ESPN: Texans best place for RB Bell

HPF Bob · #1 02-25-2019, 04:59 PM

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2...l-one-take#hou

The Texans can make Bell the highest-paid running back and blow the money that has been guaranteed on other deals out of the water, and they will still be able to fill other holes on the team after they do so. Houston can front-load the contract and absorb a large cap hit in the first year because it has more than $78 million in cap space in 2019.

Total years and value: five years, $75 million
Average per year: $15 million
Full guarantee at signing: $30 million
Total guarantee: $50 million
Three-year payout: $26 million after Year 1, $32 million after Year 2, $45 million after Year 3.

Much more at the link where they have identified Green Bay, Houston and the Jets as the best landing spots and then compared what each brings to the table. I'm surprised that they actually mentioned the difference in income taxes.

I'm not endorsing this, just pointing this out.

barrett · #2 02-25-2019, 11:39 PM

If he's in shape and excited to play I'm not against a front loaded deal. He is unique as a RB because he is the best runner and the best past catcher in the league at the position. I'd never pay a RB big money unless they are an actual weapon in the passing game, because even the best runner is about 10% better than the other 200 capable NFL RBs. But Bell is not just a guy who catches check downs, he's a weapon who runs real routes. This makes it impossible for the defense to matchup with personnel.

And in addition to the big cap space we have, we save over $6 million if we cut Miller. So cut miller and throw huge cap space at Bell on a front loaded deal that is pain free in 3 years. Then see what happens when the best runner in the league takes handoffs from a QB that freezes every backside DE in the league. Bell would feast on defenses, and if they loaded the box to stop the run, you can easily throw with the same personnel because he's such a good pass catcher. Hope for a healthy Will Fuller in the playoffs and you're near unstoppable even with a below average OL.