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

[wickedsolo]

Center Nick Hardwick briefly contemplated retirement, but has since determined that he still has a lot of football to play. He's a UFA, but hopes to be back in San Diego.

[wickedsolo]

LB Lofa Tatupu may be signing with the Saints this off-season after a good visit down there. Tatupu apparently had offers last year, but wanted to sit the year out, get fully healed, and back into good shape.

[leachisabeast]

To me I think the choices would be (and should be) ranked such as this:

1. Mike Tolbert - he's young, can play FB, ST's, and back up RB. Being that he's not an every down back he won't command a ton of $$$. He's also durable and can contribute as a pass catcher. Excellent short yardage/goal line back.

2. Kevin Smith - He's young, is very talented, and I think would be an excellent choice here in Baltimore as the #2 back. His durability is a major concern though.

3. Benjavaris Green-Ellis - He's also young and did you guys know that this guy has never fumbled in the NFL? That's pretty impressive. He is a power runner and a good blocker. I'd be surprised if the Pats let him go, but if they did then he would be on my target list.

4. Ryan Grant - He's on the downside of his prime and injuries are a concern, but he's a speedy guy at 225lbs. He's also got pretty solid hands.

5. Jason Snelling - he'd be last on my list simply because he's just a big back. He doesn't have great hands and he's really a north/south runner. However, he is a good blocker and has experience playing FB. John Harbaugh values player utility.



Frankly though, I see no reason why Anthony Allen can't be that #2 guy behind Ray Rice. I definitely think it's important for them to bring in competition, but Allen is a tough north/south runner with good hands and for 230lbs he's pretty quick. If you look at a lot of the "better RB's" over the last couple of years I would argue that most of them were late round draft picks and some even undrafted. All this kid needs is a chance.

Let's look at some of the better backs over the last couple of years...
Michael Turner - 5th round
Arian Foster - Undrafted
Admad Bradshaw - 7th round
Ryan Grant - undrafted
LeGarrett Blount - undrafted
DeMarco Murray - 3rd round
Fred Jackson - undrafted
Roy Helu - 4th round
Brandon Jacobs - 4th round
James Starks - 6th round


My point is that a lot of these guys were unknown at one point or another and just needed a shot.

Go and add Michael Bush to that list. Even Ray Rice and MJD where only 2nd rounders, I bet a lot of teams would want to revisit their respective draft classes and drafted them instead of whatever back they landed with.

I'm a huge fan of Anthony Allen, it's just a ton of people don't trust him because he's unproven, personally from what I've seen of him, he can get it done. Especially if we improve our Oline this year, he'd be backing up one of the best backs in the league, and running behind the best lead blocker in the league.

[wickedsolo]

Go and add Michael Bush to that list. Even Ray Rice and MJD where only 2nd rounders, I bet a lot of teams would want to revisit their respective draft classes and drafted them instead of whatever back they landed with.

I'm a huge fan of Anthony Allen, it's just a ton of people don't trust him because he's unproven, personally from what I've seen of him, he can get it done. Especially if we improve our Oline this year, he'd be backing up one of the best backs in the league, and running behind the best lead blocker in the league.

He's unproven to us. We have no idea what he's done in practices, etc.

For all we know Harbs & Company could be looking at the RB position as in good order with AA as the #2 and they'll let Berry, Lawrence, and someone else duke it out for the #3.

[JAB1985]

To me I think the choices would be (and should be) ranked such as this:

1. Mike Tolbert - he's young, can play FB, ST's, and back up RB. Being that he's not an every down back he won't command a ton of $$$. He's also durable and can contribute as a pass catcher. Excellent short yardage/goal line back.

2. Kevin Smith - He's young, is very talented, and I think would be an excellent choice here in Baltimore as the #2 back. His durability is a major concern though.

3. Benjavaris Green-Ellis - He's also young and did you guys know that this guy has never fumbled in the NFL? That's pretty impressive. He is a power runner and a good blocker. I'd be surprised if the Pats let him go, but if they did then he would be on my target list.

4. Ryan Grant - He's on the downside of his prime and injuries are a concern, but he's a speedy guy at 225lbs. He's also got pretty solid hands.

5. Jason Snelling - he'd be last on my list simply because he's just a big back. He doesn't have great hands and he's really a north/south runner. However, he is a good blocker and has experience playing FB. John Harbaugh values player utility.



Frankly though, I see no reason why Anthony Allen can't be that #2 guy behind Ray Rice. I definitely think it's important for them to bring in competition, but Allen is a tough north/south runner with good hands and for 230lbs he's pretty quick. If you look at a lot of the "better RB's" over the last couple of years I would argue that most of them were late round draft picks and some even undrafted. All this kid needs is a chance.

Let's look at some of the better backs over the last couple of years...
Michael Turner - 5th round
Arian Foster - Undrafted
Admad Bradshaw - 7th round
Ryan Grant - undrafted
LeGarrett Blount - undrafted
DeMarco Murray - 3rd round
Fred Jackson - undrafted
Roy Helu - 4th round
Brandon Jacobs - 4th round
James Starks - 6th round


My point is that a lot of these guys were unknown at one point or another and just needed a shot.

thats a nice list. cant really find much to argue with about it. Tolbert would be ideal, but i never thought hed be in their price range. My only thing is im not sure we go another young guy on the team if we have our main guy and a younger guy as it is. I think its more likely a vet "discount" deal than a young guy like your top 3 who in all honesty will demand more simply because of years left in their careers.

As far as those backs being good vs serviceable id argue that most arent the cream of the crop, outside of Foster and Jackson none have really proven themselves in consecutive years. I think they can give Allen a chance but most of those guys also showed that they were something their first year and forced the issue of playing time. I think the fact that Allen had 2 carries says a lot about what the coaches have seen of him. Id much prefer a more proven back to back up Rice and i think ozzie has shown a propensity to do so as of late. I guess well see if Stevies motto of letting the young guys play relates to RB as well.

Go and add Michael Bush to that list.

Huge Bush fan, and hes a lot on the same level as tolbert as far as a perfect fit but better in most ways. Problem is hes fully capable of being a starter and will be out of our price range for sure. Im surprised more teams werent interested last year.

[wickedsolo]

Denver Broncos will likely be using the franchise tag for kicker Matt Prater.

[jhoff66]

What about LT (Tomlinson) isnt he a FA? Might command too much money, but thats another good vet who is an excellent 3rd down back and can provide experience an tutor younger backs......

[wickedsolo]

What about LT (Tomlinson) isnt he a FA? Might command too much money, but thats another good vet who is an excellent 3rd down back and can provide experience an tutor younger backs......

He's thinking about retirement. He has a lot of wear and tear and he couldn't beat out Shonn Greene last year.

Maybe, but no thanks.

[wickedsolo]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ry/rumor-mill/

Told you guys the Texans may not be able to keep Arian Foster.

They'll tender him at a 1st round tender and if I'm the Patriots or Bengals or Packers or someone with a low 1st round pick, I'm sending it to Houston for Arian Foster.

[GOTA]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ry/rumor-mill/

Told you guys the Texans may not be able to keep Arian Foster.

They'll tender him at a 1st round tender and if I'm the Patriots or Bengals or Packers or someone with a low 1st round pick, I'm sending it to Houston for Arian Foster.

I think they keep both. Teams aren't going to give up a 1st round pick and huge money for a RB. Especially cheap teams like the Bengals and Packers. The Patriots haven't spent money on a runningback in a decade.

They have a lot of young talent and would not have problems clearing out some of the older guys to fit both under the cap. Guys like Kevin Walter, Shaun Cody and Owen Daniels are the ones who may have to go.

[wickedsolo]

I think they keep both. Teams aren't going to give up a 1st round pick and huge money for a RB. Especially cheap teams like the Bengals and Packers. The Patriots haven't spent money on a runningback in a decade.

They have a lot of young talent and would not have problems clearing out some of the older guys to fit both under the cap. Guys like Kevin Walter, Shaun Cody and Owen Daniels are the ones who may have to go.

We'll see.

The wild card is that the Texans have a starting/pro-bowl caliber back in Ben Tate, so if some team wants to offer up a 1st for Arian Foster I bet they'd gladly take it.

[GOTA]

We'll see.

The wild card is that the Texans have a starting/pro-bowl caliber back in Ben Tate, so if some team wants to offer up a 1st for Arian Foster I bet they'd gladly take it.

They probably would but I don't see any team offering that. Especially if they have to then front load a contract and commit a ton of money. Teams aren't doing that for a running back. They would rather sign 2 2nd tier guys like Green-Ellis and Tolbert for a lot less and then draft a back.

[Carey]

I think they keep both. Teams aren't going to give up a 1st round pick and huge money for a RB. Especially cheap teams like the Bengals and Packers. The Patriots haven't spent money on a runningback in a decade.

They have a lot of young talent and would not have problems clearing out some of the older guys to fit both under the cap. Guys like Kevin Walter, Shaun Cody and Owen Daniels are the ones who may have to go.

I agree, i think they'll keep both as well but if they do lose one it could be Mario if the bidding gets out of hand. Tate is a very good back, but Foster is everything he is with better vision, hands and better in pass protection. He really is a complete back

[bensmotorcyclehelmt]

As far ar RBs, I would like ot see what the Ravens backups have.
LT seems a tad old, and doesn;t give the ravens too much of a change of pace from Rice.
I'd love to get Cedrck Benson or a similar "type" of hard-runner in.
I think Cedrick is a f/A but would likely command too much as a backup. And he probably still wants to be the #1 guy.

Talking Wrs, I wonder if Sydney Rice would be cheaper now with the injury history?

[bensmotorcyclehelmt]

Wicked,
Maybe I missed it in this mamoth thread, but If you've got Tolbert and Snelling on your short list, why not consider Le'Ron McClain again?
Is it the "you can't go home again" idea or because Mikey Donuts suggested it?!

Despite mey disdain for the BS, Preston made a good point today and talent-wise, (read: versatillity) and price-wise Le'Ron may be a better deal.
?

[wickedsolo]

Maybe I missed it in this mamoth thread, but If you've got Tolbert and Snelling on that list, why not consider Le'Ron McClain again?
Is it the "you can't go home again" idea?
Because talent-wise, (read: versatillity) and price wise he may be a better deal.
?

I'm sure he is on their list somewhere, but probably not at the top.

Let's be real here, Harbaugh wants guys who want to be here and want to buy into the Ravens and that is including the offense and the defense. He's not interested in guys who are me first. Le'Ron McClain is a very talented player, but he was far too "me first" his last year in Baltimore. He wanted to run the rock, understandable, RB's make a lot more money than FB's. Even mediocre RB's make better money than some of the better FB's. It's just the nature of the position and the value it holds.

Mike Tolbert is younger, quicker, and has better hands as a receiver out of the back field.

I'd like to see the Bama'Ham come back to Baltimore, but only if he comes back on the cheap and is willing to devote himself to being the #2 RB in Cam's system. If he's not, then sorry pal. Good luck.

Look at it this way, the Chiefs were in desperate need of someone to run the rock and he carried the ball a handful of times all last season. If the Chiefs - who actually needed a RB - weren't interested in giving the ball to McClain, why would Baltimore be interested in bringing him back?

[GOTA]

I agree, i think they'll keep both as well but if they do lose one it could be Mario if the bidding gets out of hand. Tate is a very good back, but Foster is everything he is with better vision, hands and better in pass protection. He really is a complete back

Both Foster and Tate have missed whole seasons due to injury. They're going to keep both as long as they can.

[Carey]

Both Foster and Tate have missed whole seasons due to injury. They're going to keep both as long as they can.

Good point, they'll hold onto both until their hand is forced with Tate. I could see them taking a back in the mid to late rounds this year to groom

[bensmotorcyclehelmt]

Wicked, I agree 100%.
I generally don't think Leopards (or is it tigers?) change their spots, but perhaps LeRon saw the "other side" trapped in KC under Haley. Perhaps he didn't know how good he had it in Balty.

Ricky had 100 carries this year, and I'd imagine they are looking for someone to give them 150 carries max, there could be some interesting names on that list...

[wickedsolo]

Patriots are in the midst of talks with RB Benjavaris Green-Ellis.