Everyone is talking about signing Ngata, Woodley or Aso who would each cost about $10 mil per year. Even four of our own free agents could cost us franchise player money. When we found these guys by trade or by drafting them, they used to be much cheaper. This thread is to talk about the free agents that could potentially fill our holes (or provide depth) for $4 mil per year or less. Where are the players that could succeed here that have been stuck with bad coaches or teams? Where are the studs that have been riding the bench behind a future HOF player that could help us win? I'll start off with a couple of our own players that could help us out: Eric Smith SS - hits like a linebacker and has improved his game in the playoffs Wayne Hunter RT - might make us forget about Woody Bryan Thomas - with a pay cut he could do very well across from a pass rusher, maybe he could even move inside if we lose Harris Link below has all free agents listed: http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html
Kiwanuka is a free agent this year. It will be interesting to see how much money he commands especially after that disk injury. It's a risk with a tremendous reward if he recovers fully and is still explosive.
I wouldn't touch Kiwanuka with a 10 foot pole.....not with a herniated disc injury in his neck....that's career-threatening.
A couple of guys I wouldn't mind the Jets taking a look at -Little Jenks (Cullen Jenkins, Packers) -Aubrayo Franklin (49ers) -Alan Branch (Cards) Little Jenks wouldn't likely come cheap...but Franklin had an off year (franchised last year by SF) and Branch wasn't spectacular in ARZ, yet I still think he has some upside. Maybe they'll come on the cheap....Free Agents are tough to forecast in that regard. Not saying we should run out and get all 3....but if Tanny is going to go shopping for free agents....this would be a good place to start for our DL, IMO.
I'd love to see the Jets bring in some of those guys - especially Cullen Jenkins and Aubrayo Franklin - Franklin is a seriously underrated nose. We might have an in-house NT sleeper though: Martin Tevaseu could stick around. Tannenbaum has to bring at least two defensive linemen through free agency and at least one through the draft. The line needs depth and some youth. Bringing back Shaun Ellis as a rotational guy on a cheap contract wouldn't be a bad move. The Panthers have a few FAs we could take a look at: Charles Johnson is an intriguing pass rushing free agent - he might be more of a 4-3 guy though. DL Nick Hayden could play end in the 3-4. Chicago has a pair of defensive tackles that might work out well as rotational nose tackles: Anthony Adams and Matt Toeaina. Miami might lose NT Paul Soliai. There's some pretty good DL talent available this off-season. Both of San Diego's inside linebackers are free agents - Kevin Burnett and Stephen Cooper. I could go on, but I think this lists sums things up: we have plenty of options for our front seven.
I want to safety position upgraded. Baltimore's Dawan Landry should be our obvious #1 choice. Tom Brady's buddy Bernard Pollard is also available - he'd be an upgrade over Eric Smith.
Franklin definitely wouldn't come cheap, the 49ers love him and he is their top priority from what I've read.. neither will Jenkins probably, but I certainly wouldn't mind either one of those guys. But I think if the Jets are going to make any kind of free agent splash, it would be for more of an edge rusher type player. Travis LaBoy is a guy I remember the Jets having interest in last year, he could be a possibility as a B-type Free Agent. Mark Anderson, Victor Abiamiri are low level possibilities as 4-3 DE's who can possibly transition to 3-4 edge rushers.
Really? Pollard is pretty terrible in coverage. They're both solid hitters. I wouldnt really consider Pollard as an upgrade.
Bernard Pollard is a better in-the-box safety. That's the role that Smith would play if he stuck around. To me, Smith's only value is on special teams. He's a complete liability in coverage. Pollard would be like an extra linebacker on the field - a dangerous blitzer, with better size to match up against tight ends.
I'd be really curious as to what Anderson can do as a purely pass rushing OLB... Taylor's role to be specific. Too bad the Texans are moving to the 3-4...
I thought Smith and Coleman were both piles of shit in the regular season. But holy shit did they seem pretty solid in the playoffs.
Disagree on Pollard.. he was atrocious this year for that awful Texans secondary. He's worse in coverage than even Smith.
Soliai would be an instant upgrade over Pouha... I love that guy... too bad the Dolphins feel the same way. I think he'll stick over there... after all they run a 3-4 too and this year he's proven he's a starting NT.
I never said he was good in coverage, I just think he'd be an upgrade over Smith as an in-the-box safety. Pollard got owned by a lot of receivers, but I think he'd be a better match up against tight ends.
Agreed... I'm taking Smith over Pollard too... plus Smith has already played 2 years in this D and he's a better STer.
I don't understand why you dislike Sione Pouha so much. He was arguably the best player in our front seven - the guy had a hell of a year. You say Soliai's a proven starting nose tackle and bash Pouha every chance you get. Don't go cry because I disagreed with you.
Pouha had a hell of a year in 09 and this last year. If it wasnt for Pouha we would have 100 yard rushers week in and week out.
Here are some guys from other teams we should be looking at: WR Sidney Rice (MIN) James Jones (GB) Steve Breaston (ARI) Early Doucet (ARZ) Chansi Stuckey (CLE) Lance Moore (NO) Mark Clayton (STL) TE Dante Rosario (CAR) David Thomas (NO) Matt Spaeth (PIT) Randy McMichael (SD) Bo Scaife (TEN) OL Jared Gaither (BAL) Jammal Brown (WAS) DE Marcus Spears (DAL) Nick Eason (PIT) Chris Hoke (PIT) OLB Victor Abiamiri (PHI) CB Stanford Routt (OAK) Chris Houston (DET) S Gerald Sensabaugh (DAL) Deon Grant (NYG)
