Wow, didn't think he would get that much...@JasonLaCanfora: Strong deal for Connor Barwin in Philly - 6 years, $36M, with the chance to earn a max of $40M including guarantees.
Me neither. Either way you have Graham, Cole, Curry and now Barwin. Just keep creating competition on this DWow, didn't think he would get that much...@JasonLaCanfora: Strong deal for Connor Barwin in Philly - 6 years, $36M, with the chance to earn a max of $40M including guarantees.
I am not overly stoked on 6/year, but I am excited about the 6 year thing. We all seem to want young guys that can help us 2-3 years from now, and if he regains his pre-injury form, he is one of these guys. We are taking a risk on a lot of these boom or bust signings, which is good, but I'd hate to see Barwin on a 1 or 2 year deal where he does great then bolts elsewhere for big time money. 6 mill a year isn't awful if it ties him to Philly for the next 6 years.@JasonLaCanfora: Strong deal for Connor Barwin in Philly - 6 years, $36M, with the chance to earn a max of $40M including guarantees.
Until you see how it's structured you don't know anything. Eagles signed Babin to a 5 year, 28M deal in 2011 and were able to cut him with virtually no dead money in 2012.I am not overly stoked on 6/year, but I am excited about the 6 year thing. We all seem to want young guys that can help us 2-3 years from now, and if he regains his pre-injury form, he is one of these guys. We are taking a risk on a lot of these boom or bust signings, which is good, but I'd hate to see Barwin on a 1 or 2 year deal where he does great then bolts elsewhere for big time money. 6 mill a year isn't awful if it ties him to Philly for the next 6 years.@JasonLaCanfora: Strong deal for Connor Barwin in Philly - 6 years, $36M, with the chance to earn a max of $40M including guarantees.
I'm fine with US being able to cut him, I'm happy more so about him not upping and leaving after a good season this year or next. There's always hold outs of course, but this is a boom or bust guy who I'd love to keep long term if he's a boom. Will be nice to see him and Ryan's together.Until you see how it's structured you don't know anything. Eagles signed Babin to a 5 year, 28M deal in 2011 and were able to cut him with virtually no dead money in 2012.I am not overly stoked on 6/year, but I am excited about the 6 year thing. We all seem to want young guys that can help us 2-3 years from now, and if he regains his pre-injury form, he is one of these guys. We are taking a risk on a lot of these boom or bust signings, which is good, but I'd hate to see Barwin on a 1 or 2 year deal where he does great then bolts elsewhere for big time money. 6 mill a year isn't awful if it ties him to Philly for the next 6 years.@JasonLaCanfora: Strong deal for Connor Barwin in Philly - 6 years, $36M, with the chance to earn a max of $40M including guarantees.
I don't necessarily agree. I believe they are trying to fill as many holes as possible so that they can pick the BPA regardless of position. If it's Jordan so be it. Same with Milliner and Fisher if they sign an OT.The Barwin money means no Jordan, IMO. JoeckelFisherStarFloyd
If you watch some Texans games, their OLBs don't drop into coverage. I mean not once in the 2 or 3 games I watched. They rush 5 in their base D, with both OLBs coming. They spend about half their time in a 4-2-5 nickel formation where the NT comes off the field and both their OLBs line up at a DE position.Don't really have high expectations of Barwin and hope they don't give him big money. Trent Cole is the guy who'll be in most jeopardy if they end up bringing him in.Edit: Just saw the signing info. Ouch, I think that's too much money for a guy who's been average a lot more often than he's been good. Will have to go back and watch a few more Texans games and report back.First offseason move I'm not really on board with.Cole and Graham both going from DE to OLB could be problematic...at least for one of them. His (Barwin) experiance helps if one of them cant make the transition.Interesting that they're talking to Barwin. While I realize you can never have enough pass rushers, I have to think Graham and Cole are locked in at OLB this year.
I don't disagree but right now they're (IMO) the biggest needs. At this point I am not against Milner or Geno.I don't necessarily agree. I believe they are trying to fill as many holes as possible so that they can pick the BPA regardless of position. If it's Jordan so be it. Same with Milliner and Fisher if they sign an OT.The Barwin money means no Jordan, IMO. JoeckelFisherStarFloyd
Sounds like another Babin-type deal then.@caplannfl: $8 M guaranteed for Barwin, source confirmed.
You're kidding, right? That's like 12 million less then Kruger who was a situational pass rusher for Baltimore last year.Same as Eric WaldenIf you watch some Texans games, their OLBs don't drop into coverage. I mean not once in the 2 or 3 games I watched. They rush 5 in their base D, with both OLBs coming. They spend about half their time in a 4-2-5 nickel formation where the NT comes off the field and both their OLBs line up at a DE position.Don't really have high expectations of Barwin and hope they don't give him big money. Trent Cole is the guy who'll be in most jeopardy if they end up bringing him in.Edit: Just saw the signing info. Ouch, I think that's too much money for a guy who's been average a lot more often than he's been good. Will have to go back and watch a few more Texans games and report back.First offseason move I'm not really on board with.Cole and Graham both going from DE to OLB could be problematic...at least for one of them. His (Barwin) experiance helps if one of them cant make the transition.Interesting that they're talking to Barwin. While I realize you can never have enough pass rushers, I have to think Graham and Cole are locked in at OLB this year.
Well just because he didn't drop into coverage (in the games you aw) doesn't mean he can't or won't do it in Philadelphia. Different scheme.Also, per PFF, he dropped into coverage 13.6% of the time last year.If you watch some Texans games, their OLBs don't drop into coverage. I mean not once in the 2 or 3 games I watched. They rush 5 in their base D, with both OLBs coming. They spend about half their time in a 4-2-5 nickel formation where the NT comes off the field and both their OLBs line up at a DE position.Don't really have high expectations of Barwin and hope they don't give him big money. Trent Cole is the guy who'll be in most jeopardy if they end up bringing him in.Edit: Just saw the signing info. Ouch, I think that's too much money for a guy who's been average a lot more often than he's been good. Will have to go back and watch a few more Texans games and report back.First offseason move I'm not really on board with.Cole and Graham both going from DE to OLB could be problematic...at least for one of them. His (Barwin) experiance helps if one of them cant make the transition.Interesting that they're talking to Barwin. While I realize you can never have enough pass rushers, I have to think Graham and Cole are locked in at OLB this year.
Connor Barwin had three sacks in 2012 after an 11.5-sack year in 2011.
(USA Today Images)
Now that the Super Bowl is over and the NFL is into the offseason, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the Texans. We’ve already looked at the secondary, tight ends, O-line, special teams, running backs, coaches, defensive line and quarterbacks. On Tuesday, we looked at linebackers.
Today, we give an extra close look at Connor Barwin.
Stud: Barwin in 2011
Barwin has said he now regrets not signing a contract after 2011 a little bit. And that makes sense.
Barwin was really good two years ago.
With 11.5 sacks, he led the Texans. The next closes on the team was Antonio Smith with 6.5.
But it wasn’t just sacks, Barwin also had 47 tackles, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble. His ProFootballFocus grade wasn’t great at negative-0.90 but that was much better than his grade this season.
Dud: Barwin in 2012
From 11.5 sacks in 2011, Barwin finished 2012 with just three. He had fewer sacks, tackles and passes defensed in 2012 than he had in 2011.
But the biggest missing number was sacks. Last year Barwin looked like one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. This year, he wasn’t. Sure, he needed to move around more this season because of the injury to Brooks Reed. Barwin had to move to the strongside, where he wasn’t able to rush the quarterback as much.
His ProFootballFocus grade in 2012 was a dreadful negative-18.9, which was the third-lowest grade for a 3-4 outside backer this year.
Look ahead
Barwin is a free agent this offseason and will probably want to be back in Houston if possible and the Texans would love to have him back.
But that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. In fact, there’s a really good chance that won’t happen.
The Texans don’t have much room under the cap and Barwin will obviously look for as much money as he can get. There will probably be a team out there that will be willing to give Barwin a hefty deal based on his potential to do what he did two years ago.
Barwin is one of the important guys the Texans would like to re-sign but he isn’t the most important. That distinction is held by safety Glover Quin. But still, if the price is right, the Texans would certainly re-sign Barwin. But only if the price is right.
Tags: Texans, linebackers, Connor Barwin, free agency
If Kruger was a situational guy then he had 3x the sacks that Barwin did as a every down player. Kruger also covers, he had 6 PDs, and a pick last year. Barwin looked like a fulltime pass rusher based on the games I watched.I watched some Texans, Packers, Ravens & 49ers games from last year when the 3-4 talk started and Barwin didn't stand out at all to me in the Texans games but didn't pay specific attention to him. Was more looking at roles of different positions, who the different teams used in coverage etc to how it might work for the Eagles.I'll watch some more games, focus on him and for a stronger opinion one way or the other.You're kidding, right? That's like 12 million less then Kruger who was a situational pass rusher for Baltimore last year.Same as Eric WaldenIf you watch some Texans games, their OLBs don't drop into coverage. I mean not once in the 2 or 3 games I watched. They rush 5 in their base D, with both OLBs coming. They spend about half their time in a 4-2-5 nickel formation where the NT comes off the field and both their OLBs line up at a DE position.Don't really have high expectations of Barwin and hope they don't give him big money. Trent Cole is the guy who'll be in most jeopardy if they end up bringing him in.Edit: Just saw the signing info. Ouch, I think that's too much money for a guy who's been average a lot more often than he's been good. Will have to go back and watch a few more Texans games and report back.First offseason move I'm not really on board with.Cole and Graham both going from DE to OLB could be problematic...at least for one of them. His (Barwin) experiance helps if one of them cant make the transition.Interesting that they're talking to Barwin. While I realize you can never have enough pass rushers, I have to think Graham and Cole are locked in at OLB this year.
Agree, he might be used differently here. Like I said I only watched 2 or 3 games, but it stood out how differently the Texans used their OLBs compared to the 49ers and Ravens especially.Well just because he didn't drop into coverage (in the games you aw) doesn't mean he can't or won't do it in Philadelphia. Different scheme.Also, per PFF, he dropped into coverage 13.6% of the time last year.If you watch some Texans games, their OLBs don't drop into coverage. I mean not once in the 2 or 3 games I watched. They rush 5 in their base D, with both OLBs coming. They spend about half their time in a 4-2-5 nickel formation where the NT comes off the field and both their OLBs line up at a DE position.Don't really have high expectations of Barwin and hope they don't give him big money. Trent Cole is the guy who'll be in most jeopardy if they end up bringing him in.Edit: Just saw the signing info. Ouch, I think that's too much money for a guy who's been average a lot more often than he's been good. Will have to go back and watch a few more Texans games and report back.First offseason move I'm not really on board with.Cole and Graham both going from DE to OLB could be problematic...at least for one of them. His (Barwin) experiance helps if one of them cant make the transition.Interesting that they're talking to Barwin. While I realize you can never have enough pass rushers, I have to think Graham and Cole are locked in at OLB this year.
Howie Roseman said pretty much what I put in the article above. Barwin moved from the weak side to the strong side and had less pass-rushing opportunities last season. My point was mainly about the 8 million appearing high when its not at all given his age, ability and being the only OLB on the team with 3-4 OLB experience at the NFL level.Agree, he might be used differently here. Like I said I only watched 2 or 3 games, but it stood out how differently the Texans used their OLBs compared to the 49ers and Ravens especially.Well just because he didn't drop into coverage (in the games you aw) doesn't mean he can't or won't do it in Philadelphia. Different scheme.Also, per PFF, he dropped into coverage 13.6% of the time last year.If you watch some Texans games, their OLBs don't drop into coverage. I mean not once in the 2 or 3 games I watched. They rush 5 in their base D, with both OLBs coming. They spend about half their time in a 4-2-5 nickel formation where the NT comes off the field and both their OLBs line up at a DE position.Don't really have high expectations of Barwin and hope they don't give him big money. Trent Cole is the guy who'll be in most jeopardy if they end up bringing him in.Edit: Just saw the signing info. Ouch, I think that's too much money for a guy who's been average a lot more often than he's been good. Will have to go back and watch a few more Texans games and report back.First offseason move I'm not really on board with.Cole and Graham both going from DE to OLB could be problematic...at least for one of them. His (Barwin) experiance helps if one of them cant make the transition.Interesting that they're talking to Barwin. While I realize you can never have enough pass rushers, I have to think Graham and Cole are locked in at OLB this year.
I wonder how much is Kelly's influence, how much is Howie correcting past mistakes and how much is the lack of Andy ####### things up.Eagles are filling up holes very nicely to be able to truly go BPA in the draft. Great approach IMO.
Andy's regime was on its last legs so he was bound to overspend for the win now commitment. The worst part of an overstayed coach in any sport IMO.I wonder how much is Kelly's influence, how much is Howie correcting past mistakes and how much is the lack of Andy ####### things up.Eagles are filling up holes very nicely to be able to truly go BPA in the draft. Great approach IMO.
Totally agree, BPA is always the way to go in the first two rounds, at least. But at the same time the fit ha to be at least someone reasonable for your scheme and roster as well.Eagles are filling up holes very nicely to be able to truly go BPA in the draft. Great approach IMO.
Gotta add Tom Gamble to the equation. He was a big part of SF putting together the roster they have now.I wonder how much is Kelly's influence, how much is Howie correcting past mistakes and how much is the lack of Andy ####### things up.Eagles are filling up holes very nicely to be able to truly go BPA in the draft. Great approach IMO.
Kendricks and Cox will be there as well. Nate Allen for now too, but he's not safeOh and the Smith thing is a smokescreen. They're more tight lipped than ever. Look at the process of bringing on the asst coaches, as well as Kelly coming back into play.There could be a total of 9 new starters on defense with Ryan and Graham as the only two starters remaining.Aside from cutting Jenkins who I think could have been a good 3-4 DE I like all the moves this team has made so far but none I love
How are they not being tight-lipped?If the Geno Smith thing isn't a smokescreen I will be very upset considering under Reid/Banner you never would have heard about this story until after they drafted him. So either the Eagles aren't as tight lipped as before or they wanted everyone to know they were looking at him to throw them off.
This won't be the popular thing but what if it's just that Howie is finally getting to do what he wanted all along and dare I say...maybe good at it?I wonder how much is Kelly's influence, how much is Howie correcting past mistakes and how much is the lack of Andy ####### things up.Eagles are filling up holes very nicely to be able to truly go BPA in the draft. Great approach IMO.
You can't be "tight=lipped" about a meeting and workout, with a potential draft pick when your whole team is there. I don't believe in the smoke screen at all but I do believe the meeting served many puposes. One was certainly because he's in consideration for the #4 overall pick. As many have said in here, if he's a guy they believe can be a franchise QB they would be stupid NOT to meeting with him before every other team and one-on-one like they did. The other side is just by them showing interest teams like Arizona and Buffalo (if they love him) may be more inclined to make a move that could benefit us.I'm with you regarding Star as well. Right now (IMO) the biggest needs are RT and the other DE spot. I have read numerous places that said Cox can play both the 3 and 5 technique in the 3-4. That could mean a lot. There's also been reports that Kelly's staff is high on Cedric Thornton so maybe they feel like the DL is complete? Either way we should be in great shape come the draft.If the Geno Smith thing isn't a smokescreen I will be very upset considering under Reid/Banner you never would have heard about this story until after they drafted him. So either the Eagles aren't as tight lipped as before or they wanted everyone to know they were looking at him to throw them off.
I can't find anything on Starr has there been any update on his medical condition because if cleared he is still my first choice to come here.
I think even with the two CB signings that Milner is still an option because Fletcher is injury prone and neither of them are anything special.
I like all of the signings so far they added guys with talent who have high upside but I still want them to add a RT hopefully Smith who was my top free agent for them from the start.
From what I read which could be wrong the only reason Cole hasn't been cut is it's to much of a cap hit but he really isn't needed in this defense. There could be a total of 9 new starters on defense with Ryan and Graham as the only two starters remaining.
Aside from cutting Jenkins who I think could have been a good 3-4 DE I like all the moves this team has made so far but none I love
Forgot to pack their cloaks of invisibility on trip to WV.How are they not being tight-lipped?If the Geno Smith thing isn't a smokescreen I will be very upset considering under Reid/Banner you never would have heard about this story until after they drafted him. So either the Eagles aren't as tight lipped as before or they wanted everyone to know they were looking at him to throw them off.
I really think this make an OT the logical choice because they haven't moved on yet. They have no RT and Peters is still iffy. A 2nd DE is still a black-hole too. Thornton is a bit small and I have no idea why they would cut Jenkins. I'd be fine with Milner too as you can't have enough CBs and though we signed 2 decent ones, neither is Pro-Bowl caliber.'Bigboy10182000 said:You can't be "tight=lipped" about a meeting and workout, with a potential draft pick when your whole team is there. I don't believe in the smoke screen at all but I do believe the meeting served many puposes. One was certainly because he's in consideration for the #4 overall pick. As many have said in here, if he's a guy they believe can be a franchise QB they would be stupid NOT to meeting with him before every other team and one-on-one like they did. The other side is just by them showing interest teams like Arizona and Buffalo (if they love him) may be more inclined to make a move that could benefit us.I'm with you regarding Star as well. Right now (IMO) the biggest needs are RT and the other DE spot. I have read numerous places that said Cox can play both the 3 and 5 technique in the 3-4. That could mean a lot. There's also been reports that Kelly's staff is high on Cedric Thornton so maybe they feel like the DL is complete? Either way we should be in great shape come the draft.'Nagle2998 said:If the Geno Smith thing isn't a smokescreen I will be very upset considering under Reid/Banner you never would have heard about this story until after they drafted him. So either the Eagles aren't as tight lipped as before or they wanted everyone to know they were looking at him to throw them off.
I can't find anything on Starr has there been any update on his medical condition because if cleared he is still my first choice to come here.
I think even with the two CB signings that Milner is still an option because Fletcher is injury prone and neither of them are anything special.
I like all of the signings so far they added guys with talent who have high upside but I still want them to add a RT hopefully Smith who was my top free agent for them from the start.
From what I read which could be wrong the only reason Cole hasn't been cut is it's to much of a cap hit but he really isn't needed in this defense. There could be a total of 9 new starters on defense with Ryan and Graham as the only two starters remaining.
Aside from cutting Jenkins who I think could have been a good 3-4 DE I like all the moves this team has made so far but none I love
Millner could be an option but if they don't sign another CB that would tell me that they feel comfortable with Boykin or Marsh on the other end. Kelly traditionally like the defensive side of the ball to be "big"...that could benefit Marsh if they like what they see from him.
Smith is a guy I like as well. He's going to command a lot of $$$ though. If they can get Winston or Volmer a lot cheaper that would be fine as well.
I believe there would be 7 new starters and honestly, on a unit THAT bad it's needed. Competition needed to be created there and let the best man win.
Jenkins was more of a name at this point. GB got rid of him when they switched to a 3-4 because he couldnt handle the run in a 3-4, I'd say thats why he was let go from here as well.
Would everyone please stop talking about this?! the other teams are gonna know.
(9:30 AM): So who did come to dinner updated ... Most of the early reviews of QB Geno Smith at the West Virginia pro day have been very positive, or at least as positive as they can be for a guy throwing against air. As noted in an earlier report, perhaps the more interesting indicator of where Smith stands these days on draft boards around the NFL, is who showed up to watch his workout. For starters, 28 NFL teams had at least one rep in Morgantown; one of the four teams that didn’t show up, though, was Arizona, which has the 7th pick overall in this year’s draft, as well as he issues at the position. In contrast, Jacksonville, which has the second pick this year, had a full contingent at the West Virginia pro day including team president Mark Lamping, G.M. David Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley. And the Jaguars met privately with Smith after his workout in what was described as a long ‘in-depth session.’ Buffalo, which has the 8th pick and just released starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, also sent G.M. Buddy Nix. The Bills have a private workout scheduled with Smith on March 22nd. Oakland , with the 3rd pick overall, also reporedly have an interest in Smith, but don't appear to have sent anyone other than a regular scout to the West Virginia pro da,y, while the New York Jets, who have reportedly kicked the tires on all the top rated QBs in this year's draft class, sent personnel exec Terry Bradway. Meanwhile, after working Smith out privately earlier in the week, Philadelphia did not appear to have been out in force at the West Virginia pro day. The Eagles also haven’t had much to say about their workout with Smith which owner Jeffrey Lurie, head coach Chip Kelly and G.M. Howie Roseman all attended. Roseman did say, as quoted in the local Philly media that Smith was “obviously an impressive guy’, but otherwise wouldn’t comment on where the Eagles have him rated. In fact, Roseman appeared to play the whole trip down saying that it was just part of the process and would only say that the team was “trying to get as much information as possible.” Meanwhile, Kelly commented that "we're going to look at anybody and everybody to see if we can win games; does that mean we're going to take a quarterback in the draft? I don't know." In fact, a casual observer might be inclined to suggest that the Eagles appear to be downplaying their interest in Smith rather than making the case that they are seriously thinking of taking him with the 4th pick this year. There has been some speculation that the Eagles’ flirtation with Smith this week may actually be nothing more than a smokescreen been intended to entice other teams with a genuine interest in Smith into thinking about trading up to get him; the problem with that speculation however is that any team considering moving up to select Smith is more than likely going to be inclined to try and move ahead of the Eagles into one of the top three spots. And while there is always the possibility that there is some serious subterfuge going on in regards to Smith, the fact is that teams rarely send their busy executives half way across the country to watch a player they don’t already have a pretty good grade which suggests in turn, at least for now, that Smith may very well be back in the picture for a top 5-10 selection this coming April. The other possibility is that with ore than one team apparently interested in Smith, including Jacksonville with the 2nd pick, that Kansas City just might to start to get some calls about this year's top pick. Stay tuned.
Good point. Gamble is a great football guy to have at the top.'Awful Waffle said:Gotta add Tom Gamble to the equation. He was a big part of SF putting together the roster they have now.I wonder how much is Kelly's influence, how much is Howie correcting past mistakes and how much is the lack of Andy ####### things up.Eagles are filling up holes very nicely to be able to truly go BPA in the draft. Great approach IMO.
Wow, He was highly touted a couple years ago. It had to be Andy holding them back. Howies making all the right moves so far.A big WR. WTF, is this a dream? Lol
Reportedly, last year was also the first draft Howie ran - it's all starting to make sense...Wow, He was highly touted a couple years ago. It had to be Andy holding them back. Howies making all the right moves so far.A big WR. WTF, is this a dream? Lol