Re: Jovan could be on his way out of the Den
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 5:32 am
So it is about cap space and Jovan will not do it without an extension or something on the back end.
If Farhan is right and he usually is, Wally has made some decisions regarding the SMS that have put him in the position of needing to reduce salary. Obviously Jovan does not want to do this without an extension or something on the back end and who can blame him.
Jovan's is presently paid fairly, based upon his stature and performance. This is a perennial all-star who hasn't missed a start in 126 games. He began his career as a Leo as a guard, anchored the right guard spot for many seasons, and last year, made the change to left tackle, where everything is opposite in terms of stance, punch hand, technique, and had an excellent season,
He is 29 years old, in his prime as an offensive lineman, and his ability to play tackle on both sides of the offensive line is another bonus. Wally signed Jovan to an extension last season and now he wants to cut Jovan's salary because he signed other players.
I also owe my Lionbackers colleagues an apology. I have always believed and written on Lionbackers that a contract is a contract. Its an agreement and I have never viewed Wally going back to a player and asking him to take a wage cut as honorable. I said so when Wally did it to Paris Jackson as well as others. Therefore, when I posted on this thread that one option to addresss this situation was to restructure Lulay's salary, I was inconsistent and wrong. I still think we are paying Lulay too high a salary and would prefer that we restructure Lulay's salary rather than Olifioye's salary, the reality is that restructuring either of their salaries would not be the proper thing or honorable thing to do.
Lulay, like Jovan, has based his family financial decisions based on the contract he signed. I highly doubt Wally would like David Braley demanding that Wally take a wage cut nor would he consider it honorable. There are 'options that Wally could utilize rather than trading Jovan. We still need an International offensive lineman and Jovan Ololifoye, at 6' 6", 325 pounds, never injured, and very talented and very proven, is a much better option than 295 pound Antonio Johnson.
Wally really needed Jovan for our offensive line last season, especially when he needed Jovan to switch to left tackle. Wally signed Jovan to an extension which gave Jovan a contract that paid him his value. Wally hates to pay market value for a player. But anyone who thinks that Wally is bang on about Jovan being close to his best due date is insane. Jovan is in his prime and has many seasons of high quality play left in him. He has not been injured, has had no serious injuries, and Olifioye is big, strong, fast, and experienced.
This is just a money decision. I have made suggestions which include using a lower paid National receiver as Adekolu with Shaq Johnson or Blaazco as the backup rather than the over-expensive Iannuzzi or going with a fourth International receiver who is cheaper than Nick Moore, who is often injured (even though he plays well when he is healthy).
We can have tons of speed and talent at the receiver and back positions but without good offensive play calling and good offensive line blocking it won't lead to a championship. Championships are won on the offensive and defensive line, as well as the quarterback position.
You don't trade your best offensive lineman over what does not amount to not huge dollars. You find the money elsewhere.
While it may be coincidental, there is always some kind of insanity involved when Dorazio is coaching our offensive line. In 2005 we decided to play Cory Mantyka with one arm all season and ended up the season with Mo Elonowibi at left tackle. Under Dorazio we decided that Angus Reid was washed up and we could go with Dean Valli at center. We had no one to play center when Angus Reid got hurt in training camp and had to insert a rookie guard in Norman to play the position. When Tedford arrived in 2015 we didn't have a center who could play. Dorazio decided that Levi Adcock would be the answer at right tacke and at huge bucks.
Doug Malone took an unrecognized and undrafted Cody Husband and turned him into a starting offensive lineman in 2015. Dorazio moved Hunter Stewart, a very talented tackle and moved him to guard last year and then benched him for Tim O'Neil. We struggled with O'Neil and Adcock. When Steward was returned to the starting lineup, the difference was more than noticeable. Maybe Dorazio thinks that he doesn't need Olifoye - who knows but it wouldn't surprise me. But this situation is on Buono, who has a history of being resentful to any player who is not being underpaid. Its as if its a badge of dishonor for Wally to pay market value.
Jovan Olifoye Highlights:
2016: Pushed his games-played streak to 126 following his seventh-consecutive season without missing a start,
CFL All-Star: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
CFL Most Outstanding Lineman: 2012
West Division All-Star: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
West Division Most Outstanding Lineman: 2015, 2012, 2011
If Farhan is right and he usually is, Wally has made some decisions regarding the SMS that have put him in the position of needing to reduce salary. Obviously Jovan does not want to do this without an extension or something on the back end and who can blame him.
Jovan's is presently paid fairly, based upon his stature and performance. This is a perennial all-star who hasn't missed a start in 126 games. He began his career as a Leo as a guard, anchored the right guard spot for many seasons, and last year, made the change to left tackle, where everything is opposite in terms of stance, punch hand, technique, and had an excellent season,
He is 29 years old, in his prime as an offensive lineman, and his ability to play tackle on both sides of the offensive line is another bonus. Wally signed Jovan to an extension last season and now he wants to cut Jovan's salary because he signed other players.
I also owe my Lionbackers colleagues an apology. I have always believed and written on Lionbackers that a contract is a contract. Its an agreement and I have never viewed Wally going back to a player and asking him to take a wage cut as honorable. I said so when Wally did it to Paris Jackson as well as others. Therefore, when I posted on this thread that one option to addresss this situation was to restructure Lulay's salary, I was inconsistent and wrong. I still think we are paying Lulay too high a salary and would prefer that we restructure Lulay's salary rather than Olifioye's salary, the reality is that restructuring either of their salaries would not be the proper thing or honorable thing to do.
Lulay, like Jovan, has based his family financial decisions based on the contract he signed. I highly doubt Wally would like David Braley demanding that Wally take a wage cut nor would he consider it honorable. There are 'options that Wally could utilize rather than trading Jovan. We still need an International offensive lineman and Jovan Ololifoye, at 6' 6", 325 pounds, never injured, and very talented and very proven, is a much better option than 295 pound Antonio Johnson.
Wally really needed Jovan for our offensive line last season, especially when he needed Jovan to switch to left tackle. Wally signed Jovan to an extension which gave Jovan a contract that paid him his value. Wally hates to pay market value for a player. But anyone who thinks that Wally is bang on about Jovan being close to his best due date is insane. Jovan is in his prime and has many seasons of high quality play left in him. He has not been injured, has had no serious injuries, and Olifioye is big, strong, fast, and experienced.
This is just a money decision. I have made suggestions which include using a lower paid National receiver as Adekolu with Shaq Johnson or Blaazco as the backup rather than the over-expensive Iannuzzi or going with a fourth International receiver who is cheaper than Nick Moore, who is often injured (even though he plays well when he is healthy).
We can have tons of speed and talent at the receiver and back positions but without good offensive play calling and good offensive line blocking it won't lead to a championship. Championships are won on the offensive and defensive line, as well as the quarterback position.
You don't trade your best offensive lineman over what does not amount to not huge dollars. You find the money elsewhere.
While it may be coincidental, there is always some kind of insanity involved when Dorazio is coaching our offensive line. In 2005 we decided to play Cory Mantyka with one arm all season and ended up the season with Mo Elonowibi at left tackle. Under Dorazio we decided that Angus Reid was washed up and we could go with Dean Valli at center. We had no one to play center when Angus Reid got hurt in training camp and had to insert a rookie guard in Norman to play the position. When Tedford arrived in 2015 we didn't have a center who could play. Dorazio decided that Levi Adcock would be the answer at right tacke and at huge bucks.
Doug Malone took an unrecognized and undrafted Cody Husband and turned him into a starting offensive lineman in 2015. Dorazio moved Hunter Stewart, a very talented tackle and moved him to guard last year and then benched him for Tim O'Neil. We struggled with O'Neil and Adcock. When Steward was returned to the starting lineup, the difference was more than noticeable. Maybe Dorazio thinks that he doesn't need Olifoye - who knows but it wouldn't surprise me. But this situation is on Buono, who has a history of being resentful to any player who is not being underpaid. Its as if its a badge of dishonor for Wally to pay market value.
Jovan Olifoye Highlights:
2016: Pushed his games-played streak to 126 following his seventh-consecutive season without missing a start,
CFL All-Star: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
CFL Most Outstanding Lineman: 2012
West Division All-Star: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
West Division Most Outstanding Lineman: 2015, 2012, 2011