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

[Momma There Goes That Man]

I for one am ready to see KL go.
Love the effort he put in, but he just couldn't get it done at the POA on runs to the left, and was absolutely eaten alive on stunts, add that to his 10 penalties this year and I'd like to see him walk and let Lerib take his place.

This is probably completely off base because these type of plays stick in my mind more than the good ones but it really seemed like Kory Lich spent way too much time on the ground this year. So many games I thought he spent about 80% of his snaps laying on the ground while people were running by him or Morris was getting snuffed out down field. Maybe he just didn't have the lower body strength back after the injury but it really stuck out to me. Also the holding.

I wouldn't be a upset to see him go but if he wanted to resign for cheap as a backup I wouldn't complain either.

Like I said though, I am probably way off on him though.

[SemperFi Skins]

Apparently not when you are up for a contract. And that is what is worrying me. This will be a tough decision and I don't envy the man that has to make it.

It's actually not too hard of a decision... You offer him a team friendly, injury clause, prove it contract... If he's got the heart for this team then he will take it. If he doesn't, he wasn't meant to be here in the first place. I doubt we'd low ball him but I think somewhere in the $3 million max range would be a good start or maybe $6.5 for two years. If he's simply chasing the money, he's not going to get a much better deal than that. I think most teams are expecting him to be here anyway.

[MartinC]

Thanks!

People hate on K-Lich, but our record without him is abysmal.

I think Lich had an up and down year last year IMO, I would say he was our second worst lineman after Polumbus. Personally I think he will be allowed to leave and LeRibus will be given every opportunity to win that LG spot.

[pjfootballer]

That is great news although it seems really early for him to be fully cleared after an achilles. Despite all the differing opinions of what people think will happen, I just cannot see us letting an offensive weapon like Davis, especially at his age, leave for another team. Coming off an injury and a suspension before that, he will certainly be a player who's value on the field exceeds his next contract. Shanahan has always been a fan and was very complimentary of both Davis and Trent Williams coming off their suspensions concerning their work ethic and attitudes. I can't imagine not re-signing him.

I think Davis said his achilles injury was much like the one Terrell Suggs had. Not a full tear. Suggs injured his last February and was able to be ready opening day in September of this past season. So Davis was hurt 5 months ago and OTAs start in May, that gives him 3 more months for a total of 8 months, which is what Suggs had.

---------- Post added February-26th-2013 at 03:38 PM ----------

[/Wow, thought that was going to take almost a full year to recover...

See above.

---------- Post added February-26th-2013 at 03:38 PM ----------

Apparently not when you are up for a contract. And that is what is worrying me. This will be a tough decision and I don't envy the man that has to make it.

See above also.

[SemperFi Skins]

Nnamdi Asomugha - DB - Eagles According to WIP Radio, Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha "ate lunch in his car during practices instead of eating with his teammates
The "report" comes from former Eagle turned radio host Hollis Thomas via "sources." It's a slow-time-of-the-year type story, but further indication Asomugha wasn't enjoying his time in Philadelphia very much. Facing an ultimatum to slash his salary of be released, the evidence is mounting Asomugha won't be back with the Eagles.
Source: ESPN.com Feb 26 - 3:20 PM

[Skinsinparadise]

new article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...lary-cap-case/

There were mixed views around the NFL Tuesday about the strength of the Redskins’ legal position if the team chooses to contest the remaining portion of its salary cap penalty in court. Many people familiar with the case have said for months that the Redskins would have little or no chance of recouping any of their lost salary cap space through a legal challenge. But several people said this week that the team may have some strong arguments to make. Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the team’s strategy, they said Redskins officials told them the team is considering whether to seek an injunction that would halt the scheduled opening of the NFL free agent market March 12, or threatening to do that in a bid to bolster its negotiating strength in settlement talks.
One person familiar with the case, said he thinks the team could use the NFL’s position in a recently dismissed collusion lawsuit brought by the players’ union against the league.
The league argued in the collusion case that the union had waived its right to bring such a collusion complaint. U.S. District Court Judge David Doty agreed, twice ruling that the collusion case could not move forward.
The person with knowledge of the salary cap case said the Redskins could argue that if the union had waived its right to bring a complaint based on conduct that occurred before pro football’s 2011 labor agreement, the league and union also should be prohibited from taking action against a team for conduct prior to the labor deal. “Maybe there is something to Doty’s ruling that makes the issuance of discipline [against the Redskins] inappropriate,” the person said. “If the [league and union] released all claims in the CBA, then how could there be a basis to discipline teams for a claim that was released?”

The league, with the union’s consent, last year reduced the Redskins’ salary cap by $36 million over two years as a penalty for the way the team structured players’ contracts in 2010, when there was no salary cap. The NFL ruled that the Redskins attempted to gain an improper competitive advantage in future years by loading salary into the uncapped season. The Redskins and Dallas Cowboys, who were given a cap reduction of $10 million over two years for similar actions, challenged the reductions in an arbitration case last year.. But arbitrator Stephen Burbank dismissed the case last May, ruling that the teams could not challenge the reductions because the league and the union had agreed to them. Two other people who were briefed on the Redskins’ plans also said they believe the Redskins could make a good case in court that they should be granted an injunction to halt free agency because they would suffer irreparable harm otherwise. ESPN reported Tuesday that the Cowboys would not join the Redskins in any legal action. Another person who said he had been told about the Redskins’ approach said the team’s best bet is to use the threat of going to court to persuade the league to give back a portion of the lost salary cap space. The Redskins are scheduled to absorb the remaining $18 million of the salary cap reduction this year.

to read more

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...lary-cap-case/

[SemperFi Skins]

Something is definitely going on with the Tom Brady deal... Now it's being reported that they will sign Welker to a 3 year deal and lure Ed Reed from the Ravens in a $5 million a year contract as well... Just yesterday they were cap strapped.

[darrelgreenie]

Nnamdi Asomugha - DB - Eagles According to WIP Radio, Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha "ate lunch in his car during practices instead of eating with his teammates
The "report" comes from former Eagle turned radio host Hollis Thomas via "sources." It's a slow-time-of-the-year type story, but further indication Asomugha wasn't enjoying his time in Philadelphia very much. Facing an ultimatum to slash his salary of be released, the evidence is mounting Asomugha won't be back with the Eagles.
Source: ESPN.com Feb 26 - 3:20 PM

Buy in is a 2-way street. FAs have to buy-in to make it work. But, the team needs to be reasonable with their scheme. You don't force feed a man CB into Zone.

[Murphs56]

I really hope they re-sign Davis. Letting him go at this point of his career is a big mistake in my opinion.

[DogofWar1]

I'm glad Davis has been cleared I want him to play to his potential somewhere in this league.

I just really REALLY hope that that place is here. He and Rob Jackson are the only good things to come out of that debacle that was 2008, and I really want him to stay.

[Laxpunk2006]

Something is definitely going on with the Tom Brady deal... Now it's being reported that they will sign Welker to a 3 year deal and lure Ed Reed from the Ravens in a $5 million a year contract as well... Just yesterday they were cap strapped.

It was just a restructure that they added years onto to spread money out. The idea that he "took less to help the team" is ludicrous.

[DC9]

The Packers met with restricted free agent C Evan Dietrich-Smith's agent at the Combine.

Updating an earlier item, ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms the Raiders are talking to former Browns football "czar" Mike Holmgren about a "prominent" leadership role in the organization.
Oh boy. Both sides declined comment, but didn't offer denials. Holmgren is reportedly on holiday in Europe. Schefter's colleague Bill Williamson reported one of Holmgren's duties would be assisting in the Raiders' quest for new stadium, but "prominent leadership role" suggests he could have a hand in personnel, as well. Considering Holmgren's success — or lack thereof — in Cleveland and Seattle's front offices, that's not a good thing for a team that's still reeling from the final few years of the late Al Davis' rule.

Free agent Steve Breaston will meet with the Browns on Thursday and the Steelers on Friday.
Breaston was originally expected to visit the Steelers first. Any time a player makes a visit, there's a chance they won't leave, so it gives the Browns a leg up on Pittsburgh. If the money is equal, though, it would make far more sense for Breaston to reunite with his former head coach and offensive coordinator Todd Haley in Pittsburgh.

A league source confirms the Bears are hoping to re-sign free agent LB Nick Roach.
CSN Chicago reported Saturday that the sides were meeting at the Combine. Roach has primarily been a SAM 'backer during his six-year career, but held his own in the middle when Brian Urlacher was hurt last season. The Bears could view Roach as a cheap in-house replacement if Urlacher moves on.

According to the Boston Herald, the Patriots are not "actively shopping" QB Ryan Mallett.
That's not to say the third-year pro isn't available, the Patriots just aren't stoking his market. The Boston Globe reported Monday the Pats wouldn't be willing to trade Mallett for less than a second-round pick. That would be steep for a statue-esque pocket passer who's attempted only four career passes, but not inconceivable in a weak draft year for quarterbacks.

An AFC executive calls the Jets not meeting with Darrelle Revis' agent at the Combine "B.S. treatment for your best player."
We agree. The Jets found time to meet with Santonio Holmes, Dustin Keller, Jeff Cumberland, Austin Howard, Shonn Greene and LaRon Landry's reps, but shirked Revis. New GM John Idzik appears to be wishing his best player away. A disrespected Revis is appearing ever less likely to be wearing green in 2013.

"League sources" believe the Patriots will try to lure free agent Ed Reed with a deal worth $5 million per season.
It's the first semi-concrete report connecting Reed to longtime admirer Bill Belichick. All indications are that the Ravens will make a concerted effort to retain the future Hall-of-Famer, but their salary-cap situation could prevent them from offering $5 million annually. Indianapolis and New England will be Reed's two most likely landing spots if he leaves the only team he's ever known.

[rick1796]

The pats can have Ed Reed (not a knock on him as a player btw) Come on skin's spend conservatively and draft well! We have a great core team we just need some finishing.

p.s. I am sure he is mentioned in the Draft thread but Terron Armstead. holy cow dude is a freak. Of course he may not be a baller but still.

[DC9]

Redskins ILB London Fletcher says he'll return in 2013 if he can "get myself healthy enough to play."
"(If I can) play at the level I am capable of playing, I will be back," Fletcher said on NFL Network. It's essentially the same song Fletcher's been singing all offseason, though this is the first time he's definitively said he'll play if healthy. It's very hard to see Fletcher walking away from $5.5 million.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport confirms the Cardinals are interested in trading for Alex Smith, but are "very pessimistic" the 49ers will deal him within the division.
According to Rapoport, the Cardinals believe the Chiefs are "closing in" on a deal for Colin Kaepernick's backup. Rapoport also reports the Browns are "said to have some interest." It's clear Sunday's report that a trade was "effectively complete" was bogus, but the Chiefs are very much the leader in the clubhouse. Smith would be a poor fit in Bruce Arians' highly-vertical system.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Patriots RB/KR Jeff Demps has "informed the Pats he's returning to track, but wants to play two sports."
It's bizarre timing, as the Rio Olympics are over three years away. We doubt Bill Belichick will be sympathetic to a player wanting to divide his time between two sports, meaning Demps could be told to take a hike. The former Florida Gator's three-year deal included $211,000 guaranteed, all of which has already been paid. It's possible Demps finagled a clause in last summer's negotiations that would allow him to keep running, but unlikely.

[moondog]

I think Davis said his achilles injury was much like the one Terrell Suggs had. Not a full tear.[COLOR="Gold"]

Hey thanks man! I had been under the impression that it was a full tear. There really has not been much press about it since it happened, which has seemed odd to me considering he's our brightest young offensive homegrown star (rising) outside of RG3 and Morris. The fact that he is cleared definitely points to it being much less than a full tear and that is good news both for his ability to return to the level of athleticism he was at and that he can get back to work. He seems like a hungry guy that is eager to prove himself, I'm sure missing out on a successful season has only motivated him that much more.