The NFL 2011 Offseason/Strike/Lockout Thread

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by StLee

This site has been updating signings: 2011 NFL Undrafted Free Agents | NEPatriotsDraft.com - Patriots NFL Draft Site

As for UNLV players:
Falcons - Matt Murphy (OL, UNLV)

Yeah, this is the site I usually use. Seems to be the most comprehensive.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Ike Taylor resigns for 4-years with the Steelers.

You needed to slightly alter your screen name to post this

[QuikSand]

So, sounds like we'll see Hasselbeck in Tennessee, McNabb in Minnesota, and Kolb in Arizona. Leaving Cinti and possibly Miami as the remaining obvious place without a guy for right now. Not sure what the market is for Orton, exactly... I guess Miami might think seriously about taking a look there, assuming they see what I see in Henne.

[Kodos]

Orton in Miami... Ouch.

It's been tough sledding at QB for the Dolphins since Marino retired. Maybe they shouldn't have run him off.

[QuikSand]

I root for the Dolphins helmet, too... I don't know what I want there. I really don't believe that Orton is anything special, but they seem to be developing enough of a core there that maybe a caretaker don't-lose-the-game guy makes sense. With a decent veteran QB (you know the type, nothing that special but maybe a 2:1 TD:Int ratio and a credible threat to throw all around the field) is this maybe a 10-11 win team?

[Thomkal]

And in the most important news of free agency: Coastal Carolina's Tyler Thigpen signs with Buffalo. Seriously though this was the best move Thigpen could make-knows the system and had some success with Chan Gailey in KC, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is not exactly Peyton Manning.

[spleen1015]

Am I crazy?

If Asomugha signs with the Jets, I think that makes them the favorites in the AFC. 2 shutdown CB? Fuck me.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

You needed to slightly alter your screen name to post this

I almost did, but it was late after watching the Pirates' travesty.

[Doug5984]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Am I crazy?

If Asomugha signs with the Jets, I think that makes them the favorites in the AFC. 2 shutdown CB? Fuck me.

But not much offense? (Edwards & Holmes both FAs)

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I root for the Dolphins helmet, too... I don't know what I want there. I really don't believe that Orton is anything special, but they seem to be developing enough of a core there that maybe a caretaker don't-lose-the-game guy makes sense. With a decent veteran QB (you know the type, nothing that special but maybe a 2:1 TD:Int ratio and a credible threat to throw all around the field) is this maybe a 10-11 win team?

I think that Orton is underrated. He has improved every year in the league. And there is still, in my mind, a small chance that he could take a leap to Very Good. At a minimum, he seems able to give you the 2:1 TD-Int ratio with ~60% completion. How is that not a huge leap over Chad Henne?

And, I think that the fact that Orton looks like a huge goober actually makes us all underrate him a bit. Kind of a reverse Leinart effect.

Basically, unless the Broncos are asking for something stupid for him, I think that the Dolphins should jump at him.

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

But not much offense? (Edwards & Holmes both FAs)

They are very close to a SB. I think they'll go for it and keep them both. If they can't do that, they'll at least keep Holmes, IMO.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Am I crazy?

If Asomugha signs with the Jets, I think that makes them the favorites in the AFC. 2 shutdown CB? Fuck me.

*Glass half-full*

I dunno that this worries me as much as maybe it should...it means you'll have to throw at one of them, and although they're both very good, QBs have been avoiding them both for a couple years now - they're in essence intimidating offenses into throwing away from them by reputation - didn't we see with Champ Bailey that it's not the end of the world to have to throw at a "shutdown corner" or am I remembering that all wrong?

[yacovfb]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Interesting rooting dynamic for WVU fans following the Eagles. Two of the more recent favorites are on the roster in Owen Schmitt and now Devine, but they are backfield mates with major rivals from the past with VPI's Vick and Pitt's LeSean McCoy.

Plus, they drafted Dion Lewis this year. It seems as if they just get all of their RB scouting out of the way at the Brawl

[JPhillips]

If only the Bengals had a GM they might have a very good offseason. They have to spend somewhere around 36 million to get to the floor. They could easily keep Joseph and fill some holes on both lines and get a veteran QB to mentor Dalton.

But in the real world they'll probably lose Joseph and overpay for a few more Odom like guys.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

They are very close to a SB. I think they'll go for it and keep them both. If they can't do that, they'll at least keep Holmes, IMO.

No way they'll afford Nnamdi, Edwards and Holmes. Would be surprised if they could do Nnamdi and one of the two, though I guess it would depend in how much Asomugha is willing to give up to go to them.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Dola - Well, we'll see. Holmes locked up to 5 year deal. They may just say fuck depth and have 20 guys making the league minimum.

[bhlloy]

If Sanchez does rework his deal, along with the retirement of Jenkins and probable retirement of Woody, I think they have more space than people are giving them credit for.

That being said, I don't think Nnamdi is a good way to spend your remaining cap space if you are the Jets. I think he's going to get hugely overpaid for his talent level and like DT said, part of paying for a "shutdown corner" is paying the myth that teams have to throw away from him on every play. If you put him opposite Revis he's going to get thrown on a lot, and I don't think he's THAT good.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

From GangGreen.com:

Current cap: $102 m
Harris Tag: $11m
Rookie deals: $4 m
Total cap: $117 m
NFL Cap: $120 m

We have the following notable FAs:
Shaun Ellis
Steve Weatherford
Brodney Pool
Tony Richardson
Braylon Edwards
Wayne Hunter
Antonio Cromartie
Santonio Holmes
Eric Smith
Brad Smith
Drew Coleman
Kellen Clemens
Nick Folk
James Ihedigbo
Robert Turner

Obviously prior to the Holmes signing and other reworkings, etc. But a lot of holes to fill without a lot of money with which to do it. Asomugha is a luxury for them, if they nab him they'll have to get pretty creative to fill out the team.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I think that Orton is underrated. He has improved every year in the league. And there is still, in my mind, a small chance that he could take a leap to Very Good. At a minimum, he seems able to give you the 2:1 TD-Int ratio with ~60% completion. How is that not a huge leap over Chad Henne?

And, I think that the fact that Orton looks like a huge goober actually makes us all underrate him a bit. Kind of a reverse Leinart effect.

Basically, unless the Broncos are asking for something stupid for him, I think that the Dolphins should jump at him.

I'm a Dolphins fan and I could support a move to get Orton as long as they don't give up something stupid since Orton is only signed through this year.

[DataKing]

I get the feeling that Seattle is going to be a train wreck this year...

[Logan]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

If Sanchez does rework his deal, along with the retirement of Jenkins and probable retirement of Woody, I think they have more space than people are giving them credit for.

That being said, I don't think Nnamdi is a good way to spend your remaining cap space if you are the Jets. I think he's going to get hugely overpaid for his talent level and like DT said, part of paying for a "shutdown corner" is paying the myth that teams have to throw away from him on every play. If you put him opposite Revis he's going to get thrown on a lot, and I don't think he's THAT good.

I'm with you. Their pass defense two years ago was #1 in the league and they still had problems because they didn't have a pass rush, and which remains the case now.

[JediKooter]

I heard the Chargers signed Takeo Spikes...9-7 here we come!!!!

[Aylmar]

Holmes agrees to a five year deal with the Jets.

New York Jets agree to deal with Santonio Holmes, sources say - ESPN New York

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

I heard the Chargers signed Takeo Spikes...9-7 here we come!!!!

But think of all the great stories you'll get to hear about how he has to order special shirts because his neck is so big!

Yeah... that got old after we heard about it the first dozen times during his rookie season here in Cincinnati.

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

I'm a Dolphins fan and I could support a move to get Orton as long as they don't give up something stupid since Orton is only signed through this year.

Which they will.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

But think of all the great stories you'll get to hear about how he has to order special shirts because his neck is so big!

Yeah... that got old after we heard about it the first dozen times during his rookie season here in Cincinnati.

I can't wait. I hope he does most of his talking on the field, but, I'm not holding my breath. Both the Chargers and the Padres have this unique ability to sign star players...well past their prime.

[bigdawg2003]

Anybody else find it strange that, after months and months of screaming poverty and wanting to reign in player costs, within days of the lockout ending, owners continue to give enormous guarantees to non-elite players

Santonio Holmes gets 24 million guaranteed from the Jets
Charles Johnson gets 30 million guaranteed from the Panthers
Doug Free gets 17 million guaranteed from the Cowboys
Marshall Yanda gets 5 yrs/32 million (guarantee unknown) from the Ravens
Paul Posluszny gets 6 yrs from the Jaguars

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by bigdawg2003

Anybody else find it strange that, after months and months of screaming poverty and wanting to reign in player costs, within days of the lockout ending, owners continue to give enormous guarantees to non-elite players

Santonio Holmes gets 24 million guaranteed from the Jets
Charles Johnson gets 30 million guaranteed from the Panthers
Doug Free gets 17 million guaranteed from the Cowboys
Marshall Yanda gets 5 yrs/32 million (guarantee unknown) from the Ravens
Paul Posluszny gets 6 yrs from the Jaguars

This. You know Dan Snyder is furious he hasn't given a 36 year old 50 million guaranteed yet.

That being said I don't know why any league mandates spending up to a certain floor or % of the cap, because it inevitably leads to some of these terrible deals. It does very little to improve the product on the field, mostly it just leads to mediocre players getting ridiculous deals that will hurt those teams down the line. Just look at some of the deals that the NHL gave out this offseason.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by bigdawg2003

Anybody else find it strange that, after months and months of screaming poverty and wanting to reign in player costs, within days of the lockout ending, owners continue to give enormous guarantees to non-elite players

Santonio Holmes gets 24 million guaranteed from the Jets
Charles Johnson gets 30 million guaranteed from the Panthers
Doug Free gets 17 million guaranteed from the Cowboys
Marshall Yanda gets 5 yrs/32 million (guarantee unknown) from the Ravens
Paul Posluszny gets 6 yrs from the Jaguars

Not sure if those are great examples. Johnson was considered by those that know more than me to be the best pass rusher in FA with three straight years of 10+ sacks. Add in that I'm sure Carolina needs to spend a lot to get to the floor.

Think of it another way...after the lockout, Johnson got $30 million guaranteed based on that past performance. Before the lockout, Gerald McCoy, the #3 pick in the draft last year, got $35 million guaranteed.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Teams have to spend to the floor.

[Logan]

I'm mildly excited that the Niners seem to lead for Asomuga.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

That being said I don't know why any league mandates spending up to a certain floor or % of the cap, because it inevitably leads to some of these terrible deals. It does very little to improve the product on the field, mostly it just leads to mediocre players getting ridiculous deals that will hurt those teams down the line. Just look at some of the deals that the NHL gave out this offseason.

Leagues don't want a floor, the players want a floor. It's a concession to the players, not something the owners want.

[SteveMax58]

Originally Posted by DataKing

I get the feeling that Seattle is going to be a train wreck this year...

Yep...7-9 at best. Wait...

[spleen1015]

I really hope the Redskins don't go after Edwards before Rice.

[spleen1015]

Jabar Gaffney traded to the 'Skins! He just became one of my keepers!!

[Radii]

Carolina Panthers, DeAngelo Williams agree to $43M deal, sources say - ESPN

I'm fine with giving Charles Johnson lots of money. But with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson and the fact that Williams missed 10 games last year, I dunno about this one.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Ugh was hoping Leinart wouldn't go to Seattle. Makes sense given the connection to the head coach. The boneheaded moves my beloved Cards made at QB last season could really come back to haunt them if Leinart gets the starting job and then beats the Cards, especially if they don't go after Kolb.

Interesting Leinart has twittered that he has not signed with Seattle yet.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Interesting Leinart has twittered that he has not signed with Seattle yet.

He resigned with the Texans.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

He resigned with the Texans.

Really? That's a bizarre move if true.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by bigdawg2003

Anybody else find it strange that, after months and months of screaming poverty and wanting to reign in player costs, within days of the lockout ending, owners continue to give enormous guarantees to non-elite players

No. If I'm an team/owner, I'd rather be paying $105 million to players than $125 million, but once the level is set, I'm going to try to do the best I can within whatever everyone's limits are. Sure, some teams are dumb about it and spend poorly within their limitations -- but that would be the case at any set of limits.

[bigdawg2003]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

No. If I'm an team/owner, I'd rather be paying $105 million to players than $125 million, but once the level is set, I'm going to try to do the best I can within whatever everyone's limits are. Sure, some teams are dumb about it and spend poorly within their limitations -- but that would be the case at any set of limits.

I agree with you. My line of thinking was more that all of these big money contracts to good players - but not All-Pro caliber players - just further proves that the owners claims of poverty throughout the negotiations was a complete line of bullshit. If it truly was killing their business and was causing a majority of owners to run at a loss, they wouldn't have made a deal until they got more salary givebacks, or also been more willing to open up their books.

At this first glance of how the "new" NFL player market operates, it doesn't seem very different than the previous one. I guess we won't really see the first signs of change until the top rookies from the 2011 draft sign their contracts, Cam Newton in particular.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Sources: Plaxico Burress likely to New York Giants or Pittsburgh Steelers - ESPN

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Sources: Plaxico Burress likely to New York Giants or Pittsburgh Steelers - ESPN

I can't see him back in Pittsburgh unless his price is in the veteran/journeyman range (which it probably won't be). With our cap situation, adding another established receiver seems like a luxury and we have actual needs to address.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by bigdawg2003

I agree with you. My line of thinking was more that all of these big money contracts to good players - but not All-Pro caliber players - just further proves that the owners claims of poverty throughout the negotiations was a complete line of bullshit. If it truly was killing their business and was causing a majority of owners to run at a loss, they wouldn't have made a deal until they got more salary givebacks, or also been more willing to open up their books.

At this first glance of how the "new" NFL player market operates, it doesn't seem very different than the previous one. I guess we won't really see the first signs of change until the top rookies from the 2011 draft sign their contracts, Cam Newton in particular.

There is a CAP FLOOR, DEMANDED by the players. Some teams HAVE to throw money around to meet that floor. The total cap is below 2009 levels, so in the end they will in fact be spending less.

[stevew]

Instead of giving 75 million to Can't Newton, the Panthers will instead give him 22 million, and give Deangelo 40. I think the market finally functions as it should.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by bigdawg2003

I agree with you. My line of thinking was more that all of these big money contracts to good players - but not All-Pro caliber players - just further proves that the owners claims of poverty throughout the negotiations was a complete line of bullshit. If it truly was killing their business and was causing a majority of owners to run at a loss, they wouldn't have made a deal until they got more salary givebacks, or also been more willing to open up their books.

At this first glance of how the "new" NFL player market operates, it doesn't seem very different than the previous one.

All of that stuff was just in the context of fighting over how to split the giant pie of profits for the new labor agreement, that's all. The second its all agreed to we're back to business as usual, which IMO is generally a great thing for a league as successful and making as much money as the NFL does. Your comments seem more relevant to the NBA's situation I would imagine.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Radii

Carolina Panthers, DeAngelo Williams agree to $43M deal, sources say - ESPN

This one is a real head scratcher. Twenty-one million guaranteed to a guy who can't stay healthy and is less than two years away from the dreaded 30.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

There is a CAP FLOOR, DEMANDED by the players. Some teams HAVE to throw money around to meet that floor. The total cap is below 2009 levels, so in the end they will in fact be spending less.

Are they still able to give a player an attainable performance bonus that the player will never reach?

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Are they still able to give a player an attainable performance bonus that the player will never reach?

Yes, but the floor is based on actual cash spent.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

This one is a real head scratcher. Twenty-one million guaranteed to a guy who can't stay healthy and is less than two years away from the dreaded 30.

Without seeing a breakdown, it could easily be a 3 yr deal that has cap hits in the 6M range for the first 3 years. I'm sure the out years are at like 10m/year.