& that's fine. But, I like to ask everyone what their number is for two reasons. To judge if we over payed, or if we got a hometown discount.
Personally, I think we overpayed if his avg salary is over $14M (I think we should be able to sign him for $12M, $14M is my max. One penny over $14M & we over payed).
Even though I believe he is truly worth $12M, I will think we got a hometown discount if we sign him at $12M or lower... such is the case of FA.
For everyone of those guys, you can find someone on their team who is a threat to get 8 sacks a year, or two or more guys who is a threat to get 5.
Mario has never had that luxury, until now. We have never had two or more players other than Mario to get 5 or more sacks in a single year. This year, was the first year someone other than Mario Williams got 8 or more sacks.
Antonio Smith will cost $8M against our cap & 2011 was the first year he finished with more than 5 sacks.
Sacks aren't the end all be all of DE stats, I know. But generally speaking, if your sack numbers are up, all your other numbers are up. Antonio may look like he's more "active" than Mario, but he's nowhere near as productive & he's only been making $1M/yr less than Mario for the last three years.
We're not in the funny money days of years past. The Salary cap was at $129M prior to the expiration of the last CBA. Somehow, the owners got a big one over on the players & brought the cap down almost $10M for two consecutive years.
But you don't get into cap hell by paying players what they are worth. You get into hell by paying guys more than what they are worth. Mario is easily a top 10 DE in the league. Arguably top 5. He should be paid accordingly.
If there is a way, they'll make it work. I don't think Smithiak will over pay for Mario. That's what they are paid to do. If it's all about the dollars for Williams (which he has stated it wasn't) he'll be sent on his way. But don't be surprised to see him sign somewhere between $12M & $14M... & when it happens, don't say we overpaid.