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

[JamesMadisonSkins]

I always liked what I saw from Nield when he was on the field. I'd love for him to emerge as a starting NT to give the line even more versatility. It also couldn't hurt to shift Cofield outside if Carriker is released and target Hughes or Geathers at NT in the 4th or 5th to compete with Nield. But I feel like with our DL and with our defense, you can have any 1-4 guys along that line out of 10 potential players, including the rush linebackers and Lorenzo ... that front 7 is interchangeable ... obviously the more bodies the better, but if you lose Carriker you don't necessarily have to go out and replace him with a starting caliber, highly paid end.

---------- Post added February-21st-2013 at 03:15 PM ----------

Reality of these contracts? I honestly have no idea what some of these guys would demand ... but if these are at least somewhat accurate, gives a feel for what we might need to clear. If we bring in a FA CB that likely means Hall is gone ... especially if its a Toler signing rather than a Cedric Griffin signing...

CB Derek Cox (JAC): 5 years $30 million ($4.5 million base in 2013)
FS Corey Lynch (SD): 4 years $13 million ($2.5 million base in 2013)
RT Ryan Harris (HOU): 5 years $27 million (4.0 million base in 2013)

Also, if we can manipulate the cap to make these moves (which would require a Hall release, honestly), and we retained Santana ... we enter the draft in BPA mode. Of course an additional safety would be nice, but it doesn't become a requirement with that first pick.

[washedup2]

not sure if mentioned but there is word that D. Hester needs a fresh start and could be released. Dont know what he'd cost but I could see him lining up in the back field like Banks, Moss, Morgan did to take some pitches and to be a reciever out of the backfield. He also could be used in slot. another weapon with speed.

[SemperFi Skins]

Dolphins | No decision on Reggie Bush
While there has been no decision on RB Reggie Bush's status, Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said the team would love to have a player of his skillset on the roster. "Certainly would, you'd love to have his skillset on the football team, Reggie has a unique set of skill sets, he's been a receiver, a primaryrunning back, I definitely see a role for that type of skill set," Ireland said. "We'll just have to see how things go, we've got a few more days of talking to our own guys and we'll see how things go."

49ers | Want to bring back Dashon Goldson
San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said the team views re-signing impending free-agent SS Dashon Goldson as a priority this offseason but is not sure if they will be able to agree to a deal.

---------- Post added February-21st-2013 at 04:05 PM ----------

Austin Howard - T - Jets The Jets will meet with restricted free agent RT Austin Howard's agent on Friday.
Howard is the team's top restricted free agent, and the Jets could give him a first-round tender. The 6-foot-7, 333-pounder started all 16 games in 2012 after starting just one game in his previous two seasons. He struggled as a pass protector, but Howard was a top-ten run blocker, according to Pro Football Focus.
Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter Feb 21 - 3:45 PM

[JamesMadisonSkins]

Given this a lot of thought (and posts) today, so after this I'll shut up and just read other people's posts since I'm sure my opinion will change tomorrow ... but I would love this off-season:

Return: Santana Moss, Lorenzo Alexander, Rob Jackson, Logan Paulson, Fred Davis, Nick Sundberg, Bryan Kehl, London Fletcher (aka not retiring)
Extend/Restructure: Josh Wilson, Brian Orakpo, Trent Williams, Barry Cofield

Let Go: DeAngelo Hall, Adam Carriker, Jamaal Brown

Primary Free Agents: Rough #s no idea on accuracy...
CB Derek Cox (JAC): 5 years $30 million ($4.5 million base in 2013)
FS Corey Lynch (SD): 4 years $13 million ($2.5 million base in 2013)
RT Ryan Harris (HOU): 5 years $27 million (4.0 million base in 2013)
Total Spent: $11.0 million
Left-Over: $2.015 million for vet min. free agents.



2013 Mock Draft:
2nd: Johnathan Cyprien, S FIU
3rd: D.J. Swearinger, FS USC
4th): Kenjon Barner, RB Oregon
5th: Tyrann Mathieu, CB LSU
5th: Kwame Geathers, NT Georgia
6th: David Biahktiari, OG Colorado
7th: Cooper Taylor, S/OLB Richmond

CB: Josh Wilson, Derek Cox, Richard Crawford, Tyrann Mathieu, Chase Minnefield
FS: Corey Lynch, DJ Swearinger, Gomes/Bernstine
SS: Brandon Meriweather, Johnathan Cyprien, Reed Doughty

If we signed Lynch and Cox ... going secondary with 3 picks might be overkill. I can't seem to think of where we could go otherwise, though, since RT would be filled, Fletcher would be a stopgap for having to address ILB right away ... and Moss coming back another year would place a block on drafting an early WR. I actually had a bit of a hard time penciling in that 3rd rounder, so I went with Swearinger over an ILB or SWR. If Moss and Fletcher are back, there are simply too many bodies at each position to go to those positions with early picks. Of course, if Fletch retires you could go ILB there, despite Robinson being the likely replacement, simply for depth. If Moss is released, you could go Markus Wheaton there.

[darrelgreenie]

You are 100% correct Greenie. Advanced stats need to be used more of a guide rather than a rule on production. Football outsiders and Pro Football Focus are good sites, use them daily. But I find a lot of holes in their "stats" when you get into the film. Recently I had a discussion with Pro Football Focus about the Giants game winning pass to Victor Cruz vs the Redskins. They assigned the full blame to Wilson which made Williams grade better. After the talk they assigned the 77 yards and the TD to Williams for blowing his coverage.

I have been reviewing film on Greg Toler and use PFF game grades as a guide for what games to look at at. The film doesn't always reflect the stats. They tend to attribute targets or completions to the closest player regardless of scheme. I have ran into this issue a lot but it is what it is.

You would think they would have caught that error w/ Madieu Williams right away. How did you get in contact with them to discuss/correct that play?
I have a few rankings questions about some members of the Burgundy and Gold. Can I ask you here or should I PM?

[thesubmittedone]

I am in the camp that we should take a look at Hester and Cribbs type of players to add on to our offense. I think though that these guys will still demand 2-3 mil per year contracts. If we decided to keep Moss on the roster than I dont think we can justisfy that type of investment in the Brandon Banks role that we had last year with this year's cap penalty.

I agree, I think you find that kind of player in the draft. The type that has great speed and athleticism in general but free falls because he's "too small" for the NFL. There's gotta be a Darren Sproles waiting in the 6th round for us.

[darrelgreenie]

^^If Devin Hester could be used as RB I would be all over that; but he hasn't been used in that role very much/if at all in the NFL.
But have a RB that could shift to WR and be mismatch for a LB/S would be a huge benefit to this offense.

[rick1796]

^^If Devin Hester could be used as RB I would be all over that; but he hasn't been used in that role very much/if at all in the NFL.
But have a RB that could shift to WR and be mismatch for a LB/S would be a huge benefit to this offense.

you mean like Reggie Bush! I know it isn't happening but he would be a real boon to the offense.

[Genghis Khan]

What's with all the Corey Lynch love?

I feel like there a lot draft prospects that would be better suited for our defense.

[DogofWar1]

What's with all the Corey Lynch love?
I feel like there a lot draft prospects that would be better suited for our defense.

He looks like a solid FS for our scheme who would likely come relatively cheap, probably around 2.5-3.5M a year. Combined with our limited picks, and the fact that some of the likely better safeties seem to be moving up the boards (Cyprian is creeping up and some mocks now have him going in the 1st), he might be the best FS option for this year. Also, if we were to secure guys like Lynch and Toler, we could go BPA in the draft, which is always nice.

[thesubmittedone]

If you are replying to me, I think Paulsen was using "splash" in the context of a Pierre Garcon type of signing. So Toler and Lynch would be right up our alley.

EDIT: However, he "expected" it to be a Cornerback and then address FS in round 2 or 3 of the draft.

That would be my preference. A starting CB is incredibly difficult to find in the draft, especially at pick 51. A starting Safety, however, can be had and there should be multiple options for us in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Actually, my best case scenario would be that a starting RT falls to us at 51 (and is actually the BPA) and then the BPA sitting at our 3rd rounder just happens to be a Safety. If that were to happen I think my head will explode out of happiness. Alas, the BPA at 2nd will probably be a Guard or Linebacker.

[sjinhan]

^^If Devin Hester could be used as RB I would be all over that; but he hasn't been used in that role very much/if at all in the NFL.
But have a RB that could shift to WR and be mismatch for a LB/S would be a huge benefit to this offense.

Yeah but then we are lookin for Banks replacement and not Moss replacement...

[Laxpunk2006]

What's with all the Corey Lynch love?

I feel like there a lot draft prospects that would be better suited for our defense.

He appears to be an up and coming player that would fit our scheme and at least stabilize the position. Since he hasn't really been a starter in this league many of us believe he will come cheaply and allow us flexibility in the draft. I don't think anyone is saying he is the best FS available but given our cap situation he may be one of the best values available, allowing us to spread our resources to other needs as well.

[DC9]

Yeah but then we are lookin for Banks replacement and not Moss replacement...

Crawford, Paul, and Bernstine can return. The reason that we need a change of pace back is because they will need to take Banks' spot as the motion/pitch man in the Pistol as well as having a guy who can catch the ball out of the backfield. Ideally Helu is healthy or we take a flyer on a late round speedster.

I wouldn't be so worried about Banks' replacement in terms of returning... he has been a hole for the last year.

I also wouldn't want Hester.

[PlayAction]

The reason that we need a change of pace back is because they will need to take Banks' spot as the motion/pitch man in the Pistol as well as having a guy who can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Hightower would have fit the role perfectly. Too bad about the injury. Did he ever make it back on another team later in the season?