2018 Free Agency Database - (Signed: WILLIAMS - McPhee - Scandrick - P-Rich) - (Lauvao, Bergstrom, Nsehke, Taylor, Z. Brown and Quick re-signed)

[HigSkin]

Smith is a dang steal if these numbers are correct!

[RWJ]

15 minutes ago, bedlamVR said:

McPhee is an interesting one - Older guy coming off a knee injury last year but by all accounts a big locker room voice (if this is not a prod to Junior I am not sure what is) - I would prefer to wait for Junior but equally I would be more confident if we could get someone in to add to the OLB rotation. - maybe a Lorenzo Carter or Josh Sweat in the later rounds. 

Read a tweet where Bears fan said his knees were shot but he's a super nice person.  I think we need to resign Galette to a 2 year deal.  JMO.

[Bonez3]

Alex Smith deal is 3 year deal, he'll unlikely see those last 2 years

[Burgold]

Kinda crazy that Smith in his fifth year is cheaper than Cousins' in his first. Usually that last year is the padding to make the signing bonuses all work.

[tmandoug1]

Getting a slight tingle in the testes for the outcome of today's meetings.......sign Hankins please....saw mock draft with Nelson going two to the Giants, big jump for him, depressing for me. 

[CommDownMan]

Just now, tmandoug1 said:

Getting a slight tingle in the testes for the outcome of today's meetings.......sign Hankins please....saw mock draft with Nelson going two to the Giants, big jump for him, depressing for me. 

 

Nelson would hurt, but if they get no QB or Barkley out of the #2 pick, I think it's at least a mild win.

 

And hopefully he'd have to match up against a line with Hankins.

[Thinking Skins]

12 minutes ago, Long n Left said:

I'm just gonna throw out a word of caution for all these posts I see saying we gotta get Hankins, and Bruce is a douche if he doesn't make this happen, or I'll quit the Skins if they don't get Hankins. There are always two sides to any negotiation.

 

Now, I'd LOVE to add Jonathan Hankins. I rate him higher than Suh based on the fact that he is 5 1/2 years younger, and very close in ability, but what if he's asking for $15 per year? Do you do THAT deal? I don't. There has to be a value line.

 

What's more than that is that I look at Hankins and compare him to what we have a number of young guys who are still developing. Even for all the slack he's getting McClain put up a really good year for Dallas 2 years ago and showed that he has the talent to be a dominant DT.

 

So I'm not going to get into the whole pro vs anti FA conversation but a part of the question has to be how good is out talent on DL and what are we likely to do in the draft? Like how good would our line be with Vita Vea or Payne right there? Or how much of a leap will these guys make? Or are we going to be going after another guy who is a potential cap casualty?

 

If we don't get him and still go after RB/ILB/OG early in the draft, I could see us going after a guy like Phillips, BJ Hill, Norton, or even Lotulelei as an late rounder or UDFA.

 

[Burgold]

Giants need to make a statement and do something no team has ever done. They need to be trail blazers!

 

New York draft a long snapper with your number 2 overall pick.

[Est.1974]

Hankins won't be straight forward if he has the same agent as last year.

[Skinsinparadise]

13 minutes ago, Thinking Skins said:

but a part of the question has to be how good is out talent on DL and what are we likely to do in the draft? Like how good would our line be with Vita Vea or Payne right there? Or how much of a leap will these guys make? Or are we going to be going after another guy who is a potential cap casualty?

 

If we don't get him and still go after RB/ILB/OG early in the draft, I could see us going after a guy like Phillips, BJ Hill, Norton, or even Lotulelei as an late rounder or UDFA.

 

 

Will see if it plays out but thus far what Doug has telegraphed is actually happening.  He has said they need a WR and DT.  Yeah they haven't signed a DT yet but I doubt they are meeting with Wilkerson and Hankins for kicks.  So Doug's words have met action thus far.  My point is if they don't sign a DT, I think mega chance they draft one early.

 

As for as the draft, he has practically put up a billboard that they are taking a RB at some point.  Finlay keeps insisting he hears they want to take a LG in the draft early.  Though, I caution on that point because we have't heard it from Doug.

 

The beauty of taking Hankins is it eases the need to take a Vea or Payne.  I'd presume if the FO was sold on the guys in house as being the complete package where they can just ride with it -- Doug wouldn't have talked up DT.   One thing I really like about Doug is he's refreshingly brutally honest.  He was even kicking in again about the running game in the Alex press conference -- I love that because I agree with him.

 

[BatteredFanSyndrome]

10 hours ago, bobandweave said:

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/leaders.htm

 

If anyone is confused Please scroll down to the stat that says sack yards lost. Notice that Alex Smith didn’t make the top 10 list. Notice that Kirk Cousins led the league in yards lost

 

Alex Smith was a free agent addition to this team. Notice that I was having a conversation about a free agent addition with a mod. 

 

Losing the QB who led the league in lost yards due to sacks for one that was 7th in the league in rushing yards for a QB

 

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/player-stat/rushing-net-yards

 

is Free Agent relevant. 

 

1. Alex Smith was not a free agent addition to this team.  He was traded for.

 

2. Not free agent relevant.

 

3. The discussion was about how other units impact the QB, which ties into free agency because we desperately need some folks that can stop the run.

 

4. You better hope 2017 starts a trend for both QBs.  Because Kirk leading the league in yards lost due to sacks is brand new, like Smith throwing the deep ball.

[HigSkin]

8 minutes ago, UK SKINS FAN '74 said:

Hankins won't be straight forward if he has the same agent as last year.

 

He is still represented by Kevin Poston.  Interesting, they only have 4 NFL clients....

 

https://thedealllc.com/clients/

[Long n Left]

15 minutes ago, Thinking Skins said:

 

If we don't get him and still go after RB/ILB/OG early in the draft, I could see us going after a guy like Phillips, BJ Hill, Norton, or even Lotulelei as an late rounder or UDFA.

 

I'll throw Poona Ford in there too. Love him as a value pick, disruptive, if smallish, NT.

[Thinking Skins]

Just now, Skinsinparadise said:

Will see if it plays out but thus far what Doug has telegraphed is actually happening.  He has said they need a WR and DT.  Yeah they haven't signed a DT yet but I doubt they are meeting with Wilkerson and Hankins for kicks.  So Doug's words have met action thus far.

Two things on this. First they haven't signed anybody so Doug's words haven't been met, unless you're happy with just bringing guys in.

 

But also I named a number of DTs who could go in rounds 3-7 or UDFA as well so it doesn't necessarily dispute the stuff from the insiders.

 

Not necessarily my strategy, but what I've seen from Bruce's drafts is that he likes to go into the drafts with as few GLARING weaknesses as possible. Its not saying that the players he signs are going to be deemed all pro or as solutions to the problems, but I look for us to sign A DT, A RB, A LG, etc. But Bruce likes to negotiate and get the right price and so we're less likely to "overpay" for a guy. Hankins, I think is more likely because of his production and his age. But that also makes him more likely to have a number of people going after him. In a way this reminds me of the Josh Norman deal a few years back where it was later in FA (this is much earlier though) and we were the first team to look at him, brought him in and he didn't leave. Maybe that will be the case. I also realize that Aarington's contract wasn't done with Bruce (was it Eric), although it was Dan. So is there still tension there?

 

Also you're placing a lot on Doug's word. Most others right now are talking about how little say he has in the FO, based on things like the report about Smith's trade that came out over the weekend. I don't want to get into that though because I don't know what is true and what is not but my main point is that there are options available to us if we do not go after Hankins.

[Skinsinparadise]

59 minutes ago, Long n Left said:

I'm just gonna throw out a word of caution for all these posts I see saying we gotta get Hankins, and Bruce is a douche if he doesn't make this happen, or I'll quit the Skins if they don't get Hankins. 

 

I get the point but it's a bit of hyperbole here on your end.  I think for most of the rabid lets sign Hankins guys -- we've been around the block enough to know just an interest in a player (especially with this FO) doesn't translate to an in the bank signing.    We are hardened to the idea that we might not get the guy.   No one is going anywhere if they don't sign Hankins.

 

59 minutes ago, Long n Left said:

 

Now, I'd LOVE to add Jonathan Hankins. I rate him higher than Suh based on the fact that he is 5 1/2 years younger, and very close in ability, but what if he's asking for $15 per year? Do you do THAT deal? I don't. There has to be a value line.

 

I rate Logan and Williams below Suh and Hankins, but if you can get one of them for $5 yearly as opposed to using up all your remaining cap space on Hankins, do you do that? 

 

He got 9 million a year last year.  And had a big year.  So I am wondering if he'd get less than that now?  Cooley's theory was yes because unlike Sheldon Richardson who can do it all -- Hankins is more of a run stopping specialist.  I guess will see.  

 

As for using all your remaining cap space on him.  It's an interesting question.  I saw someone say they got 14 million left.  Another 20 million. So I am not sure about cap room.   For me I don't care if this is the last signing.  But I am one of those over the top D line wins championship guys.  That's where I like to spend the money.  I don't care about using FA to bring in guys who are likely Jags that we might get lucky with to secure depth.  I'd rather the depth come from young guys -- drafted or undrafted Fas. 

[Thinking Skins]

3 minutes ago, Long n Left said:

I'll throw Poona Ford in there too. Love him as a value pick, disruptive, if smallish, NT.

 

Yeah, I've been looking at sleeper guys because it seems that Bruce's FOs like to go after DTs later in the draft and in UDFA and for guys they can develop. I was mad about this in 2016 when we brought in Reyes and draft Matt I. But after last year I've got to say that there is some value in this, especially if he's not going to be an every down player.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

Little confused about the cap. Spotrac and OTC have the Smith hit at $17 million from what it was supposed to be from his KC contract this year. Now it appears the hit is $18 million. But Craig Hoffman tweeted that it sounds like our cap is now at $13 million instead of $20 million or whatever as a result. But I would think it would just add $1m to this year's hit, right? Not sure where he got the $13m number (which is much lower when you take away the $6-8m for picks and in-season space)

Nevermind, Hoffman appears to have cleared it up. I was right. Adds $1m to the cap.

[SWFLSkins]

15 minutes ago, BatteredFanSyndrome said:

 

1. Alex Smith was not a free agent addition to this team.  He was traded for.

 

2. Not free agent relevant.

 

3. The discussion was about how other units impact the QB, which ties into free agency because we desperately need some folks that can stop the run.

 

4. You better hope 2017 starts a trend for both QBs.  Because Kirk leading the league in yards lost due to sacks is brand new, like Smith throwing the deep ball.

 

So you don't hold out Hope that Jay can improve what Smith started doing last year? 

[SemperFi Skins]

Titans released DT Sylvester Williams.

Williams signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal last March. He was due a $2.5 million roster bonus coming off a middling first season in Tennessee, so the Titans are moving on. Releasing Williams saves just over $3 million in cap space. Williams should resurface as a nose tackle in 3-4 schemes.

Source: Cameron Wolfe on Twitter

Mar 17 - 12:37 PM

 

The Titans released defensive tackle Sylvester Williams on Saturday, according to the NFL’s official transaction report.

 

A first-round pick of the Broncos in 2013 (his fifth-year option wasn’t exercised), the Titans signed Williams to a three-year, $16.5 million deal in 2017. As noted by the Tennessean, the move comes one day before $2.5 million of Williams’ 2018 base salary would have become fully guaranteed.

The good news for Williams is that $1.25 million of the salary already was fully guaranteed. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t sound upset about the move.

“I’m good. I believe in myself,” Williams told Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com via text message. “My best football is ahead of me.”

The Titans will absorb $2.58 million in dead money based on his signing bonus, saving roughly $3 million in cap space, per the Tennessean.

During his only year with the Titans, Williams appeared in 15 regular-season games with 11 starts. He also played in both postseason games, starting the divisional-round loss to the Patriots.

The move comes at a time when the Titans are pursuing free-agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was cut by the Dolphins before his 2018 base salary of $16.985 million became fully guaranteed.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

 

[SWFLSkins]

 

[SWFLSkins]

 

[Skinsinparadise]

5 minutes ago, Thinking Skins said:

Two things on this. First they haven't signed anybody so Doug's words haven't been met, unless you're happy with just bringing guys in.

 

He (Jay too) said WR.  They got a WR.  Doug said DT.  They are bringing in DTs.  They aren't going nuts bringing in LGs or TEs or safeties.  I think there is some method to the madness that they are bringing in DTs and nickel corners.  It can't be some odd random coincidence?

 

7 minutes ago, Thinking Skins said:

 

But also I named a number of DTs who could go in rounds 3-7 or UDFA as well so it doesn't necessarily dispute the stuff from the insiders.

 

 

I am lost as to how this point is relevant to my post.  But if your point is there is depth on the D line position in the draft, I agree.  To me though its mainly likely the 2nd round.  But maybe guys like D. Hand and others drop to the 4th will see.

 

9 minutes ago, Thinking Skins said:

 

Not necessarily my strategy, but what I've seen from Bruce's drafts is that he likes to go into the drafts with as few GLARING weaknesses as possible.

 

Not always so.  But I agree its the right philosophy.  This statement actually though sums up my theory to a tee and backs my point. 

 

10 minutes ago, Thinking Skins said:

But Bruce likes to negotiate and get the right price and so we're less likely to "overpay" for a guy.

 

Agree, and often that's good.  But sometimes IMO its not good.  The nature of FA is if you want to get a top guy you typically have to overpay.  Sometimes you regret the overpaying.  Sometimes you love it -- like Jax did with signing two monster D tackles back to back years.  You IMO have to know how to pick your spots.  And be ok with mistakes.   Probably a case in point here is Josh Norman.  No doubt we overpaid to get him.   I like him, though. 

 

I am into "overpaying" on the D line.  That's really the gist of my point.  I like bargain shopping at spots for sure.  But my point falls with yours on the 3rd tier type of FAs -- I typically don't want them.  I'd rather run with an AJ Francis over a McGee or McClain. 

 

But I'd like to get the top guys at D line.  And it doesn't have to be the top guy but somewhere in the top tier.  Hankins would fit that.   I like how Jax is using FA -- they "overpay" in the trenches.  I personally think the D line is one impact D lineman from being really good.  That's why I am fine with signing Hankins and then calling it a day and doing little to nothing else. I said the same thing about Richardson when he was floating out there.

 

18 minutes ago, Thinking Skins said:

 

Also you're placing a lot on Doug's word. Most others right now are talking about how little say he has in the FO

 

 The gist of what I keep hearing about Doug is he's in the meetings as to pro and the draft so he knows what everyone is thinking.  But Bruce is the driver of compensation in deals and makes the deals.  So for example he's the one who deduced the compensation for the RG3 trade and made it happen. 

 

We got Doug talking about DT.  We got a couple of marquee names at DT that they have met with.  We got multiple beat guys saying they liked Poe and Richardson and kicked the tires on it.  With all of that, you are still arguing whether the team really thinks they truly need to upgrade at DT?   Clearly its not all one big orchestrated act.  That's a lot of smoke to ignore.

[Audible_Red40]

2 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

They were talking about NE the other day on some show saying Belichick is a master at figuring out what players others teams have that they want to discard and how to get them for a ham sandwich and then they aggressively just go do it.

Howie Roseman is becoming the new guy on the block too.  It sucks!

[Jericho]

53 minutes ago, jsharrin55 said:

 

Nelson would hurt, but if they get no QB or Barkley out of the #2 pick, I think it's at least a mild win.

 

And hopefully he'd have to match up against a line with Hankins.

 

Yeah, I'd agree with that. When you have legit QB prospects and arguably one of the best RB prospects in years and you bypass them to take a guard, I think you'd look at that as a bad move. Sure, QBs can (and will) bust. But the Giants need a young QB in the worst way and are in a perfect position to take one. Particularly after some elements of the Giants staff (most of which now seem gone) seemed to nearly run Eli out of town last season. If the Giants don't intend to go QB (or Barkley), I think the smart move would have been to talk with the Jets and got the bounty the Colts got to move down a few spots. I know some around here were not happy with the Skins taking Scherff so high. Imagine taking a guard over a potential franchise QB or an elite RB?