2015 NFL Free Agent Signings Thread

BobDigital said:

That's fine but I would have liked to see them get into the DT market which I think has been a pretty good bargain.

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I'll agree with that, but linemen are hard for us fans to evaluate. Finding guys that will fit the scheme isn't about talent and counting stats alone.

I'm sure something will be very different about this defense before week one. What that is? Who knows..

Two names to Watch Morris Claiborne, Justin Gilbert.
Young guys that are flaming out would come at a bargain still be on rookie contracts and could be coached up and rise to the occasion in a new environment.

What is this about Ridley/Connolly?

Rich<3TheWoodhead said:

If you think signing a fully guaranteed deal ( which is different than standard guarantee deals which are paid as bonuses) of almost 40 million is the right move you are flat out incorrect. Remember this is football. Injuries are 100% going to happen it's just an issue if they will be season ending. Revis would get his money, and his cap hit of almost 20million would be in effect. Yes he was healthy last year but injuries happen to everyone. You can't risk that deal. In addition are you saying you would mortgage the franchise with Revis and risk being unable to resign Solder/Hightower/Jones/Collins. Because that is the reality if we gave revis what he wanted. I don't understand why this doesn't make sense to you. Football is a team sport. Revis is not worth Jones + Solder + HT + Collins

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Fully agree. Huge risk. I would rather sign Solder, HT, Jones and Collins. Signing Revis would not have guaranteed another Championship. Winning the SB takes so many different things to fall in place.

Except for Ridley and Mayo we stayed healthy last year. First time in a long time.

We almost lost to the Ravens because we had to overcome two 14 point deficits. Had to overcome a 10 point deficit and a miraculous int in the SB. Brady needed to throw 4 TD's against the leagues best defense

Our Defense was much improved last year but far from shutdown with Revis. 4 very good players compared to one elite player is smart team planning

ChrisR2223 said:

Two names to Watch Morris Claiborne, Justin Gilbert.
Young guys that are flaming out would come at a bargain still be on rookie contracts and could be coached up and rise to the occasion in a new environment.

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Do you really think that either one of these teams are ready to give up on such promising young talent, which comes in the form of cheap, rookie contracts? In Gilbert's case, he's played ONE season. In Clairborne's case, he's really only played two seasons, considering the injuries last year. Both teams have the all-important opportunity to choose the 5th year options should it ever come to that, which is one of the benefits of taking someone in the first round.

Both teams gave up draft pick resources to move within the top 10 overall picks and snatch them up, so I highly doubt that we're going to see them cut. A trade isn't very likely since the agreed upon compensation would be difficult to try and judge, and that isn't even bringing up the fact that they've both sucked so far.

I don't think we're looking for reclamation projects, but rather the opposite in reliable, veteran leadership and experienced play.

supafly said:

Do you really think that either one of these teams are ready to give up on such promising young talent, which comes in the form of cheap, rookie contracts? In Gilbert's case, he's played ONE season. In Clairborne's case, he's really only played two seasons, considering the injuries last year.

Both teams gave up draft pick resources to move within the top 10 overall picks and snatch them up, so I highly doubt that we're going to see them cut. A trade isn't very likely since the agreed upon compensation would be difficult to try and judge, and that isn't even bringing up the fact that they've both sucked so far.

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Dee Milliner could be available via trade but I'm not sure we could make that trade with the Jets. He sort of sucks too but he does have some talent.

Brady6 said:

Dee Milliner could be available via trade but I'm not sure we could make that trade with the Jets. He sort of sucks too but he does have some talent.

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I understand the concern and share it with you myself, I'm just wondering if we're looking down the wrong path with some of these potential reclamation projects? I think we have plenty of young, inexperienced prospects already at the position of CB.

What we really need is a solid veteran, who's been around the block and has some kind of reliable experience and leadership; otherwise, we may as well just go with what we have + address it again in the draft.

We also need to consider what it would take to give up for some of these top 10 overall draft pick CBs. I'm guessing the value just wouldn't be there, although anything's possible.

supafly said:

I understand the concern and share it with you myself, I'm just wondering if we're looking down the wrong path with some of these potential reclamation projects? I think we have plenty of young, inexperienced prospects already at the position of CB.

What we really need is a solid veteran, who's been around the block and has some kind of reliable experience and leadership; otherwise, we may as well just go with what we have + address it again in the draft.

We also need to consider what it would take to give up for some of these top 10 overall draft pick CBs. I'm guessing the value just wouldn't be there, although anything's possible.

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I think that if you put Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan on the field you would have 2 CBs that would get beat a few times a game, but would also make some plays on the football more often than a lot of NFL CBs. I think the cover 3 with McCourty manning the middle protecting against the big play is what we will use a lot of. Add hopefully a renewed Dennard and 1-2 rookies into the mix and the CB position should at the very least be interesting to watch.

One thing I will say is that I have seen very few CBs compete for the football as much as Butler does. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself with him, but I feel that he has a lot of promise.

Brady6 said:

I think that if you put Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan on the field you would have 2 CBs that would get beat a few times a game, but would also make some plays on the football more often than a lot of NFL CBs. I think the cover 3 with McCourty manning the middle protecting against the big play is what we will use a lot of. Add hopefully a renewed Dennard and 1-2 rookies into the mix and the CB position should at the very least be interesting to watch.

One thing I will say is that I have seen very few CBs compete for the football as much as Butler does. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself with him, but I feel that he has a lot of promise.

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That's a real positive outlook and I like it! I feel less down in the dumps now.

Brady6 said:

I think that if you put Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan on the field you would have 2 CBs that would get beat a few times a game, but would also make some plays on the football more often than a lot of NFL CBs. I think the cover 3 with McCourty manning the middle protecting against the big play is what we will use a lot of. Add hopefully a renewed Dennard and 1-2 rookies into the mix and the CB position should at the very least be interesting to watch.

One thing I will say is that I have seen very few CBs compete for the football as much as Butler does. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself with him, but I feel that he has a lot of promise.

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I definitely agree about the potential regarding Butler. I dont know how much cover three we'll play, so we'll have to wait and see.

Jimke said:

Three more free agents to sign elsewhere: Aiken, Connolly, and Ridley. I wonder if any Superbowl
winner in history has lost nine players to free agency the very next tear?

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Wilfork + Ayers = Sheard and Branch resigned. Add in a healthy Easley and the D-Line is already better. Face it, Wilfork simply isn't the old Wilfork anymore. We could still use a run stuffer (Rubin? Ellis? Draft is thick with big DTs.)

Connolly = surprised if he doesn't retire. If not, I expect him back for less money. IOL will almost certainly be addressed in the draft.

Casilllas = Jonathan Freeny.

Ridley = Blount and Gray. We're stronger at primary back going into this year over last. And Ridley could still come back on a prove it.

Aiken? Not losing sleep over it, honestly. heck, if Nink's getting reduced snaps because of Sheard, he can do it.

Vereen = White? Gaffney? This could leave a little sting if we can't replace his production.

Chandler is a PLUS on that side of the ball.

Mayo back will strengthen an already great LB corps.

Browner? Not sure why we let him walk with a 2/9.6 no guarantee contract. Has to be scheme, given the timing, and maybe they just did the guy a solid. Also, he had more penalties than PDs last year, so let's not pretend he was the second coming. I love the guy and his attitude, but he's not a great cover corner.

Revis...yeah, this one hurts. No way around. If the Pats are weaker right now than they were last year, it's right on this absence. They really need a CB1, but I wouldn't throw around the money I'm seeing for guys like Maxwell on guys like Maxwell.

We're in March, and the SB champs have taken one significant step back (Revis) and have taken two small, but important steps forward in DL and TE2. Dobson will be back healthy, Wright has a full offseason with the team, and quit selling our DBs short. Butler is ready to play and Dennard was pretty good.

I'm really not too worried because it's hard to be a super powered team with a great QB, great receivers AND a great secondary... The only other team that I feel is really "super" is Seattle, and once they extend Wilson they will come back down to Earth. The 2014 Pats minus Revis, Browner and Wilfork and Vereen, but plus Chandler, Sheard, Mayo, Easley and whatever other guys they sign, plus a draft class, is still good enough to beat the Green Bay's and Denver's of the world.

We gotta hope that Seattle falls victim to the Super Bowl losers curse and doesn't make it back.

VectorPrime said:

We gotta hope that Seattle falls victim to the Super Bowl losers curse and doesn't make it back.

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The 49ers don't have a team anymore, not worth mentioning that is, and the Rams still don't have a quarterback.

The Cardinals will make a run at that division. And the Rams always give the Hawks a tough time.

Ross12 said:

I'm really not too worried because it's hard to be a super powered team with a great QB, great receivers AND a great secondary... The only other team that I feel is really "super" is Seattle, and once they extend Wilson they will come back down to Earth. The 2014 Pats minus Revis, Browner and Wilfork and Vereen, but plus Chandler, Sheard, Mayo, Easley and whatever other guys they sign, plus a draft class, is still good enough to beat the Green Bay's and Denver's of the world.

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When you consider that Wilson is playing on a rookie contract of a third rounder it has to scare Seattle fans that they don't have more cap space.

ATippett56 said:

The 49ers don't have a team anymore, not worth mentioning that is, and the Rams still don't have a quarterback.

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Foles was a pro bowler in 2013 with a 119 QB rating. Last season he came back to earth I'm interested to see what he can do. They have 2 solid RBs and Austin can be an all purpose weapon. They're a legit team in my opinion.

Brady6 said:

When you consider that Wilson is playing on a rookie contract of a third rounder it has to scare Seattle fans that they don't have more cap space.

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I'm EXTREMELY interested to watch what that team does once they pay Wilson... Somewhat similar situation in Indianapolis too, though Luck's 1st overall pick paygrade is higher, he will still get a big raise.

BradyManny said:

Just a reminder, here's what whatever team lands Greg Hardy is signing up for:

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He seems like a stand up guy, just misunderstood is all!

BobDigital said:

Another day. Another round of top guys leaving the board (Tramon Williams - CB, Randy Starks - DT) while the Pats sit on a pile of money.

Stevie Johnson would have been nice to have and one of the options I would prefer but he was in a group of 6-7 guys who are all fairly close together ability wise. Seeing 2 more talented players on defense that IMO were clearly the best get signed while we stand still hurts.

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They aren't standing still, they've made some moves and have signed a few big free agents in;

Mccourty
Ghostkowksi
Sheard
Branch
Siliga

we still have the draft coming up, sitting on 6 of the first 93 picks was it? This is a real deep draft at some positions of need too.

And having some cap room going into training camp is a good thing. . There are a lot of camp cuts that no one saw coming that the pats will be able to make a play for with all that money. .

Any money they don't spend carries into next year which will be used to extend young studs like Hightower, Collins, solder etc..

The Pats are in good shape right now. . They have some holes but so do 31 other teams. . Still a lot of off season to go!