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

[TheShredSkinz]

When the 18 million penalty is lifted I think we should go after Sebastian Vollmer, Jairus Bryd, Keenan Lewis, La'Rod Stevens-Howling, Denario Alexander ,Rey Mauluga, and Jared Cook. Talk about offseason champions!!

[bowhunter]

He's not a must-have, he's a should-have. I imagine the only way he doesn't come back here is if he decides he wants starter money/starter playing time.

In that case he will have to get it somewhere else. But he has a chance to be part of something really special here if he is willing to stay in his current role (or possibly slide in at ILB if Fletch retires).

Well, IF Fletch retires, that will free up enough money to pay the man, and probably make RJ50 even more valuable. I think he could play both spots (inside and out) and he would be valuable insurance for both spots. Any idea on when Fletch will announce his 2013 intentions?

[wit33]

Does any one know if the coaches really think Jackson can play the inside backer position? It sounds good, but is it realistic? Just curious if there's been a chatter amongst the coaches.

[SkinsTillIDie]

Yep... the same dude who almost single handedly beat 5 out of the last 6 teams he faced (us beating him twice). Anyone who argues Rob Jackson's effectiveness as an OLB is hating or has an agenda.!

C'mon. Jackson was superb in coverage and pretty good in the run game, but he offered little (comparatively speaking) as a pass rusher.

Look back at our front 7 when Orakpo was starting against New Orleans... the difference is night and day as far as dynamism goes.

[MartinC]

I agree he's a good player, and does deserve to get paid. But can we afford to pay him? We're going to pay him decent money to be a special-teams player who gets in a few defensive packages?

We should be able to create some creative packages with Jackson, Orakpo and Kerrigan all on the field in the nickle packages and also have Jackson take some snaps to spell one or the other. If he is a RFA you can be sure we will tender him and probably be back and get his snaps - he earned them.

[TheShredSkinz]

BTW, I'd be curious everyone's ranking of our FAs.

UFAs
Davis-For cheap he stays. TE's can be replaced.
Alexander-Core guy. team friendly deal.
Lichtensteiger-Lerieb's job
Rocca-old and injured(?)
Black-we got alot of young depth and more to come.
Griffin-I thought he made plays last yr. At only 30 would like to keep
Kehl-For the low.smart guy, could be better in yr.2
Doughty - he is a FA, right? Very,very,very team friendly deal then maybe.
Polumbus-no
T. Jackson-for cheap
Golston-let him compete for tf deal.
Cooley-nfl network
Wilson-not to special at his 'specialty'. Can get a youger cheaper olber in draft or udfa.
Williams -move on
Brown-don't blow your money

RFAs
Young-keep
R. Jackson-2-3 mill a yr. backloaded if not tender(2nd)
Sundberg-he's a long snapper
Paulsen-get him back
Baker-tender (7)
Banks-no.think anyone would take the 7th round tender??

[rk3025]

Any word on $18 Million Penalty?

[Alaskins]

Any word on $18 Million Penalty?

I think that there were a few threads on that. Last I saw, Coach said that we are still fighting it, but I think a lot of us ESers are resigned to the fact that it is gone.

[DC9]

C'mon. Jackson was superb in coverage and pretty good in the run game, but he offered little (comparatively speaking) as a pass rusher.

Look back at our front 7 when Orakpo was starting against New Orleans... the difference is night and day as far as dynamism goes.

Jackson didn't get to rush the passer until later in the season. Common misconception. If you have a problem with the pass rush, blame Kerrigan, Zo, and Chris Wilson... all of whom got more third down snaps than Jackson.

---------- Post added February-10th-2013 at 05:59 PM ----------

Does any one know if the coaches really think Jackson can play the inside backer position? It sounds good, but is it realistic? Just curious if there's been a chatter amongst the coaches.

I don't think any of us know what the coaches think. He'd probably have to lose about 15lbs or so to be able to get deeper in coverage though if he was to play the middle. Plus the whole man to man thing in the middle of the field is different than it is in the flat. I'm sure it's something they are looking at. But unless Fletch retires or Zo doesn't come back, we are pretty thick at Jack and Joker.

[DC9]

As of last week, the Dolphins were making "no significant progress" in contract talks with free agent Brian Hartline.
It's still early in the re-signing process, but at the same time fair to wonder if Hartline's price tag is out of Miami's target range. It's believed Hartline wants roughly $33 million over five seasons, indicating he's pinpointed Laurent Robinson's five-year, $32.5 million contract as a negotiating baseline.

The Broncos would save $6 million in salary cap space by releasing LB D.J. Williams.
It's the same number as his $6M base salary. Williams served two NFL suspensions in 2012, appearing in only seven games and starting just one. We'd look for the Broncos to cut ties with Williams as soon as this week.

Free agent OG Louis Vasquez is expected to command $6 million annually.
The Chargers recently reached out to Vasquez, but contract negotiations are not yet believed to be underway. Vasquez will be just 26 when the 2013 season starts, and he's near the top of a thin free-agent offensive guard class. Andy Levitre will be the most highly coveted guard. Vasquez won't be too far behind.

The Charlotte Observer confirms that the Panthers would take a salary cap hit to release DeAngelo Williams.
Williams has $9.6 million left in prorated signing bonus money, which would all accelerate to 2013 if he were cut or traded. If released, Williams' $4.75 million base salary would come off the books, but the cap hit would be $4.85 million. The Observer suggests designating Williams as a post-June 1 casualty, allowing them to spread the $9.6M in proration over the 2013 and 2014
seasons.

I know this has it's own thread, but for continuities sake:

Toward the end of the 2012 season, one NFL personnel man estimated that Percy Harvin will probably fetch a second- or third-round pick on the trade market.
Harvin is theoretically every bit worth a first-rounder -- perhaps even a top-ten pick -- but the facts that he's entering a contract year, and comes with character and injury red flags will inevitably impact his trade value. We suspect GM Rick Spielman would happily accept a second- and fourth-round pick as compensation, but the bidding could grow fierce for such a dynamic talent. NFL trades can be executed beginning March 12, the first day of free agency.

Mike Max of CBS Minnesota reports that the Vikings will indeed attempt to trade Percy Harvin this offseason.
Citing "sources," Max reports that Harvin unleashed an "embarrassing" tirade on coach Leslie Frazier during the season, and the episode not only alienated coaches but Harvin's teammates, as well. The sides now appear headed for divorce, even if the Vikings deny it vehemently so as to avoid losing trade leverage. Harvin had a similar incident with ex-Vikings coach Brad Childress. Although acquiring a first-rounder for Harvin may prove too difficult, Minnesota figures to ask for at least a second-rounder and some change.

NFL Network's Albert Breer suggests free agent OLB Anthony Spencer as an offseason target for the Saints.
It's a logical connection after the hiring of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, under whom Spencer enjoyed his best NFL season in 2012. The Saints like young upstart outside linebacker prospects Junior Galette and Martez Wilson, but signing an established star like Spencer could go a long way toward giving New Orleans' realigned front seven credibility. He's not going to be cheap, though.

[Laxpunk2006]

I may have missed this throughout the thread but what would ES think about signing Delanie Walker as a cheaper alternative if Davis prices himself out of our range? His reception totals aren't overly impressive but he's been behind Vernon Davis his entire career. His yards per catch have been good especially this past seaosn. He'll be 29 when the season starts (August birthday) so he's a little older than the 26-28 range we seem to prefer but could possibly be a stopgap if we're planning on drafting someone in the middle-late rounds.

[Momma There Goes That Man]

I may have missed this throughout the thread but what would ES think about signing Delanie Walker as a cheaper alternative if Davis prices himself out of our range? His reception totals aren't overly impressive but he's been behind Vernon Davis his entire career. His yards per catch have been good especially this past seaosn. He'll be 29 when the season starts (August birthday) so he's a little older than the 26-28 range we seem to prefer but could possibly be a stopgap if we're planning on drafting someone in the middle-late rounds.

It's not a bad idea if he is cheap but I doubt SF let's him go though. Man, I think Jon Grudens head would explode though if he has to call a MNF game with Walker, RG3, Daryl Young, and Fletcher all on the same team lol

[SkinsTillIDie]

Jackson didn't get to rush the passer until later in the season. Common misconception. If you have a problem with the pass rush, blame Kerrigan, Zo, and Chris Wilson... all of whom got more third down snaps than Jackson.

And exactly why wasn't he 'allowed to rush the passer until later in the season' ?

Kerrigan couldn't fend off double-teams and played too conservatively -- too concerned with keeping the quarterback in the pocket. He was underwhelming at times, but not bad.

Wilson and Zo are obviously not starter-caliber pass-rushers, and barely backup caliber, if that.

Jackson on the other hand -- the player you claim is easily a starter -- offered little to nothing when he rushed the passer, facing strictly one-on-one matchups. He's nowhere NEAR the class of Orakpo, the results on film couldn't be clearer.

Rob Jackson is a good football player, I definitely hope we bring him back and depth is absolutely crucial in the NFL. He's great depth, but he's not a premier pass rusher at OLB -- which is what you need in a 3-4, particularly for any team hoping to compete for a Superbowl.

[Guild]

And exactly why wasn't he 'allowed to rush the passer until later in the season' ?

Kerrigan couldn't fend off double-teams and played too conservatively -- too concerned with keeping the quarterback in the pocket. He was underwhelming at times, but not bad.

Wilson and Zo are obviously not starter-caliber pass-rushers, and barely backup caliber, if that.

Jackson on the other hand -- the player you claim is easily a starter -- offered little to nothing when he rushed the passer, facing strictly one-on-one matchups. He's nowhere NEAR the class of Orakpo, the results on film couldn't be clearer.

Rob Jackson is a good football player, I definitely hope we bring him back and depth is absolutely crucial in the NFL. He's great depth, but he's not a premier pass rusher at OLB -- which is what you need in a 3-4, particularly for any team hoping to compete for a Superbowl.

I agree 100% with everything you said.

[DC9]

And exactly why wasn't he 'allowed to rush the passer until later in the season' ?

Kerrigan couldn't fend off double-teams and played too conservatively -- too concerned with keeping the quarterback in the pocket. He was underwhelming at times, but not bad.

Wilson and Zo are obviously not starter-caliber pass-rushers, and barely backup caliber, if that.

Jackson on the other hand -- the player you claim is easily a starter -- offered little to nothing when he rushed the passer, facing strictly one-on-one matchups. He's nowhere NEAR the class of Orakpo, the results on film couldn't be clearer.

Rob Jackson is a good football player, I definitely hope we bring him back and depth is absolutely crucial in the NFL. He's great depth, but he's not a premier pass rusher at OLB -- which is what you need in a 3-4, particularly for any team hoping to compete for a Superbowl.

Okay... I hope you feel better, guy.

LL tweeted a graphic right after the regular season ended that showed something to this effect:

(obviously these aren't the exact numbers, but they are in the other thread about this):

Pass rushing situations:

Orakpo: 900 (2011)
Jackson: 450 (2012)

Sacks:

Orakpo: 9 (2011)
Jackson: 4.5 (2012)

Couple that "same pace" with his ability to pick off passes, cover, tackle, set the edge, force and recover fumbles <--- each/all of which he does better than Orakpo... and you've got a damn good football player.

Believe me dude, I didn't wake up one day and say, "I'm going to piss everyone off today by saying Jackson is better than Orakpo." I am a fan of this team too, and I want what is best for it, too.

Let's leave it at that... and that you are saying a whole lot by not saying anything. Go read the "Rob Jackson makes Brian Orakpo expendable" thread before you talk to me about that in here... we've covered this at naseum. At this point if you are still saying that about Jackson, you either:

1) don't have a clue what you are talking about
2) are a hater/troll
3) are related to Brian Orakpo