Free agent LBs (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

UFA Lance Briggs

UFA Adalius Thomas

UFA London Fletcher-Baker

UFA Cato June

UFA Donnie Edwards

UFA Kawika Mitchell

Not all of these guys will change teams, but some will. All of them have had a LB2 level season or better in recent seasons. Anybody see a stud in the making after a team change or do they all have nowhere to go but down? Any of you dynasty leaguers looking to sell high or buy low on one of these guys?

 

[coolnerd]

UFA Lance BriggsUFA Adalius ThomasUFA London Fletcher-BakerUFA Cato JuneUFA Donnie EdwardsUFA Kawika MitchellNot all of these guys will change teams, but some will. All of them have had a LB2 level season or better in recent seasons. Anybody see a stud in the making after a team change or do they all have nowhere to go but down? Any of you dynasty leaguers looking to sell high or buy low on one of these guys?

Briggs- wait and see whereThomas - down if he leaves, can't imagine anyone else using him as wellBaker- neutralJune- neutralEdwards- down because of age, but will buy low for 1 season. Mitchell- neutral, he seems situation dependant

 

[kellumsboys]

the big winners might be who ever replaces these guys

 

[lord_helmet]

Can't help thinking NO would be a GREAT fit for London Fletcher, not sure he would improve much but he's a stud already

 

[redman]

Can't help thinking NO would be a GREAT fit for London Fletcher, not sure he would improve much but he's a stud already

A theory (and it's only that at this point) that I've seen is Fletcher rejoining Gregg Williams in Washington to play a year or two at MLB. This makes sense given that Marshall is actually a former safety moved to WLB moved to MLB, and his lack of size has caused him to be banged up; he's also not exactly dominant at MLB under the best of circumstances. Marshall would then be free to back up both MLB and WLB, and to play the nickel which he's good at.

 

[Bizkiteer]

UFA Lance Briggs

UFA Adalius Thomas

UFA London Fletcher-Baker

UFA Cato June

UFA Donnie Edwards

UFA Kawika Mitchell

Not all of these guys will change teams, but some will. All of them have had a LB2 level season or better in recent seasons. Anybody see a stud in the making after a team change or do they all have nowhere to go but down? Any of you dynasty leaguers looking to sell high or buy low on one of these guys?

Briggs- wait and see whereThomas - down if he leaves, can't imagine anyone else using him as well

Baker- neutral

June- neutral

Edwards- down because of age, but will buy low for 1 season.

Mitchell- neutral, he seems situation dependant

Disagree, he plays the infamous LB spot in Dungy's system that scores a ton of pts...see D. Brooks. Thus, I doubt he performs as well FF wise in another system.

 

[redman]

UFA Lance Briggs

UFA Adalius Thomas

UFA London Fletcher-Baker

UFA Cato June

UFA Donnie Edwards

UFA Kawika Mitchell

Not all of these guys will change teams, but some will. All of them have had a LB2 level season or better in recent seasons. Anybody see a stud in the making after a team change or do they all have nowhere to go but down? Any of you dynasty leaguers looking to sell high or buy low on one of these guys?

Briggs- wait and see whereThomas - down if he leaves, can't imagine anyone else using him as well

Baker- neutral

June- neutral

Edwards- down because of age, but will buy low for 1 season.

Mitchell- neutral, he seems situation dependant

Disagree, he plays the infamous LB spot in Dungy's system that scores a ton of pts...see D. Brooks. Thus, I doubt he performs as well FF wise in another system.

I have the same suspicions. In the right system he may retain his value, but the point is that he has nowhere to go but down and his fantasy value is a lot higher than his real football value. He's a lot like Lemar Marshall (mentioned above) in that he was a college safety converted to LB, but he didn't suddenly adopt all of the powerful attributes of NFL LB's by switching positions.

I'm a concerned June owner BTW (but I do have Keiaho ).

 

[chook]

UFA Lance Briggs

UFA Adalius Thomas

UFA London Fletcher-Baker

UFA Cato June

UFA Donnie Edwards

UFA Kawika Mitchell

Not all of these guys will change teams, but some will. All of them have had a LB2 level season or better in recent seasons. Anybody see a stud in the making after a team change or do they all have nowhere to go but down? Any of you dynasty leaguers looking to sell high or buy low on one of these guys?

Briggs- wait and see whereThomas - down if he leaves, can't imagine anyone else using him as well

Baker- neutral

June- neutral

Edwards- down because of age, but will buy low for 1 season.

Mitchell- neutral, he seems situation dependant

Disagree, he plays the infamous LB spot in Dungy's system that scores a ton of pts...see D. Brooks. Thus, I doubt he performs as well FF wise in another system.

I have the same suspicions. In the right system he may retain his value, but the point is that he has nowhere to go but down and his fantasy value is a lot higher than his real football value. He's a lot like Lemar Marshall (mentioned above) in that he was a college safety converted to LB, but he didn't suddenly adopt all of the powerful attributes of NFL LB's by switching positions.

I'm a concerned June owner BTW (but I do have Keiaho ).

So Redman, you're another one hoping Keiaho gets the gig if June leaves? Sadly, everything I'm reading from the Indy media sounds like they think he needs another year. Nothing I've seen suggests that - Damn he hits hard - although that doesn't mean he has the minerals to last every down yet I suppose.As for Jene's initial question:

UFA Lance Briggs - I love how this guy plays but it's really hard to tell here. As the youngest of this group he potentially has the highest (dynasty) upside, however something (small) inside of me can see him failing as a MLB elsewhere. He has commented that he doesn't see himself playing in a 3-4(Link), so that limits his options somewhat. The 49ers can afford him, however the word is they are moving back to a 3-4 again. I guess Sunday's result may help us get a clearer idea on Briggs' future.

UFA Adalius Thomas - The guy can flat out play, and should do well wherever. I'd love to see him in a Niners uniform more than I would Briggs; Apparently San Fran seem happy with Derek Smith (why?) & Moore.

UFA London Fletcher-Baker - He's still a stud; however if he wants one last big payday it won't be with the Bills, and if the money is right, I don't think he'll care so much where he plays, which could hurt him fantasy-wise.

UFA Cato June - If he follows Thornton, Peterson, Washington out the door as most expect, I don't know how effective he'll be with his size elsewhere; I agree, it's the system that's made him (hence my excitement for Keiaho if he replaces Cato).

UFA Donnie Edwards - Who knows? He has at least one more decent fantasy year in him, although again I can see that deminishing if (when) he takes cash over situation. There is some talk about the Chiefs pursuing him, which could work ok I guess. Which leads me on to ....

UFA Kawika Mitchell - I'm not his biggest fan, but I see him staying in KC (maybe with Donnie), and should post ok numbers again.

 

[redman]

chook, yeah, I'm hopeful for Keiaho, but not just at WLB in the event that June stays for example. I'm also thinking that they might try him at MLB.

What are the media saying about him not being ready?

 

[Jene Bramel]

I was originally going to post a thread to discuss the differences between Lance Briggs and Cato June. But when I looked over the list of FA linebackers I didn't see a Will Witherspoon 06, Mike Peterson 03, London Fletcher 02. All six of these players could see a sizable drop in value if they end up elsewhere next year.

As has been said, I think you have to be most leery of Cato June. He'll struggle big time outside a Tampa-2 scheme unless he's really well protected by blockers. He's had trouble getting off blocks from wide receivers at times this year and is a very inconsistent tackler. He's nowhere near the player that Marcus Washington, Mike Peterson, and David Thornton were. Given the Colts history of letting LBs walk, I'd be looking to sell June for value if I had him and accept the risk that he'll land with a team that will provide him a good opportunity.

I think Briggs is a much different player. He's not the typical undersized WLB in a Tampa-2 scheme. He's got excellent size (240lb), range and instincts. And he's often the one trusted in coverage in Chicago, not Urlacher. His value is probably best in Chicago, but, unlike June, I think he'd retain good value in almost any scheme.

I'll also agree with coolnerd that Adalius Thomas' value is best in the Raven scheme that puts him all over the field in a position to make plays while surrounding him with stud players that can keep him free enough to be productive. It's hard to see him being nearly as productive in a straight 3-4 scheme (SF) or a 4-3 where he's the primary playmaker.

On the buy low side, I'm with those who say get Donnie Edwards cheaply if you can. For all the grief he took in the off-season, Edwards was again a top three linebacker despite starting slowly and had another all-around solid stat season. More importantly, he didn't appear to have any issues with the knee that required surgery last off-season and was a big red flag for a decline in production.

 

[lions327]

I like to buy low on older LB's, from owners who like to unload before they decline. Some of the ones in their 30's, Fletcher, Edwards, maybe Zach Thomas and Brooking types (though they are not free agents), seem to stay productive into their mid 30's, and often you can get them for cheap. LB's seem to hold value as they get older more than any position other than QB.

June and Adalius thomas are probably at their peak value, and I would sell high if possible.

Mitchell, I don't know what the Chiefs are going to do, so he is hard to put a value on.

Briggs will probably be close to where he is if he stays in Chicago, which is what I believe will happen. I would be interested to see how his fantasy numbers would be on a poor team, especially if the offense was bad and he was on the field more. His value would be much higher if that happened, in my opinion.

 

[bcr8f]

the big winners might be who ever replaces these guys

That's right. Who wil replace Briggs in Chitown?Leon Joe is high on the depth chart at Will but I like Jamar Williams myself.

 

[chook]

chook, yeah, I'm hopeful for Keiaho, but not just at WLB in the event that June stays for example. I'm also thinking that they might try him at MLB.

What are the media saying about him not being ready?

Link(Scroll down to the question on Jan 19, 2007)

That's only something I saw the other day (and only one guy's opinion of course), but it seemed to mirror a few of the other things I'd read over the past few months (sorry, no links - just pages found via sporadic web searches during that time, so feel free to take it as total hearsay).

There was never anything vitriolic said in terms of Freddy's ability, just small things here and there which I guess has stupidly put one or two inklings of doubt in my mind.

Colts fan forums seem to have nothing but positive things to say about him however, which hopefully is a good sign. A couple have called for Keiaho to replace Gardner at SLB. That couldn't possibly happen, could it?

Although with Freeney looking like being franchised after Polian's comments the other day, Cato looks very much out the door now, opening at least WLB.

It'd be great to see him get a shot in the middle like you mentioned.

 

[kellumsboys]

Can't help thinking NO would be a GREAT fit for London Fletcher, not sure he would improve much but he's a stud already

A theory (and it's only that at this point) that I've seen is Fletcher rejoining Gregg Williams in Washington to play a year or two at MLB. This makes sense given that Marshall is actually a former safety moved to WLB moved to MLB, and his lack of size has caused him to be banged up; he's also not exactly dominant at MLB under the best of circumstances. Marshall would then be free to back up both MLB and WLB, and to play the nickel which he's good at.

if London Fletcher leaves Buffalo, then who would replace him at MLB ?Crowell ?if not, then who is WLB ? Crowell or Spikes ?

 

[lord_helmet]

Can't help thinking NO would be a GREAT fit for London Fletcher, not sure he would improve much but he's a stud already

A theory (and it's only that at this point) that I've seen is Fletcher rejoining Gregg Williams in Washington to play a year or two at MLB. This makes sense given that Marshall is actually a former safety moved to WLB moved to MLB, and his lack of size has caused him to be banged up; he's also not exactly dominant at MLB under the best of circumstances. Marshall would then be free to back up both MLB and WLB, and to play the nickel which he's good at.

if London Fletcher leaves Buffalo, then who would replace him at MLB ?Crowell ?if not, then who is WLB ? Crowell or Spikes ?

They might look to replace him with a first day pick, no guarantees the one they bring in will be just as efective tho. Players like Fletcher are far between