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]

Hightower would have fit the role perfectly. Too bad about the injury. Did he ever make it back on another team later in the season?

No he didn't. He worked out for a team but I don't remember who. Maybe New England? I might be thinking of Portis.

I liked THT a lot, he was very complete but he didn't do anything special. I think if we grab a RB it would have to be more of a scat back like a Sproiles, Woodhead, Stephens-Howling type.

[darrelgreenie]

Yeah but then we are lookin for Banks replacement and not Moss replacement...

Scratches head....shrugs...okay?

[NIKKI8]

Does anyone think Chris Chester is a canidate to be released? I don't know how much they would save by releasing him but he has 3 years left on his contract at over 4 million each year. They drafted 2 guards last year and Mo Hurt is on the roster. I know Chester's play improved last season but he is making alot of money for his production. With Kory L also a free agent I guess it would be tough to replace both guards, but there might be cheaper options out there than Chester.

[Genghis Khan]

Does anyone think Chris Chester is a canidate to be released? I don't know how much they would save by releasing him but he has 3 years left on his contract at over 4 million each year. They drafted 2 guards last year and Mo Hurt is on the roster. I know Chester's play improved last season but he is making alot of money for his production. With Kory L also a free agent I guess it would be tough to replace both guards, but there might be cheaper options out there than Chester.

I think Kory could be replaced but not Chester. The only way they release Chester is if they feel Josh and Kory could make a good tandem.

[SkinsAce]

What about Andy Levitre to replace Lich and pair with Chester? Looks like he is going to hit FA per Rotoworld: http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5310/andy-levitre

Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia is growing "less optimistic by the day" that the team will re-sign free agent LG Andy Levitre.
Levitre doesn't seem to be a candidate for the franchise tag, and team president Russ Brandon has said the team will only use it as a last resort. FS Jairus Byrd is the more likely candidate, anyway. Levitre, 27 in May, is intent on shopping for the best offer, and he's our No. 1 free-agent guard on the market. Feb 21 - 1:34 PM

He is not in the OP under OL. However, from what I have read he seems to be a great fit for the ZBS. His scouting report post combine from nfl.com: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...vitre?id=71363


Overview

A two-time all-conference tackle for the Beavers, Levitre's pro future is likely at offensive guard. Scouts are impressed with Levitre's overall athleticism, but question if he'll be able to handle the speed of NFL edge rushers. Levitre's frame is also more conducive to the battling inside, though he may need to become stronger. The position switch won't be anything new for Levitre, a three-year starter, who has seen action at every position along the offensive line for the Beavers (except for center), including tight end. Had an arm span of 32 1/2 inches and a hand span of 9 1/2 inches at the combine.

Analysis


Positives: Good initial quickness off the snap. ... Physical initial punch. ... Recoils quickly and with balance. ... At least adequate flexibility and foot quickness to block in space. ... Gets to the second level quickly. ... Good vision to locate the secondary target and has the body control to hit the moving target. ... Good use of leverage and leg drive in short-yardage situations. ... Experienced at both tackle and guard positions. ... Durable; finished his career starting 36 consecutive games.

Negatives: Lacks the height, arm length and foot speed preferred at offensive tackle. ... Marginal depth on his initial kick-slide to handle speed rushers. ... Effective short-area run blocker due to technique, but not a masher. ... Marginal upper-body strength as drive blocker.

[thesubmittedone]

^^If Devin Hester could be used as RB I would be all over that; but he hasn't been used in that role very much/if at all in the NFL.
But have a RB that could shift to WR and be mismatch for a LB/S would be a huge benefit to this offense.

I agree, but I wonder if our coaches don't really care that a guy like Hester can't run out of the backfield. Look at how they used Banks. Hester is basically an upgraded (quite considerably) Banks and we saw just how bad Mike and Kyle wanted to add that type of dimension to the offense.

But, I'm with you. A guy like that who can also take a hand off is much more valuable and poses an even bigger threat to the defense.

[Chump Bailey]

What about Andy Levitre to replace Lich and pair with Chester?

I think he would be a great fit. I wanted us to select him when he declared a few years ago.

[Voice_of_Reason]

I think Kory could be replaced but not Chester. The only way they release Chester is if they feel Josh and Kory could make a good tandem.

I agree. Though I think that Kory was one of the most consistent OL last year. But his contract is up. However, I think the biggest chance is that the replacement is already on the roster in one of Adam Gettis, Josh LeRebius or big Mo Hurt. My money is on LeRebius, but who knows.

They used a 3rd round pick on Josh, and a 5th on Gettis in the 2012 draft. Big Mo was a 7th rounder in 2011. That's 3 draft picks on guards in the last 2 drafts that are still on the roster.

I'm guessing that if Shanahan kept picking these guys with draft picks, eventually, he'd like them to to play

Same with Tom Compton. Granted, 6th round, but he started a couple games early in pre-season, and didn't look terrible.

With the 18M cap penalty, I am betting that what Shanahan and Allen REALLY want is that the guys they've picked in the last couple of years to step up so they don't have to go out and find players in FA.

[DC9]

Put it this way... you don't hear Chris Chester's name called a lot at all... good or bad. For a linemen, that usually means you are doing your job. He's also not missed a game since he's been here.

[Voice_of_Reason]

Put it this way... you don't hear Chris Chester's name called a lot at all... good or bad. For a linemen, that usually means you are doing your job. He's also not missed a game since he's been here.

He's been one of the most consistent OL in this scheme for the past 2 years. He was a great FA pickup, and I don't think he's going anywhere either.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

I think our OL is fine. Of course it depends on what the team thinks of Compton, but I would trust their judgment if they were to roll with him at RT. Adam Levitre will command a lot of money ... I don't think that would make any sense considering we have LeReibus/Gettis/Hurt. Aside from some camp bodies/vet depth I can't see this team doing much in FA outside of the back 7 on defense and TE/RB/RT on offense.

[ZRagone]

I could almost see Lynch being our "Ryan Clark"....scooping up an under the radar player who didn't get the attention because of the guy he played next to, and then having that guy be a stout cornerstone of the defense for some time.

[J-bomb]

I'm down with adding josh cribbs he can replace 2 players moss an banks, and he plays on punt coverage team! Shoot he can throw out the backfield if needed to....

[MartinC]

I think he would be a great fit. I wanted us to select him when he declared a few years ago.

We will not be spending money on the guard position in free agency given our cap situation and other needs - dont forget we drafted two last year. I think we let Lich walk and plug LeRibus in at LG. I expect S, CB and maybe RT to be where we spend whatever free agent cap space we can scrape together.

[pjfootballer]

He looks like a solid FS for our scheme who would likely come relatively cheap, probably around 2.5-3.5M a year. Combined with our limited picks, and the fact that some of the likely better safeties seem to be moving up the boards (Cyprian is creeping up and some mocks now have him going in the 1st), he might be the best FS option for this year. Also, if we were to secure guys like Lynch and Toler, we could go BPA in the draft, which is always nice.

We don't have limited picks. To me limited picks is only having 4 picks in a 7 round draft. We have 7 picks, which is the full complement, with exception of our first. We had 9 picks last year and 12 the year before under ShanAllen. Thing is, there are only so many roster spots for rookies, so I'm not sure you want to have 10-12 picks every year.

---------- Post added February-22nd-2013 at 10:12 AM ----------

No he didn't. He worked out for a team but I don't remember who. Maybe New England? I might be thinking of Portis.

I liked THT a lot, he was very complete but he didn't do anything special. I think if we grab a RB it would have to be more of a scat back like a Sproiles, Woodhead, Stephens-Howling type.

I agree with you. I'm not so sure where all the "love" for Hightower comes from. He wasn't anything special, he didn't do one thing great and he wasn't really that effective.

Everyone keeps bringing up his blocking. So what? We don't have a pocket passer like Brunell, Campbell, Grossman or Beck. We move the pocket with Griffin, so we just don't need a fierce Portis-like blocker in there. Hightower was averaging less than 4 yards a carry and could never really find the holes in the ZBS like Morris can. Hightower was probably a below average pass catcher and was not suited to be a thrid down back, as he lacked great hands and speed.

The legend of THT is so overblown in here you think the guy ran for 2000 yards and 30 TDs. Hightower was average AT BEST and I really wish people would stop hoping he'll return to the team. We picked up Ryan Grant before we went back to Hightower. That should tell his fanclub something right there. He's not coming back. Let's move on.