Gurley, man
OK, you know our Ben Wallace theory, right? Wallace was perennially underrated until he got noticed, then he got paid and then people realized that all he did was rebound and play above-average post defense.
So he went from underrated to overrated overnight despite being the same player.
In truth, that was on the perception, and the better description and wording is Wallace went from underpaid to overpaid.
Now if you are asking, “Hey, Fat Head, what is a 1990s NBA reference have anything to do with anything?”
Well, that’s fair, but please, it’s Mr. Fat Head to you.
Here’s the deal: That analogy pops into my head every time a big-dollar deal comes down the line.
The big-dollar deal in question here is Todd Gurley getting a record-setting extension for a running back, agreeing to a four-year, $60 million deal with $45 million guaranteed.
In the NFL more than anywhere else, the value of the deal must be weighed through the prism of opportunity costs.
For example, when the Seahawks were the class of the NFL, they had the best defense in the league and one of the best secondaries in NFL history. They were able to afford the best corner, the best free safety and the best strong safety because they had a rookie quarterback on a rookie deal.
When they paid Russell Wilson the $100 million deal QBs get, well, the rest of the roster had to be sacrificed.
The Rams have pushed chips in to win now. They have offered more than $100 million guaranteed deals to Gurley, receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive tackle Ndamukoung Suh. They have their QB under contract for three more years, including this season.
It leaves two questions: Do they pony up the guaranteed money it will take to keep Aaron Donald beyond this year, the fifth and final year of his rookie deal? (We think absolutely, but if they do not, well, that’s a whole other discussion.)
The other question is could the Rams be the first team to embrace the disposal quarterback process. Draft a guy in round one; trust your coach, the system and pay the pieces around him; hope for him to develop into a dependable starter with a star-studded roster around him.
The other scenario that is out there, is this the first step toward paying the running back again?
Maybe, considering Gurley is getting major coin and Saquan Barkley going No. 2 in April. It also makes financial sense in a simple mathematic approach:
Gurley got a record-setting deal as Julio Jones is wanting an extension. Gurley is a top-five running back; Jones is a top-two wide receiver. Gurley touched the ball 343 times had more than 2,000 yards and 19 TDs from scrimmage; Jones had 89 touches, 1,459 yards and three TDs.
Who do you believe deserves the extension? Other than Ben Wallace of course.
New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia delivers against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)Yankees making moves
A day after the story of Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez failed to hustle out a ground ball, the Yankees have made a deal.
No they did not send Sanchez to Toronto, a la Gregg Popovich pulling an old-school gangsta move sending Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors. (Side note: And we may have mentioned this before, but for Pop to bellyache as much as he does about POTUS, how exactly do you think Trump would have handled Leonard’s situation? He would have confidently believed he could talk him into coming back, and when that option was exhausted, he would have sent him to the worst place for Leonard’s career to stagnate and a place he’d have pay extreme taxes. Build that wall, Pop.)
Anyhoo, where were we? Oh yes, the Yankees.
New York is arguably the second-best team in the game, but unfortunately for them, they are the second-best team in their division behind the hated Red Sox.
Each has a monster lineup. Each has a bona-fide, Cy Young-worthy ace. Each has a couple of questions in the back half of the rotation.
Boston has the game’s bets closer in Craig Kimbrel (remember him Braves fans). The Yankees have the best bullpen in the game, and they just added ti that strength.
New York dealt three players to Baltimore for Zach Britton, a lock-down lefty reliever. It also realistically gives the Yankees five closers in a fastball-filled bullpen.
It also is worth mentioning that the Orioles, who are downright awful, have now dealt two guys who had about three months each left on their contracts with Baltimore and they have received seven minor leaguers – three of whom were ranked among the top 15 in the Dodgers or Yankees system – and a big leaguer.
Well-played, all-around.
NCAA college football head coach Nick Saban of Alabama speaks during the ceremony for the acceptance of The MacArthur Bowl trophy which is in front of him during the Southeastern Conference Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. The trophy is presented annually, since 1959, to the top team in the country. (AP Photo/John Amis)Best for a reason
Nick Saban was at the ESPN car wash Tuesday. He was aces
Let’s review what he covered.
He covered his desire to have a nine-game conference schedule. We discussed this on Press Row. We are against; Wells and Paschall (if memory serves) are for.
He covered John Harbaugh’s comments about young players coming to the NFL not being “callused” enough and not ready to practice hard. Saban said the players he sends to the NFL comeback to T-Town and say NFL practices are easier than what they went through at Alabama.
And Saban addressed, at least as best he could, the bubbling quarterback controversy in Tuscaloosa.
We know that Saban has two quarterbacks who can win, and here’s a bet that almost every other team in American would gladly take whomever Lord Saban deems to be QB2.
We also know that in today’s culture, the protection of egos, players, parents, rosters and options all play into a coach’s decision on matter like this.
If this were the Bear’s day, he’d make a call and tell the team and players and there you go.
Today, Saban has to worry about transfers – and Jalen Hurts’ dad sounded off about that in the spring if his son was passed over – and make sure he has enough depth at the game’s most important position.
Well, news from Saban on Tuesday evening should make every Alabama fan breathe easier. Saban told ESPN that Hurts has told the game’s best coach he’s staying in T-Town regardless.
From that ESPN story: “Jalen actually came to me and said … ‘I am going to be here. I am going to be here. I came here to get an education. I graduate in December, and I’m going to be here,'” Saban said Hurts told him.
Deep breaths, Tide backers.
Now let the best dude win and let it go.
This and that
– There are a lot of Hollywood bigshots who do not like conservatives. That’s their right of course. There are a lot of conservatives who do not like Hollywood bigshots. Well, one of the Hollywood folks has landed a blow. Sasha Baron Cohen – he of the impersonating comedy stylings – made a fool of Georgia Rep. Jason Spencer (R) on his Showtime show and even led him to dropping an N-bomb. Spencer, who represents district 180 in Southeast Georgia, resigned Tuesday. Spy, care to weigh in?
– Excellent column from TFP ace sports columnist Mark Wiedmer here
– Here’s the latest in TFP SEC ace David Paschall’s SEC series. Up today, Florida, which we think will surprise some folks in the East this fall.
– We discussed J-Lo turning 49 on Tuesday. Here’s how she celebrated. And yes, a body like that at 49 takes a TON of work. Kudos, Ms. J-Lo. (And Mr. A-Rod.)
Today’s questions
Which way Wednesday:
Which way will Saban go – Tua or Jalen – now that we know neither will likely transfer?
Which way will the trend go, paying running backs or Gurley is kind of anomaly?
Which team is the favorite to win the World Series, Boston or New York?
As for today, July 25, let’s explore.
On this day 19 years ago, Lance Armstrong won his first Tour de France*. (Yes, asterick required.)
Ben Hogan died on this day 21 years ago. Talk about a dude. Hogan was a dude.
Matt LeBlanc turns 51 today. So there’s that.
Walter Payton would have been 64 today.
If we start with “Sweetness,” what is the Rushmore of NFL nicknames. Go, and remember the mailbag.