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]

Considering what our line was like before that, I think that's money well spent. He has played solid and his experience has rubbed off on the younger guys.

Totally agree. I was skeptical at first, but I have been nothing but happy with him. He is very complete and goes about his work quietly. That's the kind of veteran you need on a winning football team.

---------- Post added March-3rd-2013 at 08:05 PM ----------

NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline passes along "word" from the final few days of the Combine that free agent SS LaRon Landry is unlikely to receive the contract he's currently seeking.
Landry is reportedly seeking roughly $6 million per year, but people inside the league believe he may wind up settling for $3-4 million annually. NFL teams aren't quite flush with cap space this offseason, and Landry has never been an elite cover safety. We still don't envision the Jets being able to afford Landry.

ESPN New York reports a deal between the Jets and free agent QB David Garrard is not imminent.
If the two sides strike an agreement it won't be for "at least another week." Garrard reportedly has other options out there, but New York is easily his best chance at a starting job. It's fully expected that he'll end up signing and competing with Mark Sanchez and another quarterback for the starting job.

Free agent CB William Gay will visit the Steelers this week.
Gay, 28, spent the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh before signing a two-year deal with Arizona last offseason. He was just released on Friday, and according to his agent, there has been "a lot of interest" in Gay since then. He should be rather inexpensive.

Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio says there is "persistent buzz" that the Texans will use the franchise tag on SS Glover Quin.
Re-signing Quin has already been deemed Houston's top priority, but there hasn't been a ton of talk about how they'll go about doing it. We haven't heard any updates on how/if long-term talks are going. The franchise tag for Quin carries a $6.916 million price. Houston has until 4PM ET on Monday to make a decision.

Looks like Glover Quin is coming off of the ES FA Big Board.

[Skinsinparadise]

HTTR24-7.com ‏@HTTR24_7
@Russellmania980 Cap issues kill any shot at Keenan Lewis, expected to come in at 4-5 for $30 +. Word is #Browns will be after him.

[S.T.real,lights,out]

Well, will be interested to see how things pick up this week..

[SemperFi Skins]

Dolphins | Likely to tag Randy Starks
The Miami Dolphins will likely place the franchise tag on free-agent DT Randy Starks ahead of the deadline Monday, March 4.

NFL | Dashon Goldson looking to get paid
A source said free-agent S Dashon Goldson is looking for a deal worth $8 million annually.

Buccaneers | Eric Wright on the bubble?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Eric Wright may return to the team in 2013 if he is willing to accept a reduction in pay. He's set to earn $7.75 million this year, but the Bucs have lost some faith in him after an inconsistent season. He missed playing time due to injuries and was also suspended four games for Adderall use. Should the Buccaneers feel there is an upgrade available for similar or less value, they may opt to simply cut ties with Wright. He lost the guarantee tied to his 2013 salary due to the suspension.

Buccaneers | Decisions to make on Quincy Black
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may opt to release LB Quincy Black (neck/shoulder) and his $5.5 million 2013 salary. His football future is in doubt due to nerve damage in his neck and shoulder and the team may want to spend the money on a more certain option. Should Black be released, he becomes eligible for a $1 million insurance payout. He'd then be eligible for another $500,000 insurance payout in 2014 should he not be able to return to the field by then.

Packers | Still mulling franchise tag for Greg Jennings
The Green Bay Packers are still mulling using the franchise tag on impending free-agent WR Greg Jennings before the deadline to use the tag Monday, March 4. General manager Ted Thompson said at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team would like to retain Jennings.

NFL | Terrance Williams considered a project (Because some are high on him...)
Baylor WR Terrance Williams is considered more of a project by one scout heading into the NFL Draft. "He has some ability, and his speed is deceptive. He's just not ready. He needs a lot of work," the NFL scout said Sunday, March 3. "If you're a team that can wait, he may turn in to something pretty good."

[TheLongshot]

I wouldn't even want to trade Chester. He's a solid pass protector, and showed he could adapt well to this offense. We need the right side as solidified as possible considering it'll be the hole we're plugging this off-season in terms of offense.

Maybe I saw something different, but I haven't been all that impressed by Chester since he's been here. Servicable, but we could do better.

[SemperFi Skins]

Andre Smith - T - Bengals According to SI's Peter King, several teams are "scared" of free agent RT Andre Smith.
Per King, teams "fear what a big signing bonus would do to (Smith's) desire." The No. 6 pick of the 2009 draft struggled with weight and injury issues his first two years in the league, and didn't put it all together until he was playing for a new contract. Smith was perhaps the league's most dominant right tackle in 2013, but his past will be a ghost in negotiations.
Source: Sports Illustrated Mar 4 - 9:16 AM

[MartinC]

Maybe I saw something different, but I haven't been all that impressed by Chester since he's been here. Servicable, but we could do better.

He was very good last year both in pass protection and in the running game. Really played up to his contract and along with Monty and Williams gave us a very solid OLine - it's RT and LG that were the problem spots.

[DC9]

Maybe I saw something different, but I haven't been all that impressed by Chester since he's been here. Servicable, but we could do better.

don't hate on his salt n' pepper hair at age 29. I wish it would happen to me. I still get carded from time to time and I'm almost 30.

[SemperFi Skins]

Danny Amendola - WR - Rams The Sideline View's Adam Caplan confirms the Rams won't use the franchise tag on free agent Danny Amendola, but reports they are "considering other options" to keep him.
Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter Mar 4 - 10:01 AM

Paul Kruger - LB - Ravens Yahoo's Jason Cole believes free agent OLB Paul Kruger could "blow past" $9 million per year on the open market, and potentially surpass $10 million.
Kruger is not expected to be franchise tagged ahead of Monday's deadline, which means he'll be free to hit the open market. With Joe Flacco due to count just $6.8 million against the cap this season, the Ravens have some breathing room, but don't appear willing to pay Kruger like a pass-rushing linchpin.
Source: Jason Cole on Twitter Mar 4 - 9:40 AM

Wes Welker - WR - Patriots ESPN's Adam Schefter reports free agent Wes Welker is "not expected" to be franchise tagged ahead of Monday's deadline.
The same is true of Miami's Jake Long and San Francisco's Dashon Goldson. The Boston Herald reported in mid-February that Welker wouldn't be tagged, but that was before Tom Brady's extension cleared considerable cap space. The Pats could tag RT Sebastian Vollmer or CB Aqib Talib, but it's unlikely. New England has just five more days to exclusively negotiate with Welker, and he'll be allowed to sign with other teams beginning March 12. CSN New England reported Sunday the sides had made "progress" toward a long-term deal. Related: Sebastian Vollmer
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Mar 4 - 9:34 AM

[darrelgreenie]

NFL | Terrance Williams considered a project (Because some are high on him...)
Baylor WR Terrance Williams is considered more of a project by one scout heading into the NFL Draft. "He has some ability, and his speed is deceptive. He's just not ready. He needs a lot of work," the NFL scout said Sunday, March 3. "If you're a team that can wait, he may turn in to something pretty good."

My team likes Terrance Williams but we're to low to get him in the round where we want to draft him.
We're gonna put something negative out there about him in hopes that he falls

[MartinC]

My team likes Terrance Williams but we're to low to get him in the round where we want to draft him.
We're gonna put something negative out there about him in hopes that he falls

It is that time of year.

[pjfootballer]

so many people say things like this. But what evidence is there that he can stay out of trouble?

None, but just like with Fred and Trent, you have to trust that the player will do the right thing.

[SemperFi Skins]

My team likes Terrance Williams but we're to low to get him in the round where we want to draft him.
We're gonna put something negative out there about him in hopes that he falls

Agreed. They basically had a negative statement from a 'scout' on all WR's in the draft so far.

[MartinC]

Agreed. They basically had a negative statement from a 'scout' on all WR's in the draft so far.

You can pick holes in any player. I mean the scouting report on Lawrence Taylor would have had a negative column .....

[Skinsinparadise]

My team likes Terrance Williams but we're to low to get him in the round where we want to draft him.
We're gonna put something negative out there about him in hopes that he falls

Agree. Funny right after the college season, a lot of positive buzz on Terrance Williams. Not so much lately. I am gathering its the buzz around guys like Patton, Swope, Austin, Goodwin, etc post combine and senior bowl that he drowned some other WRs out. But, buzz doesn't dictate the draft. T. Williams in mocks now is starting to consistently fall to the late 2nd round. If he's at our pick, it might be an interesting choice. I'd gather his buddy RG III would be thrilled.

Seems like the big hits on T. Williams by some is that he's a one trick pony, just a deep ball guy (I didn't find that the case watching Baylor games) and that Baylor runs a real simple offense that doesn't prepare WRs well for the NFL. Well, tell that to Josh Gordon and Kendall Wright.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews....the-game.html/

Baylor has produced some decent linemen and wide receivers over the past few years. Philip Blake, Phil Taylor, Danny Watkins, Kendall Wright and Josh Gordon have all made an impact in the NFL.

The Bears figure to add another wide receiver to the list when Terrance Williams is chosen in this year’s NFL draft.

In an interview with profootballweekly.com, head coach Art Briles said Williams’ ability to get open during a game reminds him of how the NFL’s greatest receiver Jerry Rice could get open.

‘He’s got a great knack to get open,’ Briles told the publication. ‘He’s a quarterback’s friend. Somehow and someway, Terrance is going to get open and find a way to come down with the ball. He has a great knack for playing receiver and knowing the position. He makes my job coaching pretty easy. I just put him on the field and watch him work. I think that part of him is similar to the way Jerry Rice played the game.’