For those interested, heres a column I wrote about Packers receiver Randall Cobb and his recent comments about not wanting a new contract until he performs. This is being published tomorrow, so you get a sneak peek :) Soon after Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson received a four-year, $39 million contract extension on Saturday, teammate and receiver Randall Cobb came public with his contract demands. Cobb told ESPN that he hasn’t done enough yet to warrant a new contract. Whoa. Is this really a starting NFL receiver talking? Aren’t they supposed to be divas? Cobb is most remembered for his play in the 2013 season finale against the Chicago Bears — a 48-yard reception that sealed the deal for the Packers to make the playoffs in his first game back after missing 10 games with a broken leg. This may come as a surprise to some — an up-and-coming receiver with all the talent in the world not demanding top-dollar for a contract. This comment from Cobb is two things: refreshing and smart. It’s refreshing that in today’s NFL culture, a player can go into a contract year and not hold out for a new contract or not make outlandish claims that he deserves to be the highest-paid at his position. Before training camp opened this year, Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles demanded a contract extension and threatened to sit out training camp if he didn’t get that contract. Marshawn Lynch, running back for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, is holding out to re-work his contract and said he won’t return to training camp unless a deal is reached. Granted, there are some players that outperform their contracts — Jordy Nelson being an example. Nelson’s base salary in 2014, according to overthecap, is $3.05 million with bonuses that propelled that to more than $4 million. His new contract will average out to nearly $10 million annually. The same website puts Cobb’s base salary at $812k with bonuses that give him slightly more than $1 million for 2014. Cobb has already out-performed his current rookie deal, so this can definitely be a smart move for him because he’s confident he can do great things this season. Before Cobb was injured during a Week 6 game against the Baltimore Ravens, he had compiled 378 yards and two touchdowns on 29 receptions, including two 100-yard games in the first two games of the season. Had he continued at that pace for the season, he would have had 1,209 yards and 92 receptions. For receiving yards, that would have placed Cobb at No. 15 in the league, and at receptions he would have been tied for ninth. Turning 24 in August, Cobb has yet to hit his peak years for NFL players. Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson had his best statistical season in 2012 when he was 31 years old. Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall had his best season in 2012 when he was 28 years old. Washington Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon had his best season in 2013 during his sixth season at 26 years of age. The point: While not every receiver’s career propels forward to allow them continued growth, if Cobb puts together an impressive season this year, the chances are good he will be worth a big-time contract. In 2013, Cobb converted (caught) 31 of the 46 passes thrown his way, or slightly above 67 percent. The average conversion rate for the top-20 statistical receivers last season was 60.4 percent. When compared to those top-20 receivers, Cobb is in the 86th percentile. Basically what all of that means is Cobb is very good at converting passes thrown his way and can put his name among the best in the NFL at doing that — at just 23 years old. He also seems to be a solid fit for Green Bay’s timing-based offense that requires receivers to know where to be and when to expect a pass in their general vicinity. Cobb also happens to have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers, at running such an offense. For Cobb, not only is the potential there for him to have a big NFL payday after the 2014 season, but his odds at getting a big contract are even greater with an offense that favors receivers.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:53:35 +0000
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