Freeney Signs for Big $$$
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2935483

This probably sets a precedent for Will Smith:

Grateful Freeney signs $72 million deal with Colts

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

Defensive end Dwight Freeney has spent his entire football career chasing and sacking quarterbacks. Now, he's going to be paid as the premier player at his position.

Freeney, the Indianapolis Colts' franchise player, signed a six-year, $72 million contract with the team Friday that includes a $30 million signing bonus. He becomes the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

That's ridiculous. I'm a firm believer that no one player makes a team. And if you are going to pay that type of money to a player, it should be your quarterback. I can't believe he got that much money... I hope Will Smith isn't licking his chops after that.

Unbelieveable.

It will first effect Julius Peppers I think. I am ok with other teams breaking the bank - especially division foe teams. Crazy money though.

So, Hagan...
 

How will this affect us as an organization?

Potentially in the wallet and we could always loose Will if he's chasing a Dwight Freeney payday....

Dwight Freeney's Career Numbers

Tackles Misc Interceptions
SPLIT TOT SOLO AST SACK STF STFY FF BK INT YDS AVG LNG TD PD
2006 29 26 3 5.5 3 12 4 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2
Career 178 163 15 56.5 23 70 27 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 10


Will Smith's Career Numbers

Tackles Misc Interceptions
SPLIT TOT SOLO AST SACK STF STFY FF BK INT YDS AVG LNG TD PD
2006 52 33 19 10.5 2 6 3 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 3
Career 154 115 39 26.5 11 32 11 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 11


Take into account that Freeney has been in the league 6 years to Will Smith's 4 years and I think you can safely say that Freeney is a much better sack artist and turnover creator but maybe not as good against the run as Will is. Either way big money DE are paid to sack the QB in this league so I don't think Smith will get Freeney money or Peppers money, but he should be a top 10 paid DE in this league. It shouldn't be a problem to lock him up cap wise at all.

but they didn't have the money to keep Jason David?

They couldn't keep all their players, thats why they lost 4 or 5 to free agency, one thing we are 11.4 million under the cap so will smith mat get what he wants.

Peyton's pay is the reason they let Edge and other D players go. They were even musing Harrison's future, due to cap constraints. The Colts would still have great O ouput with AB at the helm. Seriously. That's one ofthe most talented Os in NFL history. Brady signed at a discount, so the Pats could afford other talent to keep them competitive. They've done just that.

If the Colts didn't give that to Freeney, then someone else would. Losing him would've been tough for the Colts, because their D is rebuilding. Great DEs are just as valuable to a D. LTs and CBs are also at a premium right now. RB values are fading, as more teams are going to RBBC.

The Colts need all the help they can get on defense, so keeping Dwight Freeney is key. Not sure he is worth THAT much although loadsa it is signing on ($30m or so?).

Does anyone know who are franchise-tagged DE? Don't they get a guarantee based on the top 5 earners for their position?

Here are USA Today's 2006 DE Salaries http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...n.aspx?pos=109