DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Free Agents Part IV

the other thread about to be locked, might as well start another here.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/03/13/nfl.2012.free.agent.tracker.nfc/index.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/03/13/nfl.2012.free.agent.tracker.afc/index.html

I checked and didn't see that it had been posted. But according to the link above the Rams have signed CB Cortland Finnegan. I was kinda hoping the Browns would try to acquire him.( I don't know that they didn"t). If someone already posted about this, my bad.

Just noticed that Blake Castanzo signed a 2 year deal with the Bears.

Finnegan and Fisher go way back. Natural fit and expected.

yeah, Ive heard that...I wouldnt call signing 1 or 2 guys going crazy when we have so many needs.

It takes interest on both sides to sign someone though. We don't know if they contact agents to gauge interest or not and some of the guys we want just aren't interested.

I'd like to continue the RB conversation from the other thread, which still hasn't been locked.

There are so many options at RB that weren't mentioned. Where's Tolbert? Where's Bush? And there are PLENTY of RBs in the draft that weren't mentioned . . .

And, on top of all that, Hillis isn't officially gone . . .

Where are you guys getting this trade value for Tate? Here is a list of all the trades involving RBs for the last two years (besides the Hillis trade and the Harrison/Brown trade)

2010-04-24 Jets 2010 fifth round pick (#139-John Conner (b)) Leon Washington, 2010 seventh round pick (#236-Dexter Davis (b)) trade with Seahawks

2010-04-24 Titans 2010 fourth round pick (#104-Alterraun Verner), 2010 sixth round pick (#176-Rusty Smith) LenDale White, Kevin Vickerson, 2010 fourth round pick (#111-Walter Thurmond), 2010 sixth round pick (#185-Anthony McCoy) trade with Seahawks

2010-07-30 Broncos Joe Mays J.J. Arrington, 2012 conditional sixth round pick (if Arrington does not make 53-man roster) (?-?) trade with Eagles

2010-09-14 Broncos Laurence Maroney, 2011 sixth round pick (#189-Mike Mohamed) 2011 fourth round pick (#99-K.J. Wright) trade with Patriots

2010-10-05 Bills 2011 fourth round pick (#122-Chris Hairston) Marshawn Lynch trade with Seahawks + 5th/6th round conditional pick

2011-07-31 Cardinals Vonnie Holliday, 2012 conditional "late-round" pick (probably based on Holliday's playing time and/or performance) (?-?) Tim Hightower trade with Redskins

For the longest time, those details seemed to be one of the league’s best secrets. We knew the Dolphins got Bush and the Saints got safety Jonathan Amaya, but that’s all we knew for sure. Ireland confirmed that in addition to the trade of Bush for Amaya, the only other item in the deal is that the two teams swapped sixth-round picks.


All of these trades are lower value than our 3rd. Do you guys understand that Reggie Bush was traded for a safety and a swap of 6th round picks?

That Marshawn Lynch, who was 23 and already had 2 1000-yd seasons under his belt, went for a 4th and a conditional 6th (max value 5th)?

Leon Washington, JJ Arrington, LenDale White all had 6th round values.

Tim Hightower, probably the best comparison, coming off his best season where he averaged 4.8 ypc was traded for vonnie holliday and a "late round pick"

I can't see us trading more than a third for Tate, and I like Ben Tate as a player.

Thanks for educating me.....sounds good to me....a 4th rounder.

Colts trade for Winston Justice

For cheap. They only swap 6th round picks w/ the Eagles.

Free agent's first days winners and losers

Two general managers and a coach told me this Tuesday morning: There will be a lot of fast activity on the free-agent market and then teams would settle back and wait for deals.

"There are too many players out there and not a lot of money," the coach said. "The big guys will go early, and then it will dry up some."

The first part was spot on. As soon as the period opened at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the signings, the visits, the trips started to take place.

If you didn't know any better, you would swear these deals were done early. Of course, there is no tampering in the NFL. Yeah, and Gregg Williams isn't big on bounties.

You mean to tell me, a team calls an agent at 4 p.m., and they negotiate for five minutes and then agree on a deal an hour later without discussing other options with other teams? If you believe that, I have a nice piece of land in Antarctica you might want to buy.

Nobody ever gets called on it, because they all do it. What do they say about living in glass houses?

It did make for a fun opening day, just like always. The money was flying like some of these teams have a printer for it in the back room. Right, Dan Snyder?

The smart teams, as they usually do, sit back and watch the frenzy and wait to pick up the scraps, paying wisely to fill in some roster spots.

Those teams draft well, so they don't need free agency.

Teams that draft poorly and have holes, which means you're usually not good, dive into the frenzy with a passion.

Who can forget when the Eagles were crowned the champions of free agency last year? The Giants, by comparison, were ripped for their free-agency path, which brought no real marquee names.

The Eagles flopped and didn't make the playoffs. The Giants won the Super Bowl.

So let's hold off on anointing somebody a champion based on anything that happened Tuesday.

That doesn't mean there weren't winners and losers. So here's a scorecard for the first day.

Winners

Brandon Marshall

The Dolphins traded him to the Bears for two third-round picks, which means he gets to play with Jay Cutler again, a player he likes. The Dolphins had quarterback issues in his two seasons in Miami, so it has to feel good to get out of there. He also got $28 million for his two seasons there. Not bad.

Pierre Garcon

Garcon got a reported five-year, $42.5 million deal from the Redskins, which included nearly $21 million in guaranteed money. Garcon is a decent player, a receiver with speed, but that's funny money for an inconsistent player. He is now paid like a star, and he's not.

Jay Cutler

He finally has a legitimate receiver outside. Marshall drops a lot of passes, but it also means he's open a lot. Cutler has to be thrilled. Now if they can only improve that offensive line to help keep him upright to make the throws.

Buffalo Bills

To get Mario Williams to visit Buffalo moments after the period opened was impressive, even if it was a bit quick and makes you wonder h¿w it got done so quickly. Williams is the top free agent on the market and to get him to Buffalo, not exactly a city known for its locale, is impressive on the Bills' part. Now comes the tough part: signing him. But it looks like the Bills are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Vincent Jackson

The Bucs signed him to a five-year, $55 million deal with $26 million in guaranteed money. That's a big deal for a player who has never caught more than 68 passes in a season and will turn 30 next January. Jackson is a big-play receiver, but he has never had 10 touchdown catches in a season in San Diego.

Jaguars defensive end Jeremy Mincey

He had eight sacks last season, a career high, and with Mario Williams looking like he's on his way to Buffalo, Mincey is about to get a nice deal from somebody. Chicago is interested. Mincey plays hard, but he is about to get paid like an elite defensive end. Timing is good.

Seattle Seahawks

They made a great move in keeping defensive end Red Bryant. They signed him to a five-year deal worth $35 million. Bryant is a rising talent, and a big part of their defense. He isn't a great pass rusher, but he is tough against the run and he plays hard. He does a lot of the dirty work on the Seattle defense.

Teams that stayed on the sideline

Aside from Williams, there really wasn't anyone who deserved star money to change teams. The smart teams always wait to see the market shake out. The smart teams don't overspend. The smart teams don't need to do so. They draft well.

Losers

Miami Dolphins

They received two third-round picks for Marshall, but now they are left without a top receiving threat. Who fills that void? It certainly isn't a player on the roster right now. They better hope Clyde Gates can improve in a hurry.

San Francisco 49ers

Did they really sign Randy Moss? Just what they need to help mentor Michael Crabtree? Can they be serious? I know the 49ers need help at receiver, but weren't there better options?

Dan Snyder's checkbook

I like Garcon some. He can run. But he's inconsistent. And there is some feeling from inside the Colts building that Garcon is the type of player who could change once he gets the money. I like Bosh Morgan, but he's coming off an injury-shortened season. But the Redskins paid the two of them a reported $30 million in guaranteed money? Yes, I get it. They need receivers for Robert Griffin III, but that's a bit much.

Jaguars owner Shahid Kahn

He talked a big game about spending money. But when will it happen? The Jaguars have a ton of cap room and they have glaring needs for a defensive end, corner and receivers. So far, they have nothing. They will visit with Cowboys receiver Laurent Robinson, but that won't appease a fan base expecting so much more. Why not a quick move on Williams like the Bills are making? The word is the front office wanted to do so, but Kahn was more reluctant. So much for that video he did a few weeks ago at a fan event where he was featured at a poker table shoving his chips all in. They're still in front of him and he seems like a guy waiting for the perfect hand. The Jaguars did re-sign safety Dwight Lowery, which is a move they felt they had to make. But is it enough with all that cap room?

Philip Rivers

The Chargers quarterback lost his best receiver in Jackson and his left tackle, Marcus McNeil, was let go. The Chargers want Jared Gaither back, but he is a free agent. Whom is Rivers throwing to next season on the outside? The Chargers did get him Robert Meachem out of New Orleans late Tuesday night for four years and $25.9 million.

Lynch had other issues in Buffalo, but you make good points.

The problem that I see is the only way the Texans are motivated to trade Tate is if they at least get back what they invested in him, which was a 2nd round pick.

Why would the Texans give up a guy who can take some of the load off Foster while giving them a great backup plan if they can't even get back their initial investment? that's all.

web page

Carl Nicks to the Bucs

Hicks visits Dolphins

How can we let this guy go? Fire everyone!

see, if we signed Mario Williams, we wouldn't be eligible for a 7th-round compensatory draft pick if Hicks signs with another team!

Quote:

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Signs are looking good for Mario Williams in Buffalo, but there’s no done deal yet.

Williams remains in Buffalo this afternoon after having dinner with potential future teammates and coaches last night, and he has taken both a visit of the Bills’ facilities and a physical, according to reporters in Buffalo.

Perhaps more importantly, Williams has brought his fiancee to Buffalo. Paul Peck, a sportscaster at WIVB-TV in Buffal, reports that Williams picked up his fiancee at the airport and then headed back toward the Bills’ facilities. If Williams wants his fiancee to see Buffalo, that would indicate he thinks there’s a good chance they’re going to be living there.

However, a league source cautions to PFT that a deal is “absolutely” not done.

So it remains to be seen whether the Bills will succeed in their quest to make a big splash in free agency, nearly 24 hours after the best defensive player on the board made the trip to Buffalo.

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Link

or he plans on a quick trip to Niagara with the fiancee tonight

Cory Redding to the Colts

The Law-Firm visiting the Bungles

So are Michael Bush and Terence Newman

Quote:

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Whom? This guy is paid to write and doesn't even understand simple grammar rules involving subject and object. He's not some guy posting on a forum, he's a professional writer. Does using 'whom' make him feel smart?

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Actually I think whom is right.. but he has split the phrase... the question should be phrased:

To whom is Rivers throwing next season on the outside?

If Hillis is not re-signed then I would think we would have to bring in a new running back through the draft or free agency.

Even if he does pan out we shouldn't be relying on him at this point. Dude is an injury waiting to happen so far in his career.

There should be no doubt anywhere, we need a RB.

Kyle Orton to the Cowboys

I'm on my phone, so hard to post link. But browns are getting Forstee Rucker

http://mobile.cleveland.com/advcleve/pm_59556/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=nY2gJG0n

I hope we sign Frostee Rucker.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/03/report_cleveland_browns_set_to.html

CLEVELAND -- The Browns are signing Bengals free agent defensive end Frostee Rucker today, a league source told the Plain Dealer.

As long as Rucker passes his physical, it's a done deal, and he's expected to pass.

The story was first reported by Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Rucker, 6-3, 285, was a third round pick out of Southern Cal in 2006. In 2011, he made 44 tackles and four sacks for the Bengals. Rucker would be a candidate to start at right end opposite Jabaal Sheard, who led the Browns with 8.5 sacks in 2010.

anyone is better than Jayme Mitchell. Rucker is a better run stopper and was part of a deep rotation at d-line

Can we start a thread for who the Skins AREN'T trying to get . . . ?

They're looking at Grubbs now . . .

Crap . . .

Mike Adams to visit the Broncos