Originally posted by AmpLee:
Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Originally posted by AmpLee:
Originally posted by Wisconsin49erfan:
Iupati is better than Boone anyway. If it was a choice between Iupati and Boone, I would much prefer Iupati. If Boone is demanding similar money to Iupati....
I'm not so sure. The ability to play the tackle position at a very high level elevates Boone's value. I understand why he wants to get paid more, he's just going about it in a really bad way.
His ability to start at both positions is exactly why a 2nd or 3rd round pick is not enough. He's not a Pro-Bowler at either, but still a top player. That provides a team A LOT of flexibility. If I'm Baalke, a team would have to overpay (a 1st or a 2nd AND 3rd). I doubt any team bites and if they do, great for us and Alex Boone.
I think he's a pro-bowl talent, just gets kind of overshadowed on our line and doesn't play his strongest position which is tackle.
To me, 2 years with a top 15 G (or better) that can back-up tackle better than anyone in the league, at about 2 mil/year (during a Superbowl run no less), plus a 3rd or 4th round compensatory selection for when he leaves and signs a big contract elsewhere, is far more valuable than a day two pick in next year's draft. Teams need to start with a first rounder before I even listen, if I'm Baalke. And even then, it's got to be even higher than that to break precedent and give in to the demands of a player holding out. In short, nothing short of a king's ransom would pry us away from Boone. He's just too valuable, with too much at stake, and a decision that will likely impact the way potential hold-outs operate with this FO.
The media is crazy if they think trading him away for a third rounder is a win-win. That would be a massive loss for us.
All of this. Except the part about him being a Pro-Bowler. You can be a very good player without being a Pro-Bowler. Ray McDonald is an example.
Another thing to consider is this, people need to stop looking at Alex Boone as an UDFA so any compensation is a plus. It's not a plus. The guy had top tier talent coming into the league and messed it up for himself. Doug Baldwin went undrafted. Does anyone think Seattle could give him up for a 6th at this point?
The idea of a 2nd and 3rd or a first a minimum seems fair because frankly, you aren't finding that many starting quality tackles in the draft. Add in the fact that the guy can start at guard and yes, that king's ransom sounds very reasonable.