George Fant Signs $30M Deal With Jets

[RiverDog]

George Fant is gone as he signed a 3 year, $30 million/$14M guaranteed deal with the Jets.

So what does that do to our chances of resigning Ifedi?

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/289 ... -deal-jets

[NorthHawk]

Good for Fant. He's a hard worker and that put him in the position to
make a very good payday. I wish him well.

I just wonder what the over/under is for games played before injury.
My guess is 7, but I hope I'm wrong and he plays a full year.

[RiverDog]

Good for Fant. He's a hard worker and that put him in the position to make a very good payday. I wish him well.

So back to my question: If an often injured backup OT lands a $10M a year contract, how much is it going to take to either resign Ifedi or bring in a free agent as a replacement? Or do we just improvise, hope we find one in the draft?

[obiken]

Sorry this is a joke, he’s not worth that much.

[NorthHawk]

It's supply and demand, Obi.
The colleges aren't producing starting quality OL very often these days with a few
exceptions and with the physical punishment the players take, more than just
starters are being paid big bucks.

[mykc14]

So back to my question: If an often injured backup OT lands a $10M a year contract, how much is it going to take to either resign Ifedi or bring in a free agent as a replacement? Or do we just improvise, hope we find one in the draft?

I think Ifedi is going to be at least 14 mil a year. As far as bringing in somebody cheaper at this point I think you bring in a guy in the second wave of FA that is serviceable and then draft somebody. The team must not have thought Fant could handle the RT/LT duties because my scenario would have been to resign him- have him play RT and then transition to LT when Brown retires. I know he isn't the prototypical size they like at RT, but its a more financially sound plan IF you think that he your future starting LT. The fact that they didn't go this route obviously speaks to the fact that they don't see him as the Left Tackle of the Future.

[RiverDog]

Sorry this is a joke, he’s not worth that much.

You're in perpetual sticker shock, Obi.

[RiverDog]

So back to my question: If an often injured backup OT lands a $10M a year contract, how much is it going to take to either resign Ifedi or bring in a free agent as a replacement? Or do we just improvise, hope we find one in the draft?

I think Ifedi is going to be at least 14 mil a year. As far as bringing in somebody cheaper at this point I think you bring in a guy in the second wave of FA that is serviceable and then draft somebody. The team must not have thought Fant could handle the RT/LT duties because my scenario would have been to resign him- have him play RT and then transition to LT when Brown retires. I know he isn't the prototypical size they like at RT, but its a more financially sound plan IF you think that he your future starting LT. The fact that they didn't go this route obviously speaks to the fact that they don't see him as the Left Tackle of the Future.

I think you're pretty close with $14M. Conklin is probably going to get $17-$18M. I'll bet they're wishing they would have picked up Ifedi's 5th year option. $10M looks like a bargain for a starting RT, even an average one like Ifedi.

[Aseahawkfan]

How you going to sign a guy like Fant for that kind of money? Nuts. I guess this is why the Jets are terribly managed.

[RiverDog]

How you going to sign a guy like Fant for that kind of money? Nuts. I guess this is why the Jets are terribly managed.

The Jets have the 7th most cap space in the league. Their QB is still on his rookie contract so they can afford to overspend, at least this season. Only $14M of the $30M is guaranteed, so it's not a huge risk for them.

[obiken]

Your probably right, You and North Hawk both! Colleges would respond though NH, its not their job to make great NFL players, its to win CFB games! I think its the limited number of practices, from the old days that is the greatest problem.

[RiverDog]

Your probably right, You and North Hawk both! Colleges would respond though NH, its not their job to make great NFL players, its to win CFB games! I think its the limited number of practices, from the old days that is the greatest problem.

Obi one of the problems with most college football offensive tackles is that they don't have to put their hand in the dirt. They are used to playing from a two point stance, which gives them a better angle and quicker setup against an edge rusher and makes it easier for them to scan the defense than when they're crouched over in their 3 point. It takes some time for them to get used to the pro game where the QB is under center more often.

That's one of the reasons why North Hawk keeps telling us that it's very difficult to get a starting OT out of the draft, that they take some time to develop. As much as you hate Ifedi, he's a better option than trying to draft that one tackle out of a hundred that could start from Day 1.