Intriguing FAs

[HarveyWallbangers]

Guys that are intriguing to me for what I think Thompson will pay at the position and who likely fit our schemes.

G Jake Scott, Rex Hadnot
LB Demorrio Williams, Landon Johnson
S Gibril Wilson

Maybe a backup RB like Derrick Ward, Jesse Chatman, or Mewelde Moore (although I'm not sure he's a good fit for the zone blocking scheme). TE Ben Troupe might also be somebody to look at. He mostly bombed in Tennesse, but has talent. He could blossom elsewhere--much like Donald Lee did.

ESPN's John Clayton:

The smart teams, as noted, will focus on keeping their own guys. A year ago, the Packers signed only backup cornerback Frank Walker in free agency and won 13 games. The Colts signed three minimum-salary free agents (none made the team) and also won 13 games. The Chargers didn't sign a single free agent and won 11.

[GrnBay007]

Harv, one of the guys you mentioned made this list:

The following rankings are the best available players at each position, along with a list of "the valued six," players who might be able to be had for better value than the so-called top-tier players.

THE TOP 10 OVERALL

1. CB Asante Samuel, New England

2. LB Lance Briggs, Chicago

3. WR Randy Moss, New England

4. T Flozell Adams, Dallas

5. RB Michael Turner, San Diego

6. WR Bernard Berrian, Chicago

7. G Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh

8. WR D.J. Hackett, Seattle

9. DE Justin Smith, Cincinnati

10. LB Calvin Pace, Arizona


THE VALUED 6— (alphabetical order)

1. G Jacob Bell, Tennessee

2. C Jeff Faine, New Orleans

3. G Rex Hadnot, Miami

4. DE N.D. Kalu, Houston

5. DE Antwan Odom, Tennessee

6. S Madieu Williams, Cincinnati

The rest of the list....

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-02-24-free-agent-rankings_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

[Bretsky]

Re: Intriguing FAs

Guys that are intriguing to me for what I think Thompson will pay at the position and who likely fit our schemes.

G Jake Scott, Rex Hadnot
LB Demorrio Williams, Landon Johnson
S Gibril Wilson

Maybe a backup RB like Derrick Ward, Jesse Chatman, or Mewelde Moore (although I'm not sure he's a good fit for the zone blocking scheme). TE Ben Troupe might also be somebody to look at. He mostly bombed in Tennesse, but has talent. He could blossom elsewhere--much like Donald Lee did.

ESPN's John Clayton:

The smart teams, as noted, will focus on keeping their own guys. A year ago, the Packers signed only backup cornerback Frank Walker in free agency and won 13 games. The Colts signed three minimum-salary free agents (none made the team) and also won 13 games. The Chargers didn't sign a single free agent and won 11.

I like all of those guys as well; I hope TT brings in an OG like Scott but I'd be against it. Ward and Grant would make a real good combo. I've always liked Ben Troupe; my guess is his issue is what is between the ears because he has the ability.

[HarveyWallbangers]

1. G Jacob Bell, Tennessee
2. C Jeff Faine, New Orleans
3. G Rex Hadnot, Miami
4. DE N.D. Kalu, Houston
5. DE Antwan Odom, Tennessee
6. S Madieu Williams, Cincinnati

I thought about Bell and Williams, but I don't think Bell fits our scheme as well as Hadnot and Scott. Williams might be good value, but I don't think he would give us a clear upgrade at the position. I think Wilson would. I think Odom will get overpaid. I don't think Kalu is a clear upgrade on a healthy Jenkins. Faine is a good OC, but I don't see them moving Wells.

[twoseven]

Didn't we turn down a chance to send a decent pick in a trade for C Jeff Faine a few years back?

[The Leaper]

I think Wells is capable enough if he's got capable OGs beside him. Wells is never going to be a Pro Bowl player, but he's smart and works hard. The problem is that he certainly isn't talented enough to hold up the interior on his own when there are critical breakdowns beside him.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Wells is fine. The coaches seem to think he's a good player. I wish I knew if two of our young group of OGs would improve dramatically this year. At this point, I don't think you can bank on it, so I'd like to see a veteran OG brought in.

[Guiness]

Didn't we turn down a chance to send a decent pick in a trade for C Jeff Faine a few years back?

Yes, Cleveland 'surplused' him after signing LeCharles Bentley a couple of years ago. He was a former first rounder, not a big contract, who went for a fourth rounder, I believe.

Did Bentley recover from his injury?

[twoseven]

Didn't we turn down a chance to send a decent pick in a trade for C Jeff Faine a few years back?

Yes, Cleveland 'surplused' him after signing LeCharles Bentley a couple of years ago. He was a former first rounder, not a big contract, who went for a fourth rounder, I believe.

Did Bentley recover from his injury?

That's right..they traded Faine because they had Bentley in his stead, then Bentley suffers the season ender and Faine is already gone, if remember correctly.

After some checking, Bentley has not played a game since his injury, but he appears to still be under contract with the Browns.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't get too hyped on all of these rumors, but I thought others might be interested.

From FOX Sports:

There could be some players of interest, including Roosevelt Colvin, who recently was cut by New England at a salary-cap savings of $5.8 million. Colvin, 30, played in a 3-4 scheme with the Patriots the past five years but was a strong-side linebacker with Chicago his first four years in the league. He missed the last six games last season because of a foot injury. Colvin's agent, Kennard McGuire, was unavailable for comment on whether the Packers have contacted him about his client, who was free to sign with any team immediately after getting cut Tuesday. -- Green Bay Press-Gazette

[HarveyWallbangers]

Worst FA report ever. I know I could do a better job.

He has Marquand Manuel listed as the 28th best S, but he doesn't have Gibril Wilson listed (and ahead of guys like Jake Scott). Just too funny.

28. S Marquand Manuel, Panthers: Very smart and a solid starter, although he can be exposed.

In case he missed it, Manuel was cut by Green Bay and then was a backup in Carolina. Plus, he sucks.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3269418

Dolphins sign guard Smiley to 5-year, $25M deal

The first deal done in free agency made guard Justin Smiley of the 49ers smile.

Minutes after the opening in free agency, Smiley agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. The deal includes $9 million of guaranteed money.

The 49ers let Smiley and tackle Kwame Harris hit the free agent market. Smiley goes to a Dolphins offensive line that is looking for three new starters and Smiley is the first acquisition to try and fill those needs.

$5M/year for an OG that was a disappointment for San Fran.

49ers sign RB Foster to two-year deal

The San Francisco 49ers got off to a good start in free agency by reaching deals with two unrestricted free agents and a running back who was cut by the Panthers.

The 49ers reached agreements Friday morning with Lions quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan and Vikings linebacker Dontarrious Thomas. They also signed former Panthers halfback DeShaun Foster to a two-year deal worth around $1.8 million.

O'Sullivan agreed to a one-year deal at the NFL minimum along with a $40,000 signing bonus. Thomas agreed to a two-year deal. Former Steelers cornerback and kick-returner Allen Rossum passed a physical Thursday and sign a one-year, $870,000 contract.

The 49ers will have Bengals defensive end Justin Smith in for a visit Friday.

Foster isn't a bad pickup for cheap. J.T. latches on with another team. Vikings disappointing LB goes to San Fran. He's a decent backup though, and I think he was a solid special teams player.

Davis signs 4-year, $16M deal

What is expected to be a hot free-agent market continued to sizzle Thursday when Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Davis became the second free-agent receiver to come off the market to re-sign with his team.

Davis agreed to a four-year, $16 million deal that included $8 million in guarantees. On Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans re-signed Justin Gage to a four-year, $14 million deal. They came off the market, but Randy Moss continues his negotiations with the Patriots.

What made the 28-year-old Davis valuable was his deep speed. He caught 33 passes last year for the Texans and had a 17.7 yard per catch average. In 2004 with the Browns, Davis had a 26.0 average and the following season with New England, he had a 21.1 average.

There was some thought Davis could have received a $5 million-a-year deal on the open market. In the end, he decided to stay with the Texans and hope to start on the other side of star receiver Andre Johnson.

Good, economical signing.

Panthers close to trading Jenkins to Jets

Nearly a year after starting the process, the Carolina Panthers are about to unload disgruntled defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. The Panthers and New York Jets have been in heavy trade discussions about the three-time Pro Bowler and a deal could be completed Friday, according to multiple sources. The Panthers tried to trade Jenkins before last year's draft but pulled back when they couldn't get a first-round pick in return.

Jenkins has been alternating good years with bad years recently. When he's healthy and motivated, he's very good. Too often, he hasn't been.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://blogs.jsonline.com/packers/archive/2008/02/29/free-agency-has-begun.aspx

Vikings going after Bernard Berrian and Justin Smith (who is also rumored to being courted by San Fran). Smith "and his two sacks from last season" would fit right in with the Vikings.

Cole got the 2nd round tender. Morency the 3rd round tender. Williams shipped to Cleveland. Holliday not tendered.

Also, the consensus seems to be that the FA class is weak, and the draft is strong and deep.

[HarveyWallbangers]

My expanded FA list. I don't think we'll break the bank, but these are some solid players who also might be good value.

QB Quinn Gray
RB Derrick Ward
WR Bryant Johnson, D.J. Hackett (possibly, might get
more money than I think)
TE Ben Troupe (change of scenery might do him good)
OG Jake Scott, Rex Hadnot
DE N.D. Kalu (weak group actually)
DT Randy Starks
LB Landon Johnson, Demorrio Williams, Victor Hobson,
Brandon Chillar (there are some decent LBs available)
CB I can't find any (this is a horrible group of
corners after Samuel)
S Yeremiah Bell, Eugene Wilson, Chris Crocker

[Patler]

O'Sullivan will be with his 7th team in his 6th season. He must be the nicest, most supportive guy there is, otherwise I don't understand why teams keep signing him. He doesn't even hold for placekicks, does he? The only game action he has seen was last year, and in two of the four he was in for he didn't even attempt a pass. Even Craig Nall has more game experience than that (but just barely)!