16 FA - CT25, Jr., Ribs, Blackmon, LJLP, Colt, Ked, Foster, Nacho re-sign! JOSH NORMAN, Booth, Toler, Vern, Garvin, Bruton, Reyes sign!

[Epochalypse]

I wouldn't get your hopes up for a lot of free agency activity or big names.  I think it will be even more low-key than what we saw last year.  The vets Scot brought in last year were just as much about bringing in a different locker room mentality as they were about filling some holes.  Even then we kind of went bargain shopping.  I think we see that continuing even moreso this offseason.  Relying on our own guys to develop into starters, relying on drafting well, and just picking up some solid, team guys in free agency as an augmentation, not as key instant upgrades.  More as competition for the guys already here.

[Morrison J]

Eric Berry would prob be my no.1 target. Premier safety in this league and drafting safeties is a crapshoot and seems to only be getting more difficult.

[SemperFi Skins]

Miller and Jeffrey would be awesome. What do you guys think about Eric Berry? I don't get to watch a lot of KC games, but have read he's been doing well this year. Poor safety play has plagued us for years. So maybe he helps curb that for a couple of years while we search for an answer in the draft?

You get Eric Berry and you don't have to search for answers in the draft. He's a top Safety in the league...

[SkinsTillIDie]

Just going to throw this out there as an alternative theory to our free agency plans.  

This report came out a couple weeks ago and thought it was rather bizarre at the time:
 

The recent ownership meeting resulted in a decision by the NFL to allow compensatory draft picks to be traded, for the first time ever.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the proposal as submitted called for the change to be made in 2016. That prompted Washington executive V.P. of football operations Bruce Allen to argue passionately that it would be unfair to make the change effective in 2016, and that it should first change in 2017.

The argument worked; compensatory picks can be traded in 2017. It’s unclear why Allen argued so aggressively against it. And that’s what we’re currently trying to find out.

 

Keenan Robinson, Alfred Morris, Junior Galette, Terrance Knighton are all upcoming free agents. (though I expect Galette and Knighton to be back). I'm not certain about RGIII's status -- I don't know if he's considered a free agent if we choose to not bring him back, given his contract option.

But if we don't add high priced free agents, and guys like Keenan Robinson and Alfred Morris move elsewhere and produce as starters, we'll be owed 2017 compensatory picks. If RGIII factors and starts elsewhere, we'll likely be due a 3rd round pick. If Robinson, Morris, Galette, and Knighton all move on and we aren't big players in free agency, we'll almost be guaranteed multiple high compensatory picks.

We all know McCloughan wants to build through the draft. I think 2015 will prove be an anomaly, where he wanted to remake the lockerroom and add essential depth to areas where Shanahan + Allen had left us barren. We're significantly deeper now than we were a year ago; we've got a strong, resilient lockerroom with veteran leaders in every position group.

I think it's possible that picking up free 3rd and/or 4th rounders in 2017 could be part of his long-term strategy by not being significant players in free agency in 2016.

[TSO]

Ivory fits McCloughan to a T but I think you'd be crazy to risk giving him a FA contract...he's had too many injuries and his style is too violent. If you could get him reasonably, sure. He punishes defenses and is a blast to watch. 

 

Yeah, he's slowed down considerably the last half of the season. Have to wonder if he's already on that decline those style of RBs hit so suddenly. 

[Skinsinparadise]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000602742/article/leveon-bell-todd-gurley-among-young-backs-to-build-around

 

Top Young Running Backs to Build Around

 

8) Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins

 

Age: 24. Games: 13. Rushing yards: 769. Rushing TDs: 7. Yards per carry: 5.1. Rec. yards: 346.

A fourth-round pick in the 2012 running back disaster draft (see the intro), Miller may prove to be the best back taken that year, even though seven others were taken before him. Miller is capable of 1,000 rushing yards and 50 receptions, but has to get better at pass protection if he is going to move up the list.

​

 

 

I've watched a lot of Dolphins games, I like Miller.  They don't really use him to the hilt.   I know its been discussed but we desperately need a decent blocking TE.   I never dreamed not having a guy like that to step in after the TE injuries -- would have such a major negative impact on the running game. 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/sfl-hyde5-five-dolphins-things-to-see-vs-chargers-lamar-20151218-story.html

Here are five things you want to see against San Diego:

1. Lamar Miller to get the ball late. The Dolphins are doing Miller a favor of sorts by assuring he’s not over-used as he heads to free agency. There’s a shelf life to running backs and he’ll hit his second contract without being used up. He’s tied for third in yards-per-carry (5.1) , but 22^nd in carries (167). So everyone clamoring for him to get the ball more is right. But my thought is to give him the ball more not just because he’s the Dolphins’ best weapon right now (they don’t have many on offense) but because I want an answer about something. Here’s the mystery stat about Miller: He averages 2.8 yards a carry in the fourth quarter. Everyone pining for him to get the ball more (including me) has to explain that one. He has just 25 carries in the fourth quarter – half of the 50 in the first quarter. Some of that’s for obvious reasons like trailing and having to throw the ball. Some is they seem to forget about him, too. Still, how do you explain his yard-per-carry output by quarters being 5.4, 6.9, 4.4 and 2.8? Does he tire (his lone fumble is in the fourth quarter, too)? Is the sample size too small? I don’t know. So you want to see more of Miller these last three games in part because he’s the best weapon on the offense right now. But you also want to see it to see if he can become more productive in the final quarter than his numbers suggest.

[Sacks 'n' Stuff]

Lamar "Grandpa" Miller is already 24. His old ass will be in the home in a year or two.

[TSO]

The recent ownership meeting resulted in a decision by the NFL to allow compensatory draft picks to be traded, for the first time ever.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the proposal as submitted called for the change to be made in 2016. That prompted Washington executive V.P. of football operations Bruce Allen to argue passionately that it would be unfair to make the change effective in 2016, and that it should first change in 2017.

The argument worked; compensatory picks can be traded in 2017. It’s unclear why Allen argued so aggressively against it. And that’s what we’re currently trying to find out.

 

 

I just saw this... that is absolutely fascinating, thanks for sharing.

 

My theory?  Brilliant move on Allen's part, because quite a few of us have been saying Scot will likely begin attempting to net us compensatory picks by letting some of those one year deal guys go elsewhere for big money, which would mean we'd obtain them in the 2017 draft.

 

Of course, he can't argue the point in that manner... so I'm pretty confident what he did was argue "passionately" that it'd be unfair to allow them to be traded this year since that'd mean their values generally increase as assets to an organization (now that they're trade-able), and that'd be unfair to organizations that weren't making it a priority last year (allowing FAs to leave) while any organization that did make it a priority will now benefit two-fold just because they got lucky this decision was made now.

 

So, essentially, let it happen next year while all teams can benefit this offseason by prioritizing it if they so choose.       

 

Good job, Bruce. 

[RemoveSnyder]

Didn't see the NY - CAR game, but if Josh Norman pestered and frustrated Beckham to the level people have been talking about, that might be worth its weight in gold as an annual 2-game divisional matchup. 

 

 

Obviously you'll likely never get great value and great output on any CB free agent contract. 

[FuriousOne2K]

If we don't resign Alf. I think we should go after Lamar Miller. Him and Jones would be an epic RB duo.

[FuriousOne2K]

Eric Berry would prob be my no.1 target. Premier safety in this league and drafting safeties is a crapshoot and seems to only be getting more difficult.

 

word. him and duke would be a good safety combo...if duke could stay healthy. I'm sure berry would want over 10 mill tho.

[Voice_of_Reason]

If I was GMSM, after signing some of our own (and I would bring back Pot Roast, you have to pay Kirk, and there are a few other folks who will need contracts), I would spend all of my attention on DL.  Knighton coming back is huge (literally), but they just need more from their DEs.  And they need to get younger.  Hatcher is just not going to be able to last the year, and while I like RJF, and Paea, we need more youth there.  

 

I would also bring in about 10 TEs, with the assumption that 8 of them will be on IR by the time TC starts.  And I would look at depth on the OL, specifically in the interior. 

 

If there was a really good FA option for ILB, I'd look there too.  I wouldn't really dabble at CB, Safety, RB, WR, QB (though they'll need to sign somebody at some point as a backup, but I think more likely that they'll draft a guy).

 

 

Didn't see the NY - CAR game, but if Josh Norman pestered and frustrated Beckham to the level people have been talking about, that might be worth its weight in gold as an annual 2-game divisional matchup. 

 

 

Obviously you'll likely never get great value and great output on any CB free agent contract. 

I don't think that you spend big money on a CB.  They have Breeland, and Dunbar is coming along nicely, getting a lot of experience, as is Blackmon.  You have Culliver on IR.  And you have the draft.  I think this is an area where you try and pick up depth, and don't over-spend.  And you assume that all of the guys playing this year are going to be better next year.  Especially Dunbar, who has played CB for exactly 14.5 seconds...

 

If we don't resign Alf. I think we should go after Lamar Miller. Him and Jones would be an epic RB duo.

I can't imagine GMSM paying a dime in FA for a RB.  There are too many good RBs that you can get in the draft, and they already have Jones.  I can't remember Thompson's status, but I would expect him to be back.  And I expect them to draft and sign an UDFA or two to fill out the position.  

 

word. him and duke would be a good safety combo...if duke could stay healthy. I'm sure berry would want over 10 mill tho.

Safety is a question.  Is DHall really an answer there? He's been up and down, and down more than up.  But you have Duke on IR, and Goldston.  Not saying you couldn't upgrade, but I don't think that they are going to want to spend a ton of money here.  They might, however, spend a pretty high draft pick if they see somebody they like.  

 

Yeah, he's slowed down considerably the last half of the season. Have to wonder if he's already on that decline those style of RBs hit so suddenly. 

I just see no reason to ever sign a FA running back, unless you are in mid-season and every one of the ones you had are injured. One exception would be a guy who'd proven that he's a really great blitz-pickup guy, and can help as a 3rd down back.  That's tough for rookies and second year guys... 

 

You get Eric Berry and you don't have to search for answers in the draft. He's a top Safety in the league...

See earlier.  I think too much money, and they have options on the team.  

[Conn]

I think the one semi-high priced "typical" Redskins signing I'd be okay making would be if Calvin Johnson is cut. 

 

Yes, he's struggled with injuries the last couple years. But he's rarely been on a winning team, not sure he's ever made the playoffs, and he's NOT the type of player to get soft and complacent after switching teams and getting paid...plus he's already had a $100M contract. He's the type of player that would be a killer locker room addition and would work his ass off to win.

 

If Alshon Jeffery isn't on the market and Calvin is cut (due to his ridiculous cap number and the Lions probably starting over in the FO and coaching staff department) I'd definitely want us to take a look.

 

Many would scream bloody murder because its such an early-2000's Redskins move to make...but we actually have a QB now who needs help, and I guarantee Garcon is gone next year.

 

Leaving us with Desean (most likely) and Crowder at WR and an injury-prone Reed at TE.

 

Calvin, even as he gets older, is exactly the type of personality and talent you DO spend a bit on to get a certain skill-set on the team. His jump ball/RZ ability is beyond anything we have on the roster and he could be worth it. Especially with Cousins developing like he is...he's the type of QB that would sling it up for Calvin, unlike Stafford the last few years, who totally lost his balls somewhere along the way. Calvin is the type of guy that plays right into Cousins' skill-set.

[SkinsTillIDie]

Why in the world would a guy like Calvin Johnson sign with us? Why would he pick us, over, say, New England? Or any other team that's a Super Bowl contender? Or a place where he might receive more than 5 targets a game?

 

And I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near guaranteeing that Garcon will be gone. Contrary to popular opinion, I'd bet he'll be back at a reduced rate -- or be allowed to test the market, with a good chance he'll see that he won't get a better deal elsewhere, opting for continuity and to see the benefits of what we're building (at, say, $4 million a year).

 

We can all agree DeSean's unlikely to play 16 games. Even 10 games is an uncertainty.

 

Ross and Grant haven't shown they're anywhere close to being better than #3 or #4 outside options, and there's no way we go into the season expecting them start (let alone make plays for us consistently).

 

Even if we draft a receiver, I doubt we'll pencil him in to start -- just look at Preston Smith's development. Andre Roberts was above Crowder at the beginning of the season. But more to the point: the draft happens after free agency. Maybe we cut Garcon if we draft a first round receiver. Maybe. I'd bet that McCloughan would favor training camp competition, and depth, and would want that rookie receiver to learn from Garcon more than anything.

 

Simply put, Garcon is a tough, exceptionally competitive veteran wide receiver on a team that doesn't have any others like him. He's selfless, he blocks, he doesn't complain when he's only getting 3 or 4 targets a game. Find me a better, younger free agent receiver who will do all those things.

 

McCloughan is a loyal guy who deeply values those who have performed for him and have sacrificed for him. It's the Vinny Cerrato way to look for the shiny new object elsewhere and assume some very simple equation that doesn't take things like chemistry or off-the-field realities into account -- 'good receiver over there will be immediately good receiver over here.'

 

And another point -- McCloughan went to great lengths to ensure we had good veteran leadership in every position group. Getting rid of Garcon means DeSean is the only veteran in that group. And for all the  Alshon Jeffrey fanboys, forget it, the Bears aren't letting him go and they've got $60 million in cap space. And again, that's a Vinny Cerrato / Madden move.

 

This year should've taught everyone the crucial necessity of depth. And that you can find valuable contributors in places you wouldn't expect. Our best free agents weren't the most athletic guys we paid the most money to -- the Paea's, the Culliver's -- but the unheralded guys off the street. Mason Foster, Will Blackmon, Quinton Dunbar, etc.

 

Signing the big-name free agents and cutting our dependable veterans aren't the smart moves that McCloughan will invariably make.

[Conn]

Yeah, see, I predicted that that post would receive the "Vinny Cerrato" comments. I agree with a lot of what you said, it just didn't happen to contradict anything that I said, if you read the points I made.

 

You're right that the most unrealistic thing about it is "why would Calvin sign here", since he'll probably want to sign with the best contender he can. Of course, it all depends who's actually in the market for a WR1 in that price range, and our perception is improving under McCloughan, especially if we make a nice show of it in the playoffs.

 

Anyways, I get all the reasons NOT to do something like sign a Calvin Johnson. Which is why I opened my post saying that people would hate it, and he's had injury issues at times, etc. and THEN got to my points of why we might want to look into it--because its an interesting discussion about a player that fills a role in our offense that we've never had--a selfless, stand-up guy who is a hard worker and also a red zone target, jump ball specialist, and great run blocker all in one. 

 

Its just an idea, I already acknowledged all the reasons not to do it.

 

But the reality is that Garcon was exactly the guy you're describing when we signed him, and he worked out. Now he's pretty replaceable and it might be time to send him on his way in order to sign more of an impact player with a similar personality--which I agree is great for the team and in the locker room. 

 

The other thing is that it seems to me that you used my post more as a jumping off point to push your "Keep Garcon" agenda than anything else. Which is cool but its not really a conversation I'm interested in engaging in, all sides of that argument have been fully fleshed out and explored all over this forum this year and probably last, too.

[SemperFi Skins]

I still take my chances on Josh Gordon over even Megatron... Though wouldn't be disappointed with either. A new coach in Cleveland will hopefully not retain JG's rights or match an offer

[SkinsTillIDie]

Yeah, see, I predicted that that post would receive the "Vinny Cerrato" comments. I agree with a lot of what you said, it just didn't happen to contradict anything that I said, if you read the points I made.

 

...

 

The other thing is that it seems to me that you used my post more as a jumping off point to push your "Keep Garcon" agenda than anything else. Which is cool but its not really a conversation I'm interested in engaging in, all sides of that argument have been fully fleshed out and explored all over this forum this year and probably last, too.

 

Only the first couple of sentences of my post were in response to yours.

 

The rest was in the general "what are we going to do / should we do" in free agency vein. No, I don't have a "keep Garcon" agenda, and frankly, I don't care what type of conversation you're interested in engaging in, given the public nature of this forum and this thread.

 

More broadly, if I have an "agenda" of any kind, it's the perspective that this offseason, we're not going to sign ANY free agent to a big contract. We're not going to look to add any free agent on any top 30, top 40, maybe top 50 list. I think last offseason was McCloughan's splurge, a foundation-establishing anomaly, and he's going to expect his signings like Paea and Culliver to step up next year in the ways they didn't this year. To borrow a Joe Gibbs expression, I think we've established our "core Redskins" and we're going to build off that, from the draft, from within, and from retaining our own.

 

I think Garcon is an example of a veteran that many expect McCloughan to move on from, but one that we won't. And I think McCloughan will consider the return to health of guys like Luavao, Lichensteiger, Galette, and even Justin Rogers as free agent additions.

 

As I wrote above in the thread, I think the plan is to let our free agents go (RGIII, Keenan Robinson, Alfred Morris, etc.), sign big contracts and start elsewhere (Morris maybe excluded), so we can gain additional 3rd and 4th round compensatory picks in 2017. Given the enormous success we've had in those rounds in recent years (Cousins, Reed, Moses, Breeland, Jones, Crowder), and given the salary value of those picks, I think this is a better long-term bet than taking an expensive gamble on Free Agent X or Y or Z in 2016.

[Conn]

I actually hope that you're right--I've long wanted us to get into the Compensatory Draft pick game like the Ravens and Patriots. And now that we have an actual talent evaluator (and they'll be trade-able in 2017) it would be even better.

 

But I just don't think Scot will ignore FA the way people expect--I think he'll use every tool he has. 

 

Again, I hope you're right. But we might as well discuss FA as if we might actually sign FA's at this point, since we don't know.

[daveakl]

Sanu would be the type of WR we sign next year.

[Momma There Goes That Man]

I'd much rather sign Gordon over Johnson assuming we release Garçon as well.

Contingent upon protecting ourselves if that's even possible. We always say stuff like that but are there even any quality examples of a contract voiding over suspensions and such. Maybe it would be easier to pass with the players union since his next suspension is a lifetime ban. I don't know. Assuming they can, go get Gordon.

I cant imagine him playing with the coverage he would see with Reed and Jackson on the field as wells.

[Bonez3]

Is cutting Hatcher a feasible move to replace with Wilkerson. DL/MLB in need of rebuilding...

[Skinsinparadise]

Seeing Sean Lee and Kuechly take over games against us -- makes me long for the London Fletcher days.  A great MLB can really be a difference maker.  Foster and Compton are decent, Riley and Robinson have been on and off.  But I don't think we have a dominant type of MLB.  So I am going with Brandon Marshall.

 

http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_28951647/paige-winning-big-brandon-marshalls-gamble

 

Marshall could have been playing for the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. He might have been playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Marshall once was told he shouldn't be playing anywhere in pro football.

 

He will be playing Sunday for the Broncos as the No. 1-ranked inside linebacker in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He has a rating of plus-8.7. Next on the list, at 5.3, is the Jets' David Harris.

 

Although others on the league's top-rated defense have been named players of the week, or the month, Marshall is the Broncos' MCP (most consistent player).

 

After being drafted by Jacksonville in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, Brandon was cut by the Jaguars three times. The Jags considered him a JAG (just another guy).

 

"My (position) coach said I wasn't good enough to play in the league, and I should find another profession," Marshall told me. "I was determined to prove him wrong."

When he was released the last time, at the end of training camp in 2013, Marshall pondered three alternatives: quit, take an offer to join the Raiders' practice squad or sign with the Broncos.

 

"I knew Denver was stacked (at outside linebacker)," Marshall said. "They had Von (Miller) and Danny (Trevathan). I had a better chance to play with the Raiders."

But first he made a phone call to former Jaguars teammate Terrance Knighton, then the Broncos' Pot Roast.

 

"He said if I worked very hard, I'd have an opportunity with a great team, and who knows what would happen?" Marshall said.

Knighton also sold the Broncos on the young linebacker, and the Broncos added him to the practice squad Sept. 2, 2013.

 

On Dec. 23, Miller was diagnosed with a torn ACL and declared out for the postseason. Marshall was elevated to the roster Dec. 24.

 

"Greatest Christmas gift I could ever get," he said. He played in the regular-season finale and three postseason games, including the Super Bowl.

 

A year ago, Marshall was supposed to be Trevathan's backup. But Trevathan suffered a knee injury before the regular season, and Marshall became the starter at weakside linebacker as well as the defense's play-caller.

 

All he did was lead the Broncos in tackles with 110, and his ninth start was his best. He recorded 13 tackles (11 unassisted) against ... guess who: the Raiders in the Broncos' comeback victory at Oakland.

 

He added 15 more the next week and became an "overnight star."

Soon after, I was talking with Marshall and brought up the fact he was a serious contender to make the Pro Bowl.

 

"That would be incredible, especially because of what happened to me in Jacksonville," he said.

Marshall prematurely had to end the interview because that night he was hosting a clothing drive to benefit domestic violence victims, and his mom, Barbara, had arrived in town.

 

"I'm trying to make her proud of what I'm doing on and off the field," he said.

Three days later, Marshall tore up his foot in a game at San Diego. He missed the final two regular season games but returned, albeit injured, to play in the divisional round playoff loss to Indianapolis.

 

Marshall is a classy, sharp young man. Now he's a cinch 2016 Pro Bowl candidate at linebacker.

[Conn]

Is cutting Hatcher a feasible move to replace with Wilkerson. DL/MLB in need of rebuilding...

 

Wilkerson is in line for the franchise tag if they don't sign him...and if they do sign him, that's a contract we want no part of. Its going to be massive.

[Skinsinparadise]

Pot Roast has been up and down as a NT.  Damon Harrison?

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-damon-harrison-not-future-article-1.2475602

 

On Wednesday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was effusive in his praise for Harrison.

“I mean he might be the best of all of them against the run,” Belichick said. “He’s got great leverage, reads blocks well, hard to block, penetrates. He’s not just a stay-on-the-line-of-scrimmage guy. He makes plays in the backfield or knocks the blockers back into the backfield so the runner has to either give ground or cut back into unblocked guys and then they clean them up.”

[SemperFi Skins]

^^^^ we still should re-sign Pot Roast... He's part of this team now and the comradare with these guys is amazing... He can still play. Baker-Paea-Knighton should all be on this team in the rotation. I like RJF as a sub as well. Wilkerson is not coming here... he will stay a Jet.

 

Bring in someone like Malik Jackson, DE for the Broncos

 

For MLB, Demario Davis from the Jets and draft Reggie Ragland with our #1 pick