Free Agent priorities/needs/wants/etc...

[Rack]

Figured all the HC discussions needed a bit of a break so let's discuss what we think we should do in FA (including our own free agents).


Priorities:

Resign Columbo, Gurode, and Grammatica. Columbo and Gurode are priorities cuz we already need a RG. Losing one of them and getting a RG wouldn't help us much. We need to retain them and get a guard. As far as Grammatica goes, I haven't felt comfortable with our kicking situation in a long time. I'm comfortable with Grammatica. He's not the best in the league, but he's a couple of notches above average IMO. Plus he'd likely give us a discount. Columbo might also give us a discount.


Needs:

RG. IMO the only absolute NEED we have is at RG. There are some other positions on the wishlist, but RG is the only critical spot.

Wishlist:

It all depends on who our HC and/or DC will be and whether they run a 4-3 or a 3-4 (a combo of both would be my preference).


3-4:

Not a "need" but I'd really like to get another OLB that can kill QBs. Freeney would obviously be my dream choice, but it ain't gonna happen. Briggs and Thomas are also good choices. If not, I have confidence Carp can get the job done. I'd just rather have Carp in James' spot. If we can't get one of those OLBs then we should probably get another ILB (either in FA or the Draft) to compete with James.

Another concern is the backup NG. I think run stuffing NG's usually take time to Develop so maybe Stanley can show some improvement next season. That would be the best scenario.


4-3:

IMO if we go to a 4-3 the only thing we'll need to worry about is the backup NG spot (same as with the 3-4). We'd already have the LBs and we'd already have the DL (especially if Ellis is relatively health).


I really feel if we resign our own guys and bring in a RG we'll be in a position to truly take the BPA in the draft.

 

[theogt]

There are going to be sooooo many great looking 'tweeners that'll be available around our pick. It's going to be hard to pass one up.

 

[AbeBeta]

There are going to be sooooo many great looking 'tweeners that'll be available around our pick. It's going to be hard to pass one up.

uh oh. Cue the "our players fit the 4-3 sooooo much better so why would be want a tweener" argument.

yeah, after drafting DL for 2 years for a 3-4, we are still better suited to 4-3. Sure...

 

[neosapien23]

I really think Dallas needs another DE if they would go back to the 4-3. Spears and Canty are not fast enough to play DE. I don't know how fast hatcher would be if he was forced to start over a prolonged period of time and I don't think Ellis can be counted on coming back from that serious injury.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I agree with resigning Colombo and andre for sure. Grammy too. As far as FA needs,, I am not sure I would even dip into the FA market this year. The only possible thing I would do is a Guard. I heard today that Deilman(sp) from cincy was going to be Tagged, so he won't be out on the market. So my thinking is that if Proctor is ready and we have a shot at Ben Grubbs in the Draft, just go that route, and let them fight it out in Camp for the starting spot. Everything else i would use the draft for. I just don't see a great FA market out there this year and i do not want to overpay for the 1 or 2 players that might be out there.

 

[neosapien23]

I agree with resigning Colombo and andre for sure. Grammy too. As far as FA needs,, I am not sure I would even dip into the FA market this year. The only possible thing I would do is a Guard. I heard today that Deilman(sp) from cincy was going to be Tagged, so he won't be out on the market. So my thinking is that if Proctor is ready and we have a shot at Ben Grubbs in the Draft, just go that route, and let them fight it out in Camp for the starting spot. Everything else i would use the draft for. I just don't see a great FA market out there this year and i do not want to overpay for the 1 or 2 players that might be out there.

What round is Grubbs going in? There are alot of different Mocks that have going anywhere from the first to the second round. Dallas can do what your thinking but they must get either Grubbs or Blaylock. Any other lower quality guard will not cut it.

 

[smarta5150]

uh oh. Cue the "our players fit the 4-3 sooooo much better so why would be want a tweener" argument.

yeah, after drafting DL for 2 years for a 3-4, we are still better suited to 4-3. Sure...

:laugh2:

I agree.

we are a 3-4 team now, period

 

[big dog cowboy]

Wishlist:

It all depends on who our HC and/or DC will be and whether they run a 4-3 or a 3-4 (a combo of both would be my preference).

A little off topic but I really agree with you there. Any of the big three defensive names we are talking too about the HC job should be able to really spice up our front 7.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

What round is Grubbs going in? There are alot of different Mocks that have going anywhere from the first to the second round. Dallas can do what your thinking but they must get either Grubbs or Blaylock. Any other lower quality guard will not cut it.

On my board I have him going in the second, for us to have a shot at Grubbs, we would have to trade out of the 1st and pick up an early 2nd in exchange. Then I would grab Grubbs and with my 2nd 2nd round pick, I take a CB.

 

[neosapien23]

On my board I have him going in the second, for us to have a shot at Grubbs, we would have to trade out of the 1st and pick up an early 2nd in exchange. Then I would grab Grubbs and with my 2nd 2nd round pick, I take a CB.

Sounds about right, but I would be sweating bullets until that 2nd round pick. Someone could always spend a low first rounder to take Grubbs and everyone knows Dallas needs a RG.

 

[Rack]

uh oh. Cue the "our players fit the 4-3 sooooo much better so why would be want a tweener" argument.

yeah, after drafting DL for 2 years for a 3-4, we are still better suited to 4-3. Sure...

Great job attempting to steer what could/should be a DISCUSSION into a 4-3/3-4 flame war.



I don't recall anyone saying we are "better suited" to play a 4-3. Especially in this thread. You want to argue that? Do it in one of the existing threads on the matter already "debating" that point.

:laugh2:

I agree.

we are a 3-4 team now, period

You too.

And you might want to remove the "period" cuz we CAN run the 4-3 with the players we have on the roster right now.

Period.

 

[smarta5150]

Ok well if we do go 4-3 full time I'll make a public apology with my pants around my ankles.

I will flame about the discussion anyway then in spirit...

If we go 4-3 DT isnt the only position that needs to be looked at.

Greg Ellis is a huge ? right now and if he cant go then we are gonna need to bring in a DE... or I guess use 1 of our DL and attempt to convert him to a 4-3 DE.

The other spot is MLB. You did say need/wants/FA and what not but I think we would have to use someone from within our team to fill this need. I realize we have Bradie James but does anyone feel comfortable right now with him being the heart of the 4-3?

 

[the kid 05]

a Ray Lewis type linebacker, now i know we wont get another one as great as he is, but a MLB who is big nasty and ferocious that will fly side line to side line and strike fear in the opposing rb,te, and qb's eyes

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I really think a free safety is just as much of a need as RG is. Rivera is toast there is no question about that but someone like Proctor can be schemed around to some extent.

At free safety we are completely hamstrung on our coverages. I dont care why but Williams has been a liability when hes been forced into consistent coverage and Payton I believe did a good job showing us why that is.

Without a true coverage free safety its just going ot be more of the same or forcing zone which eliminates Newman and henry's strength.

Watkins may very well set the world on fire but he is far from a sure thing and I dont think anyone in his right mind thinks Davis is anything other than a ST ace which I hope he returns with gusto next season.

Hamlin or Grant work just fine here and its a good thing that typically guards and safeties are not the most expensive free agent aquisitions. that Hutchinson deal by Minny was just absurd.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

There are going to be sooooo many great looking 'tweeners that'll be available around our pick. It's going to be hard to pass one up.

And we shouldn't, IMO. I think another passrusher is a must, not a luxury.

 

[smarta5150]

At free safety we are completely hamstrung on our coverages. I dont care why but Williams has been a liability when hes been forced into consistent coverage and Payton I believe did a good job showing us why that is.

I still beleive Watkins is gonna be our answer there.

He was a rookie and missed out on valuable playing time becuase of 2 big plays (which could have easily been erased... RW got picked by ref, Ellis missed an easy sack). Anyway though, if a FS is to come in I agree it should 1 of the vets you mentioned. All the talk about drafting one is silly. You dont fix your problem at FS by replacing a sophomore with a rookie. Payton had it easy vs. us and picking on FS because KD was in most of the time.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I still beleive Watkins is gonna be our answer there.

He was a rookie and missed out on valuable playing time becuase of 2 big plays (which could have easily been erased... RW got picked by ref, Ellis missed an easy sack). Anyway though, if a FS is to come in I agree it should 1 of the vets you mentioned. All the talk about drafting one is silly. You dont fix your problem at FS by replacing a sophomore with a rookie. Payton had it easy vs. us and picking on FS because KD was in most of the time.

Sorry I cant just have blind faith like that. he basically made one play all year long and that was when the receiver was clearly manhandled on a hail mary.

With a coverage free safty Roy is an assset and without one he is a liability. Watkins may well work out and i welcome the competition but i think we need a sure thing in there.

 

[theogt]

Watkins made about 3 bad plays all season and one really wasn't his fault. They all occurred during about the first 6 weeks of the season. When he won his starting position back he was a little bit more aggressive on the ball. He never was out of place or getting burned (except for that one play that wasn't his fault -- it was a horrible play call). All he needed was some agression and I think we started to see that later in the season. The dude was just scared ****less at first.

 

[smarta5150]

Sorry I cant just have blind faith like that. he basically made one play all year long and that was when the receiver was clearly manhandled on a hail mary.

With a coverage free safty Roy is an assset and without one he is a liability. Watkins may well work out and i welcome the competition but i think we need a sure thing in there.

Its not really "blind faith."

He was beat real bad twice but as I mentioned those plays could have been changed.

What else happened to him that gives you reason to doubt his talent and skills?

Dont confuse all the blown coverages by Davis with Watkins.

 

[the kid 05]

Dont confuse all the blown coverages by Davis with Watkins.

yeah at least watkins was with in 3 yards of the person, davis was usually standing 20 yards back with his thumb in his mouth