2012 Free Agent Watch

[HarveyWallbangers]

It's kind of fun to sit back and watch these guys get so much money and then realize how much value TT has gotten by resigning most of his own guys ahead of free agency. Admittedly, Hawk's contract looks steep after the year he had and TT had bad luck with Collins, but the contracts that Rodgers, Sitton, Jennings, Nelson, Bishop, Tramon, etc. signed all look like bargains now.

[woodbuck27]

I think the courtship of Flynn this year shows a little more caution by GM's. Yet, the contract he signed gives Flynn an awful nice chunk of change, while still allowing him to reap the rewards if he proves himself, both short term and long term. If he flops, the Seahawks are done with him very quickly, with no long term cap issues as a result.

Dang, if GMs all start being reasonable like this, it will make it harder for the Packers to compete!

With all the negative media spin on the state of the Franchise in Miami in terms of apparent issues and complaints with the Dolphins GM and front office. Matt Flynn was wise not to get lured to Miami.

The story on the problems in the Miami Dolphins Organization is taking full force. I watched a discussion on this matter on NFL Total Access this morning.

It's bad in Miami. Players are avoiding Miami. Players are desiring to leave Miami. It seems that that organization waqs 'out to lunch' in it's aspirations or delusions to sign Peyton Manning.

The Miami Dolphins GM, 'Jeff Ireland', is under attack.

[woodbuck27]

It's kind of fun to sit back and watch these guys get so much money and then realize how much value TT has gotten by resigning most of his own guys ahead of free agency. Admittedly, Hawk's contract looks steep after the year he had and TT had bad luck with Collins, but the contracts that Rodgers, Sitton, Jennings, Nelson, Bishop, Tramon, etc. signed all look like bargains now.

Yes.

[ND72]

I think in general teams a bit more careful with tossing money around on free agents just based on what has happened to almost every team in the past 10 years with getting burned on big contracts. You still have a couple big contracts (Mario, Jackson), but years ago, guys like Matt Flynn would have gotten a 5 year $50 Mil contract. Some of the "mid-range" contracts are even a bit lower, while you still say "wow" to guys like Garcon and Mechem for getting kind of semi-fat contracts. It may take a few years, but the draft numbers will help teams a ton. Now, if RG3 is a bust, it may cost Washington $20-30Mill as opposed to even 5 years ago costing them maybe up to $50mil.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I think in general teams a bit more careful with tossing money around on free agents just based on what has happened to almost every team in the past 10 years with getting burned on big contracts. You still have a couple big contracts (Mario, Jackson), but years ago, guys like Matt Flynn would have gotten a 5 year $50 Mil contract. Some of the "mid-range" contracts are even a bit lower, while you still say "wow" to guys like Garcon and Mechem for getting kind of semi-fat contracts. It may take a few years, but the draft numbers will help teams a ton. Now, if RG3 is a bust, it may cost Washington $20-30Mill as opposed to even 5 years ago costing them maybe up to $50mil.

Good point. With rookie contracts so much lower (especially the first rounders) there's more money available for the FAs. We may very well see more of the semi-fat contracts.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...rs-96-million/

Manning’s deal is done: five years, $96 million

Posted by Mike Florio on March 20, 2012, 11:19 AM EDT

Comment woodbuck27:

No mention of . . . . . ' $$ GURANTEED $$ ' money.

[woodbuck27]

Good point. With rookie contracts so much lower (especially the first rounders) there's more money available for the FAs. We may very well see more of the semi-fat contracts.

Yes I like the NFL Apprentiship plan. To ensure the Vet's get their due. It reflects the way most of us live.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/with-peyton-heading-to-denver-broncos-may-sign-jeff-saturday/

With Peyton heading to Denver, Broncos may sign Jeff Saturday

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 19, 2012, 12:19 PM EDT

Comment woodbuck27:

We were aware that GM Ted Thompson asked him to visit him last night. I'm soon checking on the status of that visit. If it happened.... the results?

NFL Total ACCESS Reports thst Saturday is expected in DENVER Wed. afternoon.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/titans-to-host-top-free-agent-pass-rusher-kam-wimbley/

Titans to host top free agent pass rusher Kam Wimbley

Posted by Evan Silva on March 19, 2012, 12:46 PM EDT

Comment woodbuck27:

Later on in this thread you will see a post that 'in fact' Kam Wimbley did sign a 5 year $35 Million$ contract with Tennessee. I'm just trying to maintain some timeline.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/michael-bennett-signs-tender-from-bucs/

Michael Bennett signs tender from Bucs

Posted by Josh Alper on March 19, 2012, 2:24 PM EDT

[Lurker64]

Apparently we signed a free agent, and it's Jarrett Bush!

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=2&cid=1169519&nid=5578902&fhn=1

[mraynrand]

It's kind of fun to sit back and watch these guys get so much money and then realize how much value TT has gotten by resigning most of his own guys ahead of free agency. Admittedly, Hawk's contract looks steep after the year he had and TT had bad luck with Collins, but the contracts that Rodgers, Sitton, Jennings, Nelson, Bishop, Tramon, etc. signed all look like bargains now.

Hawk seems like kinda the exception, but that may have been just due to the weird year. You can almost take it to the bank that if TT doesn't re-sign someone a couple few years before their contract is up, they will be moving on. It's a general strategy that keeps the team young and saves money.

[gbgary]

Apparently we signed a free agent, and it's Jarrett Bush!

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=1...=5578902&fhn=1

oh well...

[Lurker64]

No one is excited about resigning Jarrett Bush?

Supposedly it's a 3-year deal for more than Bush's last 3-year contract, but it's not starter's money (Bush would have taken an offer from another team if it was a starting situation and starting money). Apparently the Rams, Cowboys, Cardinals, and Jets all wanted to sign Bush.

[Fosco33]

No one is excited about resigning Jarrett Bush?

Supposedly it's a 3-year deal for more than Bush's last 3-year contract, but it's not starter's money (Bush would have taken an offer from another team if it was a starting situation and starting money). Apparently the Rams, Cowboys, Cardinals, and Jets all wanted to sign Bush.

I think that's solid!