Mario Trade Idea

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by popanot

If the Texans come to the conclusion they want trade Mario and are having difficulty on getting a high pick, I'd ping Green Bay to see if they'd be willing to part with Randall Cobb and a #2. I personally think GB would jump on it considering how bad their D was and how their season ended. They're deep enough at WR to lose Cobb in order to strengthen that D.

I wouldn't settle for that. Green Bay's second-round is going to be pick #62. That's way too low. Even if we got their first-rounder, that's pick #30, just three picks below our own. I'd want something in the top 15 at least.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I wouldn't settle for that. Green Bay's second-round is going to be pick #62. That's way too low. Even if we got their first-rounder, that's pick #30, just three picks below our own. I'd want something in the top 15 at least.

I agree with you, and ideally, they can find a team willing to give up a high #1 (and more) for Mario. However, the premise of my post was 1) they absolutely want to get rid of Mario's cap figure, 2) they cannot find a trade partner willing to give up a high #1, and 3) they want to get SOMETHING of value for Mario rather than just letting him walk. In that scenario, I think GB would be a good match. I think Cobb fits nicely into that young, talented, stretch-the-field WR role and he's definitely a threat at PR/KR. Even though the extra #2 from GB is low, it's still gives us another pick to draft a player or move up some in the 1st or 2nd round. They can ask GB for more, obviously. But again, my post was a get-what-you-can-if-all-else-fails scenario.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by popanot

I agree with you, and ideally, they can find a team willing to give up a high #1 (and more) for Mario. However, the premise of my post was 1) they absolutely want to get rid of Mario's cap figure, 2) they cannot find a trade partner willing to give up a high #1, and 3) they want to get SOMETHING of value for Mario rather than just letting him walk. In that scenario, I think GB would be a good match. I think Cobb fits nicely into that young, talented, stretch-the-field WR role and he's definitely a threat at PR/KR. Even though the extra #2 from GB is low, it's still gives us another pick to draft a player or move up some in the 1st or 2nd round. They can ask GB for more, obviously. But again, my post was a get-what-you-can-if-all-else-fails scenario.

I now see your point but only if Mario is unwilling to sign a new deal or we don't have the cap room to maneuver. Otherwise, I want a lot more.

[itssharif]

I've seriously been thinking about this and I think we oughta just franchise and trade Mario while Philly franchises and trades DeSean Jackson. We'd get our #2 WR/PR that we'd want at a much lower cap cost as resigning DeSean Jackson probably would be around 10-12 mil whereas resigning Mario would be around 15-18 mil towards the cap. I dunno I just feel like everything is win win for everybody involved.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by itssharif

I've seriously been thinking about this and I think we oughta just franchise and trade Mario while Philly franchises and trades DeSean Jackson. We'd get our #2 WR/PR that we'd want at a much lower cap cost as resigning DeSean Jackson probably would be around 10-12 mil whereas resigning Mario would be around 15-18 mil towards the cap. I dunno I just feel like everything is win win for everybody involved.

So, we get rid of a homegrown top flight player at one of the most important positions on the field for a No. 2 receiver with an attitude problem? And we do this simply to save 3 or 4 million? Which could easily be backloaded for when the cap explodes in 2 years? And run the risk of alienating other guys in the lockerroom who think the front office don't take care of their own when the time comes (which has already been an issue under Rick Smith)? To me, that makes no sense. I could (somewhat) understand if you let Mario walk because you don't want to tie that much money up in one guy. However, to let him walk just to turn around and tie up most of the money in a 160 lb. decoy with a chip on his shoulder does not sound good to me.

Something else I've been thinking about Desean is whether he could be the same player here. For instance, some of his most explosive plays have been when Vick hit him on a rope, in stride, waaaaaayyyy down field. That will not happen here. Schaub simply doesn't have the arm for it. In Philly, you had to be on top of Desean for at least 50-60 yards from the line of scrimmage. Here, you'd only have to cover him for about 40 or so yards. Not sure how much difference this makes, but I don't think it makes no difference.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by Joshua

So, we get rid of a homegrown top flight player at one of the most important positions on the field for a No. 2 receiver with an attitude problem? And we do this simply to save 3 or 4 million? Which could easily be backloaded for when the cap explodes in 2 years? And run the risk of alienating other guys in the locker room who think the front office don't take care of their own when the time comes (which has already been an issue under Rick Smith)? To me, that makes no sense. I could (somewhat) understand if you let Mario walk because you don't want to tie that much money up in one guy. However, to let him walk just to turn around and tie up most of the money in a 160 lb. decoy with a chip on his shoulder does not sound good to me.

Not sure I get this logic... It's OK to let him walk and basically send the message to the locker room that you don't want to pay the guy and will just let him go for nothing, but it's sending the wrong message by signing him and trading him for someone of value who could help improve the team?

Looking back, the only nasty contract haggle I can recall that Rick Smith had was with DRob, and much of that was DRob's fault (and I don't think anyone had a problem with letting him walk at that point). So historically, Smith has shown he'll take care of his players based on his dealings with Demeco and Daniels (and as I recall, they both were coming off injuries). I don't think it will cause a locker room rift if they sign and trade Mario. Whether it's the right move or wrong move, it's still smart business to get something for him if you don't plan on paying him all that money and the players have to understand that (you hope).

Let me give you this scenario... What if they trade Mario's ~$18M salary for Jackson's $~10M salary and used the 'savings' to take care of Foster, Meyers, Brisel and Dressen, and in addition, not have to cut Demeco or Walter or cut some "aging veteran's" salary? I doubt the locker room would have a problem with it if that happened.

As for Jackson, I highly doubt he'd be just a decoy. Not mention his amazing PR skills, I'm fairly certain he'd get his receptions and would definitely make AJ and Schaub's job easier. As for his pouting, yeah I didn't like that either (and the Eagles are my 2nd fav team having grown up in that area), but up until that point, he's been a model player and citizen who has done a lot in the Philly community. Not that it necessarily justifies the way he acted, but I think he got some really bad advice from his agent (the holdout) and was deeply hurt when the Eagles started signing all those FA's and didn't want to talk to him about an extension. Yes, he handled it poorly (at 26 years old), but I don't think he's a prima donna by any stretch. Hell, I don't know... I do know his talent would be huge for this team, though.

[barrett]

If you can take care of foster, myers, brisel, and dreesen for $8 million, then you are a cap wizard and you have no need to get rid of Mario.

As for your scenario, it is great fun to imagine all the riches we can get for Mario. I am sure when the team makes a decision they will know whether he can be flipped for multiple 1st round picks or desean Jackson. And I am sure that will all be a consideration in the process.

[popanot]

And let me just add, I don't have a problem with them keeping Mario as long as they can do a new contract that is good for both him and the team. If they sign him to the F-Tag $, well then I guess we'll just have to live with it. What I don't want to have happen is just letting him walk and getting nothing in return. I mean, this isn't Carr or DRob where you don't care if they walk. Of course, a lot of this depends on Mario and him being receptive to a sign and trade deal.

[HPF Bob]

The temptation in getting DeSean Jackson is that he's a home run threat everytime he's on the field and how are opponents going to cover him while also covering Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels and Arian Foster? How do you keep that under wraps?

Is it worth sending Mario away? That's up to the front office to decide.