took them long enough...
Jets agree with WR Decker to bolster offense
Jets agree with WR Eric Decker
Updated: March 12, 2014, 11:49 PM ET
<cite class="source"> By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com</cite>
Addressing an acute need on offense, the New York Jets agreed to terms with former Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker, the team announced Wednesday night.
The deal is for five years and worth $36.25 million with $15 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
It is easily the Jets' biggest free-agent signing since John Idzik became the general manager 14 months ago as Decker was considered by some the top receiver on the free-agent market.
Decker arrived in New Jersey late Tuesday night and spent Wednesday meeting with team officials in Florham Park. He capped Wednesday by dining out with Rex Ryan and other team personnel.
The Jets are trying to rebuild at wide receiver after finishing 31st in passing offense, hoping to accelerate Geno Smith's growth by surrounding the second-year quarterback with better weapons. On Monday, they released their most accomplished wideout, Santonio Holmes, in a salary dump.
Decker, who turns 27 Saturday, is coming off back-to-back, 1,000-yard seasons. He recorded career highs last season with 87 receptions and 1,288 yards, contributing to the most prolific passing offense in league history.
But some scouts believe his gaudy numbers were a product of playing with Peyton Manning, questioning whether he could be successful as a No. 1 receiver. He was a non-factor against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Right now, he's clearly the best receiver on the Jets, who may add another with their first-round pick. Their other experienced receivers are Jeremy Kerley, Stephen Hill and David Nelson.
Decker was also a holdover from one of the two Josh McDaniels draft classes (he was a third-round pick in 2010, the same year the team took Demaryius Thomas in the first round).
He was a bit of a medical concern when he entered the NFL after foot surgery in his final season at Minnesota. But he put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Manning at quarterback.
He usually played in one of the outside spots, but the Broncos used him in the slot at times as well. Decker was also used in a punt return role at times in his career.
Overall, he struggled at times against some of the more physical defensive backs he faced -- he had just one catch in the Broncos' Super Bowl loss -- but he was effective in the red zone once Manning was behind center.
He had 11 touchdowns this past season to go with 13 in 2012, which put him on a short list of players to top double-digit touchdowns in each of the last two years.
ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
Jets agree with WR Decker to bolster offense
Jets agree with WR Eric Decker
Updated: March 12, 2014, 11:49 PM ET
<cite class="source"> By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com</cite>
Addressing an acute need on offense, the New York Jets agreed to terms with former Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker, the team announced Wednesday night.
The deal is for five years and worth $36.25 million with $15 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
It is easily the Jets' biggest free-agent signing since John Idzik became the general manager 14 months ago as Decker was considered by some the top receiver on the free-agent market.
Decker arrived in New Jersey late Tuesday night and spent Wednesday meeting with team officials in Florham Park. He capped Wednesday by dining out with Rex Ryan and other team personnel.
The Jets are trying to rebuild at wide receiver after finishing 31st in passing offense, hoping to accelerate Geno Smith's growth by surrounding the second-year quarterback with better weapons. On Monday, they released their most accomplished wideout, Santonio Holmes, in a salary dump.
Decker, who turns 27 Saturday, is coming off back-to-back, 1,000-yard seasons. He recorded career highs last season with 87 receptions and 1,288 yards, contributing to the most prolific passing offense in league history.
But some scouts believe his gaudy numbers were a product of playing with Peyton Manning, questioning whether he could be successful as a No. 1 receiver. He was a non-factor against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Right now, he's clearly the best receiver on the Jets, who may add another with their first-round pick. Their other experienced receivers are Jeremy Kerley, Stephen Hill and David Nelson.
Decker was also a holdover from one of the two Josh McDaniels draft classes (he was a third-round pick in 2010, the same year the team took Demaryius Thomas in the first round).
He was a bit of a medical concern when he entered the NFL after foot surgery in his final season at Minnesota. But he put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Manning at quarterback.
He usually played in one of the outside spots, but the Broncos used him in the slot at times as well. Decker was also used in a punt return role at times in his career.
Overall, he struggled at times against some of the more physical defensive backs he faced -- he had just one catch in the Broncos' Super Bowl loss -- but he was effective in the red zone once Manning was behind center.
He had 11 touchdowns this past season to go with 13 in 2012, which put him on a short list of players to top double-digit touchdowns in each of the last two years.
ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
Let me get this straight. You are catching balls from Peyton Manning and you played in a Super Bowl this year and your team just made a bunch of moves to bolster the defense and you leave for NY? You'll now catch balls from Geno Smith instead of Peyton Manning?
It's all about money. Nothing else. Sports are sad sometimes.
It's all about money. Nothing else. Sports are sad sometimes.
do you really blame the kid ?? he was done with a 4 year contract that he signed out of the draft 4 years ago. that contract was for like $2.5 mil
in Total !!
it was time to get paid... he paid his dues
But with the Broncos paying Manning $20 Mil this season, they couldn't do it.
2010 he made $320k, 2011 he made $405k, 2012 it was $490K and last year $1.3 mil.
The guy is a Solid #2 receiver on a Good team, now he will become the #1... a little over $7Mil per with a Kid on the way... it's just Not playing for the Money.
My Honest opinion is it's a fair price.
He has to take the $$$. Once he collects that $15 million the Jets will cut him when he hits 29 or 30. After that he'll probably be collecting close to the Veteran min. for 2 or 3 years. Once he hits 33-34 he'll have to beg teams to even give him a camp invite, this is his one big contract and that's it.
From the Denver Post 3/2/14
A laid-back sort, Eric Decker always seemed capable of compartmentalizing.
A fortuitous virtue, given how his present circumstances require many compartments.
Decker's wife, Jessie, is expecting their first child, a girl, in the next week or two. Broncos fans have become familiar enough with their star wide receiver to guess little Miss Decker is going to be a daddy's girl.
"She'll have me wrapped around her finger," Decker said.
Meanwhile, Decker is in great position to become a rich dad after three productive seasons with the Broncos.
If only he knew who will be writing his paychecks, in which NFL city, and for how much.
Each man has his own set of nerves, but Decker must split his between first-time fatherhood and career uncertainty. He also knows it could be worse.
"I have a lot going on, no question about it," Decker said Monday morning. "I'm anxious about what lies ahead for me. We don't have a baby room set up. That's No. 1. And then professionally ... I'm excited and blessed to have this opportunity in free agency, and having a baby.
"I guess right now I can't wait to get the process started, and then to get it over with so I can get settled and get ready for the next chapter in my life."
The defending AFC champion Broncos want Decker back and Decker would like to stay. Money might separate them. A free agent, Decker is expected to command a multiyear contract worth $8 million to $9 million per year as one of the top "No. 2" receivers in the NFL.
Decker's agent, Todd France, and the Broncos had preliminary discussions about a contract during the scouting combine last week in Indianapolis.
But an indication the Broncos want Decker to lower his asking price is that general manager John Elway said the receiver and all of Denver's free agents will be allowed to test the market before engaging in serious negotiations. The league's free-agent market opens March 11.
"I did read that," Decker said. "I respect his decision. Obviously, he has a philosophy in the way he does business. We'll see what it brings."
There are monetary figures working in favor of Decker returning to the Broncos. But there also are menacing numbers that might force the Decker family to move its crib.
If Decker leaves, the Broncos will have a gaping hole to fill between No. 1 receiver Demaryius Thomas and slot man Wes Welker. The Broncos' No. 4 receiver, Andre Caldwell, also is a free agent, although the team is expected to try to bring him back.
Caldwell would then get a chance to compete for Decker's "No. 2" role, but the Broncos also would likely sign a veteran free agent who could play for closer to $3 million to $5 million per year.
Again, this supposes Decker leaves, when both parties hope he stays.
Working to spare him moving expenses is the NFL's salary cap increase from $123 million to $133 million. Additionally, the Broncos are rolling over $6.4 million of salary cap room from last season. Compute in the incentives that players hit, and missed, last season and the Broncos are expected to operate with a salary cap of about $140 million.
Clearly, the Broncos have the money to re-sign Decker, providing they agree on his value. Decker's production also says he's worth it.
Keep in mind, the average annual contract value for Dwayne Bowe is $11.2 million, while it's $9.02 million for Miles Austin. Greg Jennings ($9 million), Santonio Holmes ($8.4 million), Sidney Rice ($8.2 million) and Mike Williams ($7.92 million) are other receivers who didn't come close to matching the total of 172 catches, 2,352 yards and 24 touchdowns Decker compiled the past two seasons.
Those were No. 2-receiver numbers on a Denver team in which Thomas compiled 186 catches for 2,864 yards and 24 touchdowns. But in a 32-team league, Decker might be undersold as a No. 2 receiver.
"I think Demaryius Thomas is on a complete different level with his talent," Decker said. "I think he's a top five-caliber receiver in this league. How it falls off from there, where you look at a receiver, I just try to be versatile and play all the positions. People might want to label me, but I don't want to put a label on myself."
Working against Decker is the potential $19 million in salaries the Broncos might have to pay Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas next year when they reach free agency, and the $6 million that Welker will draw this season.
With quarterback Peyton Manning receiving $20 million this season, spending another $8 million on Decker would inordinately overload the Broncos' payroll budget to the skill positions of their passing game.
And if there's a lesson the Broncos should have learned from their recent Super Bowl debacle, it's that greater balance is needed.
In an odd twist, Manning's brilliance might also be working against Decker. What would Decker's numbers look like if Manning wasn't the passer?
"To play with that caliber of quarterback, you get more targets, more opportunities," Decker said.
Just because Manning is considered great, though, doesn't mean Decker is bad. Sometime soon, a team is going to get one of the league's top receivers. The question is, where to put the crib?
Read more: Free-agent wide receiver Eric Decker in position to strike it rich - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/c...ver-eric-decker-position-strike#ixzz2vqh3NpbD
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
Follow us: @Denverpost on Twitter | Denverpost on Facebook
A laid-back sort, Eric Decker always seemed capable of compartmentalizing.
A fortuitous virtue, given how his present circumstances require many compartments.
Decker's wife, Jessie, is expecting their first child, a girl, in the next week or two. Broncos fans have become familiar enough with their star wide receiver to guess little Miss Decker is going to be a daddy's girl.
"She'll have me wrapped around her finger," Decker said.
Meanwhile, Decker is in great position to become a rich dad after three productive seasons with the Broncos.
If only he knew who will be writing his paychecks, in which NFL city, and for how much.
Each man has his own set of nerves, but Decker must split his between first-time fatherhood and career uncertainty. He also knows it could be worse.
"I have a lot going on, no question about it," Decker said Monday morning. "I'm anxious about what lies ahead for me. We don't have a baby room set up. That's No. 1. And then professionally ... I'm excited and blessed to have this opportunity in free agency, and having a baby.
"I guess right now I can't wait to get the process started, and then to get it over with so I can get settled and get ready for the next chapter in my life."
The defending AFC champion Broncos want Decker back and Decker would like to stay. Money might separate them. A free agent, Decker is expected to command a multiyear contract worth $8 million to $9 million per year as one of the top "No. 2" receivers in the NFL.
Decker's agent, Todd France, and the Broncos had preliminary discussions about a contract during the scouting combine last week in Indianapolis.
But an indication the Broncos want Decker to lower his asking price is that general manager John Elway said the receiver and all of Denver's free agents will be allowed to test the market before engaging in serious negotiations. The league's free-agent market opens March 11.
"I did read that," Decker said. "I respect his decision. Obviously, he has a philosophy in the way he does business. We'll see what it brings."
There are monetary figures working in favor of Decker returning to the Broncos. But there also are menacing numbers that might force the Decker family to move its crib.
If Decker leaves, the Broncos will have a gaping hole to fill between No. 1 receiver Demaryius Thomas and slot man Wes Welker. The Broncos' No. 4 receiver, Andre Caldwell, also is a free agent, although the team is expected to try to bring him back.
Caldwell would then get a chance to compete for Decker's "No. 2" role, but the Broncos also would likely sign a veteran free agent who could play for closer to $3 million to $5 million per year.
Again, this supposes Decker leaves, when both parties hope he stays.
Working to spare him moving expenses is the NFL's salary cap increase from $123 million to $133 million. Additionally, the Broncos are rolling over $6.4 million of salary cap room from last season. Compute in the incentives that players hit, and missed, last season and the Broncos are expected to operate with a salary cap of about $140 million.
Clearly, the Broncos have the money to re-sign Decker, providing they agree on his value. Decker's production also says he's worth it.
Keep in mind, the average annual contract value for Dwayne Bowe is $11.2 million, while it's $9.02 million for Miles Austin. Greg Jennings ($9 million), Santonio Holmes ($8.4 million), Sidney Rice ($8.2 million) and Mike Williams ($7.92 million) are other receivers who didn't come close to matching the total of 172 catches, 2,352 yards and 24 touchdowns Decker compiled the past two seasons.
Those were No. 2-receiver numbers on a Denver team in which Thomas compiled 186 catches for 2,864 yards and 24 touchdowns. But in a 32-team league, Decker might be undersold as a No. 2 receiver.
"I think Demaryius Thomas is on a complete different level with his talent," Decker said. "I think he's a top five-caliber receiver in this league. How it falls off from there, where you look at a receiver, I just try to be versatile and play all the positions. People might want to label me, but I don't want to put a label on myself."
Working against Decker is the potential $19 million in salaries the Broncos might have to pay Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas next year when they reach free agency, and the $6 million that Welker will draw this season.
With quarterback Peyton Manning receiving $20 million this season, spending another $8 million on Decker would inordinately overload the Broncos' payroll budget to the skill positions of their passing game.
And if there's a lesson the Broncos should have learned from their recent Super Bowl debacle, it's that greater balance is needed.
In an odd twist, Manning's brilliance might also be working against Decker. What would Decker's numbers look like if Manning wasn't the passer?
"To play with that caliber of quarterback, you get more targets, more opportunities," Decker said.
Just because Manning is considered great, though, doesn't mean Decker is bad. Sometime soon, a team is going to get one of the league's top receivers. The question is, where to put the crib?
Read more: Free-agent wide receiver Eric Decker in position to strike it rich - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/c...ver-eric-decker-position-strike#ixzz2vqh3NpbD
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
Follow us: @Denverpost on Twitter | Denverpost on Facebook
