# 2012 NFL Pre-Draft Discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 8, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215 "2012-02-08T18:05:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/341 "2012-03-13T11:45:03Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > **Were Cincinnati not completely allergic to spending money this year, I’d have thought he would have ended up there.** Chicago seems as good a place as any, though I think Seattle might be a dark horse. Or Washington, if Snyder isn’t done trying to outbid the Bears et al for VJax. > > In other news,[the Texans just cut their starting RT Eric Winston](http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-free-agency/2012/3/12/2866029/eric-winston-free-agent-houston-texans), and I am not happy. If they keep Jacoby, or if they did this to make a run at either Peyton or resigning Mario, I will be pissed. Not that it will matter a whit. At least they cut Leinart. > > It’s so weird. They’ve really no depth anyway—they were freaking out last year when Butler went on IR, because they had nobody—and they go and do this. After I get done bragging on their line in the 2008 draft retrospective thread too… He still might. Mike Brown isn’t allergic to spending money anymore. But the Bengals DO have a lot of cap room right now (Palmer contract) and I foresee them spending a chunk of it on their own FA’s (Reggie Nelson) and getting a couple guys in free agency at large. Mario Williams would be huge! ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/342 "2012-03-13T12:03:56Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > He still might. Mike Brown isn’t allergic to spending money anymore. But the Bengals DO have a lot of cap room right now (Palmer contract) and I foresee them spending a chunk of it on their own FA’s (Reggie Nelson) and getting a couple guys in free agency at large. Mario Williams would be huge! FGIE, this is the last year that teams don’t have to spend before the salary floor kicks in. You think the Brown family won’t be profit-taking? I absolutely see them (and maybe other small market teams like Jax or Buffalo) banking as much cap room as they can, instead of spending it. Otherwise, sure, why not Mario Williams. He’s a great 4-3 DE, you guys run a 4-3 last time I checked, you’ve oodles of cap room (and you’ll need it for his new deal), and your current DEs are Frostee Rucker (4.0 sacks) and Robert Geathers (2.5 sacks). Not to mention that he is supposed to be great against the run, and you guys were a little weak on runs at the right DE last year (if I’m reading the FO defensive line stats correctly). I think he’d be an upgrade… I’m really interested to find out what the various local Houston talking heads think is the game plan behind replacing their RT. I really thought DeMeco Ryans would’ve been cut before Eric Winston. It sucks, but he hasn’t been the same player at all since his Achilles injury. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/343 "2012-03-13T12:39:33Z")
Aaaaaandddd. Free Agency is here! Free agency is here! ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/344 "2012-03-13T12:40:49Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I don’t believe it for a second, but this would be ridiculous. > > [In Chicago, Bears viewed as favorites to land Mario Williams](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/12/in-chicago-bears-viewed-as-favorites-to-land-mario-williams/) > > I think landing Vincent Jackson would be more impactful in the wins column, but this would certainly be a hell of a consolation prize and is probably far less risky. If we were somehow able to get both… As long as they keep ignoring that O Line, I’m happy. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/345 "2012-03-13T14:21:01Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Randy Moss signs one year deal with 49ers. Shit, did I cut him in the dynasty league? I didn’t want Moss; I still don’t think it’s a great idea. From interviews, however, he seems to have the right attitude. In theory Moss will stretch a defense more than Ted Ginn could, and open up stuff for Davis and Crabtree. My only resevervation now is that Moss is a quitter, and I don’t want him quitting on my team while taking up a roster spot. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/346 "2012-03-13T14:22:11Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Aaaaaandddd. > > Free Agency is here! Free agency is here! Not quite, give it a few hours. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/347 "2012-03-13T14:32:01Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > FGIE, this is the last year that teams don’t have to spend before the salary floor kicks in. You think the Brown family won’t be profit-taking? I absolutely see them (and maybe other small market teams like Jax or Buffalo) banking as much cap room as they can, instead of spending it. Otherwise, sure, why not Mario Williams. He’s a great 4-3 DE, you guys run a 4-3 last time I checked, you’ve oodles of cap room (and you’ll need it for his new deal), and your current DEs are Frostee Rucker (4.0 sacks) and Robert Geathers (2.5 sacks). Not to mention that he is supposed to be great against the run, and you guys were a little weak on runs at the right DE last year (if I’m reading the FO defensive line stats correctly). I think he’d be an upgrade… > > I’m really interested to find out what the various local Houston talking heads think is the game plan behind replacing their RT. I really thought DeMeco Ryans would’ve been cut before Eric Winston. It sucks, but he hasn’t been the same player at all since his Achilles injury. I don’t know if they will be profit taking or not. The Bengals typically aren’t super active in FA, preferring to resign/draft their own players (and also because Cincinnati was the NFL equivalent of a Siberian gulag for so many years and players didn’t want to come here) but I do think that last year’s success coupled with the empty seat protestations of the bandwagonny fanbase might prompt him to do something. The Bengals aren’t that far away from being an annual contender…surely the coaches, staff and ownership see that. A couple interior linemen, a difference-making DE or LB, a CB and a 2nd WR to complement AJ Green, ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/348 "2012-03-13T18:10:29Z")
FGIE, I think they’ll tread water, watch the Steelers get older and perhaps fade out of the playoff picture, and try to sneak into a WC berth. They’ll be forced to spend money in 2013, so I don’t see them jumping the gun this year. For your sake as a fan, I hope I’m mistaken. In other news, Oak should be happy as [the Saints re-sign Marques Colston to a 5-year deal](http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7681315/new-orleans-saints-keep-wr-marques-colston-5-year-deal), 40M total, 19M “guaranteed”. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/349 "2012-03-13T18:46:52Z")
The [Free Agency blog at ProFootballFocus](http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/13/pff-live-free-agency-reaction-blog-day-1-031312/) may be of interest on this first day of NFL FA. It looks like the Texans may let 60% of their O-Line go test the market. > [@](#): > > According to Adam Schein on twitter the negotiations between the Texans and C Chris Myers are more “conversations than negotiations”. The implication is that there is no deal imminent and Myers will hit the open market in just over 90 minutes time. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/350 "2012-03-13T20:00:46Z")
So now the 49ers have signed a second questionable-character player who didn’t play in the NFL in 2011. CB Perrish Cox signed a two-year deal. He’s got a big upside, that’s for sure. I remember the name from the 2010 draft. He was on my list of top ~100, yet he fell into the fifth round due to character problems. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/351 "2012-03-13T20:04:10Z")
Some serious excitement to report in Chi-town. I was loading up the thread to talk about them resigning Tim Jennings to a 2-year deal to be perhaps a 3rd CB. But, as I’m composing even bigger news breaks on NFL Network saying that the Bears have shipped 2 3rd round picks to the Dolphins in exchange for Brandon Marshall. Cutler will be happy, I’ll miss those 3rd round picks but if Vincent Jackson was leaning toward Tampa this is the ideal second option. Add Mario Williams, draft Michael Floyd in the 1st round and we’re most of the way there. Still need help on the line and on back end of the defense, but this would be a stellar first outing for Phil Emery. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/352 "2012-03-13T20:11:50Z")
Here’s the relevant PFT links [Tim Jennings signs two-year deal to stay with Bears](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/13/tim-jennings-signs-two-year-deal-to-stay-with-bears/) [Reports out of Chicago say Bucs are favorites for Vincent Jackson](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/13/reports-out-of-chicago-say-bucs-are-favorites-for-vincent-jackson/) [Glazer: Dolphins trade Brandon Marshall to Bears](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/13/glazer-dolphins-trade-brandon-marshall-to-bears/) It’s pretty clear that the second story directly led to the third one. Jackson was their first choice, but Marshall is a nice consolation prize and the price was something they were able to absorb. It gives them more flexibility with their 1st round pick, personally I still want another WR, but they can look at OL, DE, LB or CB here. Cutler and Marshall have a bromance going so I have no doubt this will be a good clubhouse move. This has got to negatively effect the Dolphin’s attempts to sign Peyton, but maybe having a former headcase gone makes it something of a push. Plus Miami signing Reggie Wayne to replace him would make a lot of sense for all parties. On to Super Mario! ETA: Also, this move will be cheaper from a cap standpoint than Jackson meaning that there’s going to be extra cash out there to sign Eric Winston or Carl Nicks. The previous news that the Saints resigned Colston clearly took another name of the market, but it means that Meachem and Nicks will be easier to pry away. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/353 "2012-03-13T20:15:04Z")
The Bears are certainly making themselves better in my book, but they need Forte to make it all work, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/354 "2012-03-13T20:18:10Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > The Bears are certainly making themselves better in my book, but they need Forte to make it all work, IMO. Forte was franchised, so he’ll be here no matter what. He won’t hold out because it’s still big money and he’s not a headcase. But, there’s still no reason to think they won’t extend him, doing so would lower his 2012 cap number. Just noticed that the Marshall deal is for a 3rd rounder this year and a 3rd rounder next year. That’s great news, since the Bears have 2 3rd rounders this year (Olsen trade) and they will still have 1 3rd this year to bolster the defensive backfield. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/355 "2012-03-13T20:21:28Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > My only resevervation now is that Moss is a quitter, and I don’t want him quitting on my team while taking up a roster spot. They’re a good team, so I would expect him to make an effort at first. If they think he’s not doing anything, they’ll cut him. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/356 "2012-03-13T20:27:25Z")
Clicking “last page” doesn’t always take you to the last page… ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/357 "2012-03-13T20:45:31Z")
FA… where Steeler fans can take a nap until all the top tier FA’s are signed. Unless they sign their own, of course. Boy, would it be nice to see them land a Mario Williams-caliber player, but that just won’t happen in Pittsburgh. It’s hard to argue with thier philosophy, considering the success they have. But it is sure not exciting the fan base. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/358 "2012-03-13T20:57:02Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I didn’t want Moss; I still don’t think it’s a great idea. From interviews, however, he seems to have the right attitude. In theory Moss will stretch a defense more than Ted Ginn could, and open up stuff for Davis and Crabtree. My only resevervation now is that Moss is a quitter, and I don’t want him quitting on my team while taking up a roster spot. Well, they paid him a pretty big chunk of change. They must think that he’s going to be a good soldier and looks pretty close to his old self. Rumors were that his workouts were awfully impressive. We’ll see if being out of football and getting smacked around has motivated him to reform a bit or not, but I’m guessing the 49ers see him as more than just a flier. He’s getting enough money that it could prohibit signing another top FA. > [@garygnu](#): > > So now the 49ers have signed a second questionable-character player who didn’t play in the NFL in 2011. CB Perrish Cox signed a two-year deal. He’s got a big upside, that’s for sure. > I remember the name from the 2010 draft. He was on my list of top ~100, yet he fell into the fifth round due to character problems. Questionable character is the understatement of the year on this guy. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/359 "2012-03-13T20:57:32Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Forte was franchised, so he’ll be here no matter what. He won’t hold out because it’s still big money and he’s not a headcase. But, there’s still no reason to think they won’t extend him, doing so would lower his 2012 cap number. > > Just noticed that the Marshall deal is for a 3rd rounder this year and a 3rd rounder next year. That’s great news, since the Bears have 2 3rd rounders this year (Olsen trade) and they will still have 1 3rd this year to bolster the defensive backfield. Yeah, I forgot, sometimes it is hard to keep up. The NFC North is gonna be loaded again. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/360 "2012-03-13T20:59:43Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Questionable character is the understatement of the year on this guy. Hey, he got acquitted this time! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215.md?page=19)