Atari Bigby. . . .

[HarveyWallbangers]

Considering Bigby is a UFA after the season, here's my stance on him: If he demands too much money we let him walk and we start Rouse. Otherwise, I'd be glad to have him if the price is right.

While do you say he is a UFA at the end of the season?
Won't he be a restricted free agent (RFA)?

I believe you're correct, Patler (big surprise there...).

Patler was wrong?

[Patler]

Considering Bigby is a UFA after the season, here's my stance on him: If he demands too much money we let him walk and we start Rouse. Otherwise, I'd be glad to have him if the price is right.

While do you say he is a UFA at the end of the season?
Won't he be a restricted free agent (RFA)?

I believe you're correct, Patler (big surprise there...).

Patler was wrong?

About what?

[vince]

Considering Bigby is a UFA after the season, here's my stance on him: If he demands too much money we let him walk and we start Rouse. Otherwise, I'd be glad to have him if the price is right.

While do you say he is a UFA at the end of the season?
Won't he be a restricted free agent (RFA)?

I believe you're correct, Patler (big surprise there...).

Patler was wrong?

About what?

Patler, Bigby is in his 2nd NFL season, which still puts him under the Exclusive Rights category at the end of the season, not Restricted Rights, which is available after 3 NFL seasons... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restricted_Free_Agent
The only team he can sign with is the Packers this offseason under any scenario unless the Packers release him.

[sepporepi]

The only team he can sign with is the Packers this offseason under any scenario unless the Packers release him.

I bet he gets a vets minimun contract

[b bulldog]

terrible in coverage, plays his best when he is playing downhill towards the line of scrimmage. Makes way too many mental mistakes.

[SkinBasket]

terrible in coverage, plays his best when he is playing downhill towards the line of scrimmage. Makes way too many mental mistakes.

Don't forget slow.

[Guiness]

Since he's either an RFA or EFA, I'm guessing we'll get him for reasonable $$$ and get a chance to see him again next year.

btw I think he's an EFA. He certainly doesn't have 3 accrued seasons, which is what it takes to qualify as an RFA...does he even have one? He was IR'd last year, wasn't he? Does that count as a season?

Here's a decent article laying out the different free agency types:

http://www.askthecommish.com/freeagency/

As an EFA, he's pretty short of options...

[Bretsky]

Bigby is OK; he has had some fortunate breaks on the INT's off tipped passes. He's taken advantage of them. He's a hard tackler and enjoys inflicting the big blow. Love that about him. I can live with how he's playing.

But my confidence is still not strong when I see the ball up in the air and Bigby is the main cover guy. I still think he lacks ball skills and I still think he's the guy on defense teams can expose.

[Patler]

Patler, Bigby is in his 2nd NFL season, which still puts him under the Exclusive Rights category at the end of the season, not Restricted Rights, which is available after 3 NFL seasons... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restricted_Free_Agent
The only team he can sign with is the Packers this offseason under any scenario unless the Packers release him.

I know that. I was simply drawing a distinction between unrestricted free agents and those that are restricted in one way or another. Your description is not exactly correct either. There is no "release" that would make him free. If the Packers fail to tender a contract on or before March 1 he would be free. Teams can "release" only players that are under contract. Bigby's contract will expire, so technically he will be free unless the Packers make him "unfree"..

Under the new CBA a "less than three year veteran" (it does not refer to "exclusive rights free agents" anywhere that I have seen) has to be tendered a contract by March 1, similar to that for "three or more but less than 5 year" free agents (which are referred to as "Restricted Free Agents"). However, the player can not negotiate with any other team after he is tendered, so long as the tender is not withdrawn. The required tender amount is essentially the minimum. If the team does not tender the contract, or withdraws the tender, the player is free to negotiate with anyone.

Also, with respect to Bigby, it appears he is only a two year veteran, but in 2005 he was on the roster for at least two games. I think that is all, which would not entitle him to a year of service, but he is close. All that is needed is that "he was on, or should have been on, full pay status for a total of six or more regular season games". I have no idea what the "should have been" refers to! If he finds another 4 weeks in 2005 he qualifies for a third season.

[Tarlam!]

Bigby isn't as big a liabilty as our dinged up, slowing down Al' Harris. If the front 4 don't find a way to get some QB pressure, I am worried about Al's side of the field.

I love Al. He's class from head to toe. Damned hard worker. But he was soundly beaten in the end zone Sunday.

[Bretsky]

If we don't pressure the QB WR's will get open eventually. DL is still the strength of our team and if they melt down we will lose in the playoffs.

I'm not that worried about Al; he has had a couple poor games but has had a good season. Bigby's coverage skills scare me when he's forced to play a guy man to man..pressure or not.

[MJZiggy]

Does NFLE count? Wasn't he in NFLE that year, or was it 2006? If it even counts...

[Bretsky]

Does NFLE count? Wasn't he in NFLE that year, or was it 2006? If it even counts...

no

[RashanGary]

terrible in coverage, plays his best when he is playing downhill towards the line of scrimmage. Makes way too many mental mistakes.

Don't forget slow.

BS. The U wanted him to be their next safety but he turned them down because he didn't want to cut his hair. He's a typical under the radar Ted player. I think you think he's slow because he wasn't drafted. He does not play slow at all and he's never timed slow.

[RashanGary]

Here are Bigby's combine #'s...

Bigby, Atari SS Central Florida

5106 ht.

214 wt.

19 bench press

N/A N/A 40 yard dash (ran 4.53 at Pro Day)

35 vertical

9-4 broad jump

4.10 short shuttle

7.00 3-cone drill



He ran a better shot shuttle than Collins. Obviously his speed isn't off the charts, but there is nothing wrong with low 4.5's for a safety. Seems like big school kids get the best speed coaches and fluff theirs up a little anyway.