NOOB Question

[Dave Hansen]

I am 13 games into my first season.

I have a LT whose contract is up at the end of this year. From my feeble attempt to reason/renegotiate with him he's basically demanding a 5 year contract with a $6.6M signing bonus that equals the following cap costs over the term:

2007-$3.9M
2008-$4.4M
2009-$5.1M
2010-$5.5M
2011-$6.0M

Here are his vitals:

*experience=5 years
*51/51 w/scout OL rating of good
*loyality=82
*winner=80
*leadership=14
*intel=5
*personaliy=56
*popularity=83

*run block=62
*pass block=28
*block str=79
*end=44
*volitility=37

*can play both LT/RT at "red" level

Through 12 games stats are:

*KRB=12
*KRO=70
*B%=26%
*PNCK=4
*SKA=5
*SACK%=.9%
*O%=25%

Since I have never gone through a FA signing period or the rookie draft, I have zero "feel" what might be available through these sources. I have about $12M cap available available for next year. I have set my cap increase between 60-90 for the league.

My preference is to shore up my DL where three guys averages about 46/46, but with a rookie RDE at only 15/29.

My instinct is to pass on this LT because he will only take a 5 year contract. I view him as a marginal starter and would hope to find better options thru FA or the draft. But again, have not gone through either so I don't have any experience as what to expect.

I would appreciate any insights from my more savvy GM's.

TXS

[JetsIn06]

From my own personal experience, I've never found a good LT/RT in free agency. I've had guys who were stop-gap type players, that could hold me over for a year or two until I drafted one, but never a dominant force (epsecially with the 60-90 cap range).

With that being said, this guy doesn't seem to be playing too well. It seems like he's asking for quite a bit, and you may be able to get better stats out of one of the average T's in free agency. You can also, of course, hope to pick one up in the draft.

Again, this is just my personal opinion and if anyone thinks it's completely wrong, feel free to disagree :)

[korme]

Draft a new Tackle

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Time to move on.

[wishbone]

I say keep him, most of the teams will have plenty of cap space in the off-season and it may be a few years before you see anyone close to this skill level. That being said, you might use the last part of this season to develop him at guard or switch him to RT.

You could always let his deal run out and then franchise him, see what's available and go from there.

[Dave Hansen]

Thanks to all.

Franchise is an option I had not considered...and will probably pursue.

Since this is first year of my league, all teams have cap space at present.

Probably means slim pickings in the upcoming FA market.

Also, currently have the third best record in the league...probably be drafting very late in the first round to boot.