This article is going to be a bit of a celebration for me, considering it’s the first time one of my articles has truly aged like fine wine. Maybe that piece wasn’t specifically on C.J. (full is Cortez Thaddeus, boss name) Ham’s contract, but it was about his general job security, so I’m gonna celebrate like 1999. What does Ham’s contract extension mean, for Minnesota’s offseason plans )and my writing reputation)?
A Change of Heart?
As a 29-year old and a player who saw snap counts drop to six in some games, Ham was one of the earliest players to get marked as a possible (some considered likely) offseason loss. With this new two year contract extension, it makes me hope that coach O’Connell brings him back into the fold. While only having one Pro Bowl appearance, it’s obvious that he’s a top-tier fullback talent, which made it that much more infuriating watching him disappear off of the gridiron last season. The specifics of the extension hasn’t been released yet, but I can’t imagine it’s more than his previous average salary of $3 million per year. Kwesi is way too smart with the cap to roll out the brinks truck for any fullback, no matter how much I love said fullback. This signing, along with a few others, have acted as a sort of signal flare to an offensive aspect that’s currently getting a facelift.
I Guess We Gotta Help Him
The Ham extension is a part of what I believe to be a larger initiative by the front office to do one thing in particular: resurrect the running game. I know, I know. “But our running game is fine?” “Dalvin Cook can still get to work.” Here’s the major gap in our rushing attack right now: consistency. Sure, Dalvin can rip a 60-yard touchdown at any time, but outside of that, he’ll probably have a quiet game. Part of that was scheme, sure, but another massive part was personnel. After signing one of the league’s premier blocking tight ends in Josh Oliver, it seemed clear to me that this offseason, on the offensive side, might try to make the run game more viable.
Final Thoughts / StHAMp of Approval
If it hasn’t been abundantly clear in my explanations from my first article regarding Ham’s future in Minnesota or my reaction in this one, I’m a huge fan of this move. An S-tier lead blocker for a running back that kills outside runs sounds like a must-have for a new-age, multi-faceted team that I assume Kwesi & Co. are attempting to build. Nothing’s forever, but at least I have two more seasons of Crushing Joyrides and Ham slams.
