So The Superbowl is Over (Unofficial 2007 NFL Draft/Free Agency Thread)

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Cowboys just signed QB Brad Johson apparently.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by JAG

The Patriots have shown interest in dealing for Randy Moss. A source said Bill Belichick believes he could motivate Moss to play and that he'd have the locker room support system to back him up, thanks to high-character veterans like Tom Brady, Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison.
-- Boston Herald


That's a bit out of left field

Somwhat. It was reported last season that the Pats thought about it too before the trade deadline after Branch was gone and things were falling apart in Oakland. I'd still rather take Darrell Jackson out of Seattle.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Sorry dude. I jumped to quick on that. I am a Titans fan and am extremely pissed off with the way they have totally ignored the FA period. Again sorry

No problem. It is a little strange that the Titans with all that cap room have stood pat. But there's still some guys out there.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Michael Smith of ESPN.com reports that the Bears have traded running back Thomas Jones to the New York Jets.

Per the report, the Bears also will send their second-round pick (No. 63 overall), and will receive the No. 37 pick in the draft, which the Jets landed via an earlier trade with the Reskins.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

Cowboys just signed QB Brad Johson apparently.

Can he hold on kicks?


Oh, and the Niners signed the greatest receiver ever to not get a fair chance. I guess sooner or later, Lelie was bound to find a team willing to not make him work to be #1.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

Michael Smith of ESPN.com reports that the Bears have traded running back Thomas Jones to the New York Jets.

Per the report, the Bears also will send their second-round pick (No. 63 overall), and will receive the No. 37 pick in the draft, which the Jets landed via an earlier trade with the Reskins.

That's a great move for the Jets.

[SFL Cat]

If the Cowboys could find some sucker to give them a boatload of draft picks for TO, I'd be a happy camper.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Patrick Kearney off to Seattle for 6-year $39.5 million contract.

The deal includes $19.5 million in guaranteed money.

[miami_fan]

The Dolphins have released Randy McMichael instead of paying him a $3 million roster bonus.

[stevew]

Peezy supposedly will head to the dolphins for 4 years and 24ish million(12m signing bonus). Suprisingly he was a lot classier than I thought in his comments about getting released.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

Welker just signed a new contract with the Pats at 5 years/18.1 million with 10.75 million in guarantees. Good fair contract. Like other Pats contracts, I imagine the guarantees are spread out over the life of the contract.

I like the Welker trade for one thing mainly. It will keep Maroney off the kickoff return duties. Sure, he was great at it, but the Pats need him to stay in shape to carry the ball...

FM

[Ksyrup]

Saints sign Brian Simmons to 3-year contract (no mention of $$).

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by JAG

The Patriots have shown interest in dealing for Randy Moss. A source said Bill Belichick believes he could motivate Moss to play and that he'd have the locker room support system to back him up, thanks to high-character veterans like Tom Brady, Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison.
-- Boston Herald

I keep seeing this rumor, and I keep thinking that the only reason I'm seeing it is because the Boston press can't get over the idea of the amount of fodder it would provide them for the next season.

[JPhillips]

Good for Simmons. He wasn't worth the money he would have made, but he's consistently been a team first guy that's moved LB positions a number of times as needed.

[Hoya1]

I'm astounded that people are ok with the Wes Welker contract. I see a lot of him as a Bills fan, and I just don't see the "gamebreaker" type player. I don't think he's worth a 2nd rnd draft pick, especially when a guy like Willis McGahee is only worth a 2nd day pick. Just my opinion. What are Dolphin fans thinking?
The guy averaged 10 yards a catch and 1 TD.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Hoya1

I'm astounded that people are ok with the Wes Welker contract. I see a lot of him as a Bills fan, and I just don't see the "gamebreaker" type player. I don't think he's worth a 2nd rnd draft pick, especially when a guy like Willis McGahee is only worth a 2nd day pick. Just my opinion. What are Dolphin fans thinking?
The guy averaged 10 yards a catch and 1 TD.

Maybe he'll turn out to be this year's Mike Furrey.

[Hoya1]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Maybe he'll turn out to be this year's Mike Furrey.

just the really expensive version

[flere-imsaho]

Furrey will be expensive soon enough.

On an unrelated note, Thomas Jones to the Jets appears to be done. As a Bears' fan (transplanted, yes), it's sad, sure, but the Bears are probably getting what they can out of him before he heads downhill. This is putting a lot on Benson, though, so I hope it works out.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Furrey will be expensive soon enough.

Furrey got paid. He got a new 3 year deal worth about $9 million with a $4 million signing bonus. Not sure if that is Wes Welker money, but it's not bad for a guy who was playing safety the year before.

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

On an unrelated note, Thomas Jones to the Jets appears to be done. As a Bears' fan (transplanted, yes), it's sad, sure, but the Bears are probably getting what they can out of him before he heads downhill. This is putting a lot on Benson, though, so I hope it works out.

As a Lions' fan I am happy with this development. Jones ran all over the Lions. While Benson may pan out and be even better than Jones, I've never been overly concerned with Benson. Hopefully this will work out poorly for the Bears.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Hoya1

I'm astounded that people are ok with the Wes Welker contract. I see a lot of him as a Bills fan, and I just don't see the "gamebreaker" type player. I don't think he's worth a 2nd rnd draft pick, especially when a guy like Willis McGahee is only worth a 2nd day pick. Just my opinion. What are Dolphin fans thinking?
The guy averaged 10 yards a catch and 1 TD.

He had junk throwing to him, yet he always delivered some key catches. The Patriots have some burners, this is their go-to possession guy. And with 2 first-round picks, giving up the second rounder is cheap.

[Ksyrup]

Joey Porter - $20M guaranteed from the Dolphins.

[Ksyrup]

Dola.

"Porter agreed to a five-year, $32 million contract that includes $20 million in guarantees."

[Butter]

Thank God the Bengals didn't sign him. Must not have been arrested previously.

[Ryche]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

Can he hold on kicks?

Yes he can, although I don't think the Vikings used him in that role last year. Just pray he doesn't have to actually play very much.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Thank God the Bengals didn't sign him. Must not have been arrested previously.

Wasn't he shot? Or am I thinking of the other Porter?

[kurtism]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

Wasn't he shot? Or am I thinking of the other Porter?

"They shot me in Denver!"

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by kurtism

"They shot me in Denver!"

That season, sales of the 'Where was Ray Lewis when Joey Porter got shot?' t-shirt went through the roof.

[KevinNU7]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Dola.

"Porter agreed to a five-year, $32 million contract that includes $20 million in guarantees."

The Dolphins just don't get it

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

He had junk throwing to him, yet he always delivered some key catches. The Patriots have some burners, this is their go-to possession guy. And with 2 first-round picks, giving up the second rounder is cheap.

Agree on all fronts about Welker. Harrington was throwing to him and he still led the team with 67 catches. Good YAC guy for the short ball. Certainly adds something to the return game. In this day of crazy FA money, that contract is not bad and it is long term. He's young, which is definitely important. I just see a lot of upside here. If you saw him play the Pats, he was monster on the underneath stuff. Considering Chad Jackson was a 2nd rounder last year, and looking each day as a bust, I think the Pats wanted a known quantity at that position.

[rkmsuf]

Welker is like a white, younger Troy Brown.

Good slot guy, return and special teams guy. Solid pickup.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Napoleon Harris to KC. What? No return of Monty Beisel?

And Tully Banta-Cain to SF.

[beargrowlz]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

Agree on all fronts about Welker. Harrington was throwing to him and he still led the team with 67 catches. Good YAC guy for the short ball. Certainly adds something to the return game. In this day of crazy FA money, that contract is not bad and it is long term. He's young, which is definitely important. I just see a lot of upside here. If you saw him play the Pats, he was monster on the underneath stuff. Considering Chad Jackson was a 2nd rounder last year, and looking each day as a bust, I think the Pats wanted a known quantity at that position.

Think Troy Brown in his prime. He's an explosive return guy, he becomes the most sure-handed receiver on the team - and the second best overall receiver on the team after Benjamin Watson.

A proven guy who will get you 50-60 catches out of the slot, adds to your special teams, for decent money, especially when your top prospect wideout is hurt again, well worth a 2nd rounder IMHO.

I also agree with VfP that his performance this year against the Pats also played into this decision. He killed us.


Cheers.

[beargrowlz]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Welker is like a white, younger Troy Brown.

Good slot guy, return and special teams guy. Solid pickup.

Smurf beat me to it.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by beargrowlz

Smurf beat me to it.

I even broke the story on him being white.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Welker is like a white, younger Troy Brown.

Good slot guy, return and special teams guy. Solid pickup.

Again, you raise the spectre of Mike Furrey who, like Troy Brown, can also play defensive back.

[beargrowlz]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

I even broke the story on him being white.

With no Borgesesque commentary on how his whiteness will limit his effectiveness for the Pats.

A true journalistic accomplishment.

[finketr]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Furrey will be expensive soon enough.

On an unrelated note, Thomas Jones to the Jets appears to be done. As a Bears' fan (transplanted, yes), it's sad, sure, but the Bears are probably getting what they can out of him before he heads downhill. This is putting a lot on Benson, though, so I hope it works out.

i hope we eventually get a flere diagram of free agency...

[WVUFAN]

I met Troy Brown a few years ago, while waiting in line here in Huntington for Spider-Man 2. Nice guy.

His rings are shiny.

[Karlifornia]

Is Banta-Cain any good?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Is Banta-Cain any good?

They have size, but are a little slow. Very sure-footed however.

[Northwood_DK]

It might just be me but Nate Clements looks more like he belongs in the “Smoking weed” thread then the "Free Agency" thread.

[beargrowlz]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Is Banta-Cain any good?

He's seen pretty limited action. My assessment in what I have seen is he's poor defending the run, not good defending the pass, and a pretty good pass rusher.

YMMV.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by beargrowlz

With no Borgesesque commentary on how his whiteness will limit his effectiveness for the Pats.

A true journalistic accomplishment.

Speaking of Borges: http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/0...416-9058R.html

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by beargrowlz

He's seen pretty limited action. My assessment in what I have seen is he's poor defending the run, not good defending the pass, and a pretty good pass rusher.

YMMV.

Yes, this TBC to a T. He can rush the QB but do little else. He definitely is not a good tackler and his coverage skills can be determined by the fact that the Pats decided to start Eric Alexander in his place in the AFC Championship game (Alexander's first start of his career) to help cover Dallas Clark, et al. Not to mention that TBC never saw much action until this year and that the Pats were just never comfortable with him on the outside and Vrabel on the inside that they decided to get Seau so TBC didn't have to start. I have no problem with him leaving.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

Oh, and the Niners signed the greatest receiver ever to not get a fair chance. I guess sooner or later, Lelie was bound to find a team willing to not make him work to be #1.

I was trying to figure out which part of your post was a joke, and I guess it's the first part, because the second part is completely true.

[watravaler]

I'm not a big fan of the Jones move. He is a dancing RB, who absolutely will not fight for an extra yard and he lacks breakaway speed. Add that to the fact that he is old for a RB, and it looks like a good deal for Chicago.

[Galaril]

I still am shocked that the team with the most cap space over 40 million hasn't signed any free agents and haven't got anyone visiting them yet. The Tennessee Titans

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by Galaril

I still am shocked that the team with the most cap space over 40 million hasn't signed any free agents and haven't got anyone visiting them yet. The Tennessee Titans

Your wish has been granted. Donte Stallworth is on his way for a visit. Adam Schefter is reporting that Stallworth received an offer from Patriots today after his visit to Foxboro. Stallworth is scheduled to meet March 7 with Titans officials in Tennessee and with the Dolphins on March 8.

It seems the Pats are still not done at WR.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

Agree on all fronts about Welker. Certainly adds something to the return game. In this day of crazy FA money, that contract is not bad and it is long term. He's young, which is definitely important. I just see a lot of upside here. If you saw him play the Pats, he was monster on the underneath stuff. Considering Chad Jackson was a 2nd rounder last year, and looking each day as a bust, I think the Pats wanted a known quantity at that position.

To re-iterate what 7 different Pats fans said, they needed at least 1, probably 2 receivers this year, and especially seeing as they had 2 #1's and a late 2nd, figured a proven Wes Welker was a better gamble than anything they'd get in the draft. (Although I do disagree with whoever said the Pats had done a bad job developing receivers - Jackson's been injured a lot, Bethel Johnson was a bust, but then you have Deion Branch, David Givens and last year Caldwell and Gaffney developing in NE.)

They could still use one more (a deep threat) since Chad Jackson is done at least until training camp and that will kill his rapport with Brady. Randy Moss is the big rumor, but I'd much prefer Joe Horn. Fits the system, a proven #1 a couple years ago with a couple years left in the tank, especially if he's got the chip on his shoulder from "being disrespected" by a bad organization for the past 7/8 years. Shades of Corey Dillon when we got him from the Bengals. (And before any NO fans jump on me, I think Sean Payton is a great coach and your team is finally going in the right direction, but before last offseason you were pretty much a mess. And I blame Tom Benson.)

EDIT - Forgot Stallworth. I figured he was off the radar after the rumors of entering the substance-abuse program, but he fits the need for speed at WR.

[st.cronin]

This does seem like a very deep draft for wide receivers, though, doesn't it? You would think they'd be able to get somebody good in the second round.

I'm not really complaining ... Welker just doesn't excite me much.