Maybe a dumb question here, but...

[Akrasian]

If we had Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham this year, I don't think we would have been 11-5 or close. Gurley is a big back WITH break away speed, and those aren't around every year. I don't think we would've beat Dallas, Tennessee, New Orleans, and maybe some others without the contributions of Gurley.

Sure - but there's a lot of distance between Gurley and acceptable but not excellent backups. The idea is that rather than pay huge star running backs on their second contract a fortune, maintain a pipeline of quality starters or a stable of very good role players who are inexpensive. And then use the savings to strengthen other positions. With a salary cap there are always tough decisions about who to keep - since very few high usage running backs maintain an extremely high level of performance throughout a second contract, that is one place to save money.

 

[RamFan503]

No....truly great players make others around them better. Donald makes our defense respectable...

I’d say that he makes our defense great along with other respectable players. I would say this about probably no other defensive player and I’m not even one who values his position as a huge need for most defenses. He showed how important he is. I’d find a way to pay the man.