UCF Nation
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The Bills signed him to the ridiculous contract. I love Clay, and he deserves to get paid, but not that much. Did you know his contract makes him the FOURTH highest paid TE in the league? Behind only Gronk, Graham, and Davis? The gurantee's for his deal are over 50% over the life of the contract.
Jeff Ireland would have matched that in a heartbeat. He would have paid Clay that money, and he would forver have had to carry the stigma and pressure of always being a top 4 - top 3 TE at all times. He would never have lived up to his contract, precious cap room would be eaten up, and we would all negatively view Clay for never living up to this deal. This new regime recognizes Clay is never going to be the best TE in the league. He is very good, often great, player. But he does not have the body nor talent to get himself to Gronk level. It's refreshing to see us not throw dollars at whoever just for the sake of paying them to me a middle of the road player (i.e. Hartline, Ellerbe, Wheeler).
I wanted to keep Clay, but on our terms, not on that insane deal the Bills signed him too. This Tannebaum/Hickey dynamic seems almost logical for right now.
Jeff Ireland would have matched that in a heartbeat. He would have paid Clay that money, and he would forver have had to carry the stigma and pressure of always being a top 4 - top 3 TE at all times. He would never have lived up to his contract, precious cap room would be eaten up, and we would all negatively view Clay for never living up to this deal. This new regime recognizes Clay is never going to be the best TE in the league. He is very good, often great, player. But he does not have the body nor talent to get himself to Gronk level. It's refreshing to see us not throw dollars at whoever just for the sake of paying them to me a middle of the road player (i.e. Hartline, Ellerbe, Wheeler).
I wanted to keep Clay, but on our terms, not on that insane deal the Bills signed him too. This Tannebaum/Hickey dynamic seems almost logical for right now.
