Here is what happens when you let your kids play on the internet: They fantasize about the Seattle Seahawks trading Russell Wilson to the Cleveland Browns for (are you ready?):
Josh McCown, three first round draft picks, and two third round picks.
This condition is called "acute homerism". People with this condition tend to underestimate the intelligence of those their team might deal with, and overestimate (to say the least) the value of their own players.
I know that the quarterback is by far the most important player on a team, but a lot of people blow that way, way out of proportion.
Would you rather have a Russell Wilson, or Joe Haden, Joe Thomas, Chris Kirksey, Alex Mack, and another starter? If you said Wilson, you need a therapist.
But the underlying premise here was interesting. Such a trade--assuming the Browns and Wilson could come to terms in advance, could work.
I would offer a McCown and a 2016 first round pick. Just kidding--I don't have acute homerism. Two first round picks and some more stuff.
It's highly doubtful, though. I don't believe that Russell Wilson is the hyper-greedy gouger some people are making him sound like, and he and the team should come to terms.
This has long been an issue with me: "The market". A player says "Well, I performed as well as this guy, and he makes x, so I should make x plus inflation and oh yeah all of it guaranteed".
Suh aside, this is how quarterbacks cripple their own teams. They gobble up 17% of their team's salary caps. Now, the same fans who were hollering "PAY the man!" are bashing the GM for letting elite veteran position players go and replacing them with undrafted free agents and journeymen.
Then we scratch our heads, trying to figure out why Denver hasn't won a Superbowl.
John Elway himself ought to know why, better than anybody else. He never won a Superbowl until he had a running game. He was as good as it gets. He could even carry a team on his shoulders--but only so far.
Except for the New England Patriots, teams typically get deep into the playoffs, then have to pay their quarterbacks, then fall off the map. Tom Brady worked with the team. His contract is structured such that Bill can afford to sign and keep players to help him. Several of those players (Oh no!) accept a little less money to stick with a winner. (Patriot players are SMARTER than most).
Agents and other players fuel this hypergreed fire. They all think it's their duty to set unprecedented compensation records so the next guy can use that benchmark to get his "fair share".
If I were a franchise quarterback, I'd tell my agent to accept a lower offer. I would like 22 million a year, but think I can barely scrape by on 17.5 million instead.
My agent and other players would tell me "What are you doing? The teams will point at you and say 'Well he only makes 17.5!"
It's just insane. It's your duty to screw your team out of some of it's best players (who are all looking for that last nickel themselves) to get paid money you'll never be able to spend in your wildest dreams.
They ALL say "I just want to win". Just not as much as they want more money. I hear these millionaires getting their rediculous second contracts and saying stuff like "Now I know my family is secure" and just want to go on a shooting rampage.
Why are the Seahawks now perennial contenders? Because Russell Wilson is cheap. What will happen if he gouges them as hard as he possibly can? That will be over. His teammates will clap him on the back and congratulate him and then, if they don't find themselves somewhere else--will never see another Superbowl.
"I just wanna win" ahhh, shaddap!
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