Cap Situation and Free Agency

[lorimike]

We have one of the best cap situations in the league with 30 million to spend. 3rd most in the NFL .......http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...12-season.html...... So I think we will be quite active this offseason.

[lorimike]

This list will dwindle as teams franchise players. One that stands out for me is Karl Nicks from the Saints. http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2012G.php

[Skins7ny]

Originally Posted by lorimike

We have one of the best cap situations in the league with 30 million to spend. 3rd most in the NFL .......http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...12-season.html...... So I think we will be quite active this offseason.

One of my favorite sayings (I admit I made it up myself) is:
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should".
I think it applies here, big-time.

We should be very judicious about who we sign in free agency.
We have tried it before (cue the "definition of insanity" quote)
and gotten poor overall results. Free agency has its place in
building an NFL roster, but it should be a small piece of the puzzle,
not the primary strategy. For a team that is close (which we are not),
one or two starters per off-season is appropriate. For a young, rebuilding
team, it is okay to use free agency for a couple of young depth players (backups on other teams whom you like and sign to compete for a starting job, hope you have uncovered a hidden gem) and maybe a starter or two at hard-to-fill positions. If we spend all 30M this year, we are probably making a big mistake. We need to draft more young guys into our system, develop them, then use our cap space to retain those players when their rookie contracts expire.

That is how you ensure the long-term health of the franchise. Not by chasing after and rewarding other team's unwanted players.

[shally]

Originally Posted by Skins7ny

One of my favorite sayings (I admit I made it up myself) is:
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should".
I think it applies here, big-time.

We should be very judicious about who we sign in free agency.
We have tried it before (cue the "definition of insanity" quote)
and gotten poor overall results. Free agency has its place in
building an NFL roster, but it should be a small piece of the puzzle,
not the primary strategy. For a team that is close (which we are not),
one or two starters per off-season is appropriate. For a young, rebuilding
team, it is okay to use free agency for a couple of young depth players (backups on other teams whom you like and sign to compete for a starting job, hope you have uncovered a hidden gem) and maybe a starter or two at hard-to-fill positions. If we spend all 30M this year, we are probably making a big mistake. We need to draft more young guys into our system, develop them, then use our cap space to retain those players when their rookie contracts expire.

That is how you ensure the long-term health of the franchise. Not by chasing after and rewarding other team's unwanted players.

the template was set last year:

hard working players like Cofield, Bowen, Hightower added.. Atogwe was a good signing in theory, but he hasnt been able to get healthy. If he can, it will also be a decent move

Expect more of the same type of blue collar signings.. that is one reason i would be in favor of Colston over VJax for example

[skinsfan36]

could be as much as 43 million under after the 2011 leftover cap is transfered over or something like that. according to pcinoz who is a cap wiz.defintely room to sign a linemen or two,a corner,and a wideout. then resign keys guys like fletch,monty

[bigcmr]

I hope its doesnt become another Synder free agent spending spree. Having that much cap room and Snyder is a bad combo.

[Skins7ny]

Originally Posted by shally

the template was set last year:

hard working players like Cofield, Bowen, Hightower added.. Atogwe was a good signing in theory, but he hasnt been able to get healthy. If he can, it will also be a decent move

Expect more of the same type of blue collar signings.. that is one reason i would be in favor of Colston over VJax for example

I agree with you, there has been a sea change in our approach to free agency since Allehan came on board. I still think they overpaid for Chris Chester, who I wouldn't have signed at all, but he has certainly been a decent player, and only one of two guys who stayed active all year on the O-line. It is great that we no longer sign players who are here just to cash checks, but actually go after players who love football and work hard at it. That is one of the reasons why I still have confidence in our direction despite the mis-steps and poor results of the last two years.

Originally Posted by skinsfan36

could be as much as 43 million under after the 2011 leftover cap is transfered over or something like that. according to pcinoz who is a cap wiz.defintely room to sign a linemen or two,a corner,and a wideout. then resign keys guys like fletch,monty

I would not re-sign Montgomery. I saw him get walked back too many times last year. He was better than I expected him to be, but he is not what you want in a starter. I really would like to upgrade him even as a backup. There will be some good interior linemen available in the late rounds this year, I hope we grab one who can back up at C and hopefully OG as well.

Originally Posted by bigcmr

I hope its doesnt become another Synder free agent spending spree. Having that much cap room and Snyder is a bad combo.

One area where I think Bruce Allen has probably been effective is in keeping Danny Boy's tendencies in check. Ever since he came on board, we have been much more judicious about our choices and much more savvy in the moves we have made. I think some of it is obviously Shanahan, who wields ultimate authority in the organization, but I give Allen a lot of credit as well. We no longer get fleeced in trades, and are no known as being suckers when dealing with player agents. That is a big switch from the Dan & Vinny days, and I don't see us going back as long as Shanahan and Allen are in charge. I just hope that desperation does not set it-desperate football executive often make stupid decisions.

[skinsfan36]

Originally Posted by Skins7ny

I would not re-sign Montgomery. I saw him get walked back too many times last year. He was better than I expected him to be, but he is not what you want in a starter. I really would like to upgrade him even as a backup. There will be some good interior linemen available in the late rounds this year, I hope we grab one who can back up at C and hopefully OG as well.

.

pff named him as the best center in the nfc east and also only graded him out to have allowed one sack. if we dont keep him we better sign chris meyers. id rather have both

[smoak]

Lord please don't allow us to spend heavily in FA

[lorimike]

Originally Posted by smoak

Lord please don't allow us to spend heavily in FA

With 30 million under they will be rather active. We've just made bad choices in the past. We signed the wrong free agents. I think they will resign Fred Davis, London Fletcher, and Will Montgomery. And they'll take Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks in free agency.

[FunBunch5]

Originally Posted by lorimike

With 30 million under they will be rather active. We've just made bad choices in the past. We signed the wrong free agents. I think they will resign Fred Davis, London Fletcher, and Will Montgomery. And they'll take Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks in free agency.

I hope not VJ, too old and too many character issues. I think he will be a bum once he gets his payday.

[FunBunch5]

Originally Posted by Skins7ny

One of my favorite sayings (I admit I made it up myself) is:
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should".
I think it applies here, big-time.

We should be very judicious about who we sign in free agency.
We have tried it before (cue the "definition of insanity" quote)
and gotten poor overall results. Free agency has its place in
building an NFL roster, but it should be a small piece of the puzzle,
not the primary strategy. For a team that is close (which we are not),
one or two starters per off-season is appropriate. For a young, rebuilding
team, it is okay to use free agency for a couple of young depth players (backups on other teams whom you like and sign to compete for a starting job, hope you have uncovered a hidden gem) and maybe a starter or two at hard-to-fill positions. If we spend all 30M this year, we are probably making a big mistake. We need to draft more young guys into our system, develop them, then use our cap space to retain those players when their rookie contracts expire.

That is how you ensure the long-term health of the franchise. Not by chasing after and rewarding other team's unwanted players.

I have to call you out here, this was said by "Malcolm" in Jurassic Park. Maybe not word for word but very close and the meaning is the same. (I am just kidding around with you)

[lorimike]

Originally Posted by FunBunch5

I hope not VJ, too old and too many character issues. I think he will be a bum once he gets his payday.

Maybe Colston then. I would want Bowe but he'll be tagged. This free agent class isn't very good. Manningham's name is being thrown out there. Certainly youger but he's not a bonified #1 receiver.

[shally]

Originally Posted by lorimike

Maybe Colston then. I would want Bowe but he'll be tagged. This free agent class isn't very good. Manningham's name is being thrown out there. Certainly youger but he's not a bonified #1 receiver.

Poor Man's Santana Moss

Slot receiver, #2 at best.. Will make the rare great grab, but will also drop passes

We can do far better in free agency, and someone will overpay for him

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by shally

Poor Man's Santana Moss

Slot receiver, #2 at best.. Will make the rare great grab, but will also drop passes

We can do far better in free agency, and someone will overpay for him

The rumor is 3/20 for Manningham from DC. Pass.

As for in general: I don't care if the skins pay him 500k or 5 mil a season as long as its the right player.