Should we have kept Bethea?

[Dark Superman]

At first, letting him walk didn't seem as bad as it does now. The guy rarely missed a game and was just a solid player.. Not to mention a good leader and a fan favorite.

I mean maybe we should have kept him around for 5-6 million a year. With there not bring many options in free agency, as well as us not having a first round draft pick..

Just maybe we should have tried a little harder to keep him around..

[Nobody]

Lol no. He's wayyyyy overpaid.

[21isSuperman]

Per Roto:

Signed a four-year, $21 million contract. The deal included a $5 million signing bonus. Bethea is eligible for an annual $400,000 in per-game roster bonuses throughout the contract's life. He gets another $100,000 per year in annual workout bonuses. Another $750,000 is available through incentives. 2014: $1.25 million, 2015: $3 million, 2016: $4.5 million, 2017: $5.25 million, 2018: Free Agent

 

That's going to be a lot of money in 2016 and 2017 for a 31/32 year old safety whose coverage skills have declined.  He's a great tackler, a fan favourite, and a good leader.  But his coverage skills have declined.  I would have liked to see him stay, but not at that price.  If they play him at SS, then perhaps it's worth it since he's very instinctive and a good tackler.  Reid is listed as FS, but he is also a really good tackler, so I'm not sure what their plans are for him and Bethea

[colts8718]

He gave his all but he was a step slower this year

[GoColts8818]

I'd rather have Bethea than Landry but I don't want both and frankly Landry already had the long term deal so it made sense to let Bethea walk. 

[NewColtsFan]

I suspect we made an offer....

 

But SF's offer was much, much bigger and Bethea felt he couldn't turn that down.   And frankly, with those $$$ he couldn't turn

it down.

 

Sometimes one team will value a player more than another.    And neither team is wrong.

 

Good luck to Antoine in SF......

[PrincetonTiger]

Good Luck in SF

[Gabriel Alexander Morillo]

Not for that price.

[ColtJ82]

I suspect we made an offer....

 

But SF's offer was much, much bigger and Bethea felt he couldn't turn that down.   And frankly, with those $$$ he couldn't turn

it down.

 

Sometimes one team will value a player more than another.    And neither team is wrong.

 

Good luck to Antoine in SF......

I thought I read that he said we didn't, but could be wrong.

[ColtJ82]

Would have rather kept him than Landry. Bethea is a SS at this point and was redundant with Landy. Too much invested in Landry so Bethea was the odd man out.

[MTC]

[NewColtsFan]

I thought I read that he said we didn't, but could be wrong.

 

You maybe entirely right.   

 

I just guessed we would because I thought Grigson had made very nice comments about Bethea in January and February about wanting to bring him and Davis back.

 

So, I'm assuming we would've at least made an offer. 

[Insert Colts Pun Here]

I'd rather have Bethea than Landry but I don't want both and frankly Landry already had the long term deal so it made sense to let Bethea walk. 

 

Pretty much this.

 

I love Bethea, probably more than most, but I think it was time for him to move on. He and Landry were too similar and Landry just makes more sense long term.

 

I hope he does well in San Fran.

[therobg125]

howell will play well!!!!!!!!!!!!!! give the man a chance!....

[therobg125]

if we can replace peyton, then we can def. replace bathea...especially after last yrs decline.

[Kenny]

The little I saw of Howell last year I saw potential. Would not be against giving him a year as a starter to see if he can progress into a solid starter. Imo Bethea leaving will be a blessing in disguise. As much as I love him as one of he many NFL players from my area(He grew up 20 mins from me) it was just time.

[PrincetonTiger]

AB was in decline and I don' t think he has many years left in the tank

[FanFromtheWasteland]

No. He was a good player while here, but is no longer worh the money he wants nor does he excell in our curremt system

[dw49]

Per Roto:

Signed a four-year, $21 million contract. The deal included a $5 million signing bonus. Bethea is eligible for an annual $400,000 in per-game roster bonuses throughout the contract's life. He gets another $100,000 per year in annual workout bonuses. Another $750,000 is available through incentives. 2014: $1.25 million, 2015: $3 million, 2016: $4.5 million, 2017: $5.25 million, 2018: Free Agent

 

That's going to be a lot of money in 2016 and 2017 for a 31/32 year old safety whose coverage skills have declined.  He's a great tackler, a fan favourite, and a good leader.  But his coverage skills have declined.  I would have liked to see him stay, but not at that price.  If they play him at SS, then perhaps it's worth it since he's very instinctive and a good tackler.  Reid is listed as FS, but he is also a really good tackler, so I'm not sure what their plans are for him and Bethea

 

 

He'll never see the 4rd year as he's scheduled to make 7 mill and only about a mill in cap hit to cut him. Even the 3rd year is questionable as they save about 4 mill if he's released. Pretty much a two year deal .

[TKnight24]

Would have rather kept him than Landry. Bethea is a SS at this point and was redundant with Landy. Too much invested in Landry so Bethea was the odd man out.

Landry is better than Bethea

[Gavin]

No, He had more value to San Fran because they needed a Safety that could come up and play the run, Thats Betheas strength, We already have that in Landry. We dont need 2 run stopping Safeties, we need a Cover Safety....Thats by far not Betheas strong point

[dudeski]

No

[dudeski]

Landry is better than Bethea

no he isnt

[TKnight24]

no he isnt

He really is. NFL leading tackler before the injury. Better than Bethea, who's washed up

[pgt_rob]

Should have kept Bethea. Hopefully we find a good safety in the draft or we are going to be in a world of trouble.

[dudeski]

He really is. NFL leading tackler before the injury. Better than Bethea, who's washed up

leading tackler means nothing. Especially considering that stat is very inaccurate and does not indicate his playing ability at all

[TKnight24]

leading tackler means nothing. Especially considering that stat is very inaccurate and does not indicate his playing ability at all

Even still, Landry is better. Bethea hasn't been good since Bob left

[dudeski]

Even still, Landry is better. Bethea hasn't been good since Bob left

not true at all

[southwest1]

I can't look away MTC. That's the fastest moving octopus I have ever seen man. Zoom! I'm glad Bethea is gone & that he landed on a really good squad. He deserved that IMO. 

[southwest1]

No, He had more value to San Fran because they needed a Safety that could come up and play the run, Thats Betheas strength, We already have that in Landry. We dont need 2 run stopping Safeties, we need a Cover Safety....Thats by far not Betheas strong point

Exactly Gavin. Exactly. 

[CantBeStopped]

He really is. NFL leading tackler before the injury. Better than Bethea, who's washed up

bethea has the modt tackles in the NFL for a DB since 2006

[ColtJ82]

Landry is better than Bethea

That is subjective. Bethea is better in coverage and Landry in run support. I give Bethea the nod because he is also good in run support (not as good as Landry). Landry is flat out poor in coverage.

[dudeski]

That is subjective. Bethea is better in coverage and Landry in run support. I give Bethea the nod because he is also good in run support (not as good as Landry). Landry is flat out poor in coverage.

landry sucks at everything

[ColtJ82]

landry sucks at everything

That is absolutely true when referring to the 2nd half of the year.....he was wildly unimpressive.

[dudeski]

That is absolutely true when referring to the 2nd half of the year.....he was wildly unimpressive.

yeah

I know

[TheEdgeis1]

If I had to pick one to keep, it would have been Bethea.  To me people saying that Bethea is on the decline is because who he has played with the last 2 seasons.  Zibby and Landry did not compliment him.  I think we overpaid for Landry, but I hope he does better this year.

[Horse Shoe Heaven]

YES YES YES YES & YES

[Maniq]

The thing is. If Howell (or who-ever will replace Bethea) plays two weeks or so mediocre, this forum will scream for Bethea.

People on here sometimes won't allow players to evolve before screaming for a replacement, and if the guy needs to settle and eventually could be really good, it could require patience.

I'm up for it...

[krunk]

I was ok with keeping him and drafting someone to replace him in this years or next years draft.

[MB-ColtsFan]

te name="krunk" post="775115" timestamp="1395594640"]

I was ok with keeping him and drafting someone to replace him in this years or next years draft.