Two premier NT's will be available in FA

[TheRat]

They are Casey Hampton and Vince Wilfork, who seems upset by the Patriots lack of interest in resigning him.

Of the two I think Casey Hampton would be the best fit for two reasons. One, he'll be turning 33 before next season and will be demanding significantly less money. Two, Hampton also won't be demanding as much playing time, so we can use him on a situational basis. That way Wade can move Rat from NT to DE and vice versa freely throughout the game without being forced to give Hampton more playing time based on his contract (ahem Roy).

 

[theogt]

 

[zrinkill]

This.

 

[casmith07]

Vince Wilfork is a cancer...shows shades of Greg Ellis to be honest; and Ratliff is better than him by Miles :laugh1:

Haven't seen enough of Casey Hampton to care, but we don't need to pull a Snyder and shoot to hit a homerun in free agency every year at the expense of the greater goal of the franchise. Thus:

 

[dadymat]

good.....maybe the Commanders will shoot their load again.....WE DONT NEED THEM

 

[adbutcher]

:laugh2:

 

[Trendnet]

Where's this desire to replace Ratliff come from?

 

[CATCH17]

Where's this desire to replace Ratliff come from?

I think the desire is to get him out on the edge with Spencer or Ware and force teams to block him one on one.


I'd take Casey Hampton on the cheap but if there isn't any bargains for quality than we should just draft a guy to develop.

 

[TheCount]

Wilfork's gut could land a contract all on its own.

 

[TheRat]

Vince Wilfork is a cancer...shows shades of Greg Ellis to be honest; and Ratliff is better than him by Miles :laugh1:

Haven't seen enough of Casey Hampton to care, but we don't need to pull a Snyder and shoot to hit a homerun in free agency every year at the expense of the greater goal of the franchise. Thus:

How would it be pulling a Snyder if you are signing him to a cheap contract? And what does this have to do with Ratliff? I said during the times he was in the game we would move Rat to DE. Both points were clearly stated in my post. Your post makes very little sense.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Yeah, those guys want to sign with Dallas to be backups.

 

[TheRat]

Yeah, those guys want to sign with Dallas to be backups.

Ok you didn't even read my post. I just said Hampton, never said that about Wilfork. As in he may play 1/2 to 2/3 of the plays. The guy is going to be 33.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Ok you didn't even read my post. I just said Hampton, never said that about Wilfork. As in he may play 1/2 to 2/3 of the plays. The guy is going to be 33.

With all the new 3-4 defenses out there, I'm sure he can find a starting job somewhere. If so, why accept a backup job?

 

[TheRat]

With all the new 3-4 defenses out there, I'm sure he can find a starting job somewhere. If so, why accept a backup job?

It's hardly a backup job when you are playing 1/2 to 2/3 of the game. Furthermore, Nobody is going to sign him to play on their nickel defense. On any team his playing time will be reduced somewhat. Plus we are a contender.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

we don't need any old washed up players. Want to add a NT do it in the draft.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Wishful thinking, at best. Hampton isn't going to sign for less just because some beleive that people won't pay him to be a starter. Some team running a 3-4 will pay him to be a starter.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Wow.

 

[The Realist]

Let's not worry about resigning Austin, Sensy, Spears and redoing Rat's contract.

Let's see how we can sign someone else's overpriced FA and move our Pro Bowl NT out of position.......

And probably ruin chemistry in the process.

 

[TheRat]

we don't need any old washed up players. Want to add a NT do it in the draft.

Hampton is not washed up. He has about 3 good years left in the tank, exactly our window to win a Superbowl. We are not a rebuilding team. We need players who can help us now, and it usually takes around 3 years for D-linemen to develop.

 

[Alexander]

Where's this desire to replace Ratliff come from?

The only rational thought is that if Spears departs, we'll need a quality defensive end. Otherwise, it is nonsense. Each year, there is a spell where Ratliff doesn't dominate and suddenly the idea he'd be a better end pops up. Repeat it enough, it starts to become gospel truth.

Although Ratliff would be an upgrade, you don't move a Pro Bowler just to do it. It is like taking a Pro Bowl quality guard and moving him to tackle.

I don't think we'd bother.

I will say this though. If Phillips is no longer with the team next year, I would think seriously about moving Ratliff if our philosophy changes defensively. If we went to a scheme more like what most 3-4 teams use, it might be better. Ratliff is great at the position in part to Phillips' ability to scheme around a lighter nose tackle and not have them be required to eat up space and blockers. He's in the best situation right now. Put him in a New England-style 3-4, it would be a little more challenging.