DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum What free agents do you want in 2007?

RB- Michael Turner, RFA- Not sure if we'd be able to get him. I doubt that SD is going to let him walk. But if we can get our hands on this guy, we need to grab him. He's very capable of being a starter in the NFL.

OL- Eric Stienbach, UFA- I don't think I need to make a case for this guy. Highly unlikely that Cincy doesn't resign him, but if they don't we need to pay whatever it takes for this guy.

LB- Adalius Thomas, UFA- I don't think LB should be one of our major concerns, but this guy can do it all. There's nowhere on the field that this guy can't line up. If he tests the free agent market, we need to look into him.

CB- Asante Samuel, UFA- Like someone else on the board said, the main focus during the offseason at the corner position is going to be Nate Clements. While other teams are throwing tons of money at Clements, I'd sneak in under the radar and grab Samuel.

I realize these aren't all possible. But these are the guys that I would really pursue this offseason. Who would you guys like to see signed during the offseason?

No one by name...

2 OL, 2 DL...possibly one corner and one RB but those are luxuries in that order.

Dockery, Dielman, Sands, Redding & Samuel

If I had my pick in the above - I would go with Steinbach and Samuel in a heartbeat.

We are gonna have to sign some people, we have too many holes to fill in one draft, regardless of how many extra picks we get in a possible tradedown; it won't be enough and no assurance that a rook can step in and start.

I wonder if the Bengals are going to franchise him? Is that even a possibility for them? Are there any other young lineman available? We don't have to get supurb players, just gritty that are coachable.

I don't think we need more LB but he seems good. What about the LBer next to Urlacher in Chicago? Will either of them work in a 3-4 scheme.

We already got one, his name was Warrick Holdman...

You can't always compare players like that. Last I heard the kid in Chicago was pretty solid.

Saying that is like saying signing Bart Scott would have been dumb because of the talent around him but we've now seen what the guy can do in the spotlight.


There is going to be risk in every player, and the one that didn't have risk or injury history I can remember in the last 5 years has been Bentley and we saw how far that got us!

That's why I want Dockery & Dielman. Fill two guard spots with those two because I think Steinbach is going to want a TON of money. They still need to DRAFT O-Line though. ALL of the teams with good O-Lines seem to draft a lineman or two almost EVERY year.

I like all your choices but, just to throw some names into the pool, here are mine.


Nate Clements, CB
Manuwai, Vince, G, Jaguars
Thomas, Bryan, DE, UFA Jets
Cox, Torrie, CB UFA Buccaneers
Buckhalter, Correll, RB UFA Eagles
Thomas, William, T, UFA Eagles

Manuwai was my top choice, but unfortunately, he resigned with the Jags. <img src="/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

Vince Manuwai signed a contract extension with the Jaguars.

I would take anybody off of your list but how high of a draft pick would we have to give up to get Michael Turner, if we have to give one up for him ?

I'm pretty sure it would have to be a 2nd/3rd rounder.

I want Sands, he would be great on this team.

The guys I really want that wouldn't put us in cap hell:

Michael Turner(RB San Diego) - Could be the perfect AFCN back + he has pretty good speed. Listed at 240 lbs.

Vince Manuwai(LG Jacksonville) - **Just noticed he resigned with JAX so I'll add another OL**

Derrick Dockery(OG Washington) - 6-6 345 and entering his prime. Instant goalline help.



Terdell Sands(NT Oakland) - Listed as 6-7 340 lbs. Ideal size and strength for a 34 NT.

Asante Samuel(CB New England) - Young and has pro bowl talent. Had 10 INTs this season and while he might not be as shutdown as Clements he will also be a lot cheaper.


If we could get any of these guys it would help us out incredibly and even signing all of them would not kill our salary cap(33 million free if I recall correctly). We also would not be getting stopgap players because these are all relatively young players. Getting some of these would be let us operate in the draft a lot more effectively because we all know we have a lot more holes then 1 draft can fix. JMO

honestly,,,, I want only


Eric Stienbach

I'd settle for
Asante Samuel
Michael Turner
Adalius Thomas
if the price was right...

Probably cost a first round pick to sign him.

s-e, I don't see why it would cost a first rd. pick for a backup, even if he has starter potential, if that's the case, I don't see anybody going after him and then we can wait until next season when he's a UFA.

Sands
Dielman
Steinbach
Samual

Well I'd really like to have Steinbach, Samuels or Clements, Adalius Thomas and then trade a 4th rd pick and Dra for Turner. Also Terdell Sands. That's my wish list, I'm sure ther's not much chance of getting everybody as we still have to sign Fraley (if we're going to?), a new OC and his staff, and our draft picks. Probably not enough cash to spread that far, but I can dream can't I. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I feel that spending money in free agency is very similar to purchasing goods on your credit cards. Neither is a good idea.

An occasional purchase is okay, but most times you overspend and limit the amount of future cash-flow.

I prefer that we learn how to draft.

I agree with you to a point, Vers. We do need to learn to draft better, though I'm not disappointed with Wimbley or DQ. We should have been drafting OL and DL since our return.

However, I've seen teams turn around with the help of FA. In fact, N.O. is a current example of such. I think you have to bring in the right players in FA for it to work and we have missed the boat on quite a few FA moves.

I agree that we need to draft a lot mor OL an DL guys but if we currently wait to build the whole OL and DL through the draft we will lose the oppurtunity to make use of our young players, because it would now take us several more years to build both correctly.

So I think we really need the right mix of FA and draft to build the lines. It would help if we knew if and when Bentley can come back, also will help IF we can and do draft Joe Thomas, or another quality LT. I do think and hope that Savage and RAC are going to do something about the DL. Though I'm not sure if they will look to draft DL or look to FA? I think they will do both for the OL. However, as far as drafting OL and DL I'm not a fan of looking for starters in the late rounds and that is what they have done the last two drafts and none have worked out. Not even for solid depth.

Our OL and DL problem is no easy quick fix but I think the right picks in FA and the draft each offseason will help. So far this regime has made a few good moves and several bad ones.

No disagreement on drafting.....but I don't have a problem signing free agents.

You have a salary cap for a reason. You might as well spend some of it.

No question you pay more for their services than you do for players you draft, but it isn't because a player isn't worth having.....it is because you have to bid against other teams who also desire a players services.

I don't see it like using a credit card....that is buying something with money you don't have. Here, you have the money, you just pay more.

The only way for a crappy team to get better is to marry the two modes.....make sound draft choices and use FA as a way to supplement your team to address needs because the draft is really not very good for needs unless everything falls your way.

Teams without any real weakness or needs don't have to play the FA game....weak teams do if they desire to make more rapid improvement.

IMO the Browns need to target 3 positions in FA....DL,OL,corner. If we can't sucker someone into signing here, we don't need to look anywhere else because the need isn't worth the cost.

In my mind, we would improve greatly if the following took place:

Stienbach (need I explain this one)

Clements or Samuels (I don't care which, either one gives us a good guy)

Then if we can get Thomas or Branch in the first, then use the rest of the draft to just take BPA.... we are improved.....

Sounds reasonable.

I still wouldn't mind a qb in the first if it went that way.

Yeah, maybe that wasn't the best analogy I have ever used. What can I say, it was late.


What I was trying to compare is that it makes more sense to build your bank account before buying. Putting more money down on a house or car ends up saving you money in the long run. Your payments are lower and you aren't forced to use those credit cards to make purchases.

If that still doesn't make sense <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> let me just go ahead and spell it out. I believe that the best teams are built through the draft and free agents are added when you are ready to contend. They are the final pieces. They are added at positions that are weaker due to draft busts [everyone has them], injuries, losing your own free agents, retirerments, etc.

The incoming free agents should be acquired to help you get to the next level....whether that be going deeper in the playoffs or making a legit Super Bowl run.

I maintain that building your team w/free agents is a mistake and will cause you problems w/the cap in the future and additionally, you might even shy away from talent in the draft because you just signed a high priced free agent at that position. <<that one makes me shudder>>

I FIRMLY believe that building an offensive line through free agency is the dumbest thing a general manager can do!

I agree that by singing fewer,yet more quality FA's,while frontloading their contracts,makes much more sense for the long haul and gives you the most potential upside when looking at your cap situation in the future,upcoming seasons.

i want Adalius Thomas, imagine him on one side, and wimbley on the other. they are both athletic freaks, and could play sideline to sideline.

but baltimore would be STUPID not to resign him, or franchise him.

I have no problem grabbing a few free agents, but in a warped way, I kinda hope that some of these O-Linemen are gone so Savage is FORCED to DRAFT O-Line, instead of these "quick fix" attempts at correcting the line through free agency.

I think it's OK to sign a couple of FA, to plug holes here and there and supplement draft day picks. But of course teams have to build primarily through the draft - with guys not named Perkins. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

that would be sick... what about williams though?

Well, who's gonna be there...

Quinn and/or Russell are both gonna be gone so what QB does that leave that is actually worth a 1st round pick?


If we pick 3rd and don't take either Thomas or Branch or maybe even Peterson, most fans on here are gonna want Phils head.

At any rate, we are gonna get a good player with either the 3rd or 4th pick,,, Quinn, Russell, Thomas or Branch.. Out of those, the only one I don't want is Quinn.. How about you?

Can't remember where, but I heard the Bengals have too much money invovled in their tackles to want to Franchise Steinbach. He's going to want a lot of money - and he's going to get it - but to be honest, I wouldn't mind if it were us giving it to him.

As for Sands, I don't remember having seen him play... and we played Oakland this year. Is that a bad sign? I sure do like the scouting reports I've seen, though.

Samuel-wise, I'm hoping the Patriots/RAC connection can help us be the ones to win the bidding war. I think we need to assume Baxter is never going to play again. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

No way we get Michael Turner. He will cost a first round pick - and I think someone drafting low in the first just might give it.

We can make an to offer every FA in the league, plus every coach who is worth his salt, but there isn't a agent worth a sh*t, that would let their client come to the Browns. The only exceptions to that would be, has beens, injured players with ?, one year deals with huge signing bonuses and the like. <img src="/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

Everyone in the NFL knows we need a HC, but the FO refuses to do anything about it. Who wants to come and play for an unorganized looser, who more than likely won't be here next year. <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes_devil.gif" alt="" />

That''s why we can't get any real coaching prospects to even enterview, except for college and HS coaches.The Browns are the <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> stock of the NFL. Wake up, take off the tinted glasses and stop drinking the kool-aid. Rac is a nice guy, who just doesn't have what it takes to be a winning HC period. The sooner he is removed as HC the better. <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Yes and no. Money talks. I'm sure we can get some people here.

If Edge can go to Arizona, we can get some quality FA's.

Daman, I agree with you, I want no part of Quinn. I don't want Smith either. Brohm is a QB who is intriguing though, but not at the 3rd or 4th pick. I think we take Thomas, Branch, or Peterson. Also would not be surprised if Phil takes Calvin Johnson. Might take Russell if he's there as a backup plan in case Frye does not cut it and I don't think he really will. I think Phil will look for Guards in the 2nd and/or 3rd round. I think we will bring in Steinbach and either Samuel or Clements. He should bring in Sands so we can start to rebuild the DL.

I definitely want no part of any of the top QBs in the draft, none of them really impress me that much, and all have too many major worries for me to think about them where they're slotted in going.

So that being said, and it also being said that Savage has said Frye is going in now as the presumptive starter for next year, I wouldn't be surprised if we bring in a top starting caliber quarterback. There are a couple who should be out there, David Carr, Byron Leftwich, Jake Plummer, all may be available on the FA market, or may be looking for a trade with minimal cost. Then we can have an open competition at the QB spot, or install them as a starter. I don't think there are a ton of teams out there looking hard for a starting QB right now, the Raiders, Texans are all I can think of, then there are a couple teams like us, who might be looking for a guy to challenge for the starting spot, so the money for these guys might not be ridiculous. It will be interesting to see if Phil goes after one of these guys.

~Lyuokdea

If your talking about Leon Williams he is an Inside linebacker, but Kamerion and Adalius are outside, so they wouldnt affect him unless you are suggesting we move Leon to outside?

its going to be hard to get even one big name. between more teams locking up their guys with the larger cap, the fact that most the big names are on superbowl contenders and the fact that we have less to offer to a decent FA than the rest of the nfl really shortens our chances.

money be damned. even the titans who are a playoff contender have nearlly 40 in space

I have to ask why you think David Carr would be available??? If Carr was going to be available and the Texans were not going to keep him then I think they would have drafted Vince Young. They said, Carr is there QB, back at draft time. I don't think that has changed.

I agree that we may very well bring in a vet for depth but I don't see a QB competition because it will create more controversy and that is not what this team needs right now. (or ever again)

Kerry Collins, Jeff Garcia, Damon Huard, Doug Johnson, Tim Rattay, Marques Tuaisusopo, and Anthony Wright are the only UFA QB's I can find.

I really don't think we need to trade for a RFA QB but I do think we need a vet to backup Frye next season.

i feel the same way...

this isn't baseball, if a guy doesn't work out, you aren't set back for years like you are in every other sport...

i liked the class we brought in last year, nobody made a huge impact, but the attitude of the team did change with guys like mcginest and jurevicious around...

i think the browns should get any free agent they feel could help the team out... long term or short term...

I think there may be a couple of other QB's that could be traded for.

Trent Green, Leftwich of the top of my head.