FREE AGENT OG's

[Zool]

Looks like the best UFA class in quite some time.

Actually, I was thinking about how ordinary it looked. It's pretty similar to most years, and there are several guys that will get locked up before FA begins. Ryan Lilja is a decent player, but when he's the second best available OG, then it's not very strong. He's not a Pro Bowl caliber player. There are about 20 good players in that group, and most of those will get overpaid. We keep talking about Lilja and Scott, but somebody will probably pay them $5M/year, and they aren't worth that much.

Problem is, they are worth that much in today's NFL. They're worth whatever the market dictates. When it comes time for teams to sign their own players, they have to use the FA deals as a barometer. Meaning that if you want to lock up your own guy who's good but not great, you end up having to pay them as much or more.

I kind of like the NBA's idea with a per player cap. I doubt it would ever fly in the NFL. Too many different positions make disparaging salaries.

[Tarlam!]

I simply don't believe our GM will let himself be screwed in FA. If he makes a mistake, it will be salary cap friendly.

I agree, a vet guard would be nice, thou. I would have liked Wahle back - I just admired the guy.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Problem is, they are worth that much in today's NFL. They're worth whatever the market dictates. When it comes time for teams to sign their own players, they have to use the FA deals as a barometer. Meaning that if you want to lock up your own guy who's good but not great, you end up having to pay them as much or more.

I understand that the market dictates what a player is worth, but teams often make bad decisions (in all sports). Problem is that teams often have a hard time containing themselves in UFAs. Somebody probably will overspend on a non-Pro Bowl OG for $5M/year. In a couple of years, they'll realize their mistake and cut that guy (Marco Rivera?). In the end, somebody did overspend money on that player. The market dictated that player's worth, but it doesn't mean the player was worth what the market dictated.

[Patler]

It can be argued that Carolina overpaid Wahle, too.
In salaries and bonuses, they paid him nearly $18 million for three seasons.

[RashanGary]

Looks like the best UFA class in quite some time.

Actually, I was thinking about how ordinary it looked. It's pretty similar to most years, and there are several guys that will get locked up before FA begins. Ryan Lilja is a decent player, but when he's the second best available OG, then it's not very strong. He's not a Pro Bowl caliber player. There are about 20 good players in that group, and most of those will get overpaid. We keep talking about Lilja and Scott, but somebody will probably pay them $5M/year, and they aren't worth that much.

I don't know, Harv. Last year there were only three good players that I remember. . .

The CB in SF and two OT's. After that, I remember seeing a bunch of junk.

This year at least there are 10-15 good starters.

[RashanGary]

Harv, I won't disagree with you on how the open market will drive up their price. Everyone says the market sets itself, so that is what they are worth but if you draft your own and use tags, tenders and the forsight of locking guys up early, you never have to pay the UFA market price. With that in mind, it's not the market price, it's the market price for those who can't draft and if you have to dive in too deep too often in that market, you're screwed anyway.

Bottom line, UFA should be a last resort for a good team.

That said, there are times where a player is underrated (for whatever reason). Pickett was one of those. Woodson was one of those (with the injury concern). They're aren't many, but a GM should always have his eye open for those too.

[Fritz]

. "Jake Scott, G, Indianapolis Colts: He has started 48 games the past three seasons for a good offense."

I wouldn't touch Jake Scott. He was slow when he played safety for the Dolphins, and I suppose a slow safety is a quick guard, but still, converted safeties don't usually make good offensive guards.

[red]

Looks like the best UFA class in quite some time.

Actually, I was thinking about how ordinary it looked. It's pretty similar to most years, and there are several guys that will get locked up before FA begins. Ryan Lilja is a decent player, but when he's the second best available OG, then it's not very strong. He's not a Pro Bowl caliber player. There are about 20 good players in that group, and most of those will get overpaid. We keep talking about Lilja and Scott, but somebody will probably pay them $5M/year, and they aren't worth that much.

I don't know, Harv. Last year there were only three good players that I remember. . .

The CB in SF and two OT's. After that, I remember seeing a bunch of junk.

This year at least there are 10-15 good starters.

well last year at this time there were quite a few big names too, before they were franchised or resigned. guys like samuel, and briggs

this list will windle down to next to nothing too before free agency really starts

[vince]

Here's a list of OG free agents from The Huddle Report, along with their ranking and expected contract figures. First dollar figure is expected signing bonus. Second dollar figure is expected per year compensation.

Rank....Name....Height....Weight...Age....Team.... Signing Bonus...Per Yr. $
1 Alan Faneca 6-5 307 31 Steelers $12.00M $7.00M
2 Rex Hadnot 6-2 325 26 Dolphins $10.00M $6.50M
3 Jacob Bell 6-4 295 27 Titans $9.50M $6.50M
4 Jason Brown (RFA) 6-3 320 25 Ravens $9.00M $6.50M
5 Jake Scott 6-5 295 27 Colts $9.00M $5.75M
6 Justin Smiley 6-3 311 26 49ers $7.00M $5.00M
7 Ryan Lilja 6-2 290 26 Colts $5.50M $4.00M
8 Damien Woody 6-3 340 30 Lions $5.00M $3.50M
9 Seth McKinney 6-3 315 29 Browns $4.50M $3.25M
10 Cooper Carlisle 6-5 295 31 Raiders $4.25M $3.00M
11 Chris Kemoeatu (RFA) 6-3 344 25 Steelers $4.00M $3.50M
12 Ruben Brown 6-3 304 36 Bears $4.00M $3.00M
13 Jamar Nesbit 6-4 328 31 Saints $4.00M $3.00M
14 Stephen Peterman (RFA) 6-4 323 26 Lions $2.50M $2.75M
15 Milford Brown 6-5 330 28 Rams $2.50M $2.50M

A few others:
P.J. Alexander UFA Atlanta Falcons
Brian Rimpf RFA Baltimore Ravens
Keydrick Vincent UFA Baltimore Ravens
Fred Weary UFA Houston Texans

[Freak Out]

I remember when a friend (a Lions fan) was talking trash after the Lions signed him. I believe it was after one of the Patriot SB wins. I just reminded him that they had signed a guard....not a QB.

[KYPack]

I remember when a friend (a Lions fan) was talking trash after the Lions signed him. I believe it was after one of the Patriot SB wins. I just reminded him that they had signed a guard....not a QB.

Who, man?

Damien Woody?

Any GM that gives him a $5.00M Bonus and $3.50M per outta be drawn and quartered.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Lilja was resigned by Indy today.