# NFL Offseason Thread: Combine & Free Agency Version **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 23, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165 "2010-02-23T20:53:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**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:** [March 10, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/181 "2010-03-10T19:32:27Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > The Broncos [tried to beef up](http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/19862/ex-charger-jamal-williams-now-a-bronco) their D line by signing Jamal Williams away from division rival San Diego and Jarvis Green [from the Pats](http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4979830). Could be two very good moves for a defense that was already on the rise. I’m sorry to lose Green - he’s been solid on the line for many years. Nothing spectacular, but we could usually count on him for 5-6 sacks/year. And he seemed to come up big in big games. He’s getting a little old so it’s not a huge blow, but I think he’s got a couple good years left. And we got Vince Wilfork signed, which was an absolute must. ---
**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 10, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/182 "2010-03-10T20:00:51Z")
I just heard on the radio that the Browns are indeed shopping Quinn, which is interesting. So if they cut Anderson, trade Quinn, acquire Wallace…who’s left? Are they suddenly in the “draft a QB early” sweepstakes (again)? ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/183 "2010-03-10T20:09:06Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I just heard on the radio that the Browns are indeed shopping Quinn, which is interesting. So if they cut Anderson, trade Quinn, acquire Wallace…who’s left? Are they suddenly in the “draft a QB early” sweepstakes (again)? Hey, they’ve locked up Josh Cribbs for 3 years. He was a QB in college! They are all set. 😉 ---
**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:** [March 10, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/184 "2010-03-10T20:25:22Z")
No one is sure about anything, but currently it looks like there’s an expectation that Wallace will be the starter. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/185 "2010-03-10T20:27:08Z")
Maybe they’re still looking to swing a deal with the Eagles. ---
**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 10, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/186 "2010-03-10T20:35:26Z")
The Bengals just signed Antonio Bryant, 4 years, 28 million… …and I hope we sign Terrell Owens, too. ---
**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 10, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/187 "2010-03-10T21:15:38Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Which is the reason for my concern for small market teams, so the NFL can avoid the Yankees problem of MLB. $20 million in one year could wipe out their entire profit for the Packers from one year. And their ability to raise more funds to cover gaps is tightly controlled. But you’re right, to the Bears, it’s not a big deal to waste money in a non-capped year. And it probably wouldn’t be for the Packers for one or two years either. I wonder how different the revenues are for the Bears and the Packers. Ticket prices seem to be pretty similar in my experience and Lambeau is quite a bit bigger than the new Soldier Field. There’s revenue sharing and the Packers are always near the top with merchandise sales. I imagine that local broadcasting rights have a big gap and minor ancillary stuff like parking, cosessions contracts and concourse signage differ but on the big things I imagine there’s a lot of parity. I don’t think a uncapped year is going to cause too much trouble except for those teams that either have huge stadiums or owners willing to spend deep into their own pockets. > [@](#): > > Fair enough. I was just thinking aloud. I don’t think Bart Scott’s one sack, 92 tackles, and 0 turnovers was that great, but Dawkins did make the Pro Bowl and Sharper definitely was a huge help for the Saints. And you didn’t even give me props for not mentioning Cutler. And Favre did have a great year… until the big game. _snicker_. Sorry, that still makes me smile. 92 tackles is second on the team for the league best defense. I’m not sure how that qualifies as “not great”. He’s an inside LB, he wasn’t expected to rush the passer or pick off balls. And Cutler wasn’t a FA, he was trade bait. Not really applicable. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > The Bengals just signed Antonio Bryant, 4 years, 28 million… > …and I hope we sign Terrell Owens, too. I like the move and adding Owens would be something I’d get behind too. Owens is a prick, but he’s an excellent worker and practice guy and that might rub off on some guys, Bryant included. Plus he’s a A+ blocker which might make that running game even better. I’m not sure Bryant is worth $7M per but WRs are sparse this year. ---
**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 10, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/188 "2010-03-10T21:26:23Z")
The [contract details](http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/contract-details-on-new-bears-taylor-manumaleuna.html) for Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna were released. Nothing real surprising but I thought it was interesting to see that both of their deals were heavily front loaded to take advantage of the uncapped year and there’s very little signing bonus which would need to be prorated over the life of the deal. Seeing how much Manumaleuna got paid and for how long it seems that he’s clearly expected to be the #1 TE. Initially I was skeptical about them moving Olsen but looking at those numbers seems to imply that this guy will get a lot of work and the experiment of trying to turn Olsen into a all-around TE is probably over. Either they are going to shop Olsen around or they are going to use him as a WR more than a TE. Considering this coaching staff is potentially a lame duck I hope they don’t give him away only to miss him later unless it’s a hell of a good deal. ---
**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 10, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/189 "2010-03-10T21:36:40Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > No one is sure about anything, but currently it looks like there’s an expectation that Wallace will be the starter. The Browns are having Delhomme come in for a visit tomorrow. ---
**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:** [March 10, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/190 "2010-03-10T21:38:31Z")
Dear god. ---
**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 10, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/191 "2010-03-10T21:56:34Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > The Browns are having Delhomme come in for a visit tomorrow. If they want him as anything other than a 3rd QB Holmgren has lost his fucking marbles. Does this leave any doubt at all that the Brownies will be drafting a QB in the first round? Maybe they’ll go back to the well at ND with Claussen if he slides that far. Looking at the top of the draft order it’s starting to look like perhaps 5 of the top 7 teams will be targeting a QB which I wouldn’t have expected. If the Rams do take Bradford it could change the landscape of the draft a ton. [This column](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4979079) from John Clayton is interesting. I especially liked this observation: > [@John Clayton](#): > > 1. Teams are doing extra to clean up their cap problems in this uncapped year: The Washington Redskins released nine veterans when free agency opened. Those released accounted for $62.2 million of dead cap money. If the $123 million cap were in effect, the Redskins would be $39 million over. The Dallas Cowboys kept their team intact. They would be $34 million over the cap and have $107 million in base salaries. Seven other teams, including the Vikings, Seahawks and Panthers, would also be over the cap. That teams are able to solve all their cap problems in this uncapped year could really make for some interesting action in 2011 if the cap is back. Smart teams getting rid of their dead money could lead to some quick turnarounds. ---
**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:** [March 10, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/192 "2010-03-10T22:01:57Z")
I don’t think the Browns are going QB because the prospects at #7 suck. I’d much rather have Berry if he drops that far. I was hoping Holmgren would work his magic and bring in some sort of young vet promising QB. I don’t think it’s terribly unlikely we draft a 2nd or 3rd round QB if there’s a prospect they like and let Wallace start the year out. His career numbers are actually fairly decent. ---
**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 10, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/193 "2010-03-10T22:12:43Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I don’t think the Browns are going QB because the prospects at #7 suck. I’d much rather have Berry if he drops that far. I was hoping Holmgren would work his magic and bring in some sort of young vet promising QB. I don’t think it’s terribly unlikely we draft a 2nd or 3rd round QB if there’s a prospect they like and let Wallace start the year out. His career numbers are actually fairly decent. I originally thought the QB class was so weak that no one would draft one in the top half of the draft besides Bradford and guys like Claussen would have a Aaron Rodgers-esque slide to the late first round. With the way free agency as handcuffed the QB market this season that looks like it might not be the case, especially if the Rams decide Bradford is worth a #1 overall pick and start a run. Normally I’d have thought teams like the Rams and Browns could have counted on landing Lefevour in the top of the second round but those ideas are probably a pipe dream now. If you though defenses figured out Anderson, wait until you see them figure out Wallace. Defenses in the AFC North are quite a bit different than those in the NFC West. It’s starting to look like Cleveland might be the ideal candidate to ship a 2nd rounder to the Eagles to land McNabb. ---
**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:** [March 10, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/194 "2010-03-10T22:23:14Z")
You wouldn’t see me object to that idea. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/195 "2010-03-10T22:57:17Z")
I’m definitely against them wasting another 2nd or 3rd round pick on a QB. They seem to have this idea that they’re going to find another Montana or Brady picking there and it never works out. ---
**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 10, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/196 "2010-03-10T23:29:03Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > I’m definitely against them wasting another 2nd or 3rd round pick on a QB. They seem to have this idea that they’re going to find another Montana or Brady picking there and it never works out. I’m very interested to hear what your suggested alternative is. ---
**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:** [March 10, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/197 "2010-03-10T23:31:05Z")
The Browns have almost no history drafting QBs in those rounds. Charlie Frye is the only one I can think of. The rest were either 1 or 4+. ---
**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:** [March 10, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/198 "2010-03-10T23:43:59Z")
From [here:](http://blog.al.com/tide-source/2010/03/tides_mcclain_discloses_that_h.html) > [@](#): > > Linebacker Rolando McClain ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, but when running an agility drill, he became ill. He later disclosed that he has battled Crohn’s Disease since his freshman year in high school. It’s an inflammatory disease of the intestines. McClain said he treats it with medication. Well that timing sucks. He was a top 10-15 prospect as far as I know. I wonder how this will affect it. ---
**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 10, 2010, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/199 "2010-03-10T23:46:16Z")
Kiper and McShay [teamed up](http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/insider/news/story?id=4968544) to release a new mock draft today. All in all I agree with their suggestions and think it’s pretty close to what the draft will look like. Check it out. Just for kicks, Kiper has Jason Pierre-Paul going to the Brownies and McShay has Joe Haden at #7. Interestingly they completely disagree with my premise that the Rams taking Bradford will start a run on QBs. They’ve got Bradford going #1 and then not another QB until Claussen to the Bills at #9 from McShay and the Redskins at #4 from Kiper, but no other QBs going in the first round at all. ---
**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 10, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/200 "2010-03-10T23:53:04Z")
McNabb in the AFCN would be…interesting, to say the least. And it would immediately translate into at least a few more wins for the Browns. Since I’m a Bengals fan, I hope it doesn’t happen but you never know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165.md?page=11)