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

[SemperFi Skins]

There's a difference... If the kid is a 'native' to the area, it makes sense that he may still have family in the area and want to be closer... Going to a local college doesn't matter too much to me, but being a local certainly does and it should. It'd be a whole lot easier to bring a player here who has local ties, ex. family/close friends.

I mentioned this in the Draft Database, Justin Hunter, WR for Tennessee is from Va. Beach and lived there most of his life. I can only imagine his family being close and wanting to be near them if he had his choice in the NFL. It's the place most call 'home.'

[LLandryistheshiz]

Why are local guys so important to some fans? I don't care if they came from Alaska-Anchorage as long as they can play.

I could care less where the players on my team are from, but the players themselves probably wouldn't mind playing and living in the area the grew up in again.

[DC9]

I'm calling it now. Nobody will make us favorites for the division.

Skip Bayless isn't good enough for you? lol

I'll let you know when the schedule comes out.

[DogofWar1]

You think DE/DT is super deep? Deeper than the DB pool this year?
That's saying something.. This year's crop of DL at a glance doesn't strike me as being especially good/deep outside the usual suspects in the top 5.

Things could certainly change between now and draft day, but there are a lot of guys who are in that 1st/2nd round range on the Dline IMO. Lotulelei, Floyd, Richardson, Hankins, Jenkins, Short, J. Williams at DT are pretty much universally 1st and 2nd rounders, and guys like S. Williams, B. Logan, and B. Williams are in that discussion too. At DE, Moore, Werner, Ansah, Mingo, Jones, Montgomery, Jordan, and Okafor are there, and guys like Hunt, and Carradine are in the discussion too. That's a lot of 1st and 2nd round talent, 15 DTs/DEs with 1st and 2nd round grades pretty solidly, and another 5 or so in the discussion, literally a third of the 1st two rounds could be DLine and I don't think many would be calling the picks reaches.

Maybe superdeep wasn't the right term. Top heavy might be more accurate. Cornerback has a lot of guys who look more like 2-3 round range than 1-2, and S has a lot of round 3-4 guys, but is limited in rounds 1-2.

Mainly, my point is that if DLinemen go near where they are BPA, we'll see a bunch of them going in rounds 1-2, and it might push some very good talent to us. Of course, if teams go for need and end up taking CBs and WRs, then the opposite might be true, a bunch of DL could fall to us while people we actually want slip away.

[DC9]

I remember when we were talking to this ****er and he wanted all of that money... I said "We should sign that Stephen Bowen guy instead"... literally 2 minutes later it was announced that we signed Bowen. The Redskins haven't taken my advice since:

Eagles informed DT Cullen Jenkins of his release.
Jenkins' time in Philadelphia ends just two years into a five-year deal. All of Jenkins' guaranteed money had already been paid. Part of the Eagles' ballyhooed 2011 free agent class, Jenkins ended up tallying just 9.5 sacks in 32 games. He registered seven sacks in 11 contests for the Packers during his walk year in 2010. The emergence of Fletcher Cox and the Eagles' abandonment of the "wide nine" made Jenkins wholly expendable.

DallasCowboys.com considers S Gerald Sensabaugh a candidate for release.
It's the first time we've seen Sensabaugh's name cup up in Cowboys cap talks, but no one is safe in Big D as owner/GM Jerry Jones works to get a team that's more than $20 million over the cap in compliance. Releasing Sensabaugh would free up just $1.4 million in cap space, but provide the Cowboys $3 million in real savings if he's cut before the start of the new league year. Sensabaugh did not play at a high level in 2012, but cutting him loose would create yet another hole for a team that's primed to have a lot of them.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports the Chargers are likely to focus on improving their offensive line at the "expense of other spots."
Specifically, "everything" reporter Kevin Acee hears "indicates the Chargers will concentrate resources on the OL — at expense of other spots." As Acee puts it, they've "gotta do what they gotta do." A commitment to saving their line should make re-signing free agent LG Louis Vasquez a no-brainer. The UTSD reported last week re-upping Vasquez was the Bolts' "top priority."

---------- Post added February-25th-2013 at 01:24 PM ----------

The Cowboys are considering moving OT Doug Free to guard.
"We’re looking at it," omnipresent executive VP Stephen Jones said. "We’re going to un-turn every stone to get better. I wouldn’t rule him out at tackle either. He’s a pretty versatile guy. He’s smart." To date, Free's "versatility" has consisted of going from starting left tackle to starting right tackle to rotational right tackle, so it's hardly surprising the Cowboys are mulling a position switch. Free is sounding unlikely to return as a starter if he avoids release in Big D.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the 49ers "believe" they'll be able to trade Alex Smith after actively shopping him at the Combine.
CBS Sports reported Sunday that a deal was already all but done. Stories from NFL.com and now ESPN seem to support that notion, though it's been disputed by the Sacramento Bee. Per Schefter, San Francisco received a "legitimate amount of interest" in Smith at the Combine, and the Chiefs are definitely interested. The Cardinals "are also thought to be." Sources tell Schefter "there is no deal in place right now," but expect one to happen right around March 12.

Free agent Dwight Freeney downplayed a report that Peyton Manning is recruiting him to come to Denver.
Explained Freeney, "That was more of a friend text: ‘Sorry to hear what happened to you in Indianapolis. Hey, come play with us. We’d love to have you.’ So, one of those." Syracuse alumnus Freeney indicated he'd prefer to finish his career playing on the East Coast. If Freeney is willing to consider West Coast teams, we think the pass rush-needy Seahawks would be a solid fit.

Owner Jerry Jones believes the Cowboys can get under the cap without a new deal for Tony Romo.
"It’s not necessarily you have to have Romo done before you make these other decisions," Jones said. "It’s not necessarily so but it is what you want to do. But it’s not what you have to do. It’s not all one in the same." Cowboys brass spent much of the first month of the offseason pontificating on how important locking Romo up was, but have reined in the chatter in recent days. Perhaps they realized they had lost all leverage in talks. Big D will have almost no room to operate in free agency if it can't reduce Romo's $16.8 million cap charge.

The Cowboys had "informal" talks with free agent OLB Anthony Spencer's rep at the Combine.
According to DallasCowboys.com, "it’s believed" Spencer would like to re-sign with Dallas, but "not at a huge hometown discount." Owner Jerry Jones believes there's a "reasonable way" for Spencer to remain in Big D, but acknowledged the Cowboys couldn't meet his 2013 asking price. Dallas will have little shot at keeping Spencer if he reaches the open market.

The Chicago Tribune expects the Bears to be "in line" if Jermichael Finley is released by the Packers.
Beat writer Vaughn McClure "hears" the Bears and Finley are viewed as a "great fit." The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn made the same allusion in his Monday article on Finley's future with Green Bay. The Pack would certainly prefer to keep Finley out of the NFC North if they decide to part ways, but won't have any say in where he goes if he's released instead of traded.

[Koolblue13]

I can't believe how screwed up the Cowboys are

[JamesMadisonSkins]

This is slightly off-topic ... but how the hell did the Cowboys manage to get so far over the cap? Their penalty is only $5 million ... so that means they were $15+ million over the cap without the sanction!

No one is really saying much on this front ... I know Dallas has some talent on that team, but the really are staring at a ton of holes in front of them heading into the off-season and having to cut all that money. I know they'll do it, but at what expense to their team quality? Something tells me Jerry may be looking to re-boot his franchise. Get some bad contracts off the books, move on from Romo and angle for Johnny Manziel in a year. It depends on what Dallas ends up doing, but I could see them as a candidate to have an Eagles-like fall in 2013. I'm talking 4-12/5-11. The only real competition I view for the Redskins in 2013 in division is the Giants ... and even they are facing some cuts.

[DC9]

This is slightly off-topic ... but how the hell did the Cowboys manage to get so far over the cap? Their penalty is only $5 million ... so that means they were $15+ million over the cap without the sanction!

No one is really saying much on this front ... I know Dallas has some talent on that team, but the really are staring at a ton of holes in front of them heading into the off-season and having to cut all that money. I know they'll do it, but at what expense to their team quality? Something tells me Jerry may be looking to re-boot his franchise. Get some bad contracts off the books, move on from Romo and angle for Johnny Manziel in a year. It depends on what Dallas ends up doing, but I could see them as a candidate to have an Eagles-like fall in 2013. I'm talking 4-12/5-11. The only real competition I view for the Redskins in 2013 in division is the Giants ... and even they are facing some cuts.

The simple answer is, they thought they could win now. They structured their contracts that way with their free agent signing and re-signings from the last few years.

And they are dumb.

[Alcoholic Zebra]

I wonder when we'll get word of a restructure for Hall. That would give some insight on the direction of the off-season, I think.

I heard something that the team isn't planning on making any announcements/deals until after the Combine. Which makes sense I guess, get another look at the guys in the draft and get an idea for just how deep a position is before making internal roster moves.

[Koolblue13]

The simple answer is, they thought they could win now. They structured their contracts that way with their free agent signing and re-signings from the last few years.

And they are dumb.

It's fantastic to watch their wheels fall off. Them and the Eagles are going to be gutted and just awful teams for the next two years. The Giants are the only team to worry about in the East and we've finally gotten over them. The East is ours!

[DC9]

Some interesting reading on why it's so quiet:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ary-cap-space/

One person with knowledge of the case said last week that any remaining appeal by the Redskins might be “informal.”


In the meantime, players and agents are waiting to see what will happen and are pressing the team for answers. One person said players are becoming anxious, but the team continues to tell agents it needs more time to pursue the salary cap case. Players and their agents are skeptical of the Redskins’ ability to win back cap space because of the team’s and union’s previous legal setbacks.

According to some estimates, the Redskins are about $4 million above the salary cap. They would need to release players or rework contracts, or both, to get under the cap. A Redskins player said his agent has been told by another NFL team that it expects the Redskins to release numerous players to get under the cap, but it is difficult to determine how accurate that prediction is.

One player likely to discuss restructuring his contract appears to be cornerback DeAngelo Hall. His current deal would count $8 million against next season’s cap and he could be released if the two sides cannot agree to a reworked deal. But a renegotiation might not be necessary if the Redskins manage to get salary cap space restored. Hall said at the end of the recently completed season that he would be willing to discuss a reworked deal to remain with the team.

Veteran wide receiver Santana Moss also could be a candidate for a contract restructuring. Moss’s current contract would count $6.1 million against the cap.

[Skinsinparadise]

Some interesting reading on why it's so quiet:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ary-cap-space/

Yeah I saw that. 2 things I find interesting in it in terms of being different.

1. The team is persistent that they can get cap relief even though just about everyone else aside from Schefter suggest otherwise

2. The notion that if they don't get cap relief they'd release multiple players

[DC9]

It's fantastic to watch their wheels fall off. Them and the Eagles are going to be gutted and just awful teams for the next two years. The Giants are the only team to worry about in the East and we've finally gotten over them. The East is ours!

The "aging" Giants

---------- Post added February-25th-2013 at 02:07 PM ----------

2. The notion that if they don't get cap relief they'd release multiple players

This one doesn't worry me. I think we all expect J. Brown to be axed. Then if you cut Carriker you are already under the cap. Restructure Tana and D. Hall and you have a little bit of spending money for two Lynch and Toler and to sign our draft picks.

[Skinsinparadise]

This one doesn't worry me. I think we all expect J. Brown to be axed. Then if you cut Carriker you are already under the cap. Restructure Tana and D. Hall and you have a little bit of spending money for two Lynch and Toler and to sign our draft picks.

Thought Brown technically is axed and is a FA now, they let contract expire. I got to dig up the articles about it but If i recall the way the Redskins played it wasn't cap friendly for this year so it surprised some reporters like Rich Campbell. I'd guess if that's what we do and restructure Moss and Hall, we'd get like 6-7 mill under the cap? If so, we'd have further to go.

[RWJ]

Thought Brown technically is axed and is a FA now, they let contract expire. I got to dig up the articles about it but If i recall the way the Redskins played it wasn't cap friendly for this year so it surprised some reporters like Rich Campbell. I'd guess if that's what we do and restructure Moss and Hall, we'd get like 6-7 mill under the cap? If so, we'd have further to go.

Yep, I am thinking but don't know for sure we will need to restrucure Williams, Bowen, Cofield and possibly others.