Free Agent Safeties

[Galian Beast]

It is clear our defensive coaches have the cb's play off. Only thing clear.

I hope Baker doesn't replace Henderson. It is time to start fresh with the entire secondary, players and coaches. Only retain Jones and Scandrick.

 

[skinsscalper]

I tend to agree with the first few comments. He's actually been a pretty healthy guy for most of his career. Yeah he had a groin problem last year but prior to that he didn't miss a game for 5 straight seasons. To say he's got an injury concern is a big stretch, so I agree there.

That being said, the notion that he won't command much money is a bizarre comment considering he made $7.5MM last year and wanted an extension at that or higher in dollars, which was part of the issue he had with San Diego, among other things.

So, I think anyone thinking he'd come here on a nice, team friendly, affordable contract is probably smoking some great weed. To sign Weddle, you are probably looking at a similar deal to what he had from San Diego........... $7-8MM per year, $20MM guaranteed.

I'd love Weddle here next to Jones as our two safeties............ if the price was right. But I am not sure it will be for us.

I made the same point earlier in the thread. We could do a hell of a lot worse than Weddle and Jones. But I'm not breaking the bank on a player on the downside of his career with a high dollar contract. A low base with a ton of incentive money tied to it? Oh, hell yeah. All day long. If he's worth the big bucks, his play will dictate it, at that point, and I have no problem with the money being ponied up, but I'm not guaranteeing a ton of money to a guy that's going to be 32 years old before the season even ends.

 

[mattjames2010]

Last time Weddle was a FA, he wanted $10M a year. If he's looking for that again, no thanks.
Berry will likely be franchised.
Wilcox should be gone. As should Heath. If you can draft an upgrade over Church, great. Otherwise, he probably stays as a starter.
Jerry and the rest of the brass just seem unable to get the safety position right. It's been a weakness for a decade.

Yeah, when he was 27.

He's 31 now, coming off an injury plagued year. His play has declined as well even when healthy. He's not getting that kind of money.

 

[skinsscalper]

This lame reply me smirk. (Stupidsville) huh? Anyway, I'd buy plenty of property there if my opinion that having an injury after age 30 isnt a death sentence.

An injury after 30 isn't, by any means, a death sentence. But to not consider the fact when getting ready to write a large check for guaranteed money is foolish. I like Weddle. I wish Dallas would have had a chance at the guy when he signed his last contract. But years later and another 10,000 miles on the power train doesn't translate well to any type of longevity, stg. And when you're signing a high priced FA, longevity should be one of the first factors taken into account. Otherwise, why bother. If he's just a stop gap, then screw it, skip the BS and draft the guy you're going to need, anyway, and get the learning curve out of the way. That's the point I was trying to make.

 

[skinsscalper]

Yeah, when he was 27.

He's 31 now, coming off an injury plagued year. His play has declined as well even when healthy. He's not getting that kind of money.

Which in another reason I go in another direction. His play isn't going to all of a sudden improve just because he put on a helmet with a star on it.

His veteran presence would be a help, no doubt. The question is: at what cost? If it's more than 3.5 a year, I pass.

 

[mattjames2010]

Assuming Berry is gone, I would look at George Iloka to play SS. Byron has the skill set and athleticism to play FS. Iloka, IMO, is better than Church or Wilcox.

Who I have my eye on as well. Big SS too, 6-4. Not very fast though, so I think most will worry we are getting another Barry Church.

 

[mattjames2010]

Which in another reason I go in another direction. His play isn't going to all of a sudden improve just because he put on a helmet with a star on it.

His veteran presence would be a help, no doubt. The question is: at what cost? If it's more than 3.5 a year, I pass.

Yeah, a cheap 2 year contract is about the most I'd throw his way. He'd be a Keith Brooking's player for our team, I don't see him having a pro-bowl year for us.

Even if we did sign him, I'd still want us to take a long look at Ramsey.

 

[skinsscalper]

Who I have my eye on as well. Big SS too, 6-4. Not very fast though, so I think most will worry we are getting another Barry Church.

Agreed. In this league you almost need two FS, anyway. The days of the thumper at SS are coming to an end. You need two guys back there that can actually cover. All I need from the FS, as far as tackling goes is to get the guy down. I don't need a knock out reel. Just get a guy that can cover well and fundamentally wrap up and I'm good.

 

[Sydla]

Yeah, when he was 27.

He's 31 now, coming off an injury plagued year. His play has declined as well even when healthy. He's not getting that kind of money.

He asked for a new deal just last offseason and some rumors were he wanted more than the 7.5MM he was set to make in 2015.

Additionally, his play really hasn't declined when he was healthy. He arguably had two of his best seasons in 2013 and 2014. He was 2nd team All-Pro in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and then was first team All Pro in 2014.

So I am totally on board with the thought that we shouldn't hamstring ourselves giving Weddle a big deal. But to try to argue that his play has declined over the years when he was healthy is really a stretch.

 

[Sydla]

Which in another reason I go in another direction. His play isn't going to all of a sudden improve just because he put on a helmet with a star on it.

His veteran presence would be a help, no doubt. The question is: at what cost? If it's more than 3.5 a year, I pass.

His play really didn't decline that much. As I said above, he was a first team All Pro in 2014 after being a 2nd team All Pro from 2011-2013.

I think it's a fair question to ask if last year was a sign his body was breaking down but people tend to go overboard talking about how bad a player's play was declining when they don't want to sign him.

 

[skinsscalper]

His play really didn't decline that much. As I said above, he was a first team All Pro in 2014 after being a 2nd team All Pro from 2011-2013.

I think it's a fair question to ask if last year was a sign his body was breaking down but people tend to go overboard talking about how bad a player's play was declining when they don't want to sign him.

Agreed, and it's not that I don't even want to sign the guy. I just don't want to give him a big deal with a ton of guaranteed money, fwiw.

 

[perrykemp]

Eric Weddle:

31 years old.
0 interceptions in 2015
0 forced fumbles in 2015
1 recovered fumble in 2015
Fewest tackles since his rookie year
Fewest passes defensed since 2008

Looks like he'd fit in great with the Cowboy's current defensive backfield!

Over the last 5 years, his interceptions have declined EVERY year:

2011: 7
2012: 3
2013: 2
2014: 1
2015: 0

The good news for Weddle is it is impossible for him to have less than interceptions in 2016 than he did in 2015.

 

[Sydla]

Eric Weddle:

31 years old.
0 interceptions in 2015
0 forced fumbles in 2015
1 recovered fumble in 2015
Fewest tackles since his rookie year
Fewest passes defensed since 2008

Looks like he'd fit in great with the Cowboy's current defensive backfield!

Over the last 5 years, his interceptions have declined EVERY year:

2011: 7
2012: 3
2013: 2
2014: 1
2015: 0

The good news for Weddle is it is impossible for him to have less than interceptions in 2016 than he did in 2015.

And yet he was a first team all pro in 2014.

I understand people's reluctance to sign him. He's not my favorite S in free agency.

But it serves no purpose IMO to try to make the guy out to be some guy who hasn't been good in 4 years or longer.

 

[mattjames2010]

He asked for a new deal just last offseason and some rumors were he wanted more than the 7.5MM he was set to make in 2015.

Additionally, his play really hasn't declined when he was healthy. He arguably had two of his best seasons in 2013 and 2014. He was 2nd team All-Pro in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and then was first team All Pro in 2014.

So I am totally on board with the thought that we shouldn't hamstring ourselves giving Weddle a big deal. But to try to argue that his play has declined over the years when he was healthy is really a stretch.

That's great, and he didn't get it. I'm saying in the open market, at his age, he's not getting that kind of deal.

And I don't think Weddle is bad, I'm saying he has declined because he has. Even in 2014, a year he was healthy, he wasn't some turnover machine. A lot of tackles, but the same could be said for Barry Church. Pass deflections are the obvious statistic that show Weddle is far better in pass coverage than Church will ever be.

Like I said, I wouldn't mind a cheap 2 year deal for Weddle. But even then, that wouldn't keep me from looking to the draft for our future SS. If a team is crazy enough to give me 7-10 million, good for him. With our cap this year and needs elsewhere, I don't think even Jerry's crazy side will consider it.

 

[perrykemp]

And yet he was a first team all pro in 2014.

I understand people's reluctance to sign him. He's not my favorite S in free agency.

But it serves no purpose IMO to try to make the guy out to be some guy who hasn't been good in 4 years or longer.

I am not saying he is a total waste exactly, I am just saying, at least statistically, there is a definite downward trend in his performance.

 

[black label]

Eric Weddle:

31 years old.
0 interceptions in 2015
0 forced fumbles in 2015
1 recovered fumble in 2015
Fewest tackles since his rookie year
Fewest passes defensed since 2008

Looks like he'd fit in great with the Cowboy's current defensive backfield!

Over the last 5 years, his interceptions have declined EVERY year:

2011: 7
2012: 3
2013: 2
2014: 1
2015: 0

The good news for Weddle is it is impossible for him to have less than interceptions in 2016 than he did in 2015.

 

[Direwolf63]

Yeah, when he was 27.

He's 31 now, coming off an injury plagued year. His play has declined as well even when healthy. He's not getting that kind of money.

Then why would the Cowboys want him?

 

[Nightman]

Then why would the Cowboys want him?

Because he is better than anyone on our team.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Eric Weddle FS 31 SD TBD $10,100,000 UFA
Leon Hall CB 31 CIN TBD $9,600,000 UFA
Eric Berry FS 27 KC TBD $8,357,700 UFA
Sean Smith CB 28 KC TBD $7,000,000 UFA
Prince Amukamara CB 26 NYG TBD $6,898,000 UFA
Greg Toler CB 31 IND TBD $5,833,334 UFA
Jerraud Powers CB 28 ARI TBD $5,350,000 UFA
Morris Claiborne CB 25 DAL TBD $5,175,069 UFA
Reggie Nelson FS 32 CIN TBD $4,775,000 UFA
Charles Woodson SS 39 OAK TBD $4,200,000 UFA
Walter Thurmond FS 28 PHI TBD $3,250,000 UFA
Alan Ball CB 30 CHI TBD $3,000,000 UFA
Nolan Carroll CB 29 PHI TBD $2,900,000 UFA
Sean Richardson SS 26 GB TBD $2,550,000 UFA
Adam-Pacman Jones CB 32 CIN TBD $2,550,000 UFA
Terence Newman CB 37 MIN TBD $2,453,125 UFA
Mark Barron OLB 26 LA TBD $2,362,704 UFA
Tashaun Gipson FS 25 CLE TBD $2,356,000 UFA
Rodney McLeod FS 25 LA TBD $2,356,000 RFA
Louis Delmas FS 28 MIA TBD $2,297,375 UFA
Rashad Johnson FS 30 ARI TBD $2,133,334 UFA
James Ihedigbo SS 32 DET TBD $2,000,000 UFA
Patrick Robinson CB 28 SD TBD $2,000,000 UFA
Tarell Brown CB 31 NE TBD $2,000,000 UFA
Rafael Bush FS 28 NO TBD $1,950,000 UFA
Roman Harper SS 33 CAR TBD $1,800,000 UFA
Josh Robinson CB 25 MIN TBD $1,716,250 UFA
Trumaine Johnson CB 26 LA TBD $1,709,794 UFA
William Gay CB 31 PIT TBD $1,666,668 UFA
Coty Sensabaugh CB 27 TEN TBD $1,650,023 UFA
David Bruton SS 28 DEN TBD $1,650,000 UFA
Robert Blanton SS 26 MIN TBD $1,594,763 UFA
Josh Norman CB 28 CAR TBD $1,591,750 UFA
Janoris Jenkins CB 27 LA TBD $1,587,829 UFA
George Iloka SS 25 CIN TBD $1,582,075 UFA
Trumaine McBride CB 30 NYG TBD $1,550,000 UFA
Antonio Allen CB 27 NYJ TBD $1,542,000 UFA
Larry Asante SS 27 OAK TBD $1,542,000 RFA
Johnson Bademosi CB 25 CLE TBD $1,542,000 UFA
Robert Golden FS 25 PIT TBD $1,542,000 UFA
Antwon Blake CB 25 PIT TBD $1,542,000 UFA
Brandon Boykin CB 25 PIT TBD $1,542,000 UFA
Jaiquawn Jarrett FS 26 NYJ TBD $1,542,000 UFA
Charles Tillman CB 34 CAR TBD $1,531,250 UFA
Sterling Moore CB 25 TB TBD $1,525,000 UFA
Isa Abdul-Quddus FS 27 DET TBD $1,500,000 UFA
Ryan Mundy SS 30 CHI TBD $1,500,000 UFA
Christopher Conte FS 27 TB TBD $1,500,000 UFA
Tavon Wilson FS 25 NE TBD $1,342,057 UFA
Tyvon Branch SS 29 KC TBD $1,287,500 UFA
Marcus Sherels CB 28 MIN TBD $1,250,000 UFA
Husain Abdullah FS 30 KC TBD $1,145,000 UFA
Darrin Walls CB 27 NYJ TBD $1,075,000 UFA
Andrew Sendejo SS 28 MIN TBD $1,066,668 UFA
Casey Hayward CB 26 GB TBD $1,053,154 UFA
Mike Jenkins CB 30 TB TBD $825,000 UFA
Jayron Hosley CB 25 NYG TBD $796,250 UFA
Omar Bolden FS 27 DEN TBD $778,607 UFA
Ron Brooks CB 27 BUF TBD $760,135 UFA
Jeremy Lane CB 25 SEA TBD $691,279 UFA
Keith Tandy FS 26 TB TBD $690,150 UFA
Nate Ebner FS 26 NE TBD $684,150 UFA
Dwight Lowery FS 30 IND TBD $665,000 UFA
Will Allen SS 33 PIT TBD $665,000 UFA
Colt Anderson SS 30 IND TBD $665,000 UFA
Danny McCray SS 27 DAL TBD $665,000 UFA
Sherrick McManis CB 28 CHI TBD $665,000 UFA
Kyle Wilson CB 28 NO TBD $665,000 UFA
Josh Wilson CB 30 DET TBD $665,000 UFA
Jamarca Sanford SS 30 NO TBD $665,000 UFA
Jamell Fleming CB 26 KC TBD $660,000 UFA
Duke Ihenacho SS 26 WAS TBD $660,000 RFA
Deshawn Shead FS 27 SEA TBD $660,000 ERFA
Shareece Wright CB 28 BAL TBD $635,294 UFA
Tony Jefferson SS 24 ARI TBD $588,368 RFA
Jahleel Addae SS 26 SD TBD $586,668 RFA
A.J. Bouye CB 24 HOU TBD $586,668 RFA
Jeff Heath FS 24 DAL TBD $585,668 RFA
Michael Thomas FS 26 MIA TBD $585,000 RFA
Chris Banjo SS 25 GB TBD $585,000 RFA
Neiko Thorpe CB 25 OAK TBD $585,000 RFA
Bradley McDougald FS 25 TB TBD $585,000 RFA
Brynden Trawick SS 26 BAL TBD $585,000 RFA
E.J. Biggers CB 28 PHI TBD $585,000 UFA
Darryl Morris CB 25 HOU TBD $585,000 RFA
Craig Dahl SS 30 NYG TBD $585,000 UFA
Eddie Pleasant FS 27 HOU TBD $585,000 RFA
Tracy Porter CB 29 CHI TBD $585,000 UFA
Bacarri Rambo SS 25 BUF TBD $585,000 RFA
Marcus Cooper CB 25 KC TBD $585,000 UFA
Quintin Demps SS 30 HOU TBD $585,000 UFA
Cody Davis FS 26 LA TBD $585,000 RFA
Will Blackmon CB 31 WAS TBD $550,588 UFA
Daniel Sorensen FS 25 KC TBD $510,000 ERFA
Steven Terrell CB 25 SEA TBD $510,000 ERFA
Marcus Burley CB 25 SEA TBD $510,000 ERFA
Chris Prosinski SS 28 CHI TBD $481,764 UFA
Sherrod Martin SS 31 CHI TBD $447,352 UFA
Ricardo Allen FS 24 ATL TBD $435,000 ERFA
Justin Coleman CB 22 NE TBD $435,000 ERFA
Don Jones FS 25 CLE TBD $412,941 RFA
Taylor Mays SS 27 OAK TBD $378,529 UFA
Brandon Harris CB 26 TEN TBD $348,000 UFA
Charles Godfrey SS 30 ATL TBD $344,117 UFA
Mohammed Seisay CB 25 SEA TBD $333,000 ERFA
Brandon King FS 22 NE TBD $332,647 ERFA
Charles James CB 25 BAL TBD $330,000 UFA
Bennett Jackson SS 24 NYG TBD $318,000 ERFA
Crezdon Butler CB 28 DET TBD $275,294 UFA
Christian Bryant FS 23 LA TBD $255,882 ERFA
Christopher Owens CB 29 NO TBD $206,470 UFA
Isaiah Johnson FS 23 DET TBD $204,705 ERFA
Corey White CB 25 ARI TBD $194,117 UFA
Josh Bush SS 26 DEN TBD $194,117 RFA
Cortland Finnegan CB 31 CAR TBD $172,058 UFA
Shamiel Gary S 25 MIA TBD $153,529 ERFA
D.J. Swearinger SS 24 ARI TBD $137,647 RFA
Shiloh Keo SS 28 DEN TBD $137,647 UFA
Brandon Meriweather SS 32 NYG TBD $102,352 UFA
Akeem Davis SS 26 IND TBD $90,000 ERFA
Jumal Rolle CB 25 BAL TBD $90,000 ERFA
Chris Clemons FS 30 ARI TBD $87,647 UFA
Tevin McDonald FS 23 OAK TBD $76,764 ERFA
Jermaine Whitehead FS 22 BAL TBD $51,176 ERFA
Cassius Vaughn CB 28 SD TBD $43,823 UFA
Brandian Ross CB 26 SD TBD $38,823 UFA
Johsua Thomas CB 26 DAL TBD $38,823 UFA
Sheldon Price CB 24 BAL TBD $30,000 ERFA

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/secondary/

 

[CyberB0b]

I see Byron Jones as the future at free safety for us. I think he has the potential to be a great free safety, not so much as a cornerback though. I'd like to see him featured there in the offseason.

That being said, I don't think it would be wise to sign a free agent at a high price as well, and then play either him or Jones out of position at strong safety. You can have two free safeties out there, and maybe that is the way the new NFL should be, but I think one of these guys is probably going to be underutilized out there given the resources involved.

Huh? A big part of a strong safety's role is guarding the tight end in man coverage. This was the best thing Byron Jones does. I don't see him as a free safety, at all. He doesn't do well in space. He is better in the box or in tight coverage.