Eli Manning's 6-Year, $97.5 Million Extension One of NFL's Biggest Deals

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

So if the argument is boiling down to him being way overpaid I definitely agree. BUT, what should the Giants have done?

Let's face it, the best players are not always paid the most money. In fact you can find examples of this in every walk of life, not just the NFL.

Well if it were me I'd do what Tripp suggested. Franchise him and draft a replacement. I am just concerned this going to cause problems throughout the league with QB contracts. This strikes me a very redskins-like move. Just too much of a good thing. I know they paid a premium to keep him off the market and avoid issues but they way way way over-paid. Some balance was needed. But on the upside they're saddled with him now for the foreseeable future.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Well if it were me I'd do what Tripp suggested. Franchise him and draft a replacement. I am just concerned this going to cause problems throughout the league with QB contracts. This strikes me a very redskins-like move. Just too much of a good thing. I know they paid a premium to keep him off the market and avoid issues but they way way way over-paid. Some balance was needed. But on the upside they're saddled with him now for the foreseeable future.

The problem with this strategy is its risk. Good franchise quarterbacks are hard to find.

Look at the Lions - how many good franchise qb's have they had since Bobby Lane? Or, discounting JC's possible performance this year, how about us for the last few decades? There are other squads which can be mentioned here too, of course.

What if you let Eli go and then draft Ryan Leaf or some other first round qb failure? Or what if you draft a very good player who still takes a couple of years to season, during which time the window of opportunity for the other pieces of your team closes?

Sometimes we all pay a little more to avoid situations of potentially problematic uncertainty. It seems that the Giants did the same with Eli.