Free Agent Tracker -- Post FA News and Notes Here (merged)

[wickedsolo]

Here we can keep track of FA's cut & signed as well as rumors, speculation, and general tactless humor.

Colts have cut the following:
LB Zac Diles
OG Jamie Thomas
OT James Williams

Pittsburgh has cut the following:
CB Bryant McFadden
WR Arnaz Battle
TE Miguel Chavis
LB Eric Clanton


Redskins are rumored to issue the franchise tag to TE Fred Davis and potentially releasing Chris Cooley.

Chargers are rumored to be cutting OT Marcus McNeill, LB Takeo Spikes, and DT Luis Castillo.

WR Brandon Lloyd likes the Saints, but apparently wants to continue playing for Josh McDaniels. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see the guy in a Pats uniform next season.

TE Jermichael Finley and the Packers are having a tough time coming to terms on a new deal. Finley is arguing that he should be paid like a receiver because of the number of snaps he takes from the slot and wide out. Green Bay may have to use the franchise tag on him.

Dolphins WR has been lobbying for QB Matt Flynn to be brought on board via free agency. Flynn hasn't proven much, but he knows Philbin's offense and he could cash in like Schaub and Kolb before him.

Could Kyle Orton end up back in Chicago?

Supposedly the Vikings are very interested in Stevie Johnson.

With the emergence of Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks may try to consider getting out from under Sidney Rice's contract this off-season. It would help them re-sign some key players like LB David Hawthorne, DT Red Bryant, and RB Marshawn Lynch.

[Americanmade2012]

I wouldnt mind signing manningham if the price is right I dont think he is going back to NY to be honest

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I wouldnt mind signing manningham if the price is right I dont think he is going back to NY to be honest

Manningham makes some plays, but I have a co-worker who is a huge Giants fan and he absolutely HATES Manningham...says he is constantly running incorrect routes and leaving Manning out to dry.

[Iscull]

The funny thing is Rice was a hot commodity a year ago. I will admit to being on his bandwagon for coming to Charm City. It may be reasonable now considering he will get a completely ungaurenteed contract due to all of his injuries. If healthy it could be a steal. McNeill would be an awesome pickup.

[Lime in the Coconut]

We need a big WR with good hands. Not saying Manningham isn't good, but I think we look towards the draft. Who is out there for OL in FA? Also any decent ILB's?

[Irish Raven]

And so the Steeler purge begins

Steelers released CB Bryant McFadden and WR Arnaz Battle.

Combined, the moves give the cap-strapped Steelers $3,537,500 more to work with in terms of base salary. McFadden, 30, plummeted down the depth chart in 2011, falling behind Ike Taylor, William Gay, and Keenan Lewis. He could resurface as a nickel or dime back elsewhere, but has been picked on frequently in recent seasons. The 32-year-old Battle was only a special teams player.

It'll be a long month in Pittsburgh for Kevin Colbert and the FO for sure

Just me playing Madden in my head but I see McFadden in Buffalo. No backup for this, just seems a good solution for player and team

[Americanmade2012]

Manningham makes some plays, but I have a co-worker who is a huge Giants fan and he absolutely HATES Manningham...says he is constantly running incorrect routes and leaving Manning out to dry.

maybe he is but imo he catches the crucial ball and steps up in big games when he needs too. which is a plus but like every player there are negatives.

[HoustonRaven]

The funny thing is Rice was a hot commodity a year ago. I will admit to being on his bandwagon for coming to Charm City. It may be reasonable now considering he will get a completely ungaurenteed contract due to all of his injuries. If healthy it could be a steal. McNeill would be an awesome pickup.

Which Rice are you talking about? Because if you're talking about Ray Rice, what injuries has he had? Has even missed any pro games?

[leachisabeast]

We need a big WR with good hands. Not saying Manningham isn't good, but I think we look towards the draft. Who is out there for OL in FA? Also any decent ILB's?

D'Qwell Jackson, Browns MLB, I can only dream about getting him.

[ActualSpamBot]

Which Rice are you talking about?

Sidney.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.369117,-76.761199

[HoustonRaven]

Sidney.

Oooooohh. Thanks!

[Dragz]

D'Qwell Jackson, Browns MLB, I can only dream about getting him.

Yeah, its gonna stay a dream too... As far as wide receivers, we'll be looking for a #3 guy, probably one with some height on him. I'm thinkin they'll draft a guy. They want Joe to have HIS wide receivers, that he'll gel with.

[wickedsolo]

Here is Walter Football's free agent rankings...I'll toss some of the realistic guys up here...

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents.php

Back up QB possibilities (if they want to carry 3)
Shaun Hill, 32 yrs old (6'2" 225lbs)
Luke McCown, 31 yrs old (6'4" 215lbs)

RB possibilities
Mike Tolbert, 26 yrs old (5'10" 245lbs)
Kevin Smith, 25 yrs old (6' 220lbs)
Jason Snelling, 28 yrs old (5'11" 240lbs)
Ryan Grant, 29 yrs old (6' 215lbs)

WR possibilities
Laurent Robinson, 27 yrs old (6'2" 200lbs)
Robert Meachem, 27 yrs old (6'2" 215lbs)
Josh Morgan, 27 yrs old (6' 215lbs)
Eddie Royal, 26 yrs old (5'10" 185lbs)
Plax Burress, 35 yrs old (6'5" 230lbs)
Jericho Cotchery, 30 yrs old (6' 210lbs)
Early Doucet, 26 yrs old (6' 210lbs)
Steve Smith, 27 yrs old (5'11" 195lbs)

TE possibilities
John Carlson, 28 yrs old (6'5" 255lbs)
Leonard Pope, 28 yrs old (6'8" 275lbs)

OT possibilities
None

OG possibilities
Evan Mathis, 30 yrs old (6'5" 305lbs)
Mike Brisiel, 29 yrs old (6'5" 300lbs)
Jeremy Zuttah, 26 yrs old (6'4" 308lbs)
Kasey Studdard, 27 yrs old (6'3" 305lbs)

OC possibilities
Chris Myers, 30 yrs old (6'3" 299lbs)
Samson Satele, 27 yrs old (6'3" 300lbs)
Dan Connolly, 28 yrs old (6'4" 312lbs)

Pass Rusher possibilities
Robert Mathis, 31 yrs old (6'2" 245lbs)
Trevor Scott, 28 yrs old (6'5" 255lbs)
David Ball, 31 yrs old (6'6" 280lbs)
Ahmad Brooks, 27 yrs old (6'3" 260lbs)

MLB possibilities
Dan Connor, 26 yrs old (6'2" 235lbs)
Chase Blackburn, 29 yrs old (6'3" 258lbs)
Barrett Ruud, 29 yrs old (6'2" 245lbs)
Kirk Morrison, 30 yrs old (6'2" 240lbs)

Safety possibilities
Thomas DeCoud, 26 yrs old (6'2" 195lbs)
James Sanders, 28 yrs old (5'10" 210lbs)

[Jeremiah W]

Here is Walter Football's free agent rankings...I'll toss some of the realistic guys up here...

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents.php
(5'10" 210lbs)

Mario Williams, DE, Texans. Age: 27.
One of the top pass-rushers in the NFL will be allowed to hit the market because the Texans have other great rush linebackers. I'm not big on building through free agency, but teams should be selling their souls to get Williams on their roster.

Jared Gaither, OT, Chargers. Age: 26.
Jared Gaither was amazing down the stretch in relief of Marcus McNeill. If Gaither is completely over his back issues - a big if - then he'll be one of the best tackles in football going forward. Having said that, he'll be a risky signing for any team because his back could flare up without warning.

D'Qwell Jackson, ILB, Browns. Age: 28.
D'Qwell Jackson is really good if he's healthy. He played in just six total games in 2009 and 2010, but he dominated in 2011 because he was finally able to stay on the field.

Calais Campbell, DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 26.
You could argue that aside from Justin Smith, Calais Campbell is the best 3-4 defensive end in all of football. Campbell has no weaknesses; he's a ferocious pass-rusher, he blocks kicks, and he can even drop into coverage pretty well. And he'll be 25 until Sept. 1.

few of the less realistic, but much more fantastic options from that list.

[NCRAVEN]

maybe he is but imo he catches the crucial ball and steps up in big games when he needs too. which is a plus but like every player there are negatives.

You might wanna watch some Giant's games this year.

He made the biggest catch they needed him to, but he dropped SEVERAL others.

[GOTA]

D'Qwell Jackson, Browns MLB, I can only dream about getting him.

Jackson and Ray Lewis are very close. Maybe Ray can convince him to come to the dark side.

[Iscull]

Kirk Morrison is the man. Would be a great stop gap for a few years until we find our next star backer. Definitely wouldn't mind him playing next to ray for next season though.

[Iscull]

Which Rice are you talking about? Because if you're talking about Ray Rice, what injuries has he had? Has even missed any pro games?

Yeah Sidney Rice, haha sorry for the vagueness.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

maybe he is but imo he catches the crucial ball and steps up in big games when he needs too. which is a plus but like every player there are negatives.

I'm just passing along word from a guy who has watched every single Giants game.

He STILL is not a fan of Manningham...he was thrilled when he got hurt and Cruz took his spot.

I think he has a lot of talent, but I'm not big on a guy who will be running wrong routes and causing INT's.

[NC Raven]

My preferences/choices at WR:

Steve Smith - a long time favorite. I thought he was the best overall WR in college when he came out.

Eddie Royal - could be undervalued after doing time in Orton/Tebow Hell, so a potential good value. Is a good playmaker, strong, fast and a good returner. Would be an upgrade at return-man, and be a good 3rd (and even second) option, to where we could play him outside and move Boldin into the slot for matchup purposes. That would look very nice IMHO.

Cotchery - liked what I saw of him this year. Had sticky hands when I saw him anyway. Smart now, a vet. At 6' 1" he seems to play a little bigger than he is, and may satisfy the need for a "bigger" WR. IMHO that's not important, what's important is getting open and catching the damn ball. Being 2 inches taller than a DB, but not actually open, is of little value. That said, Jerricho knows how to actually get open, so I think he could be a good addition.

Josh Morgan - good hands, very strong and does OK after the catch. Moves the chains as a good possession receiver. Could do a job as another Mason type if that's what we want. 49ers will probably want to keep him though. Hard to say.

Domnik Hixon? I always liked him but have no idea what he has left after a couple of bad injuries. He's a great return man and is actually 6'2" and makes some sick circus catches (when healthy). Great concentration and hands, though I don't know if that's consistent or just highlight. Still, I'm not seeing much written about him and he's not listed anywhere close to the top FA WR's out there. Maybe gettable for the right incentive-laden deal.