Free Agency Begins in a Week, Whats the Plan?

I would pay the freight for Byrd, he's a free safety with serious range, a necessary ingredient to permit Haslett to run the scheme he wants to. If your CBs are going to be Hall and David Amerson - players whose strengths are reading the QB and jumping the route to grab INTs - then you need a bad ass safety to cover for their inevitable mistakes. (Rest in peace, Sean Taylor).

The impact safety also allows Haslett to blitz more creatively. It's the biggest hole on our entire team given the way we play.

Other than Byrd, I'm with Matty. Keep it cool calm and collected, and wait to see what falls to us.

I would definitely be on board with going after Byrd as our one big splurge. He could be a big difference maker as you point out.

I would pay the freight for Byrd, he's a free safety with serious range, a necessary ingredient to permit Haslett to run the scheme he wants to. If your CBs are going to be Hall and David Amerson - players whose strengths are reading the QB and jumping the route to grab INTs - then you need a bad ass safety to cover for their inevitable mistakes. (Rest in peace, Sean Taylor).

The impact safety also allows Haslett to blitz more creatively. It's the biggest hole on our entire team given the way we play.

Other than Byrd, I'm with Matty. Keep it cool calm and collected, and wait to see what falls to us.

With regards to Byrd, is there a question of philosophy meaning do you believe that coverage more benefits the pass rush or the pass rush more benefits the coverage? Can we spend less on the back end considering we just spent $11+ on Rak, plus will have to spend at ILB & DE (either by retaining or replacing Carriker/Bowen) and still get improved results?

I worry about Byrd's health and how he would play after he got paid. Questionable behavior in Buffalo

Offense: TE A. Quarless, RT A. Collins, WR A. Roberts

Defense: FS Clemons, ILB D Jackson

Those would be my initial targets.

I dont know enough about the Guards, but we need one at a good value to start opposite of Gettis, Collins, next to Silverblunt.

I would do my due dilegence with Britt and Nicks, looking at 1 year deals with either.

Would look at CB Sam Shields, find out what it take. Wouldnt over spend for him.

With regards to Byrd, is there a question of philosophy meaning do you believe that coverage more benefits the pass rush or the pass rush more benefits the coverage? Can we spend less on the back end considering we just spent $11+ on Rak, plus will have to spend at ILB & DE (either by retaining or replacing Carriker/Bowen) and still get improved results?

Coverage and pass rush certainly benefit each other. But for the specific defense that Haslett likes to run, even if the pass rush is great the coverage will break down regardless. Orakpo and Kerrigan both had good years, yet our defense left a lot to be desired. Sure you could get more pass rushers from the DL spot, but the way Haslett likes to get pressure is by blitzing in various forms.

Here's how a very fast FS allows Haslett to do his thing:

- the fast FS is capable of covering the gap left behind when a SS blitzes

- the fast FS is capable of covering the gap left behind on the seam route when a middle LB blitzes - the fast FS can successfully walk the line between covering the deep middle and covering the seam route, whereas a slower FS really has to choose either/or

- the fast FS lets the CBs play an off-zone the way it's meant to be played, with eyes on the QB ready to jump the route. Inevitably some of those gambles will go wrong, and the safety needs to be there to save the day.

- the fast FS just straight up reduces the risk of the long ball when a CB just gets flat burned

These are all reasons why we still miss Sean Taylor dearly. We'd be an entirely different defense.

If Haslett played a Tampa 2 then safety's not that important a position. Or if he played a conservative stop-run-first scheme like Blache always did, safety isn't as important. But to blitz and play soft-zone coverages, it's crucial.

I worry about Byrd's health and how he would play after he got paid. Questionable behavior in Buffalo

What was the questionable behavior?

I would pay the freight for Byrd, he's a free safety with serious range, a necessary ingredient to permit Haslett to run the scheme he wants to. If your CBs are going to be Hall and David Amerson - players whose strengths are reading the QB and jumping the route to grab INTs - then you need a bad ass safety to cover for their inevitable mistakes. (Rest in peace, Sean Taylor).

The impact safety also allows Haslett to blitz more creatively. It's the biggest hole on our entire team given the way we play.

Other than Byrd, I'm with Matty. Keep it cool calm and collected, and wait to see what falls to us.

Exactly, and we have a winner.

or Ghostface Killah...either one would work

Went super hero did even think about Rapp, nice one.

I would give Byrd a similar deal to Eric Weddle/Eric Berry which would be a little less than 10 million a year (average). If he thinks he is worth more than that and another team wants to pay that much to him, then I would be more than happy to let him go if I was Allen.

Set your value, and do not exceed it. No need to just fall in love with Byrd and let him dictate the terms.

What was the questionable behavior?

eh, more of a disgruntle employee. there were questions if he was really hurt early in the year and just chose not to play.

Its clear that Byrd wants to be the highest paid safety in the league, I hope we dont fall for that trap.