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

[Jeremiah W]

No way Calais Campbell signs for only 1.5 million, he'll probably start at 3 times that

It was enough for Chow Yun Fat in the Killer.

[wickedsolo]

Titans resigned back up OT Mike Otto.

They also resigned TE Craig Stevens earlier in the season.

[arnie_uk]

Isn't the main problem when in a couple of years when these guys production drops, or injurys catch up with them (looking at Troy P, Ben and Harrison inparticular) and you want to cut them to blood new guys or whatever you will carry a lot of dead cap because they are essentially extending them to more years and giving them a large signing bonus which is pro rataed over the years with less yearly salary, which lowers their cap figure for this year, possibly next year, but after that will come back and bite them?

Didnt the ravens do this once and then had to make a tonne of cuts and carried aload of dead weight for a year or two?

Hmmm, if Khan was such a cap genius, then why were they $25M over the Cap?

Look, I don't think they are going to have as much trouble getting under the cap as others do, but there are still two things that shouldn't be overlooked that will come out of this situation:

1. To clear cap space, they are going to have to restructure a lot of deals. Some of those deals are deals that they just restructured last year. The more you have to restructure deals, the more you are burning up future Cap space. Yes, it's necessary and helps now, but it comes at the expense of future cap space and can create a continuing cycle of restructures. So, having to do so, so substantially, in back to back years is not a good sign.

2. Even once they restructure a bunch of guys and release a bunch of guys, they still aren't going to have much space to work with. Because of that, it's going to be hard to replace those guys with quality replacements. They are going to have to rely on young players, rookies and undrafted players. If injuries happen and those guys are able to step up, they'll be OK. If not, they'll have a very thin back end of the roster and they'll suffer.

[JAB1985]

I just found out the Oakland center Samson Satele is a FA, he is very underrated, and could be someone we should certainly look at, he probably wouldn't demand too much money either seeing as he isn't a high profile player or anything.

He was listed a couple times earlier. i think hell be our "leach" signing this year. He might be the best FA C available but definitely not a splashy position, and therefore relatively cheap.

Hmmm, if Khan was such a cap genius, then why were they $25M over the Cap?

Look, I don't think they are going to have as much trouble getting under the cap as others do, but there are still two things that shouldn't be overlooked that will come out of this situation:

1. To clear cap space, they are going to have to restructure a lot of deals. Some of those deals are deals that they just restructured last year. The more you have to restructure deals, the more you are burning up future Cap space. Yes, it's necessary and helps now, but it comes at the expense of future cap space and can create a continuing cycle of restructures. So, having to do so, so substantially, in back to back years is not a good sign.

2. Even once they restructure a bunch of guys and release a bunch of guys, they still aren't going to have much space to work with. Because of that, it's going to be hard to replace those guys with quality replacements. They are going to have to rely on young players, rookies and undrafted players. If injuries happen and those guys are able to step up, they'll be OK. If not, they'll have a very thin back end of the roster and they'll suffer.

Thats the point I keep trying to make. releasing quality vets that are backups is fine and all, but youre not replacing them with the same talent. one injury and instead of replacing the guy with a 8 year vet, youre replacing him with a undrafted rookie. Its not so much that theyre just backups but that depth is such a huge issue in this league. Also, lets be honest, the Steelers needed that depth last year and didnt have it, even with those proven players. They simply dont draft as well as we do, and shouldnt be expected to rebuild on the fly either.

[GOTA]

Satele can't run block to save his life. He's a good pass blocker but his run blocking is so terrible that you can't sign him.

If the Ravens really wanted a free agent Center the guy to sign is Chris Myers of the Texans. That guy is something else. The only question is would he be as effective outside of that strict zone scheme they run?

[wickedsolo]

Satele can't run block to save his life. He's a good pass blocker but his run blocking is so terrible that you can't sign him.

If the Ravens really wanted a free agent Center the guy to sign is Chris Myers of the Texans. That guy is something else. The only question is would he be as effective outside of that strict zone scheme they run?

Chris Myers is also 31 years old. Something to think about.

[JAB1985]

Satele can't run block to save his life. He's a good pass blocker but his run blocking is so terrible that you can't sign him.

If the Ravens really wanted a free agent Center the guy to sign is Chris Myers of the Texans. That guy is something else. The only question is would he be as effective outside of that strict zone scheme they run?

Ill be honest i havent seen him play as much as he was a dolphin and raider, but I think both of those teams had pretty damn good running games the years he was there.

[GOTA]

Ill be honest i havent seen him play as much as he was a dolphin and raider, but I think both of those teams had pretty damn good running games the years he was there.

Satele played at Hawaii in college and didn't even know how to run block until he came to the pros. That's why the Dolphins dumped him after just 2 years. His pass blocking is really first rate. If you think you can get by with Yanda and who ever is on the other side then he makes sense. That's tough though. It's why he's going to be on 3 teams in just 6 years.

[jhoff66]

I could see the Ravens getting Chris Myers, he would kind of fit the role Matt Birk did when he came from the Vikings. An aged lineman who is on the top of his game but downside of his career. To me I would rather have a veteran Center now then pick a unproven one in the draft. To important of a position, plus maybe Vonta Leach can persuade him in coming...

[wickedsolo]

Bills and Titans have already invited corner Stanford Routt to their facilities.

Tennessee could be considering options and letting Cortland Finnegan go. Supposedly Finnegan wants to reunite with Jeff Fisher in St. Louis.

Raiders could also be looking to cut ties with Michael Huff and potentially Kameiron Wimbley.


The Redskins would obviously like to land Peyton Manning, but Kyle Orton might be their real target.

[GOTA]

I just can't see Peyton Manning in Shanahan's offense. Talk about a round peg being forced into a square hole. Can anyone see Manning running naked bootlegs?

[JAB1985]

Satele played at Hawaii in college and didn't even know how to run block until he came to the pros. That's why the Dolphins dumped him after just 2 years. His pass blocking is really first rate. If you think you can get by with Yanda and who ever is on the other side then he makes sense. That's tough though. It's why he's going to be on 3 teams in just 6 years.

That may be, and it makes sense on why they got rid of him, but if hes such a liability on rushing, i dont think youd see the overall success those teams have had. Hes a big young body at a position of need. theyll at least kick the tires.

I just can't see Peyton Manning in Shanahan's offense. Talk about a round peg being forced into a square hole. Can anyone see Manning running naked bootlegs?

agreed. not a fit at all. Peyton needs complete control and so does Shanahan. I see Peyton going to a team like the dolphins, broncos, 49ers, or jets. im not sure anyone else is close enough to warrant his attentions.

[GOTA]

That may be, and it makes sense on why they got rid of him, but if hes such a liability on rushing, i dont think youd see the overall success those teams have had. Hes a big young body at a position of need. theyll at least kick the tires.

The Ravens did look at him, at least that was the rumor, when the Dolphins were looking to trade him. The Dolphins under Cam drafted Satele in the 2nd round. 2 years later Parcells dumped him for a conditional pick that if I remember ended up being a 6th rounder. If the Ravens didn't want him for cheap then I doubt they'll be interested now.

[The Excellector]

If Fisher can bring in Finnegan, that would be one less CB for him to worry about.

[BigRob]

Hmmm, if Khan was such a cap genius, then why were they $25M over the Cap?

Look, I don't think they are going to have as much trouble getting under the cap as others do, but there are still two things that shouldn't be overlooked that will come out of this situation:

1. To clear cap space, they are going to have to restructure a lot of deals. Some of those deals are deals that they just restructured last year. The more you have to restructure deals, the more you are burning up future Cap space. Yes, it's necessary and helps now, but it comes at the expense of future cap space and can create a continuing cycle of restructures. So, having to do so, so substantially, in back to back years is not a good sign.

2. Even once they restructure a bunch of guys and release a bunch of guys, they still aren't going to have much space to work with. Because of that, it's going to be hard to replace those guys with quality replacements. They are going to have to rely on young players, rookies and undrafted players. If injuries happen and those guys are able to step up, they'll be OK. If not, they'll have a very thin back end of the roster and they'll suffer.

When have the Steelers ever been in salary cap hell? Look how they have always managed the cap. They never have a ton of cap room because they draft well, re-sign their players, and only bargain shop in free agency. They also clip veterans past their prime, as they are going to do this year.

Couple that with the dramatic increase in the salary cap in the next two years after this one and you will see why they are taking advantage of restructures. The cap is projected to be above 140 million in two years.

The Ravens and Steelers are two very good organizations who occasionally make a hiccup (i.e. Mcgahee) and still overcome it. I wouldn't count on either of these organizations not battling it out like crazy over and over again.

Secondly, whoever said the Steelers didn't have depth. You really need to investigate before making those claims. The Steelers had severe injury issues this year. They had a ton of back-ups step in and contribute to a 12-4 season.

Omar Khan/Kevin Colbert are widely known as one of the best front office duo's in the league along with Ozzie/Decosta.

[JAB1985]

Secondly, whoever said the Steelers didn't have depth. You really need to investigate before making those claims. The Steelers had severe injury issues this year. They had a ton of back-ups step in and contribute to a 12-4 season.

I did. because at the end of the year they werent a 12-4 team. Winning is all that matters and they got to 12-4, but they honestly were the most overrated 12-4 team ever. One player kept them in it, and it wasnt for lack of their line trying to kill him. Roethlisberger basically made a 6-10 team go 12-4. well he Brown and Wallace.

[BigRob]

Tebow says hey.

Cundiff would say hey back, but he's still choking right now.

[wickedsolo]

Ok, can we get the playground banter onto another thread fellas?

[HoustonRaven]

The yinzer has been warned officially.

Wicked is right .... Let's get back on topic.

If the troll smack talks again, let us know.

[BigRob]

The yinzer has been warned officially.

Wicked is right .... Let's get back on topic.

If the troll smack talks again, let us know.

Hilarious.