For 2013, Lewis has a top 5 base salary among TEs, with only Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, Finley and Miller (SEA) with higher base salaries.

For 2014 (before any new deals) he is set to have THE highest base salary.

 

I like Lewis, and I think he is a pretty good TE and can be very good when everything around him including QB is working well. He is surely a red zone threat....and a favorite it would seem of Henne here lately.

 

That being said, I don't even think he is a top 5 TE and shouldn't be paid like one. He's got to restructure his contract or go. Whether we have the room or not is secondary to the fact that he isn't performing consistently like a top 5 TE and shouldn't be paid more than he is worth. He's older.

 

I'd be surprised if Caldwell keeps him. Although, knowing he knows more than I do, I wouldn't complain about it. He could be a good outlet for a young QB. We've seen him make plays. He's a very good blocker as well. Is his value to this team next season going to match this http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/2014.../limit-25/

I don't think so.

---

For 2013, Lewis has a top 5 base salary among TEs, with only Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, Finley and Miller (SEA) with higher base salaries.

For 2014 (before any new deals) he is set to have THE highest base salary.


I like Lewis, and I think he is a pretty good TE and can be very good when everything around him including QB is working well. He is surely a red zone threat....and a favorite it would seem of Henne here lately.


That being said, I don't even think he is a top 5 TE and shouldn't be paid like one. He's got to restructure his contract or go. Whether we have the room or not is secondary to the fact that he isn't performing consistently like a top 5 TE and shouldn't be paid more than he is worth. He's older.


I'd be surprised if Caldwell keeps him. Although, knowing he knows more than I do, I wouldn't complain about it. He could be a good outlet for a young QB. We've seen him make plays. He's a very good blocker as well. Is his value to this team next season going to match this <a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/2014/tight-end/limit-25/'>http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/2014/tight-end/limit-25/</a>

I don't think so.

Out of interest if we cut him before next season how much money do we loose as opposed to paying him for this year til we find a replacement and cutting him next year

---

As long his contract doesn't stop us from signing anyone, I don't care how much he makes.

---

Making up

Evidence

Depending on

Information

Available

Out of interest if we cut him before next season how much money do we loose as opposed to paying him for this year til we find a replacement and cutting him next year

If we cut him - the cap hit is about 3 mil.  

 

If we keep him w/o renegotiation he costs 7.5  million before bonuses. 

---

If we cut him - the cap hit is about 3 mil.  

 

If we keep him w/o renegotiation he costs 7.5  million before bonuses. 

 

So that tells you right there that if you can draft/ sign another TE for 4.5 MIL per or less, and he can produce at least as good as Marcedes has (not a stretch) then its worthwhile to cut our losses with Marcedes. 

---

So about 5 mil with 40 in empty space for a team that isn't ready to.sign big free agents


Added will probably have a rookie at QB

rookie in at least one point on the line and joeckel and patzor are hardly vets

Perhaps even a rookie at RB with Todman and Robinson that work better rushing to the edge


Plus he is a redzone target in a team that has done jack.in the redzone all year


Add to that you put a 6-9 guy out on the edge at the 4 I don't care how good your corners that is a mismatch that causes a problem


Plus he is a leader on an offense that could loose its two other leadership presences in Meester and mjd

the contract was a bad one and he is overpaid but when the player offers all that not to mention the ability to bulldozer for the odd 20 yard gain i.dont see the use in cutting him for 5 mil in cap space we probably won't use anyway

---

So that tells you right there that if you can draft/ sign another TE for 4.5 MIL per or less, and he can produce at least as good as Marcedes has (not a stretch) then its worthwhile to cut our losses with Marcedes.

If we cut Lewis aniod sign another TE for 4.5 million a year we will have spent the same as if we had kept Lewis.

---

Just to be different, Bortles.

So that tells you right there that if you can draft/ sign another TE for 4.5 MIL per or less, and he can produce at least as good as Marcedes has (not a stretch) then its worthwhile to cut our losses with Marcedes.

So Lewis makes $7.5 mil and still hits the cap for $3 mil if cut.


So why does it make any sense to cut him and pay a TE a potential $4.5 mil for the same production. It would be a complete lateral move.


$7.5 mil for the same production with a different name.

---

i.dont see the use in cutting him for 5 mil in cap space we probably won't use anyway

Correct. Factor in his blocking ability and the fact that a rookie or one of  these guys  aren't likely  to fill that void - and a case can easily be made to keep him around despite the horrible price tag. 

---

Correct. Factor in his blocking ability and the fact that a rookie or one of <a class="bbc_url" href='http://overthecap.com/freeagents.php?Position=TE&Year=2014'> these guys</a>  aren't likely  to fill that void - and a case can easily be made to keep him around despite the horrible price tag.

If the FO wants to make a big money splash, they could do a lot worse than Jimmy Graham.

---

Just to be different, Bortles.

If the FO wants to make a big money splash, they could do a lot worse than Jimmy Graham.

True.  He's literally the worst blocking TE in the league - but if they wanted to massage the blocking schemes a bit he's worth Lewis' salary as a receiving TE. 

 

( not sure of the saints' cap situation - but they'll keep him if they can)

---

If we cut Lewis aniod sign another TE for 4.5 million a year we will have spent the same as if we had kept Lewis.

 

right, so the TE would have to be better or bring a better skill set/ etc. 

 

Draft picks aren't that expensive, so that could be one option. 

 

And if its a FA, we'd already know a bit about the player we'd be bringing in. 

---

True.  He's literally the worst blocking TE in the league - but if they wanted to massage the blocking schemes a bit he's worth Lewis' salary as a receiving TE. 

 

( not sure of the saints' cap situation - but they'll keep him if they can)

 

which shows you how overrated blocking actually is from the position in a passing league. 

 

We need a TE that produces and is a mismatch in the passing game....not another Kyle friggin Brady and a poor mans one at that. 

---

which shows you how overrated blocking actually is from the position in a passing league. 

 

 

No it doesn't.  It just means that N.O. doesn't need a third offensive tackle or second lead blocker as badly as the Jags do at present.  

---

Are you saying you know which guys are "really trying" and which ones aren't? You're not that stupid, are you?

 

By your lazy way of thinking all great years would only be in contract years right? I guess Peyton Manning's contract is about to expire.

 

Beside the fact that M. Lewis isn't in a contract year (kind off exposes your ignorance, no?), I'm not presumptuous to know who is playing for what. You, on the other hand, obviously have a sort of x-ray vision that allows you to discern motivation.

 

You're a constant a source of amusement. You seem to think that in a team sport a player can convince all his teammate, coaches and ownership to gear everything to their personal achievement. I guess such players use the same methods that Jim Irsay used to convince everyone on the 2011 Colts to tank.

sorry TMD, this guy just destroyed you

---

sorry TMD, this guy just destroyed you

 

No, he didn't. 

 

If you want to think he did, be my guest. 

 

I've got pretty broad shoulders and an iron jaw. Unlike a lot of posters on here. I can take on the whole message board and not back down if I believe my convictions. I don't need anyone on my side - unlike the mob mentality pack mentality of some on here. 

---

No, he didn't. 

 

If you want to think he did, be my guest. 

 

I've got pretty broad shoulders and an iron jaw. Unlike a lot of posters on here. I can take on the whole message board and not back down if I believe my convictions. I don't need anyone on my side - unlike the mob mentality pack mentality of some on here. 

Exactly what I would expect you would say. "Everyone is wrong, im the only person that is right!"

---

Exactly what I would expect you would say. "Everyone is wrong, im the only person that is right!"

 

In environments where pack mentality is common, instances of the above can indeed be true. 

---

In environments where pack mentality is common, instances of the above can indeed be true. 

 

Time after time after time after time after time afte......

---

Lets not forget New York, where some of the smartest sports talk is broadcast, i.e. Mike Francesa for example. 

 

Not "hating" but theres probably no question that the average football fan in NY or Philly and probably Boston is smarter than the average fan in Atlanta, Jacksonville or Carolina. 

 

Fans from the southern cities seem incapable of bashing their own players, even when it is warranted. (unless its so beyond obvious like in the Henne & Gabbert cases) People in NY have no issue giving proper blame to their Jets or Giants. 

Hey TMD, I live on the west coast and was curious about where we fit in  the sports fan discussion? Everybody knows the North East has the "smarter" sports fan and the South can't seem to bash there own players. I'm just curious, I mean I really need to know so I can change accordingly.

 

Also, if I live on the west coast is it possible for me to have a North East attitude because you know having been on this message board for years I have read your posts and I'm convinced about the genius of the North East fans especially Eagle fans like yourself. I obviously need to be more like "yous guys." Thanks TMD!

---

"Sucess Is Not a Goal, It is a By-product"