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]

I just have that "calm before the storm feeling," but it's more of a "storm before the tempest"... just too quiet for me.

[Momma There Goes That Man]

Hope you're right and something happens soon. Too much speculation not enough news...

[redskindan07]

Hopefully good news is on the horizon

[DC9]

OX Sports' Jay Glazer reports the Ravens and Joe Flacco have agreed to a long-term deal, and it will be signed on Monday.
Terms of the deal are not yet known, but the Ravens beat the deadline with one of their star players once again. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora talked to a few contract negotiators around the league earlier in the day and speculated a deal could range anywhere from five years and $90 million to six years and $108 million. Of course, neither of those average the $20 million annually that Flacco is said to be seeking, so those could be conservative numbers. Our own Evan Silva predicted seven years and $140 million. The main thing is the Ravens have locked Flacco up long-term without having to use the franchise tag and tying up major cap space as a result. Baltimore can now move on to free agents Dannell Ellerbe, Paul Kruger, and Ed Reed. Stay tuned for further updates.

The Union-Tribune San Diego expects the Chargers to either release Randy McMichael or ask him to take a pay cut.
McMichael is due a $1.25 million salary in addition to a $250,000 roster bonus in the final year of his deal. The soon-to-be 34-year-old is a fine blocker, but he caught just nine passes for 51 yards last season, the lowest totals of his career. San Diego currently sits about $8 million over the salary cap.

Broncos officially assigned the franchise tag to LT Ryan Clady.
Executive VP John Elway announced the team was going to tag Clady two weeks ago, so this comes as no surprise. The Broncos and Clady haven't even discussed a long-term deal since the season, and that's mainly due to the fact that Clady needs shoulder surgery and will be sidelined five-to-six months. Denver wants to see how he comes back from that before committing major dollars. Clady is said to be seeking a contract similar to what Joe Thomas signed -- eight years and $92 million with $44 million guaranteed.

The Florida Times Union says it "appears likely" that the Jaguars won't re-sign SLB Daryl Smith.
Smith's offseason has been quiet, but he's one of the better 4-3 outside 'backers in the league when healthy. He played in just two games last season due to a groin injury, but he missed just four games in eight seasons before 2012. Chicago could be a landing spot with ex-Jags DC Mel Tucker.

Patriots released FB Spencer Larsen and waived OT Kyle Hix.
Larsen missed the entire 2012 season with an undisclosed injury, and he was due just a $750,000 base salary in 2013. Hix was waived/injured each of the last two seasons.

Updating a previous item, free agent DL Cullen Jenkins' visit with the Giants has ended and he will visit other teams this coming week.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported earlier that Jenkins has six other suitors, but the identity of those teams is unknown. Jenkins, 32, has proven to be a hot commodity since his Monday release from the Eagles.

Free agent LB Will Witherspoon plans to keep playing.
Witherspoon, 32, is an 11-year veteran, and he said his next goal is to get to 15 years in the league. He hasn't heard anything from the Titans, but he says he'd like to re-sign. Tennessee is likely to move on, though, and Witherspoon might have a tough go of it on the market.

[skinny21]

Uhh... wrong thread. Apologies.

[DC9]

As predicted:

Bears assigned the franchise tag to DT Henry Melton.
This was expected all along, and CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, as well as the Chicago Tribune, called it a "sure thing" earlier on Friday. The franchise tag carries a fully guaranteed $8.45 million price with it. Melton recorded six sacks in 2012, a year after racking up seven of them. Melton and the Bears are said to be "on opposite ends of the world" in long-term contract negotiations. They'll have until July 15 to try and hammer out a deal.

[son_sonn]

I guess we'll learn the team's feelings on Jackson shortly.

I think we should hold onto him if he can stay out of trouble. Wasn't Morris high on TJ?, and I believe we have him cheap for 2013 season, so why not

[DC9]

I think we should hold onto him if he can stay out of trouble. Wasn't Morris high on TJ?, and I believe we have him cheap for 2013 season, so why not

His 2012 contract will apply to 2013 if he's reinstated. We can't rely on him as an option for the first several weeks in the season because he isn't even eligible for reinstatement until 31 August. So best case scenario for TJ is he is re-instated, he is eligible for the pup and gets up to speed, or someone else is pup'ed and he gets to be a backup until he is ready to compete for a starting job or rotational role player.

I am a TJ fan, but that's really the only way he gets on the field or stays on the 53 during the 2013 season for the Redskins.

[MrJL]

I think we should hold onto him if he can stay out of trouble. Wasn't Morris high on TJ?, and I believe we have him cheap for 2013 season, so why not

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

[son_sonn]

Thats the part which sucks is he was suspended about week and half before season. TJ better have stayed in some shape if he plans on staying up to speed with the defense this year. I agree with you on being rotational role player. Stay Clean TJ!!!

[DC9]

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

there isn't. It's faith that PD93 rubbed off on him. Fred Davis has worked out and Trent Williams has worked out well after some time. Eventually players will have to mature into men on their own.

Is he worth it at his cost? A couple of posts above I gave my opinion on the only way he can stay on this team this season.

We talked about TJ for almost a whole day earlier in this thread, lol.

[MrJL]

there isn't. It's faith that PD93 rubbed off on him. Fred Davis has worked out and Trent Williams has worked out well after some time. Eventually players will have to mature into men on their own.

Is he worth it at his cost? A couple of posts above I gave my opinion on the only way he can stay on this team this season.

We talked about TJ for almost a whole day earlier in this thread, lol.

he's been suspended three times in three years. Davis and Williams made one mistake.

[skinny21]

he's been suspended three times in three years. Davis and Williams made one mistake.

Weren't the failed tests all in Tampa though? There is a chance that the change in culture/location/teammates made a difference.

Availability is still obviously a big issue/concern, but as a fourth or even 5th SAF I think he's worth the risk. That certainly doesn't mean you pencil him in as your starter or 3rd SAF though. Off the field issues aside, I'd rather him playing deep coverage than Doughty, Gomes or Williams.

[DC9]

he's been suspended three times in three years. Davis and Williams made one mistake.

Yep. Both after multiple failed tests. Like I said, it's faith. Cost vs reward.

---------- Post added March-1st-2013 at 11:32 PM ----------

Weren't the failed tests all in Tampa though? There is a chance that the change in culture/location/teammates made a difference.

Availability is still obviously a big issue/concern, but as a fourth or even 5th SAF I think he's worth the risk. That certainly doesn't mean you pencil him in as your starter or 3rd SAF though. Off the field issues aside, I'd rather him playing deep coverage than Doughty, Gomes or Williams.

They were all in Tampa, and it was known throughout the league that he was pending action. Which is why we got him for a song and dance. I think he's as talented a safety as you can find on the field. But it'll be tough to fit him in and even tougher to expect anything out of him until week 6 or so if he is.

But I agree, he's definitely more reliable in coverage than Williams.

[ddub52]

Dunta Robinson, Michael Turner and John Abraham were all released today. I wouldnt be opposed to bringing in Robinson but he probably wants a chance to start somewhere.