# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/21 "2010-02-25T21:11:14Z")
> [@Jules\_Andre](#): > > Yeah, it is pretty much all media and fan speculation, as it has been for some time. If the Eagles did go against what they have publicly said (Reid has said he wants McNabb back and he has some of the say on roster decisions), Kolb would start. I’m still not sold on Kolb as a starter, but he showed a lot of promise last season in his two starts. > > McNabb is still a good QB, which is why they need to move him now. I said they needed to move him before last season while his value was still high, and I think they should move him while he still has some value at all. If anyone would give up a 1st, the Eagles need to do it. They could finish their retooling process with two firsts, a second, and two thirds, in addition to their completely revamped offense. The Eagles could use all of those picks on their vulnerable defense since the offense is pretty much completely set. McNabb can’t win with this team. He’s pretty much exactly wrong for the Eagles’ offensive game plan. And they already have someone right now who could come in and compete (hopefully…). Why not move him and get something back? It isn’t as if the fans would cry foul if McNabb were to be moved… most of them want him out anyway. > > The strange thing is that this Eagles front office has traditionally dropped the older veterans before it reached this point. Sometimes even without a competent backup waiting to fill in. So they’re showing McNabb a lot of loyalty here. It’s not a loyalty thing. It’s not easy to replace a quarterback as good as McNabb. ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/22 "2010-02-26T03:18:23Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > It’s not a loyalty thing. It’s not easy to replace a quarterback as good as McNabb. Well they restructured his contract and gave him a raise with no extra years or options a couple seasons ago. That was entirely a loyalty thing then, it stands to reason this is a loyalty thing now. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/23 "2010-02-26T04:13:02Z")
> [@Jules\_Andre](#): > > Well they restructured his contract and gave him a raise with no extra years or options a couple seasons ago. That was entirely a loyalty thing then, it stands to reason this is a loyalty thing now. Find a better quarterback available than McNabb. It’s completely stupid to trade him unless you get blown away by an offer. Good quarterbacks don’t grow on trees. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/24 "2010-02-26T13:19:19Z")
Finally, we are getting to the part of the season where my Redskins shine. Free Agency, and in an uncapped year too. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/25 "2010-02-26T17:04:56Z")
New mock draft from Don Banks at SI: [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don\_banks/02/25/mock-draft-1/index.html](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/02/25/mock-draft-1/index.html) Has the Saints taking Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State in the first round. I agree with taking a DT, but think I’d rather have Cody from Alabama…I think that’s his name. The kid that blocked the kick in the Tennessee game. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/26 "2010-02-26T21:30:12Z")
It makes me so sad to see so many Mock Drafts and the Bears aren’t on any of them. In reassuring news Lovie Smith said that the Bears [need to invest](http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/lovie-smith-bears-need-to-invest-at-safety.html) in the Safety position this offseason. For 2 years now I’ve been clamoring for the Bears to spend some money on that position and last year they never even pursued Darren Sharper. There’s a couple talented guys out there in free agency and that list might grow, so let’s hope they can make a wise decision. Safety is a deep position in the draft so maybe they’ll use a 3rd rounder on the position but I don’t think this team has time to wait out the growing pains. I’ve been quickly talking myself out of the idea of signing Peppers or Kampman. They’ll be so expensive and I think there’s going to be a lock out which will probably burn whatever productivity they have left in their aging bodies. I’d take Kampman or Vanden Bosch if we could get them comparatively cheaply, but I’m not interested in making a 30 year old DE like Peppers the highest paid defender in the league. The news that the Texans [aren’t franchising](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4940723) Dunta Robinson got me interested as the Bears could really use another CB. Insiders want to move Tillman to FS and signing Robinson might give them the ability to do that. I’m not sure converting a CB is the answer at FS but it’s a better option than the status quo. The big questions are how good can Robinson be in a Cover-2 scheme and if we’d be better with Tillman and, say, Antrel Rolle versus Robinson and Tillman, you have to guess that Rolle will be a lot cheaper than Robinson. You can’t dismiss the possibility of adding Robinson and keeping Tillman at the other CB giving them a really solid pair and if they don’t break the bank on a DE there’s a pretty solid chance that they add both a S and a CB. If I had to choose I’d prefer to spend $14-15M per year on Rolle and Robinson versus $16 on just Peppers. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/27 "2010-02-26T21:51:53Z")
Did you guys see how much money Richard Seymour is going to make under the franchise tag from the Raiders? _At least_ $12,389,000. Damn that’s a lot of money! ---
**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:** [February 26, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/28 "2010-02-26T22:05:08Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Did you guys see how much money Richard Seymour is going to make under the franchise tag from the Raiders? > > _At least_ $12,389,000. Damn that’s a lot of money! If I didn’t think they were a bunch of idiotic hooligans, I’d feel bad for Raider fans. Last year, they spent $7 million on Tommy Kelly and his one sack (one of the stupidest contracts ever), another $6 million on Gerard Warren, and now $12 million on Seymour. Add in $11 million for JaMarcus, $6 million for Robert Gallery, and $2.5 million on Heyward Bey, and they’re point and laugh material. I can’t wait to see how much further Al Davis can drag down that franchise. I’m actually excited to see who they pick in the draft. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/29 "2010-02-26T22:09:23Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > If I didn’t think they were a bunch of idiotic hooligans, I’d feel bad for Raider fans. Last year, they spent $7 million on Tommy Kelly and his one sack (one of the stupidest contracts ever), another $6 million on Gerard Warren, and now $12 million on Seymour. Add in $11 million for JaMarcus, $6 million for Robert Gallery, and $2.5 million on Heyward Bey, and they’re point and laugh material. I can’t wait to see how much further Al Davis can drag down that franchise. I’m actually excited to see who they pick in the draft. They’ll pick Dez Bryant and give him a $100 million dollar contract with all of it guaranteed…if he runs a 4.3 40 at the combine… Seriously, is there a worse managed team in terms of personnel management and contracts than the Raiders right now? Personally I think its bad for the sport, at least in some ways. Their ridiculous contract for their ridiculous draft pick in Heyward-Bey upset the slotting process in the last draft. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/30 "2010-02-26T22:19:26Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Seriously, is there a worse managed team in terms of personnel management and contracts than the Raiders right now? Nope. Still, I’d find it somewhat amusing if they drafted Tebow this year. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/31 "2010-02-26T22:51:28Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Did you guys see how much money Richard Seymour is going to make under the franchise tag from the Raiders? > > _At least_ $12,389,000. Damn that’s a lot of money! They had to resign him. Otherwise, they traded for nothing. Now why’d they franchise him? Well, maybe Mr. Seymour doesn’t want to play there, which is understandable. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/32 "2010-02-26T23:22:55Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Did you guys see how much money Richard Seymour is going to make under the franchise tag from the Raiders? > > _At least_ $12,389,000. Damn that’s a lot of money! I’ve been hearing a bunch of reports that Peppers would be due $21M if he’s franchised, since Seymour and Peppers play ostensibly the same position why the heck are their salaries so disparate? ---
**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:** [February 26, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/33 "2010-02-26T23:41:56Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I’ve been hearing a bunch of reports that Peppers would be due $21M if he’s franchised, since Seymour and Peppers play ostensibly the same position why the heck are their salaries so disparate? The base “average of top five salaries” for a DE is about [$12.4 million](http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/01/official_franchisetransition_t.html) this year. However, the franchise tag cost is that OR 120% of the players previous-year salary - [whichever is _higher_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_tag#Types_of_franchise_tags). Peppers made [$16.7 mil last year](http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/carolina-panthers-will-not-franchise-julius-peppers-022310), plus another $1.5 mil bonus for making the Pro Bowl. Without the bonus, he’d be due for $20.04 mil, with the bonus, $21.84 mil. I’m not sure how exactly such a bonus would be included in the calculations. ETA: More info: Peppers’s $16.7 mil salary from last year is the result of the same 120% raise from his [2008 cap figure of $13.9 mil](http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2009/01/30/504859/franchise-tag-pricey-for-peppers.html). ---
**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:** [February 27, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/34 "2010-02-27T00:31:54Z")
I kinda figured it would be something like that but I was too lazy to do the research. Thanks! Was listening to the ESPN Football Today guys and they were questioning why Carolina didn’t just franchise him and then trade him. What’s the downside to it assuming you keep your demands modest, like a 3rd rounder. Obviously Peppers would hate that because it’d probably make negotiating a new deal with his new team tougher, but why wouldn’t the Panthers try and get the pick. ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/35 "2010-02-27T01:03:11Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Find a better quarterback available than McNabb. It’s completely stupid to trade him unless you get blown away by an offer. Good quarterbacks don’t grow on trees. It isn’t about finding a better QB, it’s about finding a QB that can actually win in this system. McNabb can’t. You can’t have a QB that is so inaccurate on short throws helm an offense that uses short passes as “running plays.” It’s ludicrous and stupid. Why not get an extra pick or two and fully invest in the defense? You already have Kolb ready to go (and you need to find out if you have anything with him before you have to decide to resign him at the end of this coming season) so the loss is minimal, and this team could really use some fresh blood on defense. The only downside, again, is that it would be a bigtime star leaving town and fans are usually pretty upset about that. Not an issue in this case. ---
**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 1, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/36 "2010-03-01T05:59:46Z")
I didn’t watch any Combine yet this weekend with work and the Olympics taking over my weekend, but I’ll be settling in and reviewing the developments soon. Some developments on the Free Agent front this week. Reggie Bush [is expected back](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4950945) with the Saints next season, much to my chagrin and pissing on my fantasies of a Martz/Bush pairing in Chicago. [T.O.](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4952770), [Antrel Rolle](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4954227), [Darren Sproles](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4949186) and [Thomas Jones](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4952941) are among the veterans to be available. Rolle looks particularly appealing for the Bears. I suspect this list will grow quite a lot in the coming days. ---
**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 1, 2010, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/37 "2010-03-01T07:53:03Z")
Just thinking out loud a little bit, but [Eric Decker](http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2010&id=25390) is a guy I’d really like to keep my eye on. He’s been unable to do anything at the Combine and missed the last half of the season with a Lisfranc that led to surgery, which means there’s a good chance he’ll really slide down people’s draft boards. I saw quite a lot of him in Big Ten play and I think he was the best WR I saw all season, and if he slides to the 4th round I’d love the Bears to take a chance on him. Though I will remind myself that the Bears past history of drafting injured players hasn’t exactly been positive. I think Decker has the ideal size and speed to be a #1 WR and showed a ton ability on a mediocre Minnesota team and if he heals and is 100% he’s a steal anytime after the 3rd round. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2010, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/38 "2010-03-01T08:08:10Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Hear, hear! Well said, and I agree. I hate the offseason. The combine doesn’t tell us too much as fans, either, except that the fastest receiver will be drafted by the Raiders! > 🙂 You are being completely unfair to the Raiders. They like to waste draft picks on the fastest defensive back in the draft as well. A few years ago it was Fabian Washington who set Al Davis’ heart aflame with his 40 time. Washington plays elsewhere now. ---
**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 1, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/39 "2010-03-01T12:14:38Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > set Al Davis’ heart aflame with his 40 time :D:D As if the Emperor has one! ---
**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 1, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165/40 "2010-03-01T13:19:25Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I didn’t watch any Combine yet this weekend with work and the Olympics taking over my weekend, but I’ll be settling in and reviewing the developments soon. I didn’t either. But the only thing I heard has made me decide I wouldn’t want the Packers to take Dez Bryant in the first round, even if he fell to 23. That guy needs to mature. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-thread-combine-free-agency-version/530165.md?page=3)