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

**NC Raven** · 02-08-2012, 11:08 PM

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. Could be the right guy at the right time. That's true of several teams though. Not sure we can afford the $$.

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.

**bacchys** · 02-09-2012, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by NC Raven

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.

Eddie Royal is a possibility, imo. He's a dependable receiver who can motor some. We don't need a superstar. We need consistent route running with some speed and good hands.

Plus, he's not exactly an old guy. He's 26.

**GOTA** · 02-09-2012, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by Raveninwoodlawn

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.

All the Giants fans in my office feel the same way.

**GOTA** · 02-09-2012, 06:40 AM

Any interest in David Hawthorne for MLB? He really showed up in coverage this year with 3 picks. He's the reason why the Seahawks dumped Aaron Curry. The Seahawks really want him back but playing next to Ray is a nice draw for any player.

**wickedsolo** · 02-09-2012, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Any interest in David Hawthorne for MLB? He really showed up in coverage this year with 3 picks. He's the reason why the Seahawks dumped Aaron Curry. The Seahawks really want him back but playing next to Ray is a nice draw for any player.

I would definitely have interest in Hawthorne. I just can't see the Seahawks not re-signing him, you know?

**Dirt1** · 02-09-2012, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by bacchys

Eddie Royal is a possibility, imo. He's a dependable receiver who can motor some. We don't need a superstar. We need consistent route running with some speed and good hands.

Plus, he's not exactly an old guy. He's 26.

Plus, Eddie Royal is a slot receiver and can return punts. I think he is exactly what the Ravens need.

**JAB1985** · 02-09-2012, 07:12 AM

I like steve smith (phi). We have so much young talent at wr, albeit unproven talent, that i cant really see bringing in another younger player though. I think thats why we go FA for a wr over drafting one. Plax would be my ideal player that we need (redzone threat) but at 35 wed have to be sure he has something left to give. Smith was a good player, but 2 things. 1, is he healthy now? 2, with the rise of Victor Cruz at his same position, was his stats more system based. I still think hes a good route runner with hands, but will Cam utilize him properly if we would get him? probably not. Meachum would match Cam better, but i think the market will be higher on him than we think.

I dont think we go with a QB. back up RB would be nice to have a snelling or grant. Grant would excel in a back up roll but may be trying to get one last pay day before the big 3-0.

I love pope as a TE. hes a great blocking TE. with that size, hed be able to really help in the redzone by letting one of the other TEs slide to the slot (dickson), in which case a redzone WR would be less high of a priority.

I believe Satele is a decent option. Highly regarded prospect, hes did a good job on a really bad team and paved the way for a great OAK run game. If the price is right, id be happy with him. Also hes played G in the pros, which would give us flexibility. And with C and possibly G taken care, would allow us great options at 29.

If we get a "pass rusher" itll be through the draft. Its a premium position and Rookies are cheaper, faster, hungrier. just makes business sense.

I like Dan Connor at LB. I think hes a little undervalued. could be a good steal, but with his age, im sure other teams will be interested. If the price is right though, we could still have room for another MLB in the draft.

I think safety will be something we address in the mid to later rounds with a Dawan Landry type pick, or if we cant, a scrap heap type signing right before the season that OZzie is known for.

**pslholder96** · 02-09-2012, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Americanmade2012

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

Manningham was 3rd on the depth chart behind Nicks and Cruz. He'll probably be third on the depth chart behind Boldin and Smith if we were to sign him. In spite of his clutch performance in the Superbowl I don't see him as an upgrade in our offense.

**pslholder96** · 02-09-2012, 07:39 AM

Plaxico Burress will be a free agent as well and there are reports out there that he's interested in signing with the Eagles. I personally have no interest in signing a 34 receiver well past his prime. I don't want karma to repeat itself and witness once again a 30+ year old receiver we picked up as a free agent and see him a drop a pass in a crucial moment during a big game.

**Justlovemybirds** · 02-09-2012, 08:02 AM

V Jax expected to hit open market

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...t-open-market/

Wes Welker may get franchise tagged

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...or-wes-welker/

**GOTA** · 02-09-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Justlovemybirds

V Jax expected to hit open market

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...t-open-market/

Wes Welker may get franchise tagged

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...or-wes-welker/

What is a realistic contract for Vincent Jackson? A lot of off the field baggage to consider. I can imagine though a team like the Rams instantly upgrading their receiving corp by signing him.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 02-09-2012, 08:20 AM

I understand that we won't be breaking the bank for any top WR's, but I really beleive that we need a true #1 guy in here.

Boldin, while still good, is not that guy anymore, and while I like Torrey and his potential, we're not sure if he is going to be a #1 guy, or a good #2 yet.

It's one thing this offense is really missing...a recieving threat that other DC's have to gameplan for.

**GOTA** · 02-09-2012, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Raveninwoodlawn

I understand that we won't be breaking the bank for any top WR's, but I really beleive that we need a true #1 guy in here.

Boldin, while still good, is not that guy anymore, and while I like Torrey and his potential, we're not sure if he is going to be a #1 guy, or a good #2 yet.

It's one thing this offense is really missing...a recieving threat that other DC's have to gameplan for.

Eventually Torrey Smith is going to be that #1 guy but I don't think it's next year. I agree with you about Boldin. He's never been great at getting separation but in the past he could out fight defenders and catch anything near him. Not quite so easy to do that anymore. This is the 3rd year of his 4 year deal. Not sure he makes it to 2013.

**wickedsolo** · 02-09-2012, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

What is a realistic contract for Vincent Jackson? A lot of off the field baggage to consider. I can imagine though a team like the Rams instantly upgrading their receiving corp by signing him.

Well, you figure that Sidney Rice was the top FA last year and he signed a 5 yr, $41 million deal with $18.5 guaranteed.

I don't know that VJAX will get a 5 year deal considering he's 29 years old, but he could probably expect something in the vicinity of a 4-5 year deal averaging about $9mill/year. So...something like 4 yrs, 36 or 37 mill, with 15-18 guaranteed. Had VJax been a FA last year he would have probably gotten a significantly higher deal, but considering that there are some other significant receivers in the FA market...it's going to drive down his value tremendously.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 02-09-2012, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Eventually Torrey Smith is going to be that #1 guy but I don't think it's next year. I agree with you about Boldin. He's never been great at getting separation but in the past he could out fight defenders and catch anything near him. Not quite so easy to do that anymore. This is the 3rd year of his 4 year deal. Not sure he makes it to 2013.

People keep penciling Torrey as a #1 guy...I think that is incredibly premature.

**Knox Harrington** · 02-09-2012, 08:48 AM

I haven't seen anyone mention Reggie Wayne? He's a bit old @ 33, but still caught 75 passes last year w/ scrubs QB's throwing it to him. He's in the same mold as Torrey Smith (6'-0" 180lbs). You could reasonably bring him in here on a 1 or 2 year deal and get some production out of him.

In RE: to receiver, the Ravens really need a big red zone target IMHO. Pitta and Dickson are nice, but we need a guy that when you get down to the 2 or 3 yard line you can throw a fade to and have him catch it.

**wickedsolo** · 02-09-2012, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Knox Harrington

I haven't seen anyone mention Reggie Wayne? He's a bit old @ 33, but still caught 75 passes last year w/ scrubs QB's throwing it to him. He's in the same mold as Torrey Smith (6'-0" 180lbs). You could reasonably bring him in here on a 1 or 2 year deal and get some production out of him.

In RE: to receiver, the Ravens really need a big red zone target IMHO. Pitta and Dickson are nice, but we need a guy that when you get down to the 2 or 3 yard line you can throw a fade to and have him catch it.

I agree that they need a better receiver, but I'm more concerned with the fact that they just don't have a guy who can use routes to get open. Pitta and Dickson can run the fade.

**Knox Harrington** · 02-09-2012, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I agree that they need a better receiver, but I'm more concerned with the fact that they just don't have a guy who can use routes to get open. Pitta and Dickson can run the fade.

Well, they first need to fire the receivers coach & bring someone in here that can work w/ that unit. I think the passing offense looked more crisp when they had Derrick Mason. They absolutely need a sure handed guy that can run a 7 yard route on 3 & 7 and get open and move the chains.

I think (at least for 2012) that Reggie Wayne can be that guy. Beyond that, they're going to have to draft someone or show that Doss is ready for the show.

**Knox Harrington** · 02-09-2012, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Eventually Torrey Smith is going to be that #1 guy but I don't think it's next year. I agree with you about Boldin. He's never been great at getting separation but in the past he could out fight defenders and catch anything near him. Not quite so easy to do that anymore. This is the 3rd year of his 4 year deal. Not sure he makes it to 2013.

I'm not ever seeing Torrey Smith as the #1 guy. He is way to small to go over the middle and make crucial 3rd down catches. He best asset is his speed. Use him like the Eagles used Desean Jackson.

**GOTA** · 02-09-2012, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Knox Harrington

I'm not ever seeing Torrey Smith as the #1 guy. He is way to small to go over the middle and make crucial 3rd down catches. He best asset is his speed. Use him like the Eagles used Desean Jackson.

Torrey Smith is a little bigger than Torry Holt and they have similar body types. Holt wasn't too small to be a #1 and I don't think Smith is either. Steve Smith is a lot smaller than both and look what he's done.