Posted by: Slizz
- [261122618] Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 23:48
Well I think a new post in this great forum is long overdue...
What are your thoughts/hopes on the 2008 Free Agency for your respective teams?
1
Slizz
ID: 261122618 Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 23:56
My Bears:
Sign Donte Stallworth cheaply...goodbye and good riddance to Bernard Berrian. Let some other team fall sucker for his speed. He sure as heck is not worth the $24m / $12m guaranteed over the first 3 years to me.
Keep our existing QB and RB's and build those positions in the draft. Chad Henne in the 2nd and best available RB in the 3rd.
I wouldnt mind seeing the bolster the offensive line through free agency by getting some depth. I've always been a Justin Smiley guy, so seeing him in Navy & Orange would be something I wouldnt mind!
Anyways, I always trust Jerry Angelo, he seems to make the right moves and ensures that we are always at budget. 5 more minutes to see!
2
Great One
ID: 27154129 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 09:22
Jets Get rid of Vilma Get rid of Roberston Maybe get rid of Pennington Trade up a few spots in the draft
Replace Roberston Add an OL - specifically a Guard (Faneca?)
3
Great One
ID: 27154129 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 09:23
Jets acquired Kris Jenkins for third- and fifth-round picks in the 2008 draft.
Both FoxSports and ESPN has confirmed the news. It remains uncertain if the Jets will restructure Jenkins' contract. New York is taking a risk, and has been surprisingly willing to give up picks in the Mangini era, but Jenkins should fit their scheme well and replace Dewayne Robertson. Feb. 29 - 3:48 AM ESPN
4
Great One
ID: 27154129 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 09:25
49ers signed RB DeShaun Foster to a two-year, $1.8 million contract, according to ESPN's John Clayton.
Redskins agreed to terms with QB Todd Collins.
Browns acquired DL Corey Williams from the Packers in exchange for a second-round pick.
Patriots agreed to terms with WR Kelley Washington.
Jonathan Vilma is "very very close" to becoming a New Orleans Saint, according to the Washington Post. The New Orleans Times Picayune reports the Jets and New Orleans are "close to finalizing a deal."
Patriots re-signed LB Tedy Bruschi. ESPN's John Clayton doesn't have financial terms, but says it's a multi-year contract.
5
barilko6
ID: 561222714 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 09:25
Apparently the Vikings are offering a 3rd round pick for Sage Rosenfelds?!? Do they know who Sage Rosenfelds is?
6
Great One
ID: 27154129 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 09:26
Wide receiver Isaac Bruce, the last remaining player from the team's 1995 move from Los Angeles to St. Louis, was released after each side failed to reach a lower salary number. Bruce, 36, was scheduled to make $5 million this year, including a $2 million roster bonus due Friday.
7
wiggs Sustainer
ID: 04991311 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 09:32
Dallas #1 priority- Resign Flozell Adams (done) Keep Barber- Looks like they will Sign a Cornerback- Deangelo Hall or Samuels (doesnt look likely)
Draft pick 1 RB- Mendenhall I heard was dropping in the draft or Felix Jones
Pick 2 WR - Manningham or Jackson
The last few years they have gone all Defense with their top picks. Lets work on that Offense :)
8
PuNk42AE Donor
ID: 036635522 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 09:59
Rumor is the Vilma to NO is for a Conditional 2009 pick.
9
Myboyjack
ID: 56039812 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 10:02
I have to believe that someone is going to make a big time play for Moss...
Tampa Bay and Carolina have sure cleared up a lot of cap space; Tampa I believe is currently way under the salary floor and has to spend money...
10
wiggs Sustainer
ID: 04991311 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 10:05
I had heard that TB was clearing space to make a move at Samuels.
11
wiggs Sustainer
ID: 04991311 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 10:06
Carolina just got back Muhammad, not sure they need to make a move for Moss. They have enough other holes that need to be filled.
12
wiggs Sustainer
ID: 04991311 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 10:24
Derek Anderson resined a multiyear deal with Cleveland
13
barilko6
ID: 561222714 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 10:30
Algae Crumpler is visiting Seattle, and might be close.
14
sarge33rd
ID: 99331714 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 12:22
with Cle signing D Amderson to a 3 year deal, what are they gonna do with Quinn? (Or will they sit Quinn for another year, year and a half, then work him in? Giving him a chance to "mature" a little and maybe avoid another teams Ryan Leaf episode and others similar to it?)
15
barilko6
ID: 561222714 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 12:28
I think they keep Anderson for one, maybe two years, and then start Quinn if he is ready. I guess this is similar to Rivers/Brees from a couple years ago.
16
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 12:41
Sarge - Brady Quinn screwed himself. By holding out for all those "incentives" that he figured he would get b/c he would be their "franchise" starter prompted the browns to carry Derek Anderson and 4 QB's going into the season. (Hello, run on sentence) Had Quinn reported to camp on time, Derek Anderson or Charlie Frye get cut/traded and the Browns are only carrying Quinn/Frye/Dorsey and are probably still rebuilding.
Fortunately for Cleveland fans, Quinn held out and you guys finally have a franchise QB for the first time...well ever (new browns).
As for what to do with Quinn...his salary isnt exactly burning any holes in their pockets. All of his escalators are that he would have played in 75% of the teams snaps by his 3rd year. If Anderson inks the deal as reported, kiss those incentives goodbye and he is litearally making the rookie minimums times 30% in his 3rd year. The going rate for a backup QB via Free Agency is way more than that based on the Bears mess with Grossman and Orton...or Tennessee with Kerry Collins.
Also, it serves them best to keep Quinn b/c the quality of QB play in the NFL is terrible for the bottom tier teams. I mean look at Oakland, St. Louis, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnatti, Miami, Baltimore (Kyle Boller!), etc. Things could be worse...
One last thing on the golden boy...I wonder how his relationship will be with Derek Anderson seeing that Anderson signing that deal will esentially cost quinn 8 figures over the lifetime of the contract (12 or 18m, i forget).
17
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 12:44
fyi - with new orleans i'm referring to their backup and not drew brees...the same goes for the rest of the teams I listed up there...all of their backups will count more against the cap than Brady Quinn will due to playing incentives.
18
Great One
ID: 27154129 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 13:27
Quinn needs to go all Tonya Harding on Derek Anderson. He's screwed.
19
Myboyjack
ID: 56039812 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 14:04
Madeiu Williams, formerly of the Bengals signed by Minnesota. Pretty solid saftey who can play nickel corner.
20
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 14:14
I'm as much of a Notre Dame fan as the next guy, but he screwed himself and deserves to sit the bench. Holding out over percentages. I mean if you are, in fact a legit NFL starting-caliber QB, you'll get an extension REAL fast (see the historically cheap Bengals and Carson Palmer). Thats what he gets for hiring Tom Condon to do his work.
Not 100% on that signing MBJ...they play a "tampa 2" style defense and I am not sure how he would convert to it unless he played that hybrid nickel-back/safety role like Danieal Manning of the Bears...
Also, sporting news is reporting Asante Samuel to the Birds as a done deal. 5 years $47m...ZERO FLUFF (unlike Nate Clemens deal containing a fluff years with $16m on the base at the end)
21
Seattle Zen
ID: 49112418 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 14:22
Slizz: My Bears
Ah, now I know why you are such a huge college football fan. Sundays are tough in the Slizz household.
22
Great One
ID: 27154129 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 14:33
I could have sworn the Bears were just in the Super Bowl like a year ago. Maybe I'm crazy.
23
Great One
ID: 27154129 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 15:15
24
Myboyjack
ID: 8216923 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 17:24
Asante Samuel has signed with the Eagles....
25
Myboyjack
ID: 8216923 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 17:30
Also, big, big deal for the Bengals: They get Shaun Rogers from Detroit for a 3rd and 5th round picks; Cincinnati had extra compensatory picks this year anyway. I really like this for the Bengals!
26
Mike D Leader
ID: 041831612 Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 22:46
Wow, I never knew Elton John was such a Dan Marino fan. I had a tear in my eye.
27
Electroman
ID: 4111212723 Sat, Mar 01, 2008, 21:53
Stallworth signed with the Browns, 7 years, 35 mil. Nice weapon to go with Winslow and Edwards for Anderson.
re 27...IMHO thats a HUGE signing. Really give the Browns some serious dimension in the passing game. Which in turn, should help stretch the field and further open the running game.
30
Boxman
ID: 571114225 Sun, Mar 02, 2008, 20:59
Slizz: I'm glad to see Berrian go and the fact that he went to an NFC North team makes it that much better. Now that Briggs is back in the fold they really need to spend some money on offense. I am excited about the draft because I believe in Angelo's ability to get bargains later on in the draft. Unless if Angelo is willing to significantly trade up to draft Long out of Michigan I would be happy if they traded the #14 pick overall to a much lower spot in the first round and gain some additional picks.
31
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 10:34
Boxman: Berrian's best season didnt even surpass 1,000 yards! Granted he was in a vertically challenged offense with instability at the QB position...but to get that type of money for his performance confirms my above statement furthermore...goodbye and good riddance! He's 180 pounds soaking wet and struggles vs the bump coverage...to me hes not worth that type of $$$ when we have a playmaker in Hester who can do the same thing.
It wouldn't surprise me one bit if we traded down like we did with the John McCargo/Buffalo trade 2 years ago to get Godser Cherlius of Boston College (I am going with Offensive Tackle before QB...just my hunch).
Jerry Angelo attended two Boston College games in person during the regular season per the Chicago Sun Times. Obviously, he likes someone on BC and I dont think its Matt Ryan. Based on what I am reading he is the #4 Tackle on the Board behind Long (obviously), Ryan Clady (Boise St.), and Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh) despite his poor 40.
We will follow that up with Chad Henne (I'm hoping) in the 2nd. I know Joe Flacco is the "hot" name in the upcoming draft but I want no part of another Spread Offense QB who has a "live arm" and isnt mobile (*cough* Orton *cough*).
Last, I think the Bears are going to make a move in Free Agency when all the big money and bonuses are already paid out and get a guy for sub-market value at the WR position and plug holes in our offensive line.
SZ: what's your team? I believe GO made my point for me :) Besides, we have Devin Hester and your team doesnt!
32
Boxman
ID: 571114225 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 10:56
SZ is a Chicago hater. He rips on the Bulls and Bears constantly. Yawn.
Berrian's best season didnt even surpass 1,000 yards! Granted he was in a vertically challenged offense with instability at the QB position...but to get that type of money for his performance confirms my above statement furthermore...goodbye and good riddance! He's 180 pounds soaking wet and struggles vs the bump coverage...to me hes not worth that type of $$$ when we have a playmaker in Hester who can do the same thing.
Didn't Berrian just seem dumb to you? I can't remember how many times his head was turned one way and the ball was going the other. It happened with three different QBs so we can't pin it on Rex. The Bears were 32 million under the cap at the start of free agency and they still have significant money to throw around. I just don't know who they'll give it to. A restructuring of Urlacher's deal would be nice along with a new contract for Tommie Harris and locking up Ayanbadejo for special teams. Robbie Gould needs to be retained as well.
With all the cap money this year and nowhere to significantly go with it, I think this is a good year to take care of their own and front load some deals. Really no matter who they draft or who they sign in free agency they are probably a 7-9 to 9-7 football team next year if for no other reason than it'll take a year for the new key pieces (new RB, WR, O-line, and rookie QB) to gell.
Angelo has shown a knack to grab some good players that were cut. He snagged Fred Miller when Tennessee was in Salary Cap Hell and he did well for us.
What is your take on the Bears maybe trading out of 14 to the mid-20s or so and getting extra picks? If we can get a Day One starter at O-Line or RB at 14, I say keep the pick, otherwise deal it. I like the idea of taking Mendenhall at 14 and pairing him with Benson because Benson did well when he wasn't the featured back. He complimented Jones' style nicely because the defense was tired by the time Benson showed up in the game and then he just pounded.
33
Great One
ID: 27154129 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 11:04
I hope that SZ isn't a Seahawks fan. Cause a fan of a team that has never won anything really isn't in a position to mock, are they? I mean, I like the Jets... which are awful. But at least we have 1 Super Bowl win!
34
Great One
ID: 27154129 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 11:13
segue I think the Jets are doing ok here. At least they are making some moves and seem like they have a plan. Overpaid for Faneca, but he was the solution to their absolute biggest problem so sometimes you gotta do that. Also a great guy to team with all the other young lineman. Damien Woody also rumored to sign with the Jets today to further solidify the OL situation.
Vilma - Got a 4th for this year a conditional 2009 (if he meets incentives or re-signs with Saints). So thats fine for a guy they were ready to cut anyway. I mean David Harris ran circles around him last year at a fraction of the cost. And they still refuse to talk about that leg injury which is a scary thought. (Side note... Saints - Vilma and Gay? thats scary. I see potential for neither of those working out).
In a roundabout way they traded Roberston for Jenkins which was an upgrade (as far as the DT/NT situation for a 3-4 scheme). The picks even out (I think 3/5 this year and got back 4/5 from the Bengals). Jenkins only a year older than Robertson too. Injuries are a concern, but I expect they'll sign another NT to spot Jenkins and as insurance.
They spent the weekend courting Calvin Pace, LB, AZ who is the best available LB. Also met with Jesse Chatman which is curious and Tony Richardson who wouldn't be a bad addition as a FB.
They also need to look at picking up another WR (as they cut McCareins).
35
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 11:41
I'm not even looking forward to the restructuing of Tommie Harris' contract. Granted he deserves a huge raise b/c hes vastly underpaid...but the damn Raiders had to go and screw everything up with Tommy Kelly. If he deserves $50m with $18m guaranteed, what does Tommie Harris deserve?
I think Angelo is banking on doing the same thing this season as well Boxman...scour the wire for cap casualities (a la Fred Miller) and get 2-3 years out of them.
As for the draft I would say trade down, get a guy like Cherlius or Sam Baker of USC and in the 2nd or 3rd round definitely select a QB or WR.
WR's to fill Moose's void:
Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma; Ref's boy (Disclosure: Might not actually be Ref's boy, but Ref is a IU grad so I had to throw it in there...) - James Hardy of Indiana; or Early Doucet of LSU.
Last, with the extra 3rd rounder from San Diego you take your RB (from NFL Draft Countdown):
1. Darren McFadden Arkansas 6-11/4 211 4.33 2. Jonathan Stewart Oregon 5-101/4 235 4.48 3. Rashard Mendenhall Illinois 5-105/8 225 4.45 4. Felix Jones Arkansas 5-101/8 207 4.47 5. Chris Johnson East Carolina 5-11 197 4.24 6. Ray Rice Rutgers 5-8 199 4.44 7. Matt Forté Tulane 6-13/8 217 4.46 8. Kevin Smith Central Florida 6-11/8 217 4.49 9. Jamaal Charles Texas 5-11 200 4.38 10. Tashard Choice Georgia Tech 5-101/2 215 4.52 11. Steve Slaton West Virginia 5-91/8 197 4.44 12. Justin Forsett California 5-8 194 4.45 13. Mike Hart Michigan 5-87/8 206 4.67
To me, there is no reason to burn an early pick on a guy like Mendenhall when you could have a guy like Jamaal Charles much later on. It's more comment to get RB's later on and have them be effective starters at the NFL level than any other position.
GO: Jets had to overpay for Faneca. Their guard play was abysmal! Why on earth didn't they keep Pete Kendall happy is beyond me...Nevertheless, they got their guy and have a pretty formidable left side if 'Brick (The Andrew Bynum of the NFL) can live up to his draft status and play more consistently.
Nobody knows whats going on with Vilma's knee...it was a risk that the Saints had to take and the Jets needed something in return. If Vilma is healthy, thats like the Randy Moss to Oakland trade...if not, Jets made out and the Saints really don't lose much in draft compensation.
If they're meeting with Jesse Chatman, my guess is that they're not looking at McHeisman with their 1st rounder. That or they're totally bluffing someone in thinking otherwise.
36
Great One
ID: 27154129 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 11:52
Micheal Turner to ATL. Warrick DONE with ATL.
Thats pretty big. Sure glad I couldn't manage to get Jerious Norwood in G20 when I continually made offers...
37
Great One
ID: 27154129 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 14:21
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans agreed to a two-year contract with former Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler, one of many veterans released last month by the Falcons.
38
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 14:47
If history serves correct, Crumpler should be a fantasy stud than!
Scrambling QB with difficulty breaking down coverages only to find a wide open Alge Crumpler.
Thats good news from Vince Young's point of view too. They both should benefit.
40
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 15:08
via Profootballtalk.com:
MOSS DEAL DONE
A league source tells us that the Patriots and receiver Randy Moss have agreed to a new contract. Per the source, the deal is for three years, $27 million.
The contract hasn't been signed, and the language is being finalized.
It's unknown how much of the deal is guaranteed, signing bonus, etc. --------------------- Says Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith of losing his backup running back, "Michael Turner is a great player who happened to pass through the Chargers, helped us win, and it's time." [Editor's note: Smith talks about the guy like he was a kidney stone.]
I just thought the latter was halirious
41
Boxman
ID: 571114225 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 19:32
Griese is gone. CNNSI is reporting he got traded to the Bucs for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick. Too bad it was an '09 pick, but I'll take it anyway. That means the Bears really have to draft a QB now. I also wouldn't be too surprised if that QB played this year too.
42
Slizz
ID: 15254317 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 21:40
Boxman: have faith my friend. Orton/Grossman is gonna be a good combo. I just hope and pray to the football gods we dont draft Joe Flacco.
Regardless, whatever QB we draft is going to get a shot to be our franchise QB the following year. Again, just pray with me its not Flacco.
43
PuNk42AE Donor
ID: 036635522 Mon, Mar 03, 2008, 22:19
What's wrong with Flacco?
44
Boxman
ID: 571114225 Tue, Mar 04, 2008, 06:23
Joe Flacco, he of the two left feet. I have heard that the Bears were seriously scouting Delaware too. That's really the one guy they'd be looking at. What a potentially horrible fit for the Bears. They use the shotgun about a dozen times a year and Flacco lived in the shotgun.
Punk: Flacco was a good college quarterback at the D II or Champions League...but I am a firm believer in what was published in the Pro Football Prospectus with respect to Rookies taken in the first 2 rounds (I.E. Eliminating the Kliff Kingsburys, Jason Whites, System QB's, etc.).
"Last year, in Pro Football Prospectus 2006, I introduced a system for predicting the NFL passing performance of first- and second-round quarterbacks by looking at their on college statistics. (I may try to project running ability in the future, but it is not currently included.) After gathering and analyzing extensive data, I determined that games started and completion percentage in college were strong predictors of NFL success."
In fact, for first- and second-round quarterbacks these two variables explain roughly 65 percent of the variation in NFL performance. This is a remarkably high number given how much of an impact we believe that teammates have on a quarterback’s play. The system accurately predicted Philip Rivers’ breakout season, and the success or lack thereof, of many other young passers."
Flacco played in a spread shotgun style, pass-happy offense. He is not mobile and although he has a cannon for an arm, hes projecting to be another Kyle Orton or worse IMO.
I would much rather have a QB who has more than 26 starts and has played under center, combined with a strong arm (Hint: Henne 47 starts, 60% completion) than a guy who is a pipe dream in the 2nd.
Its beyond me why people are bombing Brian Brohm either. He's hands down the best of the class and b/c his team's defense couldnt stop squat his draft status has dropped significantly.
Compare his overall body of work to Matt Ryan's and you tell me who'se the better QB.
Just my two cents...
46
Great One
ID: 27154129 Tue, Mar 04, 2008, 10:09
Seems like Brohm would be a great value in the 2nd round or late 1st then.
47
Slizz
ID: 21733916 Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 09:26
The Bears were one of about 15 teams attending the pro-day workout of Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco on Thursday, according to agent Joe Linta. If they have any interest in Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson, they're doing a good job of disguising it. Twenty-five teams were represented at Woodson's workout Wednesday in Lexington, and a coach on hand confirmed a report in the Louisville Courier-Journal that the Bears were one of the seven absent.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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