Comments on: Contracts make it easy to start Wilson, bench Flynn

By: oprk

oprk — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:37:49 +0000

I don’t know why teams point to his $7.25 cap hit as a reason we’d cut Flynn. His pro-rated signing bonus of $2m would still count against, as would his $2m of the $5.25m he’s owed in 2013 with it being guaranteed.

Pay a guy a $4m cap hit to walk away from a $7.25m cap hit? Not likely.

In reality, you’re only paying a $3.25m difference if you keep him as a backup in comparison to what your cap hit is if you cut him for nothing and are left with no backup, and $3.25 is below average for a top backup. The difference is what matters because the signing bonus and guaranteed money would hit the cap anyways if he were cut. We paid more than $3.25m `each` to Whitehurst and Tarvaris the year before last. As was pointed out earlier, $8m to Russell/Flynn next year is better than $8m to Tarvaris/Whitehurst the year before.

Sorry to those that thought Flynn would be dropped off at the free agent pool but we’ll be glad to have him back for one more year unless we get an offer that our front office feels makes our team better than retaining him as our #2.

By: seahawksbmx

seahawksbmx — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:37:03 +0000

Don’t feel bad for Russell “only” making $2.2M for his first 3 years. America loves an underdog story and the endorsement coin is about to go through the roof once this kid starts lighting it up. RW hits the lottery on 9/24, MNF vs. the Packers.

Thanks for your concern, but he’s going to be just fine.

By: vanyesno

vanyesno — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:37:11 +0000

thelastpieceofcheese says: Aug 27, 2012 11:07 PM

Let me get this straight.

The Seahawks will not start Flynn, their star quarterback, because they’ll save money playing third-round rookie Russell Wilson.

Brilliant!
————————————————————-

Let me get this straight…did you even read the article? They still have to pay the same amt for both doesn’t matter if flynn is starting or not. Money is not an issue for Paul Allen and his hawks so paying matt flynn to sit on the bench is nothing. I mean we paid $4 mill for clipboard jesus and TJax.

By: footballfan71

footballfan71 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:21:01 +0000

First, for everyone who thinks that the Hawks overpaid for Flynn, as you see now they didn’t. Also, the FA market was driving the price on Flynn, not the Seahawks. Any team would have to pay that price, possibly more, to sign him. They needed an upgrade at QB, and he was available.

Second, Flynn was never brought in as the guarateed started – only a hopeful one. The media anointed him as the #1. If it was just between TJack and Flynn, I hope Flynn would win out. But by luck, the Seahawks drafted a rookie with hunger and passion to play the game. Hell, give him a shot and let’s see what happens. Having a back-up like Flynn is not a bad 2nd option. And earning less per season than the previous backup Whitehurst was making.

Maybe this will put some fire under Flynn and he can start making some improvements. Nothing is guaranteed. Still need to earn your spot.

By: trollhammer20

trollhammer20 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:28:09 +0000

Did you know that of the last eight rookie QBs to start for their teams from game one, five have finished with winning records on the season?

By: bobnelsonjr

bobnelsonjr — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:54:24 +0000

Don’t be so sure once Flynn gets back from his injury.

By: circuscivics

circuscivics — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:43:06 +0000

Why am I seeing comments about the “experienced” Flynn. What, after two fill-ins where he put up good yards, but still had 5 picks. Kevin Kolb anyone? Now, who would know who performed better in camp and against live action better than the Seahawks coaching staff. I think i’d give them the benefit of the doubt over a couple armchaired GMs. I doubt coaches would pick a QB over personal preference. It is about who they believe will win them games. Considering most coaches are basically on a year-to-year contract anyway. It is an idictment on Flynn why allowed a rook to beat him, not to mention his former OC wasn’t that impressed with him.

By: cardiovascularendurance

cardiovascularendurance — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:42:46 +0000

I feel really bad for that 22 year old kid that will only make $2million in the first 3 years of his career. How will he even survive?!!?

By: billh1947

billh1947 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:49:59 +0000

Wilson will prove he is no Cam Newton when it comes to great rookie starting quarterbacks,once the action heats up for real and defenses have time to scheme his offense Wilson will make enough crucial mistakes to make the Seahags very happy they have an experienced Flynn ready to get the train back on the track.I give Wilson three games to make the coaches rethink their choice at QB.

By: justafanofitall

justafanofitall — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:14:01 +0000

First of all I think Flynn will be the starter during the 1st game or at least the 2nd. But that being said….wonder if Flynn wishes he’d taken the contract with Miami as it was a system he was familiar with and with Seattle has to learn a new one. Interesting in three years if Wilson is the real deal what’ll happen to Flynn (based on him playing well again if Wilson gets hurt). Do they keep him or let him go as GB did.

By: ghostofspeedyduncan

ghostofspeedyduncan — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:54:04 +0000

Wow, great job Pete. That’s even less than u paid Reggie Bush at USC

By: AlanSaysYo

AlanSaysYo — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:15:56 +0000

So it’s OK to hand out a bad contract to a backup as long as you underpay your starter.

That’s some interesting logic.

By: ronrob69

ronrob69 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:10:08 +0000

All I can say is that I am glad Seattle got him. I would much rather have Tannehill more so than Flynn. Now, let’s hope he plays well. Go Dolphins!!!

By: discosucs2005

discosucs2005 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:04:07 +0000

I originally thought the Flynn signing was a huge mistake after they named Wilson the starter. I think I was wrong though, and it has nothing to do with the money.

I think one of the reasons Wilson was able to be so successful in camp/preseason is because he didn’t have pressure on him because of Flynn. He could just play his best knowing he had no where to go but up.

Even the most diluted Seahawks fan would think this was intentional but luck plays a part in everything and the willingness to play the guy who isn’t getting the most money is what makes this one of the better handled QB competitions in awhile.

By: iamcline

iamcline — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:19:50 +0000

We’ll see what Flynn is doing Week 3. Preseason is an illusion. Most quarterbacks are going to look good in the Preseason.

By: tluke25

tluke25 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:34:24 +0000

If anybody watched Gruden’s QB Camp, they might remember that Gruden was over the moon for this kid. In all the seasons Gruden has done the show, I don’t think I ever saw him so giddy over a projected mid round talent.

Chucky has to be grinning from ear to ear right now saying, “I told you guys so”!

By: txnative61

txnative61 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:49:25 +0000

There is a long list of Super Bowl winning QB’s drafted in the lower rounds. Tarkington and Brees are also good examples of successful smallish QB’s. That said, unless Seattle puts together a great line in front of him, Wilson’s durability playing with the big boys could have Flynn starting before the season ends, regardless. Not easy to find a SB quality QB, but if Seattle keeps spinning the wheel, they may hit on one, and still have the money to put a team around him.

By: tdk24

tdk24 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:33:56 +0000

They sure like spending money on backup QB’s.

By: joenash72

joenash72 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:05:27 +0000

I remember reading on this site a few years back about guys that excelled getting extra money. It wasn’t huge $$$, something like $30 $40 $50 grand etc etc but I remember it the article pointing-out it was a substantial amount for lower-drafted guys, as a percentage of what they got per their contract.

Did that system go away with the new CBA ?

By: duffer58

duffer58 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:04:21 +0000

Flynn made money off of TWO games not one. The first being at New England in 2010. What happens with Wilson who knows. But Flynn is better then what Arizona,Miami,Cleveland,Jacksonvlille, and Minnesota have right now.

By: showside

showside — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:59:54 +0000

Seattle will win 5 games this year at best.

By: Rams76h

Rams76h — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:56:22 +0000

If Wilson plays in 35% of the teams offensive plays for 2 of his first three years, his 4th year base salary will increase by $600,000 or so. There is something called the Proven Performance Escalator in the new collective bargaining agreement and is included with every contract of players drafted in rounds 3-7. It involves a complicated formula to come up with the amount of the raise.

By: tialen

tialen — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:56:06 +0000

that is the odd thing about the new rookie wage scale, you would have thought they would have put a provision in there to be able to escalate a 2nd – 7th round drafty based on performance (x % of starts in real games etc).. as it is, they get royally screwed, considering that most nfl careers are only 3 to 4 years.

By: Mike Florio

Mike Florio — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:42:09 +0000

The new CBA prevents renegotiation of rookie contracts for three years.

By: sixburghrules

sixburghrules — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:37:18 +0000

Wrong it does not prohibit them giving a bigger contract. They can give him any kind of contract they want to as long as they both agree!

By: thegreatonesays

thegreatonesays — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:27:03 +0000

Anyone who thinks Seattle is a pushover will be in for a rude awakening. I still think San Francisco clearly wins the division again but I think it will be a lot more competitive and is no more than 2 years from frequently sending 2 teams to the playoffs again. The west is on the rise folks

By: tdshouldbeinthehall

tdshouldbeinthehall — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:23:31 +0000

Who’s shocked? It was clear as day.

By: webothlose

webothlose — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:21:43 +0000

I think it’s smart to look at Whitehurst as part of what SEA is really losing here. They swapped 2010 2nd RD picks and gave up a 2011 3rd, while signing Whitehurst to a 2 year $8mill contract. SEA then signs T. Jackson to a 2/$8mill contract. So in 2011, that was $8mill for the Jackson/Whitehurst duo, and the loss of a 3rd pick.

It might not seem like much, but we’re talking 3 years of QB instability (I’m doubting Wilson wows this year) at top money and the loss of a 3rd Rd pick.

And when you’re starting QB was a 3rd Rd pick, you can’t say it was inconsequential.

By: fumblenuts

fumblenuts — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:12:34 +0000

Look at the eyes of Russell Wilson when on the field……this dude is ALL BUSINESS.

By: thelastpieceofcheese

thelastpieceofcheese — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:07:08 +0000

Let me get this straight.

The Seahawks will not start Flynn, their star quarterback, because they’ll save money playing third-round rookie Russell Wilson.

Brilliant!