. The Texans attempt to sign Mario to a reasonable contract. He starts testing the market. If he thinks he can get a lot more elsewhere, they franchise him and work a trade to someone willing to give him a $70MM contract, and get a couple of draft picks out of the deal.
I don't know the specific CBA language, but I'm almost certain that qualifies as a cap circumvention and wouldn't be allowed.
This is the NFL, where a player can be cut at any time. Arian Foster has been making peanuts in comparison to his worth because he was an undrafted free agent. Mario Williams singed a 6 year / $54 million with the Texans and is making $13.80 million in 2011. For us to keep Mario he is going to have to take a pay cut. Arian Foster is making $525k in 2011 and plays in the league's toughest position (physically on the body). He is going to want (and probably get) max money and a huge signing bonus.
I meant night and day! Short answer, I love Arian but if keeping him means losing Mario, I say move Arian.
Isn't Chris Myers contract going to expire too? Hes gonna want a nice contract too, though I don't know what that means in Center terms. I would rather invest in Mario, cause defense is what finally has us winning games. That's been with him out, but you know what he adds to the able. Our offense can make any running back look good, I don't think the loss of Foster would hurt that much.
With the injury problems and where the offense seen as the weaker side. Why not try to sign Wes Welker and maybe a couple of other players for depth instead of using it all on Mario?
I don't think this is true at all. If Mario will sign for the same money, one fewer year, I think the Texans would jump on it, especially if it's 1/3 guaranteed or less.
From reading this thread, it's obvious we need and NFL Bimathug to explain to people the details of contract structuring as well as how long term contracts actually work. Unfortunately, football contracts are ten times harder to grasp given their partially-guaranteed nature with Signing bonuses, roster bonuses, base salary, incentives, etc. But the short answer is that the Texans can easily sign both players, especially to long term contracts where the first year cap number is usually quite small. They may have to make sacrifices elsewhere or restructure, but Mario's huge cap number this year will certainly help in freeing up money. That said, I am getting very leery of signing ANY running back to a big contract right now. It seems their shelf lives are getting shorter and shorter. RBs are going down left and right, replaced constantly just about everywhere. If Foster's seeking anywhere close to Chris Johnson money, I'd think long and hard about keeping him.
I don't thinks it's between Mario and Arian. I think it's between Mario and Barwin, Quin, and Watt. Cause a huge contact to Mario could cripple the cap.
Mario is going to get an insane amount of money. Some team will absolutely break the bank. Texans have plenty of talent at LB. I'd let him walk. I think the obvious choice is to keep Arian at the reduced price and keep the cap alive buuuuuutt...! What if they let them both walk and looked to sign a top flight receiver like Reggie Wayne or another corner like Rashean Mathis? I think both would help the Texans more (based on their depth at LB and HB). Food for thought.
