2010 Free Agency and CBA Information

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Thats unfortunate. I personally think that Daryn Colledge could be a nice find if he's released by Green Bay. They tried him at LT but it didn't work to well. He's been playing Guard since then but I think he's worth the risk of trying him out at RT. He has all the attributes you need for a zone blocking scheme including experience and on a team that needs two or three tackles we need to start stocking up.

I believe the interior will be situated by adding Ben Hamilton and Chris Kuper, it's both tackle spots that worry me.

Well how about this line:

LT Okung
LG Dockery
C Hamilton
RG Kuper
RT L. Jones

Well I don't know if Jones would play RT, maybe we can do what the Ravens did with Oher and put Okung at RT and keep Levi at LT.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Well how about this line:

LT Okung
LG Dockery
C Hamilton
RG Kuper
RT L. Jones

Well I don't know if Jones would play RT, maybe we can do what the Ravens did with Oher and put Okung at RT and keep Levi at LT.

Ts situation would be nice if we could keep Jones, but the bold part would be nicer.. I don't think we should be so determined with G/C yet, they probably would go after them but I'm sure Shanahan would want whoever who plays best, they get the spot.. Rabach and Ed Williams but yes, I know they are not Shanahan's players.. I'm pretty sure they won't be the only other options, Allen probably would try to bring some vet players/rookies in to compete..

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Well how about this line:

LT Okung
LG Dockery
C Hamilton
RG Kuper
RT L. Jones

Well I don't know if Jones would play RT, maybe we can do what the Ravens did with Oher and put Okung at RT and keep Levi at LT.

I was personally hoping for from of a situation like this.

LT - C. Brown (rookie USC) - L. Jones
LG - D. Dockery - B. Hamilton
C - C. Rabach - E. Williams
RG - C. Kuper - Kory L.
RT - D. Colledge - Jason Fox (rookie Miami)

On this line you need your first name to start with a D or C. No exceptions

I think the thing though that people don't realize is that Rabach is a lot better then people give him credit for and now he's about to enter a system that is virtually tailored to his skillset. Hamilton is a nice guy to have around, thanks to his versatility and experience in a ZBS, but from what I've heard from the Denver fans is that we'd be better off having him around as a backup at this point in his career.

Colledge is the wild card and he's more of a personal preference that I think we could use as a nice audition at RT and a stopgap to get a better tackle prospect next year. Green Bay (who runs a ZBS) initially tried him at LT and he struggled there leading them to move him to Guard. He as all the prereq's you want in a zone blocker but he's had mixed results at the pro level. Nevertheless he's pretty versatile.

Okung would definetely work and he's one of the better sure fire first round tackle prospects to fit in a zone blocking scheme. By the same token I haven't found much evidence that none of them would have trouble fitting (Buluga - Iowa, Campbell - UMD, Davis - Rut, Williams - OU). Personally I hate Davis for the same reason I don't like Iupati in that they both seem to be blatant holders.

Still don't discount those second round tackles. Capers (WVU), Brown (USC), and Ducasse (UMass) would all work here at LT. Also worth mentioning is the fact that with no cap to limit teams from cutting players we could see a few surprises in free agency. Especially players from small market teams who will be looking to unload for the sake of saving money, now that they don't have a salary cap to supplement their income.

Also another second round tackle to look out for could be Indiana's Rodger Safford. He seems to have pretty good footwork and he faired well against top competition.

01/19/2010 - East-West Shrine Tuesday Practice: The matchup between Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy and Indiana tackle Roger Saffold was worth the price of the flight to Orlando. Saffold controlled Hardy in most one-on-one drills, eating up a spin move, turning him and allowing him no space in which to work. - Chad Reuter, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com

Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana. Saffold arrived in Orlando with questions about his quickness, athleticism, intensity and strength. From Day 1, he shined on the field. He showed the quickness and athleticism to slide to the corner and cut off edge rushers, keeping his knees bent and blocking with good leverage. Saffold proved he has what it takes to play left tackle in the NFL. He certainly moved into third-round consideration, and he could go as high as the second round with a string of good pre-draft workouts.

The great thing about this draft is the fact there a LOT of options at the tackle position.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Well how about this line:

LT Okung
LG Dockery
C Hamilton
RG Kuper
RT L. Jones

Well I don't know if Jones would play RT, maybe we can do what the Ravens did with Oher and put Okung at RT and keep Levi at LT.

I can see why that suggestion would be made but I think whoever is better needs to be at LT; I'd take Gaither over Jones any day and understand why they kept him at LT. No favorites/loyalty needed, Jones isn't good enough for it anyways.

[wolfeskins]

here is some info i just came across. i'm not sure if this is NEW to anyone, but here it is:

The key to the Redskins success in 2010 may very well be the NFL's "Final Eight Plan" pertaining to the collective bargaining agreement, which looks like is about to expire. It basically states . . . During the Final League Year, the eight clubs that make the Divisional Playoffs in the previous season have additional restrictions that limit their ability to sign unrestricted free agents from other clubs. In general, the four clubs participating in the championship games are limited in the number of free agents that they may sign; the limit is determined by the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs. They cannot sign any UFAs unless one of theirs is signed by another team. For the four clubs that lost in the Divisional Playoffs, in addition to having the ability to sign free agents based on the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs, they may also sign players based on specific financial parameters. Those four only will be permitted to sign one unrestricted free agent for $5.5 million (estimated) or more in year one of the contract, plus the number of their UFAs who sign with another team. They also can sign any unrestricted free agents for less than $3.7 (estimated) million in year one of the contract with limitations on the per year increases. In the case of all final eight teams, the first year salary of UFAs they sign to replace those lost cannot exceed the first year salary of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases. Without a collective bargaining agreement, teams like Dallas who made the final eight teams cannot go out and sign unrestricted free agents, unless they lose one. The Redskins can go out and sign any unrestricted free agent without any limit. I believe this could be a huge factor in 2010!!!!!

[Schneed10]

Yeah that's old news, but important news. The only trouble is there aren't many high-impact unrestricted free agents available. The guys who are, like Vince Wilfork, will probably end up franchise tagged anyway.

[tryfuhl]

If Brady and Manning types were the only ones making a million then a lot of people would be earning about 80k and might think about putting their degrees to use. That's the silliest thing that I've heard in awhile.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

If Brady and Manning types were the only ones making a million then a lot of people would be earning about 80k and might think about putting their degrees to use. That's the silliest thing that I've heard in awhile.

Silliest thing I have heard in awhile is a NFL Players strike!!!!! Jeez, AH has a $100 million contract guaranteed and he only plays really what, two thirds of a season? Us poor shmucks in Detroit lose our jobs so the automakers keep their profits and bonuses. UAW= U Ain't Workin!!!!!

[tryfuhl]

They need to just extend the current deal a couple of years with an option for a 3rd year if they don't have something worked out by then; get Rosenhaus in there to negotiate.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

They need to just extend the current deal a couple of years with an option for a 3rd year if they don't have something worked out by then; get Rosenhaus in there to negotiate.

As reasonable as your suggestion is, the owners already bowed out of the current deal voluntarily. Extending the current deal is not what they will do.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Lotus

As reasonable as your suggestion is, the owners already bowed out of the current deal voluntarily. Extending the current deal is not what they will do.

This is true.

[GTripp0012]

Wayne Hunter is an intriguing option at RT. He hasn't played a true tackle in three years, instead functioning as a power TE in the Jets' offense, but when you compare that to Ray Willis last year, at least he was on the field a lot for a successful team.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Wayne Hunter is an intriguing option at RT. He hasn't played a true tackle in three years, instead functioning as a power TE in the Jets' offense, but when you compare that to Ray Willis last year, at least he was on the field a lot for a successful team.

Like the idea of Wayne Hunter. Especially on a team thats probably going to face it's most difficult task in finding 2 or 3 offensive tackles that can play.

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Hamilton is a decent option at guard, he was once a pretty good guard on a very good offensive line, but I don't like Kuper costing us a pick, and the guards market really isn't very competitive at all.

Center and Tackle on the other hand, yeah, we pretty much need to go outside the organization. Edwin Williams at least has a shot at being our next Center, but neither of our next tackles are on the roster.

Keep in mind Kuper might not cost us any draft picks but if he does it'll probably be one late round pick (4th or 5th, I mean what have guys like Robert Henson and Cody Glenn done for us lately). And for an experienced starter at 27 years of age on the second most difficult position along the line thats not a bad deal. In fact it gives us 3 or 4 years to find a new starter at RG. If our line was in better shape I'd agree about not shelving out any picks for the sake of adding a vet but right now we have two or three good prospects on the line and a lack of time to really develop anyone.

I personally like Edwin Williams and I think with another year or two of development he could easily become a quality starter for us. Still don't sleep on Kory L and especially don't sleep on Rabach in a Zone Blocking Scheme. If we add Kuper and Hamilton then we can leave the interior alone for a good while (two years), adding a part or two along the way. Right now my main concern is the tackle position. Hopefully there will be a surprise release along the way but obviously one of the first two picks will need to be a tackle.

Not sure how Rabach fits into everything but his number indicates that he was actually quite good last year when he got a chance to play. Still I just don't see him as a zone blocker and he doesn't have the same type of expereince that a guy like Dockery has.

As it stands right now we need two tackles that can start next year, one tackle that can back them up, and one tackle that we can possibly develop. We also need a guy that can start at RG and for good measure we'd be well off adding a vet that can play the interior. Obviously I kind of backed into all this but you can see where Im going.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Like the idea of Wayne Hunter. Especially on a team thats probably going to face it's most difficult task in finding 2 or 3 offensive tackles that can play.

Keep in mind Kuper might not cost us any draft picks but if he does it'll probably be one late round pick (4th or 5th, I mean what have guys like Robert Henson and Cody Glenn done for us lately). And for an experienced starter at 27 years of age on the second most difficult position along the line thats not a bad deal. In fact it gives us 3 or 4 years to find a new starter at RG. If our line was in better shape I'd agree about not shelving out any picks for the sake of adding a vet but right now we have two or three good prospects on the line and a lack of time to really develop anyone.

I personally like Edwin Williams and I think with another year or two of development he could easily become a quality starter for us. Still don't sleep on Kory L and especially don't sleep on Rabach in a Zone Blocking Scheme. If we add Kuper and Hamilton then we can leave the interior alone for a good while (two years), adding a part or two along the way. Right now my main concern is the tackle position. Hopefully there will be a surprise release along the way but obviously one of the first two picks will need to be a tackle.

Not sure how Rabach fits into everything but his number indicates that he was actually quite good last year when he got a chance to play. Still I just don't see him as a zone blocker and he doesn't have the same type of expereince that a guy like Dockery has.

As it stands right now we need two tackles that can start next year, one tackle that can back them up, and one tackle that we can possibly develop. We also need a guy that can start at RG and for good measure we'd be well off adding a vet that can play the interior. Obviously I kind of backed into all this but you can see where Im going.

There have been reports that Kuper may be good enough to fit the power blocking system that McD wants to implement. So he and Clady may be the only Shanahan players that McD would want to keep. It'd be nice if McD let's him walk though, he'd be a nice addition to our team.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

There have been reports that Kuper may be good enough to fit the power blocking system that McD wants to implement. So he and Clady may be the only Shanahan players that McD would want to keep. It'd be nice if McD let's him walk though, he'd be a nice addition to our team.

Crap, and here I was hoping for a fire sale of all things Zone Blocking in Denver.

In the meantime heres a few things I was told by Denver fans regarding Kuper:

Kuper is a RG, he hasn't played RT for Shanny. In 2008 Kuper did not allow a sack in the ZBS. You can have him for a 4th rd pick, i'll take the pick now if you have it with you.

You can have Hamilton...he can play guard or center, but his play has dropped off drastically the last two years (even when we still ran a ZBS). Kuper won't be cut...he is a RFA, and will likely be resigned. He played some RT in training camp a few years ago, but he is much better at RG. He could probably be had for a 3rd rounder, but I think its very unlikely he isn't retained.

Kuper is a RFA, so it will be up to the Broncos whether or not he walks. I think this board is pretty split as to whether or not he will be back. Personally, I think he will.

Chris Kuper (OG) - I don't agree he doesn't fit McDainel's system, but many in here do

Kuper, as far as I know, has only every played guard (college and pro). I don't see him playing RT. He's started 31 games at right guard the last 2 years, and I think he's only allowed 2 sacks. I'd hate to see him leave the Broncos.