So Olivier Vernon has just signed the biggest contract for an NFL defensive end or edge rusher ever. Reggie White, perhaps the best defensive end free agent in NFL history, could only dream of this kind of money.
Vernon got a five-year, $85 million deal with the New York Giants this afternoon -- less than 90 minutes into the start of NFL free agency.
He gets $52 million guaranteed. Of that, $40 million is fully guaranteed, meaning Vernon could never play a down for the Giants and he has made $40 million. His cash flow is ridiculous in that he will make $29 million this season, will have made $41 million by his second season, and $54 million by his third season.
This is a monster deal. This is a monster that is radioactive and shoots venom and has X-ray vision. I can definitely understand why the Dolphins showed no ability or significant desire to sign Vernon to a long-term deal the past few weeks.
But ...
They could have had him for $12-$14 million per year in August of 2015 and decided they didn't want to pay that. So, yes, them walking away now is understandable. But them not biting last year is questionable.
Of course, you guys cannot complain about that. That's because when I wrote last June that Vernon would be a $12 million per year guy, many of you scoffed. You mocked me in the comments section. And I have a long memory. So enjoy your comments from last year:
Alisson Pescador Aloia ·
Works at Harris Group, Inc.
Shut up Salgueiro ... Vernon is a normal player ... Any player that have cameron wake on one side and suh on middle have to pick 10 sacks a year ... i think dolphins have to invest on cb position ... DE we have terrance fede ...
1 · Zach Wilky Wilkinson ·
Terrance federal is a solid DE. But going into his second year coming off of an injury, he's just good depth at this point. Vernon is a young, ascending talent in the NFL. You look across the the line and have an aging super stud in cam wake. If you ask me, Vernon needs to be a priority, I wouldn't be upset to see cam wake traded away to see the phins clear some cap space to get Vernon this contract he's going to demand. Fact of the matter is the nfl is based on production, and if he produces, he's going to get paid. Don't put it passed Dennis hickey to cut veterans to make room for young ascending players.
Zach Wilky Wilkinson ·
And also you can't forget about Derek Shelby, who has been nothing but promising with the opportunities he's been given.
Mark Botelho
And with that news, the Cameron Wake farewell tour officially commences.
Jim Cory
Hey Allison, you do realize Suh has not played one down for the Fins yet, right?
Jason Linderman
Hope people understand that this will most likely be the end of Cameron Wake with the Dolphins unless he takes a huge pay cut. Vernon is cheaper, an excellent player and can only get better and Wake is getting older and not getting better.
Jerry Gragg ·
Wake has not gotten worse, either. He has an excellent personal offseason training/conditioning program and a fairly limited injury history. which should extend his playing years. Still remains one of the best pass rushers in the league
Mike Jamrozek
First off, Armando's contract numbers are way off!
It is much easier to accumulate sacks as a 4-3 DE than it is for a 3-4 end. If their sack totals are the same then the 4-3 guy is worth significantly less.
I don't think OV gets anywhere above an 8mil a year contract and frankly, he wouldn't be worth that IMO. Good player but definitely replaceable.
It is much easier to accumulate sacks as a 4-3 DE than it is for a 3-4 end. If their sack totals are the same then the 4-3 guy is worth significantly less.
I don't think OV gets anywhere above an 8mil a year contract and frankly, he wouldn't be worth that IMO. Good player but definitely replaceable.
Ger Flanders
You're comparing apples to oranges. 3-4 DE's are also too big to be 4-3 DE's. Also in 3-4 the 4TH PASS RUSHER is a blitzing lb. It's "VERY RARE" you see 3 Man NFL pass rushes. Unless going against an extremely bad pass protecting oline, or a DC just loves seeing his D carved upped by the opposing qb.
Ger Flanders
Bob Dziadik exactly! Just because it's a 3-4 doesnt mean only 3 guys rushing the passer. The 3-4 very often blitzes that 4th pass rusher, whether lb or db. There's still ALMOST ALWAYS 4 guys coming after the qb.
Jay Pao
I agree that this is likely a farewell year for Wake. Love the guy but Vernon represents the future. No way you can afford to let him get on the market.
Jay Pao
This is why Jordon being the draft bust that he is really kills the fins. They could have developed Jordan as Wake's replacement and it would have given them another OPTION when deciding on Vernon. Now they have no option because Jordan is a flake.
Ger Flanders
Wake would still be gone were Jordan to emerge a superstar pass rusher. Definitely wouldnt be the younger lion Vernon. It would be the DECLINING older lion Cameron Wake.
Jay Pao
I am not so sure. My point is that Wake is going. But if Jordan was a star the Fins might not feel the pressure to pay Vernon the big $ contract. While they would want them both they likely couldn't afford to pay them both plus Suh. Now they have no choice but to pay Vernon as they hope Fede rises or they find someone in the draft. The Jordan collapse is painful.
Jay Pao
Wake leaves after this season. They sign Vernon and they are right back looking for a dominant DE in Round #1 next season.
Ger Flanders
I believe Fede is going to become a beastily pass rusher. He made pretty good use of his opportunities last year.
Bob Dziadik
This is why we should have traded Wake this year. Now we lose him and get nothing in return. Draft priority next year.
Joseph Hichborn ·
Mark Botelho However, there's always the chance that the Wake/Suh combo inflates Wake's numbers, possibly driving up his trade stock.
Nathan Rowlands ·
If anyone thinks wake is replaceable, yer on some good drugs.
Ger Flanders
I think you are on some good drugs if you think Wake's going to be here past 2015. It's not character or anything else. It's called SALARY CAP. They are not going to let VERNON WALK to keep an OLD GUY like Wake, who has 1-2 productive to semi-productive seasons left.
No offense, but, glad you are not the gm. The NFL is ran on salary cap not sentiment or blind allegiance.
No offense, but, glad you are not the gm. The NFL is ran on salary cap not sentiment or blind allegiance.
Ger Flanders
Plus, everyone's replaceable, short of BEING A GENERATIONAL CALIBER PLAYER, if you have the RIGHT talent evaluator doing your drafts. If not youre doomed.
Melody Mackey
I understand the Suh contract. Pouncey's contract made sense too. But the Dolphins are spemding a lot of money this offseason heading towards financial oblivion. I like Vernon and Tannehill for me still has a lot to prove but gosh if they get another major deal done I'm gonna start pulling out my hair.
Craig Miller ·
Vernon might in fact be a $12 mil a year player but not a chance in Hell he should ever be that on this team. I would let him go and draft his replacement next year in the draft. Might take a year or two to develop, that's fine. Vernon disappears at long stretches, as shown by his second half last year. Let someone else overpay for him....and they will.
Ger Flanders
This is the exact same mentality previous fo's had on "SECOND CONTRACTS". Hmm..... never quite seem to get those guys replaced as EASILY as thought, now do we? Further more, whether Vernon is a 12M player or not will all stem upon HIS 2015 SEASON. That's yet to happen has it?
Armando's basing it on him have a 10+ SACK SEASON this year. Still, I would like to see at least 13 to 15 SACKS from him in 2015 to say he's worth 12M a year average. He gets at least 13 sacks this year, hell yes, he's worth 12M.
Armando's basing it on him have a 10+ SACK SEASON this year. Still, I would like to see at least 13 to 15 SACKS from him in 2015 to say he's worth 12M a year average. He gets at least 13 sacks this year, hell yes, he's worth 12M.
LJ Mercado
Idk, a lot of Vernon's sacks come from coverage. He isn't the type to blow by or blow up a tackle. Add the fact he is rarely doubled, his numbers are a bit deceiving.
Joseph Hichborn ·
I worry that this is the case. All I can say is that Vernon is, at worst, decent.
Ger Flanders
Another thing it all depends on is HOW EFFICIENT can this year's offense be. If they can average 30PPG there will be plenty SACK OPPORTUNITIES to go around for everyone. Because OPPOSING TEAMS will be PLAYING CATCH UP. When the opposition is playing catch up they have to THROW THE FOOTBALL more. Right?
This equals MORE SACK OPPORTUNITIES right? Close games usually equal LESS PASSES thrown and we all know what that means right? Less sack opportunities.
This equals MORE SACK OPPORTUNITIES right? Close games usually equal LESS PASSES thrown and we all know what that means right? Less sack opportunities.
Harvey Housley ·
Works at Volusia County Schools
I agree, except if we can't stop the run. If you can't , the other team runs to keep it away from your offense.
Our lack of run defense hurt our offense last year.
Our lack of run defense hurt our offense last year.
Kevin Landry
The awkwardness of a poor draft two years running shows how much this affects the cap and the teams development. Worst of all it really affects the cap as the cheap players aren't able to play and then the team has to hire expensive FA's. One bad draft year and the team is 2 years behind. 2 bad draft years and money is gone to free agents for 10 years. Like trying to herd cats. We can point to Ireland but there were 2 or 3 GM;s behind Ireland that also sucked.
Ger Flanders
Shane Le Gresley huh, are you fudging kidding me? Ireland was great with NO-BRAINER picks(Long/Pouncey). After this name one significant pick(pro bowler) puick? However, Reshad Jones may become the first this year. Which still isnt a very good track record over 6 SEASONS.
He dumped Vontae Davis(1st rd pick). He hit on a few mid rd picks, but their CEILING was AVERAGE at BEST.
He dumped Vontae Davis(1st rd pick). He hit on a few mid rd picks, but their CEILING was AVERAGE at BEST.
Christian Paige ·
He had one good season and he is worth 12 million a year?! No way. Will he have an awesome year this year? Yes. Why? Suh and Wake. This guy is not worth that. I would rather move on and slide Fede in there to be honest. I get Wake is getting older but 12 mil a year, come on dude.
Zach Walsh ·
The official end of the Cam Wake/Brent Grimes Era in Miami. I'd rather have Vernon though, let one of the younger guys step up in Wake's place.
Chad Micheal
29 sacks in 4 years is PHENOMENAL for a 3-4 DE. Sorry, I know he'll get it, but I don't think OV is worth it.
Oscar Canosa ·
Finally, from one of our veteran Players on how some of our new Players are performing: Reshad Jones, "He's an animal. He catches everything near him. He's aggressive. He uses his body very well." on Devante Parker.
Ger Flanders
Also, as long as SUH is playing on that side, he'll make LIFE EASIER for any above average DE we place over there. As long as an ABOVE AVERAGE DE replaces Wake, he will not be GREATLY missed.
Oscar Canosa ·
Lots of cap managers here but none of them are named Dawn Aponte.
Frank Collura Dc
The market is what it is and will dictate Vernon's price. He does need a very good 2015 to guarantee $12 mill per year kind of money but he is still going to get good money if he tested free agency. This does spell the end of Wake and Grimes as Dolphins if the team decides to resign Vernon. You have to read between the lines- why would the Dolphins pay Suh the biggest money of the contract in 2016? Because Aponte and team management know who are most likely going to be the cuts and how much they have to spend to sign free agents or in house players in 2016. Im positive that Aponte has the cap figured out in advance for the next few years so the team knows what they can spend and what they can't. Vernon might be too much money even with a Wake and Grimes release. We will see what happens....
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