The price of cornerbacks

by VanRam on Mar 2, 2009 10:50 AM CST in History Comment 9 comments

As I type this, the Rams are in the midst of negotiations for CB Ron Bartell (as are the Saints). The hold up on the deal is the size of the deal Bartell wants, something along the lines of what Domonique Foxworth got from the Ravens, something in the neighborhood of $7 million per year. The cost of cornerbacks is, once again, getting expensive. Is it too expensive?

From Pat Kirwan at NFL.com:

The guaranteed money that free-agent cornerbacks have received so far seems out of whack: Nnamdi Asomugha ($28.5 million from the Oakland Raiders), Kelvin Hayden ($22.5 million from the Indianapolis Colts), DeAngelo Hall ($22.5 million from the Washington Redskins) and Domonique Foxworth ($16.5 million from the Baltimore Ravens). Not too long ago, Foxworth and Hall were shown the door by teams. I can only wonder what McFadden -- and even Greer and Bodden -- expect to get in the coming days.

To me, it seems like every year the cost of CBs goes up and up and up. Last year, the Eagles signed Asante Samuel to a six-year, $57 million deal with $20 million in guaranteed money, and the contract will pay him more than $34 million in his first three seasons. The Seahawks re-signed CB Marcus Trufant last year to six-year, $50.2 million contract with $28 million guaranteed. The year before that, the 49ers signed Nate Clements to an eight-year, $80 million deal with $22 million in guarantees.

Signed at similar points in the their careers, Samuel, Trufant and Clements came with better numbers than this year's group of big fish corners. You can see the escalation in the price of cornerbacks.

Is it too much? Does the league over-value cornerbacks? Is there a better way to get reliable, effective cornerbacks without getting into an arms race like this?

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Over-valued

Asomugha deserved to get paid. The man is GODLY…

As for average-joe CBs like Foxworth, hmmmm, I guess your worth what someone is willing to pay for you! Does seem pricey though. Hopefully the Rams management will know better and do what best LONG-TERM for the franchise

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by YankeeDoodleBrit on Mar 2, 2009 12:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I like Bartell

and I think he could be a key addition over the years.

by VanRam on Mar 2, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

deserved to get paid, but how much?

If he had gotten twice as much money, would it have been a responsible deal? Just because he deserved to get paid doesn’t mean he deserved what he got. His contract inflated this year’s class as CBs like Foxworthy and Bartell instantly became the best available options on the market.
To be fair, however, Naamdi is awesome though.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Mar 2, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Highest paid player in the NFL...

No cornerback is that good.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Mar 2, 2009 2:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pricey DB

Just to toot my horn here; Way to much money floating around out there not to get a deal done, however, 7 mil a year is a little much. With the changes put in place so far, as well as the changes to come, our team is poised to make a run, especially in this division. Bartell should see this hopefully and not $dollar$ signs. And let’s get Butler!

by papapegasus on Mar 2, 2009 1:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

DB Pay Checks

Remember, you’re asking these guys to cover freaks of nature like Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, TO, and other big and fast wide receivers……….if these guys dont have the athletisim they will get burned all game long, so when someone comes along that has at least a little skill, teams will pay good money for that……..which is understandable.

by JordansDad on Mar 2, 2009 5:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ok, dad, but you’re paying everyone to do something athletic against freaks of nature. You’re asking defensive ends to get around OTs who are 6’5", 340 lbs. You’re asking running backs to run full steam ahead into linebackers who look more like SUVs than humans. You’re asking punters to, uh, punt it high and far. So maybe not punters, but everyone else needs athleticism to compete against freaks that represent, what, .0000000000001% of all Americans? And that’s not counting foreigners like Martin Gramatica!

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Mar 2, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on 3k

You can’t possible be saying that cornerbacks aren’t just a notch more important on the defense?………..if your conerback isnt that good then that means you have to take a safety and have him help the CB, thats one less defender……..why do you think CBs get more than safties in terms of money?? because their job is a little bit harder……..I think it’s almost safe to say CB is THE most important part of the D, reason being is, if you have a weak CB on your team, then the O will be throwing your way all day. If you have a weak DE then you can back him with a LB and or even a safety(if it gets to that point your in trouble)…………..we can argue this all day I guess but strong CBs make things on the D a lot easier…………by the way, we went fishing locally at Hesperia lake near Victorville……..we did quite well, limited out before noon

by JordansDad on Mar 2, 2009 8:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

More important than who?

I’m not comparing CBs to Ss, or anyone for that matter. All I’m saying is that holding up the CB as the most important position for a defense is misleading. I would argue it’s based on defensive schemes. Look at the Giants’ D-line, or the Steelers’ or Ravens’ LBs or the Eagles CBs and S’s. I think it depends on your tactics as a head coach and defensive coordinator (which is often determined by personnel) and that makes certain positions that much more important.
Easy example: a top-tier DT/NT is MUCH more valuable (and necessary) to a 3-4 defense than a 3-4. Equally simple example is the MLB; much more vital to a 4-3 than a 3-4. But yes, your bottom line is true:

strong CBs make things on the D a lot easier

But to make sure I don’t give this one to you too easily, I would say strong fill in any defensive position here make things on the D a lot easier.
And I’ve heard of Hesperia; it’s North of San Bern, no?

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Mar 2, 2009 9:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs