Asante Samuel, just turned 27, UFA I believe

[superpunk]

I disagree. I think we need Deion, not Haley. We have Ware, Spencer looks realy promising, and Ellis is an extremely solid situationally (no matter how much I hate his whining and lack of leadership IMHO).

I meant Haley's attitude, more than anything.

I agree with those that think this team's problem isn't talent. We don't need free agent talent. Everything that we need, we can find in the draft (unless we want to make a splash for one of the reported WRs on the market).

We need some bad motha (shut-yo-mouth)'s who know how to win. Maybe not a guy with Haley's talent, but definitely someone with his attitude. Samuel isn't that guy, and I think we can repair the secondary through the draft. Very few teams have excessive talent at corner, including several playing this weekend - and they manage to get it done.

Gimme some bad-*****.

 

[Dallas]

I loved when we played man coverage in the past. I hate the zone and this 10 yards off the WR BS. Talk about getting yourself killed.

Soft zones are eaten up by good teams.

Why doesn't Dallas play more man?

 

[LarryCanadian]

Superpunk I agree 100%. Been posting all over this forum about leadership and attitude AND brains. We have physical talent no doubt. It's the other stuff that seems to be lacking. How much of each I'm not sure, but definitely need a guy that is willing to bash his helmet through the wall to get some players' attention.

I think our Cap situation is really strong still, despite it being right up against the top this year. If we could have one position upgraded through FREE AGENCY, which Jones has already flat out stated he's willing to do. What would that position be? One position that would make a big difference to this team. For me it is the secondary for sure. Wasn't my belief last year, but it is after another season where we couldn't stop the pass at key times.

LarryCanadian

 

[Deep_South]

I loved when we played man coverage in the past. I hate the zone and this 10 yards off the WR BS. Talk about getting yourself killed.

Soft zones are eaten up by good teams.

Why doesn't Dallas play more man?

Reeves can't play man coverage with any consistency.

 

[Fletch]

I loved when we played man coverage in the past. I hate the zone and this 10 yards off the WR BS. Talk about getting yourself killed.

Soft zones are eaten up by good teams.

Why doesn't Dallas play more man?

Well you saw what the Pats did when we played like that. Of course they are a West Coast offense anyway. Every team dinked and dunked on us. Heck, Jason Campbell had a field day with us.

 

[Hoofbite]

The problem is we almost have to draft a CB.... With cap being what it is in the NFL you can't have 4 guys making top dollar in the secondary it doesn't work.

what does it matter where the players play.

If you have a hole, you fix it.

I've always hated the "too much tied up in one spot" line. Its flawed thinking. If you are going to spend the money, why wouldn't you spend it on one of the weakest spots no matter what the guys next to him make.

 

[AdamJT13]

OK. So, it's not that it's against any rules, it's just that the Pats agreed not to.

He threatened to hold for most of the season if they didn't.

 

[Marktui]

Would like to get him, but it all depends on how much other teams will be dishing out big money to get him. Jerry usually likes to jump into free agency after a week or two, he thinks too much money is given to these guys and their play never really justifies the expense.

There should be other guys out there like Drayton Florence, Randall Gay....we don't need a superstar corner, just one that cover better than Jacque Reeves-LOL

 

[FCBarca]

Yep, part of the deal last year was that they wouldn't franchise him again.

But I don't see him coming here. He's going to cost an absolute FORTUNE. It would be dumb to pay him that when Newman and hopefully Hamlin have big dollars coming.

Absolutely...In an 'ideal' world, love to see Samuel signed but the dollars would never work out...It'll take either lucking out in the draft or signing a middle tier FA.

Still hold out hope for a Roy Williams for Roy Williams swap

 

[ayjackson]

Denver has RFA's Dominique Foxworth and Karl Paymah. Both would make excellent nickel backs. Paymah really progressed this year and likely has starter upside. I doubt they keep them both. We could get Foxworth for our third rounder if we wanted, maybe less.

Denver would probably love to have Spears in their mix too. Admitedly, player for player trades rarely happen.

 

[The Panch]

To be honest, I think Asante gets too much credit. He's a very good corner, but far from elite. I've seen him all season and he tries too hard to make the big play. For every INT he makes, he gives up another TD because he's constantly jumping routes for better or for worse. It's not all about interceptions. If that's the case, Antony Henry was a better CB this season than T-New.



Im not saying I dont want him, but he's asking for a PrimeTime price tag and he's just not worth it.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Well, unless it's the last 40 seconds of a half (lets not got here again), I'd rather be aggressive in Secondary. It matches the 3-4 style of D we use in the front 7. It doesn't make sense to be a pressure/rushing D and then give huge cushions and play a very soft zone in the middle of the field.

I'd rather have a Samuel tight in man coverage and jumping routes, giving up the occassional big play mid game, than getting dinked and dunked to death, and not being able to stop teams in the critical moments.

That's a style preference I guess. The bend don't break defense in Dallas is so unsuccessful. Yes, occasionally we are highly ranked and are mostly in every game, but it hasn't resulted in a playoff win since 1996. The bend don't break approach has been going on since about then too.

Maybe time for a change? Secondary has to be in sync with what front 7 is doing as well, or it's all for naught.

LarryCanadian

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think we will go crazy on WR/CB on this draft, kinda like we draft all DL in 2005. Do not be surpsied if we draft two CBs and two WRs on first day.

Samuels is nice but I doubt we can afford Hamline, T-New and him.

I doubt we go crazy with WR's. They'll probably keep Owens and Glenn around, Crayton isn't going anywhere, and they'll want to give Stanback a chance. Say what you will about Austin, but he's got speed and can do kickoffs and those guys usually find themselves with a job in the NFL.

We actually should be able to afford Samuel and Hamlin. Newman still has 1 year left on his deal. The thing is that Dallas may want to work at finding players from other spots (i.e. Left Tackle, ILB) and if they got Samuel they may not be able to secure those spots.




YAKUZA

 

[juck]

This guy is a playmaker and its time to open the checkbook like Kraft did.U wanna win u gotta pay but pay wisely.

 

[5mics]

Was franchised last year, so can't be franchised again.

I think he would go a long way to fixing what ails us in the Secondary and would give us a ton of options.

Yes, he would cost a TON of money BUT, here are some things that need to be considered:

He wouldn't cost us any draft picks, since he is UFA right, whereas certain receivers or other players might if we really want to upgrade that way.

He is still very young, having turned 27 last week (born Jan 1981)

Most important he is a proven WINNER, with what, at least 2 SuperBowls (maybe 3?).

He would allow some flexibility in both draft and with Henry possibly moving into some Safety work.

We could still draft a CB but if we don't hit with the pick or it takes the traditional year or 2 to groom a CB, we are upgraded IMMEDIATELY, not next year, or potentially not at all if we miss on the pick. Less pressure on pick as well.

I think we do need to get a FA addition in secondary. I love Newman, and like Henry, but both are injury prone and neither are super young any more. Isn't Newman like 30 this year (despite not being exactly worn out and a genetic specimen etc), Samuel would be still 3 years younger and we are already prepared to pay Newman a huge bonus and long contract, so why not do the same with Samuel and give yourself some more options.

I really feel that just drafting a corner or two and/or adding a draft pick safety doesn't necessarily fix what ails you in secondary.

PLUS, I love the idea of bring in a guy with big game experience and success in Superbowl and playoffs. That is worth a lot!!

My number one offseason wish! Come on Jerry, work your magic.

LarryCanadian

I'd rather have Drayton Florence from San Diego. Wade & Stewart knows him so if the price is right, I hope he's the one we go after.

 

[NorthDalal]

To be honest, I think Asante gets too much credit. He's a very good corner, but far from elite. I've seen him all season and he tries too hard to make the big play. For every INT he makes, he gives up another TD because he's constantly jumping routes for better or for worse. It's not all about interceptions. If that's the case, Antony Henry was a better CB this season than T-New.

Nnamdi Asomugha | #21 | CB
Oakland Raiders | Official Team Site

Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Age: 26
Born: 7/6/1981 Lafayette , LA
College: California
Experience: 5th season



8 INTs in 2006, plays on a lousy team, but a credible OAK defense. 5th year player. Slap a star on him for 1.5-2.0 mil use the rest of the money on a speed WR who's had a down year or QB problems. Javon Walker might come cheap.

 

[superpunk]

If Asomugha goes anywhere for 1.5-2 mil, then I'm the queen of Belgium. He's gonna get HUGE money, he's one of the best corners in the league. If Oakland lets him go, I'd definitely rather have him than Samuel - but still think we're better off in the draft with corners.

 

[es22]

Yep, part of the deal last year was that they wouldn't franchise him again.

But I don't see him coming here. He's going to cost an absolute FORTUNE. It would be dumb to pay him that when Newman and hopefully Hamlin have big dollars coming.

I can see him running to Mangini in 08.

 

[CF74]

I would love to have the guy on our team but this isn't the 90's where we could buy our teams, ain't gonna happen...

Our best bet is the draft

 

[NorthDalal]

You may be right, about Ashomuga's price, but OAK's poor year and his INT dropoff in 2007 may make him a bargain on the FA market.

And you might be the Queen.