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

[Hitman21ST]

Killer, I added to the OP and will keep it on the OP on Monday after I change it. That's useful as heck. Do you have to be an insider to see changes?

I don't think so. I'm not one and I was able to search however I wanted. Don't know if that will change once FA starts though.

EDIT: You need to be an insider to read the report on the players. If you just want to stay up to date with who signed where though, you don't need to be

[Laxpunk2006]

We can sign Lewis, Lynch, and our FAs too. And Lewis is more like 90 and rising. Toler is like 80 at his peak.

Considering we don't actually have the cap space for even Lewis alone you can't say that. We don't know how many contracts our FO is comfortable restructuring and how much cap space they'll push into future years. They may prefer to take their lumps and ride out the cap penalty this season rather than pursuing free agents and hindering future offseasons. There are different strategies and one isn't necessarily better or worse than the other unless you consider the overall plan.

[GWinSkins83]

Not right now we can't. Lewis is obviously the better talent. He is NOT a 90 but he's the better talent.

---------- Post added March-6th-2013 at 05:39 PM ----------



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1KqbDdmuE

Why can't we for one we'll have to make a choice between Rak or Jax. Zo pretty much can be replaced. I just don't get some you guys thinking. I mean after this year we'll be getting 18 mill back. I think we should try and get the best youngest talent we can get. Right now we are getting away with only paying an franchise QB 8 million dollars less than the average. Also our Franchise RB is only getting paid 500 thousand.

[DogofWar1]

We can sign Lewis, Lynch, and our FAs too. And Lewis is more like 90 and rising. Toler is like 80 at his peak.

Hypothetically we could, assuming we make a bunch of moves that we haven't made yet. And that's the thing, we're only 2M under the cap right now, with all of our UFAs and RFAs to re-sign, and FS is a bigger need than corner. We have to make those restructures and re-signings before we know how much we have left to toy around with in FA, and we also have to remember that we need to sign our draft class, which probably comes in around 4M on top of all that.

And we would be pushing a bunch of money into future years, on top of the already escalating salaries. So while Toler isn't as good, in order to get Lewis we might have to rob Peter to pay Paul, and push ourselves right up against the cap in future years, (even AFTER the penalty is gone) which will create problems when it comes time to give Orakpo and Riley new contracts in 2014.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have Lewis, he's younger and incredibly talented, but we do have to be careful. If we can get Lynch, Lewis, and all our UFAs and RFAs without imperiling our future cap prospects, then go for it, but I'm unsure if we can.

[DC9]

I don't think so. I'm not one and I was able to search however I wanted. Don't know if that will change once FA starts though.

EDIT: You need to be an insider to read the report on the players. If you just want to stay up to date with who signed where though, you don't need to be

Sweet, thanks brother. That'll be awesome.

[Hitman21ST]

Sweet, thanks brother. That'll be awesome.

I do what I can. I can't do any in-depth research on free agents, so I'm a facilitator

[DC9]

Why can't we for one we'll have to make a choice between Rak or Jax. Zo pretty much can be replaced. I just don't get some you guys thinking. I mean after this year we'll be getting 18 mill back. I think we should try and get the best youngest talent we can get. Right now we are getting away with only paying an franchise QB 8 million dollars less than the average. Also our Franchise RB is only getting paid 500 thousand.

Let's start with where the money comes from. We have 19 FA that were on this team last year. That means 19 guys need to be replaced or resigned that were on the 53. Right now we have $2.9 million. We need a touch over $4 million to sign our draft picks.

We don't have to pick between Rak and Jax. Rak is under contract and Jax is a RFA this season, so he can be tendered. I don't disagree with you on Zo... he's a solid player but nothing special. However, I will argue that his leadership comes into play if Fletcher gets released or something happens with his surgery.

So... we can restructure guys, we can cut guys here and there... and yes, we get $18 mil in cap space back next season... Keenan Lewis wants $6-7 mil per year to play football. We have Perry Riley and Josh Wilson expiring this year to name a few, you will have DY and Jax expiring this year if you tender them, Brian Orakpo is in a contract year, and if Fred Davis gets a 1 year deal you will have that nonsense to deal with, and you'll have to make a decision on Leonard Hankerson and a couple of others next year who will be approaching contract years. So now that $18 mil in cap space goes quickly doesn't it?

Not saying it can't be done, and not saying I wouldn't want Lewis on the team. But $6-7 mil this season is a tough pill to swallow when you can get similar immediate production from a Greg Toler or slightly less production from an EJ Biggers, and you can address RT and Safety this offseason, and maybe get your franchise quarterback another weapon. Kick the "shutdown" CB can down the road another year when we can draft one or see where we are at cap wise next year.

I mean, we've seen scanarios that can put us $34 mil under the cap... but we don't know where we are going just yet. He might be in the plans, he might now. I personally won't be upset if he signs here unless it costs us Rob Jackson and Darrel Young or the like. Because what that does ultimately, is it weakens your depth. We've seen how Rob Jackson plays in place of an injured Orakpo... if you rob Peter to pay Paul, Orakpo gets hurt this year and you have Chris Wilson playing instead of Rob Jackson.

Before you throw Vic So'oto out there... I know he's going to be the new king in a year or two, but he's not right now. So no using my protoge's against me in your response

[Laxpunk2006]

Why can't we for one we'll have to make a choice between Rak or Jax. Zo pretty much can be replaced. I just don't get some you guys thinking. I mean after this year we'll be getting 18 mill back. I think we should try and get the best youngest talent we can get. Right now we are getting away with only paying an franchise QB 8 million dollars less than the average. Also our Franchise RB is only getting paid 500 thousand.

To me this is even more reason not to push cap into future years. In 2015 we'll be looking at big contracts for RGIII and Morris if he is still healthy/productive. We'll also be committing big money to Trent Williams. If Fred Davis is retained/stays healthy/productive he'll be wanting a pay day as well. That's about the time Keenan Lewis, or other more expensive free agents' contracts would start to balloon in later years.

So again, finite resources and greater context should be considered. I'm not saying that we shouldn't restructure any contracts or that we should/shouldn't pursue Keenan Lewis, I just think you're overlooking the majority of the factors that go into the decision.

[DC9]

To me this is even more reason not to push cap into future years. In 2015 we'll be looking at big contracts for RGIII and Morris if he is still healthy/productive. We'll also be committing big money to Trent Williams. If Fred Davis is retained/stays healthy/productive he'll be wanting a pay day as well. That's about the time Keenan Lewis, or other more expensive free agents' contracts would start to balloon in later years.

Strong points about Trent and Rob. Though we are about 3-4 years away from Rob's, Trent's is right around the corner and we will be committing a good $25 mil to the two of them on a GOOD year.

---------- Post added March-6th-2013 at 07:10 PM ----------

Ahmad Bradshaw - RB - Free Agent

Free agent Ahmad Bradshaw (foot surgeries) is expected to be healthy for OTAs.
Bradshaw got the word in a Wednesday checkup. It's good news, but Bradshaw is going to lose money by not being 100 percent for the first wave of free agency. He's yet to be directly connected to any teams.
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
Mar 6 - 6:52 PM


Donald Thomas - G - Patriots

The Boston Globe reports the Patriots have interest in re-signing free agent G/C Donald Thomas, but it's "fully expected" he'll test the open market.
Thomas was an invaluable reserve behind Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly last season, but his strong play may have priced him out of the Patriots' plans. The former sixth-round pick won't turn 28 until September.
Source: Shalise Manza Young on Twitter
Mar 6 - 6:27 PM


David Akers - K - Free Agent

49ers released K David Akers.
The Sideline View's Adam Caplan reported the move was imminent on Monday. Just one year removed from one of the greatest kicking seasons in NFL history, Akers left the 49ers no choice after shanking 13-of-42 field-goal attempts last season. He narrowly avoided a handful of other misses. Akers' résumé is impressive enough that teams should be willing to ignore an off year, but at 38, he may not get a job until a team finds itself in a desperate situation.
Related: 49ers
Mar 6 - 6:07 PM


Reggie Bush - RB - Dolphins

According to the Miami Herald, "some believe" there will be a stronger than expected market for free agent Reggie Bush.
Perhaps Bush's agent is part of the collective "some." Beat writer Adam Beasley confirms it's a "near-certainty" Bush hits the open market. The Dolphins are moving on.
Source: Miami Herald
Mar 6 - 6:05 PM


Sammie Lee Hill - DL - Lions

The player rep for free agent DT Sammie Lee Hill called it "pretty much a certainty" that his client will hit the open market.
The Lions are negotiating with Cliff Avril and Chris Houston after re-upping DeAndre Levy, and probably never even submitted Hill an offer. Just 26 years old, 329-pound Hill could be a cheap sleeper for defensive tackle-needy teams.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Mar 6 - 5:56 PM


Nate Garner - G - Dolphins

The Miami Herald reports "both sides" are interested in keeping free agent G/T Nate Garner in Miami.
Garner could be a cheap fallback option if the Dolphins let free agent Jake Long walk and shift RT Jonathan Martin to left tackle. Garner has appeared in all 16 games each of the past three seasons, but made just 13 career starts.
Source: Miami Herald
Mar 6 - 5:52 PM


David Garrard - QB - Free Agent

Free agent David Garrard would "love" to re-sign with the Dolphins, but hasn't been contacted about a potential reunion.
It's notable since the Dolphins were supposedly very high on Garrard during his brief time with the team. "I love the coaching staff; I love Ryan (Tannehill)," Garrard said. With free agent Matt Moore expected to walk, the Dolphins need a new backup for Tannehill, but they'll likely go younger and healthier than Garrard.
Related: Dolphins
Source: Miami Herald
Mar 6 - 5:47 PM


Anthony Spencer - DL - Cowboys

The Cowboys haven't approached franchise player Anthony Spencer's agent about a potential trade.
The Cowboys are supposedly open to dealing a player they went to great lengths to keep, but it's extremely unlikely to happen. Ineligible to be franchise tagged again next offseason, Spencer will finally have the ability to land the long-term deal he's sought the past two years. That is, if he doesn't reach one with the Cowboys before the mid-July deadline.

http://www.rotoworld.com/sports/nfl/football

[DC9]

Cliff Avril - DL - Lions

A source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk "multiple" teams that run 3-4 defenses are interested in free agent DE Cliff Avril.
We already know one, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Wednesday the Browns are interested in the soon-to-be former Detroit Lion. PFT's source doesn't name names, but with their ample cap space and need for pass rushers, the Colts are another good bet. Touted as scheme versatile by Lions GM Martin Mayhew, Avril likely wouldn't have much trouble converting to outside linebacker, which he played in college.

We already know one, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Wednesday the Browns are interested in the soon-to-be former Detroit Lion. PFT's source doesn't name names, but with their ample cap space and need for pass rushers, the Colts are another good bet. Touted as scheme versatile by Lions GM Martin Mayhew, Avril likely wouldn't have much trouble converting to outside linebacker, which he played in college.

---------- Post added March-6th-2013 at 08:10 PM ----------

@ProFootbalTalk: Chiefs are releasing Eric Winston per a league source

BOOM! Goes the dynamite!

[RWJ]

BOOM! Goes the dynamite!

Love to get him, DC9 but don't know if we have the funds to.

[DC9]

Talking to Rich Tandler now. Winston signed a 5 year, $22 million contract last year.

---------- Post added March-6th-2013 at 08:21 PM ----------

Check that, he's a vested veteran. He becomes an UFA immediately. No waivers.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

Talking to Rich Tandler now. Winston signed a 5 year, $22 million contract last year.

Very reasonable. If we can get to the point where we can spend $12-20 million on free agents ... getting Winston for $3-4 million a year (and with year one just being on the lower end of that or under $3m) would be a great deal!

This basically cements the Chiefs going OT at #1 to pair with Albert, no?

[darrelgreenie]

Winston!

I'm not sure why/how its surprising that there will be a market for Reggie Bush...

[RWJ]

Talking to Rich Tandler now. Winston signed a 5 year, $22 million contract last year.

Yes, I know. FYI, to get the best contract info check out rotoworld. If you put in the players name there is a line that states: "contract details". This sight is excellent for that. Keep me posted on what Tandler thinks.