Please rank the Free Agent Guards

[xwalker]

Please rank the UFA guards, leaving the franchised players out. Add comments if you are familiar with specific players.

Logan Mankins (NE) - Franchised
Ryan Kalil (CAR) - Franchised

1. Carl Nicks (NO)
2. Davin Joseph (TB)
3. Marshal Yanda (BAL)
4. David Baas (SF)
5. Harvey Dahl (ATL)
6. Daryn Colledge (GB)
7. Justin Blalock (ATL)
8. Chris Chester (BAL)
10. Richie Incognito (MIA)
11. Jason Spitz (GB)
12. Leroy Harris (TEN)
13. Kyle Kosier (DAL)

Alan Faneca (ARZ)
Deuce Lutui (ARZ)
Lyle Sendlein (ARZ)
Olin Kreutz (CHI)
Evan Mathis (CIN)
Kyle Cook (CIN)
Nate Livings (CIN)
Kasey Studdard (HOU)
Mike Brisiel (HOU)
Kyle DeVan (IND)
Mike Pollak (IND)
Rudy Niswanger (KC)
Casey Wiegmann (KC)
Nate Garner (MIA)
Jonathan Goodwin (NO)
Kevin Boothe (NYG)
Samson Satele (OAK)
Reggie Wells (PHI)
Scott Mruczkowski (SD)
Chris Spencer (SEA)
Will Montgomery (WAS)

[Eskimo]

I wouldn't mind Harris if the price is reasonable.

[UnoDallas]

I want Blalock

Harvey Dahl (ATL) – Ask opposing players who have faced Harvey Dahl and they’ll tell you that the right guard brings some extra nasty with him every week. He and Clabo combine to form a physical, dominant right side for the Atlanta Falcons, which allows the offense to control the line of scrimmage. Expect both to re-sign in Atlanta.


Yanda because he can play all over the line

Davin Joseph (TB) – Davin Joseph was playing terrific football for the Buccaneers before he fractured his foot in November, sending him to the IR. He’s an excellent run blocker and a good pass blocker, who will one of the top guards if the Buccaneers allow him to reach free agency. Don’t expect them to just let their best offensive linemen go without a fight though

you got three OL to sign in Atl

I say Blalock in on the outside looking in

[28 Joker]

Marshall Yanda had knee surgery on his ACL, PCL, and MCL. I think that I would stay away from him, and he could cost some big money.

[speedkilz88]

Marshall Yanda had knee surgery on his ACL, PCL, and MCL. I think that I would stay away from him, and he could cost some big money.
Not coming off acl, pcl, and mcl surgery he's not.

[28 Joker]

Not coming off acl, pcl, and mcl surgery he's not.


He had a really good year last year, and he's still young. The Ravens want to keep him from what I've gathered, and I bet they get some competition. I wouldn't sign him to the money that he will could very well get due to that knee. You have to think long term, imo. Yanda hurt his knee in 2008 and started the 2009 year on PUP, I think. He's had some level of success at guard and tackle. I bet someone over pays for him, and I say over pay based on his knee. He will play at 27 in 2011, too.

Dallas has already been burned (imo) with the diminishing returns of Leonard Davis' mega deal. Giving big money to a guy with that knee injury history should give any team pause for concern. However, watch a team like Washington get into the bidding for him.

[28 Joker]

I wouldn't mind Harris if the price is reasonable.


You know, Leroy Harris was my in season pick to replace Kosier. He graded out pretty bad according to Pro Football Focus in 2010. However, the Titans still say that they like him. They put a second round tender on him and have some depth behind him. He can play all three interior offensive line positions and has a nice game starting at center (on film) in a divisional playoff game.

I watched him play a bunch last year. He has a very strong anchor in pass protection and displayed some nastiness in pass protection. He has good athleticism, and I saw him get beat in pass protection and recover and pancake some Houston Texan. He seemed to do well in this area.

In the running game, he gets to the second level very good, but I think that he tried to cut smaller guys too much instead of using his strength to maul them. He is a strong player. He seemed to be good on seal blocks when the Titans attempted to stretch the defense with their zone blocking. I don't remember him pulling, but he should be able to do that and be pretty good. He needs to be more physical on the second level, because he can get there, imo.

Would the Cowboys consider him at right guard? I don't know. He's 6-4, 303, but he is a strong 303.

Who was Kyle Kosier before he came to Dallas? Kosier was a cheap unknown and turned out to be a bargain.

Harris' best days are ahead of him (will play at 27), and he will probably come cheap like Kosier. Plus, Harris has a year under his belt. Some Titans fans are ready to give up on him and Ammano, but I don't think the team will. Their QB play was really, really bad last year. Dallas probably will not sign him, but I would scout him and do my homework.

[Eskimo]

You know, Leroy Harris was my in season pick to replace Kosier. He graded out pretty bad according to Pro Football Focus in 2010. However, the Titans still say that they like him. They put a second round tender on him and have some depth behind him. He can play all three interior offensive line positions and has a nice game starting at center (on film) in a divisional playoff game.

I watched him play a bunch last year. He has a very strong anchor in pass protection and displayed some nastiness in pass protection. He has good athleticism, and I saw him get beat in pass protection and recover and pancake some Houston Texan. He seemed to do well in this area.

In the running game, he gets to the second level very good, but I think that he tried to cut smaller guys too much instead of using his strength to maul them. He is a strong player. He seemed to be good on seal blocks when the Titans attempted to stretch the defense with their zone blocking. I don't remember him pulling, but he should be able to do that and be pretty good. He needs to be more physical on the second level, because he can get there, imo.

Would the Cowboys consider him at right guard? I don't know. He's 6-4, 303, but he is a strong 303.

Who was Kyle Kosier before he came to Dallas? Kosier was a cheap unknown and turned out to be a bargain.

Harris' best days are ahead of him (will play at 27), and he will probably come cheap like Kosier. Plus, Harris has a year under his belt. Some Titans fans are ready to give up on him and Ammano, but I don't think the team will. Their QB play was really, really bad last year. Dallas probably will not sign him, but I would scout him and do my homework.

I didn't realize the Titans had tagged him but no one really knows what the rules will be when FA hits. I probably would prefer to keep the second rounder but if he were a FA I would like to get him. He hasn't peaked yet and should give us five good years.

FWIW, I don't trust PFF's OL grading.

[Bullflop]

I'd gladly accept any RG candidate on that list who'd likely prove himself to be an upgrade over Leonard Davis. Come to think of it, it might be fairly difficult to find one who would likely prove himself worse.

[AbeBeta]

In many cases, the difference is quality/price isn't going to be enough to justify signing someone instead of Kosier given the consistency he gives the left side -- don't discount how valuable having guys who have experience working together are ... now if we are talking about cutting Davis and bringing in someone else, I am for it in theory, but you are talking about a ton of money for someone who is better. Davis is and always has been a guy who isn't going to play well when things are going poorly or if the guys around him stink -- you don't like to have that in a player but it is something you can fix

[OILERMAN]

Harris will not be signed cheap, he's not really a secret and is considered a good young player. If the Titans don't keep him he'll be sought after on the open market.

[xwalker]

Did Harris play RG or LG ?

[OILERMAN]

Harris has played Left guard, Center and RT for the Titans....

If he can play RT I'm sure he could play RG.

[RS12]

Nicks would be a great pickup.

[UnoDallas]

Nicks would be a great pickup.

yea but at what price ?

Both Jahri Evans and Nicks made it to the Pro Bowl this year, but it was Nicks who had the better season. The Saints run game was best when backs ran it up the middle and over left tackle, both partially attributed to Nicks’ success. The organization also just recently made Jahri Evans the league’s highest paid guard so it’ll be interesting to see if New Orleans also has the highest offer on the table for Nicks if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. They also have Bushrod and Jonathan Goodwin becoming free agents, so if they re-sign Nicks, it almost definitely will mean letting go of Bushrod at left tackle


The Saints have tendered offers to potential FA targets LG Carl Nicks
Nicks was given just a first round tender

[speedkilz88]

Nicks only has three seasons, he is restricted no matter what happens with the labor negotiations.

[AbeBeta]

Nicks only has three seasons, he is restricted no matter what happens with the labor negotiations.

what if the negotiations eliminated RFA status and made everyone free after three years?

[speedkilz88]

what if the negotiations eliminated RFA status and made everyone free after three years?Because players aren't asking for that.

[28 Joker]

The Dolphins signed Incognito to a one year deal. It was really cheap.

The Falcons have three players on their offensive line to resign.

Justin Blalock is 27 and turns 28 in December. His best football is probably ahead of him. He is an interesting guy, because I could see him at RG for the Cowboys. He played OT at Texas and kicked to guard. He's a Texas guy, too. Hmmm... His price shouldn't be outrageous, but who knows. The Falcons have some decisions to make.

I don't think the Cowboys would play a guy like Harris at RG; I think they would look at him at LG and C. Daryn Colledge would be a LG for the Cowboys, too.

How the Cowboys view David Arkin is probably going to influence this choice. They probably have a general idea of where he will best fit, right or left guard. Perhaps, Arkin replaces Kosier (if he is resigned) in the starting lineup in 2012. That would make locking down RG and a guy like Blalock very interesting.

The center position needs to be addressed next year, imo. Those guys are hard find, and they are tough to get your hands on.

[JonJon]

He had a really good year last year, and he's still young. The Ravens want to keep him from what I've gathered, and I bet they get some competition. I wouldn't sign him to the money that he will could very well get due to that knee. You have to think long term, imo. Yanda hurt his knee in 2008 and started the 2009 year on PUP, I think. He's had some level of success at guard and tackle. I bet someone over pays for him, and I say over pay based on his knee. He will play at 27 in 2011, too.

Dallas has already been burned (imo) with the diminishing returns of Leonard Davis' mega deal. Giving big money to a guy with that knee injury history should give any team pause for concern. However, watch a team like Washington get into the bidding for him.

I think he is close to, if not fully, recovered from the knee injury. He started last year at guard and had his best career year to date. I don't think he will demand big time money unless, like you mentioned, some team gets caught up in a bid war and overpays for his services.

He is the guy that I would want most; still young, versatile, and will not break the bank. My ideal scenario is for him to replace Davis while David Arkin is groomed to replace Kosier.

[28 Joker]

I think he is close to, if not fully, recovered from the knee injury. He started last year at guard and had his best career year to date. I don't think he will demand big time money unless, like you mentioned, some team gets caught up in a bid war and overpays for his services.

He is the guy that I would want most; still young, versatile, and will not break the bank. My ideal scenario is for him to replace Davis while David Arkin is groomed to replace Kosier.

He had some very impressive numbers for sure, and I'm not a doctor. That knee still concerns me down the road, because I remember what happened to Erik Williams after his wreck. Williams would have been in the Hall of Fame, no doubt.

It is 29, 30, 31...How is his knee going to hold up then? That is my only concern about him. You are right, he would be a very good fit at RG. He has size and athletic ability. He's listed at 315, and his run blocking is pretty good from what I've gathered. He will draw interest, and it will be interesting to see what he gets. The only downside that I see is his past knee injury.

I was just commenting in another thread that I don't think Doug Free is going to get top 10 LT money, because I don't think the league will value him like that. I don't think Free will come close to Joe Staley money, and that money was pretty big. Dallas should be able to resign Free (fairly reasonable). I think some teams will value him at RT, not LT, and that could be where any competition arises. That should drive his price down, considerably. The Cowboys should be able to sign a guard to play the right side if they want to do it, imo.

[28 Joker]

Harris has played Left guard, Center and RT for the Titans....

If he can play RT I'm sure he could play RG.


You know, you may be right. Harris looks really strong to me. He's got a strong anchor. Harris is pretty thick in his lower half. He is actually 6 foot 3, not 6-4 like I stated earlier. It isn't like Leonard Davis is a great drive blocker, anyway. Harris in pass protection would appear to be a big upgrade over Davis on Dallas' right side. Plus, he has the athletic ability in the running game, and Dallas would use him to pull, I bet.

Did the Titans ever pull him, because I don't remember him ever pulling. I know he moves well laterally down the line. I just don't remember him taking off and running on a pull to this right. He should be able to pull good.

The Titans have Valasco behind him; I wonder how much the Titans are willing to pay him. They put a second round tender on him, just in case.

[xwalker]

Here is a better list: (this site had Yanda listed as OT)

http://www.walker-texas.com/2011-free-agent-guards.jpg (http://www.walker-texas.com/2011-free-agent-guards.jpg)

[AbeBeta]

Because players aren't asking for that.

So you are inside the negotiations?