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This was not a quality class of free agents. The increase on the salary cap allowed teams to sign or franchise the quality free-agents to be.
We all know the glaring needs on defense, we need a starting corner, two starting linebackers, a pass rush specialist and a defensive tackle for depth.
Now look at the 2008 free agent class:
I consider there were only 2 starting caliber corners: Samuel and Florence. Samuel wanted to be the highest paid defensive player in the league, so chances were we were not going to get him. Florence will be paid around 6 million a year and I think even at that price he would have been worthy. It may be a miss but for some reason we were not linked to the name.
On linebacker, we got Vilma, Briggs seems was not an option after (we don't know if it was choice of the player of the saints). If it was one or the other, I take Vilma any day. Now, for the value of Briggs' contract I would have pushed for him. Not sure we did or not.
With tons of money available for most of the teams and not many players, chances were we were going to miss more then score.
Now, what is in the future? Any moves to do or not do? My view on some of them:
Randall Gay. Forget about which players we haveand how big our need is. Randall Gay is and will be a nickle or dime corner. If he comes here, he should get nickle or dime contract money. We may sign it to take Thomas or Craft's spot and pay accordingly. 5 or 6 million a year would not make sense. We need to use one of our first two draft picks on a cornerback. Plain and simple.
Jeremy Shockey. Please, do not use our second rounder on him. We may agree or disagree if he is worth a second rounder, but we can't that we need picks for defense. I would even prefer to wait until draft day, and if by our pick Ellis and Dorsey are gone, I may considering switching first rounders with the giants for his rights, and then grab the corner and linebacker we dearly need.
Bryant Johnson: Great compliment for Colston, Devery and Meachem, but Donte' Stallworth got 5 million per year with the browns. Johnson should be demanding more money than that.
Some free agents movements that may make sense:
Alge Crumpler: Teams are spending money now, we haven't heard serious interest on him besides Seattle, maybe we can get him on a reasonable price now. An important thing to consider: if Shockey comes here, he will want to renegotiate his contract at some point, and we all know it won't be cheaper than whatever Crumpler would command. Just for not giving out any draft choices, if we are going to spend money on the position, Crumpler makes more sense than giving away a second for Shockey.
Rod Coleman: Again, same as Crump. Tackles have moved now, I am not expecting much more movement on defensive tackles. Maybe there will be less demand and the price may be lower now.
Drew Carter: Not a star, but the guy has great potential. He is tall, fast and with good hands. We can get him for a low price considering what other receivers are getting.
Teddy Lehman: A great college player, who had 2 injured seasons on his 4 year stand in Detroit. It is really hard to evaluate a defensive player who plays with the lions. But I would take a chance for him, as depth. The guy can play the weak side or the middle and is a special teams demon. Let's say that if we get him, at least we get a younger, more talented version of Simoneau.
I would like to read on other potential moves that you consider would make sense, and stop focusing on the usual suspects.
We all know the glaring needs on defense, we need a starting corner, two starting linebackers, a pass rush specialist and a defensive tackle for depth.
Now look at the 2008 free agent class:
I consider there were only 2 starting caliber corners: Samuel and Florence. Samuel wanted to be the highest paid defensive player in the league, so chances were we were not going to get him. Florence will be paid around 6 million a year and I think even at that price he would have been worthy. It may be a miss but for some reason we were not linked to the name.
On linebacker, we got Vilma, Briggs seems was not an option after (we don't know if it was choice of the player of the saints). If it was one or the other, I take Vilma any day. Now, for the value of Briggs' contract I would have pushed for him. Not sure we did or not.
With tons of money available for most of the teams and not many players, chances were we were going to miss more then score.
Now, what is in the future? Any moves to do or not do? My view on some of them:
Randall Gay. Forget about which players we haveand how big our need is. Randall Gay is and will be a nickle or dime corner. If he comes here, he should get nickle or dime contract money. We may sign it to take Thomas or Craft's spot and pay accordingly. 5 or 6 million a year would not make sense. We need to use one of our first two draft picks on a cornerback. Plain and simple.
Jeremy Shockey. Please, do not use our second rounder on him. We may agree or disagree if he is worth a second rounder, but we can't that we need picks for defense. I would even prefer to wait until draft day, and if by our pick Ellis and Dorsey are gone, I may considering switching first rounders with the giants for his rights, and then grab the corner and linebacker we dearly need.
Bryant Johnson: Great compliment for Colston, Devery and Meachem, but Donte' Stallworth got 5 million per year with the browns. Johnson should be demanding more money than that.
Some free agents movements that may make sense:
Alge Crumpler: Teams are spending money now, we haven't heard serious interest on him besides Seattle, maybe we can get him on a reasonable price now. An important thing to consider: if Shockey comes here, he will want to renegotiate his contract at some point, and we all know it won't be cheaper than whatever Crumpler would command. Just for not giving out any draft choices, if we are going to spend money on the position, Crumpler makes more sense than giving away a second for Shockey.
Rod Coleman: Again, same as Crump. Tackles have moved now, I am not expecting much more movement on defensive tackles. Maybe there will be less demand and the price may be lower now.
Drew Carter: Not a star, but the guy has great potential. He is tall, fast and with good hands. We can get him for a low price considering what other receivers are getting.
Teddy Lehman: A great college player, who had 2 injured seasons on his 4 year stand in Detroit. It is really hard to evaluate a defensive player who plays with the lions. But I would take a chance for him, as depth. The guy can play the weak side or the middle and is a special teams demon. Let's say that if we get him, at least we get a younger, more talented version of Simoneau.
I would like to read on other potential moves that you consider would make sense, and stop focusing on the usual suspects.
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