Another Possible BB Type Vet Signing: Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson

[Claremonster]

Arizona Cardinals' Adrian Wilson among big-name cuts - NFL.com

Teams around the league are chopping down rosters and dumping salaries ahead of the NFL's three-day negotiating period for unrestricted free agents, which launches at 12:00 a.m. ET Saturday. Here's a quick look at some of the bigger names released as free agency nears.

» Adrian Wilson, Safety, Arizona Cardinals: Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler, spent the past 12 seasons in Arizona after the Cardinals made him their third-round pick in 2001. At 33, his starting days might be over, but it's not implausible that Wilson -- now part of a strong group of free-agent defensive backs -- will catch on with another club.

With Wilson's release, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that the Cardinals are deep in talks with his replacement, Rashad Johnson. The team is not expected to let Johnson, who was Wilson's backup at strong safety, get to free agency but the 27-year-old will be coveted if he does hit the open market.

 

[yopats]

Sign the beast!

 

[Brady6]

Another Possible BB Type Vet Sign...

Arizona Cardinals' Adrian Wilson among big-name cuts - NFL.com

Teams around the league are chopping down rosters and dumping salaries ahead of the NFL's three-day negotiating period for unrestricted free agents, which launches at 12:00 a.m. ET Saturday. Here's a quick look at some of the bigger names released as free agency nears.

» Adrian Wilson, Safety, Arizona Cardinals: Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler, spent the past 12 seasons in Arizona after the Cardinals made him their third-round pick in 2001. At 33, his starting days might be over, but it's not implausible that Wilson -- now part of a strong group of free-agent defensive backs -- will catch on with another club.

With Wilson's release, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that the Cardinals are deep in talks with his replacement, Rashad Johnson. The team is not expected to let Johnson, who was Wilson's backup at strong safety, get to free agency but the 27-year-old will be coveted if he does hit the open market.

6'3 230 lbs he is the perfect nickel LB that we need to cover in sub packages. Not a every down player at this point but if he doesn't command a ton of money I'd love to have him for the hybrid safety/LB position.

 

[Claremonster]

He took over where Pat Tillman left. BB wanted to sign Tillman. Here is his chance to sign his once upon a time replacement.

He could be the Rodney Harrison replacement that the Pats are so very missing!

Maybe he really wants a ring more than he wants money?

 

[Sciz]

Is another safety that's a liability in coverage really what the Pats need?

 

[JackBauer]

Is another safety that's a liability in coverage really what the Pats need?

Yeah, that's my view on it, too.

 

[Sciz]

Although, I'd gladly sign Wilson if I could afford to do so with the money saved from cutting Gregory.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Chris Gamble,Aaron Ross,Atari Bigby and Dawan Landry are 4 more DBs cut today.

There are more notable DBs to pick from this offseason than I have ever seen.

 

[JackBauer]

Although, I'd gladly sign Wilson if I could afford to do so with the money saved from cutting Gregory.

Don't we only save 900k from cutting Gregory?

I wouldn't mind making a pass at Gamble myself.

 

[Sciz]

Don't we only save 900k from cutting Gregory?

Right, so basically I'd take Wilson for the minimum

 

[Claremonster]

Right, so basically I'd take Wilson for the minimum

I still wonder what BB saw in Gregory. Eric Weddle is the guy he should have went after...even though it would have been for a lot.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Adrian Wilson available finally! 4 years too late for the Pats. Had he been added by trade back then when rumors were flying we'd be counting Brady's 5 Lombardi's.

I'd sign him if he'll take a reasonable deal. He's a pro's pro, and even a little slower than he used to be he'd make the safety foursome - McCourty, Gregory, Wilson and Wilson - fairly fearsome. It'd be a whole different feel on D. Some like, Yates from ESPNBoston, considers him still "fast" and "dynamic" and "Not a liability in coverage." I'm telling you he'd change this D almost as much as Talib did.

Add Talib and we'd be on our way. Like some others, my under the radar DB to add is Toler from AZ. Underrated and undervalued = value signing. Though with all these DB's being cut several of them are going to be unhappy about what their choices are.

 

[Brady6]

Is another safety that's a liability in coverage really what the Pats need?

I'd give him a combo of Gregory's money and Amy funds planned for the cover LB position

 

[Froob]

I'd love this. Big hitter back there would be great. Since cutting Gregory barely saves any money they may as well keep him. He's a decent player, having him as a backup would be great. Just not the best starter.

 

[mgteich]

It takes a special kind of analysis to think that Gregory isn't worth $900K to the patriots as a #3 or even #4 safety.

The open question is NOT Gregory's backup position. The open question is who will start. If Belichick is fine with McCourty and Wilson, then Gregory is a fine backup and we are set for a couple of years, perhaps with the addition of a draft choice.

We could use a STARTER free agent, if Wilson isn't the answer.

I'd love this. Big hitter back there would be great. Since cutting Gregory barely saves any money they may as well keep him. He's a decent player, having him as a backup would be great. Just not the best starter.

 

[Claremonster]

It takes a special kind of analysis to think that Gregory isn't worth $900K to the patriots as a #3 or even #4 safety.

The open question is NOT Gregory's backup position. The open question is who will start. If Belichick is fine with McCourty and Wilson, then Gregory is a fine backup and we are set for a couple of years, perhaps with the addition of a draft choice.

We could use a STARTER free agent, if Wilson isn't the answer.

Just as long as Gregory ISN'T the starter...because he ISN'T a starter. He MAY be savvy (he most likely is), but, he ISN'T a starter.

 

[mgteich]

Then, as DI has been telling us for months, we need to spend some free agent bucks on a starting safety (unless you think that Wilson is ready).

Gregory is a fine, solid, fairly priced #3 or #4 safety, who can start in case of injury. This type of player has been important in the teams' success in the Belichick era.

Just as long as Gregory ISN'T the starter...because he ISN'T a starter. He MAY be savvy (he most likely is), but, he ISN'T a starter.

 

[Sciz]

It's important to remember that cutting Gregory (or any player with at least two years left on his contract) isn't just saving the $900k (or whatever it is for a different player) this year, but saving an additional $830k next year, because the prorated bonus that would be hitting the cap then would jump to this season. If they were to designate him as a post June 1 cut (or just actually do that), then I think it'd be around $1.7M saved this season and then $830k in dead money next season.

 

[Claremonster]

Then, as DI has been telling us for months, we need to spend some free agent bucks on a starting safety (unless you think that Wilson is ready).

Gregory is a fine, solid, fairly priced #3 or #4 safety, who can start in case of injury. This type of player has been important in the teams' success in the Belichick era.

Just as long as he isn't a starter...cuz he ain't one.

 

[Claremonster]

Gregory is the Edelman of the secondary. He might have the skills (sometimes)...probably has the mental jist...but, eh...just a temporary fixture.