Bargain Free Agent Shopping

[KingintheNorth]

Since Jerry keeps insisting we won't be "big players" in free agency I wanted to look at some cheaper options. These are players who I think can help this team without breaking the bank.

QB Position
Release Brad Johnson and do not re-sign Brooks Bollinger. Look for a 3rd developmental QB in the lower rounds of the draft. My free agent targets would be Chris Simms or Kyle Boller. If the 49ers cut Alex Smith he goes to the top of the list. I like these guys because they are still young (something to prove) and they have starting experience.

Offensive Line
Do not even attempt to re-sign Cory Proctor or Joe Berger. A guy I would take a chance on is Elton Brown from Arizona. He is 6'5", 332, and only 26. He has started at guard and tackle for the Cardinals but isn't starting now. The last time we signed a big ol lineman from Arizona that worked out okay.

Defensive Line
Chris Canty is going to be too expensive and Tank Johnson is no longer welcome. Replace them with Shaun Cody (Age 26 -6'4"/310) and Colin Cole (Age 28 -6'1"/328). Cole is a workman type NT and Cody was a big play college player.

Linebacker
Zach is almost done and Kevin Burnett will most likley be too expensive. Before we just hand the job to Bobby Carpenter (who I'll root for but just don't believe in) why not bring in someone like Dontarrious Thomas (Age 28 - 6'2"/241) to compete with Carpenter and at the least, provide depth.

Safety
With their cap hits and lack of production, I can't see both Roy Williams AND Anthony Henry being on the 2009 roster. Cutting either one frees up immediate cap room. I would consider going after one of the following Restricted Free Agents: Jarrad Page (Kansas City) or Dawan Landry(Baltimore). Of course, it all depends what kind of tender they are given by their current team. If Baltimore lets Unrestricted Free Agent Jim Leonhard hit the open market he would be my very first signing.

No star players. If we were to sign a few quality free agents we would be able to go into the draft with almost no holes. We could draft Best Player Available (Arizona's philosophy) at every pick and/or trade to stockpile picks for 2010.

We would lose free agents Brooks Bollinger, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, Chris Canty, Tank Johnson, Kevin Burnett, and Zach Thomas, as well as cap casualties Brad Johnson and either Roy Williams OR Anthony Henry. There should be more than enough cap room to re-sign DeMarcus Ware and still sign 5 or 6 non-big name free agents.

 

[ologan]

I agree with you that we really don't need to sign any 'big name' players. What we need are what I call the 'lunch box' types. Hungry and wanting to prove something.

 

[Temo]

In my experience, any time a NT is described as "workman type", it means he's a crappy fat guy who eats a few series a game.

 

[AmishCowboy]

My choice for backup QB is McCown or Fitzpatrick.

 

[Stash]

Since Jerry keeps insisting we won't be "big players" in free agency I wanted to look at some cheaper options. These are players who I think can help this team without breaking the bank.

QB Position
Release Brad Johnson and do not re-sign Brooks Bollinger. Look for a 3rd developmental QB in the lower rounds of the draft. My free agent targets would be Chris Simms or Kyle Boller. If the 49ers cut Alex Smith he goes to the top of the list. I like these guys because they are still young (something to prove) and they have starting experience.

Offensive Line
Do not even attempt to re-sign Cory Proctor or Joe Berger. A guy I would take a chance on is Elton Brown from Arizona. He is 6'5", 332, and only 26. He has started at guard and tackle for the Cardinals but isn't starting now. The last time we signed a big ol lineman from Arizona that worked out okay.

Defensive Line
Chris Canty is going to be too expensive and Tank Johnson is no longer welcome. Replace them with Shaun Cody (Age 26 -6'4"/310) and Colin Cole (Age 28 -6'1"/328). Cole is a workman type NT and Cody was a big play college player.

Linebacker
Zach is almost done and Kevin Burnett will most likley be too expensive. Before we just hand the job to Bobby Carpenter (who I'll root for but just don't believe in) why not bring in someone like Dontarrious Thomas (Age 28 - 6'2"/241) to compete with Carpenter and at the least, provide depth.

Safety
With their cap hits and lack of production, I can't see both Roy Williams AND Anthony Henry being on the 2009 roster. Cutting either one frees up immediate cap room. I would consider going after one of the following Restricted Free Agents: Jarrad Page (Kansas City) or Dawan Landry(Baltimore). Of course, it all depends what kind of tender they are given by their current team. If Baltimore lets Unrestricted Free Agent Jim Leonhard hit the open market he would be my very first signing.

No star players. If we were to sign a few quality free agents we would be able to go into the draft with almost no holes. We could draft Best Player Available (Arizona's philosophy) at every pick and/or trade to stockpile picks for 2010.

We would lose free agents Brooks Bollinger, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, Chris Canty, Tank Johnson, Kevin Burnett, and Zach Thomas, as well as cap casualties Brad Johnson and either Roy Williams OR Anthony Henry. There should be more than enough cap room to re-sign DeMarcus Ware and still sign 5 or 6 non-big name free agents.

Nice job!

I like several names on that list, notably Alex Smith, Elton Brown, and Colin Cole.

I'd like to see Dallas go 'bargain-hunting' this offseason rather than overpaying.

 

[HanD]

very nice list. i'd also add fitzpatrick and orlavsky to the list. limited starting experience on crappy teams but did "okay" and still have room to grow and something to prove.

Love the shaun cody, colin cole additions for the DL!

also one of Page, Landry and Leonhard would be awesome!

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Does Jerry have "bargain" in his vocab?. I agree with you Chris, we just need some signings that gives depth to our team, with exception to Safety and MLB where a starter would have to be signed. Cody would be a good option. It would pretty much take care of the D-line. I've always wanted the Cowboys to get Dawan Landry ever since he was in college. Similiar to how I like Sean Smith right now. Landry would be a beast on our defense, but I hate how he's restricted. Let's pray that they just let him walk..(doubt it)

 

[EPL0c0]

I agree with you that we really don't need to sign any 'big name' players. What we need are what I call the 'lunch box' types. Hungry and wanting to prove something.

Sounds good to me.

I have had the feeling for a few years now that guys don't come to Dallas to work...they come to get paid. That attitude has to change IMO and I think going w these types of guys...young hungry guys that may see this as their last shot will work well here.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Tell me about Colin Cole, I don't know anything about him.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Tell me about Colin Cole, I don't know anything about him.

28 years old. 6'1", 328 lbs. Undrafted out of Iowa he was on the Vikings' and Lions' Practice Squad. Signed by Green Bay in 2004. He has averaged about 25 tackles a year (he only played in 3 games his 2004).

Supposedly he recently turned down a 3-year $7M deal from Green Bay so he might not end up being too much of a "bargain". That kind of contract would mostly likely have a $3M signing bonus and put him at a $1.5M to $2M 2009 cap hit. The only thing is that Jerry has never been afraid to spend money on signing bonuses and stretching them out over longer contracts to lessen the cap hit.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Taking a cue from MLB, maybe some of these guys won't get what they want.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

Wow! Great research. I agree with another poster. I would put Fitzpatrick on that list, maybe even Ramsey.

Cody is a beast. Came from a good program in OU and has had a bit of an injury bug. If he can stay healthy, he can contribute.

I don't mind signing a FA safety, but I think we'll use our first pick on that position this year. I haven't started the research yet b/c I'm still dealing with the hangover from this season. Seems like there will be some good choices with Chung, Hamlin, Greene or Delmas at that position. I wouldn't be opposed to getting Landry through FA, though.

 

[Biggems]

Since Jerry keeps insisting we won't be "big players" in free agency I wanted to look at some cheaper options. These are players who I think can help this team without breaking the bank.

QB Position
Release Brad Johnson and do not re-sign Brooks Bollinger. Look for a 3rd developmental QB in the lower rounds of the draft. My free agent targets would be Chris Simms or Kyle Boller. If the 49ers cut Alex Smith he goes to the top of the list. I like these guys because they are still young (something to prove) and they have starting experience.

Offensive Line
Do not even attempt to re-sign Cory Proctor or Joe Berger. A guy I would take a chance on is Elton Brown from Arizona. He is 6'5", 332, and only 26. He has started at guard and tackle for the Cardinals but isn't starting now. The last time we signed a big ol lineman from Arizona that worked out okay.

Defensive Line
Chris Canty is going to be too expensive and Tank Johnson is no longer welcome. Replace them with Shaun Cody (Age 26 -6'4"/310) and Colin Cole (Age 28 -6'1"/328). Cole is a workman type NT and Cody was a big play college player.

Linebacker
Zach is almost done and Kevin Burnett will most likley be too expensive. Before we just hand the job to Bobby Carpenter (who I'll root for but just don't believe in) why not bring in someone like Dontarrious Thomas (Age 28 - 6'2"/241) to compete with Carpenter and at the least, provide depth.

Safety
With their cap hits and lack of production, I can't see both Roy Williams AND Anthony Henry being on the 2009 roster. Cutting either one frees up immediate cap room. I would consider going after one of the following Restricted Free Agents: Jarrad Page (Kansas City) or Dawan Landry(Baltimore). Of course, it all depends what kind of tender they are given by their current team. If Baltimore lets Unrestricted Free Agent Jim Leonhard hit the open market he would be my very first signing.

No star players. If we were to sign a few quality free agents we would be able to go into the draft with almost no holes. We could draft Best Player Available (Arizona's philosophy) at every pick and/or trade to stockpile picks for 2010.

We would lose free agents Brooks Bollinger, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, Chris Canty, Tank Johnson, Kevin Burnett, and Zach Thomas, as well as cap casualties Brad Johnson and either Roy Williams OR Anthony Henry. There should be more than enough cap room to re-sign DeMarcus Ware and still sign 5 or 6 non-big name free agents.

You forgot

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
FB Lorenzo Neal
DE Igor Olhansky
ILB Karlos Dansby

 

[5mics]

Since Jerry keeps insisting we won't be "big players" in free agency I wanted to look at some cheaper options. These are players who I think can help this team without breaking the bank.

QB Position
Release Brad Johnson and do not re-sign Brooks Bollinger. Look for a 3rd developmental QB in the lower rounds of the draft. My free agent targets would be Chris Simms or Kyle Boller. If the 49ers cut Alex Smith he goes to the top of the list. I like these guys because they are still young (something to prove) and they have starting experience.

Offensive Line
Do not even attempt to re-sign Cory Proctor or Joe Berger. A guy I would take a chance on is Elton Brown from Arizona. He is 6'5", 332, and only 26. He has started at guard and tackle for the Cardinals but isn't starting now. The last time we signed a big ol lineman from Arizona that worked out okay.

Defensive Line
Chris Canty is going to be too expensive and Tank Johnson is no longer welcome. Replace them with Shaun Cody (Age 26 -6'4"/310) and Colin Cole (Age 28 -6'1"/328). Cole is a workman type NT and Cody was a big play college player.

Linebacker
Zach is almost done and Kevin Burnett will most likley be too expensive. Before we just hand the job to Bobby Carpenter (who I'll root for but just don't believe in) why not bring in someone like Dontarrious Thomas (Age 28 - 6'2"/241) to compete with Carpenter and at the least, provide depth.

Safety
With their cap hits and lack of production, I can't see both Roy Williams AND Anthony Henry being on the 2009 roster. Cutting either one frees up immediate cap room. I would consider going after one of the following Restricted Free Agents: Jarrad Page (Kansas City) or Dawan Landry(Baltimore). Of course, it all depends what kind of tender they are given by their current team. If Baltimore lets Unrestricted Free Agent Jim Leonhard hit the open market he would be my very first signing.

No star players. If we were to sign a few quality free agents we would be able to go into the draft with almost no holes. We could draft Best Player Available (Arizona's philosophy) at every pick and/or trade to stockpile picks for 2010.

We would lose free agents Brooks Bollinger, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, Chris Canty, Tank Johnson, Kevin Burnett, and Zach Thomas, as well as cap casualties Brad Johnson and either Roy Williams OR Anthony Henry. There should be more than enough cap room to re-sign DeMarcus Ware and still sign 5 or 6 non-big name free agents.

I like your suggestions except for these two; more stiffs in coverage.....

 

[BAT]

I would like to take a chance on former Bears' 2nd rounder, DE/OLB Dan Bazuin.

Like Columbo, his Chicago career has been hampered by injuries. But the guy is high energy, upstanding character, as well as productive in college.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Unsure about those exact players but I love the stragedy.

 

[ologan]

Sounds good to me.

I have had the feeling for a few years now that guys don't come to Dallas to work...they come to get paid. That attitude has to change IMO and I think going w these types of guys...young hungry guys that may see this as their last shot will work well here.

Exactly,and one that comes to mind is Ray Lewis.Times short,and he's looking for a final payday,as opposed to the young hungry guys,where their time is short to show that they belong!

 

[AbeBeta]

You forgot

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
FB Lorenzo Neal
DE Igor Olhansky
ILB Karlos Dansby

Olhansky and Dansby will not be bargains. Igor will get a deal similar to Canty and Dansby is going to be a hot commodity.

Fitzpatrick will likely get good money and a shot at a starting job.

Neal is 38. We need an FB who can contribute on special teams.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Since Jerry keeps insisting we won't be "big players" in free agency I wanted to look at some cheaper options. These are players who I think can help this team without breaking the bank.

QB Position
Release Brad Johnson and do not re-sign Brooks Bollinger. Look for a 3rd developmental QB in the lower rounds of the draft. My free agent targets would be Chris Simms or Kyle Boller. If the 49ers cut Alex Smith he goes to the top of the list. I like these guys because they are still young (something to prove) and they have starting experience.

Offensive Line
Do not even attempt to re-sign Cory Proctor or Joe Berger. A guy I would take a chance on is Elton Brown from Arizona. He is 6'5", 332, and only 26. He has started at guard and tackle for the Cardinals but isn't starting now. The last time we signed a big ol lineman from Arizona that worked out okay.

Defensive Line
Chris Canty is going to be too expensive and Tank Johnson is no longer welcome. Replace them with Shaun Cody (Age 26 -6'4"/310) and Colin Cole (Age 28 -6'1"/328). Cole is a workman type NT and Cody was a big play college player.

Linebacker
Zach is almost done and Kevin Burnett will most likley be too expensive. Before we just hand the job to Bobby Carpenter (who I'll root for but just don't believe in) why not bring in someone like Dontarrious Thomas (Age 28 - 6'2"/241) to compete with Carpenter and at the least, provide depth.

Safety
With their cap hits and lack of production, I can't see both Roy Williams AND Anthony Henry being on the 2009 roster. Cutting either one frees up immediate cap room. I would consider going after one of the following Restricted Free Agents: Jarrad Page (Kansas City) or Dawan Landry(Baltimore). Of course, it all depends what kind of tender they are given by their current team. If Baltimore lets Unrestricted Free Agent Jim Leonhard hit the open market he would be my very first signing.

No star players. If we were to sign a few quality free agents we would be able to go into the draft with almost no holes. We could draft Best Player Available (Arizona's philosophy) at every pick and/or trade to stockpile picks for 2010.

We would lose free agents Brooks Bollinger, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, Chris Canty, Tank Johnson, Kevin Burnett, and Zach Thomas, as well as cap casualties Brad Johnson and either Roy Williams OR Anthony Henry. There should be more than enough cap room to re-sign DeMarcus Ware and still sign 5 or 6 non-big name free agents.

I agree with you on this...

 

[AbeBeta]

Unsure about those exact players but I love the stragedy.

Did ya love Ryan Hannam too?