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

[MartinC]

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

Putting 'high' and Tavris Jackson in the same sentence - comedy gold

No decision is needed on Jackson now as he will not count against any roster limit or cap until he is reinstated which is the end of August at the earliest. I would think we would have to strike out on lots of other options before he comes back here.

[LaxinFish29]

Putting 'high' and Tavris Jackson in the same sentence - comedy gold

No decision is needed on Jackson now as he will not count against any roster limit or cap until he is reinstated which is the end of August at the earliest. I would think we would have to strike out on lots of other options before he comes back here.

I think Tanard is the name you're looking for.

[MartinC]

I think Tanard is the name you're looking for.

Good catch! Mind you I'm sure we would have no interest in Tavaris either ....

[Reaper 21]

I am on the fence about doughty but to keep a guy like Tj over him just does not seem right. Doughty played huge in the playoffs and is a leader on special teams and has had a great off the field reputation

[DC9]

Coach Dennis Allen said Terrelle Pryor must show he can handle being the starter before simply being given the job.
"You just can’t roll the dice in this league and hope something pans out," Allen said. "That’s not the way it works." Even though he is cautious, Allen made it clear he is a fan of Pryor and thinks he can develop into the starter. He just won’t be thrown into the starting lineup before it's time. Allen said if Pryor shows he is ready for the rigors of starting and shows the consistency to play regularly in the NFL, he will get the chance.

Free agent DL Cullen Jenkins is scheduled to visit Seahawks on Monday and 49ers on Tuesday.
Jenkins met with the Giants on Friday, and is reported to have as many as six possible suitors. According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins recorded 30 quarterback pressures last season, four of which he converted for sacks.

FS Jairus Byrd's franchise tag is non-exclusive.
This means that other NFL clubs can try and sign Byrd to an offer sheet. Buffalo has the right to match any offer, but if they choose not the Bills would be awarded a pair of first round picks by the club that signed Byrd away. The likelihood of a team parting with two first round picks for a safety is extremely slim.

The Panthers reworked S Haruki Nakamura's contract so that he's now only signed through 2013.
The sides ripped up Nakamura's old three-year, $4.8 million deal, and he essentially now has a brand-new one-year, $815,000 contract with $300,000 more available in incentives. He got a $65,000 signing bonus. Nakamura isn't assured of a roster spot, but he now has the contract of a strict special teamer.

Suspended FS Tanard Jackson remains under contract with the Redskins for 2013.
Jackson, suspended indefinitely for multiple violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy, had his $700,000 base salary from 2012 "tolled" into 2013. He is eligible for reinstatement beginning on August 31. The Redskins can't be counting on Jackson. Anything they get from him should be considered a big bonus.

The Florida Times Union suggests the Giants as a potential landing spot for free agent SLB Daryl Smith.
Smith has no strong coaching staff ties to the Giants, but New York is needy at linebacker and could consider Smith as a 31-year-old stopgap solution, assuming the price is right. We also like Chicago as a fit. New Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker has coached Smith for the past four seasons.

The NFL Players Association is backing free agent Jared Cook as he attempts to argue he's a wide receiver -- not a tight end.
Per Mike Clay's 2012 charted stats, Cook played 67 percent of his snaps in the slot and three percent outside. So he's going to have a very strong case. The franchise tag for a receiver is $10.537 million, and the tight-end tag is $6.066 million. We suspect the sides will wind up meeting somewhere in the middle.

Free agent John Abraham confirmed he has no intention of hanging up the cleats following Friday's release by the Falcons.
Abraham turns 35 in March. "Hopefully someone has enough trust in me and enough faith that I still got something in me," he said. "I still have a couple of more miles left on these wheels." Abraham is a situational pass rusher only at this stage, but he can still bring heat. He started 15-of-16 games last season en route to 10 sacks, six forced fumbles, and seven pass breakups.

Free agent Michael Turner confirmed following Friday's release that he has no plans to retire.
Turner turned 31 last month. As a declining running back who lacks passing-game chops and big-play ability, he will find a soft free-agent market. "I'm excited to begin a new chapter of my career," Turner said, alluding to his next team. "And truly believe I have a lot left in the tank." NFL clubs will disagree.

[LaxinFish29]

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.

Jets are a good fit for Robinson.

---------- Post added March-2nd-2013 at 12:07 PM ----------

Good catch! Mind you I'm sure we would have no interest in Tavaris either ....

I sure hope not.[COLOR="Gold"]

[windsofcreation]

Does anyone know anything about the status of Falcons S William Moore?

[DC9]

Does anyone know anything about the status of Falcons S William Moore?

I don't THINK he has been tagged yet... but Dimitroff hadn't ruled it out last I heard. And that was a couple of wees ago.

---------- Post added March-2nd-2013 at 12:33 PM ----------

Unrestricted free agent LB Nick Roach hopes to return to the Bears, but only if the price is right.
The Bears reportedly would like to re-sign Roach, but are not believed to have made him an official offer to return. Roach has primarily been a two-down player with the Bears, but showed that he's capable of playing in the nickel packages last season when he filled in for the injured Brian Urlacher. Roach is expected to generate interest on the open market when the free agent negotiating period begins on March 9. Teams can begin to sign unrestricted free agents on March 12.

ILB Takeo Spikes is a potential candidate for a pay cut in 2013.
The Chargers are about $8 million under the 2013 cap, which is reportedly set at $123 million. Spikes is entering the final season of a three-year deal with a base salary progressing from $2.875 million in 2012 to now $3 million in 2013. His contract, in its current form, will carry a $3.7 million cap value.

The Chiefs will be about $7.5 million under the salary cap when the league year begins on March 12.
They're going to need more than that if they want to tag Dwayne Bowe, which will cost Kansas City $11.4 million. The Chiefs can clear free up more cap space by releasing DE Tyson Jackson. His salary cap number is almost $17.5 million, and he's due a base salary of about $14.7 million. Releasing Jackson would cost the Chiefs $2.5 million, which would effectively save them $15 million against their salary cap. The Chiefs would also save almost $6 million against their cap when they trade or release Matt Cassel.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said that, if the Colts have earned the third pick or lower in 2012, they would have kept QB Peyton Manning.
"There’s this myth that there’s no loyalty in football," Irsay said. "Well, there’s tremendous loyalty and emotion and respect that go into the coaches and players you’ve gone into battle with. But as an owner you have to make the decisions that are the right ones for the organization, that are the right ones that will help you win. And you have to have a vision of how you’re going to get there.’’ That vision included releasing Manning on March 6 last year and selecting Andrew Luck with the first overall pick.

---------- Post added March-2nd-2013 at 01:11 PM ----------

Free agent SLB Justin Durant reiterated his desire to re-sign with the Lions.
"I definitely want to come back to the Lions and I hope we’ll be able to get something going," Durant said. Durant signed a two-year, $5.5-million deal with the Lions in 2011 during the strike-shorted offseason. This is Durant's third time through the free agent process. He signed with Detroit after his first four seasons in the league in Jacksonville. Since joining the Lions, Durant has started 23 of the 25 games he’s played in.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

Something has to give in the secondary. You imagine the team will try to bring in at least two safeties via draft and FA. A team typically keeps 5 safeties? Assuming Meriweather and the two new additions are there, you have to pick 2 from Gomes/Bernstine, Doughty, Jackson.

[skinny21]

Something has to give in the secondary. You imagine the team will try to bring in at least two safeties via draft and FA. A team typically keeps 5 safeties? Assuming Meriweather and the two new additions are there, you have to pick 2 from Gomes/Bernstine, Doughty, Jackson.

I'd be ok keeping Jackson and Doughty and putting Bernstine on the PS. I'd only ditch Jackson if both SAF we pick up can play the FS role. The problem I see keeping Jackson (aside from the obvious) is whether he'd be willing to play teams - something he'd almost have to do if he's our 4th or 5th safety.

[MartinC]

I'd be ok keeping Jackson and Doughty and putting Bernstine on the PS. I'd only ditch Jackson if both SAF we pick up can play the FS role. The problem I see keeping Jackson (aside from the obvious) is whether he'd be willing to play teams - something he'd almost have to do if he's our 4th or 5th safety.

The problem with keeping Jackson is he has a drug problem (insiders say its more than just a casual habit with Jackson) has not played for a full year (what do you think are the odds he has kept in shape) and is not eligible for reinstatement until the end of August meaning he misses the full preseason. Other than that I think he has a lot to offer....

Seriously a lot of things will have to go wrong with the draft, free agency and injuries if Jackson is to have any role as a Redskin this year.

[DC9]

Profootballtalk.com passes along "word" that free agent RT Andre Smith is seeking $9 million a year.
It'd be top-shelf left tackle money -- for a right tackle -- and a significant leap up from the contract signed late last week by Giants LT William Beatty, which averages $7.75 million annually. Smith recently turned 26 and was arguably the best right tackle in football last season. We tend to doubt Smith will get $9 million a year, but all bets are off if he reaches the open market.

The New York Post suggests the Buccaneers as a landing spot for free agent QB David Carr.
It's easy to connect dots from ex-Giants to the Bucs because Tampa Bay's defensive and offensive coordinators are both formerly Giants assistants. Carr will turn 34 before the season. If the Buccaneers truly have designs on bringing in legitimate competition for Josh Freeman, they'll aim higher than David Carr.

Cowboys re-signed C Phil Costa to a two-year contract.
He was previously slated for restricted free agency. Although Costa struggled with bad snaps in 2011, he's flashed difference-making run-blocking ability when healthy. Unfortunately, Costa missed 13 games in 2012 and had surgery to repair ligament damage in his right foot in late December. The Cowboys do anticipate he'll be ready for OTAs and project Costa as a long-term answer at center.

Free agent Steve Breaston is considering Regenokine therapy in an effort to cure persistent knee inflammation and early arthritic symptoms.
This explains a lot. Breaston has battled right knee problems on and off since 2009. They significantly affected his effectiveness late in his Cardinals tenure, and likely cost him explosiveness in Kansas City. Breaston has visited the Browns and Steelers, but neither signed him -- most likely because his right knee is a major issue again. Regenokine has been undergone by Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill, Alex Rodriguez, and most recently Gosder Cherilus.

[skinny21]

The problem with keeping Jackson is he has a drug problem (insiders say its more than just a casual habit with Jackson) has not played for a full year (what do you think are the odds he has kept in shape) and is not eligible for reinstatement until the end of August meaning he misses the full preseason. Other than that I think he has a lot to offer....

Seriously a lot of things will have to go wrong with the draft, free agency and injuries if Jackson is to have any role as a Redskin this year.

I hear you. I suppose it's the fact that we've had to rely on our 5th SAF at times recently and I'd like that guy to be someone with coverage skills. While I have a soft spot for Doughty, I don't want to see him or Gomes on the field much. Bernstine is a question mark. Even if we pick up 2 safeties, I'm concerned about who mans the other spot or two. That, to me, is the only reason Jackson should still be in the conversation.

[DC9]

The Titans are expected to open talks with free agent KR Darius Reynaud.
Reynaud is one the Titans' biggest priorities this offseason. Despite being limited to special teams, he shouldn't struggle to attract offers if he's allowed to hit the open market. NFL Network reported that the Browns could have interest in Reynaud as a replacement for Josh Cribbs.

A tweet from free agent Randy Moss on Saturday indicated he's been informed he won't be retained by the 49ers.
"Wished we could've finished the job!!" Moss tweeted, referring to the Niners' Super Bowl loss. "Thanks for the opportunity an(d) good luck in the future 9ers." Rotoworld free-agent wiz Nick Mensio ranks Moss 11th among available receivers, behind the likes of Kevin Ogletree, Jerome Simpson, and Donnie Avery.

The New York Post reports that the Giants still aren't close to a deal with free agent LG Kevin Boothe.
Boothe was a full-time starter and graded out as an above-average run blocker last season. The Giants don't have any proven depth behind him, but it's looking like he won't be re-signed before the start of free agency. Selvish Capers and fourth-round pick Brandon Mosley are in-house candidates to replace Boothe. The Giants could also move David Diehl to guard in 2013.

An NFL source predicted to the New York Daily News that the Darrelle Revis situation with the Jets will get "very ugly."
"I think it’s going to get ugly, very ugly," said the source. "You can’t trade your best player. You do everything to keep him. It’s going to get ugly with the player and the agent. I don’t know how you get around it. It’s very difficult." The source predicted Revis would command "a No. 1 and a No. 3" in terms of draft-pick compensation if the Jets traded him before he proves he's healthy.

Updating a previous item, Giants LT Will Beatty's new five-year contract is worth $37.5 million.
The sum was announced at $38.75 million, but that includes $1.25 million in escalators available on Beatty's 2014-2017 salaries that may or may not be earned. Beatty's contract is fully guaranteed in 2013 and 2014, and he'll collect $24 million over the first three years. The deal's annual average is $7.5 million.

Appearing on ESPNews Saturday, John Clayton suggested that free agent LT Jake Long "could go to Chicago" if he hits the market.
And hit the market Long will likely do, as he's yet to deem any of the Dolphins' contract offers sufficient and is not a candidate for the franchise tag. The Bears are obviously in the market for offensive line help, and have plenty of salary cap space. Both Long and Branden Albert would be fits in Chicago.

Redskins CB Chase Minnifield is now experiencing problems with his left knee after tearing his right ACL in last year's minicamp.
Dating back to high school, Minnifield has torn the right ACL twice and also undergone a microfracture procedure on that knee. When performing Minnifield's last ACL surgery, Dr. James Andrews used a graft from his left patellar tendon, and now Minnifield is essentially rehabbing both knees. Minnifield "hopes" to be ready for OTAs. The Skins obviously can't count him him for a 2013 role.

Profootballtalk.com passes along "word" that free agent RT Andre Smith is seeking $9 million a year.
It'd be top-shelf left tackle money -- for a right tackle -- and a significant leap up from the contract signed late last week by Giants LT William Beatty, which averages $7.5 million annually. Smith recently turned 26 and was arguably the best right tackle in football last season. We tend to doubt Smith will get $9 million a year, but all bets are off if he reaches the open market.

[RWJ]

Redskins CB Chase Minnifield is now experiencing problems with his left knee after tearing his right ACL in last year's minicamp. Dating back to high school, Minnifield has torn the right ACL twice and also undergone a microfracture procedure on that knee. When performing Minnifield's last ACL surgery, Dr. James Andrews used a graft from his left patellar tendon, and now Minnifield is essentially rehabbing both knees. Minnifield "hopes" to be ready for OTAs. The Skins obviously can't count him him for a 2013 role.

Ashame, but Minnefield's knees are a mess. He has the talent but his body isn't willing.