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

[DC9]

He played OK, because he wasn't on the field long enough to get exposed for the undisciplined player that he is. He can come in and show you some high energy play, but he'll get burnt and burnt some more if you leave him out there. He's just not very good. Two teams decided they wanted nothing to do with him for a reason.

And he's a dirty player, the one guy I'm kind of ashamed to have on our team.

What he did is what you are going to see McDonald, Cyprien, Lynch, Phillips or whomever else is brought in here to play safety do... and that's allow pressure from all over the field. We did overload blitzes, safety blitzes, D. Hall is still blitzing from the game, and a couple of other corners got blitzes in that game because DECENT safety play allowed us to do that.

Now, I'll grant you that we were playing a rookie quarterback, but if memory serves, that was the first one we'd beaten since Alex Smith in 2005?

[darrelgreenie]

I like Moss a lot, even at 34, IMO he's an above average slot WR. I am not wild about him leaving. I do think though they can get him at a cheaper price. As for Hall, am kind of agnostic on him, don't hate him, don't love him -- but I don't think it would be hard to use that 8 million to find an upgrade over him.

I am not emotionally attached to players. All I care about is their on the field production and leadership presence. And like I said in my previous posts, of course I would be in favor of finding an upgrade to Hall or Moss or any player. However; short of an upgrade I would prefer to maintain continuity at a favorably rate; rather then shuffle pieces on chessboard or making lateral moves.

[DC9]

Even if those guys are brought back, they'd likely be gone in a year anyway (and Fletcher too, almost definitely). So in terms of continuity, you're really just choosing to have some now at the expense of having it in the near future. And, if you're choosing to keep them rather than use their money to sign someone who'll be here longer (whether that replacement i necessarily better right now or not), it could be argued you're advocating sacrificing both continuity and quality in the future at the expense of this year.

I couldn't have said this better myself. Well put.

---------- Post added March-9th-2013 at 08:15 PM ----------

Minnifield played in 2011 for UVA. He was a UDFA last year. He probably wouldv'e made our roster if he hadn't blown his ACL.

He would've been drafted by the end of the 4th round if he didn't have those injuries.

---------- Post added March-9th-2013 at 08:17 PM ----------

David Garrard - QB - Free Agent
The Charlotte Observer considers free agent QB David Garrard a possibility for the Panthers.
With Derek Anderson not expected to be re-signed, the Panthers could go with Garrard as a cheap backup for Cam Newton next season. The Jets worked out Garrard last week but he's yet to receive any offers.
Source: Charlotte Observer
Mar 9 - 8:03 PM

Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Steelers
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah is "hearing a lot of buzz" about the Dolphins being interested in free agent Rashard Mendenhall.
Related: Dolphins
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Mar 9 - 8:00 PM

Andy Levitre - G - Bills
The Chargers have "expressed interest" in free agent OG Andy Levitre.
It's an indication the Bolts don't expect to re-sign Louis Vasquez, but Levitre would be almost as expensive, if not more so. If their prices are the same or similar, it would be puzzling for the Chargers to go with Levitre over a known commodity in Vasquez. In addition to the Bolts, Levitre has been linked to the Titans and Bears.
Related: Chargers
Source: Kevin Acee on Twitter
Mar 9 - 7:50 PM
D.J. Moore - DB - Bears

The Charlotte Observer expects the Panthers to show interest in free agent CB D.J. Moore.
Moore was demoted to the Bears' fourth corner in 2012 and was told earlier this week that he won't be re-signed. The Panthers have one of the worst cap situations in the league, so they'll be targeting second-tier free agents like Moore this offseason.
Related: Panthers
Source: Charlotte Observer
Mar 9 - 7:43 PM

Tim Barnes - C - Rams
Rams re-signed exclusive rights free agents C Tim Barnes and TE Mike McNeill.
Signed off the practice squad in Week 2, Barnes ended up appearing in 15 games, but played just one snap on offense. A special teamer and blocker, McNeill caught four passes across 14 games.
Source: Jim Thomas on Twitter
Mar 9 - 7:42 PM

Derek Cox - DB - Jaguars
The Tampa Bay Times is "pretty certain" the Bucs have been in contact with free agent CB Derek Cox.
No team has a bigger need at cornerback than the Bucs, and they figure to leave no stone unturned in free agency. They've reportedly reached out to free agent Sean Smith. Cox would be cheaper.
Related: Buccaneers
Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter
Mar 9 - 7:37 PM

Martellus Bennett - TE - Giants
The New York Daily News reports the Giants are making a "late push" to re-sign free agent Martellus Bennett, and that keeping him remains a "top goal."
Bennett's agent confirmed the sides are still talking. "I am and will continue communicating with the Giants," Bennett's rep said. "Martellus is still in New York, and we are taking it one day at a time." The Giants are thought to be averse to entering a bidding war for the 26-year-old tight end, but he won't get out of town without a fight. Bennett is reportedly drawing "some interest" from the Bucs, who have cap space to burn.
Source: New York Daily News
Mar 9 - 7:27 PM

Greg Toler - DB - Cardinals
Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal confirms that the Browns have expressed interest in free agent CB Greg Toler.
Toler has a history with Browns DC Ray Horton and would be candidate for a starting role if signed. The Cardinals consider Toler among their top priorities this offseason, but there's been no indication that he'll be re-signed before the start of free agency.

[darrelgreenie]

Even if those guys are brought back, they'd likely be gone in a year anyway (and Fletcher too, almost definitely). So in terms of continuity, you're really just choosing to have some now at the expense of having it in the near future. And, if you're choosing to keep them rather than use their money to sign someone who'll be here longer (whether that replacement i necessarily better right now or not), it could be argued you're advocating sacrificing both continuity and quality in the future at the expense of this year.

Not at all.

I am looking to build through the draft not FA.
The solutions at ILB, CB and WR should come through the draft and player development.
That's how good franchises do it.

[Rufus T Firefly]

What he did is what you are going to see McDonald, Cyprien, Lynch, Phillips or whomever else is brought in here to play safety do... and that's allow pressure from all over the field. We did overload blitzes, safety blitzes, D. Hall is still blitzing from the game, and a couple of other corners got blitzes in that game because DECENT safety play allowed us to do that.

Now, I'll grant you that we were playing a rookie quarterback, but if memory serves, that was the first one we'd beaten since Alex Smith in 2005?

What you're going to see him do is get burnt deep often and not take care of his responsibilities, because that is what kind of player he is. It's why the Hall of Fame coach who drafted him and who desperately needed to get some impoved play from his DBs decided he was better off just not having Meriwheather on his roster, and why the player's coach who picked him up decided he didn't want the guy near the field for his team.

People wanted to give Meriweather all the credit for our D playing better the day he came back, but the D continued to play at that level the rest of the year without him.

---------- Post added March-9th-2013 at 08:22 PM ----------

Not at all.

I am looking to build through the draft not FA.
The solutions at ILB, CB and WR should come through the draft and player development.
That's how good franchises do it.

But we are going to use our salary cap. It's just a question of whether we use it on Hall, Moss and Fletcher or on others. The draft is irrelevant to that question.

[DC9]

What you're going to see him do is get burnt deep often and not take care of his responsibilities, because that is what kind of player he is. It's why the Hall of Fame coach who drafted him and who desperately needed to get some impoved play from his DBs decided he was better off just not having Meriwheather on his roster, and why the player's coach who picked him up decided he didn't want the guy near the field for his team.

People wanted to give Meriweather all the credit for our D playing better the day he came back, but the D continued to play at that level the rest of the year without him.

that same guy traded for Albert Haynesworth? He also goes through safeties like they are going out of style. You wouldn't want Patrick Chung on this team?

Then he went to Chicago (a team that plays Tampa 2) where he obviously wasn't a scheme fit. He will be fine.

EDIT: And sure he'll get beat deep. As long as it's not a common practice with him. All safeties get beat deep from time to time. Lott, Reed, Woodson, etc.

[SkinsTillIDie]

Not at all.

I am looking to build through the draft not FA.
The solutions at ILB, CB and WR should come through the draft and player development.
That's how good franchises do it.

You can look at any recent Super Bowl team and find it flush with free agents. To succeed in this league, you have to kill it in both the draft and free agency

[Rufus T Firefly]

that same guy traded for Albert Haynesworth? He also goes through safeties like they are going out of style. You wouldn't want Patrick Chung on this team?

When he went to Chicago (a team that plays Tampa 2) where he obviously wasn't a scheme fit. He will be fine.

Really? When was the last time Bellichick cut a player and then he impressed you elsewhere? And Chicago picked him up because they thought they could find a role for him, until he showed what he is- a guy who won't listen to coaches and is more worried about delivering big (and often dirty) hits than playing his assignments.

If we're stuck with him next year, you'll see what kind of player he is. Unfortunately.

[Hitman21ST]

What you're going to see him do is get burnt deep often and not take care of his responsibilities, because that is what kind of player he is. It's why the Hall of Fame coach who drafted him and who desperately needed to get some impoved play from his DBs decided he was better off just not having Meriwheather on his roster, and why the player's coach who picked him up decided he didn't want the guy near the field for his team.

People wanted to give Meriweather all the credit for our D playing better the day he came back, but the D continued to play at that level the rest of the year without him.

And Belichick never makes personnel mistakes, right?

Fact of the matter is, when he's healthy, he's the best safety on the roster, a Pro Bowl talent, and someone who makes a difference when he's playing. Until he proves otherwise here, I see no reason to not keep him.

[2cents]

that same guy traded for Albert Haynesworth? He also goes through safeties like they are going out of style. You wouldn't want Patrick Chung on this team?

When he went to Chicago (a team that plays Tampa 2) where he obviously wasn't a scheme fit. He will be fine.

Apparently Bellichek had never made one mistake his entire life.

[Hitman21ST]

Really? When was the last time Bellichick cut a player and then he impressed you elsewhere? And Chicago picked him up because they thought they could find a role for him, until he showed what he is- a guy who won't listen to coaches and is more worried about delivering big (and often dirty) hits than playing his assignments.

If we're stuck with him next year, you'll see what kind of player he is. Unfortunately.

Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Matt Cassell, Benjarvus Green-Ellis. Granted, they were traded and not cut, but IIRC, Meriweather was in the last year of his contract and essentially couldn't be traded.

[DC9]

Really? When was the last time Bellichick cut a player and then he impressed you elsewhere? And Chicago picked him up because they thought they could find a role for him, until he showed what he is- a guy who won't listen to coaches and is more worried about delivering big (and often dirty) hits than playing his assignments.

If we're stuck with him next year, you'll see what kind of player he is. Unfortunately.

He's a down in the box kind of guy. He's not a cover 2 safety. He'll do well in this scheme. Don't forget that we have a borderline - HOF coach as well.

But to your point, most players and coaches that leave NE are busto.

[Rufus T Firefly]

Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Matt Cassell, Benjarvus Green-Ellis. Granted, they were traded and not cut, but IIRC, Meriweather was in the last year of his contract and essentially couldn't be traded.

OK, this will come off prickish, but seriously- do you consider that an actual answer to my question?

---------- Post added March-9th-2013 at 08:37 PM ----------

Apparently Bellichek had never made one mistake his entire life.

Yes, because that is EXACTLY my point. Kudos to you for so brilliantly summing up precisely what I was saying. Pure brilliance on your part.

[Hitman21ST]

OK, this will come off prickish, but seriously- do you consider that an actual answer to my question?

Yes and no. They're players who Belichick got rid of (via trade though, not a cut) that went on to play well after they left. Meaning that not every player Belichick gets rid of is done for.

[SkinsTillIDie]

Really? When was the last time Bellichick cut a player and then he impressed you elsewhere?

This.

Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Matt Cassell, Benjarvus Green-Ellis. Granted, they were traded and not cut, but IIRC, Meriweather was in the last year of his contract and essentially couldn't be traded.

Operative word -- traded! Only Seymour of the abovementioned players performed at an above-average level, and they got a small bounty for him (all the more impressive given his age and cost). Moss has been mostly terrible to average, including a sting out of the league; Cassell has been below average to bad (and they got a high 2nd rounder for him!); Green-Ellis is extremely average - 3.9 yards per carry, can't receive out of the backfield, overpaid for his position, etc.