Players of Interest / Free Agency and Trades

[Mr. Scot]

The most obvious name here is going to be Albert Haynesworth. I'm still iffy on him. Yes, he's shown the ability to be dominant when he wants to be. He's also shown the tendency to be average when he's not in a contract year and the potential to be very stupid in a heated situation. Make no mistake, he's a gamble, and an expensive one. The last time the team gambled on a franchise level DT in free agency, it didn't go so well.

Nnamdi Asomugha is the other name everyone is salivating over. The Raiders are still deciding whether to use the franchise tag on him or punter Shane Lechler (no, I'm not kidding). Even if he isn't franchised, he'd be out-the-wazoo expensive. The more likely scenario for getting him would be a swap with Peppers, a scenario that would have Peppers haters laughing their butts off. I'm still unsure I'd want that as a resolution.

Similarly, Anquan Boldin is a big name that can only be had by trade. Steve Smith's supposed lobbying aside, the Cardinals are digging their heels in so it seems unlikely he'll be traded unless someone makes a really great offer. Peppers for Boldin makes some sense for both sides, but I'd be shocked to see it.

If you're looking for less obvious names, there's guys like Mark Tauscher from the Packers. He's been a starting left tackle in the past, and depending on his current status could be a stopgap if Gross were lost or (more likely) decent veteran depth to make up for the loss of someone like Geoff Hangartner. Edwin Mulitalo is likely cheaper and could be had right now, mind you, but Tauscher is worth a shot.

Looking again to Green Bay, an old preseason Panthers favorite is now a restricted free agent. CB Jarrett Bush has seen some work at safety in Green Bay but has contributed mostly as a special teamer. The Packers could match an offer to him but there'd likely be no compensation owed if they didn't (unless they put a higher tender on him, which would be surprising).

The biggest in-house issues are, of course, what happens to Julius Peppers and Jordan Gross. Conventional wisdom is Gross gets the contract he wants while Peppers gets franchised and traded. Keep watching the update sites for the next few weeks on this one. If Gross isn't signed prior to the tagging deadline, the Panthers will have a tough decision to make there.

On the homefront, don't overlook the importance of keeping reserves like Geoff Hangartner and Frank Omiyale. Hangartner is at least somewhat likely to get offered a starter's job and money elsewhere, but don't assume that means he's gone. People said the same thing a few years ago about Al Wallace but the team kept him in the fold.

This year's annual midnight vigil could be interesting depending on how things play out between now and then.

[Chubbs McGee]

The more likely scenario for getting him would be a swap with Peppers, a scenario that would have Peppers haters laughing their butts off. I'm still unsure I'd want that as a resolution.

I would love to see this happen. The main problem I see, though, is that Peppers would not be willing to sign a long term deal. I don't know that the Raiders would give up NA for what could be a one year rental. But then again, it is the Raiders...

PS: As an aside, under the newly micromanaged huddle board, this "players of interest" post should technically be under the stickied post of the same name, made by the same user. Although personally, I like being able to post new topics about relevant issues without having them merged into the stickies, which tend to get bogged down with too many different subjects put under one very general topic.

[Mr. Scot]

PS: As an aside, under the newly micromanaged huddle board, this "players of interest" post should technically be under the stickied post of the same name, made by the same user. Although personally, I like being able to post new topics about relevant issues without having them merged into the stickies, which tend to get bogged down with too many different subjects put under one very general topic.

Doesn't matter to me, honestly. I thought a separate thread for free agent targets would be worthwhile, but if it were merged I wouldn't scream.

Agree about the Raiders. He does still have to agree, though the team can trade his "rights" but another team wouldn't accept that unconditionally.

It's probably worth taking a look at who the defensive free agents are from the Colts, Texans, Rams and whatever team our DL coach comes from. It'd be logical for the recently acquired members of our coaching staff to put in a "good word" for a guy they'd worked with before.

[Carolina_Pride]

IDK if anyone else saw this: it talks about how Pats could trade Cassel and then use those picks and their first to make a run at Asomugha.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1324-New-England-Patriots-Examiner~y2009m2d11-Patriots-should-make-a-play-for-Raiders-CB-Nnamdi-Asomugha

I think if we landed him and trade Lucas (atleast a 4th or 5th), and then sign a reliable DE-Berry maybe, Canty, or Olshansky. Then draft DT Hood (mizz) or Moala (usc).

This would sure up Coverage and give depth/support to our D-Line.

[Mesmer]

I'm not sure we could get anything for Lucas. He's lost a step, but still has a big contract. Not only that, but teams will be waiting for us to release him if they have any interest at all. Then, they could grab him out of free agency for a much cheaper price.

I'm afraid Ken Lucas has cap casualty written all over him. Unless, of course, he restructures ... but I don't see that as being likely.

[Fireball77]

Agree wholeheartedly with Scot on Hangman. They NEED to keep that kid. Would be happy to see them keep FO also since he can play LT and LT only from what I have understood. He fared well in the 2 (or was it 3??) games he played though one was against KC which had no pass rush to speak of last year. He did a nice job vs Atl though.

To me, there is no point spending all that $$ to get N.A. unless they improve the front 4. I can't see the Pats doing something like that to get any CB either no matter how great he is when they need LB help desperately and have 2 young CBs they seem to like who were showing promise last year as rookies when they got hurt .

[VA Panther Fan]

I can't see the Pats doing something like that to get any CB either no matter how great he is when they need LB help desperately and have 2 young CBs they seem to like who were showing promise last year as rookies when they got hurt .

New England doesn't typically go for the high dollar guy at any position on defense (see Milloy, Lawyer and Law, Ty for details). They seem to be really good at taking good parts and making them better as a whole.

Geez, I wish our team could do that. The Panthers tend to take great players and make them lesser as a whole.

[Fireball77]

Oh but they do spend...on their DL. Seymour has a huge, huge contract. Warren and Wilfork were both 1st rounders like Seymour. They also will spend on LBs (Thomas and Colvin as FAs, pretty good dollars when they went there). Those are the smart postitions to spend on. Law had a HUGE contract that was put in place before BB and Pioli got there. They then went on to win a SB with Troy Brown the WR at nickel and a UDFA and a 4th rounder @ CB. Average CBs are fine when you have the hosses in the front 7. Heck the furthest the Cats ever got was probably the year under Fox with the worst CBs talent wise (2003).

[Mr. Scot]

Folks might want to rethink any scenario involving Chris Canty.

Canty wants a Tommy Kelly contract

The Raiders signed defensive lineman Tommy Kelly to a seven-year, $50.5 million contract ($18.125 million guaranteed) last winter that raised a lot of eyebrows around the league. That deal would be the starting point for negotiations if the Cowboys want to keep Chris Canty from determining his value in the open market.

"It'd have to start somewhere around there, if not higher," said Brad Blank, Canty's agent. "We talked very briefly last summer at that level, and [the Cowboys] didn't seem very interested."

Someone will suggest that this is just because he wants out of Dallas. That's possible, but I wouldn't count on it. And while there are positives about him, I'm no really sure he's worth that kind of money.

As a side note, frigging Raiders :cuss:

[thefuzz]

NA will be 28 at the start of the season. I would rather not invest huge amounts in a DB that will be in his 7th year this upcoming.

Boldin is not coming here. The only way I see him coming this way, is if Moose has decided to hang them up, and is being very quiet about it, giving the FO a chance to make a move. Highly unlikely.

We can't afford Canty.

And sadly, because I have always liked him, Lucas will either have to restructure, or face getting cut. Sad but true.

[Snake]

Oh but they do spend...on their DL. Seymour has a huge, huge contract. Warren and Wilfork were both 1st rounders like Seymour. They also will spend on LBs (Thomas and Colvin as FAs, pretty good dollars when they went there). Those are the smart postitions to spend on. Law had a HUGE contract that was put in place before BB and Pioli got there. They then went on to win a SB with Troy Brown the WR at nickel and a UDFA and a 4th rounder @ CB. Average CBs are fine when you have the hosses in the front 7. Heck the furthest the Cats ever got was probably the year under Fox with the worst CBs talent wise (2003).

If you have good CB talent you can get by with a ok line as well but when both underperform you get what we had last year.

[Mr. Scot]

Stories are coming out about a police incident with Haynesworth. Could make a bit of a difference in his free agent value.

[DJ Insicion]

People seem to be overlooking our biggest problem right now QB! Not DL, not our secondary, and not our O-line. Gross will be back he wants to win hes not all about money i mean he wants to get paid (n he will) but he wants to be on a winning team.

I want Cassel. Cassel put up Tom Brady numbers last year with no running game. Get rid of Jake! (Frees cap room) Peps wants to play in a 3-4 and theres few better places to play in a 3-4 then new england. Our Defense and running game got us 12-4 and our passing game like usual lossed us a SB run and we all should know that!

I want to win now not 3 years from now this team is about 2 pieces away from a big run and cassel would help immediately.

Cassel, Smith, Moose, Williams, Stewart, Rosario, n the big Uglys. Thats a recipy for the Panthers getting our first RING!

[The Answer]

DJ, I WANT to disagree with you.

But you're right.