I'm looking over our current defensive situation and it doesn't look pretty. It seems to me we have a LOT of work to do on that side of the ball and not a lot of options. D-Line ------------------ 2 Definite Starters (DeVito/Pouha) Hopefully we can resign Ellis - this may depend on who we draft in the first. A bunch of maybes for depth (Dixon, Kroul and Ropati are most likely) Jenkins should retire or be cut (possibly resigned to small deal for depth) Code: Cap Value Dead Money if Cut Cap Savings if Cut Gholston, Vernon DE $6,208,333 $5,806,667 $401,666 DeVito, Mike DE $2,125,000 $0 $2,125,000 Dixon, Marcus DE $405,000 $0 $405,000 Ihenacho, Carl DE $330,000 $0 $330,000 Jenkins, Kris DT $6,400,000 $1,800,000 $4,600,000 Pouha, Sione DT $2,450,000 $250,000 $2,200,000 Pitoitua, Ropati DT $487,280 $0 $487,280 Gilbert, Jarron DT $480,000 $0 $480,000 Powell, Carlton DT $405,000 $0 $405,000 Schable, AJ DT $405,000 $0 $405,000 Kroul, Matt DT $405,000 $0 $405,000 Washington, Lorenzo DT $330,000 $0 $330,000 Tevaseu, Martin DT $330,000 $0 $330,000 Linebacker ------------------ 2 Definite Starters (Pace, Scott) Hopefully we can resign Harris to leave us with only 1 missing starter at OLB. Questionable depth across the board Taylor and Thomas should almost certainly be cut given there production vs. salary IMO. Maybe keep Thomas if he can't be replaced, especially w/depth questions. Code: Cap Value Dead Money if Cut Cap Savings if Cut Thomas, Bryan LB $3,700,000 $0 $3,700,000 Westerman, Jamaal LB $480,668 $668 $480,000 Pace, Calvin LB $7,118,333 $9,039,999 ($1,921,666) Scott, Bart LB $6,650,000 $4,500,000 $2,150,000 Taylor, Jason LB $2,275,000 $0 $2,275,000 Mauga, Joshua LB $405,000 $0 $405,000 LaRocque, Joey LB $405,000 $0 $405,000 Toal, Brian LB $330,000 $0 $330,000 Brown, Cody LB $330,000 $0 $330,000 Satele, Brashton LB $330,000 $0 $330,000 CB ------------------ 1 Definite Starter 1 Questionable Starter (Wilson) 2 OK Nickel/Dime guys (Cole/Lowery) We need to sign either a solid #2 or if we're confident in Wilson at #2, I'd like to see us upgrade at nickel back. Code: Cap Value Dead Money if Cut Cap Savings if Cut Revis, Darrelle CB $11,265,916 $26,531,836 ($15,265,920) Wilson, Kyle CB $1,507,400 $5,869,600 ($4,362,200) Lowery, Dwight CB $678,405 $116,125 $562,280 Cole, Marquice CB $487,280 $0 $487,280 Lankster, Ellis CB $405,000 $0 $405,000 Trufant, Isaiah CB $330,000 $0 $330,000 S 1 Definite Starter if Leonhard recovers properly. Questionable Depth. I'd like to see Pool re-signed, he came on strong at the end of the year. Code: Cap Value Dead Money if Cut Cap Savings if Cut Leonhard, Jim S $2,333,334 $333,334 $2,000,000 Cook, Emanuel S $405,000 $0 $405,000 Billingsley, Wilfred S $330,000 $0 $330,000 Taylor, Richard S $330,000 $0 $330,000 Now I'm not really familiar with a lot of the younger depth guys that we haven't seen on the field, maybe some of our draft guys are. Looking at this I am concerned that as of right now we're lacking starting quality players across the board, especially in the front 7, with the possible exception of CB (Wilson). We're lacking at least one starting quality player at every level as of right now. It seems to me we need to do something to restock the defensive cupboards quickly. Maybe that means trading our #30 for a couple of second round picks. Maybe that means trading guys away for picks. The problem with trading guys is that I don't really see anyone that really has value and makes sense to trade based on there dead money. For example, our most valuable trade chip would be Revis who would likely land a 1st + another high pick, but he has 26.5 MM in dead money on his deal. The situation is similar with most of the guys who would have trade value on our team. Bart Scott could be traded for maybe a 2nd/3rd but then you're leaving another hole in an already lacking LB corps. FA is obviously another option, but we all know our cap situation will likely be tight depending on who is brought back. This may be Tanny's most challenging offseason yet. It seems as if all those picks he's been trading away are starting to catch up to him. I have faith in Tanny, but he really needs to get those draft picks back to the good side of the ledger quickly if he wants to remain successful IMO. I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy here, I'm just trying to wrap my head around the situation and understand where we're at. Based on my understanding, which could be partially incorrect, we're in a difficult spot.
Looking at those numbers, Jenkins and JT will both surely be cut. I imagine if we go OLB early then BT will be cut and maybe resigned to a lesser contract. Overall, not much savings...
I could see VG being cut and using that 401K. I mean, he produces absolutely nothing, why not use that on a depth player of some sort?
Anyone have a list of good/decent free agents from other teams? That would be a way to add depth without costing draft picks or other players. The only problem would be the $$ against the cap.
The problem with Gholston is you are not actually saving any money. Any kid off the street will take up that $450k that you are saving...essentually, we cut him if we can find someone who makes the minimum that is a better player. That said...thats not hard to do
Almost the entire front 7 will have to be rebuilt in the next two off seasons. Of the starting guys only Harris, Pouha and Devito will still be here in 2012. Everyone else is old, overpaid or just not that good anymore. Taylor Jenkins Ellis Thomas It's possible all four of the above guys be gone I think Pace and Scott will be here one more year and then Tannenbaum has to evaluate replacing them. They basically need to build a new front 7. They need big 3-4 lineman, they need big outside linebackers that can play in this system. i wish they had more draft picks and it's possible they will trade down or do a franchise tag and trade. I do think it's possible that veteran players will come here to play for rex if everything else is equal but I don't think that any prime free agents will take a discount to play here. As I've said before Tannenbaum has only drafted 9 players on the defensive side of the ball since 2006.
I don't understand where all this hatred for BT comes from. He probably had his best season this year and is great against the run
Thanks for the numbers.. I think the best blueprint for helping Sanchez is not falling behind by more then 10 pts. There are a lot of good teams and QB's in the AFC, and our D now has to be the focus. I'd try to resign Cro. We're giving up a high pick next year for him, he has tremendous wing span, and can play bump and run. Resign Harris. Retain Jenkins. He won't take a massive reduction, but something can be worked there. He is still a guy teams need to game plan around. Health concerns only thing driving down that number. One of those Safeties need to be retained between Smith and Pool. Lowery i anticipate making permanent move to Safety as well. Resign Ellis on a short term deal. Drop JT and BT. Of course this plan necessitates losing one of our WR's as well. Draft should be concerned with getting a pass rusher, either at OLB, or someone in the younger Ellis mode who can play a number of DL positions and get break the pocket on passing downs.
Yes, the cap money will be the issue there, but here are the defensive FA's. Code: Pos Player FA Status Previous Team DL Victor Abiamiri UFA Philadelphia Eagles DL Anthony Adams UFA Chicago Bears DL Mark Anderson UFA Houston Texans DL Alan Branch UFA Arizona Cardinals DL Jacques Cesaire UFA San Diego Chargers DL Jeremy Clark UFA Philadelphia Eagles DL Alex Daniels UFA Dallas Cowboys DL Keyunta Dawson UFA Indianapolis Colts DL John Denney UFA Miami Dolphins DL Jared DeVries UFA Detroit Lions DL Ray Edwards UFA Minnesota Vikings DL Ron Edwards UFA Kansas City Chiefs DL Louis Ellis UFA Carolina Panthers DL Shaun Ellis UFA New York Jets DL Demetric Evans UFA San Francisco 49ers DL Ronald Fields UFA Denver Broncos DL Jeffrey Fitzgerald UFA Kansas City Chiefs DL Jacob Ford UFA Tennessee Titans DL Aubrayo Franklin UFA San Francisco 49ers DL Gary Gibson UFA St. Louis Rams DL Charles Grant UFA Chicago Bears DL Howard Green UFA Green Bay Packers DL Chris Hoke UFA Pittsburgh Steelers DL Xzavie Jackson RFA Philadelphia Eagles DL Cullen Jenkins UFA Green Bay Packers DL Charles Johnson UFA Carolina Panthers DL Travis Johnson UFA San Diego Chargers DL Johnny Jolly UFA Green Bay Packers DL Mathias Kiwanuka UFA New York Giants DL Derek Landri UFA Jacksonville Jaguars DL Trey Lewis UFA Atlanta Falcons DL Erik Lorig UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers DL John McCargo UFA Buffalo Bills DL Ray McDonald UFA San Francisco 49ers DL Brandon Mebane UFA Seattle Seahawks DL Mike Montgomery UFA Green Bay Packers DL C.J. Mosley UFA Cleveland Browns DL Haloti NgataNew UFA Baltimore Ravens DL Jay Richardson UFA Oakland Raiders DL Brian Robison UFA Minnesota Vikings DL Shaun Rogers UFA Cleveland Browns DL Terdell Sands UFA Oakland Raiders DL Richard Seymour UFA Oakland Raiders DL Le Kevin Smith UFA Denver Broncos DL Robaire Smith UFA Cleveland Browns DL Shaun Smith UFA Kansas City Chiefs DL Paul Soliai UFA Miami Dolphins DL Marcus Spears UFA Dallas Cowboys DL Marcus Stroud UFA Buffalo Bills DL Darryl Tapp UFA Philadelphia Eagles DL Marcus Thomas UFA Denver Broncos DL Kevin Vickerson UFA Denver Broncos DL Gerard Warren UFA New England Patriots DL Jimmy Wilkerson UFA New Orleans Saints DL Pat Williams UFA Minnesota Vikings DL Rodrique Wright UFA New York Jets DL James Wyche UFA Seattle Seahawks LB Eric Alexander UFA Cleveland Browns LB Antwan Applewhite RFA San Diego Chargers LB Akin Ayodele UFA Buffalo Bills LB Kevin Bentley UFA Houston Texans LB Quincy Black UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB H.B. Blades UFA Washington Redskins LB Stewart Bradley UFA Philadelphia Eagles LB Diyral Briggs UFA Green Bay Packers LB Kevin Burnett UFA San Diego Chargers LB Stephen Cooper UFA San Diego Chargers LB Zak DeOssie UFA New York Giants LB Zac Diles UFA Houston Texans LB Justin Durant UFA Jacksonville Jaguars LB Keyaron Fox UFA Pittsburgh Steelers LB Robert Francois UFA Green Bay Packers LB Andre Frazier UFA Pittsburgh Steelers LB Chad Greenway UFA Minnesota Vikings LB Tamba Hali UFA Kansas City Chiefs LB Alex Hall UFA New York Giants LB David Harris UFA New York Jets LB Adam Hayward UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB LeRoy Hill UFA Seattle Seahawks LB Abdul Hodge UFA Carolina Panthers LB Landon Johnson UFA Detroit Lions LB Dhani Jones UFA Cincinnati Bengals LB Chris Kelsay UFA Buffalo Bills LB Manny Lawson UFA San Francisco 49ers LB Ben Leber UFA Minnesota Vikings LB Kirk Morrison UFA Jacksonville Jaguars LB Stephen Nicholas UFA Atlanta Falcons LB David Nixon UFA St. Louis Rams LB Cyril Obiozor UFA Arizona Cardinals LB Mike Peterson UFA Atlanta Falcons LB Paul Posluszny UFA Buffalo Bills LB Brandon Renkart UFA Pittsburgh Steelers LB Barrett Ruud UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Clint Session UFA Indianapolis Colts LB Scott Shanle UFA New Orleans Saints LB Brandon Siler UFA San Diego Chargers LB Maurice Simpkins UFA Green Bay Packers LB Takeo Spikes UFA San Francisco 49ers LB David Thornton UFA Tennessee Titans LB David Vobora RFA St. Louis Rams LB Mike Vrabel UFA Kansas City Chiefs LB Tracy White UFA New England Patriots LB Matt Wilhelm UFA Green Bay Packers LB Gerris Wilkinson UFA New York Giants LB Rod Wilson UFA Chicago Bears LB Coy Wire UFA Atlanta Falcons LB LaMarr Woodley UFA Pittsburgh Steelers LB Pierre Woods UFA Buffalo Bills FS Gerald Alexander UFA Detroit Lions CB Kyle Arrington ERFA New England Patriots CB Nnamdi Asomugha UFA Oakland Raiders CB Champ Bailey UFA Denver Broncos CB Ronde Barber UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers FS Josh Barrett RFA New England Patriots CB Josh Bell UFA Green Bay Packers CB Will Blackmon UFA Green Bay Packers CB Tarell Brown UFA San Francisco 49ers CB Chris Carr UFA Baltimore Ravens SS Sean Considine UFA Jacksonville Jaguars CB Kennard Cox UFA Seattle Seahawks CB Antonio Cromartie UFA New York Jets CB Andre Dyson UFA New York Jets CB Drayton Florence UFA Buffalo Bills CB William Gay UFA Pittsburgh Steelers FS Matt Giordano UFA New Orleans Saints FS Dashon Goldson UFA San Francisco 49ers CB Corey Graham UFA Chicago Bears SS Michael Greco UFA Green Bay Packers CB Brent Grimes RFA Atlanta Falcons FS Ken Hamlin UFA Indianapolis Colts FS Michael Hamlin UFA Jacksonville Jaguars SS Roman Harper UFA New Orleans Saints CB Tye Hill UFA Detroit Lions CB Chris Houston UFA Detroit Lions CB Chevis Jackson UFA Denver Broncos FS Tanard Jackson UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Kelly Jennings UFA Seattle Seahawks SS Michael Johnson UFA New York Giants CB Johnathan Joseph UFA Cincinnati Bengals CB Eric King UFA Detroit Lions CB Maurice Leggett RFA Kansas City Chiefs SS Michael Lewis UFA St. Louis Rams CB Elbert Mack UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Richard Marshall UFA Carolina Panthers CB Trumaine McBride UFA Chicago Bears CB Brandon McDonald UFA Cleveland Browns FS Brandon McGowan UFA New England Patriots SS Quintin Mikell UFA Philadelphia Eagles CB Justin Miller UFA Arizona Cardinals SS Chinedum Ndukwe UFA Cincinnati Bengals CB Nate Ness UFA Miami Dolphins FS Paul Oliver UFA San Diego Chargers SS Kevin Payne UFA St. Louis Rams SS Bernard Pollard UFA Houston Texans CB Carlos Rogers UFA Washington Redskins CB DeAngelo Smith UFA Cleveland Browns CB Scott Starks UFA Jacksonville Jaguars CB Ike Taylor UFA Pittsburgh Steelers FS Quinton Teal UFA San Diego Chargers CB Frank Walker UFA Minnesota Vikings SS Matt Ware UFA Arizona Cardinals SS Pat Watkins UFA San Diego Chargers FS Eric Weddle UFA San Diego Chargers SS George Wilson UFA Buffalo Bills CB Josh Wilson UFA Baltimore Ravens CB Eric Wright UFA Cleveland Browns http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php?option=DB&y=2011
Totally agree with OP on getting back to drafting. It's time to build for the long haul. With rookie salary caps imminent, drafting will be paramount.
Reviewing the FA's, if we could land Cullen Jenkins for a reasonable price I wouldn't mind parting ways with Ellis.
Because he is terrible as a pass rusher and that was clearly our weakest point this year. Resign him for less.
The DE spot isn't as big of a hole as it seems. It is not worth throwing big money at that position in Rex's scheme. If Ellis comes back for a reasonable deal, that would be great, but I think they have faith they can fill that spot with the Dixon, Pitoitua, Gilbert group plus a mid-round pick and/or a low-cost veteran. Rex's scheme places a priority at the nose tackle position, which is why I think Jenkins will be back at a reduced number. If Jenkins can play half the game and stay healthy for the stretch run (a huge "if", I know), that would pretty much negate any weakness at the DE spot next to him. Tevesau is likely to also be in the mix here next year, allowing Pouha to potentially slide over to DE for run situations. At linebacker, I think Pace is a definite candidate to restructure his deal and take a paycut.. he has to know if he is released no team is going to fork over 7+ million dollars to him for next season. Thomas is probably a goner, and so is Taylor. By the end of the season, Thomas was really only on the field for clear run situations, and Taylor was pretty ineffective so I don't think that spot is going to be all that hard to fill. Bart Scott isn't going to be cut, traded, or anything else.. nor should he be. He will be here, blowing up runs and leading the defense. OLB is going to be the clear priority this offseason, we need to get someone at that position who can pressure the qb. I would looove to bring in Woodley but I don't know if that will be possible. At cornerback, obviously Cromartie is the key. If he is back, we are set at corner especially if Wilson develops at all. Safety is the bigger question, but you have to imagine at least 2 of the Smith-Pool-Ihedigbo group will be back at reasonable prices. Pool-Leonhard-Smith is a fine safety group imo. I could see a rookie being brought in here as well to compete.
Looking at that FA list, I'd let go of Jenkins and lose a WR if it meant inking Ngata. Balt will slap a tag on him before that happens though.
If Tamba Hali can fit into this scheme, I'd try to acquire him (because Woodley isn't going anywhere) and then see if Alan Branch can be acquired on the cheap because he would add beef and depth to the DL. After those two, we can just build through the Draft.
It's not hate, it's being pragmatic. You can save a good amount of money cutting Thomas. If we could land Cullen Jenkins I would go ape shit. Don't see how that would be possible tho.
