I don't think you understand the free agency rules. Brad Smith was a restricted free agent. Last year he was tendered at the second round level-meaning that another team would have to give up a second round pick to sign him. He's a good player but it's not surprising that teams weren't willing to give up a second round pick for him. This year he will (probably depending on the new CBA) be an unrestricted free agent so anyone can sign him without compensating the Jets. Because he's a valuable player-but about the sixth most valuable Jet free agent-he's probably gone after this year. http://www.jetnation.com/2010/03/04/ny-jets-restricted-free-agent-tender-offers/
It is kind of crazy these days, we turned over almost half our roster since Rex got here and looks like a lot more of that this year. My wish is that they had no cap at all and we could just buy a SB. If not that I hope it gets raised a ton, but from everything I read the cap will either stay the same or might even get lowered. If that's the case we're fucked.
I get it, I don't think you get what I meant. If a team wanted him THAT bad they would've done so. I don't see a team paying 5-6 million a year now. I do see your point, I just disagree.
I don't think we will ever be fucked with Tanny in charge. When Herm and Bradway left we were talking about being in cap hell for years. Tanny came in and had us under the cap in a few weeks.
I don't think anyone pays him him $5 million a year but some team might pay him 4 years/$17 million or something, and the Jets probably can't come close to matching that. If you're Brad Smith do you stay in NY and give up, say, $6million on your one big contract? I doubt it.
One thing I'm hoping on is getting some players at a "Jet" discount. That's the only way to build a true dynasty these days. Whenever Brad filled in for Cotch this year he caught everything that was thrown at him except for one ball. Just like Leon I have a soft spot in my heart for players like Brad. lol
True, a big factor would be the team. Brad has made it obvious that he wants to stay. Hopefully something can be worked out without breaking the bank.
I have a soft spot for him too but I have a bigger soft spot for winning a superbowl. If he wants to play for the Jets at a price they can work with then by all means come back. If he is out of a reasonable price range have a great career and don't sign with an AFCE team so I can still root for you.
In order to build a championship roster, you need to make tough decisions on guys like Brad Smith. And that tough decision usually is to let him to go the highest bidder.
