Mario Trade Idea

[HPF Bob]

Mario's worth more than a low first (besides, we already have a low first). But a mid-to-high first plus future picks or a player that meets a need (WR or secondary, principally) and I think it's a win/win.

Besides, if we get back someone like Landry who was himself a high first, that offsets some of the cost to the new team for Mario's contract which means we should be getting back a premium player, not a fringe or washed-up player.

Any team that gets Mario is getting a Pro Bowler in the prime of his career. His knees and ankles are sound and he is still a mismatch freak. They OUGHT to be paying a high price for him, just as they would a top QB, DT or LT. That means two #1s or some equivalent (look at what Denver got for Jay Cutler who was drafted in the same draft at #11).

And if you consider we are offering a proven product while saving a team the expense of paying an unproven #1 draft choice and a premium player, it can make economic sense for a club that lacks a pass rush and desperately wants one.

Also remember that Mario was not a senior when we drafted him. He wasn't the child that Okoye was but he was still younger than your typical draft pick so he ought to be in his prime right now.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Mario's worth more than a low first (besides, we already have a low first). But a mid-to-high first plus future picks or a player that meets a need (WR or secondary, principally) and I think it's a win/win.

Besides, if we get back someone like Landry who was himself a high first, that offsets some of the cost to the new team for Mario's contract which means we should be getting back a premium player, not a fringe or washed-up player.

Any team that gets Mario is getting a Pro Bowler in the prime of his career. His knees and ankles are sound and he is still a mismatch freak. They OUGHT to be paying a high price for him, just as they would a top QB, DT or LT. That means two #1s or some equivalent (look at what Denver got for Jay Cutler who was drafted in the same draft at #11).

And if you consider we are offering a proven product while saving a team the expense of paying an unproven #1 draft choice and a premium player, it can make economic sense for a club that lacks a pass rush and desperately wants one.

Also remember that Mario was not a senior when we drafted him. He wasn't the child that Okoye was but he was still younger than your typical draft pick so he ought to be in his prime right now.

That is a compelling case.

Now what if somebody else had a great but not game changing DE who was approaching 30 and had a history of injury concerns and wanted your next two #1 picks?

[cadams]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Mario's worth more than a low first (besides, we already have a low first). But a mid-to-high first plus future picks or a player that meets a need (WR or secondary, principally) and I think it's a win/win.

Besides, if we get back someone like Landry who was himself a high first, that offsets some of the cost to the new team for Mario's contract which means we should be getting back a premium player, not a fringe or washed-up player.

Any team that gets Mario is getting a Pro Bowler in the prime of his career. His knees and ankles are sound and he is still a mismatch freak. They OUGHT to be paying a high price for him, just as they would a top QB, DT or LT. That means two #1s or some equivalent (look at what Denver got for Jay Cutler who was drafted in the same draft at #11).

And if you consider we are offering a proven product while saving a team the expense of paying an unproven #1 draft choice and a premium player, it can make economic sense for a club that lacks a pass rush and desperately wants one.

Also remember that Mario was not a senior when we drafted him. He wasn't the child that Okoye was but he was still younger than your typical draft pick so he ought to be in his prime right now.

1. a pro bowler in the prime of his career that has been placed on IR both of the last two years with season ending injuries.

2. unproven rookies will cost A LOT less than mario under the new salary cap system.

3. resigning mario will likely mean they have to put the restricted tag on foster (after smith told him last year they would get him a new contract if he had another good year) and could lead to a holdout. (foster is way more valuable than mario)

4. denver got that for cutler because quarterbacks are more valuable than any other position.

i hope i am wrong (because pass rushing ends are very valuable) and they can get a couple of picks for him, anything is possible (see palmer deal this year.), but i think that unless mario is willing to have a VERY reasonable contract he won't be back. they are too close to the cap and signing myers and foster have to be priorities. if the texans can even get a 1st round pick between 15 and 25 i would take it. that would allow them to get a receiver and cb in the first round, and them pick up a speed rusher at OLB with a later pick.

and while snyder has done some odd things, so anything is possible, i don't think there is any way they give up the #6 pick AND landry for mario.

[HPF Bob]

Mario turns 27 later this month. And many sack leaders were effective well into their 30s.

Turns out Landry is approaching free agency himself:

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...laron-landry/1

He was IR'd with an achilles injury.

[barrett]

That really is younger than I thought and changes the game some.

But for fun...what if somebody else had a great but not game changing DE who was 27, would require a huge extension after the trade, and had a history of injury concerns, and they wanted your next two #1 picks? What do you say?

Just because we can create a scenario where we think he is worth this does not mean it will happen. When was the last time a DL was traded for two first round picks or something comparable? Richard Seymour was two years older, without the health concerns, and every bit the impact player and he only got one 1st round pick, and the raiders had to be involved for that to happen.

[chuck]

All I know is I certainly am glad that Charley Casserly will have nothing to do with this.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by chuck

All I know is I certainly am glad that Charley Casserly will have nothing to do with this.

Con-Cur! The most know nothing, do nothing I have ever seen, who would like us to believe he is an expert.

[WMH]

You can never really buy too much in what coaches say, but Kubiak sure didn't sound like someone who did not want Mario back on his radio show today. He said something to the effect of, "man, I can't wait to see what he could do with a whole season in this system."

Facts are facts, the cap is what it is, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to see them legitimately try to work a deal out.

[barrett]

The overriding factor for me is that Mario is much better individually than Barwin or Reed. I know those guys played great the 2nd half of the year and the drop off is not that large, but there is a drop off. Mario is our best pass rusher.

No matter how it happens, if we can keep Mario without losing Foster I am for it. Any long term deal should give him a lower cap number than last year. If it comes down to Demeco/Walter/JJ being cut, I am fine with that. If we need to ask Schaub for a restructured deal, I'm okay with that too. If it removes us as a player in FA I am for that too. To win a superbowl we will likely have to beat Tom Brady and maybe Rodgers or Brees or a Manning. Watch the NYG and you know the best/only way to do that is with pass rush. There is no coverage to stop those guys.

[barrett]

Which of these do you choose?

(worst case financial scenario)
Mario
Rookie WR #2
Restructured Walter/Bryant Johnson/cheap FA/low round Rookie WR #3
Dobbins/Sharpton MLB #2

or (best case financial scenario)

no mario
Wayne
Walter/JJ #3
Demeco


I would personally prefer to spend my money on the best pass rusher our team has than some of the other less important positions on the team.

[Nconroe]

Adding to the radio interview comments, I thought I heard Kubiak say signing Mario to a new deal was no. 1 priority this off season. And further said that Mario really wants to stay here.

[HPF Bob]

Kubiak is not going to say anything other than Mario is a great player and he really wants him. If he doesn't say that and Mario stays, Mario doubts whether the coach has his back. If he doesn't say that and Mario goes, it might have reduced our trade leverage.