Is Henry Melton worth a franchise tag?

Melton is very good, no question.  But, as an undersized 3 technique tackle in a 4-3 defense, he's a very specialized player.

Henry Melton made the Pro Bowl this year, and the Bears' D was dominant.  Pressure up the middle is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. 

In my opinion, the 3 technique tackle is the most important position in the Bears defense, if they choose to continue to run the same scheme, which Tucker says he will.

A quarterback can always step up if pressure comes from the outside, but pressure from the middle ruins plays.  When the Bears are successful, they get this type of pressure.  When they don't, it's not good.

Obviously we want the long term contract, but if Melton and his agent say no, should they franchise him?

Somebody help me, but the top pay for DT's is around $10 mil a year, I think.

Melton made $565,000 last year and is still on his rookie contract and hasn't made a peep.

Is he worth the monster cap hit on the franchise tag if no deal is done?        

      

Had this similar debate somehwere else.  Paying Melton top DT money will damage our cap room in the future.  We have what, 10.3m this year of room?  Our defense has been really good for years, and we haven't a dominate 3-T for quite some time.  Suure, it's nice, but a 3-T is needed in a T2 is it not?  We don't run it that much anymore.  Besdies, with Toeina and Paea already rotating, I think we should concentrate that cap room on offense.  We need lineman and a dominate TE...positions of much greater need than a 3-T.  Don't get me wrong, I would love to keep him, but he will be too expensive and we have a guy that can fill the role on the roster.  Plus, we have more positions of need.  The D has been concentrated on long enough.

He definitely deserves a huge raise but 10 million a year is not worth it.  I'd be in for around 6 million a year for 4 years with around 10 - 15 million guaranteed.

Mel Tucker announced (yesterday?) that he's sticking with the Tampa 2. That makes keeping Melton a no-brainer.

Finding 8 million shouldn't be too difficult with where we are under the cap.  Dumping Jamarcus Webb instantly gets another 1.4 million... Dumping Kellen Davis gets another 4 million. Garza = 2 million. Speath = 2 million. Hester = 3 million...

Suure, it's nice, but a 3-T is needed in a T2 is it not?  We don't run it that much anymore.  Besdies, with Toeina and Paea already rotating,

AF1- I think he is needed,  I just don't think the secondary would of had the year they did without him. His ability to collaspe the pocket should not be so easily dismissed because of what that means in coverage with those hurries and pressures. If he is not in there the secondary probably takes a step backwards.
I'm also not a Toeaina fan either and I don't know what he's making but IMO they can dump that salary as well. He's been good in run support but his ability to get upfield is a challenge.

Go Bears

In my opinion, the 3 technique tackle is the most important position in the Bears defense,

Bingo.

And we're talking one of the top 3-tech's in the league, a pro bowler, who's just turned 26. And we know Melton hasn't reached his ceiling yet. At the very least he can become more consistent. You can't afford to let guys like that walk, especially given the age at other positions on that D.

The DT tag is just over 8mil, like SM says, take it all into account and this is a no brainer. The Bears can absorb that, even if its not ideal.

But like you say bear-man, a long term deal is in everyone's best interests here. The Bears have a shot to lock Melton up and they need to make it stick, even if the deal may look a little steep on paper. Because when Melton goes to the pro bowl next year his price tag will become astronomical.

The good news is there's been barely a peep about this, i.e the exact opposite of Cliff Avril last year. To me thats a good sign.

I'm also not a Toeaina fan either

Me neither. Toeaina really has nothing to do with this, there were games last year where he didn't even suit up despite not being injured. No gaurantee at all he even makes the team.

I'm with mongo--but I do forsee a Tommie Harris like deal in the works......

keep him.  Tag him, pay him.  Dont give him a chance to walk.  Dallas really wants him.

Me neither. Toeaina really has nothing to do with this, there were games last year where he didn't even suit up despite not being injured.

That was my point Everton, he has no future here and shouldn't be included in any future plans cut him and save a little more. He shouldn't be in any rotation other than waiting for the urinal stall while waiting in the unemployment line.

Go Bears

I'm also not a Toeaina fan either and I don't know what he's making but IMO they can dump that salary as well.

I know now, $1.625 million I'm going to say no. I wanted him cut last year and this year even more. He's a waste of space.

Melton had a great year this season, but his 2011 season was the break out year for him.  QBs hate to see pressure up the middle and Melton is one of the best in the league at providing that.  I don't know that I see his upward trend continuing, but right now he is one of the better DTs in the NFL and he is a great fit in this defense. 

Hopefully they don't need to use the tag, but if they can't work out a deal they should absolutely tag Melton rather than let him walk away. 

It's a catch 22 long as we're running this D we need one of the best 3 tech DTs.

We're gonna either overpay him or one of the other two 3 techs so keep the known commodity. Half of whatever he gets should be going under the table to#90.

Who else are you gonna use the tag on?

Melton has turned into a beast.  He has stepped his game up against the run as well as being one of if not the best pass rushing 4-3 DT in the game.  And he is just hitting his stride.  Plus hes been durable to boot.  Pay the man a fair contract for his services.  I have a feeling he will only get more expensive the more he plays.

And we're talking one of the top 3-tech's in the league, a pro bowler, who's just turned 26. And we know Melton hasn't reached his ceiling yet. At the very least he can become more consistent. You can't afford to let guys like that walk, especially given the age at other positions on that D.

The DT tag is just over 8mil, like SM says, take it all into account and this is a no brainer. The Bears can absorb that, even if its not ideal.

This. 100% agree. 


NFL.com had an article about the franchise tag for all 32 teams and listed 5 no brainers...

1. Joe Flacco
2. Jairus Byrd
3. Henry Melton
4. Ryan Clady
5. Dashon Goldson   


You know it's a new era in Chicago when Melton is a must-keep player, while veteran linebacker [Brian Urlacher] isn't under consideration for the franchise tag. Melton fits into what new defensive coordinator [Mel Tucker] wants to accomplish.

[http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10
00000139963/article/franchisetag-pr
imer-predictions-for-all-32-nfl-tea
ms]


If the Bears can't come to an agreement with Melton by March 4th and franchise him, they still have until mid July to reach a long term deal.

Dallas really wants him.

This is why the Bears can't let him hit the open market.  
               

I'm sorry guys, but I'm just not seeing it. Yes, he's a decent to above average DT in a gap attacking Cover 2 scheme... But he has disappeared over LOOOOONNGGG stretches in each of the past two seasons. I don't have stats in front of me, but I know he had something like 4-5 sacks in the first 3 games in 2011 and then didn't get another until late in the year... This year, he didn't have the "clutch" preasures when needed- AT ALL. Vs Seattle- disappeared, Vs SanFran gone... in the fourth quarter...eh.

I'm not saying dump the guy- but I am saying that if he did walk I wouldn't be too upset, and would actually be kinda pissed if they paid him like a franchise DT... he's NOT.

Also: While Tucker has said he wants to keep the 4-3 he's also said that he wants more 2 gap play- (meaning bigger guys clugging up the run game- and NOT smallish faster guys rushing the passer.)

make him a good offer- but DON'T outspend to keep him. Period. Just my 2 cents. Go Bears!

No. 10 million? No. He had a good year last year a on paper good showing season in 2011 (wildly inconsistent). He needs more consistency. Getting big plays during garbage time or against garbage teams doesnt mean a lot. I am afraid dude has parlayed 1 decent season into a big deal and vanish on the playing field. 3-4 years 5-6 mill per TOPS. Any more than that let him go. The Bears have more pressing needs than locking up a DT. O-Line and Tight End are 1A and 1B. Getting a MLB is #2. I go down the list a long ways before Im thinking about DT. Paea Toenia and company are good enough.

The Bears dont always make good decisions but they wont tag this guy.

Our 3-T is not the most important position on this defense.  When you have Julius Peppers, a pass rusher is your most valuable defensive assett.  Melton is good, even great, but like Dimn said this guy disappears for long stretches of time.  He comes and goes.  The guy is not consistent enough to pay 10 million for.  We have just over 10 in space and we have draft picks to sign.  You want to eat that up with one guy?  Hey, your perogative.  I would be interested in doing a deal with him, but not for that much.  I still say, let someone else overpay for him and let him walk.  He's had one good year.  Let's not act like he's had multiple good years.

Tuna, I will disagree with everything I have about Toeina.  Webb is a waste of space.  Davis is a waste of space.  Toeina has a lot of heart and a great motor.  They guy makes you work on offense.  It's not like a worthless LT and a worthless TE.  He's good enough to rotate through.  I can think of 4-3's that are much worse at DT.

I think the Bears need to start looking at cutting players to create cap space if theyre as restricted in cap space as theyre saying. They cant have so many guys accounting for such a high percentage of their payroll. Keep in mind that Jay Cutler is up for a new contract next season making this situation all the more of an issue. Somebody has to go. It would be nice to see who is accounting for such a high cap figure.