News: Five free agents that could help in 2017

[big dog cowboy]

Save the money, why? LOL, cap doesn't roll over.

Yes it does.

 

[haleyrules]

Would anybody take a chance on Josh Norman if he was reinstated? Big talent....probably cheap too!

 

[haleyrules]

Always liked Dumervil...but a situational guy now and only on the very, very cheap.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Bell has played both guard and right tackle and he looked much better playing guard. Collins said he has been spending all of his time at right tackle right now, so I don't think we see Bell as a tackle option (although we love position flex). I think the competition will be between Collins and Green at right tackle and Cooper and Bell at left guard. If Green wins the tackle spot, then Collins will start at left guard. If Collins wins the tackle spot, Cooper seems to be getting the first chance at left guard but if he fails, I think we'll see Bell because of his proven ability to play it.

I never said he was a good OT lol... I think they are looking for a vet option that can spot start if Chaz or La'El struggle or get injured. Cooper is definitely their hope at LG. I'm interested in Skipper as well. Guy is pretty nasty and huge-- but he has sloooooow feet. But he's an upgrade over Cleary.

 

[conner01]

Save the money, why? LOL, cap doesn't roll over.

Actually it does

 

[xwalker]

If Bell is our RT we're in trouble. He's played there before but was putrid. Worse than Free last year.

Do you realize that Cleary was the backup OT much of last season.

 

[xwalker]

Save the money, why? LOL, cap doesn't roll over.

Cap space definitey does roll over to the following season.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

All are certainly intriguing options based on prior experience, but I'm not sure any would provide a true upgrade... The roster is already pretty full at de and I rather give Taco and the other guys the opportunity to earn playing time... Besides we already have a number of rotational guys, and unless its a homecoming of a player like Ware I would rather roll with what we have... CB already has 5 with 3 capable starters and two talented rookies in the wings. Maybe Perry makes sense if Jaylon is a not able to go, but at all other positions I rather not let go of a promising young player to bring a mediocre aging veteran onboard...

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Do you realize that Cleary was the backup OT much of last season.

Cleary may be as bad or worse. But I'm not sure we've seen enough to definitively decide. Bell has proven to be a pitiful tackle.

 

[gimmesix]

I never said he was a good OT lol... I think they are looking for a vet option that can spot start if Chaz or La'El struggle or get injured. Cooper is definitely their hope at LG. I'm interested in Skipper as well. Guy is pretty nasty and huge-- but he has sloooooow feet. But he's an upgrade over Cleary.

I think it's fair to say that Bell would be the third option if Green can't stay healthy and Collins can't play tackle. I'm not sure between Green and Collins which one is our first option. Dallas might not even know because it could depend on what turns out to be the best combination among Collins, Green, Cooper and even Bell.

If Cooper looks like the guard he was expected to be coming out of college, then Collins probably ends up at tackle. If he doesn't and Green can't stay healthy, then Collins likely ends up at tackle and Bell at guard. If Cooper isn't good enough and Green stays healthy, then Green probably ends up at tackle and Collins at guard.

We've created multiple options here that should give us a chance to put a pretty good combination out there. Essentially three of those four players would have to fail. What we already know, though, is Collins can be a solid starting guard and so can Bell (just not a starting tackle). We know that Green looked pretty good at both tackle spots when he was healthy. And Cooper didn't look bad when given the chance in Cleveland.

Now, the amount of confirmation on Green and Cooper is limited, but I see no need at this point to add another veteran lineman to that mix.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I think it's fair to say that Bell would be the third option if Green can't stay healthy and Collins can't play tackle. I'm not sure between Green and Collins which one is our first option. Dallas might not even know because it could depend on what turns out to be the best combination among Collins, Green, Cooper and even Bell.

If Cooper looks like the guard he was expected to be coming out of college, then Collins probably ends up at tackle. If he doesn't and Green can't stay healthy, then Collins likely ends up at tackle and Bell at guard. If Cooper isn't good enough and Green stays healthy, then Green probably ends up at tackle and Collins at guard.

We've created multiple options here that should give us a chance to put a pretty good combination out there. Essentially three of those four players would have to fail. What we already know, though, is Collins can be a solid starting guard and so can Bell (just not a starting tackle). We know that Green looked pretty good at both tackle spots when he was healthy. And Cooper didn't look bad when given the chance in Cleveland.

Now, the amount of confirmation on Green and Cooper is limited, but I see no need at this point to add another veteran lineman to that mix.

Agreed.

Clady would be an option only if Bell and Cooper are not worthy of a roster spot.

 

[gimmesix]

Agreed.

Clady would be an option only if Bell and Cooper are not worthy of a roster spot.

And I'm very sold on Bell being worth a spot as a guard. I think this is an underrated signing because fans are looking at his work at right and left tackle and seeing that he is easily worse than Free. I think he was done no favors by not being kept at guard. If he had been, I think he would have gotten better free agent offers.

At first glance, one of the Titans’ recent offensive line-shuffling moves looked like a bit of a head-scratcher.

It was understandable that there were concerns about left guard Andy Levitre, who’s struggled to live up to the expectations that came with the six-year, $46.8 million contract he signed two years ago.

But why experiment at this stage of camp by moving right tackle Byron Bell — who’s played tackle all four of his previous NFL seasons — into that left guard position?

Titans offensive line coach Bob Bostad explained there are at least a couple of good reasons Bell might make a good fit at left guard: past practices and potential.

Partly because of injuries — which forced Levitre to play center — Bell saw some action at guard during organized team activities and minicamp, impressing Bostad and others on the coaching staff.

Titans hope to settle on starting offensive line soon

Titans shuffle offensive linemen

“In the spring, we noticed he was a nifty guy in the (guard) reps we gave him,” Bostad said. “We actually had him at left guard as soon as we had him in here. So this isn’t one of those deals where we said, 'Oh, gee whiz, why don’t we do this?’ We had watched him all spring and said, 'You know, the kid has some ability inside.’ ”

Some might assume that moving from tackle to guard isn’t all that difficult, since tackle is considered a more challenging overall position than guard, but Bostad said not every tackle can make the transition.

“It’s a whole different world on the inside, a different style of play. You have to have a certain level of athleticism and there are some other things you have to be good at," Bostad said. "You just can’t take it for granted that some guy on the outside is going to walk in and play inside.”

The 6-foot-5, 340-pound Bell hadn’t played a lot of guard in training camp up until the past few days. But he said he’s enjoying the switch so far, noting the experience he received playing guard during OTAs has helped.

“I think things have been going good — just learning how to play tighter corners now after being out on that edge,” Bell said. “But I like it in there. I get up on guys quick and I think my girth — my size — helps me out a lot. I feel like I move pretty good in there and I play strong.”

There’s no guarantee, of course, that Bell will wind up as the left guard and Levitre as a reserve. The Titans do shuffle linemen on a regular basis during practices, just so they will be prepared in case of injury.

Bell didn’t play last year after an ankle injury suffered in OTAs, but started 72 games over his first five seasons. He was a solid-to-good right tackle for the Panthers, but was in over his head when they moved him to left tackle, and they brought in Michael Oher as an upgrade. He played both guard and tackle for the Titans, starting all 16 games in 2015.

 

[jterrell]

We'll probably be playing musical chairs at two of our starting O-line positions for the next 5-10 years given that we have 3 young All Pros making top dollar. It's not a surprise we didn't resign Leary. Expect Cooper and Collins to also be gone even if they have outstanding seasons this year.

Makes sense and couple that with a lot of quality OL on a make good 1 year deal come in to boost value.
OL generally are smarter than other players though and focus longer term, I bet someone pretty good will take less money to play on this OL.

 

[jterrell]

We need another LB.

No, we don't.
This team is a base 4-2-5 team and would like to have Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee man those 2 LB spots.
Hitchens and Damien Wilson are more than adequate as part-time backers.
You've also got Nzeocha and a couple other young backers.

 

[jterrell]

agree but Dallas should roll with only 2 QBs this year. Dak looks durability and Dallas can go long at other positions like DB, DL or OL.

With Romo as your de facto 3rd guy you can do this.
Key to have a PS guy you believe in though that could get you through a week or two.

 

[Stash]

With Romo as your de facto 3rd guy you can do this.
Key to have a PS guy you believe in though that could get you through a week or two.

That's where I think they'll be looking if a guy like Rush doesn't work out, someone with practice squad eligibility to develop.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

No, we don't.
This team is a base 4-2-5 team and would like to have Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee man those 2 LB spots.
Hitchens and Damien Wilson are more than adequate as part-time backers.
You've also got Nzeocha and a couple other young backers.

I'd like to see what Nzeocha can do. He's an athletic dude if he can just stay healthy.

 

[BAZ]

We need another LB.

Daryl Washington. Home town boy.

 

[xwalker]

With Romo as your de facto 3rd guy you can do this.
Key to have a PS guy you believe in though that could get you through a week or two.

Romo is NOT coming back...

 

[jterrell]

Romo is NOT coming back...

Yes, in case of injury he will.
This was confirmed by people that know Romo and Jerry and is why Dallas hasn't given him a ceremony and Romo hasn't officially retired.