DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum FA discussion thread

Peen, yesterday on one of the websites i was on ( i believe it was either ESPN or NFL.com) said we had discussions with Houston that had us trading # 3 overall for Carr, Pick # 8, a 3rd rder this year, and 3rd rder next year.

GOD I hate Clayton. We sign one of the top 2-3 FAs and doesn't even mention it except to say the Bucs wanted him.. How this guy has a job is beyond me..


Money flying on first day of free agencyBy John Clayton
ESPN.com
Archive

Welcome to the new world of free agency, a time when teams can re-sign core players but guards, tight ends and fullbacks can hit the financial lottery.

Friday was one of the wildest spending sprees since free agency began in the early 1990s. Guards got contracts worth $7 million a year. A fullback got $3 million a year and a $5 million signing bonus. Cornerback Nate Clements became the league's first $10 million a year defensive player with an eight-year, $80 million deal. As expected, the market was fast and the dollars were flying.

Here are 10 observations on the first day of free agency:


1. Has any agent had a better day than Todd France? In one day, he negotiated $153 million of contracts for four players. Clements got an eight-year, $80 million deal with the 49ers. Redskins guard Derrick Dockery got seven years, $49 million from the Buffalo Bills. Ravens fullback Ovie Mughelli became the league's first $3 million a year fullback with his six-year, $18 million deal with the Falcons. The 49ers are going to give Ravens nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin a three-year, $6 million contract that includes a $3 million signing bonus. The Dockery deal is even more amazing because France didn't even go back and forth with the Redskins, who wanted to re-sign him. Normally, agents use the Redskins, who are always quick to spend in free agency. For those who are asking, Clements got $29 million over the first three years of the contract.

2. The biggest loser Friday was the Ravens. Right out of the box, they lost three players -- right tackle Tony Pashos, Mughelli and Franklin. They are expected to lose linebacker Adalius Thomas to the Patriots on Saturday morning. The Ravens stopped some of the bleeding by re-signing defensive tackle Jarret Johnson for around $13 million over three years. Plus, they also have a decent chance of re-signing halfback Jamal Lewis. Last year, the Ravens lost several players in the opening days of free agency but were able to rebound. Can they do the same thing again?


Adalius Thomas
Linebacker
Baltimore Ravens

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
83 64 19 0 11 1

3. Credit the Patriots for sitting in the weeds on Thomas. Last year, everyone wondered if the Patriots were just not willing to spend money. They lost Deion Branch, David Givens, Willie McGinest and so many others. Most people thought Thomas was ticketed to San Francisco to reunite with his old Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Thomas will be a great fit for the Patriots if they get the deal done.

4. The 49ers lived up to their plan to add a number of defensive starters. They get three with Clements, safety Michael Lewis and Franklin. Watch for them to sign Dolphins linebacker Donnie Spragan. The 49ers want to get seven new starters in free agency and the draft. They are off to a great start after handing out around $100 million in contracts.


5. The Bills are serious about rebuilding their offensive line with the additions of Dockery, Langston Walker and backup Jason Whittle. They have the best sleeper left tackle in football in Jason Peters. With that much of a commitment on the line, though, it still makes you wonder why the Bills would trade running back Willis McGahee to Denver, Baltimore or any team willing to give value.

Joey Porter
Linebacker
Pittsburgh Steelers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
55 40 15 0 7 2

6. Once Thomas is signed, former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter will be a big player in next week's market. Six teams checked in and Porter is taking the weekend to figure where he is going to make visits. He'll make good money. One of the reasons the Steelers let him go is because they have too many key free agents next year, a list that includes Alan Faneca, safety Troy Polamalu, linebacker Clark Haggans, fullback Dan Kreider and guard Kendall Simmons.


7. A couple of teams that wanted to make a splash didn't. The Cardinals hoped to make a big splash but they couldn't get a deal with Dockery. The Bucs wanted to land Eric Steinbach and they had a trade for Jake Plummer before he said he was going to retire. Still, they were busy re-signing Mike Alstott, Torrie Cox and Phillip Buchanon along with entertaining fullback Justin Griffith and center Jeremy Newberry.

8. The Rams continue to try to improve their defense. They gave up a fifth-round choice for Lions defensive end James Hall. They also brought in linebacker/defensive end Tully Banta-Cain from New England. By the way, does it seem strange to you the way the Lions are dominating the fifth-round? In two days, they've picked up fifth-round choices from the Broncos and Rams. Now, they have four fifth-round picks.


9. The best divisional recruiting battle involved offensive tackle Leonard Davis of the Cardinals. The Cowboys brought him to town Friday and most people expected him to sign for more than $5 million a year with the Cowboys. But the Redskins got involved and talked him to coming to Washington for a visit Saturday. After losing Dockery, the Redskins figured Davis might be a bargain. To add to the excitement, the Giants were in the running for a while, too.

10. The second best battle involves the Seahawks and Broncos. Both teams want tight end Daniel Graham and defensive end Patrick Kerney. The Broncos got visits from both during the first day of free agency. The Seahawks sent coaches to Denver to make sure Kerney gets on a plane to Seattle. Along with that, the Seahawks were trying to lock up guard Kris Dielman. Good action.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2786311

Jeff Garcia goes to TB.

Link

Additional news on Jeff Garcia. Apparently he lost interest in Oakland when he found out it was the "Black Hole" NOT the "Bum Hole".

Instead he's opted to head to Tampa Bay as he hears the stadium has big cannons and that some have nicknamed it "Tea Bag".

Sorry...couldn't resist taking a shot a Jeff. Memories of when he was the Cleveland Steamer.

On a more serious note, Garcia is far more suited to Tampa Bay. They have a fwe more pieces in place, a better O Line, some offensive weapons to use and likely a system more suited to him and not so in love with the long ball like the Raiders usually are.,

Plummer retired.

Big Daddy to Broncos...

DENVER (AP) -- The Denver Broncos acquired 14-year veteran defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson from Miami on Saturday in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in next month's draft.

Wilkinson was selected by Cincinnati with the first overall selection in the 1994 draft out of Ohio State. He has played for the Bengals (1994-97), Washington (1998-2002), Detroit (2003-05) and Miami.

Wilkinson, who has 54 1/2 sacks in his career, has started all 16 regular season games eight times in his career, including three of the last four seasons. He joined the Dolphins after starting every game in three seasons with the Lions.

He was strictly a backup for the Dolphins last year, playing in 10 games and posting 14 tackles, breaking up three passes and forcing a fumble.

wow, a surprising number of trades going on.

Anyone interested in Mike Gandy, Bills for playing one of our guard positions? He's road grader type, doesn't have fast feet for making the sweeps at all times but, he can open holes and hold his blocks pretty good.JMHO

If the price was right, i wouldn't mind him.

I don't think I'd mind him either if the price was right. I'd also still like to draft at least one guard on the first day to compete with him.

J/C...warning this is gonna be long.

Just a few thoughts on what I've seen the past 2 days. First off, we got our G. 2 offseason's in a row we've signed the top FA OL. Savage at least acknowledges (sp) our problem, and is taking some initative to fix it. That being said, I still would sleep alot better if he got another OG on day 1 of the draft.

Clements...wow. I'm glad to let him go to SF for that kind of money. Especially considering we have a decent starter in Bodden, and who knows about Minter. I wouldnt mind us signing Rod Hood or Harper though, only if the price isnt outrageous. This is a weak draft class for DBs IMHO, but its alot stronger up front.

Not letting Hank get on the market was a good call, hes a solid C and will only be better with Steinbach and another decent G around him. I wouldnt be surprised to see us sign Timmerman though, he was a very good player for the Rams, and I feel would be an upgrade over Druzzi or Coleman. If we sign him, we wont be forced to start a rook (Sowells is a rook in my mind) at RG.

I don't see us taking Thomas if hes there. Savage would more than likely trade down to 5 with the Cards, and take AP there. The trend seems to be that Phil likes to get as many picks as he can, and I wouldnt be surprised to see a trade down happen in that situation. Taking Thomas would sink alot more money into the OL, and I just dont see it happening.

I really dont want us to sign Porter, he's not nearly as good as he talks himself up to be. As far as I'm concerned he was a piece of a well oiled machine, but not the vital cog. If he was that important they wouldnt have let him go. I'd put money on him ending up in SF since they didnt land Thomas. Anywhere but here is fine with me.

The fact that we're interested in Lee Suggs Sr....er Henry spells doom for Droughns I think. He really struggled through some injuries and isn't worth the bonus he has coming to him. I'd like to have him back...at a lower price. He's the type of back you use in the 4th to crush a team.

I like where this offseason is heading, especially if we sign Timmerman and Hood to reasonable contracts. The skill positions are good enough on offense behind an at least average line. If our line went Shaffer, Steinbach, Fraley, Timmerman/2nd Rd pick, Tucker...we would have a good chance at running effectively. Put AP behind that line and we might have a decent offense. Having a decent running game would take alot of the pressure off Frye and give him an opportunity to succeed.

Lions sign White to 5 year deal

Adam Schefter of the NFL Nework reports the Detroit Lions have signed free-agent DE Dewayne White to a five-year, $29 million deal.

I wanted this kid. When are we going to get some help for pass rush for Wimbley?

Link

In this upcoming and very deep with DEs draft.

Lions released DT Marcus Bell.

Bell is only 27-years-old, has starting experience, and weighs nearly 340 pounds. He could be attractive to a non-Tampa 2 team in free agency.

Might be a guy we could look into.

Antwan Peek looks like a great signing, he' under the radar, and before we know he'll be a pro bowler.

I think its time to go after Roderick Hood, go et him Phil, you know what to do .

The Patriots plan to sign Miami restricted free-agent wide receiver Wes Welker to a seven-year offers sheet worth $38.5 million. Once Welker signs the offer sheet, the Dolphins will have seven days to match it. If they decide not to, they would get the Patriots' second-round draft pick.


web page

Does anyone else think that this would be a ridiculous move for NE, or is it just me?

i think it's a good move for NE. They have few very specific needs and lots of cap space. Welker is the kind of receiver that will thrive in their system. If he plays for them next year he'll be very productive.

Considering the way the cap keeps rising, in two years this contract will seem like a bargain. The Pats are great at picking guys who fit their systems, not just big names. That's why they've been so good for so long.

I hope we can get a contract done for this guy but he got out of town without signing one:

Cardinals | R. Hood expected to visit Sunday
Sun, 4 Mar 2007 00:08:17 -0800

Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic, reports free agent CB Roderick Hood (Eagles) is expected to visit the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, March 4

Please Delete if posted in the 7 pages that I did not see.

Does anyone know who we have scheduled for visits today(sunday) and Monday??

I have been following closey the different sites related to FA concerning the Browns and haven't seen any new names pop up on the Browns radar.

This FA slowed wayyyyy down. Not just for us either. There are still alot of guy's out there wonder what is taking so long with signings.

It feels as if everything is going at a snails pace, what is going on?lol

It's like this every year. The big names fly off the shelf right away, then there is a lull while folks re-evaluate what is left. A few big names will take their time and visit multiple teams, then sign for less. The biggest difference this year is that there weren't anywhere near as many big names out there.

Either way though, we not even 72 hours into it... there should be plenty more coming this week.

Yep.. I figure things will be quiet on Sunday and then back on track Monday and Tuesday.. I won't be susprised to see a couple of noon pressers around the league on Tuesday.

Robaire Smith, Roderick Hood, Mike Gandy, Nick Harper, Travis Fisher... just to name a few.

I only recognize a name or two from that list... how many are still available and are an upgrade at a need position and fit our system(s)?

If we're letting or thinking about letting Russell go because or Jones & Pool's emergence, then I think you can cross Nick Harper off that list.

Robaire Smith & Roderick Hood... I've seen the names tossed around on here, but I know nothing about them... but wasn't at least Hood in for a visit?

Gandy - Isn't he like 47 years old?

Travis Fisher - I have no clue who this is, what sport he plays or what position or team he does it for.

"Travis Fisher - I have no clue who this is, what sport he plays or what position or team he does it for."

Kinda like Atwan Peek 48hrs.ago.
I like Rod Hood,tough,physical corner.Whether he can cover or not I couldn't say.Iwould think every CB not yet signed,has major dollar signs in thier eyes,after what Clements got,and every GM is suffering sticker shock.

TEXANS LASSO AHMAN

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reports that the Houston Texans have signed running back Ahman Green.

Green, who has spent the last seven seasons with the Packers, will be reuinted with former Green Bay coach/G.M. Mike Sherman in Houston. Sherman is an assistant head coach with the Texans.

The aging tailback generated strong interest, and could re-establish himself as a star runner in the Texans' zone-blocking scheme.

Of course, it remains to be seen what the Texans will do at quarterback. David Carr, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft, is not expected to return. The identity of his replacement is, at this point, anyone's guess.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

Quote:

---

Kinda like Atwan Peek 48hrs.ago.

---

lol, more like 8 hours ago, hehe... and I still had to remind myself what position exactly he played more than once today

Ok, just went to look up this Travis kid.... definitely nothing special going off of NFL.com stats.


Looks like he hasn't been healthy for the last three years (missed 6 games in '04, 8 games in '05 and 7 games in '06) . He is also a CB that has only had one INT since '04 and only 7 INT's in his career dating back to 2002.

We could probably still have a shot at signing him in September if someone gets injured.

peek is up there with the the likes of Wes Welker. As in, who????

I wonder if we've talked to Mike Doss since if we dont sign him then ""Phil Savage is making a mistake""

A few of them I don't really know much about either. Like Fisher and Gandy. Just tossing a few names out there. I think all of them are still on the market as far as I know.

Nick Harper is a CB for the Colts. Pool /Jones wouldn't be affected with him being picked up.

Travis Fisher I didn't really know much about. Except he played for the Rams and he is a 4 star player according to OBR.

Robaire Smith seems like he could be a pretty intruiging guy. He has experience in the 3-4 when he used to play for the Texans. Could be a pretty descent improvement over McKinley.


Hood would probably be a descent number two guy or if we draft a guy on the first day he would probably be a nickel back.

As for Gandy he is only a 6 year pro. I don't know much about him but here is what I pulled from footballs future.

Mike Gandy, UFA, Buffalo Bills
A relatively young starting left tackle, Gandy had been blocking for Willis McGahee for the past three seasons and he is a somewhat appealing free agent option. He has talent, but isn’t considered among the league’s best linemen. However, a decent starting left tackle doesn’t just drop from the sky, so expect him to garner interest from a handful of teams, if Buffalo doesn’t re-sign him before the market opens.

Could be an option for the RT spot or the other guard spot. He is built more like a guard anyways at 6'4" 304lbs.

Ahh, I thought Harper was a safety.

I want nothing to do with Fisher adter looking at just the little I have so far.
Gandy... have no use for him unless he'll be an outstanding guard. I've had my fill of mediocre tackles.