FA pickups

[nyc316]

I know he gets a lot of picks...but I really don't think he's that good. He can make plays when that team has a lead and he can afford to take chances, but he's not a very good tackler and doesn't have great range. He's a lot like Asante Samuel, crafty but not overly athletic.

And when it comes down to it, he's going to be asking for a lot of money...which I don't think we should pay him.

you gotta be kidding

 

[8FOR!3]

How about a kicker first?

Sebastian Janikowski?

Nah, we can just pull an Oakland Raider and draft another kicker in the first round. Or maybe we can draft a QB who won't be productive and pay him 100 million dollars. I say Jerrod Johnson's every bit the QB that JaMarcus Russell is.

 

[montgod]

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/01/donte_stallworths_browns_tenur.html

Donte Stallworth's Browns tenure likely drawing to a close as suspension ends: NFL Insider
By Tony Grossi
January 23, 2010, 8:16PM

Scott Shaw / The Plain DealerDonte Stallworth's return to the NFL will come in February, but his time with the Browns is likely drawing short.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have no intention of bringing back receiver Donte' Stallworth when his one-year suspension is lifted by Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Super Bowl.

It will be the first major decision on a player to be made by the new Browns regime of President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert, and it will not be a hard one.

Stallworth was suspended on Aug. 13 after pleading guilty to DUI/manslaughter, a second-degree felony in Florida, as a result of striking and killing pedestrian Mario Reyes while under the influence of alcohol on March 14.

Goodell did the Browns a favor by suspending Stallworth for the season because it saved the Browns about $7.6 million of room on their 2009 salary cap.

The team, however, was legally bound to pay Stallworth a $4.5 million bonus, which he earned by being on the team's roster on March 13 -- the day before the accident. The final payment of that bonus was due on Jan. 10.

It is believed that most, if not all, of Stallworth's bonus money was used to pay the family of Reyes in a plea-bargain agreement with Florida prosecutors that avoided a lengthy jail term. He served 24 days in prison.

If the Browns re-instated Stallworth, his contract calls for another $1 million roster bonus on March 18 and a base salary in 2010 of $2.775 million. There are other bonuses worth $550,000 if Stallworth played the whole season.

So that's not going to happen.

Stallworth had about $25.2 million left on his Browns contract through 2014. He probably wasn't going to ever see all that money, even if the accident hadn't occurred.

There would be no impact on the salary cap by releasing him because the league is expected to abolish the salary cap system in March as a result of failed negotiations to extend the current labor agreement.

If by some unexpected development the league reaches an agreement and the salary cap system is maintained, Stallworth would count only $435,000 on the Browns' 2010 cap if released.

But he didn't come away empty-handed.

In addition to the $4.5 million roster bonus paid in 2009, Stallworth received a $4.5 million signing bonus in 2008. His base salary in '08 was $605,000. So the Browns paid Stallworth $9.605 million for one season. He played in 11 games and had 17 catches for 170 yards and one touchdown.

Brownie bits: The "swap" of salary-cap specialists between the Browns and Miami Dolphins involving Dawn Aponte for Matt Thomas -- reported last week in The Plain Dealer -- will take place after Feb. 1. ... It's possible that Mike Keenan, deposed Browns president, will return to the league office, where he was before joining the Browns in 2006. ... Among the people that Mike Holmgren talked to before retaining Eric Mangini was Brett Favre, Holmgren's star pupil from their Green Bay days. Favre not only spoke highly of Mangini, he raved about Browns' offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Favre did the same thing in a conference call with Cleveland media prior to the Browns' 2009 season opener against the Vikings.

Mangini and Braylon: The good will between Mangini and former Browns receiver Braylon Edwards seems real.

Stan Edwards, Braylon's father, said: "Braylon said Eric Mangini was one of the brightest men he ever met -- on and off the field. Braylon's never had any cross words to me about Eric Mangini. He really enjoyed [former coach] Romeo Crennel, but he really respected in the short time he had with Eric Mangini. Does a player like everything that a coach does? Of course not."

It has since come to light that Edwards was one of the players fined $1,701 by Mangini for neglecting to pay a room charge for bottled water during the preseason.

Edwards said, "If Mangini has a rule and Braylon breaks the rule, that doesn't mean the relationship's different."

In a separate interview, Mangini said he has texted Edwards congratulatory messages during the Jets' playoff run. The coach said he thinks Edwards has the potential to become one of the sport's best receivers.

"There were times when he was here where his work ethic was outstanding, at practice and in the classroom," Mangini said. "One of the things we talked about when he was leaving was just managing some of the things that can be derailers, that can get you off track.

"If he does that, I think he can be outstanding. But you've got to be able to do that week-in and week-out, year-in and year-out. It's not easy to do."

Quick hits: Former Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is close to getting the Chicago coordinator job. He may beat out former Rams mastermind Mike Martz and Cincinnati quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese. ... Cowboys coach Wade Phillips became only the second coach hired during owner Jerry Jones' tenure to receive a second contract. The other was Bill Parcells. ... Incidentally, Jones called his firing of Chan Gailey, who was 18-14 in 1998-99, his biggest mistake as Cowboys owner. Gailey resurfaced last week as new coach of the Buffalo Bills. ... The hiring of John Schneider as Seattle general manager probably assures that Will Lewis will stay as the team's director of pro personnel. Lewis was interviewed for the Browns' GM position and was considered a possibility to join them in another capacity.

-------------------
Everyong talking about needing a speedster... even though I don't think JJones touches him with his background last year.

Off the subject, I found the above highlighted comment pretty interesting. Really???

 

[Eskimo]

No way we touch Stallworth with a ten-foot pole after being convicted of manslaughter - this is not the image he wants to portray. We would be murdered in the press.

 

[montgod]

No way we touch Stallworth with a ten-foot pole after being convicted of manslaughter - this is not the image he wants to portray. We would be murdered in the press.

I agree... but you never know with Jerry. My guess would be Al Davis since he is so enamored with speed.

 

[Beast_from_East]

How about Peppers from Carolina???

Suppossedly Carolina is not going to resign him after paying him like $15 mill guaranteed this year and Peppers "suppossedly dogging it" this season because he was pissed he was franchised last year.


We can sign 1 big money FA and Peppers wants to play in Dallas according to some rumors, so how about it guys???


He would be a great addition to the defense, he could rotate with Ware and Spencer to keep everybody fresh or he could play some D-line.

 

[Eskimo]

How about Peppers from Carolina???

Suppossedly Carolina is not going to resign him after paying him like $15 mill guaranteed this year and Peppers "suppossedly dogging it" this season because he was pissed he was franchised last year.


We can sign 1 big money FA and Peppers wants to play in Dallas according to some rumors, so how about it guys???


He would be a great addition to the defense, he could rotate with Ware and Spencer to keep everybody fresh or he could play some D-line.

Peppers really belongs in a 4-3 defensive scheme.

Where would we play him? He could play LDE in the base offense and then switch to DT in the nickel. He likely isn't going to be too pleased with his role here.

I also worry about "on field character" - he seems to disappear for entire games and entire seasons. He usually does not play up to his abilities. I would be very leery about giving this guy a $80M plus contract.

Anyways, our focus should be on the OL. Any good RTs about to hit FA?

 

[Fletch]

How many here would like to see us sign Casey Hampton and Darren Sharper as some veteran FA pickups?

I'd like to stay young. Not get older.

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

julius peppers would be a great pick up, he could play both DE spots and also both OLB positions. He still has some gas in left in his tank. Hampton would be a nice pick up too spelling Ratliff when he gets winded.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Peppers really belongs in a 4-3 defensive scheme.

Where would we play him? He could play LDE in the base offense and then switch to DT in the nickel. He likely isn't going to be too pleased with his role here.

I also worry about "on field character" - he seems to disappear for entire games and entire seasons. He usually does not play up to his abilities. I would be very leery about giving this guy a $80M plus contract.

Anyways, our focus should be on the OL. Any good RTs about to hit FA?

Good points, he probably would not be a good fit here. I would not object to signing a tackle as our 1 big ticket free agent, I dont know any names of the top of my head however.

Hard to imagine any team letting a tackle walk, all the good ones will probably be franchised I would imagine.

 

[Woods]

Good points, he probably would not be a good fit here. I would not object to signing a tackle as our 1 big ticket free agent, I dont know any names of the top of my head however.

Hard to imagine any team letting a tackle walk, all the good ones will probably be franchised I would imagine.

I agree with you in that it probably will be difficult to get a top OT in FA, but I wouldn't mind going after another OG either in FA, if the opportunity presented itself.

It would really take some of the pressure off the draft in having to draft and hit on a couple OL.

 

[silverbear]

Where would Hampton play? Ratliff isn't moving anywhere and New Orleans won't let Sharper go.

I think Casey might be at the point of his career where he'd settle for backup snaps in order to prolong that career... and I think that OCCASIONALLY, as a change-up defense (especially on goal line and short yardage downs), they could move Rat out to DE, and bring Casey in on the nose...

If the Boys played 60 defensive snaps in a game, I could see Rat getting 50, and Casey getting 20 (obviously, this means that both would be on the field for 10 plays)...

And of course, adding Hampton would make the Boys just about bulletproof at NT... an injury to Ratliff (God forbid) wouldn't be a killer...

And given that Casey went to UT, he might be eager to come home to Texas to wind up his career... of course, the money would have to be right, on both sides...

I think you're right about Sharper, I doubt he's going anywhere...

 

[silverbear]

We need to lose some FA before we can pick up any with the new rules in place.

That's not entirely true-- we're allowed to make one free agent signing without losing anybody...

 

[Joe_Fan]

Ken Hamlin is the most overrated and overpaid player on our team.

Add Roy Williams to that statement and you might be onto something.

 

[the kid 05]

I know he gets a lot of picks...but I really don't think he's that good. He can make plays when that team has a lead and he can afford to take chances, but he's not a very good tackler and doesn't have great range. He's a lot like Asante Samuel, crafty but not overly athletic.

And when it comes down to it, he's going to be asking for a lot of money...which I don't think we should pay him.

:laugh2:wheres the dunce hat icon?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

:laugh2:wheres the dunce hat icon?

look up above your brow

 

[LeonDixson]

No way we touch Stallworth with a ten-foot pole after being convicted of manslaughter - this is not the image he wants to portray. We would be murdered in the press.

Agreed. Further, with only 17 catches for 170 yards and 1 TD in 11 games, I don't think I'd want him anyway.

 

[21Savage]

julius peppers would be a great pick up, he could play both DE spots and also both OLB positions. He still has some gas in left in his tank. Hampton would be a nice pick up too spelling Ratliff when he gets winded.

Actually, he can't play any as well as the guys we have now.

You think he can take on double team by Columbo and Bigg as well as Spears and Igor can when stopping the run?

You think he can cover a RB in the flat as well as Spencer can? Or rush the passer as well as Ware?


This aint Madden (Too lazy to get the sign).

 

[DaBoys4Life]

How many here would like to see us sign Casey Hampton and Darren Sharper as some veteran FA pickups?

I'll pass I'd rather get some youth in there.

 

[EPL0c0]

With the exception of possible starters at FS, WR and maybe ILB and LT, I think Dallas should be looking to add quality depth to its squad.

Hamlin's ok, but Dallas can start looking for a young guy to step up and maybe replace him in a year or two.

At WR, maybe Roy can breakout, maybe not. Last off-season it was about Romo not "trusting" him. Well, almost 2 seasons and an off-season later, come on fellas. Austin, IMO can be the #1 guy. Crayton works great as the #3/slot WR. That leaves the #2 spot open...a guy that can be reliable but won't cost too much $$.

ILB needs depth; guys w/ better noses for the ball. Wonder if Stewart or Williams will step up here.

Oline could always use quality depth. Doug Free could/should be fighting for a starting spot at LT IMO. Still...the depth behind the starters is shakey at best.