2011 NFL Free Agency Thread

[That Guy]

first of all, i don't believe beck is the answer and what we really need is a good QB to do anything, but i don't think we're getting one, so this could be another downer of a year.

second, our best option (imho) would be re-signing moss and rogers... they know the system (the coaches know them) and they''ll cost less than their replacements. brown wouldn't be an awful idea either.

I think rogers is probably gone from what i've heard, and i think that's a mistake, even with his stone hands. cromartie, ike, or JJ (cin) could replace him, but outside of that you're either overpaying for a man guy in AO or you're settling for worse options in a guy like richard marshall (who's still a very good player). that's pretty much the starting CB list...

the problem is other teams are going to spend money too, so holmes, champ, breaston, and all those other guys that have been important to their teams (ie peyton) probably aren't going anywhere unless they get a massively stupid contract.

and some aren't great fits (sydney rice with becks amazingly average arm won't make a great combo for example).

richard marshall, jenkins, and B edwards are secondary priorities for their current teams, so those are guys we have a real shot at and could help the team. tulloch wouldn't be bad either, and then you could get mid level FAs for cheap (josh wilson or a platoon of DTs to rotate) and be okay, except, you know, for the QB issue we're ignoring.

P/K options are nice this year too... sep, koch, podlesh, crosby, vinetari... could be worse


short:
resign moss, rogers, brown. if rocky is cheap, he's been okay too.
sign jenkins, OL (some FA depth here... doug free would be nice), tulloch, sep (P), crosby (K), and see what's available. edwards or R marshall wouldn't be bad (RM wants in in CAR though and probably likes starting).

don't sign guys just to sign guys. make sure they have a clear role and provide a real upgrade over what you have.

[sportscurmudgeon]

That Guy:

Don't forget that David Akers as a PK is available. He too is a free agent. With the exception of Crosby, he might be the best of the lot this year...

Niether Moss nor Rogers is a player in the top 20% of players at their positions in the league. Re-signing them on the basis of "system familiarity" might make a lot of sense - - - but there are not a lot of reasons other than that to worry about either of them signing elsewhere.

When it comes to actual NFL games involving pro players most of whom are destined to be paid for the entirety of a season, John Beck has not shown much of anything. Nevertheless, unless the Shanahans are bluffing well enough to win the World Series of Poker without ever having a pocket pair, they like the guy. So, even though I am skeptical - - meaning I can be convinced to change my opinion with new data - - I suggest that Skins' fans begin to embrace the John Beck Era...