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]

I like Shaun Cody, I watch a lot of Texan games. IMHO, we don't really need him. Might as well just keep Cofield at the nose.

I said it before a few pages back... Cofield has done a very admirable job at the nose, but could be dominant at end since he's arguably our best all around DLineman. Being able to have a versatile line is key in our scheme. Shaun Cody can also do the same, and so can Jenkins. Get Baker back and we would have lines of

Cofield-Cody-Carriker, Bowen-Baker-Jenkins... All can be swapped. Say goodbye to Golston/Nield. Add another all around DLineman like Ricky Jean-Francois/Desmond Bryant as well for their versatility. You have to pick up guys like these before they hit their full potential. RJF and Bryant are just now getting increased playing time and doing the most with it. Very under the radar guys. Bryant is overshadowed by Seymour and RJF is overshadowed by the 49ers unit as a whole. They can do some damage in our defense.

True 3-4 defenses begin at the Nose... the backbone.

[Monk4thaHALL]

I'm glad we get to keep Raheem (so far). The players really put out for him. I'd be interested to see what this staff can do with all of the talent this team has assembled.

That said, I'd love to see Slowic out and someone new in here to coach LBs.

If you're talking about a coach with specialty for LBs, I know of two that recently lost their jobs. Bob Babich, the long tenured LB coach for Chicago under Lovie Smith. Smith brought Babich into the NFL in 2003 while with St. Louis. Their timelines crossed back in the 80s, at Tulsa, where Babich played LB and eventually post-graduate coach. Smith was the LB coach there.

When Smith went to Chicago in 2004, so too did Babich. Starting with chicago in 2004, he was the LB coach and at different times held the title assistant HC and Defensive coordinator. The latest info is that the entire Chicago defensive staff will be let go. And latest rumor has Babich going to Jacksonville to work again with Gus Bradley. The two worked together at North Dakota St. (90s).

And Smith himself, who's background was a longtime Line Backers coach. Again, going with the theme of Morris, a HC who was fired (some believe prematurely or flat-out incorrectly).

I put scheme aside, much like with Morris, when a good coach is available, you got to make a call. At least I'd call Smith.

But in either case, both guys are looked at, for the minimum, as coordinators, not position coaches. And that's kind-of tangent, divergent, to what you're talking about here.

Beyond that I know of Bob Gregory, at Boise State, who is the joint LB coach and titled assistant HC. He's had various defensive coordinator jobs as well (long tenure at Cal). His background was secondary early on in his career, more recently he's been the LB coach at Boise.

Derek Mason is a guy that I've been following at Stanford. He's a former collegiate CB. He's coached on the offensive side of the ball (WR & RB) at previous stints, as well as secondary in college and Pros. His background really is secondary. He too is an assistant HC title and co-Defensive coordinator at Stanford.

This is neither here nor there, but I've spent a lot of time breaking down the oregon team this year, offense and defense. And outside maybe the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL, there's not another defensive coordinator with the same level of complexity and confusion on any given blitz package, than what you'll see from Nick Aliotti. I've only seen Baltimore create or re-create the same type of blitzes and complexity of pressures, zone blitzes or amoeba fronts.

[SemperFi Skins]

I'd call Kirby Smart before anyone... He's a Linebacker-minded DC for Alabama... Hell, I'd throw him right into DC for the 'Skins.

I've been advocating for this dude for a long time. He's noteably taken Georgia's and Alabama's defenses to the top and produced a number of first round linebackers. His defenses speak for themselves and they play the 3-4.

Or bring back Kirk Olivadatti. He tutored London Fletcher and Orakpo to their first Pro Bowl and now works for a dominant Georgia Defense.

[Monk4thaHALL]

Desmond Bryant (OAK) - DT - Receiving more playing time as the season went on, Bryant was an impressive under- the- radar player for the Raiders who will definitely be one of the higher priorities for Oakland this offseason. Though his statistics and highlight reel don't jump off the page, his solid run defense and pass- rushing ability will be rewarded this offseason by Oakland as the team looks to shed veterans (and more importantly, their salaries) and retain young players with starter potential.

Bryant is not getting out of Oak. I'd be totally surprised if he did, even considering their cap troubles. Mckenzie is high in him and I might add so too is the divided fanbase. Very few things are consensus with the oakland following but Bryant seems to be one of them. And at this time of their rebuild, keeping at least one player that fans can unite on is a victory in some measure.

[LaRonDontLikeUgly]

Put me down as a BRO who would take William Moore over Dashon Goldson any day of the week.

Younger, faster, and hits just as hard. In my opinion, there is just more upside here and he's also a leader in the locker room.

Dude is playing with a tight hamstring right now, but keep an eye on him this weekend--- he's a really exciting player to watch when healthy.

[MLSKINS]

I said it before a few pages back... Cofield has done a very admirable job at the nose, but could be dominant at end since he's arguably our best all around DLineman. Being able to have a versatile line is key in our scheme. Shaun Cody can also do the same, and so can Jenkins. Get Baker back and we would have lines of

Cofield-Cody-Carriker, Bowen-Baker-Jenkins... All can be swapped. Say goodbye to Golston/Nield. Add another all around DLineman like Ricky Jean-Francois/Desmond Bryant as well for their versatility. You have to pick up guys like these before they hit their full potential. RJF and Bryant are just now getting increased playing time and doing the most with it. Very under the radar guys. Bryant is overshadowed by Seymour and RJF is overshadowed by the 49ers unit as a whole. They can do some damage in our defense.

True 3-4 defenses begin at the Nose... the backbone.

I see. So the point of adding Cody was to not only make the line stronger, but more versatile.

[SemperFi Skins]

Bryant is not getting out of Oak. I'd be totally surprised if he did, even considering their cap troubles. Mckenzie is high in him and I might add so too is the divided fanbase. Very few things are consensus with the oakland following but Bryant seems to be one of them. And at this time of their rebuild, keeping at least one player that fans can unite on is a victory in some measure.

Dually noted, sir. They may have him locked up before March 12 gets here... I'm looking out for slim possibilities...

"So you're saying there's a chance... YEA!"

---------- Post added January-18th-2013 at 01:54 PM ----------

I see. So the point of adding Cody was to not only make the line stronger, but more versatile.

Extremely versatile... It's rare to see the bigger, 330+ lineman stay in as every down lineman. With our group, much like the Texans, you build interchangeable lines and guys who can rotate to the ends. As we sit, Baker is just about only big bodied NT we have who's main/only position is NT. I just can't even imagine those lines I mentioned with the addition of Orakpo/Kerrigan on the outs and Rob Jackson waiting in the wings...

Good things coming, fellas. Real good things.

[Alcoholic Zebra]

Extremely versatile... It's rare to see the bigger, 330+ lineman stay in as every down lineman. With our group, much like the Texans, you build interchangeable lines and guys who can rotate to the ends. As we sit, Baker is just about only big bodied NT we have who's main/only position is NT. I just can't even imagine those lines I mentioned with the addition of Orakpo/Kerrigan on the outs and Rob Jackson waiting in the wings...

Good things coming, fellas. Real good things.

We do get Chris Neild and Carriker coming back. With our massive cap issues, I'm not sure we can sign a NT.

Jarvis Jenkins, Bowen, Carriker, Cofield, Neild, and Baker. These are the guys who should be getting minutes on the d-line. I think that Cofield will be getting minutes at other spots as well (he already is to a small degree).

[SemperFi Skins]

Let me break a lil sumthin' sumthin' down about the Safeties... Current franchise tag would be 6.4 mil/year.

I put Dashon Goldson on my list, but let me throw out some reasons as to why Louis Delmas is our only realistic option besides keeping Meriweather (3.5mil) and Tanard Jackson (FA)...

Dashon Goldson - Premier Safety, wanted over 8 mil/year just last year, which we can not afford. Likely to be kept with the franchise tag or tender

William Moore - Finishing his rookie contract, and Atlanta has the funds to pay this man big time. He's quickly becoming premier. Possible perennial probowler.

Jairus Byrd - Bills opened up contract talks with Byrd, though they did not go far. Easy choice for franchise tag if he doesn't get long term.

Louis Delmas - Missed half the season, and missed dearly when he's not playing. Reliable and hard hitting. Injuries should drop his price tag, but this may also mean the Lions can retain him.

[Monk4thaHALL]

Dually noted, sir. They may have him locked up before March 12 gets here... I'm looking out for slim possibilities...

"So you're saying there's a chance... YEA!"

You are right about Seymour's contract. Reggie McKenzie re-did his deal prior to the season, to get the team under the cap. That's why he has such a small base for 2012, but likewise why his base shoots up beyond 7 million in the subsequent years.

Seymour lowered his $7.5 million fully guaranteed base salary to the league minimum ($925,000) with the remaining $6.575 million converted to a guaranteed roster bonus that will be treated as a signing bonus for salary cap purposes.

Seymour's adjusted base salary is fully guaranteed and another season was tacked onto Seymour's contract to allow the roster bonus to be prorated over the maximum allowable number of years (five).

I've read different places that there might still be a cap hit, but maybe not - IDK.

The team will take a $5.26 million cap hit

(6.575 - 925K)?
__

Anyway, McKenzie is sly, the restructure contract voids if playing time criteria isn't met and it was not. He only played in 8 games.

So, I do think despite Bryant however, you are on to something with Seymour.

Whether I'd want him here is a different story. I think he's good, but runs hot and cold.

You see, with my previous scenario of either Lovie or Babich, it might help pull on the heart strings of someone like Henry Melton - who I like much more so than Seymour. Younger and fresher and ostensibly better pass rusher too.

Anyway to your point - seymour was a 5-Tech with new england for a long time. He's good, but getting up there in age and I don't know how much of a prove it contract he'd actually be up for. I will say that despite some high marks from PFF, again, his motor ran hot and cold the times I really focused on him, while in Oak.

I think the general feeling was that he was being paid to be a dominate game changer and he really wasn't at that level.

[SemperFi Skins]

We do get Chris Neild and Carriker coming back. With our massive cap issues, I'm not sure we can sign a NT.

Jarvis Jenkins, Bowen, Carriker, Cofield, Neild, and Baker. These are the guys who should be getting minutes on the d-line. I think that Cofield will be getting minutes at other spots as well (he already is to a small degree).

I just don't put much stock in Nield... I look at the Giants game and he showed some flashes but I wouldn't be to sure he sticks around. We've proven we are a contender by now... I need proven difference makers. I'd give him his shot in mini camps and all, but strong competition is needed and im preparing for an vastly improved and intense pass rush from all directions.

Carriker is a huge bonus and a workout warrior so I'm not worried about him as much.

---------- Post added January-18th-2013 at 02:15 PM ----------

Richard Seymour...

That's why I like the idea of possibly vet min... His injury cost him a ton of production. A 1-2 year contract is all he should be expecting anyways. We will always be developing new players redgardless but vet presence is always accepted, especially for us as a true contender now.

---------- Post added January-18th-2013 at 02:19 PM ----------

Henry Melton.

He is an animal for sure. Definitely one of the top interior pass rushers. I can see him commanding some big dollars...

[pjfootballer]

Why bring in competition for Kai? He proved his worth...kickoffs are another story I agree, but maybe he can get better offseason if he actually works on it. A punter who can kickoff.....agreed, might be worth it.

Just a hunch from our history so far that even though Kai had a great season, Shanny usually brings 2 kickers to camp.

---------- Post added January-18th-2013 at 04:03 PM ----------

If he wins the kicking job? I'd say the chances of there being a kicking competition are slim to none.

The kickoffs thing is overrated anyway. That'd be way down on my list of worries this offseason. If a kickoff specialist that could punt well fell into my lap, then fine, but I wouldn't lose sleep over it

Shanny has brought at least 2 kickers to camp every year. Even though our coverage teams did really well on kickoffs this year, you can never trust a Danny Smith coached group. I'd rather have a guy who can boom it through the endzone every time then risk a kickoff return. Kai will have to improve. I know he said it's been a while since he's done kickoffs, but I'd rather the other team didn't start at the 35 every time.

[SemperFi Skins]

Dan Graziano just posted a new blog on:

The Redskins' need for a new right tackle.

Basically states the reasoning behind going with what we already have and resigning Polumbus. Don't look for us to make any big splashes...

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post...a-right-tackle

[NewEraofSkins08]

I wouldn't mind getting Seymour if he's asking for a reasonable price. I think there's no question we're a contender next year, and I think that's what he's looking to be on at this point in his career. Solid 3-4 DE and vet. leadership.

[SemperFi Skins]

The main reason for the Raiders letting him walk is because of their rebuild. I don't want people thinking he's being let go cus "he's done" or some BS like that. He's still dominating. Truthfully he hasn't really shown too much of a decline.

At the right price, the Raiders loss is our gain since we are true contenders. He is an absolute monster. We were already top 5 in the run game without Carriker and Orakpo... Bring in Seymour/Cody and the other guys i've beat the dead horse on and our pass rush would be just as freakish.

A dominating D and high scoring O is the recipe for a... dare I say... Dynasty. Sing it with me now, Hail To The Redskins, Hail Victory!