Analysis From Venturi On Colts Defensive Problems

[krunk]

http://www.1130thefan.com/news/indiana-sports/can-colts-defensive-problems-be-solved

 

 

In regards to his comments on also bringing pressure against the run, I think I did see us doing some run blitzing in the Jaguars game if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[Dark Superman]

Are defense is just way to inconsistent.. We need to be able to shut down the run first.. But it would be nice if we could generate pressure on passing downs without blitzing extra people.. Man do I miss Robert Mathis.

[GoColts8818]

http://www.1130thefan.com/news/indiana-sports/can-colts-defensive-problems-be-solved

 

 

In regards to his comments on also bringing pressure against the run, I think I did see us doing some run blitzing in the Jaguars game if my memory serves me correctly.

oh yeah we were stacking the box big time Sunday and begging the Jags to throw deep and they wouldn't. I think that pick by Davis on the first poistion made them gun shy about throwing in general.

[ColtStronger]

I believe Venturi has a very good explanation of why the Colts are struggling against good teams and look great against bad teams.  The talent is there!  Believe it or not!  It really sucks that Mathis is out for the season but it's next man up...  I think the schemes and game planning is the problem.  Vontae and Greg are great in press man, but if a team stacks WR's to get separation we have to do something to counter that.  It doesn't matter if they are great if the strategy isn't effective neither are the players.  I think we need to work on zone defense a little bit and against great QB's we need to mixup the coverage and try to catch them off guard, the CAPTITALIZE off mistakes!  For our pass rush, I love to see those safty blitzes, because Sergio and LaRon are both very quick, but it seems like the Colts never disguises that.  So any good QB will notice it, and the RB will pick them up.  Then it all comes down to the pass rush and run defense.  Our big men up front do a decent job of causing pressure themselves, but our LB's are killing us this season.  Poor tackleing and lack of execution all over.  DQ has his moments where he does good things but most of the time is a let down.  Freeman seems like he has taken a step back from his progression as an NFL player, and Walden is hurt or injured alot.   He brings fire and enthusiasm to our LB corp.  Werner is still young and getting better but need him to make his presence felt more.  We really need our LB's to step up come playoffs.  We've never had a dominating LB unit and we will need them to do a better job if we want to be "real" SB contenders!

 

Overall, if we can fix those minor problems, and figure out a formula that will work for the offensive line (NOW) then I believe we are as good as the Patriots, Broncos, Cardinals, and Packers.  It is a BIG "if", but we do have the talent, now we need the schemes to follow!

[Gavin]

A few things come to my mind reading that article

 

 

1.We don't need to blitz our ILB's to stop the run I don't think....Can it help? sure...More importantly.....our DE's (Redding, Francois/Jones/Kerr whoever) have to READ and REACT to the the run not just attack without reading where the ball is at thereby not staying in there run fits...The ball is the most important thing on the field. That's why we got gashed against. Linebackers have to remain disciplined in there gaps, They don't have to attack because they just play right into the O Lines hands if they try to engage

 

2. Some read way to much into the beatings we gave bad teams (Jax, Titans) or a team that did not have there #1 or 2 wr's )Bengals..Then when the team played the Steelers who is a good team with all of there weapons many were brought back to reality...we have a ways to go

 

3.I do agree with Venturi about switching vs stacked formations though sometimes I think Man is more appropriate given which route is going to be run, But the times I have seen stacked formations beat us (especially against Pittsburgh) was not because of poor scheming but bad execution...primarily Josh Gordy...Though watching Bryant gash Butler for 52 yards I think Butler should have played that better trying to funnel Bryant out towards the sideline more giving him less room to make the 52 yard catch

[BOTT]

I believe Venturi has a very good explanation of why the Colts are struggling against good teams and look great against bad teams.  The talent is there!  Believe it or not!  It really sucks that Mathis is out for the season but it's next man up...  I think the schemes and game planning is the problem.  Vontae and Greg are great in press man, but if a team stacks WR's to get separation we have to do something to counter that.  It doesn't matter if they are great if the strategy isn't effective neither are the players.  I think we need to work on zone defense a little bit and against great QB's we need to mixup the coverage and try to catch them off guard, the CAPTITALIZE off mistakes!  For our pass rush, I love to see those safty blitzes, because Sergio and LaRon are both very quick, but it seems like the Colts never disguises that.  So any good QB will notice it, and the RB will pick them up.  Then it all comes down to the pass rush and run defense.  Our big men up front do a decent job of causing pressure themselves, but our LB's are killing us this season.  Poor tackleing and lack of execution all over.  DQ has his moments where he does good things but most of the time is a let down.  Freeman seems like he has taken a step back from his progression as an NFL player, and Walden is hurt or injured alot.   He brings fire and enthusiasm to our LB corp.  Werner is still young and getting better but need him to make his presence felt more.  We really need our LB's to step up come playoffs.  We've never had a dominating LB unit and we will need them to do a better job if we want to be "real" SB contenders!

 

Overall, if we can fix those minor problems, and figure out a formula that will work for the offensive line (NOW) then I believe we are as good as the Patriots, Broncos, Cardinals, and Packers.  It is a BIG "if", but we do have the talent, now we need the schemes to follow!

If you listen to Venturi, he would disagree with you about the talent being there. Can't say I disagree with him

[OffensivelyPC]

If you listen to Venturi, he would disagree with you about the talent being there. Can't say I disagree with him

Especially on the inside linebackers from what I am recalling. 

[BOTT]

Especially on the inside linebackers from what I am recalling.

Other than the corners, he doesn't seem to think much of the defensive personnel at all. His main complaint is there just aren't any game changers in the front seven ...no players that keep you up at night. Think he likes the potential of Hughes though.

[ColtStronger]

If you listen to Venturi, he would disagree with you about the talent being there. Can't say I disagree with him

If we don't have enough talent now.  We have a very slim chance of winning a SB after next year, because after all the talented young guys get paid (not on their rookie contracts anymore), we will have less money to bring in talent.  Lord knows who we will lose as a result of resigning Luck TY Allen Fleener and one of the RB's!

 

IMO the monster is built.  Our O line could use some experience but it seems like the staff is content in homegrown talent when it comes to the interior.  Our main problem is our blocking up front, LB coverage and stopping the run.  I put the run stopping mostly on the LBs also.  Our big guys plug up the holes so LB's can come up to make the tackle in a 3-4 mainly. 

[zibby43]

We have a very slim chance of winning a SB after next year, because after all the talented young guys get paid (not on their rookie contracts anymore), we will have less money to bring in talent. 

 

 

The salary cap is going to increase significantly because of the new TV deal(s) and the gobs of extra revenue.

 

The Colts will have no problem with paying Luck and surrounding him with talent. 

[OffensivelyPC]

Other than the corners, he doesn't seem to think much of the defensive personnel at all. His main complaint is there just aren't any game changers in the front seven ...no players that keep you up at night. Think he likes the potential of Hughes though.

Yeah, I've heard him be up and down on the big uglies up front, but I agree with you that I've never heard him ever talking about any of them as if they were game changers.  Like you said, hard to disagree with him. 

[Superman]

Yeah, I've heard him be up and down on the big uglies up front, but I agree with you that I've never heard him ever talking about any of them as if they were game changers.  Like you said, hard to disagree with him. 

 

Montori Hughes was excellent against the Jags. 

 

It would be nice to have a dynamic, young defensive lineman (Aaron Donald, Jurell Casey, Sheldon Richardson, etc.) I don't think that's in the cards right now, though. We need guys like Hughes and Kerr to keep developing, and hopefully RJF and Jones hold up. The guys we have can be pretty good.

[ColtStronger]

The salary cap is going to increase significantly because of the new TV deal(s) and the gobs of extra revenue.

 

The Colts will have no problem with paying Luck and surrounding him with talent. 

It's good to see that, but the salary cap has increased many times before.  Now for the other side of the equation...  The players see the cap increase and naturally demand more money for their talent because more money is readily available.  Equation balanced.  Just like supply and demand or how minimum wage works in regards to society.  Give that Burger King employee $15/hr and you would see the price of the whopper increase, each soft drink, tomato, onion, and napkin increase in price, collectively.  I know its a stupid example, but it's the same type of concept.

 

With the salary cap going up X amount of dollars the value of players go up as well.  Unless the cap is raised a significant amount, 25 million a year or say 8 million a year for 3 years, I would assume that this is the leagues way of counteracting inflation. 

[krunk]

I have been saying this about Montori Huges for a week or two now.  I like what I have seen out of the big fella as of late.  He's been pretty difficult to block one on one or for that matter it's been hard for some teams to slow him even when doubled.  He's been getting some noticeable penetration.  I really liked what I saw when he and Arthur Jones were out there at the same time.  Apparently the coaching staff may see it as well because they chose to make Kerr inactive instead of Hughes for the Jags game.

[ColtStronger]

Other than the corners, he doesn't seem to think much of the defensive personnel at all. His main complaint is there just aren't any game changers in the front seven ...no players that keep you up at night. Think he likes the potential of Hughes though.

Mike Adams?  Statistically he is tied for 1st in takeaways.  I think highly of him.  He is ranked in the top 5 (I believe) for safties this season!  RJF and Corey Redding?  Both have made a huge impact for our D-Line. 

[krunk]

I don't know about Redding this year.  To me he's been kind of quiet, although he was hot early in the season it seems.

I could be totally wrong.

[BOTT]

Mike Adams?  Statistically he is tied for 1st in takeaways.  I think highly of him.  He is ranked in the top 5 (I believe) for safties this season!  RJF and Corey Redding?  Both have made a huge impact for our D-Line.

Cory Redding and RJF are fine players, but they aren't Justin Smith, Haloti Ngata, JJ Watt, Vince Wilfork, etc...

[Superman]

It's good to see that, but the salary cap has increased many times before.  Now for the other side of the equation...  The players see the cap increase and naturally demand more money for their talent because more money is readily available.  Equation balanced.  Just like supply and demand or how minimum wage works in regards to society.  Give that Burger King employee $15/hr and you would see the price of the whopper increase, each soft drink, tomato, onion, and napkin increase in price, collectively.  I know its a stupid example, but it's the same type of concept.

 

With the salary cap going up X amount of dollars the value of players go up as well.  Unless the cap is raised a significant amount, 25 million a year or say 8 million a year for 3 years, I would assume that this is the leagues way of counteracting inflation. 

 

You're talking about the QB position, which has held steady at around $20m/year, at best, for even elite players. Regardless of increases in the cap. As the cap goes up, it will be easier to manage having a $20m/year QB.

 

Plus, the team has already started making arrangements to handle his contract. It's not going to be a big issue. The primary concern should be with hitting in the draft.

[Superman]

I have been saying this about Montori Huges for a week or two now.  I like what I have seen out of the big fella as of late.  He's been pretty difficult to block one on one or for that matter it's been hard for some teams to slow him even when doubled.  He's been getting some noticeable penetration.  I really liked what I saw when he and Arthur Jones were out there at the same time.  Apparently the coaching staff may see it as well because they chose to make Kerr inactive instead of Hughes for the Jags game.

 

My thinking as well.

[ColtStronger]

Cory Redding and RJF are fine players, but they aren't Justin Smith, Haloti Ngata, JJ Watt, Vince Wilfork, etc...

They are pro bowl potentials... No, defintiely not as good as the players you mentioned, but they offer alot to the defense they play in.

[BOTT]

They are pro bowl potentials... No, defintiely not as good as the players you mentioned, but they offer alot to the defense they play in.

They won't sniff the pro bowl....not even close.

[Superman]

Cory Redding and RJF are fine players, but they aren't Justin Smith, Haloti Ngata, JJ Watt, Vince Wilfork, etc...

 

That doesn't mean there's no talent in the front. And the guy who most expected to be the best lineman has been hurt all year. Let's see how he plays down the stretch.

 

The problem with the front, IMO, is with the ILBs not having great range, and the pass rush not being explosive enough. The interior guys are and have been fine, aside from a couple of games this year. Maybe there's no Pro Bowl guy up front, which would be nice, but I don't think we're deficient, especially given the kind of front we want to be.

[ColtStronger]

You're talking about the QB position, which has held steady at around $20m/year, at best, for even elite players. Regardless of increases in the cap. As the cap goes up, it will be easier to manage having a $20m/year QB.

 

Plus, the team has already started making arrangements to handle his contract. It's not going to be a big issue. The primary concern should be with hitting in the draft.

I agree with the Avg QB salary, but other positions are constantly going up.  Andrew has the talent level of breaking that barrier.  Will he?  That depends on him.  Is he after alot of money or professional success.  Personally I don't think he will demand 20 million.  Im hoping they settle on or around 17 but that's wishful thinking.  I know the Colts have been preparing for Andrew's big payday pretty much since the start of last season, but you also got to keep in mind TY is a top tier WR and will be paid like one.  We have a decision to make with Fleener and Allen as well.  Also Trent/Vick contracts will be up.  Not sure about Ahmad but I thought they resigned him this offseason on a 2 year deal which throws him in that mix.  So you can start to see the dollar signs adding up.  I get a couple of these players will probably be gone, and you can't resign everybody, but all of these players besides maybe Ballard will get a nice payday.

[ColtStronger]

They won't sniff the pro bowl....not even close.

Not at their age and this point in their careers but Corey Redding was one of the best players on the Ravens defense, among their greats.  SF also have had some really dominating defensive lines that RJF were apart of.  Sure, they're alittle aged and not playing at the same level now, but that doesn't dismiss the fact of how good they are now!

[ColtStronger]

That doesn't mean there's no talent in the front. And the guy who most expected to be the best lineman has been hurt all year. Let's see how he plays down the stretch.

 

The problem with the front, IMO, is with the ILBs not having great range, and the pass rush not being explosive enough. The interior guys are and have been fine, aside from a couple of games this year. Maybe there's no Pro Bowl guy up front, which would be nice, but I don't think we're deficient, especially given the kind of front we want to be.

Yes Yes YES!  I agree it's the ILB's and inconsistency of pass rush.

[ColtStronger]

I don't know about Redding this year.  To me he's been kind of quiet, although he was hot early in the season it seems.

I could be totally wrong.

Redding was on fire the beginning of the season, but has cooled off a little, but I still see him make nice plays every game.

[BOTT]

Not at their age and this point in their careers but Corey Redding was one of the best players on the Ravens defense, among their greats.  SF also have had some really dominating defensive lines that RJF were apart of.  Sure, they're alittle aged and not playing at the same level now, but that doesn't dismiss the fact of how good they are now!

They are/were good players, but wow, but you are really over selling their stock.

[ColtStronger]

Overselling stock would be they are as good as they were in there prime.

[Superman]

I agree with the Avg QB salary, but other positions are constantly going up.  Andrew has the talent level of breaking that barrier.  Will he?  That depends on him.  Is he after alot of money or professional success.  Personally I don't think he will demand 20 million.  Im hoping they settle on or around 17 but that's wishful thinking.  I know the Colts have been preparing for Andrew's big payday pretty much since the start of last season, but you also got to keep in mind TY is a top tier WR and will be paid like one.  We have a decision to make with Fleener and Allen as well.  Also Trent/Vick contracts will be up.  Not sure about Ahmad but I thought they resigned him this offseason on a 2 year deal which throws him in that mix.  So you can start to see the dollar signs adding up.  I get a couple of these players will probably be gone, and you can't resign everybody, but all of these players besides maybe Ballard will get a nice payday.

 

Cap management will be fine. So long as we draft well, things will be okay. 

 

Also, Luck isn't going to get a $17m/year contract. Might as well wake up from that fantasy right now. He'll get the going rate for QBs, maybe a little bit more, probably a ton of guaranteed money. It's pretty much already determined.

[OffensivelyPC]

Montori Hughes was excellent against the Jags. 

 

It would be nice to have a dynamic, young defensive lineman (Aaron Donald, Jurell Casey, Sheldon Richardson, etc.) I don't think that's in the cards right now, though. We need guys like Hughes and Kerr to keep developing, and hopefully RJF and Jones hold up. The guys we have can be pretty good.

Oh I don't disagree that they are decent players.  That was never my point (not saying that you misunderstood, but just clarifying nonetheless).  I think the only distinction being made here is that as of now, no defensive lineman on our active roster is capable of (or at least demonstrated) consistent domination - or perhaps a better way to phrase it is that none of them create obvious mismatches on a regular basis.  JJ Watt for instance - an extreme comparison, but just to illustrate the point.   Our guys can be good at times, and I've liked a lot of what I've seen.  It's especially encouraging when our lower round picks are making good contributions.  I think Pags, Chuck, and Manusky are getting more out of those guys than most other teams would. 

 

It's just harder to get the job done when you don't have a guy who can take over a game teh way that JJ Watt or Robert Mathis can.  You'll have a hard time landing one of those guys when (a) you gut your roster in 2012 (b), seldom find yourself in negotiation with a marquee pass rusher in free agency, and © spend only 1 pick on the defensive line out of all your first, second, third, and fourth round picks in the past 3 years (by round, 2, 2, 4, and 1 possible picks, respectively).  Not that I'm saying that we should have drafted differently, but if you address one thing by a draft choice, you necessarily neglect others.

[NewColtsFan]

I agree with the Avg QB salary, but other positions are constantly going up.  Andrew has the talent level of breaking that barrier.  Will he?  That depends on him.  Is he after alot of money or professional success.  Personally I don't think he will demand 20 million.  Im hoping they settle on or around 17 but that's wishful thinking.  I know the Colts have been preparing for Andrew's big payday pretty much since the start of last season, but you also got to keep in mind TY is a top tier WR and will be paid like one.  We have a decision to make with Fleener and Allen as well.  Also Trent/Vick contracts will be up.  Not sure about Ahmad but I thought they resigned him this offseason on a 2 year deal which throws him in that mix.  So you can start to see the dollar signs adding up.  I get a couple of these players will probably be gone, and you can't resign everybody, but all of these players besides maybe Ballard will get a nice payday.

 

 

17 Million will never happen.   

 

If the Colts get out with 20 Mill or less,  they can pop champagne corks in the front office.

 

The view around the NFL is that Luck will get something around 22-25 MIll per year.

 

And you shouldn't worry about it.    The salary cap is about to go way up over a number of years.

 

We can afford Luck and his big contract and still have plenty for all the players we want to keep.

 

Grigson has been planning for this for a couple of years now.    He's talked about it.    He does not want the Colts in Salary Cap Heck.

 

There should be no reason to worry....

[OLD FAN MAN]

Not at their age and this point in their careers but Corey Redding was one of the best players on the Ravens defense, among their greats.  SF also have had some really dominating defensive lines that RJF were apart of.  Sure, they're alittle aged and not playing at the same level now, but that doesn't dismiss the fact of how good they are now!

ray lewis made them all look good, we need a game changing mlb

[ColtStronger]

Cap management will be fine. So long as we draft well, things will be okay. 

 

Also, Luck isn't going to get a $17m/year contract. Might as well wake up from that fantasy right now. He'll get the going rate for QBs, maybe a little bit more, probably a ton of guaranteed money. It's pretty much already determined.

Yes, it is a fantasy I know, isn't that what Brady making?  I know he took a big cut.

[Superman]

Yes, it is a fantasy I know, isn't that what Brady making?  I know he took a big cut.

 

There are several things going on with Brady's contract. We'll see what happens, but the yearly average has been knocked down to about $14m, per. It is not a market precedent.

[ColtStronger]

17 Million will never happen.   

 

If the Colts get out with 20 Mill or less,  they can pop champagne corks in the front office.

 

The view around the NFL is that Luck will get something around 22-25 MIll per year.

 

And you shouldn't worry about it.    The salary cap is about to go way up over a number of years.

 

We can afford Luck and his big contract and still have plenty for all the players we want to keep.

 

Grigson has been planning for this for a couple of years now.    He's talked about it.    He does not want the Colts in Salary Cap Heck.

 

There should be no reason to worry....

My point is not JUST about Luck though.  There are many contracts that are up the same year.  I know we have been budgeting to resign Luck.  I wasn't ever worried about him, but do you honestly think we will be able to keep our core together?  I think we will resign Luck TY Allen Richardson (I believe Chapman is on the same contract year and Castonzo).  Have to part ways with Bradshaw Ballard Fleener and other players (these are just the big ones).  That's a lot more money to shell out then what you think.

 

Then again who knows what will play out before the end of next year

[NewColtsFan]

My point is not JUST about Luck though.  There are many contracts that are up the same year.  I know we have been budgeting to resign Luck.  I wasn't ever worried about him, but do you honestly think we will be able to keep our core together?  I think we will resign Luck TY Allen Richardson (I believe Chapman is on the same contract year and Castonzo).  Have to part ways with Bradshaw Ballard Fleener and other players (these are just the big ones).  That's a lot more money to shell out then what you think.

 

Then again who knows what will play out before the end of next year

 

 

I could be entirely mistaken,  but as we sit here today,  I'm confident we will have enough money for everyone we want to bring back.

 

I don't think we'll have to sit around a table saying....    can we afford to bring this guy back or that guy back?

 

I think Grigson and his finance team have a plan and I expect to see it unfold this coming winter/spring as the 2012 class becomes eligible for new deals.

 

I'm not sure if Luck's deal gets done this off-season,  but I would think Fleener, Allen,  TYH,  and Chapman certainly are desired candidates.     Now whether all these guys want the new deal this year or not is another question...

[esmort]

My point is not JUST about Luck though.  There are many contracts that are up the same year.  I know we have been budgeting to resign Luck.  I wasn't ever worried about him, but do you honestly think we will be able to keep our core together?  I think we will resign Luck TY Allen Richardson (I believe Chapman is on the same contract year and Castonzo).  Have to part ways with Bradshaw Ballard Fleener and other players (these are just the big ones).  That's a lot more money to shell out then what you think.

 

Then again who knows what will play out before the end of next year

 

Luck and TY will be the big contracts ... Castonzo is a good (not great)LT and will most likely get a reasonable contract .... Allen and Fleener should be reasonable contracts unless one blows up ... Richardson will be taking a pay cut, if he is even on the team.  Chapman won't be getting a big contract. Bradshaw will be on a vet minimum contract again if he comes back.  Between increase in salary cap, budgeting/free cap space, and players leaving we should easily be able to handle the contracts on everyone we want back and still have room to spare. 

[ColtStronger]

There are several things going on with Brady's contract. We'll see what happens, but the yearly average has been knocked down to about $14m, per. It is not a market precedent.

I don't personally know Andrew Luck but in regards to the game, it seems to me he carries himself professionally, like he is one of the greatest of all times.  He cares about the football team and being the best player he can be.  That being said I wouldn't be surprised if he accepted less than what people think he is worth.  Obviously he is the best youngest QB in the league, and deserves the biggest contract for his age, but like I said I believe he wants the best football team possible, and the only way to do that is take a pay cut.  Not necessarilly on Brady's level but you see what the Patriots were able to do with their secodary this past offseason.  IDK if all that would be possible w/o the unselfishness of Brady.

[ztboiler]

I don't personally know Andrew Luck but in regards to the game, it seems to me he carries himself professionally, like he is one of the greatest of all times.  He cares about the football team and being the best player he can be.  That being said I wouldn't be surprised if he accepted less than what people think he is worth.  Obviously he is the best youngest QB in the league, and deserves the biggest contract for his age, but like I said I believe he wants the best football team possible, and the only way to do that is take a pay cut.  Not necessarilly on Brady's level but you see what the Patriots were able to do with their secodary this past offseason.  IDK if all that would be possible w/o the unselfishness of Brady.

We are all forgetting that Luck's rookie contract didn't get done quick and easy.  Nothing was said publicly, but the actions indicate that he left it to his agent while he focused on football.  He certainly didn't do anything artificial to accelerate the business terms (and that is on a simple deal with few moving parts).  I think we can all expect his new contract to be handled similarly.  Very little fanfare, but consistent with the market and he is going to let everybody do their respective jobs while he does his.  

 

There is no discount to be had here.

[ColtStronger]

We are all forgetting that Luck's rookie contract didn't get done quick and easy.  Nothing was said publicly, but the actions indicate that he left it to his agent while he focused on football.  He certainly didn't do anything artificial to accelerate the business terms (and that is on a simple deal with few moving parts).  I think we can all expect his new contract to be handled similarly.  Very little fanfare, but consistent with the market and he is going to let everybody do their respective jobs while he does his.  

 

There is no discount to be had here.

Your opinion is as good as mine or anybody else.  We simply don't know how it will be done.  One thing is for sure, Luck knows if he wants every penny that he deserves it will put us in a position to not be able to sign an extra key guy or two.  Owners don't just throw around 20-25 Million dollars.  Remember Irsay cutting Peyton after neck surgery?  I think alot of it had to do with the franchise knowing what they had with Andrew Luck, but that's a lot of money for not just one season but to give it to somebody year in and year out!  We will pay Andrew no matter the asking price, and we will be in the playoffs pretty much every year until he retires, but if he wants to squeeze every penny out (which I don't think he is that kind of guy), then the franchise wont reach its max potential.  Having him make 17 million oppose to 25 million a yr is the difference of a great player vs. a below average player.  It is the difference of being a Divisional round team or a Super Bowl team.