2019 Free Agency Thread

[Fritz]

I'd be very disappointed if they made a run at Mathieu. Would like to see Breeland back, maybe look at moving Jackson.

Don't really understand why you guys are so hyper-focused on the DB's though... lot of young talent to work with back there.

Our problems on defense start up front, as always.

So you think they're fine at safety?

[Carolina_Packer]

I'd be very disappointed if they made a run at Mathieu. Would like to see Breeland back, maybe look at moving Jackson.

Don't really understand why you guys are so hyper-focused on the DB's though... lot of young talent to work with back there.

Our problems on defense start up front, as always.

Any players up front that you would go after in free agency? Who is losing snaps as a result of your suggested move?

Would signing Wilkerson again make you feel better about the D line?

Taking Pettine's scheme into account, and that by percentage of snaps they are not in their base D as often, who is going to help in the nickel (mostly) sub they are most likely to run?

[wist43]

So you think they're fine at safety?

I didn't say we are fine at safety... I just dont think the position is as critical as upgrading our overall front 7.

Besides, an improved pass rush will make life easier on the secondary as QB's will have less time to get rid of the ball. Less time in coverage, more errant passes, etc.

Any players up front that you would go after in free agency? Who is losing snaps as a result of your suggested move?

Would signing Wilkerson again make you feel better about the D line?

Taking Pettine's scheme into account, and that by percentage of snaps they are not in their base D as often, who is going to help in the nickel (mostly) sub they are most likely to run?

I posted 2 candidates for outside/Edge - Shaquil Barrett, Denver, and Preston Smith, Washington.

Most of the other Edge rushers are going to be Franchised, or are going to be very expensive. I think both Barrett and Smith will land decent contracts, but I think both have good upside and will be more affordable.

I would go after both of those guys, but if I could only take 1, I'd prefer Barrett.

So let's say you land Barrett and Smith, and draft White?? In one short offseason you've substantially rebuilt and improved your front 7.

That would make a bigger impact on your defense than anything you did at the safety position.

[The Shadow]

Broken legs caused him to miss 5 games in 2016 and 12 games in 2018. A hamstring caused him to miss 2 games in 2017. Before that, he was a 16 games/year guy. I don't have any personal experiences with broken legs. Could those affect his speed?

No more than blindness could affect his depth perception.

[red]

No more than blindness could affect his depth perception.

About as much as a broken collarbone would effect a QBs accuracy

[Patler]

No more than blindness could affect his depth perception.

Because his legs no longer function?

[Patler]

About as much as a broken collarbone would effect a QBs accuracy

That's my question, does it?

[bobblehead]

I think we need to cut some deadwood and begin the rebuild. No reason at all to not cut Perry immediately. Its a relatively deep OLB class and I'm betting he can't land a deal anywhere near what we are paying him. Replace him with one of the FA's or at a minimum bring him back at half price (or less).

Probably will stick with Graham because we have nothing else, but I would personally cut him too. We have been paying all the wrong guys for a few years now and its time to change that. Thomas and one of the EDGE would open us up on draft day to draft BPA and that could still be an edge guy. We could also feel less pressure to go edge and grab one of the 2 OT if they dropped, or what if Ed Oliver is sitting there at 12. We got GAPING holes at OLB and S and we got cap money. I can't see any reason we wouldn't move on from Perry and spend some of that money to fill serious need areas. I'd probably look for a solid G in FA as well. Nothing to break the bank, but give me a solid $5 mil a year interior guy to play next to Lindsey and whoever is left standing at T. I don't mind saving money if we will need it to resign guys, but the best talent on this roster is already locked up for a couple years. I just can't see needing the cap money we have atm to keep any of our own "must keep" guys for at least 2-3 years. In that time cap goes up, guys salaries fall off, etc.

[red]

That's my question, does it?

maybe if its in a place where ligaments are involved?

i honestly don't know. you wouldn't think so unless the bone doesn't heal right

i always thought broken bones are just some random thing that happens. its the repeated muscle tears or ligament damage that i think of when i think of someone being injury prone

[red]

I think we need to cut some deadwood and begin the rebuild. No reason at all to not cut Perry immediately. Its a relatively deep OLB class and I'm betting he can't land a deal anywhere near what we are paying him. Replace him with one of the FA's or at a minimum bring him back at half price (or less).

Probably will stick with Graham because we have nothing else, but I would personally cut him too. We have been paying all the wrong guys for a few years now and its time to change that. Thomas and one of the EDGE would open us up on draft day to draft BPA and that could still be an edge guy. We could also feel less pressure to go edge and grab one of the 2 OT if they dropped, or what if Ed Oliver is sitting there at 12. We got GAPING holes at OLB and S and we got cap money. I can't see any reason we wouldn't move on from Perry and spend some of that money to fill serious need areas. I'd probably look for a solid G in FA as well. Nothing to break the bank, but give me a solid $5 mil a year interior guy to play next to Lindsey and whoever is left standing at T. I don't mind saving money if we will need it to resign guys, but the best talent on this roster is already locked up for a couple years. I just can't see needing the cap money we have atm to keep any of our own "must keep" guys for at least 2-3 years. In that time cap goes up, guys salaries fall off, etc.

i'd kinda like to see if the new kid coach can figure out how to use a TE, because that was one of my big complaints about fat dickhead. he could have 4 of the greatest TE's in nfl history on the team at the same time, and he still wouldn't use them right

if we still had fat fuck, i would totally agree with you that graham and the rest of the TE's on the team are just a complete waste of money

[wist43]

Nobody here likes Barrett or Preston Smith as FA targets??

I think both of the guys make a lot of sense...

Suppose you sign Barrett, and draft White... I would argue we'd still need two more front seven studs, but those 2 guys would be a big upgrade over anything we have now.

Jettison Perry and Ryan, and reduce Fackrell to a spot rotation guy. Gotta get Fackrell out of the starting lineup.

[Fritz]

Wist, you write that "So let's say you land Barrett and Smith, and draft White?? In one short offseason you've substantially rebuilt and improved your front 7.

That would make a bigger impact on your defense than anything you did at the safety position."

But couldn't you argue that if you signed two good free-agent safeties, and drafted another one high, you could make as big an impact on the safety position as drafting one guy up front?

You're basically arguing for throwing a ton of players at a problem.

[Deputy Nutz]

Its the chicken vs the egg scenario. Does a good pass rush boost the secondary or does a good secondary boost the pass rush? The Patriots demonstrated in the Super Bowl that aggravating the QB still works in handling the 21st century pass happy offenses. Taking away the run game is still the number 1 key to playing good team defense and making offenses one dimensional. Safeties are important dynamic on a football field and in the 3-4 they can be heavily relied on to be over hang players and alley run fillers.

Outside linebackers in a 3-4 are still the most valuable position on the field. They have to be pass rush specialist and dynamic against the run. Without them you should just play a 4-3

[run pMc]

Nobody here likes Barrett or Preston Smith as FA targets??

I do. Signing up-and-comers at OLB means a rookie doesn't have to be a savior. They'd still need to draft 1-2 because Matthews has aged, Perry can't stay healthy enough to earn his contract, and I doubt Fackrell gets 10 sacks again.

I'm not overwhelmed by the safety draft class. Adderly might be the best of the bunch. It seems like GB has safeties who are more in-the-box types (Josh Jones, Brice) and they lack someone with smarts and instincts who can get everyone lined up and play deep...a FS, not a SS. Maybe Pettine's D can function without that type of player, but his defense did well with Jim Leonhard.
I realize a lot of defenses are going the "interchangable" path with safeties, but some players are more natural in certain roles, and the FS draft class is thin unless they think they can get someone to switch from CB to S.

I think Landon Collins will stay with NYG, and who knows if he'd be a fit for Pettine anyway. I thought he was more of a box safety anyway.
Thomas is a maybe, the recent injuries are a concern.
Honey Badger would get the GB curse and end up on IR, especially with the way he plays, plus he'll want $$$ to play.

Using FA to plug some holes and put less pressure on your draft picks makes sense, I think they'll have to do that at every position.

[pbmax]

Its the chicken vs the egg scenario. Does a good pass rush boost the secondary or does a good secondary boost the pass rush? The Patriots demonstrated in the Super Bowl that aggravating the QB still works in handling the 21st century pass happy offenses. Taking away the run game is still the number 1 key to playing good team defense and making offenses one dimensional. Safeties are important dynamic on a football field and in the 3-4 they can be heavily relied on to be over hang players and alley run fillers.

Outside linebackers in a 3-4 are still the most valuable position on the field. They have to be pass rush specialist and dynamic against the run. Without them you should just play a 4-3

If you have both skills, its a benefit in either scheme.

A 4-3 needs a pass rush DE. The Sam needs to battle the TE and hold the edge of the offense's strong side and do some pass D. Its the same skill sets. If you have two that can do both, its lights out in either front. Capers played a 4-3 Under with his 3-4 personnel for most of his Packers career. Just that Perry was standing up.