2020 free agency thread

[Sparkey]

Blake Martinez, LB, Packers. Age: 26.
Blake Martinez is an excellent coverage linebacker.

Did they write that after watching him cover Marcedes Lewis in practice ?

Martinez is everything that is wrong with the team. A step slow, terrible in zone coverage, unable to cover in man coverage and just not good sideline to sideline.

Honestly, if he is starting next year, the defense in the middle of the field will be as bad as it always is.

[Rutnstrut]

Those of you that think decent kickers are a dime a dozen must not watch much football. This sounds a lot like everyone thinking it would be a snap to find a good center when TT was letting good ones walk.

[call_me_ishmael]

Those of you that think decent kickers are a dime a dozen must not watch much football. This sounds a lot like everyone thinking it would be a snap to find a good center when TT was letting good ones walk.

https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/stats?season=2019&week=100&category=KICKING&opp=0&sort=4&qualified=1&sortOrder=0

The stats don't lie. Let's say the difference between good and bad is 20% or ~4 field goals. How many of those are in close enough games to matter? I am not at all sold on the idea of paying a kicker or a punter big bucks.

Only 5 kickers hit 90% or better last year, but 22 hit 80% or better. If the difference is having Lane Taylor as a back-up guard vs some UNFA or a premium kicker, I'm taking the guard all day personally.

[pbmax]

I wonder about Walter Football's analyst after I read this:

Blake Martinez, LB, Packers. Age: 26.
Blake Martinez is an excellent coverage linebacker. He struggled in run support last year, but he's still very young and can improve in that regard.

In some ways, complaining about ILBs in a passing league is a given. They can be abused with matchups. Same with safeties.

The few who can do both are rare and highly coveted. Martinez, to me, seems capable but limited. I thought he got better this year at filling and working downhill but he and his teammates missed a few. If your D line is good, and the Packers at times was not, Martinez can help but won't be dominant against the run.

In coverage, he simply doesn't have the speed to cover a crosser against a back man to man. Its not terrible speed, but its not enough. I did think he was one of the better players in zone. He wasn't bad at dropping and then coming up and tackling a check down. Though he's not the best open field tackler either.

If your Defense needs to go all in on the D line according to scheme, Martinez might be your guy. If you need him to dominate, not so much.

[pbmax]

https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/stats?...=1&sortOrder=0

The stats don't lie. Let's say the difference between good and bad is 20% or ~4 field goals. How many of those are in close enough games to matter? I am not at all sold on the idea of paying a kicker or a punter big bucks.

Only 5 kickers hit 90% or better last year, but 22 hit 80% or better. If the difference is having Lane Taylor as a back-up guard vs some UNFA or a premium kicker, I'm taking the guard all day personally.

That's 5-6 misses if you attempts are between 25 and 30, which most kickers get.

The problem with assessing kickers because they ONLY miss 5-6 more than counterparts is that you can't control when the misses happen. Might cost you winning versus the spread against the Lions one year. Might cost you a Divisional Round playoff game versus Dallas the next.

They already were paying Crosby Top 10 money, I have no problem with them doing it again with a pay as you go deal.

He isn't Justin Tucker, but he might be Gould.

[mraynrand]

I wonder about Walter Football's analyst after I read this:



In some ways, complaining about ILBs in a passing league is a given. They can be abused with matchups. Same with safeties.

The few who can do both are rare and highly coveted. Martinez, to me, seems capable but limited. I thought he got better this year at filling and working downhill but he and his teammates missed a few. If your D line is good, and the Packers at times was not, Martinez can help but won't be dominant against the run.

In coverage, he simply doesn't have the speed to cover a crosser against a back man to man. Its not terrible speed, but its not enough. I did think he was one of the better players in zone. He wasn't bad at dropping and then coming up and tackling a check down. Though he's not the best open field tackler either.

If your Defense needs to go all in on the D line according to scheme, Martinez might be your guy. If you need him to dominate, not so much.

That's why they took a flier on Burks, hoping he'd develop into a Shazier. You need the physical (and mental) freak who will tackle like an inside linebacker, but can run with WRs (or at least the speediest RBs and TEs). If you cheat with a safety, you get destroyed in the run game; put in an average speed LB, they pass you to death.

As an aside, the Packers are in a similar sit. as the Cowboys/SF of the early 90's - they may be looking at a way to win a game against the one team they can't get past. The trick is to do it without overreacting so you don't destroy your team balance. The most effective way is probably what both Dallas and SF ended up doing - steal/buy your opponents' best player....

[Deputy Nutz]

That's why they took a flier on Burks, hoping he'd develop into a Shazier. You need the physical (and mental) freak who will tackle like an inside linebacker, but can run with WRs (or at least the speediest RBs and TEs). If you cheat with a safety, you get destroyed in the run game; put in an average speed LB, they pass you to death.

As an aside, the Packers are in a similar sit. as the Cowboys/SF of the early 90's - they may be looking at a way to win a game against the one team they can't get past. The trick is to do it without overreacting so you don't destroy your team balance. The most effective way is probably what both Dallas and SF ended up doing - steal/buy your opponents' best player....

Shazier was a first round pick if I am remembering right, Oren Burks wasn't even on the radar when the Packers moved up in the 3rd round to draft him. If you want a dynamic player in the middle of the field you have to draft them in the first or second round. If the Packers want a linebacker to stay on the field for all three downs they need to invest and not take flyers on guys at the end of the draft. I also think that the Packers had really high hopes that Josh Jones was going to work out as a hybrid nickel and dime linebacker and that guy flaked himself out of the league.

As far as free agency goes, there are not many options that are going to offer more quality than Martinez. The Packers can find a cheaper option, but they will have to really consider addressing the MLB spot in the first couple rounds of the draft. The more I start to dig there is probably one maybe two guys that have a 1st round grade at the position, but you never really know until after the combine.

[Smidgeon]

Players to be targeted =

FA Seahawks, DE Quinton Jefferson 3 year 18 million, 6 per or FA Rams DE Michael Brockers 2 year 16 mill, 8 mill per

FA Rams, ILB Cory Littleton , 4 year 50 million, 12.5 mill per

FA Bengals, WR AJ Green, 2 year 18 mill, 9 mill per

Key Resigns- Bulaga, Crosby, M. Lewis

Key cuts -Graham, Lane Taylor

Extend-Kenny Clark

Round 1 -WR Jalen Reagor TCU

https://youtu.be/gubmQmwqjIA

Round 2-ILB Jordan Brooks Texas Tech

https://youtu.be/7_vcSX6fxx4

Round 3-best OL on board

Round 4-WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin

https://youtu.be/kjl_Q1kR0qM

Round 5-7, Fill in depth.

That’s what is needed. Not sure if I posted it in right place.

Plenty of SPEED!!!

Well, hello there.

[pbmax]

That's why they took a flier on Burks, hoping he'd develop into a Shazier. You need the physical (and mental) freak who will tackle like an inside linebacker, but can run with WRs (or at least the speediest RBs and TEs). If you cheat with a safety, you get destroyed in the run game; put in an average speed LB, they pass you to death.

As an aside, the Packers are in a similar sit. as the Cowboys/SF of the early 90's - they may be looking at a way to win a game against the one team they can't get past. The trick is to do it without overreacting so you don't destroy your team balance. The most effective way is probably what both Dallas and SF ended up doing - steal/buy your opponents' best player....

Shazier was a first round pick if I am remembering right, Oren Burks wasn't even on the radar when the Packers moved up in the 3rd round to draft him. If you want a dynamic player in the middle of the field you have to draft them in the first or second round. If the Packers want a linebacker to stay on the field for all three downs they need to invest and not take flyers on guys at the end of the draft. I also think that the Packers had really high hopes that Josh Jones was going to work out as a hybrid nickel and dime linebacker and that guy flaked himself out of the league.

As far as free agency goes, there are not many options that are going to offer more quality than Martinez. The Packers can find a cheaper option, but they will have to really consider addressing the MLB spot in the first couple rounds of the draft. The more I start to dig there is probably one maybe two guys that have a 1st round grade at the position, but you never really know until after the combine.

Agree on all fronts. Burks was a flier for athletic freakishness, but in the 3rd round plus a trade up was WAY too high a price. A flyer should cost the pick alone, I suspect.

FA might be the best route to solve the 49er/Cowboy of the 90s dilemma on defense. I thought Brandon Chillar actually did some good things in the time he was here and not hurt. But there is no guarantee that guy is out there.

You can go 2nd round for a WR or 4th for a swing OL, but a stud DL or 3 down ILB will need to be earlier.

[pbmax]

Hello Brandon, and welcome. Thanks for doing the work PLUS the vids. Appreciated.

Players to be targeted =

FA Seahawks, DE Quinton Jefferson 3 year 18 million, 6 per or FA Rams DE Michael Brockers 2 year 16 mill, 8 mill per

FA Rams, ILB Cory Littleton , 4 year 50 million, 12.5 mill per

FA Bengals, WR AJ Green, 2 year 18 mill, 9 mill per

Key Resigns- Bulaga, Crosby, M. Lewis

Key cuts -Graham, Lane Taylor

Extend-Kenny Clark

Round 1 -WR Jalen Reagor TCU

https://youtu.be/gubmQmwqjIA

Round 2-ILB Jordan Brooks Texas Tech

https://youtu.be/7_vcSX6fxx4

Round 3-best OL on board

Round 4-WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin

https://youtu.be/kjl_Q1kR0qM

Round 5-7, Fill in depth.

That’s what is needed. Not sure if I posted it in right place.

Plenty of SPEED!!!

[texaspackerbacker]

I had been saying go D Line in the first round, but after reading about Chris Jones, Reader, and several other outstanding D Lineman that are free agents, I'm thinking/hoping Gutekunst will go that route and draft something else in the first round, I wouldn't rule out getting another Corner, as King isn't good enough and Alexander seemed to regress from his rookie year.

I still say, most of the negativity about Martinez is unjustified. For most of the season, he did a good job stopping the run, and the poor gap discipline in the SF game may have somehow been on the coaches. I wish the Packers would use more zone pass coverage. I doubt there was a big enough sample to say Martinez was poor in that, and as somebody said, expecting an ILB cover speedy skill position players is a lot to ask. In addition, Martinez was basically one guy doing the job of two ILBs in the scheme most of the time. The only way we should lose him is if we can get a FA who is better, and most of those mentioned IMO are not better.

[run pMc]

Agree on all fronts. Burks was a flier for athletic freakishness, but in the 3rd round plus a trade up was WAY too high a price. A flyer should cost the pick alone, I suspect.

FA might be the best route to solve the 49er/Cowboy of the 90s dilemma on defense. I thought Brandon Chillar actually did some good things in the time he was here and not hurt. But there is no guarantee that guy is out there.

You can go 2nd round for a WR or 4th for a swing OL, but a stud DL or 3 down ILB will need to be earlier.

Chillar was a bit underrated. As for Burks, IIRC he had one season at LB after being a S. I had high hopes for him, but he didn't get many snaps on D. He did become a core ST guy, so there's that, but... a R3+ is pricey for that. I agree that a flier should cost the pick alone. Giving up picks to move up for a specific pet project can really backfire, as the Spriggs pick haunted for years.

Martinez isn't a bad player - smart, available, he was Hawk 2.0 at the right price (maybe even better), but some team is going to overpay for him and I'd rather it not be GB. A true 3 down ILB would be great find, but is probably a 1st rounder. Some think ILB is traditionally a low value position, but the way offenses attack now I wonder. What about signing Kwiatkowski to replace Martinez and drafting a S-LB tweener like Kyle Duggar to play the other LB? I'm not sure if Ty Summers is ready (or any good). There's the possibility they go with same solution of a vet minimum run stuffer and then a big safety at the other spot...Campbell will be a full year removed from his ACL and Greene will be back too.

It seemed like the run fits were off at times in the NFCC -- like they didn't know which gaps to plug, or maybe they were panicking and playing hero-ball by gambling/cheating into a gap. That the most base 3-4 they've played in a game all year, leaving better coaching and execution wanting.
I wouldn't be shocked if MLF has Pettine emphasize run defense more in camp.

[GB-Brandon]

According to PFF and the “eye test” Martinez clearly isn’t the guy for us in this scheme that Pettine wants to run and since Pettine is coming back(which I hate) we definitely need an upgrade. This is not to take anything away from Martinez as he is a good football player but he is clearly in over his head in what he is asked to do. Ultimately, the death blow for Martinez will be the salary he will most likely command heading into free agency. With that said the current scheme we run needs more speed and explosion with the ability to cover from that position and ability to get sideline to sideline. Isiah Simmons(Clemson) would be the perfect scheme fit but we’re not gonna have a shot at him in the draft.

The Niners clearly showed us who “The New Sheriff In Town” is and we are quickly approaching the end of our window so beggars can’t be choosy. Getting Littleton isn’t my favorite move all time by far but the inability too upgrade this position since Desmond Bishop has left us somewhat stranded. We have to go now and there is zero margin for error.

Yes, we need a 3-4 run stopping DE which isn’t the end of the world. There are many affordable options available. If they would of drafted Jeffery Simmons instead of R. Gary we would already have that out of the way. Instead we’re left with a player that nobody really has a clear view of what to do with.

[pbmax]

It seemed like the run fits were off at times in the NFCC -- like they didn't know which gaps to plug, or maybe they were panicking and playing hero-ball by gambling/cheating into a gap. That the most base 3-4 they've played in a game all year, leaving better coaching and execution wanting.
I wouldn't be shocked if MLF has Pettine emphasize run defense more in camp.

That is the question I have for the coaches. La Fleur said he wasn't sure of the intensity level, which could mean anything,

But a lot of players just got blocked or fell down. Not sure intensity explains it.

I almost wish they had lost that game at Lambeau because my head keeps looking for California and scheduling solutions.

[pbmax]

Yes, we need a 3-4 run stopping DE which isn’t the end of the world. There are many affordable options available. If they would of drafted Jeffery Simmons instead of R. Gary we would already have that out of the way. Instead we’re left with a player that nobody really has a clear view of what to do with.

And he is behind two other guys who are committed for 3 years. You can't have enough pass rush, but the solution for a team with a window might not be draft and develop with other front 7 position needs.

Very much like ILB, not sure they are breaking the bank for a new guy, so is it wrong player for scheme? Position coach?