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

[thesubmittedone]

^^ I agree. I'm really hoping the only two FAs we sign this year are any combination of Lynch/Chung and Lewis/Toler. Preferably Lynch and Lewis, but if it's Chung and Toler I'll still be real happy.

[DogofWar1]

^^ I agree. I'm really hoping the only two FAs we sign this year are any combination of Lynch/Chung and Lewis/Toler. Preferably Lynch and Lewis, but if it's Chung and Toler I'll still be real happy.

Lynch/Toler would be really good because you can probably get them both for less than Lewis. Neither Lynch nor Toler are more than 4M a year guys, if that. If I had to guess the contracts they'd get, I'd imagine Josh Wilson is pretty close, 3 years 13.5M, but even comparatively, they probably don't get that much. I think if you offered both a 3 year, 12M deal, or a 4 year, 16M deal, they'd have a tough time saying no.

[RWJ]

Lynch/Toler would be really good because you can probably get them both for less than Lewis. Neither Lynch nor Toler are more than 4M a year guys, if that. If I had to guess the contracts they'd get, I'd imagine Josh Wilson is pretty close, 3 years 13.5M, but even comparatively, they probably don't get that much. I think if you offered both a 3 year, 12M deal, or a 4 year, 16M deal, they'd have a tough time saying no.

It also might help that Lynch went to Applachian St. College and Toler is a local guy.

[SkinsTillIDie]

Why we're severely handicapping ourselves if we don't go into next season with Fred Davis or an equivalent talent at tight end -- Mike Smith on the evolution of the position:

"[Gonzalez] was really the first one: the more athletic tight end who could extend from the formation, line up outside, line up in different places," he said. "In a chess game, the tight end position is becoming the queen. You can move it all around the board. It's not like the rook or the bishop."

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/41899870/

Belichick was a step ahead of the trend in identifying where the league is heading and spending the resources to capitalize when opportunities presented themselves. Fred Davis is one of the athletic tight ends who can line up all over the place, run the full complement of routes, make big plays on the ball and get YAC. We'd be drastically lowering our ceiling as an offense if we continue to rely on Paulsen or someone of his level

If we lose Davis and don't sign a replacement, it shouldn't surprise anyone to see us target a tight end in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft, IMO

[DC9]

Belichick was a step ahead of the trend in identifying where the league is heading and spending the resources to capitalize when opportunities presented themselves. Fred Davis is one of the athletic tight ends who can line up all over the place, run the full complement of routes, make big plays on the ball and get YAC. We'd be drastically lowering our ceiling as an offense if we continue to rely on Paulsen or someone of his level

If we lose Davis and don't sign a replacement, it shouldn't surprise anyone to see us target a tight end in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft, IMO

Well... considering we won 7 in a row without Davis...

Anyways, I think you are giving the "Belichick ahead of the NFL" thing too much credence. It's simpler than that. He has a scheme. He lines up two or three tightends who can block and catch, if the defense brings out LBs to cover those TEs... the Pats pass. If the defense brings out DBs to cover those TEs, the Pats run. It's really that easy.

Kyle Shanahan was ahead of the NFL in running the zone read... to the tune where two different teams copied us and all three teams made the playoffs.

Having a TE is important, I agree. But I think it's becoming one of the more interchangable positions in professional football. The Gronkowki's and Gonzales' are very few and very far between.

---------- Post added February-24th-2013 at 07:29 AM ----------

Dolphins RE Jared Odrick says he will shed 20 pounds this offseason if he's asked to stay at defensive end.
He's keeping the weight on for now in case DT Randy Starks leaves in free agency and Odrick has to kick inside. We suspect Starks will be tagged if no long-term deal is reached, and Odrick will stay at end regardless. Even at the lesser weight, Odrick is unlikely to suddenly become an explosive pass rusher.

The Jets are expected to pursue free agent SS Glover Quin as a replacement for LaRon Landry.
Word at the Combine is the Jets already realize they can't afford free agent Landry. Quin won't be especially cheap, either, so cap-strapped New York could easily come up empty. The Texans have identified Quin as a priority to re-sign.

Owner Jerry Jones acknowledged Saturday that the Cowboys have "no money" to do a long-term deal with free agent Anthony Spencer.
Jones can't pay market value for Spencer due to Dallas' current cap situation. That is subject to change, though, as the Cowboys could clear room by reworking Miles Austin's deal and extending Tony Romo. They can make all three happen.

The Cowboys are confident Dez Bryant is "in a better place" regarding off-field issues following a breakout year on the field.
"Dez is in a better place relative to anything that the Cowboys are interested in, which is most everything about him," said owner Jerry Jones. "... He’s not around the kind of atmosphere or doesn’t have the kind of risks that are involved in his life on or off the field that he had 7-8 months ago." Although playing through a late-season finger fracture was believed to be a long-term risk, the Cowboys have expressed no concerns with Dez's January surgery.

The Browns are not expected to re-sign free agent Josh Cribbs.
Cribbs is believed to be seeking $2 million annually, and the Browns aren't willing to commit that much to a return specialist. The 49ers and Chargers have shown interest in Cribbs, who's coming off his best year as a returner since 2009.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said at the NFL Combine that he "made it clear" he wants Percy Harvin back when the two last spoke.
Multiple reports have suggested Harvin is planning to hold out, but GM Rick Spielman has repeatedly stated he has "no intent" to trade him. Regardless of the Vikings' claims, Harvin's future with the team remains in question. "I made it clear that I want him here, and I'm hoping things will work out," Frazier said. "We've had conversations. They've been positive."

Lions GM Martin Mayhew considers restricted free agent OT Jason Fox a "leading candidate" to start in 2013.
"Obviously he's had injuries in his first couple seasons," Mayhew said. "We think he has a starter-type talent level. He has the size. He's strong enough. Good technician." Fox will compete with Riley Reiff to replace free agent Gosder Cherilus, who at this point seems as good as gone. Unlike Fox, Reiff is also a candidate to replace Stephen Peterman at right guard.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that Reggie Bush is "unlikely" to re-sign with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins met with Bush's reps at the Combine and made it clear that they view him as a "luxury." If Bush hits the open market, the Palm Beach Post considers the Chargers a possible landing spot. Bush is likely to command a multi-year deal and is Rotoworld's No. 2 rated free-agent running back.

[MartinC]

A guy I hope we sign an will be cheaper than moss + banks is josh cribbs! he's only asking for 1.8 mil a yr an at that price he can play 3 or more roles for the team...
http://m.nfl.com/news/0ap1000000144397/

Cribbs would be a great upgrade at the return game compared to Banks but is a fraction of the receiver Moss is. I don't see him as any kind of like for like replacement for Santana and a luxury given our cap position for a return specialist which is what I see him as.

[DC9]

Cribbs would be a great upgrade at the return game compared to Banks but is a fraction of the receiver Moss is. I don't see him as any kind of like for like replacement for Santana and a luxury given our cap position for a return specialist which is what I see him as.

San Diego seems to be in on him anyways... which leads me to think the great Eddie Royal sweepstakes may be open again. Not sure if we'd go that route either, but there is a lot of moving and shaking that will happen over the next couple of weeks.

I can't wait.

[MartinC]

San Diego seems to be in on him anyways... which leads me to think the great Eddie Royal sweepstakes may be open again. Not sure if we'd go that route either, but there is a lot of moving and shaking that will happen over the next couple of weeks.

I can't wait.

I think we will make one or two moves early probably at safety and maybe corner and then sit tight - there will be some very good players available after the initial headline signings at very affordable prices.

[J-bomb]

Cribbs would be a great upgrade at the return game compared to Banks but is a fraction of the receiver Moss is. I don't see him as any kind of like for like replacement for Santana and a luxury given our cap position for a return specialist which is what I see him as.

That's cool, I disagree tho I belive it's kyles system is the reason for moss's production. He had no garcon type plays were he took it to the house, all his tds were designed routes to get him open an he made the catches. Cribbs can do the same plus run the rock out of the pistol. Watch cribbs is not washed up he just needs to be on a real team that knows how to utilize his talents.

[MartinC]

That's cool, I disagree tho I belive it's kyles system is the reason for moss's production. He had no garcon type plays were he took it to the house, all his tds were designed routes to get him open an he made the catches. Cribbs can do the same plus run the rock out of the pistol. Watch cribbs is not washed up he just needs to be on a real team that knows how to utilize his talents.

Santana has been a really productive receiver ever since he got here. He still holds the franchise single season yardage record from the 2005 season I think. It's more than just Kyles system - not many receivers make that TD catch right at the end of the first half in the first Dallas game for example. He had that 77 yard TD on the bomb from Cousins but that was a blown coverage.

Santana has lost a step and is not the deep threat he was or a risk to break a short pattern and take to the house. It's no accident though that so many of our third down passes and red zone packages are designed with him as the primary read. I think he will need to restructure to come back, but hope he does as at the right price he can still be a very good slot guy who caches say 40 balls for 500 yards and 4 or 5 TDs in this system with RGIII at QB IMO.

[DC9]

I think we will make one or two moves early probably at safety and maybe corner and then sit tight - there will be some very good players available after the initial headline signings at very affordable prices.

that's what I'm thinking too. We are also pretty content with our roster outside of obvious needs. We'll see what happens with our money and how much room we can get/make and then attack on from there.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

I love Santana ... just not at $6 million. If there were a way to get his number this year down to $3 million that would be great, IMO. While I think we need to add a replacement for him, we can do that in next year's draft or FA when more money is available.

Did Josh Wilson really only sign a 3 year $13 million deal? Huh ... remember it being more. That's a great deal. If we can get Toller to sign a similar deal and get Hall down to $4.5 million a year (shaving $4.5 million), and get Lynch for a similar deal, we'd be in good shape. If we don't bring back Fred, I would be okay going TE in the 2nd with Escobar if he is there. But if we can retain Fred, I would rather do so, as it allows us to truly go BPA in the draft if we can restructure Tana and bring in Toller/Lynch

[wit33]

I love Santana ... just not at $6 million. If there were a way to get his number this year down to $3 million that would be great, IMO. While I think we need to add a replacement for him, we can do that in next year's draft or FA when more money is available.

Did Josh Wilson really only sign a 3 year $13 million deal? Huh ... remember it being more. That's a great deal. If we can get Toller to sign a similar deal and get Hall down to $4.5 million a year (shaving $4.5 million), and get Lynch for a similar deal, we'd be in good shape. If we don't bring back Fred, I would be okay going TE in the 2nd with Escobar if he is there. But if we can retain Fred, I would rather do so, as it allows us to truly go BPA in the draft if we can restructure Tana and bring in Toller/Lynch

I think many are going to be surprised with what Davis actually gets paid this offseason by the Skins or another team. I think he will be forced to sign a prove your healthy deal with some incentives built in. I do not see him making more than 2 or possibly 3 million.

[kiingspadee]

I am going to be pissed if we have Davis leave.....Davis is a serious weapon

[JamesMadisonSkins]

I think many are going to be surprised with what Davis actually gets paid this offseason by the Skins or another team. I think he will be forced to sign a prove your healthy deal with some incentives built in. I do not see him making more than 2 or possibly 3 million.

If that's the case, we HAVE to lock him in. An incentive laden deal would be perfect. Get him at $2.5 million on the '13 cap and that's a win ... can't find a guy with that kind of versatility for that cheap, injury or not.

What are the chances we bring back Pauslon. Everyone is assuming that we will since he'll be cheap, but if we don't expect much more than a situational player from him, why not part ways with him and bring back Fred on the cheap and go TE in the 2nd or 3rd ... having two TEs, especially considering the history with Fred, capable of putting up big numbers couldn't hurt. Get Escobar in the 2nd, TJ McDonald in the 3rd, Tyrann Mathieu in the 4th, Marquise Goodwin/Ryan Swope in the 5th and BPA from there (ILB/RT/OG, NT)