2014 NFL Free Agency Thread

[JO_75]

It seems Tony Gonzalez is hinting at pulling a Favre. He said he would be open to returning to the Falcons if they open up the season with a very good start.

 

 

 

“Maybe, if the team is hot in November, 9–2 or something, I could come back for the last two months,” Gonzalez said.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/07/gonzalez-doesnt-rule-out-a-2014-return/

[Mt. Crushmore]

The Chiefs released CB Dunta Robinson

 

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/431928196745793536

[52520Andrew]

@davebirkett "The Lions have re-signed C Dominic Raiola to a one-year deal. I'm told he gets a nice raise after taking a paycut to stay in Detroit last yr"

 

That is a Lions beat writer.  Anyone hoping would be our veteran center, he is now off the market.  That doesn't leave us with a lot of good options, unless the FO wants to take a risk and pay De La Puenta.

 

That stinks although Detroit does not run the zone scheme anyways I believe so I don't know if he would be the guy who we would target. Have you heard much news on the Green Bay Center Evan Dietrich-Smith? I hear he is fairly good and they ran a zone under McCarthy as well which is always a plus with transitioning to our scheme if we got him. He could be an expensive guy however as well. He is only 28 right now though.

 

I still think Velasco is the best fit for us. He is a bigger guy at 312, ran the zone in Pittsburgh, is only 28, would really provide some good veteran competition for Gino, and of course he could give us some nuggets on how the Steelers run their offense And most importantly, he would come fairly cheap. I would say he is my favorite guy for value and right now we need all the value we can get. Overall I would want a better guy but realistically, I think he is not too bad of an option for the price.

 

Now granted Mack would still be ideal but unlikely and De la Puente would be great as well, but those are a couple of the other guys out there since Raiola is now gone.

 

[T3hRaven]

That stinks although Detroit does not run the zone scheme anyways I believe so I don't know if he would be the guy who we would target. Have you heard much news on the Green Bay Center Evan Dietrich-Smith? I hear he is fairly good and they ran a zone under McCarthy as well which is always a plus with transitioning to our scheme if we got him. He could be an expensive guy however as well. He is only 28 right now though.

 

I still think Velasco is the best fit for us. He is a bigger guy at 312, ran the zone in Pittsburgh, is only 28, would really provide some good veteran competition for Gino, and of course he could give us some nuggets on how the Steelers run their offense And most importantly, he would come fairly cheap. I would say he is my favorite guy for value and right now we need all the value we can get. Overall I would want a better guy but realistically, I think he is not too bad of an option for the price.

 

Now granted Mack would still be ideal but unlikely and De la Puente would be great as well, but those are a couple of the other guys out there since Raiola is now gone.

 

I don't know what the Packers primary blocking scheme is, but I will say that it looks like they have to money to re-sign Dietrich-Smith if they want.  They should've been smarter and accelerated Rodgers' larger cap hits since they have money this year and generally build through the draft anyway.

 

De La Puenta depends on the price, but given their cap situation it's pretty unlikely the Saints can sign him.  I actually think they might take a hit next year given their situation and finish third or fourth in the division.  They'll be dropping players on an already weak defense, they'll lose two of their starting OL, and it'll be tough to fit Graham under the cap.

[52520Andrew]

I don't know what the Packers primary blocking scheme is, but I will say that it looks like they have to money to re-sign Dietrich-Smith if they want.  They should've been smarter and accelerated Rodgers' larger cap hits since they have money this year and generally build through the draft anyway.

 

De La Puenta depends on the price, but given their cap situation it's pretty unlikely the Saints can sign him.  I actually think they might take a hit next year given their situation and finish third or fourth in the division.  They'll be dropping players on an already weak defense, they'll lose two of their starting OL, and it'll be tough to fit Graham under the cap.

 

That probably would have been smarter for the Packers. They do have quite a few FA this year however in Raji, Finley, James Jones, Sam Shields, Kuhn, Pickett, Newhouse, Jolly, Khalil Bell, Matt Flynn again, James Starks, Seneca Wallace, Francois, C.J. Wilson, Mike Neal, and Andrew Quarless. Maybe he will slip through the cracks.

 

Saints are definitely up against it however. That will be interesting to follow especially with Jimmy Graham considering we might have that same problem with Pitta.

[T3hRaven]

That probably would have been smarter for the Packers. They do have quite a few FA this year however in Raji, Finley, James Jones, Sam Shields, Kuhn, Pickett, Newhouse, Jolly, Khalil Bell, Matt Flynn again, James Starks, Seneca Wallace, Francois, C.J. Wilson, Mike Neal, and Andrew Quarless. Maybe he will slip through the cracks.

 

Yes, but how many of those guys are key guys?  Not many IMO, they're mostly just guys.  Capers has been on the hot seat there FOREVER, it might not be wise to re-sign guys for his scheme long term.  I don't understand how they keep him after the way that defense has sucked since the Super Bowl season.

[52520Andrew]

Yes, but how many of those guys are key guys?  Not many IMO, they're mostly just guys.  Capers has been on the hot seat there FOREVER, it might not be wise to re-sign guys for his scheme long term.  I don't understand how they keep him after the way that defense has sucked since the Super Bowl season.

 

True, I actually liked their D-line rotation this season with their run guys and then their pass rushing guys. They tore us up when we played them but then again that is not saying much. I think guys like Raji, Finley, James Jones, Shields, and Kuhn would probably be guys that they would want to bring back with the Center added in as well. What do they have like 30 mil in cap space? Although James Jones could end up going somewhere else. I liked the way Jarrett Boykin filled in for him when he played and since he is the hokie's all time leading receiver who somehow went undrafted, I have been keeping tabs on him. Might be a guy in fantasy to key on once that comes around. They guy has HUGE hands too.

 

I do think their defense is getting better, their back end needs some work and they need to find the guy opposite of Matthews but they did have some injuries this year from what I have heard. If we are talking about D coordinators however, how bad do you think Dallas feels now after letting Rob Ryan go? 

[T3hRaven]

True, I actually liked their D-line rotation this season with their run guys and then their pass rushing guys. They tore us up when we played them but then again that is not saying much. I think guys like Raji, Finley, James Jones, Shields, and Kuhn would probably be guys that they would want to bring back with the Center added in as well. What do they have like 30 mil in cap space? Although James Jones could end up going somewhere else. I liked the way Jarrett Boykin filled in for him when he played and since he is the hokie's all time leading receiver who somehow went undrafted, I have been keeping tabs on him. Might be a guy in fantasy to key on once that comes around. They guy has HUGE hands too.

 

I do think their defense is getting better, their back end needs some work and they need to find the guy opposite of Matthews but they did have some injuries this year from what I have heard. If we are talking about D coordinators however, how bad do you think Dallas feels now after letting Rob Ryan go? 

 

I dunno if they regret it, Rob Ryan probably has an abrasive personality and Garrett seems like such a puss.  I don't know what the deal was, if it was just personnel issues that made them suck under him, but that was an odd situation.

[52520Andrew]

I dunno if they regret it, Rob Ryan probably has an abrasive personality and Garrett seems like such a puss.  I don't know what the deal was, if it was just personnel issues that made them suck under him, but that was an odd situation.

 

They were good for the first few weeks of the season under Rob Ryan but then injuries hit them hard and they were not the same after that. I don't think they liked his personality as well but those injuries cost him. Then he turned around and made New Orleans a halfway decent defense for once while Dallas continued to struggle. Oh well, I can't stand the Cowboys anyways so it is great to see.

[marylandmike12]

Matt Ryan is a MEDIOCRE quarterback.

[display name]

He probably wanted to be traded the second he was drafted. This is mostly Shanahan's fault for picking a QB in the 4th round after the best part of your draft went to picking your QB in the first round.

I don't think it's ever really a good idea to pick a quarterback in rounds 3 or 4 anyway. They're probably not going to be good enough to carry your team, yet if they don't play very much they will be considered a disappointment because of their high selection. I would think, when looking for a quality young backup QB, that it's best to wait until Round 5 at the earliest, where the expectations are lower and the drop-off isn't even that big.

[display name]

Matt Ryan is a MEDIOCRE quarterback.

I disagree. He's very good/borderline elite right now-and definitely in the top 10 QBs in the game today.

[52520Andrew]

Matt Ryan is a MEDIOCRE quarterback.

 

I think Ryan is a very good qb. He had the same problems Flacco did this year believe it or not. His top 2 wideouts both were down and his O-line stunk it up. Then his RB went down as well and unlike Flacco, he had no defense to help him out. Not digging on Flacco here, just saying the Ravens D is A LOT better than the Falcon's D. Granted the Ravens were able to get to 8 wins while Atlanta had to settle for 4. I agree with Tony Gonzalez on the whole Matt Ryan thing. He is a very good qb but not quite elite yet. I think he will get there however. This is just Tony Gonzalez telling it how it is.

[T3hRaven]

Roman Harper has been cut by the Saints.  Shouldn't be a surprise.

 

More defensive cuts appear to be forthcoming, as expected.

 

@ProFootballTalk: "Per source, Saints are releasing LB Will Smith, CB Jabari Greer, and S Roman Harper very soon."

[JO_75]

Roman Harper has been cut by the Saints.  Shouldn't be a surprise.

 

More defensive cuts appear to be forthcoming, as expected.

 

@ProFootballTalk: "Per source, Saints are releasing LB Will Smith, CB Jabari Greer, and S Roman Harper very soon."

 

Hmm... I wonder why. Maybe a certain QB having an 18 M cap hit... no that isn't it. Drew Brees would never take up so much cap space. 

 

/Sarcasm

[Kaiowas]

gabe carimi can be a Raven option?

bucs released him

[JO_75]

The Lions have released WR Nate Burleson and FS Louis Delmas.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/13/lions-dump-louis-delmas-too/

 

Wow.. Delmas would a very good option at FS to pair with SS Elam.

[display name]

The Lions have released WR Nate Burleson and FS Louis Delmas.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/13/lions-dump-louis-delmas-too/

 

Wow.. Delmas would a very good option at FS to pair with SS Elam.

I agree, yet there should be several teams willing to sign him. Burleson on the other hand is getting pretty old football-wise (32) and is not going to be the difference-maker that some teams really need. That being said he should eventually get signed to the veteran minimum, but I predict that it will take longer than it will for Delmas.

[Alexir]

Hmm... I wonder why. Maybe a certain QB having an 18 M cap hit... no that isn't it. Drew Brees would never take up so much cap space. 

 

/Sarcasm

 

Wait til Flacco's cap hits in  a few seasons....

[rmw10]

I agree, yet there should be several teams willing to sign him. Burleson on the other hand is getting pretty old football-wise (32) and is not going to be the difference-maker that some teams really need. That being said he should eventually get signed to the veteran minimum, but I predict that it will take longer than it will for Delmas.

 

I'd be open to Burleson provided we draft a young WR as well.  Torrey is out most veteran WR on the team.  Burleson has long been praised for being a leader.  I think he'd be a really good fit here to help bring along a young group, if we have the money, of course.

[T3hRaven]

The Falcon's have signed Gabe Carimi, and Louis Delmas has visited the Steelers although La Canfora is reporting that was just a look and see sort of thing for Delmas.

[Purple_ICE 81]

The Falcon's have signed Gabe Carimi, and Louis Delmas has visited the Steelers although La Canfora is reporting that was just a look and see sort of thing for Delmas.

The Falcons, Vikings, Rams, and 49ers have also expressed apparent interest in Delmas. Seems he wont be on the market for long.

[T3hRaven]

The Falcons, Vikings, Rams, and 49ers have also expressed apparent interest in Delmas. Seems he wont be on the market for long.

He's a bit overrated IMO. Often injured and he has a lot of holes in his game.

[Purple_ICE 81]

He's a bit overrated IMO. Often injured and he has a lot of holes in his game.

Exactly my same opinions of him. He will get overpaid.

[Purple_ICE 81]

FS Kerry Rhodes is looking to play again in 2014, although he is 31 and likely rusty he could come for cheap. And if he could pick up where he left off on 2012 we could commit a robbery. 

[JO_75]

Per Schefter:

 

 

Adam Schefter

CB DeAngelo Hall reached agreement with Redskins.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Falcons release G Garrett Reynolds

 

https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/435900844387880960

[52520Andrew]

FS Kerry Rhodes is looking to play again in 2014, although he is 31 and likely rusty he could come for cheap. And if he could pick up where he left off on 2012 we could commit a robbery. 

 

If he has something left in the tank, then maybe. Could be a minimum signing but I would consider him a long shot to make the team unless he won the starting job. 

[T3hRaven]

Fred Davis has been suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance abuse policy, via Schefter.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Fred Davis has been suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance abuse policy, via Schefter.

he was never all that good anyway, his off the field issues ruined his potential.