Springs, Washington, and Griffin...

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

If we were going to invest in Springs for three more seasons following this one, which is plausible, I think it would be accompanied by Fred Smoot's release (post June 1 designation). I agree that Springs is still very good, and probably deserving of an extension. I also think that Rogers and 35 year old Springs are a better combination than Rogers and 30 year old Smoot.

But if we're going to pay players for future performance, and not based on what they've done in the past, it would be tough for me to sign off on an extension for Springs that would guarantee his 2008 salary over a three year span.

Of course, the more I consider it, the less problematic it sounds. I definitely would say, in theory, that money is better spent on a proven veteran than a mid level guy looking for a payday.

However, lets consider the possibility that Nnamdi Asomugha hits the open market next season, and we can find the cap space to sign an elite corner (who is better than Asante Samuel or Nate Clements) by letting Smoot and Springs go. Shouldn't we do that deal if it would give us the best CB duo in the NFL?

Asomugha will command more than Nate Clements on the open market ($20 million bonus, $80 million total).

The excess cap space teams have found themselves with in recent Marches has led to excess inflation on free agent "prime age" players. Players like Shawn Springs, who don't fit that prime age, go for much less and return better value for the dollar.

Case in point: Derrick Dockery gets $49 million at age 27, Pete Kendall gets $3.5 million at age 35. Recognizing that Kendall was acquired in a trade and then renegotiated, but still. That's the recent trend.