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

[STBonecrusher21]

Pro Football Weekly:

One month from today, free agency begins. A team-by-team list of the free agents - http://bit.ly/TR0mYN

[DC9]

Pro Football Weekly:

One month from today, free agency begins. A team-by-team list of the free agents - http://bit.ly/TR0mYN

thanks! I'll add that to the OP as well.

---------- Post added February-12th-2013 at 06:53 PM ----------

USA Today's Mike Garafolo "wouldn't put much into" rumors that free agent LT Branden Albert's back is a potential hang-up, and reports he passed a "full physical" last week.
The National Football Post's Russ Lande reported on Monday that the Chiefs had "let it be known" they wouldn't be re-signing Albert because of the back issues that hampered him in 2012. It, of course, is quite possible both reports are true. Albert's Kansas City future could hinge on whether the Chiefs believe Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel is worthy of the No. 1 pick.

The Houston Chronicle expects the Texans' "top priority" to be re-signing free agent FS Glover Quin.
Quin was one of the Texans' top playmakers in 2012, and has excelled after making the switch from corner to safety in 2011. Still only 27 years old, he should get a long-term deal.

The Philadelphia Inquirer expects the Eagles to move on from free agent LB Akeem Jordan.
Jordan has been a valuable role player for the Eagles since 2007, but has never emerged as a full-time starter, and will turn 27 in August. Jordan shouldn't attract interest as a starter on the open market.

The Houston Chronicle doesn't expect the Texans to pursue free agent Mike Wallace or Percy Harvin.
No. 2 receiver has become an annual unfilled need for the Texans, while Andre Johnson will turn 32 in August. However, they're facing a cap crunch for the second consecutive offseason. Long-time beat writer John McClain expects the Texans to "re-sign vets" and pursue extensions with LB Brian Cushing and DE Antonio Smith instead of looking to make a splash on the open market.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune considers it "highly likely" LB Jonathan Vilma will have to take a "drastic" pay cut to remain with the Saints.
Vilma is due $4.8 million coming off a lost season, and will count $8.6 million against the cap. He may also be left without a position in the Saints' new 3-4 defense, but coach Sean Payton insists that's not the case. "(Vilma's) a guy that runs to the ball and has great vision, very instinctual football player," Payton said. Payton believes Vilma could occupy the weakside, with Curtis Lofton remaining in the middle. That unlikely scenario won't have a chance of happening if Vilma doesn't restructure.

http://www.rotoworld.com/playernews/nfl/football

[rick1796]

Branden Albert is my pick for RT. He is quck, and i think a good fit for the ZBS and olnly 28. I also kinda hope the back stuff would pull hisp rice down. . .

[ConnSKINS26]

There's no reason for him to sign anywhere as a RT. If the Cheifs don't keep him out of FA, he'll sign somewhere...as a LT. Because its his position, he's good at it, there's more glory there, and more importantly, he'll get paid more there.

I don't see any of the above-average LT's in this FA class signing to play RT anywhere, because they'll probably already be overpaid to play LT somewhere. Now, that middle/average tier of OT's I could see playing wherever they're asked.

[DC9]

Branden Albert is my pick for RT. He is quck, and i think a good fit for the ZBS and olnly 28. I also kinda hope the back stuff would pull hisp rice down. . .

there will be starting right tackles going in the 4th round of this draft. It'll be interesting to see how that will effect the price of some of these guys looking for large second contracts. My theory is that only three guys (Max) will get starting money. Same with the corners out there. And at least two of those guys (at each position) are going to re-sign with their teams (Long and Clady at Tackle).

That was a good nugget, because it mentions that it'll depend on whether or not the Chiefs want to go for Joekel or if they want to go for Geno. Should be interesting either way.

---------- Post added February-12th-2013 at 07:15 PM ----------

There's no reason for him to sign anywhere as a RT. If the Cheifs don't keep him out of FA, he'll sign somewhere...as a LT.

This I agree with as well.

[rick1796]

There's no reason for him to sign anywhere as a RT. If the Cheifs don't keep him out of FA, he'll sign somewhere...as a LT. Because its his position, he's good at it, there's more glory there, and more importantly, he'll get paid more there.

I don't see any of the above-average LT's in this FA class signing to play RT anywhere, because they'll probably already be overpaid to play LT somewhere. Now, that middle/average tier of OT's I could see playing wherever they're asked.

One, i didn't say he would sign here to play RT i said i would LIKE him to sign here as a RT. I admit he may not want to but he is a guy who filled in at guard for cheifs and played gaurd in colloege so i am hoping not too much ego is tied up in the LT position. I think we are much more likely to signsomeone like Ryan Harris, but that is far from ideal.

Maybe Gaither is he can get his back right. . .

[darrelgreenie]

There was a massive difference in Fletcher's play after the bye week. But, yeah, he was absolutely awful in coverage before the bye week. It's almost like his ankle injury helped him, lol.

Fletcher was dealing with a 'balance' issue that got better as the season wore on. Fletcher basically got healthier as the season progressed and I thought it was evident in his play. He went from getting juked/run over by Bradshaw to delivering punishing hits and big plays like we've come to expect from Fletch.

[Laxpunk2006]

Branden Albert is my pick for RT. He is quck, and i think a good fit for the ZBS and olnly 28. I also kinda hope the back stuff would pull hisp rice down. . .

I would love him at RT as well but I can't imagine him not a)getting LT money and b)playing LT.

---------- Post added February-12th-2013 at 07:24 PM ----------

Branden Albert is my pick for RT. He is quck, and i think a good fit for the ZBS and olnly 28. I also kinda hope the back stuff would pull hisp rice down. . .

I would love him at RT as well but I can't imagine him not a)getting LT money and b)playing LT.

[ConnSKINS26]

One, i didn't say he would sing here to play RT i said i would LIKE him to sign here as a RT. I adnit he may not want to but he is a guy who filledi n at guard for cheifs and played gaurd in colloege so i am hoping not too much ego is tied up in the LT position. I think we are much more likely to signsomeo ne like Ryan Harris, but that is far from ideal.

Good point about him playing guard, it just seems that once these guys experience success at LT, they don't want to play anywhere else. For good reason.

I don't see us spending the resources it would require, even in a flooded market, to nail down a premier starting RT in FA. Shanahan has in fact approached the position in the opposite way since he's been here--UDFA's, reliable veterans that can play a limited role, etc. I think Compton was his "shoot for the stars" pick at RT, and I think we've got more hope tied up in his development than you or I would probably be comfortable hearing, in reality. And until then, we've succeeded with average-to-below-average RT play. So I doubt you see us invest any real FA money in a RT, or any pick above the 4th/5th.

I'm actually of the opinion that if Shanahan didn't see Trent as a generational talent, physically, at LT we may have seen a similarly thrifty approach to LT. I'm skeptical that we would have taken Okung that high if Trent didn't exist, for example. I think he would only invest a premier pick like that into a premier, rare talent at the position.

Outside of Trent, Shanahan has absolutely refused to put valuable resources, both money and high picks, into the OL. And it's working out so far (though Trent makes it all work, IMO).
Because unlike Vinny he DOES invest mid- and late-rounders into the line, does mine UDFA'S talent, and does know what he's doing at the position.

[rick1796]

ok i guess i should revise my standpoint. I think Branden Albert of the FA's avaiable would be the best RT in this zone scheme. I tend to agree, based on results, with shanny that it is not a position we need to spend a whole lot on. We need to upgrade for sure, but probably not to the top of the list. That is as opposed to positions like safety where i would try my best to land a very clear and substantial upgrade. In the end it is all about how much players push for contracts. Say for example Branden Albert really liked VA while he was here (he should VA rocks) and takes a little less than market to come here. Sure that mgiht still be (much)more than you wanted to spend on RT but if it is a deal cost/talent ratio wise you gotta do it. I was just saying if the star aligned i would love to see BA here.

so there.

[ConnSKINS26]

ok i guess i should revise my standpoint. I think Branden Albert of the FA's avaiable would be the best RT in this zone scheme. I tend to agree, based on results, with shanny that it is not a position we need to spend a whole lot on. We need to upgrade for sure, but probably not to the top of the list. That is as opposed to positions like safety where i would try my best to land a very clear and substantial upgrade. In the end it is all about how much players push for contracts. Say for example Branden Albert really liked VA while he was here (he should VA rocks) and takes a little less than market to come here. Sure that mgiht still be (much)more than you wanted to spend on RT but if it is a deal cost/talent ratio wise you gotta do it. I was just saying if the star aligned i would love to see BA here.

so there.

Haha i wasn't trying to be argumentative, in case I came off that way.

I would love to see it as well, for a reasonable price, I just don't think Shanahan sees it as even remotely necessary.

But I still see where you're coming from.

[Laxpunk2006]

Edit- Triple post.

[thesubmittedone]

Fletcher was dealing with a 'balance' issue that got better as the season wore on. Fletcher basically got healthier as the season progressed and I thought it was evident in his play. He went from getting juked/run over by Bradshaw to delivering punishing hits and big plays like we've come to expect from Fletch.

Hmmm... I do remember hearing about his balance issues, but I didn't know that it was something he was dealing with early on. I thought it was just something that happened right before the bye week but then he was ok. But, if true, that makes a lot of sense.

I wonder what the heck that was all about, though. "Balance" issues is such a vague statement. The team never went in depth about it either.

[rk3025]

Thanks as never heard of our So'Oto

[RWJ]

Thanks as never heard of our So'Oto

If you go to redskins.com and look at the players you will find info on him.