# NFL Offseason - Free Agency through Minicamps **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 4, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162 "2015-03-04T01:35:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/161 "2015-03-26T14:41:45Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Vince Wilfork will be joining Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt on the Texans’ defensive line for the next two seasons. I like it. Holy hell. ---
**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 26, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/162 "2015-03-26T15:41:09Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > Holy hell. Eh, Wilfork wasn’t very good last year coming off injury. I think this is a Ed Reed situation. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/163 "2015-03-26T16:28:58Z")
He was better than Clowney. 😉 ---
**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 26, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/164 "2015-03-26T19:14:37Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Eh, Wilfork wasn’t very good last year coming off injury. I think this is a Ed Reed situation. I’m confused about Wilfork’s 2014 performance. I’ve watched very few Patriots plays where I was paying attention to him. OTOH, [PFP is upbeat](https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/03/17/texans-wilfork-back-home-at-nose-tackle/) about the Texans signing him, saying he was good against the run (10.1, whatever that means) and poor against the pass (-9.7). That’s fine, if true; the Texans have other assets to use against the QB. Football Outsiders, OTOH, [list the Patriots’ defensive line performance](http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl) as about league average against the run in about every area except two: Open Field Yards (“Yards earned by opposing running backs against this team more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage, divided by total running back carries.”) where they were 3rd in the League, and Power Success (“Percentage of runs on third or fourth down, two yards or less to go, that achieved a first down or touchdown. Also includes runs on first-and-goal or second-and-goal from the two-yard line or closer.”). For Power Success, they were DFL, allowing 81% of those plays run against them to be successful. NFL average is 65% and the Cardinals’ top-ranked unit only allowed 43%. I’m thinking Wilfork was a lot more responsible for the abysmal defense against short runs, than he was for trying to run down guys 10+ yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Which isn’t good for the Texans. I will be amazed if Clowney comes back anywhere near his Combine form. I think that he will play again, but news like [his not being able to put weight on the knee six weeks after the surgery](http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-texans/post/_/id/9857/a-clowney-update-from-senior-bowl?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) or [‘unnamed sources’ expressing serious concern about Clowney’s future](http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10446) is not pleasant to read. Then again, I don’t know how long the typical recovery is from microfracture surgery on the knee. And his coach, [who can be disarmingly blunt about unsatisfactory player performance](http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/164951/bill-obrien-sends-another-message-to-louis-nix), > [@](#): > > “Coach, what changes from last season would you like to see from [Texans NT] Louis Nix?” > “I would say the ability to make it through a practice,” O’Brien said. “That would be the biggest thing I need to see.” [is upbeat about Clowney’s progress](http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-report-O-Brien-praises-progress-of-6156912.php?). It might be that Texans fans will have to wait until Summer 2016 to know one way or the other. I’d really be happy if they could find a center sometime soon. I mean, they went to all of the trouble [to restructure Watt’s contract and free up some cap room](http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2015/03/texans-star-j-j-watt-restructures-contract/) (about $8M) this year. Maybe Stefan Wisniewski 'd like playing for the Texans [instead of the Chiefs](http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2015/3/24/8282431/nfl-free-agency-rumors-kansas-city-chiefs-stefan-wisniewski)? And hopefully he’s [recovered from his torn labrum](http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6599/stefen-wisniewski). **Omni** , how was Brian De La Puente at center for you guys? ---
**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 26, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/165 "2015-03-26T22:29:46Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > **Omni** , how was Brian De La Puente at center for you guys? DLP didn’t play Center much with the Bears, just 4 games before filling in at Guard when Slauson was out hurt. DLP got hurt himself later. Nothing to write home about but he was probably slightly better than Garza (miles worse than Slauson at G). It says a lot that he was never able to beat the dismal (but highly respected leader) Garza out for a starting gig even though Kromer, who started him in New Orleans, was the OC and OL coach at the time. I view him totally as a replacement level player and nothing more. He’s a liability anywhere but Center and he’s not particularly good in either phase. Very low upside but also steady enough to not ruin your offense, at least until he faces up against a stud DT. ---
**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 27, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/166 "2015-03-27T00:19:38Z")
The official Draft Hats this year feature an outline of the city’s skyline on the underside of the brim. The Jaguars hat, of course, features the Miami skyline. (New Era says they’ll fix it in time for draft day.) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/167 "2015-03-27T19:29:37Z")
Packers signed some off-the-street FA. IIRC they were the last team who had yet to sign from outside their own organization. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/168 "2015-04-03T16:59:19Z")
Skins get Dashon Goldson from the Bucs for a swap of late-round picks in 2016, and the Bucs are still on the hook for half his salary. Guy gets a lot of fines, but we already had that guy in Brandon Meriweather, who was also hurt most of the time, so this is a lateral move at worst. Not a long term solution, but probably as good a solution at FS as there was available, and better than what they had, which was nothing. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/169 "2015-04-04T19:38:51Z")
It never surprises me how stupid college players are right before the NFL draft. Cornerback PJ Williams of FSU was arrested for DUI this morning in Tallahassee. What’s more is that this was a DUI on a suspended license in a rental car. I’ll assume the car wasn’t rented in his name, it’s hard enough to rent a car under 25 and I believe most firms verify the driver license, especially a Florida license if the car is rented in the same state . IANAL, but I believe DUI on a suspended license is a very big deal. I guess it might depend on what caused the license suspension, an unpaid minor violation can get your license suspended in some states. Williams is a stud and I definitely pegged him as a first rounder. Knucklehead move might drop him down. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/170 "2015-04-04T19:46:33Z")
Hard to believe that [LaRon Landry](http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--G5D_m0gZ--/a9wvhmdkxdzz9zeguh71.jpg) is serving a suspension for PEDs, isn’t it? ---
**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:** [April 6, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/171 "2015-04-06T15:45:39Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > … > > Williams is a stud and I definitely pegged him as a first rounder. Knucklehead move might drop him down. Might? I liked him a lot as a solid 2nd Rounder. It’ll depend on how he handles the repercussions but I doubt anybody will touch him until day three now. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/172 "2015-04-07T02:56:15Z")
[Rumors](http://nashville.suntimes.com/tennessee-titans/7/118/134673/jay-cutler-titans-marcus-mariota) are afoot that the Bears are trying to trade Jay Cutler to Tennessee for the second pick, in order to take Marcus Mariota. As a Bears fan nothing would make me happier. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/173 "2015-04-07T04:04:34Z")
Uh, yeah, good luck with that. Cutler is barely worth having for free with his contract. He might be a throw-in in a deal that was like the Bears 1 + 2 + Cutler for #2 maybe, but even then I doubt it. Ah, the link says 7th pick + Cutler for 2nd pick. I thought you were saying Cutler for the 2nd pick straight up. Tennessee still wouldn’t go for it, but that takes it from from “batshit insane” to “bad trade” ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/174 "2015-04-07T16:31:59Z")
Between Culter’s play and Culter’s contract, Chicago could trade him and their whole draft for #2 and it would still be a bad trade for the Titans. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/175 "2015-04-07T17:16:30Z")
Yeah, I wouldn’t make that trade if I were the Titans, either. But a guy can hope! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/176 "2015-04-07T17:41:01Z")
Rumor has it the Bucs have decided on Famous Jameis as their latest QB of the Future. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/177 "2015-04-07T17:46:41Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Rumor has it the Bucs have decided on Famous Jameis as their latest QB of the Future. A fine example of why the Bucs win the Super Bowl every year. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/178 "2015-04-07T17:51:29Z")
Wait, the Bears fan is talking shit about identifying a franchise quarterback? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/179 "2015-04-07T17:52:00Z")
At least he can get them a good discount on some crab legs! ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162/180 "2015-04-08T16:05:41Z")
I’m sure most here will be happy about the lousy free agency the Patriots have had so far. They lost the one person they most needed to keep - Darrelle Revis, and then lost Brandon Browner as well for a little salt in the wound. Their secondary, which was a real strong point last year for the first time in years, is effectively decimated. They lose Share Vereen as well. That’s less of a big deal, but he was a rising player who fit perfectly into their scheme and played well in big moments. They got a replacement in Travaris Cadet, but I would have preferred just keeping Vereen. Vince Wilfork is gone to the Texans. That one just sucks. Yes, he is aging and I understand letting him go, but he’s a major locker room leader that will be sorely missed. And who did they add, you ask? [ul] [li]TE Scott Chandler[/li][li]CBs Bradley Fletcher and Robert McClain[/li][li]The aforementioned Cadet[/li][/ul] And who did they add, you still ask?? Oh, and they tried to sign LB Rolando McClain but he re-signed with the Cowboys. Hoooboy they better have a stellar draft! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-free-agency-through-minicamps/714162.md?page=10)