CardinalChris
Big Man Himself
That 415k is not irrelevant. That is money they could give to somebody else to possibly upgrade a position with a player who will actually get on the field.
That is in addition to the message it sends to other players whose uniforms actually get dirty on Sunday. Berry has to take a pay cut and this guy who never plays gets a million bucks?
The Vet minimum is also irrelevant because the position of 3rd string QB can be filled by a 2-3rd year player who has never completed a pass in an NFL game instead of a 7-8 year vet who has never completed a pass in an NFL game.
Its like buying no deductible/expensive Collision insurance on an 2000 Ford Escort you've only tried to drive one time in 8 years and then it wouldn't start.
I understand that $ could be spent elsewhere, but the truth is that money is not keeping the team from making any moves they want IMO. And yet have I heard of a move they just couldn't do because of cap space other than Boldin, and that has more to do with who is in line in front of him.
Yes, that slot could be filled by a younger player. Again, management sees 415K in value of the talent difference between what a young player and BSP can do. While our metaphores of cars and insurance is clever, the difference is this Taurus is setting up for a Superbowl run. the FIRST position you need to protect yourself at depth wise IMO is QB. The team realizes that and spent accordingly. While I am sorry Berry plays a position that can be replaced, hence his market value is less, there is plenty of cap room to extend him if the team wanted. His lower value is designated by his production, age, and health and BSP is designated by the importance of the QB to a NFL franchise. It send the exact message all contracts do. QB is the most important position on the field. Mature, injury prone DE/OLBs fall somewhere well below.
It is a difference of opinion, but I see from a business standpoint how this is more important than Berry making 2 million a year to this team. Neither is right or wrong. I just see more value in that spot and it offers a higher risk/reward than tossing 415K towards Berry (for example).