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

[SemperFi Skins]

7th round pick... still young. My buddy who is a Packers fan says that if Bishop comes back healthy they will probably let Jones walk.

EDIT: I like them both, but between the two I'd take Jones over Ellerbe. Not many Baltimore players play well once they've left the nest, so to speak.

Agreed. And he's not gonna be looking for top book salary either. He mainly took over in the middle of the year. He's an unknown commodity unless you're a Pack fan or watch the games.

[Skins199021]

If we cut hall outright (Which I think we should), I think we should make a run at signing both Talib and Sean Smith. Especially since Wilson will be an FA after next season

[wit33]

Why would the Skins cut Hall? I really don't understand the thinking behind this. He's already publicly stated he will help the team financially by restructuring his deal (meaning he will spread his due money out over "x" amount of years). His play over the last half of the season was stellar, in my opinion.

Grabbing other team's castoffs or free agents and letting a known commodity of the Skins go, is asking for trouble. He still has a 2-3 prime years left and the SKins should be the team to employ him for those 2-3 years. He competes every game and this has been the case during the lean years as well.

You would think him arguably being the biggest reason the Skins beat Dallas (Morris as well) would grant him some respect.

[Hitman21ST]

If we cut hall outright (Which I think we should), I think we should make a run at signing both Talib and Sean Smith. Especially since Wilson will be an FA after next season

Why should we cut Hall? Don't use his cap amount, he's already said he's willing to restructure it. I wouldn't count on Talib (although I think we have a good shot at getting him if he becomes a FA) because the Pats might want to extend him. Hall is by far our best CB, and has improved his play as he's gotten older and the year progressed.

[rocazares]

I hope Skins don't cut Hall, its true if he support the organization on his deal means he wants to give some good years to the team and I believe he can do it, Hall staying focus is phenomenal on field. I repeat, I believe Skins can get 2 good years.

[DogofWar1]

If we cut hall outright (Which I think we should), I think we should make a run at signing both Talib and Sean Smith. Especially since Wilson will be an FA after next season

The one thing that is problematic with that is I doubt both Talib and Smith come free. Good CBs are tough to come by nowadays, I wouldn't be surprised to see both re-signed.

If they both did though, this wouldn't be a terrible plan. Hall is due a ton of money next year, so we could probably swing a 2-for-1 sale kind of thing.

That being said, I think the more likely scenario is that Hall restructures and we maybe chase after one guy, if any, depending on the safety situation.

[ZRagone]

I like Brad Jones as an option IF Fletcher retires. Let him, Robinson, Lorenzo (and a possible draft pick) compete for that starting spot. If Fletcher comes back, I think we more likely draft a MLB than pick one up in FA.

[#BgMase76#]

Merling and Campbell were in the 08 draft, but Orakpo was in the 09 draft. Merling went just a couple picks ahead of where we took Devin Thomas with our first 2nd rounder. We didn't have a first that year after trading down...we then took Orakpo with our 1st the following year.

As for Merling, he's got ideal size (6'5" 315) for a 3-4 DE. Maybe he's insurance in case Carriker isn't 100%?

You're right. I just remember the whole whoopla about Campbell and then Merling being a close second option. IDK, would it really have made much of a difference if we had swapped picks at this point. I mean Devin is completely out of football and Merling is still trying to play ball. So do you think he's an upgrade over Jenkins? I thought he played up and down all season. None of his games really stood out to me.

[Rypien1191]

Secondary next year - Hall, Wilson, Talib, Trufant, Swearinger, Meriweather, Jackson, Bernstine, Minnifield. Championship.

Get a RT and WR in FA.

Bring back Davis, Helu. Take another flyer on a late round RB.

Draft a TE and spend the rest of the picks on DL and LB.

With restructuring of guys like Moss, Hall, etc. and playing the draft and FA right, with all the guys coming back from injury and suspension, this team can be significantly improved next year.

[deejaydana]

Since I don't know nearly as much as my peers on this board I'll ask: what's the story on Merling? Is he a bust? Or has he just underperformed and we see something we can still coach up? Is he injury prone? I literally know zero about the guy...

[Warpath11]

Since I don't know nearly as much as my peers on this board I'll ask: what's the story on Merling? Is he a bust? Or has he just underperformed and we see something we can still coach up? Is he injury prone? I literally know zero about the guy...

I see him as a Kentwan Balmer 2013. Not as much of a head case as Balmer but close enough. Merling has some talent but I just dont think his head is screwed on right, but a low risk, high reward type signing.

[MartinC]

If we cut hall outright (Which I think we should), I think we should make a run at signing both Talib and Sean Smith. Especially since Wilson will be an FA after next season

I highly doubt we cut Hall if he agrees to a restructure which inb=volves an actual pay cut rather than just converting base into some kind of bonus to spread the cap hit. Hall is not a great cover corner but he is a good corner still who makes plays and is good in run support - at the right kind of money and cap number he has a role still IMO. He played very well down the stretch not least in keeping Dez Bryant in check when we played Dallas.

[f_trizzy]

I know his name has been brought up a few times in this thread, and he's listed as a potential target in the OP. But sounds like Jared Cook could get the franchise tag in Tennessee.

[J-bomb]

kiper says we might be targeting S Phillip Thomas Fresno St... he led the nation with 8ints

[morpheusmeyers]

You're right. I just remember the whole whoopla about Campbell and then Merling being a close second option. IDK, would it really have made much of a difference if we had swapped picks at this point. I mean Devin is completely out of football and Merling is still trying to play ball. So do you think he's an upgrade over Jenkins? I thought he played up and down all season. None of his games really stood out to me.

Word is that we were interested in Merling but he went two picks before we drafted Devin Thomas with out 1st 2nd rounder. Campbell actually went later in the round, one pick ahead of our selection of Malcolm Kelly

I don't think Merling is an upgrade over Jenkins, no. But I do think he is insurance in case Carriker isn't 100% after his ACL injury. He would also provide camp competition with Golston/Worthington. He didn't do much his last couple of seasons in Miami, but he does have ideal size for a 3-4 DE. FYI, he tore his achilles in 2010.