2011 NFL Free Agency 'Let's Sign This Guy' Thread

[jmt57]

Time for the annual "Let's Sign This Guy" / "Why Didn't We Sign That Guy" free agent thread.

First, as comprehensive an accurate list of free agents as there is: a PDF from the National Football League that lists 546 players in six categories of free agency:

National Football League | NFL Free Agency Set To Begin | 7/25/11

The first category is "Restricted Free Agents who received Qualifying Offers from their Old Clubs and are subject to the First Refusal/Compensation system of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement". The only Patriot is BenJarvus Green-Ellis; the Pats would be compensated with a 2nd round draft pick.

The second category is "Players with three or more accrued seasons who have been designated as Franchise players"; Logan Mankins is one of four NFL players in this category. Old clubs have right of first refusal and also get compensated with two first round draft picks.

Third is "Transition Players"; there are none in the whole league. After that is "Players with four or more accrued seasons who negotiated Rights of First Refusal with their Old Clubs"; the Chiefs WR Kevin Curtis is the only NFL player in this category.

Fifth is the meat and potatoes of this topic; "Unrestricted Free Agents with four or more accrued seasons". The Pats have ten players listed in this category: Kevin Faulk, Shayne Graham, Matt Light, Brandon McGowan, Sammy Morris, Quinn Ojinnaka, Jarrad Page, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren and Tracy White.

The final section is "Players with fewer than four accrued seasons who received no Qualifying Offer or no minimum tender from their Old Club". The 38 players in this category are mostly no-names such as former Patriot Titus Adams.

 

[jmt57]

Ravens supposedly have already told RB Willis McGahee, WR Derrick Mason, TE Todd Heap and NT Kelly Gregg they will be cut. Which means the Nnamdi Asomugha to Baltimore rumors will be starting any moment.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'll say it first - sign Ochocinco.
The more I think of it, the more I think this can work.
BB and Chad have a lot of love and respect for each other and Ocho fills a need.

The Pats offense is predicated on smart reads by the receiver and good route running, Ocho knows what a defense is trying to do against him and he is still an excellent route runner who is also not afraid to go over the middle for the reception, unlike Moss.
So long as the price is right, I think this is a nobrainer move that can take our offense over the top (although it was already the #1 offense in the NFL!!)

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Let's sign Matt Light!

 

[TheComeback]

Realistic free agents I'm interested in: (no particular order)

Steve Breaston
Shaun Ellis
Barry Cofield (could play DE for us)
Pat Williams (NT)
Mike Sims-Walker
Charles Johnson
Manny Lawson
Travis LaBoy (situational rusher)
Raheem Brock (situational rusher)

Would also like to see us re-sign Jarrad Page for depth.

Now watch us sign two tight ends, an inside linebacker, a quarterback and three safeties.

 

[Jared]

The more I think about it, the more I think Ocho is a realistic possibility, IF (and that is a HUGE if) the price is right.

A second tier, slightly better than JAG LB, and possibly another veteran TE for competition, and then whatever is necessary to fill up the OL.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I know it is a pipe dream, but I would love to see Ray Edwards brought in and given time to develop as a 3 down LB.

 

[jmt57]

I'll say it first - sign Ochocinco.
The more I think of it, the more I think this can work.
BB and Chad have a lot of love and respect for each other and Ocho fills a need.

The Pats offense is predicated on smart reads by the receiver and good route running, Ocho knows what a defense is trying to do against him and he is still an excellent route runner who is also not afraid to go over the middle for the reception, unlike Moss.
So long as the price is right, I think this is a nobrainer move that can take our offense over the top (although it was already the #1 offense in the NFL!!)

The more I think about it, the more I think Ocho is a realistic possibility, IF (and that is a HUGE if) the price is right.

A second tier, slightly better than JAG LB, and possibly another veteran TE for competition, and then whatever is necessary to fill up the OL.

Right now Ocho Cinco is not a free agent; he's still under contract with the Bengals. The Pats (and everyone else) would need to either trade for him or hope/wait for Cincinnati to cut him.

 

[Sciz]

I can't see Chad lasting more than 24 hours once teams are officially allowed to cut players. I think they've moved on.

 

[jmt57]

I can't see Chad lasting more than 24 hours once teams are officially allowed to cut players. I think they've moved on.

Maybe, maybe not. In past season I would think they would hold on to him, to use as leverage in rookie contract negotiations with AJ Green. But with the new CBA there's not as much for Green and his agent to negotiate.

The other thing to consider is that they can hold on to him until final cuts if they want to; either for insurance, or in the hopes that some team will offer something to them in a trade.

He's due $6 million this year, which is high but not a completely absurd amount. And it's not as if Cincinnati can cut him to pocket the difference the way they could in past years; with teams having to spend 99% it's a case of pay him, or pay somebody else.

Obviously it would make sense for the Bengals to cut or trade him and plan for the future, but Mike Brown and his brother have never been accused of being the sharpest football minds in the league.

 

[mgteich]

We need to wait a week. But if Chad is cut, he'll be a patriot. He is a perfect fit for a couple of years. And he will have no trouble working with Brady for Belichick.

 

[ausbacker]

Thread needs more Patjew.

 

[Joker]

Thread needs more Patjew.

I agree...love that guy....in a purely platonic way for all you PC poopheads out there

 

[farn]

I suspect "our guys" will be the FA targets ahead of the other teams'... Familiarity will trump other factors in this shortened off season.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

PFT List of 80 top UFA

Light just cracks the top 40 listing. Top 80 Free Agents | ProFootballTalk

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Re: PFT List of 80 top UFA

Light just cracks the top 40 listing. Top 80 Free Agents | ProFootballTalk

Light is going to ask for stupid money and i bet KC gives it to him.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I'll say it first - sign Ochocinco.
The more I think of it, the more I think this can work.
BB and Chad have a lot of love and respect for each other and Ocho fills a need.

The Pats offense is predicated on smart reads by the receiver and good route running, Ocho knows what a defense is trying to do against him and he is still an excellent route runner who is also not afraid to go over the middle for the reception, unlike Moss.
So long as the price is right, I think this is a nobrainer move that can take our offense over the top (although it was already the #1 offense in the NFL!!)

They would have to trade for him, since he's not a free agent.

 

[Calciumee]

How about signing that Tony Carter guy that's expected to be cut?

 

[Calciumee]

Re: Some interesting vets being cut

Also reports saying Packers are trying to trade Nick Barnett, and will be cut if no-one is willing.

 

[Urgent]

Re: Some interesting vets being cut

Guard is one of the deepest positions in free agency.
Lots of options to replace Neal.