Free Agent DB's
 

Well I hope this turns out to be somewhat of a good thread (unlike my last one). Free agency starts Friday, and ESPN recently had reviews of free agents at different positions. While feel free to discuss any DB positions, I wanted to start this thread with a nod to former Terp Madieu Williams who will become an UFA. He's testing the free agency market and I wanted to get people's opinion on whether the Skins should look in his direction. Here are his stats for anyone interested...personally I think the Skins should look his way. We would have a nice young Safety tandem with Williams and Landry.

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6815]ESPN - Madieu Williams Stats, News, Photos - Cincinnati Bengals - NFL Football[/url]

Oh and this was their take on Florence:
"Florence has a very impressive combination of size and athletic ability. He has good straight-line speed, with decent quickness and the ability to plant and drive on the ball with some explosiveness. Quicker NFL receivers give him a hard time and his lateral agility is questionable. However, he still flashes potential to be a solid starting corner in the NFL."

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Oh and props to DirtBag 359, I took his suggestion and made this type of thread.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

2007 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 65 | Key
Alert: None

Comment: Williams is coming off his third year in the league and he returned to his rookie season form having a very productive season. He has good size, athleticism, instincts and toughness for the safety position. He is best attacking the line of scrimmage in run support. He aligns as both a free and strong safety along with dropping down in the box in the Bengals? eight man fronts. Williams reads well and has a nose for the ball and gets to the pile often. He is a solid wrap tackler that will insert often into the action. He has solid foot quickness and agility, but is best as a half field coverage defender. He doesn?t have great burst to play tight man coverage but can play intermediate and deep zone schemes well. He leverages the ball well as an alley player and keeps his depth effectively off the hash. His injury in 2005 hindered his development some but he should continue to be a very effective NFL safety in the coming years.
------------------------------------------

Seems more like a FS, which is fine. After reading this I like the guy. If he's good enough to let Landry play SS then I'm all for it.

I would like to see the Redskins take in more Maryland and Virginia guys. I think that if the local kids saw the Redskins are willing to accomadate the local guys then maybe the best recruits will feel more inclined to stay in-state and its not like the area is devoid of talent in the first place.

Also remember that the scout ratings aren't like Madden Ratings. It's very difficult to get in the 90's and even 80's in a lot of cases.

[B]Scouts Inc. grading scale[/B]

Scouts Inc
[I]Scouts Inc. has developed its own grading scale to better distinguish players of similar abilities in the NFL. Below is a breakdown of that scale and a glossary of the alerts Scouts uses to flag players with specific concerns.[/I]

[B]100-90: Elite Player[/B]
Player demonstrates rare abilities and can create mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game ... Premier NFL player who has all the skills to consistently play at a championship level ... Rates as one of the top players in the league at his position.

[B]89-80: Outstanding Player[/B]
Player has abilities to create mismatches versus most opponents in the NFL ... A feature player who has an impact on the outcome of the game ... Cannot be shut down by a single player and plays on a consistent level week-in and week-out.

[B]79-70: Good Starter[/B]
Solid starter who is close to being an outstanding player ... Has few weaknesses and will usually win his individual matchup but does not dominate in every game, especially when matched up against the top players in the league.

[B]69-60: Average Starter[/B]
A valuable roster player but is not dominant against the better players he faces on a week-to-week basis... Gives great effort and you are glad that he is on your team, but he may or may not go to the next level.

[B]59- 50: Good Backup[/B]
A player who is on the bubble and starts only because of a deficiency at the position ... He lacks complete overall skills, and although he will battle he will hinder his team's ability to play at a championship level if he is forced to be in the starting lineup consistently over a 16-game season ... A player you don't mind having on your team but someone you are always looking to upgrade.

[B]49-40: Below Average Backup/Core Special Teamers[/B]
Strictly a backup player who is not capable of starting ... If he is forced to start he is no more than a short-term fix ... He may make the team because of special teams contributions or experience ... A player you are always looking to upgrade as he will always be a borderline roster guy.

[B]30: Rookie -- Post-draft[/B]
No professional tape to evaluate ... Will have a college report but will not get an NFL grade until the spring after his rookie season ... Will carry the 30 grade throughout his first NFL season. [B]20: Developmental Player[/B]
A player with very little film to evaluate ... A guy who might show "flashes" in the preseason but does not have any regular-season views ... He has very little experience but he has to be tracked due to his developmental potential.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

i think other teams (vikes maybe?) are interested... i haven't heard the skins mentioned.

honestly he's just another average safety and wouldn't be worth signing to anything more than 1mill/per, but even that might be too much.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

I heard DeAngelo Hall wants out of ATL...we should trade for him.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=Soup's Uncle;427020]I heard DeAngelo Hall wants out of ATL...we should trade for him.[/QUOTE]

u just heard that

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Madieu is a very cerebral player and was very mature at MD. There was a big article in the Post when he played here in college about how dedicated he was to academics and knowledge outside of football. This may not matter to many of you, but he used to intern at an area hospital when he went to school at Maryland (WHILE PLAYING D1 FOOTBALL). That is just a huge chunk out of your time to dedicate to a non-football activity but he did it b/c he wanted to one day be in the medical profession and give back to the community. Again this has nothing to do with football but I have alway been of the opinion that I will take a smart player with less talent than a talented player with less smarts. Plus those guys tend to come cheaper (london fletcher, ryan clark-had we kept him, etc).

I obviously have a MD bias but the guy has proven himself in the NFL. He would be a good, relatively cheap addition to our squad and would probably start.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=Soup's Uncle;427020]I heard DeAngelo Hall wants out of ATL...we should trade for him.[/quote]

I heard there's a Redskins web site for the "knowledgeable fan" and they've generated a lot of discussion on this matter over the past few weeks.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Why were we not in the Market for this guy??

Think he would have fit nicely.

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3267800]ESPN - Veteran safety Smith joins Lions' secondary on 2-year deal - NFL[/url]

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

There's just no pleasing some people is there? We're upset when we go after players...we're upset when we don't go after players

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;427059]There's just no pleasing some people is there? We're upset when we go after players...we're upset when we don't go after players[/QUOTE]

What are you talking about? Noone said don't go after ANYONE. Our coaches expressed the need for Safety depth and this guy looks good. Did you even look at his profile and stats before you wrote this post?

He's 5 million for two seasons, that's not going nuts it's a nice price for his talents.

I'm sick of being lumped in with "some people" read the link and use you mind before you just send out meaningless posts!

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=QBall;427063]What are you talking about? Noone said don't go after ANYONE. Our coaches expressed the need for Safety depth and this guy looks good. Did you even look at his profile and stats before you wrote this post?[/quote]


because eveyone wants us to go after everyone

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=EARTHQUAKE2689;427064]because eveyone wants us to go after everyone[/QUOTE]

So at 2.5 million a season and his stats and our needs would he have been good?

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=QBall;427063]What are you talking about? Noone said don't go after ANYONE. Our coaches expressed the need for Safety depth and this guy looks good. Did you even look at his profile and stats before you wrote this post?

He's 5 million for two seasons, that's not going nuts it's a nice price for his talents.

I'm sick of being lumped in with "some people" read the link and use you mind before you just send out meaningless posts![/QUOTE]

I know his stats. I also know that we've said we're going to be diligent and cautious about who we go after. I also know that just because we didn't sign someone doesn't mean we didn't consider him (which admittedly is not the same as "go after"). Most importantly however, Dwight Smith really wanted to play for Rod Marinelli and apparently had his agent make it clear to other teams that Detroit was his first, and really only, choice.

Anyway, if we are going to consider free agents for safety depth-or a starter perhaps-it really depends on what the plan is for Landry. I think he'll stay at FS in which case Madieu is someone certainly worth considering (I think I mentioned him a couple of weeks ago). If Landry moves to strong safety then Eugene Wilson is an option.

Personally, I would bypass the safeties that are out there on the market right now and continue to start Doughty. I'd look for a safety in the later rounds. Jamar Adams would be great but almost definitely gone by round 5, which is the earliest I would take a safety...unless we take Reggie Smith in round 1.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;427084]I know his stats. I also know that we've said we're going to be diligent and cautious about who we go after. I also know that just because we didn't sign someone doesn't mean we didn't consider him (which admittedly is not the same as "go after"). Most importantly however, Dwight Smith really wanted to play for Rod Marinelli and apparently had his agent make it clear to other teams that Detroit was his first, and really only, choice.

Anyway, if we are going to consider free agents for safety depth-or a starter perhaps-it really depends on what the plan is for Landry. I think he'll stay at FS in which case Madieu is someone certainly worth considering (I think I mentioned him a couple of weeks ago). If Landry moves to strong safety then Eugene Wilson is an option.

Personally, I would bypass the safeties that are out there on the market right now and continue to start Doughty. I'd look for a safety in the later rounds. Jamar Adams would be great but almost definitely gone by round 5, which is the earliest I would take a safety...unless we take Reggie Smith in round 1.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. That makes sense, but Doughty may not have the elite speed needed for the pass and run. Where does he hide against air it out offenses? He's earned a roster spot and plays the run excellently but he may just be a package type of player.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

here's why we didn't go after smith - he's going to cost an average of 2.5mill per year, and we only have 1.4mill in cap space.

that said, it's not like he has elite speed either. I still think the fallback 1st round option or our 3rd round pick can get us the same level of safety at a near vet min price.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[url=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Alex_Marvez/2008/02/28/Source_Porter_Samuel_set_for_visits]Source: Porter, Samuel set for visits • Everybody Loves a Smart Alex - FOX Sports Blogs[/url]

Shouldn't the eagles be looking for a Wide Receiver? LOL. Oh well.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Madieu Williams is going to the Vikings. Link should be up soon

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[url=http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2008/02/6-year-deal-for-madieu-with-vikings.asp]Bengals: 6-year deal for Madieu with Vikings[/url]

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

The only thing we really need to do in FA this off season is to add depth in free agency at the CB position.

Plus, we've got plenty of time to address it, so no reason to jump in to the bidding right now.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[url=http://pewterreport.com/articles/view/3942]Bucs Want To Visit With Florence On Friday | Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pewter Report[/url]

Well looks like Tampa Bay is going after Florence...

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=Ruhskins;427578][URL="http://pewterreport.com/articles/view/3942"]Bucs Want To Visit With Florence On Friday | Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pewter Report[/URL]

Well looks like Tampa Bay is going after Florence...[/quote]

And entering today they have $44M in cap room. We can't compete if they offer him a phat contract. It's nice to think we're taking a new approach and not trying to win the SuperBowl in free agency, but would we be taking that approach if we had money to spend? Methinks not.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=SmootSmack;427560][URL="http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2008/02/6-year-deal-for-madieu-with-vikings.asp"]Bengals: 6-year deal for Madieu with Vikings[/URL][/quote]

talk about overpaid.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Florence is off the market. Ironically he's going to Jacksonville. To me that sounds like GW is trying to get back at the Redskins anyway he can.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Or maybe they just need a CB and he's the best one available.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=Mattyk72;427927]Or maybe they just need a CB and he's the best one available.[/quote]

But revenge sounds so much more interesting. "Danny............por que?!"

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Here's a link to the Florence news

[url=http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/03/01/jaguars-sign-former-san-diego-cornerback/]Jacksonville.com[/url]

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;427926]Florence is off the market. Ironically he's going to Jacksonville. [B]To me that sounds like GW is trying to get back at the Redskins anyway he can[/B].[/quote]

I wouldn't read that far into it. The guy is a solid corner, but we weren't exactly pining over him, and Jax needs some corner help. Gregg Williams isn't their GM.

That said he was a guy I really hoped we'd snag. Damn.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Woah, they're giving Florence $6M a year!!?? For a guy who's never had more than 4 INTs in a season? I'll say it again, weak FA market this year...

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=GMScud;427937]Woah, they're giving Florence $6M a year!!?? For a guy who's never had more than 4 INTs in a season? I'll say it again, weak FA market this year...[/quote]

Damn is right. We might never sign a first week Free Agent again. All the more reason to keep our 1st day picks. We should be aiming to draft 3 starters every year. The amount of money out there is getting ridiculous. Ironically Lance Briggs might be signing for a discount (not for the Redskins mind you).

However Redskin 1 was tracked in Marrieta, GA which has the boys at Extreme Skins thinking that the Redskins could be talking to DeMario Williams or Rod Coleman. My guess is that they're probably taling to DeMario but then again thats only my opinion.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=GMScud;427937]Woah, they're giving Florence $6M a year!!?? For a guy who's never had more than 4 INTs in a season? I'll say it again, weak FA market this year...[/QUOTE]

No kidding. For 6 mil, they can have him. I know we need some help there, but maybe the draft will be where we can do some damage.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;427940]Damn is right. We might never sign a first week Free Agent again. All the more reason to keep our 1st day picks. We should be aiming to draft 3 starters every year. The amount of money out there is getting ridiculous. Ironically Lance Briggs might be signing for a discount (not for the Redskins mind you).

However Redskin 1 was tracked in Marrieta, GA which has the boys at Extreme Skins thinking that the Redskins could be talking to DeMario Williams or Rod Coleman. My guess is that they're probably taling to DeMario but then again thats only my opinion.[/quote]

I've heard very little about Demorrio Williams, but what I have heard is good. What do you all think?

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=theJBexperience;427947]I've heard very little about Demorrio Williams, but what I have heard is good. What do you all think?[/quote]

Well the guy has experience as a starter so that will definately be a positive. I did think that he was an exceptional pass rusher, but I might have gotten him confused with Michael Boley. Either way, heres Scouts Inc's take on him.

[IMG]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nfl/profiles/players/mugs/65x90/5626.jpg[/IMG][B]Full Name: [/B]Demorrio Dwain Williams

[B]Born: [/B]July 6, 1980 Beckville, TX [B]Height[/B]: 6-0 [B]Weight[/B]: 232 lbs. [B]Age[/B]: 27
[B]Pos[/B]: LB [B]Experience[/B]: 4 years [B]College[/B]: Nebraska [B]Drafted[/B]: Year:2004 Round:4 Pick:5, Falcons
TACK [B]78.0[/B] | FF [B]0[/B] | INT [B]2[/B]

2007 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
[B]Grade:[/B] 66 | [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/scouts/news/story?id=2996209"][COLOR=#000000]Key[/COLOR][/URL]
[B]Alert:[/B] None

[B]Comment: [/B]Williams gained valuable starting experience this year due to the injury to middle linebacker Ed Hartwell. He is a versatile outside linebacker who can contribute in both regular and sub defensive packages. He is a core special teams player. He is a good athlete with competitive play speed, quickness and agility. He plays with a real good motor and can be relentless until the whistle. Against the run, he is a productive player due to his athleticism rather than his instincts. He has above-average read and react skills, but can be inconsistent when reacting to blocking patterns. Gets cut off and/or reached on the edge too often and offenses have been able to break some big perimeter runs to his side. He is more of an edge player that struggles in his stack and shed ability. He has active hands and explosiveness to shock and shed. He is very effective from the backside, has speed and agility to play sideline to sideline. He is an effective tackler in space. Against the pass, he is quick and fluid in his zone drops. Has speed to carry seam and has the reactive ability to stay in position in man-to-man coverage. Williams possesses the suddenness to break on the ball in the short zone and has shown good awareness and ball skills. Overall, Williams is a young developing linebacker who has value as a frontline starter for some NFL teams that use a 4-3 defensive system.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

he looks like a very solid backup for marcus washington

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=Dirtbag359;427940]Damn is right. We might never sign a first week Free Agent again. All the more reason to keep our 1st day picks. We should be aiming to draft 3 starters every year. The amount of money out there is getting ridiculous. Ironically Lance Briggs might be signing for a discount (not for the Redskins mind you).

However Redskin 1 was tracked in Marrieta, GA which has the boys at Extreme Skins thinking that the Redskins could be talking to DeMario Williams or Rod Coleman. My guess is that they're probably taling to DeMario but then again thats only my opinion.[/QUOTE]

I thought Williams was in Kansas City visiting the Chiefs?

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=SmootSmack;427956]I thought Williams was in Kansas City visiting the Chiefs?[/quote]

He very well maybe, it's just that Redskin 1 has been tracked to Marrieta, GA. Which makes me think that the Redskins could be looking at former Falcon players. And based on the needs of the Redskins and the available canidates from the Falcons that probably means Williams or Coleman are being looked at.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[QUOTE=Dirtbag359;427972]He very well maybe, it's just that Redskin 1 has been tracked to Marrieta, GA. Which makes me think that the Redskins could be looking at former Falcon players. And based on the needs of the Redskins and the available canidates from the Falcons that probably means Williams or Coleman are being looked at.[/QUOTE]

Well first it could just be someone who lives in Georgia. Doesn't have to be a Falcon.

But more importantly, that's just ES guessing it's Redskin 1. Doesn't mean it is.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

And...here it is.

[url=http://ind.scout.com/a.z?s=113&p=2&c=733718]Chiefs Sign LB Williams[/url]

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

[quote=SmootSmack;427978]Well first it could just be someone who lives in Georgia. Doesn't have to be a Falcon.

But more importantly, that's just ES guessing it's Redskin 1. Doesn't mean it is.[/quote]

Well I'm not one to praise ES they do seem to have nailed this tracking Redskin 1 thing. Apparently theres an aviation site where the team has to submit all flight plans. The flight plans are then made public. The latest one showed Marrieta, GA.

Flight Plan Received 2008-03-01 01:02:07 from Washington
Departure IAD WASHINGTON DULLES INTERNATIONAL, WASHINGTON DC
Destination RYY COBB COUNTY-MC COLLUM FIELD, MARIETTA GA
Status Landed
Planned Alt 40000 Feet
Planned Speed 473 kts.
Planned Dep 2008-03-01 03:00
Actual Dep 2008-03-01 03:06
Planned Arrival 2008-03-01 04:23
Estimated Arrival 2008-03-01 04:29
Actual Arrival 2008-03-01 04:28
Latest Speed 209 kts.
Latest Altitude 4200 Feet
Distance to Dest.
Last Update 2008-03-01 04:24
Route IAD..FLUKY.DCA246.PAUKI..MOL.J48.ODF.AWSON1.RYY/0123
Tracking ID 113039406

However looks like you were right about Williams going to KC. Oh well, maybe they came to pick me up. Marrieta is about 3 exits away from where I live.

Re: Free Agent DB's
 

Well, I think you're misunderstanding what those flights are. It's a site that lists all flights from all airports. You used to be able to track Snyder's flights quite easily because the tail number of his plane was publicly posted. However, he since unlisted it. So...what ES does is check the site, look for all fights to and from Dulles Airport (because that's where Snyder's plane sits) and make assumptions on the corporate planes whose tail number is "Blocked".

But "Blocked" can be anyone's private jet. Could be Snyder's, could be Ted Leonsis', could be BrudLee's.

All I'm saying is don't get too caught up in what ES posts with flights. Sometimes they hit, but it's really a lot of guessing.