2015 NFL Off Season & Free Agency (Other Teams)

[Cville-Raven]

Unrelated, the Steelers might actually offer a defensive challenge after the trade they just pulled.

Who's rushing the QB?

Edited August 2, 2015 by Cville-Raven

[ravensdan]

That there were, but that's far from uncommon at this junction of the process, especially for first year corners. I've yet to come across any significant articles underlining consistent struggles. You are correct, Brown was asked about the young players, but it doesn't dismiss the fact that he specifically went with Golson. He could've just as well praised another DB. Having Gay and Allen atop the depth chart is unsurprising given that Pittsburgh is notoriously slow in penciling rookies atop their depth chart, even their first round picks. In fact, between Cameron Heyward, David DeCastro, Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree, only Shazier ever had a consistent opportunity with the ones before the pads came on. And Golson's shoulder is injured enough for him to land on PUP. Regardless of how deep or shallow a team is at CB, when you have the chance to land an elite slot CB in his mid-twenties for peanuts, you jump on the opportunity. Doesn't have to say anything about Golson's development specifically. It says more about their situation as a whole in my eyes. I doubt they trust Cortez Allen after the debacle last season, and it was a shaky group on paper given the inexperience behind the incumbents.

Just to add to this the move reminds me of the acquisition of dumervil. When a player like that falls in your lap you jump on it. I don't think this is any indictment on Golson. It is rare to count on any rookie at corner. Any wise team would want to ease a rookie corner in slowly. I would expect to see Boykin at least get the chance to earn time on the outside and possibly start there. Moving inside in sub package.

[-Truth-]

Just to add to this the move reminds me of the acquisition of dumervil. When a player like that falls in your lap you jump on it. I don't think this is any indictment on Golson. It is rare to count on any rookie at corner. Any wise team would want to ease a rookie corner in slowly. I would expect to see Boykin at least get the chance to earn time on the outside and possibly start there. Moving inside in sub package.

 

Good point with Dumervil and I definitely agree with the rest. Boykin was disgruntled for not being allowed a shot at the outside spot. I think he'll have a fairer shake in that aspect.

[rmw10]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet  2m2 minutes ago

The #Seahawks and star LB Bobby Wagner have agreed to terms on a contract extension, sources say. First Wilson, now Wagner.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 2m2 minutes ago

The #Seahawks and star LB Bobby Wagner have agreed to terms on a contract extension, sources say. First Wilson, now Wagner.

Cap hell is looming.

[ravensdan]

Cap hell is looming.

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. Another thing to keep in mind is the team actually saves over all and has the upper hand in the negotiations when you do the new contracts early. It's smart for them to jump on these early. Similar to our Jimmy smith contract.

[BmoreBird22]

That there were, but that's far from uncommon at this junction of the process, especially for first year corners. I've yet to come across any significant articles underlining consistent struggles. You are correct, Brown was asked about the young players, but it doesn't dismiss the fact that he specifically went with Golson. He could've just as well praised another DB. Having Gay and Allen atop the depth chart is unsurprising given that Pittsburgh is notoriously slow in penciling rookies atop their depth chart, even their first round picks. In fact, between Cameron Heyward, David DeCastro, Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree, only Shazier ever had a consistent opportunity with the ones before the pads came on. And Golson's shoulder is injured enough for him to land on PUP. Regardless of how deep or shallow a team is at CB, when you have the chance to land an elite slot CB in his mid-twenties for peanuts, you jump on the opportunity. Doesn't have to say anything about Golson's development specifically. It says more about their situation as a whole in my eyes. I doubt they trust Cortez Allen after the debacle last season, and it was a shaky group on paper given the inexperience behind the incumbents.

I'm not saying that he should be starting right out of the gate because up until Shazier, a rookie had not started the regular season opener for the Steelers since 2001, on defense that is. However, those rookies had at least contributed and played in all their games when healthy, as far as I know. With this move, that's unlikely to happen with Golson. You have to consider that Gilson is probably going to be viewed as a slot corner due to size and movement ability, but he's facing competition now from Boykin and Gay if Boykin plays on the outside, meaning unless an injury happens, I doubt he'll get much playing time.

Allen had blamed his poor play on an injury, which very well could be the case because he seemed to be really improving and had a very solid 2013 campaign before last year. Sure, getting Boykin helps, but you don't just go to add a player unless you view as a position of need and given that Gay and Allen are expected to start, that means the Steelers are probably concerned with that number three spot, especially to go after someone the caliber of Boykin

[BmoreBird22]

Just to add to this the move reminds me of the acquisition of dumervil. When a player like that falls in your lap you jump on it. I don't think this is any indictment on Golson. It is rare to count on any rookie at corner. Any wise team would want to ease a rookie corner in slowly. I would expect to see Boykin at least get the chance to earn time on the outside and possibly start there. Moving inside in sub package.

To be honest, I don't know if the Ravens would have pursued Dumervil if McPhee was anything in 2012 like he was in 2014. However, the McPhee was battling injuries, coming off a down year in 2012, and was making a position switch to OLB. Meanwhile, in his lone season, Upshaw had shown to be a run stuffer and not much else, so the Ravens had a glaring need for a second pass rusher and Dumervil happened to become available. That's more of a high caliber player becoming open at a position of pretty big need

[52520Andrew]

Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) tweeted at 0:56 AM on Sun, Aug 02, 2015:

The guarantee for #Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner is $22M, to go with four years, $43M. A monster deal.

(https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/627704522748657665?s=03)

Highest paid ILB in the NFL, Kuechly is happy right now

Edited August 2, 2015 by 52520Andrew

[BmoreBird22]

At some point, I'm really betting this catches up with the Seahawks. You've got the third highest paid corner in the league (like $100,000 behind the first place player in per year averages), the highest paid tight end in the league, the second highest paid running back, the highest paid safety, and the second highest paid quarterback. 

 

Right now, if I am not mistaken, Michael Bennett is looking for a new deal and he definitely deserves to be way up there. Chancellor likely wants to be paid as the top strong safety in the league. All of these players are great, sure, but it has to catch up at some point and sacrifices are going to have to be made. Where will they make them? I don't know, but I would expect next year (Wilson's cap hit jumps $11M). Those highest paid players above (Wilson, Graham, Lynch, Sherman, Thomas) all account for over $63M of the cap space and that doesn't include Bobby Wagner's new deal or likely impending deals for Chancellor and Bennett. That's a lot to swallow in cap space. 

[Mt. Crushmore]

The pick in the Boykin trade jumps to a 4th based on playing time (don't know the exact number).  Also is talk that Steelers made the trade as they are concerned about Golson's shoulder injury right now.

[rmw10]

The pick in the Boykin trade jumps to a 4th based on playing time (don't know the exact number).  Also is talk that Steelers made the trade as they are concerned about Golson's shoulder injury right now.

 

Makes sense, but I still think that's a deal you make regardless of your current personnel at the position (unless you have Revis, Sherman, and Harris Jr., of course).  Boykin's too talented to not take at that price.

[rmw10]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  1m1 minute ago

Seahawks released starting defensive tackle Tony McDaniel today. Said it was for salary cap reasons after extending Wilson and Wagner.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Boykin playing time condition is 60 percent of snaps.

 

 

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  1m1 minute ago

Seahawks released starting defensive tackle Tony McDaniel today. Said it was for salary cap reasons after extending Wilson and Wagner.

 

 

 

About $3 million in savings this year, nothing in other years as was FA after 2015.

[-Truth-]

I'm not saying that he should be starting right out of the gate because up until Shazier, a rookie had not started the regular season opener for the Steelers since 2001, on defense that is. However, those rookies had at least contributed and played in all their games when healthy, as far as I know. With this move, that's unlikely to happen with Golson. You have to consider that Gilson is probably going to be viewed as a slot corner due to size and movement ability, but he's facing competition now from Boykin and Gay if Boykin plays on the outside, meaning unless an injury happens, I doubt he'll get much playing time.

Allen had blamed his poor play on an injury, which very well could be the case because he seemed to be really improving and had a very solid 2013 campaign before last year. Sure, getting Boykin helps, but you don't just go to add a player unless you view as a position of need and given that Gay and Allen are expected to start, that means the Steelers are probably concerned with that number three spot, especially to go after someone the caliber of Boykin

 

On the defensive side of the ball, yes. They've had rookies begin the year with the starters on the offensive side of the ball. Maurkice Pouncey started all 16 games in his first season. Yes, the rookies contributed, but exactly how much? Between Lawrence Timmons, Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward, Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier, they averaged a measly 285 snaps in their initial campaigns. Granted that injuries played some part in the matter, but these were their first round selections unlike Golson. I can't at all consider that since their DB coach Carnell Lake immediately stated that Golson would be put into different situations both on the inside and the outside. He's played quite a bit inside during the OTAs but that's not unusual in the NFL. We've seen CBs in Chris Harris Jr. and Casey Heyward who've spent several years inside before finally having a chance to start on the outside. Golson spent his entire season on the outside in Ole Miss and was PFF's highest graded college corner in terms of coverage, so I personally wouldn't pigeon hole him strictly as a Nickel especially this early in his career. They've also just traded for a CB who was continuously displeased with the fact that the was pegged as strictly an inside corner despite his height and size, which likely means that they also haven't ruled Boykin out from playing on the outside as well. I do believe that Allen can bounce back, but a broken thumb ended his season. I don't see the thumb as the main reason behind his struggles, and he absolutely porous throughout beforehand. If I'm coming into the season with an aging William Gay atop my depth chart alongside of Allen, who was one of the worst in the league last season, that's enough cause for concern. However, if there is an aspect of Golson that this decision was likely affected by, it's his health. They've been concerned with his shoulder and while the IR is guaranteed, the fact that it's even been thrown around is alarming. That being said, given how closely I've followed him, I remain firm in my belief that this trade didn't necessarily have much of anything to do with Golson's ability on the field.

[PuRock]

Rotoworld doesn't think Boykin was a steal:

 

 A fourth-round draft pick for a undersized cornerback entering his contract year is a relatively steep price to pay. 

 

 

I like this move, but will the Steelers pony up to re-sign him.  

[Cville-Raven]

I like this move, but will the Steelers pony up to re-sign him.  

This is the important question. It's going to be interesting considering Antonio Brown is going want a new contract that will probably resemble the one's that Dez and DT got. 

[JO_75]

About $3 million in savings this year, nothing in other years as was FA after 2015.

 

Yeah and looking at their FA list for 2016, Cap Hell isn't close for them at all. We know Bruce Irvin will be let go(they drafted Frank Clark as his replacement), but after that they really don't lose anyone important. Okung needs to show he can be healthy in order to get a contract, Brandon Mebane is another DT who is a free agent and may not get paid. Seattle is sitting pretty for the next couple years from what I can tell.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Who's rushing the QB?

Cameron Heyward who's good. James Harrison only shows up against us.

But that's pretty much it. Jarvis Jones sucks. Shazier has speed but will probably be injured. Timmons is actually a great LB...

Not really scared

[DomMcRaven]

So about Boykin leaving the Eagles, apparently he thinks Kelly is  “uncomfortable around grown men of our culture.” 

However, Kelly refutes this: “When he left here last night he shook my hand and gave me a hug, didn’t say anything,” he said. “I like Brandon. I just don’t know. I really don’t know.”

 

 

 

But what does Stephen A. Smith have to say about this? Lol.......oh boy.

[Ravens4Real]

Cameron Heyward who's good. James Harrison only shows up against us.

But that's pretty much it. Jarvis Jones sucks. Shazier has speed but will probably be injured. Timmons is actually a great LB...

Not really scared

The problem is that their defense only has to be average and they will be good.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

The problem is that their defense only has to be average and they will be good.

That front 7 isn't that strong and so is the secondary as a whole. Boykin is a very good cb but u doyb

[Ravens4Real]

What I meant was, their defense was already terrible last year and they won the division because their offense is so stacked. It's near impossible for them to be worse on defense this year with the acquisitions they have made and also getting rid of their aging veterans who were just down right terrible.

[Inqui]

This is the important question. It's going to be interesting considering Antonio Brown is going want a new contract that will probably resemble the one's that Dez and DT got.

He'd be hard to argue with too, considering his productivity has been similar. And they're not exactly drowning in cap space.

[ravensdan]

He'd be hard to argue with too, considering his productivity has been similar. And they're not exactly drowning in cap space.

He signed a contract prematurely. He's not a free agent until 2018 so the Steelers have no reason to give him another contract.

[redlobster]

The pick in the Boykin trade jumps to a 4th based on playing time (don't know the exact number).  Also is talk that Steelers made the trade as they are concerned about Golson's shoulder injury right now.

 

Rumor is Golson is gonna be out the entire year with a shoulder injury.

[Orange_Peanut]

Ngata placed on NFI list with a minor hamstring injury

[JO_75]

Rumor is Golson is gonna be out the entire year with a shoulder injury.

 

Sounds like season ending surgery on his shoulder is the likely scenario. Amazing how back during the draft, all that speculation of us trading ahead for Williams and they panicked and took Golson after we took Williams. Then they denied it saying they wanted him all along and were trying to trade up for him. 

 

Now just like Shazier last year, another rookie defensive player will miss the season with an injury. 

[BirdWatcher]

@AaronWilson_NFL: Browns sign Jalen Parmele, a former Ravens running back

Of course they did.

[Ravens4Real]

Sounds like season ending surgery on his shoulder is the likely scenario. Amazing how back during the draft, all that speculation of us trading ahead for Williams and they panicked and took Golson after we took Williams. Then they denied it saying they wanted him all along and were trying to trade up for him.

Now just like Shazier last year, another rookie defensive player will miss the season with an injury.

Only difference is, with Shazier, they were expecting him to be healthy and start all 16 games. With the acquisition of Boykin, Golson wasn't going to start. At least, I wouldn't think they would ever start him.