Realistic Free-Agents Thread

[Apollo Creed]

As far as QB goes....you left off Fitzpatrick and Orlovsky. I doubt either will be a starter next year and both played well in their limited time as backup starters.

I disagree about the RBs.......send the Cricket back to Time Square and bring in a real blocking FB......Lorenzo Neal. Then we can really utilize our power running game, behind our mammoth OL.

As far as LB goes....forget Vilma. Not only has he underachieved....now he has gone criminal. We don't need that nonsense after this past season.

I've never seen Ryan Fitzpatrick and Outta-bounds Orlovsky spoken so highly of.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

I dunno. I wouldn't dismiss either Peppers or Lewis as so unrealistic. There are a number of 'ifs' required, but either or both could happen.

First of all, remember that 2010 is uncapped. If we can squeeze people in under a 2009 cap, then we're good for two years. JJ can worry about 2011 when it gets here.

IF the rumors are true that Peppers wants to be a Cowboy then he might be willing to sign for a little bit lower than market rate. And we know he wants to play in a 3-4, which significantly lowers the number of viable bidders. His market rate might be lowered somewhat by his age and the fact that his production has had some significant dips. And cutting Greg Ellis would open up a space and some cap money.

Lewis is going to command more than a player his age normally would, of course, given who he is and his resurgence and there will be many teams with more and bigger bags of money than the Cowboys so this one is admittedly pretty unlikely. But ... he knows this team needs a defensive leader. He knows that Zach's spot is his for the taking. He is also a spotlight hog -- he knows there would be no better place than here for attention.

 

[JonJon]

We are not going to sign Dawkins and Lewis is highly unlikely. With the amount of picks we have, I doubt we make anymore than 2 or 3 off-season signings. The rest will come via the draft.

 

[DallasDomination]

Julius Peppers is not that good and takes plays off. Ray Lewis is over the hill. He might bring some emotion to te team and some leadership but at what cost?

If you land matt cassell for some reason that would be the best move ever. But it wont happen.

Dansby would be a good pick up...And if for some reason we could get asomugha that would be even better.

 

[skinsscalper]

As far as QB goes....you left off Fitzpatrick and Orlovsky. I doubt either will be a starter next year and both played well in their limited time as backup starters.

I disagree about the RBs.......send the Cricket back to Time Square and bring in a real blocking FB......Lorenzo Neal. Then we can really utilize our power running game, behind our mammoth OL.

As far as LB goes....forget Vilma. Not only has he underachieved....now he has gone criminal. We don't need that nonsense after this past season.

Throw in the fact that he sucks in a 3-4 alignment and it's a no brainer to pass.

 

[Biggems]

I've never seen Ryan Fitzpatrick and Outta-bounds Orlovsky spoken so highly of.

You would rather have Losman?

Yes Orlovsky ran out of bounds.....he made a stupid mistake. It happens. I am not saying I want the guy. I am merely saying you left him off the list, and he is a viable option.

Fitzpatrick did an admirable job in Cincy, considering the garbage that is going on there. Honestly, if I am Cincy, I re-sign him and Cedric Benson. Both of those guys proved to be quality players for that team.

 

[jterrell]

If Jerry just listens to his scouts and adds a couple of quality but affordable free agents then has another solid draft I think we we will be very good next year.

With the cap rather tight for us in 2009 I don't see Jerry being Jerry and targeting a big name and then going and getting his guy.

Taking 3 off the list I'd go with:
Rocky Bernard who is a Texas A&M grad out of Baytown and supposedly a quite funny and good locker room guy, and I believe he played some 3-4 DE at TAMU. He is far from stellar but he has great size and has had an 8.5 sack season so shows some wheels.

Jonathon Vilma who is an extremely active tackler that could play next Bradie and provide the speed element from the ILB position. He needs to stay the heck out of Florida for the rest of his football career but the kid can still play at a very high level.

Kyle Boller who is an all world athlete that has shown flashes of NFL caliber quarterback play. He has a little Romo in him as he can make plays and can play on the move but he makes too many mistakes and needs serious work on accuracy. He plays a lot like Romo with his bad back or broken pinky. So he's clearly a back up but one that doesn't require scrapping the game plans we create.

If I were going for a sexy pick I'd add Terrell Suggs to replace Greg Ellis. Spencer stays a backup and we have 3 decent OLB. It may be hard to get a Suggs type signed however with all the rule sin place for this final capped season. Still I suspect Bmore will keep Lewis and Bart Scott but let Suggs walk.

 

[dozin_theknick]

The following is an example of unrealistic free agent moves.
Bring in Julius Peppers! Sign Matt Cassell to back up Tony Romo! Sign Nnamdi Asomugha! Bart Scott for an arm and a leg!

Some guys that we really could keep our eyes on.

QB: Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, J.P. Lossman. I think we'll go with the draft to find one.

RB: Our stable is pretty full. I don't think we'll touch this position in the offseason.

WR: Devery Henderson, Bobby Engram, Shaun McDonald. We've already locked up too much cash in the position, Owens will be back - we might grab a speed guy late in the draft.

OL: Marvel Smith, Jahri Evans, Jason Brown. We need some quality depth, and hopefully a few young players with high motors in the draft to push our lethargic group of overpaid giants.

DL: Bertrand Berry, Rocky Bernard, Kevin Carter, Jonathan Babineaux. Looks like a bunch of used goods to me. Canty for 50 mill doesn't seem to logical. I seriously hope we address the DT position in the draft - hopefully with our top pick. Ratliff can make the move to end, I'm sure he'd be thrilled to face less double teams.

LB: Karlos Dansy, Mike Peterson, Jonathan Vilma, Channing Crowder. Bart Scott and Ray Lewis are going to be too expensive, and Ray too old. Except I've learned to never underestimate Jerry. Crowder would be a nice fit if we don't overpay for him, and his knee problems aren't too serious.

DB: Mike Brown, Brian Dawkins, Dawan Landry. Landry is young and has made an impact, would love to make a move for him - but I don't see the Ravens letting him wallk. Dawkins would be add some leadership and fire, but I'm worried about his wheels from banging on that terrible field in Phillly for 12 years.

With all that said, except for a handful of guys - this FA class isn't looking too good. This draft isn't looking too hot either. Great year to work on the addition by subtraction philosophy.

Our major priorities are DT, MLB, Safety, and depth at the o-line - and lets see which QB falls to us in the draft.

Great post, but wait until March comes. People around here will be flipping out if JJ doesnt sign some big name.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

DB: Dawan Landry. Landry is young and has made an impact, would love to make a move for him - but I don't see the Ravens letting him wallk.

I think Jim Leonard has made him expendable. The guy has been all over the field the entire playoffs. He looks like and up and coming star.

 

[Bigdog]

The following is an example of unrealistic free agent moves.
Bring in Julius Peppers! Sign Matt Cassell to back up Tony Romo! Sign Nnamdi Asomugha! Bart Scott for an arm and a leg!

Some guys that we really could keep our eyes on.

QB: Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, J.P. Lossman. I think we'll go with the draft to find one.

RB: Our stable is pretty full. I don't think we'll touch this position in the offseason.

WR: Devery Henderson, Bobby Engram, Shaun McDonald. We've already locked up too much cash in the position, Owens will be back - we might grab a speed guy late in the draft.

OL: Marvel Smith, Jahri Evans, Jason Brown. We need some quality depth, and hopefully a few young players with high motors in the draft to push our lethargic group of overpaid giants.

DL: Bertrand Berry, Rocky Bernard, Kevin Carter, Jonathan Babineaux. Looks like a bunch of used goods to me. Canty for 50 mill doesn't seem to logical. I seriously hope we address the DT position in the draft - hopefully with our top pick. Ratliff can make the move to end, I'm sure he'd be thrilled to face less double teams.

LB: Karlos Dansy, Mike Peterson, Jonathan Vilma, Channing Crowder. Bart Scott and Ray Lewis are going to be too expensive, and Ray too old. Except I've learned to never underestimate Jerry. Crowder would be a nice fit if we don't overpay for him, and his knee problems aren't too serious.

DB: Mike Brown, Brian Dawkins, Dawan Landry. Landry is young and has made an impact, would love to make a move for him - but I don't see the Ravens letting him wallk. Dawkins would be add some leadership and fire, but I'm worried about his wheels from banging on that terrible field in Phillly for 12 years.

With all that said, except for a handful of guys - this FA class isn't looking too good. This draft isn't looking too hot either. Great year to work on the addition by subtraction philosophy.

Our major priorities are DT, MLB, Safety, and depth at the o-line - and lets see which QB falls to us in the draft.

This should be at the top of the page when we log in so people do not have to waste valuable space and time that they want free agents that we do not have the ability or realistically to sign because of the cap. Good post.

 

[AbeBeta]

This should be at the top of the page when we log in so people do not have to waste valuable space and time that they want free agents that we do not have the ability or realistically to sign because of the cap. Good post.

Actually, I think where we stand with the cap would allow us to make a number of moves, even high profile ones.

 

[Romo2Dez4six]

you all know jerry will make noise in FA.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I dont know. I think there are cap motivated moves in the near future. I think Jerry likes it when the Cowboys and more importantly, his mug, is on TV. I can see him making a splash.

The entire offense comes back and hopefully Jason Garrett will once again be the innovative offensive mind we all thought he was 2 years ago. With so many players, opponents, fans, and media types pointing out his "bland" and "predictable" offense, I'm sure he is willing to spice things up.

Even if we cut TO, Romo still has Roy, Crayton, Austin, Witten, and Bennett as weapons. Hopefully we see a heavy helping of Barber/Felix/Choice out of the backfield. We obvioulsy lose something on the field if TO isn't there but I could go either way on that. If him being gone means Romo and Garrett utilize more weapons and make us less predictable, then let's do it.

On defense, we will most likely lose Canty, Zach, and I could see us losing Ellis, Roy Williams, and possibly Anthony Henry as well. That's 5 starters with only Ellis (Spencer), Henry (Jenkins), and maybe Canty (Hatcher) being replaced by current Cowboy reseves. That means we have an immediate need for 2 starters.

Jerry Jones is not going to sit around and wait for rookies to develop this season, especially without having a 1st rounder. He is going to want immediate results and improvement. I expect him to at least pursue a big name free agent.

 

[EPL0c0]

Don't bother with FA WR's. Trade: 4 Words: Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr.

 

[big dog cowboy]

For some reason every time I see a FA list J.P Losman jumps off the page at me. I just get the feeling this guy will be in Dallas next year.

You need to stop looking at that free agent list.

But he is younger than Johnson.

 

[bootsy]

I pray to the lord above that we don't sign Brian Dawkins. Every thing about him just stinks.

People get so caught up in this leadership nonsense. I have never been into the whole 'you have to have leadership, character guys to win' stuff. We need guys that can make a play, make a tackle, an interception, break up a pass, throw a WR off of his route. Dawkins is getting up in age and to me really is not a top safety anymore.

 

[newlander]

Bart Scott and Landry Josh9? I'd drive to Dallas and help Canty move for that to come true. ( I live in Michigan)

 

[TheCount]

You need to stop looking at that free agent list.

But he is younger than Johnson.

I actually think he's got a good idea there, J.P. would be a fine backup to Romo for years to come.

 

[dbair1967]

I actually think he's got a good idea there, J.P. would be a fine backup to Romo for years to come.

he's an awful backup where he is now...why would it be any different here?

the dude just cant play, and he might be the most mistake prone QB in football...thats the last thing you want in a backup

 

[Biggems]

Don't bother with FA WR's. Trade: 4 Words: Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr.

Had we not traded for Roy, then I would be for trading for Higgins. I would also be for going after Washington from Pittsburgh.