I think Washington is a GREAT fit for the Pats, particularly if Kevin Faulk does not return (and I really hope he does). Even with Faulk, I would like Washington on the team. He’s a very good special teamer, and he always seems to run through the Pats defense like they’re not there when we play the Jets. Definitely worth a 2nd rounder, IMO.
In a slight surprise, the Panthers cut Jake Delhomme yesterday. Based on his play last year, it’s no real surprise, but the front office has been extremely defensive of him and gave him a large extension after the previous season. It’s a $12.5 million cap hot, but with a potential cap-less season coming, I have no idea anymore what matters.
So right now, it looks like Matt Moore is the starting QB.
AAAaaannddd, free agency is underway. With no salary cap (or floor), I honestly don’t know what to expect.
For the Packers, Aaron Kampman, Chad Clifton, Ahman Green, and Mark Taushcer all hit the market, with Ryan Pickett getting the franchise tag. I’m a bit upset that the Packers coudn’t get a deal done with Kampman so they could get some trade value, and they need Clifton for another year, even though I think he’s going to go all Orlando Pace on the Bears this year, he’s still the best we got. Losing Green is no big deal, and Tausher is about the same as Clifton, too old, too poor in run blocking, but still servicable in the NFL.
It will be interesting to see who the Packers target out there. I have guys I’d like, but I don’t like the speculation and hope until something solid happens. And the Packers rarely spend big in free agency, so I don’t expect much. But they NEED to get Clifton or another tackle in, because they are painfully thin there.
The Browns traded Corey Williams to the Lions. I hate how NFL teams conceal the picks that were made in exchange. The info has to come out, why not just announce it? Rumors were that it was for a late round pick like a 5th - for that I’d rather keep him. He’s overpaid but decent, and overpaying isn’t all that big a deal this year. Rumor is that Shaun Rogers is also up on the trading block. I don’t know who they think they’re going to have play d-line. I guess that’s what the 11+ picks they have in the draft will be for. Trade away another play or two, and we can own the entire 5th round of the 2010 draft!
I wonder what implications this has for the Lions drafting a DT with their first pick. I get the impression that Williams is more like McCoy, a quick 3 technique guy, and so naturally they could pair him up with Suh. But Suh may be gone by then, so I wonder if they take McCoy anyway or if he falls.
I’m a little thrown off by it too. Here are the Lions’ restricted free-agent offers:
DE Copeland Bryan – Not tendered
S Daniel Bullocks – Right of First Refusal (ROFR) & Original Draft Compensation
C Dylan Gandy – ROFR & Original Draft Compensation
CB Kevin Hobbs – ROFR
DE Jason Hunter – ROFR & 2nd Round Compensation
G Daniel Loper – ROFR
G Manny Ramirez – ROFR & Original Draft Compensation
S Ko Simpson - ROFR & Original Draft Compensation
LB Cody Spencer - Not tendered
Obviously, not a lot of names there, and, for purposes of this discussion, only one defensive lineman. That leaves Cliff Avril, Andre Fluellen, Robert Henderson, Grady Jackson, Turk McBride, and Dewayne White on the roster (with Mathias Askew on injured reserve). We’re still light on defensive tackles (yes, and pretty much every other position, too), so I can’t see that being a clear sign that we’re not interested in a defensive lineman or even that we prefer one over the other. I prefer Suh, but I’ll be happy with McCoy. The case could be made that they’re both the best player available.
The Lions also signed Nate Burleson. I like that move, but not at the price (5 years, $25 million with $11 guaranteed). Maybe it’s one of those Dre Bly-type moves where we had to overpay and get it done quickly, because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have a shot at them after everyone else got involved. We’ve GOT to give Calvin some kind of support and feeling that we’re at least trying, or else he’s going to walk and we’re going to get nothing for him.
And the Bears sign Chester Taylor to a 4 year deal, with $7 million guaranteed in the first year. I think the uncapped year will lead to a lot of up front guaranteed money like this. Finally, the Bears add another running back with a less than 4 ypc average last year to team up with Forte. Rumors have it they got Peppers too, but I haven’t seen that anywhere I trust.
In addition to the Chester Taylor signing, the Bears have inked Brandon Manumaleuna to a 5-year deal to be their blocking TE. This probably spells the end for Desmond Clark, which is OK by me, and indicates that perhaps the new offensive system will less focused on throwing to the TE as has been speculated. With the issues we’ve had on the offensive line this could really help the pass protection and run blocking.
The Julius Peppers deal seems to be imminent too. I’m shocked that all three of these deals appear to be getting done. I though for sure we’ve have to settle. I wonder what this means for the Safety position, the Bears have to be tapped out of money but there’s a bunch of Safeties available who might not break the bank like Rolle. I’d love to see Kerry Rhodes or Ryan Clark in the mix.
The 49ers might sign David Carr as a backup, putting two disappointing #1-pick QBs on the same team.
The Julius Peppers deal appears to be finalizing. Looks like 6-year deal, the numbers are still up in the air. Time to start talking myself into this.
There were reports that the Bears might consider cutting Tommie Harris in the wake of this move. I understand that Harris is horribly overpaid right now based on his production, but if he’s playing alongside Peppers he might look like a Pro Bowler again. You’ve got to hang onto him and see what happens with the two of these guys side by side.
In other news, the Steelers are now looking to sign a Hall of Fame quarterback…
The previous Roethlisberger assault charge looked so made up it was stupid, but today, a new breaking story, and this one seems to have a bit more credence. We’ll see what the deal is.
My take, as a life long Steeler fan? If he did it: Thank you, Ben, for our two Super Bowl rings this decade, now get the hell out of Pittsburgh.
I wonder how Dixon has progressed in the offseason.
What an un-Lions free agency. We signed Vanden Bosch and Nate Burleson (probably because of good relations with old coordinators Jim Schwartz and Scott Linehan respectively), we’ve got feelers out for Lito Sheppard, Ryan Clark, and the offensive guard from the Texans, whose name escapes me right now.
Good moves, Lions. There are a lot of folks ready to drink some Lions Flavor-Aid right now, and so far, it’s deserved.
Browns sign Josh Cribbs to new 3 year deal.
Somebody send some pizzas to the front office with “FINALLY!” written on the box.
The Bears just landed to top Pass Rusher available, who doubles as the best player available. They signed the top Running Back available and arguably the best unrestricted free agent offensive player. They signed the best tight end available. They addressed their top need and perhaps their 3rd most critical need at RB helped their 4th need with a blocker.
They spent a bunch of money, but looking at the projected numbers it doesn’t seem horribly expensive. The Peppers numbers aren’t in yet, but if they are in the $12M/year at 6-years I’d say that’s absolutely worth it. Taylor seems like a bargain at about $3M/year. So far I like it.
Given that:
a) Lovie Smith (and, for that matter, Jerry Angelo) have to produce this year, or else
b) The team performed far below expectations in 2009
c) They traded away their top 2010 draft choices
…the Bears seem to be taking the only approach which has any chance of delivering on their need to win now.
Man, Left Tackles in the NFC North are going to have a tough time this year with Allen, Peppers and Vanden Bosch all lining up this year. They’ll be free of Kampman, but with that 3-4 he was already marginalized. Maybe this will drive Brett Favre into retirement finally.
Josh Cribs getting about $6.5M/year means he’ll be earning just $1M/year shy of what Hester is getting. Probably about right considering, but I’d say both players are probably only worth $4-5M/year.
With Vanden Bosch getting $26M over 4 years ($10M this year, $5.3 per year after) it’ll be interesting to see what Kampman gets (from Seattle?). I definitely prefer Peppers at $12M/year over Vanden Bosch averaging $6.5/year when you consider their relative values. I’m betting Kampman lands pretty much exactly in the middle at about $9M/year.
Seems likely that Brandon Marshall is gonna end up in Seattle. If you take my previous comments about TO landing in Seattle and apply them to Marshall it makes perfect sense. Great fit for both of them I think.
Dunta Robinson supposedly signed a 6-year deal with Atlanta today. Still no link available.
Talk radio is going bonkers here about the Lions NOT drafting Suh or McCoy (if they don’t trade down). I think this works even better for them to take their defensive tackle. He’s still the best player available and the best player available at a position of need, which is the entire team.
If it’s Suh, I’ll bet you he’ll play inside on first and second downs and outside on third down.
You know, I’m feeling pretty good about how it worked out. Look at it this way, the Bears are spending $12M/year on Julius Peppers. If they’d have had a 1st rounder this year they’d be drafting at the 11th spot, and last year’s 11th pick got $5M/year. Last year’s #1 pick got a 6-year $72M deal with twice as much money guaranteed as Peppers. Basically Peppers contract is the equivalent to what the Bears would be spending if they had a shot at Suh or McCoy in this draft. I think Peppers is a hell of a lot better than anyone they could have drafted in the top 10 this year and the money isn’t dramatically different.
The Chester Taylor deal is bit worse than a 2nd round contract which would be something like 1.5M/year but again there’s a lot less uncertainty. Trading away picks is always tough but if you don’t pocket that money and instead put it into the free agent market it’s pretty tolerable.
If Peppers is rejuvenated by a change in scenery and playing for Marinelli, I can easily see him being an absolute beast for the Bears. He hasn’t really had any serious injury problems so, even though he’s 30, he has a few very good years left.
Anquan Boldin was traded to the Ravens. They signed him to a 4-year $28M contract. The Ravens gave up a 3rd and 4th round pick for Boldin and got a 5th round pick from the Cards. Really nice deal for the Ravens and Cards, though I think the Cards might have been able to squeeze a little more from another team. This will have some implications in the Brandon Marshall negotiations I’m sure.
Dammit. I reallllly wanted the Panthers to make a run at Quan.