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2015 Free Agency Master Thread--Get to it, Faust! (1 Viewer)

massraider

Footballguy
One thread to rule them all. Drop any Tweets, rumors, blog posts in here.

The three day legal flirting window opens today, and the NFL sent out a memo outlining the 'rules':

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/07/league-reminds-teams-of-rules-for-three-day-negotiating-period/

At 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, agents representing players who become free agents on Tuesday will be permitted to begin negotiating with new teams. The NFL has sent a memo to all teams outlining the rules of the looming three-day window.

PFT has obtained a copy of the memo. Here are the highlights.

1. A team is allowed to submit a written summary of its negotiating position to agents for free agents still under contract with other teams, including length of contract, signing bonus, compensation, and related subjects.

2. A team is allowed to adjust its negotiating position based on the position presented by a player’s agent.

3. While negotiations may occur, teams must say that they are not making offers.

4. Teams cannot execute contracts with free agents from other teams, submit a draft contract, enter into an express or implied agreement or make any promises about the terms that would be available once the free-agency period opens, or provide assurances of intent as to the future execution of a contract.

5. Teams also cannot discuss or make travel arrangements for a player to visit once the market opens, or to communicate directly with a player.

6. If a player has no agent, the team can’t negotiate with the player at all.

7. The period applies only to looming unrestricted free agents; it doesn’t include restricted free agents or players who have been tagged.

“You are reminded that the purpose of the three-day negotiating period is to create a level playing field in the competition for Unrestricted Free Agents, by permitting clubs to express interest in a prospective UFA and to exchange information with certified agents regarding the level of compensation envisioned by the club and the agent,” the memo states. “Any attempt to undermine the purpose of this negotiating period may be considered conduct detrimental to the League.”

Some of the rules are illogical. It’s impossible to negotiate without making and exchanging offers. And while teams are prohibited from making representations that the negotiating positions will become offers once Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET arrives, why else would the teams be outlining negotiating positions?

In theory, a team could toss around inflated negotiating positions without delivering once the market opens. But if a team starts behaving that way, agents won’t trust those teams — which will make it harder for those teams to do business.

Regardless of the annual “thou shalt not” memo from the league, these negotiating positions are offers. What else could they be? Any other approach ignores the reality of transacting business in the NFL.

The goal is to give a team that currently holds a player’s rights one last chance to sign the player based on the market that likely will emerge for his services. In that respect, it helps players get paid.

Still, like plenty of other rules promulgated by the NFL, the words on paper don’t harmonize with the way things truly operate.
 
Tania Ganguli reports that the Houston Texans are in “active negotiations” with free agent RT Derek Newton and CB Kareem Jackson.

According to Ganguli, it’s “very possible” that Newton and Jackson could return to Houston next year.

This comes just a few hours after Ian Rapoport mentions that it looks like Jackson will test the open market, so it appears as though the Texans have increased their efforts to retain their free agents before they can meet with prospective teams.

Jackson, 26, has played out his five-year, $13.52 million rookie contract and is in line to be an unrestricted free agent in the next few weeks.

In 2014, Jackson recorded 57 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass defenses over the course of 13 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 11 cornerback out of 108 qualifying players.

Newton, 27, is a former seventh-round pick of the Texans back in 2011. He has played out his four-year $2,100,256 contract that included just $60,256 guaranteed and is now in position to be one of the best available offensive tackles in this year’s market.

Last year, he appeared in all 16 games for the Texans. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 19 offensive tackle out of 84 qualifying players.

 
Charles Robinson ‏@CharlesRobinson 1m1 minute ago

Several league sources are talking about Ndamukong Suh to #Dolphins as if it has already happened. DeMarco Murray returning to #Cowboys, too

 
If Murray gets reunited with the Cowboys, I suspect he will jump back up to the #2 RB pick in redraft.

 
Reading tweets on another device so won't post a link, going to have to take my word for it or look it iup.

Rappaport says the Cardinals are in pursuit of Witherspoon.

Tania Ganguli is saying the Texans are interested in Hoyer but still want Mallett back.

Have no idea how accurate Charles Robinson is but no one in local Dallas media has indicated Demarco returning to Dallas is a fait accompli. Last tweet I saw about it was when 11:00 CST time hit a Cowboys beat writer said Demarco is now free to speak with other teams.

 
Andrew Brandt saying that Suh has leverage to prequalify bidders by asking for fully guaranteed contract.....hope he comes up short, game is much better when players have to keep earning it every year.

 
Tyson Alualu re-signed with Jags

"The Jaguars have reached a two-year agreement with defensive end Tyson Alualu on Saturday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. He will make $6 million over two seasons with $4.25 million guaranteed, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media..."

 
@charlesrobinson

A league source says the #Eagles have made safety Devin McCourty a top priority. #Patriots still want him back.

 
Schefter: Texans take one of the top CBs off the market, reaching agreement with Kareem Jackson on 4-year deal, per source.

5:02pm - 7 Mar 15

 
Jayson Braddock: Eagles and free agent CB Byron Maxwell are getting very close. Hard to see Jacksonville or Atlanta beating Philly out. Forget climate, $$$

9:21pm - 7 Mar 15

 
Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 1m1 minute ago

Randall Cobb back to Green Bay on a 4-year, $40 million deal, per source.

 
So are free agency able to shop the market better for the original teams under this new system? that's my early read on the tampering period.

 
Julius Thomas to the Jaguars

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reports Julius Thomas is expected to sign with the Jaguars, and the deal is "just about done."
Signs have been pointing to this for awhile, though we're not huge fans of the move from a fantasy perspective. Thomas will be a monster upgrade for Blake Bortles, but his overall fantasy stock would take a hit moving on from Peyton Manning. Expect Thomas and the Jaguars to sew this up Tuesday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/JasonPhilCole/status/574626150783270913
 
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Jayson Braddock ‏@JaysonBraddock

Byron Maxwell deal is done. Guarantee came in higher after more discussion. Byron Maxwell will become an Eagle Tuesday w/ $25 mil guaranteed

 
Rotoworld:

Updating an earlier item, ESPN's Adam Caplan believes the 49ers will sign free agent Torrey Smith "unless the money is too rich for them."
We suppose you could say that about any team in pursuit of a free agent, but it's clear the 49ers are zeroing in on the 26-year-old deep threat. Caplan is a very reliable reporter. Per Caplan, the Colts and Texans are also interested in Smith. With Randall Cobb off the market, Smith is Rotoworld's No. 2 free agent receiver. His arrival would ensure Michael Crabtree walks.

Related: 49ers

Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter
Mar 8 - 2:09 PM
Report: 49ers 'frontrunner' to sign Torrey Smith

 
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Jayson Braddock ‏@JaysonBraddock

Byron Maxwell deal is done. Guarantee came in higher after more discussion. Byron Maxwell will become an Eagle Tuesday w/ $25 mil guaranteed
Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · 10m 10 minutes ago

Deal also changed from 6 year $63 mil. It's now reportedly set to be a 5 year deal around $53 to 54 million. Byron Maxwell / Eagles

Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · now

The $25 mil guaranteed becomes the 5th most given to an NFL CB. Patrick Peterson / Richard Sherman / Aqib Talb / Brandon Carr
=========================

Just a wild guess on my part but I think Browns free agent CB Buster Skrine smilin' at that news since it seems like he gonna-get-paid.


 
There has been a deluge of quality WRs in the league recently. Great time to be a CB, period. I think this Maxwell deal will wind up being among the worst of the year.

 
There has been a deluge of quality WRs in the league recently. Great time to be a CB, period. I think this Maxwell deal will wind up being among the worst of the year.
Well, you can't say the guy is untested.
It was a tough situation for the Eagles, there aren't a ton of corners out there, and they need two starters. I understood why they overpaid, and it's not like they are gonna be cutting players to fit him under the cap. He also won't be the last player to be overpaid this spring.

 
There has been a deluge of quality WRs in the league recently. Great time to be a CB, period. I think this Maxwell deal will wind up being among the worst of the year.
Well, you can't say the guy is untested.
It was a tough situation for the Eagles, there aren't a ton of corners out there, and they need two starters. I understood why they overpaid, and it's not like they are gonna be cutting players to fit him under the cap. He also won't be the last player to be overpaid this spring.
Dude got paid and won't see 25% of the passes he did last year. Not bad.

 
Charles Robinson ‏@CharlesRobinson

An opportunity has opened for #Jaguars with DeMarco Murray. They want a centerpiece back and could push hard to price #Cowboys way out.

Looks to me like we could have another Randall Cobb situation here. You have to think it would be in Murray's best interest (long term) to take less and go back to the Cowboys.
Big difference between taking a couple million a year less when you've got a fairly certain 6-8 more years remaining in your career, and doing it when you have 3-4 if everything goes right and could be done for good at any time. RBs can't really afford to leave $$ on the table during their 2nd contract. Murray's already 27.

 
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