2013 FA Thread (Updates on OP) New: Merling, Brace, Pashos, Trueblood, EJBig, Tapp, White, Williams, MATTHEWS; Re-up: Rex, Hall, Davis, Paulsen, DY, RJax, Lich, Sundberg, Baker, Sav, Golston, Kehl, Polumbus; Paycuts: Carriker, Moss, BMeri, J. Wilson

[DogofWar1]

Chad Foreman ‏@c4man5282
Bye bye Fred "Sleepy" Davis.
Emmanual Benton ‏@Manny_PPI
And so it begins... #Redskins Fred Davis told a Cleveland radio station that it would be "awesome" to play for his hometown #Browns

Full interview here: http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2013/0...metown-browns/

It's not nearly as bad as the tweets say honestly. I listened to it, and they specifically asked him if he'd like to play for the Browns because he's originally from Ohio, and he spent a good minute explaining how he's still with us and likes where he's at before saying playing for his hometown Browns would be awesome.

Listening to it actually makes me more optimistic, towards the end he said he wanted to be somewhere where he fits in and can help a team win, even if it means taking a small pay cut, as opposed to just getting a payday and not being able to help a team win. The Redskins certainly use him and like him, if we can clear a bit of cap space we might be able to get him back for reasonably cheap this year with escalating salary in subsequent years.

[DC9]

Hayden Smith (Remember last year everyone wanted this guy?)
Former GM Mike Tannenbaum said on NFL Network that the Jets' defense couldn't cover TE Hayden Smith in practices last season.
Former Australian rugby star Smith spent most of 2012 on the Jets' practice squad. He could be a player to monitor in 2013 training camp, Smith's second year of organized football. "We could not cover this guy in practice," Tannenbaum said. "It would drive Rex (Ryan) up a wall. We could not cover this guy. He got better and better, wound up dressing for five games, and actually caught a pass against the Chargers." The Jets have a hole at tight end with Dustin Keller almost certain to leave in free agency.

Jeff Cumberland - TE - Jets
The Jets are considering tendering restricted free agent TE Jeff Cumberland at the second-round level.
Cumberland, 26 in May, started 12 games last season and caught 29 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns. The former undrafted free agent caught just three passes in his first two seasons. The second-round tender carries a $2.023 million price tag, and would likely effectively rule out a Dustin Keller re-signing.

Wes Welker - WR - Patriots
The Boston Globe would be "fairly surprised" if free agent Wes Welker isn't re-signed by the Patriots before the start of free agency on March 12.
Beat writer Greg Bedard says Welker has the best chance to get done over fellow free agents CB Aqib Talib and RT Sebastian Vollmer. Talib wants to maximize his value, and both he and Vollmer are expected to "see what other teams have to offer." Welker is expected to seek $9 million annually.

Branden Albert - T - Chiefs
Chiefs franchise player Branden Albert is still not interested in moving inside to guard.
"I’ll be playing left tackle," he said. It isn't the first time Albert has shot down whispers that he could move inside. In January, Albert called the idea "ludicrous." He started just one of the final six games last season due to a back injury, but prior to 2012 Albert had missed just four games in four seasons. Kansas City has 2012 second-round pick Jeff Allen at left guard. Eric Winston has right tackle held down. Rising youngsters Jon Asamoah and Rodney Hudson are at right guard and center respectively.

Pat Sims - DL - Bengals
The Cincinnati Enquirer says unless the Bengals offer free agent DT Pat Sims a multi-year deal, then he's likely not going to be back.
Sims has been in the league for five years, but he's still just 27 years old. He's battled injuries over the last three seasons, though. Sims has broken his forearm, undergone knee surgery, damaged ligaments in his ankle, and battled hamstring woes, forcing him to miss 15 games. The former third-round pick could be a bargain for a team in need of a one-dimensional run stuffer.

Antoine Cason - DB - Chargers
The Arizona Republic specifically mentions free agent CB Antoine Cason as a player that "makes sense" for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals are as thin as it gets at the cornerback spot after the release of William Gay last week. Cason is a bigger corner, which is how new DC Todd Bowles likes his corners to be. The Union-Tribune San Diego predicted last month that Cason could get upwards of $5 million annually on the open market.

Greg Toler - DB - Cardinals
Free agent CB Greg Toler's agent plans to meet with the Cardinals this week.
Toler's agent, Hadley Engelhard, met with Arizona brass at the Combine, and both sides seem to be interested in working out a new deal. The Cardinals have just two corners under contract for 2013 at the moment -- Patrick Peterson and 2012 third-rounder Jamell Fleming.

Kevin Kolb - QB - Cardinals
Updating previous items, Kevin Kolb's $2 million roster bonus is due on March 17.
According to the Arizona Republic, "there is no indication" the Cardinals have approached Kolb about restructuring his contract yet, but if Kolb is to return, "it’s going to be for less" than the $11 million he's due. Kolb's scheduled base salary is $9 million. If the sides can't strike a reworked arrangement, Kolb would make sense for the Jets in a reunion with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

Mike Brisiel - G - Raiders
The Raiders have worked out a restructured contract with RG Mike Brisiel, dropping his 2013 salary from $4.35 million to $1.35 million.
It sounds like a true pay cut as opposed to a salary cap move. Brisiel was signed specifically to play guard in former Raiders OC Greg Knapp's zone-blocking system. The zone scheme has since been scrapped, and Brisiel may return as a backup only in 2013. He would've been released without the restructuring.

Michael Jenkins - WR - Free Agent
Vikings released WR Michael Jenkins.
Jenkins was due an $825,000 salary, but the Vikings made sure to cut him before his $2.425 million March roster bonus came due. Per beat writer Tom Pelissero, the Jenkins move clears $3.25 million in cap space. Turning 31 in June, "Molasses Mike" has been an ineffective pass catcher for quite some time. He could resurface elsewhere as a No. 4 wideout who plays on blocking downs.

---------- Post added March-4th-2013 at 07:45 PM ----------

Danny Amendola - WR - Rams
Monday's franchise tag deadline passed without the Rams using the device on free agent Danny Amendola.
St. Louis considered transition tagging Amendola as a tight end based on his possession receiver-type production, but knew it'd lose if the case went to an arbitrator. The Rams remain interested in re-signing Amendola to a multi-year deal, but only at their price. Free agent Steven Jackson is more likely to exit.

Captain Munnerlyn - DB - Panthers
There is a "feeling inside the building" that the Panthers can't afford to re-sign free agent CB Captain Munnerlyn.
This is even with Chris Gamble's release considered a foregone conclusion. Carolina is in awful position against the salary cap and will have little to no flexibility. Munnerlyn, 25 in April, should land on his feet as a slot corner.

Sebastian Vollmer - T - Patriots
The Patriots opted against using their franchise tag ahead of Monday's 4PM ET deadline.
Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer and cornerback Aqib Talib were the two likeliest candidates, but New England deemed neither worth the pricey designation. Wes Welker is the Patriots' other prominent free agent. Look for the team to keep negotiations open with all three leading up to March 12.

Fili Moala - DL - Colts
Colts re-signed DT Fili Moala to a one-year contract.
Moala, 28 in June, has been a major disappointment since Bill Polian took him with the 56th overall pick in the 2009 draft. After flashing at least some semblance of pass-rush ability in an injury-shortened 2012 season, the new Colts regime is giving Moala one more shot. Moala tore his ACL in Week 12. We suspect he'll be ready for Week 1, but likely won't be counted on to start.

[RG3fan]

I would like to see Kenny Phillips at Free Safety any ideas who would be good there?

[DC9]

I would like to see Kenny Phillips at Free Safety any ideas who would be good there?

Check out the OP ("first post" or this thread). I will be updating it as we get news and as we make signings. Phillips is definitely on the list for Safety.

EDIT: We've been at this for a while, so we've got quite the collection up there. Let me know if you see anything else you think we are missing.

Welcome to ES.

---------- Post added March-4th-2013 at 07:59 PM ----------

...soooo what the hell do the Chiefs now do with the #1 pick? You'd think this means Joeckel is out, since they have a really good RT in only the 2nd year of his deal (Eric Winston).

I'd draft Joeckel still and trade either Alberts or Winston.

[Hitman21ST]

Chad Foreman ‏@c4man5282

Bye bye Fred "Sleepy" Davis.


Emmanual Benton ‏@Manny_PPI

And so it begins... #Redskins Fred Davis told a Cleveland radio station that it would be "awesome" to play for his hometown #Browns

Well stink. I was hoping Davis would come back. He was starting to come into his own.

[thesubmittedone]

Well stink. I was hoping Davis would come back. He was starting to come into his own.

Read DogofWar's post above, twitter strikes again.

[Hitman21ST]

Read DogofWar's post above, twitter strikes again.

Oh well now, that makes me feel bettter

[DogofWar1]

Man, Andy Reid must really not like having that 1st pick. First he gets Smith so he doesn't have to draft Smith, then they tag Albert, so Joeckel is probably out. I guess they could go D, but I have to imagine at this point he's looking to trade down. The difference between the top defensive players and ones available maybe halfway through the 1st aren't that great, so it would make sense to trade back, and try and snag an extra 2nd from somebody.

Really hoping that the Toler talks don't result in a contract. Hopefully he escapes.

[DC9]

Man, Andy Reid must really not like having that 1st pick. First he gets Smith so he doesn't have to draft Smith, then they tag Albert, so Joeckel is probably out. I guess they could go D, but I have to imagine at this point he's looking to trade down. The difference between the top defensive players and ones available maybe halfway through the 1st aren't that great, so it would make sense to trade back, and try and snag an extra 2nd from somebody.

Albert is an asset. Maybe they wanted something for him. I doubt they trade the first pick. They'll take Joeckel and trade one of the others, either for a pick next year or this year.

Really hoping that the Toler talks don't result in a contract. Hopefully he escapes.

I didn't know that the Cards only had two DBs under contract. Not looking good for the home team unless we can convince him via the media that he'll likely start here, lol.

[the burgundy and gold]

Well stink. I was hoping Davis would come back. He was starting to come into his own.

Agreed, though it's not a definite yet that we lose him, I'm going to be very angry if we do. I really don't see why we wouldn't sign him back, outside of Garcon he is our best play maker catching the ball and he's debatably just as important as Garcon. I remember when just a year or two ago people were beginning to start talking about Davis running Cooley out of town as our new TE1. Now just a year or two later we might not have either of them. Makes no sense to me.

[DC9]

Agreed, though it's not a definite yet that we lose him, I'm going to be very angry if we do. I really don't see why we wouldn't sign him back, outside of Garcon he is our best play maker catching the ball and he's debatably just as important as Garcon. I remember when just a year or two ago people were beginning to start talking about Davis running Cooley out of town as our new TE1. Now just a year or two later we might not have either of them. Makes no sense to me.

Well the difference there was Cooley was washed up in 2009 and he was less than stellar from 2010 - 2011, missing games due to injury.

Here, Fred is coming off an injury... we don't know what he'll be like. I'm hoping to get him back, too, but that pay day is going to have to wait one more year and he's going to have to earn it on the field.

[2cents]

Agreed, though it's not a definite yet that we lose him, I'm going to be very angry if we do. I really don't see why we wouldn't sign him back, outside of Garcon he is our best play maker catching the ball and he's debatably just as important as Garcon. I remember when just a year or two ago people were beginning to start talking about Davis running Cooley out of town as our new TE1. Now just a year or two later we might not have either of them. Makes no sense to me.

Because of the cap stuff we don't have any money....its pretty simple.

[Hitman21ST]

Because of the cap stuff we don't have any money....its pretty simple.

You see, there's this thing called restructuring and cutting players that will get us under the cap. That's how we get money.

[DC9]

D.J. Moore - DB - Bears
The Bears have informed free agent CB D.J. Moore that he is not in the team's future plans.
In other words, Moore will not be re-signed. He was demoted to the fourth corner in 2012 and was even a healthy inactive for a couple of contests. Moore does have playmaking ability, though, as he has ten interceptions over the last three seasons.

Sedrick Ellis - DL - Saints
The Saints haven't had any contract talks with free agent DT Sedrick Ellis.
Ellis hasn't lived up to his No. 7 overall draft pick status since being selected there in 2008. The one-dimensional pass-rushing Ellis has 12.5 career sacks. He checks in near the bottom of our free-agent defensive tackle rankings.

Britton Colquitt - P - Broncos
The Broncos are expected to tender restricted free agent P Britton Colquitt at the second-round level.
The tender will pay Colquitt $2.023 million, and another team would have to give Denver a second-round choice in order to sign him away. That won't happen. The two sides will try and work out a long-term deal. Britton's brother, Dustin, just became the league's highest-paid punter on Monday with the Chiefs.

Keary Colbert - WR - Chiefs
Former NFL receiver Keary Colbert has been named the new receivers coach at Georgia State University.
Colbert, 30, was a second-round pick of the Panthers out of USC in 2004, but he could never separate at the next level. He was most recently with the Chiefs in 2011. Colbert also played for the Lions, Seahawks, and Broncos in 2008.

[2cents]

You see, there's this thing called restructuring and cutting players that will get us under the cap. That's how we get money.

I am well aware of that. Its still not going to be enough to do everything we want/need to do. It is going to be a rough offseason.