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]

It's actually not too hard of a decision... You offer him a team friendly, injury clause, prove it contract... If he's got the heart for this team then he will take it. If he doesn't, he wasn't meant to be here in the first place. I doubt we'd low ball him but I think somewhere in the $3 million max range would be a good start or maybe $6.5 for two years. If he's simply chasing the money, he's not going to get a much better deal than that. I think most teams are expecting him to be here anyway.

I was hamming it up with Rich Tandler earlier today, he was saying he's thinking "$6 mil per and up to four years" for Freddy D (from other teams). There's just no way I can support that. Not in this cap climate and not coming off of this kind of injury.

I'm with you, I would start at about $3 but I couldn't go above $4.5 at the very most. And that's him holding my family hostage.

---------- Post added February-26th-2013 at 10:58 PM ----------

Zo just went hero on Uncle DC9's list of favs. Go ahead you big stallion:

Free agent ILB Lorenzo Alexander says he hopes to re-sign with the Redskins, but that their intial offer was "not close" to what he's looking for.
Both sides want to get a deal done, while Alexander says he's willing to take a small hometown discount. "I’m willing to take less for the Redskins, but they have to be close. They can’t be way off." A special teams linchpin, Alexander played 308 snaps on defense in 2012.

NFL.com's Albert Breer reports the Steelers have cleared $5 million in cap space by restructuring ILB Lawrence Timmons' contract.
Timmons was due "just" $5.375 million in 2013, so it would appear his salary has been chopped down to the veteran's minimum, with the rest of the money being converted to a bonus that will be pro-rated over the final four years of his deal. Per Breer, Ben Roethlisberger is next in line to restructure.

[Dukes and Skins]

I believe I was speaking with you and Tandler then DC9! I was in the Fred Davis conversation

[DogofWar1]

6 million a year is a bit high for Davis. 4.5M is more in line with what I'd prefer. I was kind of using Celek's 8 year, 34M (4.25M/year) contract as a rough guide, but a little bit shorter is good, maybe something like 6Y/26M.

What I would do is give him a base contract around 4M a year, but have incentives that if met can raise it to 7M a year after the first year. Make the bar for 5M a year pretty low (like 400 yards) so he's pretty much guaranteed to make that in his 2nd year, but then make him work for the couple million more (like 800 yards for 6M, 1K for 7M).

[skinny21]

6 million a year is a bit high for Davis. 4.5M is more in line with what I'd prefer. I was kind of using Celek's 8 year, 34M (4.25M/year) contract as a rough guide, but a little bit shorter is good, maybe something like 6Y/26M.

What I would do is give him a base contract around 4M a year, but have incentives that if met can raise it to 7M a year after the first year. Make the bar for 5M a year pretty low (like 400 yards) so he's pretty much guaranteed to make that in his 2nd year, but then make him work for the couple million more (like 800 yards for 6M, 1K for 7M).

I could see numbers like that, I like the incentive angle for sure. Can we swing the initial hit? I know we can, but do we push, say, an extra million off? And how much do you see guaranteed? I like re-signing Davis to further allow us to go pure BPA.

With that said, I wouldn't mind drafting someone who could play both SAF spots* to cover both the possibility of Meriweather leaving next year, and the possibility that we aren't able to land a viable starter in FA.

*Thomas is the only guy off the top of my head but there are others, correct?

[Skinsinparadise]

Free agent ILB Lorenzo Alexander says he hopes to re-sign with the Redskins, but that their intial offer was "not close" to what he's looking for.
Both sides want to get a deal done, while Alexander says he's willing to take a small hometown discount. "I’m willing to take less for the Redskins, but they have to be close. They can’t be way off." A special teams linchpin, Alexander played 308 snaps on defense in 2012.

Alexander is a great special teams player but not the be all and end all player beyond that. It's great that he can play multiple positions but I think they could live without it. Another great special teams player who is 30, Cribbs is asking for 2 million a year. I wonder what Alexander wants? it makes me wonder, if the 2 sides are way off, is Alexander looking for a big pay day? Wonder if he'd get it. People say the Steelers via Danny Smith would pursue him but the Steelers are pragmatic, so i doubt they'd outbid us for a special teams specialist.

[KDawg]

Sianara, Zo.

[DC9]

I believe I was speaking with you and Tandler then DC9! I was in the Fred Davis conversation

Yeah UK was there too. He is such a good dude for that. He and Keim always take time to talk to us. Joe White is pretty good with me, too, but it's normally whitty jokes about innapropriate topics.

---------- Post added February-27th-2013 at 08:56 AM ----------

Alexander is a great special teams player but not the be all and end all player beyond that. It's great that he can play multiple positions but I think they could live without it. Another great special teams player who is 30, Cribbs is asking for 2 million a year. I wonder what Alexander wants? it makes me wonder, if the 2 sides are way off, is Alexander looking for a big pay day? Wonder if he'd get it. People say the Steelers via Danny Smith would pursue him but the Steelers are pragmatic, so i doubt they'd outbid us for a special teams specialist.

I'm still in the camp that would rather move on from Zo IF we are sold on Muckelroy and So'oto being able to fill that role. He is a fantastic teams guy and TEAM guy, but I just don't know if he has the upside at this point over younger and faster role guys like Muck, So'oto, RJax. I mean we are thicker than a 2lbs porterhouse at LB going into this offseason with Rak coming back.

The only way he has a shot for me is if London doesn't come back, and I honestly see London announcing before the season that this will be his last year.

[Koolblue13]

This talk of no London and Zo makes me sad, but I know the truth.

[DC9]

This talk of no London and Zo makes me sad, but I know the truth.

I think London is coming back, KB. I forget who it was (EDIT: I think it was Mike Jones from the interview on the OP on the Sports Fix), but one of the beat guys said there is "no chance" he isn't coming back and basically everything he and the team are doing is schtick (like the Titanic pic Garcon posted a week or so ago saying "Come back"). Zo is a coin toss, but there are a lot of young LBs that have been brought in the last couple of seasons to be excited about if that's the case.

---------- Post added February-27th-2013 at 09:08 AM ----------

CSN Bay Area considers TE Delanie Walker the 49ers' second most likely player to get the franchise tag.
If the Niners don't tag FS Dashon Goldson, they could slap the versatile Walker with the $5.968 million tag. However, that's a lot to pay for a No. 2 tight end/core special teamer that caught just 21 balls in 2012. CSN notes that if the Niners are willing to spend that much on Walker, they could get him locked into a long-term deal

A source tells the Daily News that the Jets were "actively" shopping Darrelle Revis during the Combine.
GM John Idzik didn't meet with Revis' agents in Indy because he apparently has no intention of signing him to a long-term deal. Per the Daily News, "several" interested teams are now "doing their homework" to figure out what it would take to get the rehabbing shutdown corner signed beyond the 2013 season. However, a deal is likely not imminent because Revis is just five months removed from his ACL tear. If he looks like his old self in August, the Jets will squeeze a first-round pick out of the deal.

Free agent QB Charlie Batch wants to play in 2013.

http://www.rotoworld.com/sports/nfl/football

[Koolblue13]

I think London is coming back, KB. I forget who it was, but one of the beat guys said there is "no chance" he isn't coming back and basically everything he and the team are doing is schtick (like the Titanic pic Garcon posted a week or so ago saying "Come back"). Zo is a coin toss, but there are a lot of young LBs that have been brought in the last couple of seasons to be excited about if that's the case.

I know. London had a bad first half of the year last year, because of a nagging injury and probably shouldn't have been on the field. Zo isn't a starter. He is just a guy I'm so use to cheering for on this team. I'm excited for our future at LB. It's a young hungry group. I guess it's the Cooley syndrome.

[Skinsinparadise]

HTTR24-7.com @ HTTR24_7
Skins dealing with money issues. Will target Greg Toler and not sure who else yet. @hiramboyd

HTTR24-7.com @ HTTR24_7
@Atticus_Bailey IF the cap stays as is then Fred will hit Free Agency.

[DC9]

HTTR24-7.com @ HTTR24_7
Skins dealing with money issues. Will target Greg Toler and not sure who else yet. @hiramboyd

HTTR24-7.com @ HTTR24_7
@Atticus_Bailey IF the cap stays as is then Fred will hit Free Agency.

Those were from last night right? I just want an accurate date for the OP.

[Bleed B&G]

Dan Graziano ‏@espn_nfceast
Report: Alexander rejected Skins' first offer http://es.pn/WhO1PM

[KDawg]

Don't get me wrong here... I like Zo for his attitude, his flexibility and his team attitude. But, am I the only one that's not impressed with him as a football player? We can find a guy to fill his special teams role for less than he's asking and be fine. He's great at that role, without a doubt. But I'm not stuck on him being a part of our roster. I'm totally indifferent to him.

[DC9]

Dan Graziano ‏@espn_nfceast
Report: Alexander rejected Skins' first offer http://es.pn/WhO1PM

Wow... see if I invite you to the reunion Zo.

There are 5 other dudes on the team that can be coached up to play well on special teams. But I think you are topped out on potential at LB. Don't over value yourself, please. #ToughLove

---------- Post added February-27th-2013 at 09:57 AM ----------

Don't get me wrong here... I like Zo for his attitude, his flexibility and his team attitude. But, am I the only one that's not impressed with him as a football player? We can find a guy to fill his special teams role for less than he's asking and be fine. He's great at that role, without a doubt. But I'm not stuck on him being a part of our roster. I'm totally indifferent to him.

No you are not, KD.

---------- Post added February-27th-2013 at 10:10 AM ----------

Free agent ILB Dannell Ellerbe confirmed that he wants to re-sign with the Ravens.
"My heart is in Baltimore, I love Baltimore, I love the fans," Ellerbe said. He did note that the money will play a part in his decision, making a hometown discount unlikely. The Ravens will turn their attention to Ellerbe after getting the Joe Flacco situation handled.

CBS' Jason La Canfora reiterates that the Chiefs are the team most likely to have a trade in place for Alex Smith.
The Cardinals have shown some interest in Smith, but the Niners aren't going to deal him in the division and their offer was reportedly "weak" anyway. After trading for Kevin Kolb two years ago, giving up more assets for another backup quarterback wouldn't make much sense. Especially when Smith's conservative, check-down style doesn't mesh with the scheme new coach Bruce Arians will install.

The Chicago Tribune does not expect free agent CB D.J. Moore to re-sign with the Bears.
Moore was benched last season, falling behind nickel corner Kelvin Hayden. With defensive backs coach Jon Hoke still in town, it's unlikely the new regime will change their tune. Moore is out No. 38 corner available in free agency.

The Chicago Tribune says the Bears will "probably" try to re-sign free agent CB Kelvin Hayden.
Hayden functioned well as the Bears' nickel corner last season, acting as the third wheel behind starters Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings. With the free agent cornerback pool exceptionally deep, the Bears won't have to break the bank to bring him back.