Free Agent Preview: Linebackers (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

Posted a LB preview on the blog today...love to foster some discussion as free agency gets to ramp up:

2008 NFL Free Agency Preview: Linebackers

Filed under: Free Agency, NFL, Footballguys, News, LB — Jason Wood @ 3:57 pm Edit This

For fanatics like us, the NFL has no offseason. Immediately after the Super Bowl it’s time to finish up the coaching carousel, assess NFL free agency and prepare for the NFL draft. Before we know it, mini-camps will be underway and the next thing we know, it’s TIME TO GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

Today, we start our look at NFL free agency with the LINEBACKERS:

First, the bad news…Karlos Dansby (ARI) and Terrell Suggs (BAL) were tagged by their respective teams, removing two of the best young players from the free agent pool.

Now, the good news…the linebacker crop remains strong with a number of Pro Bowl caliber prospects as well as a number of proven veterans who, if they can stay healthy, will contribute in 2008.

The Top Outside Linebackers

1. Lance Briggs (6′1″, 240 pounds, 27 years old) – Briggs was tagged in 2007, but the Bears were contractually forbidden from tagging him again. Despite having a down year, he’s the coveted prize of the LB crop and will garner one of the biggest contracts in league history at his position

2. Calvin Pace (6′4″, 270 pounds, 27 years old) — Pace benefits from being in the same free agent class as teammate Karlos Dansby. Few teams would’ve let Pace, a huge converted defensive end, hit free agency after a wildly successful season as a 3-4 OLB [98 tackles, 6.5 sacks]; but the Cardinals tagged Dansby, leaving the door for Pace to explore free agency.

3. Clark Haggans (6′4″, 243 pounds, 31 years old) – Haggans is the latest Steelers linebacker to be afforded free agency as the team looks to rebuild via youth and the draft. At 31, he can still contribute and earn every penny of a multi-year deal. While his numbers weren’t eye popping in 2007 [56 tackles, 4 sacks], he has experience [61 starts] and proven pass rush ability [32.5 sacks].

4. Kawika Mitchell (6′1″, 253 pounds, 28 years old) — Mitchell is by no means a star, but he played an integral role in the Giants Super Bowl run and seemed to elevate his game as the playoffs commenced. After four seasons in KC, Mitchell got his chance in New York and made the most of it; we expect he’ll re-sign with New York because they have a need at LB and he would be hard pressed to garner a starting job for big dollars elsewhere.

5. Landon Johnson (6′2″, 232 pounds, 26 years old) — Johnson is young and could be this year’s Mitchell. In the right scheme, there’s no reason he can’t be a productive help defender. Despite an absence of big plays (3.5 sacks in 4 years, 1 INT), he has 53 starts under his belt and has notched 100+ tackles in consecutive seasons.

6. Victor Hobson (6′0″, 252 pounds, 27 years old) – Hobson never settled into a starring role under Eric Mangini but he’s a four year starter with experience in both a 3-4 and 4-3 alignment. Hobson is probably best suited in a 4-3 and given his age and experience, should garner a shot at playing time for another team in 2008.

The Top Inside Linebackers

1. Zach Thomas (5′11″, 228 pounds, 34 years old) – The 7-time Pro Bowler was deemed expendable after an injury-shortened season in 2007 (5 games), but if healthy Thomas remains an intriguing option at inside linebacker. Even last season, Thomas averaged better than 10 tackles per game and has averaged more than 150 tackles over the last six seasons. He has already been offered a contract by the Saints, and has visited the Patriots, too.

2. Tedy Bruschi (6′1″, 247 pounds, 34 years old) — Hard to imagine Bruschi will play for anyone other than the Patriots, but in the off chance he opts to test the market, he can still contribute (92 tackles, 2 sacks last year). The most likely outcome is either retirement or another season in New England.

3. Derek Smith (6′2″, 240 pounds, 34 years old) – Smith was released by San Francisco this week but intends to latch on with another team. Injuries have curtailed his output over the last two seasons but, when healthy, he’s a disciplined tackler and field leader.

4. Al Wilson (6′0″, 240 pounds, 30 years old) – Wilson was one of the best interior linebackers in the game until a neck injury forced him into retirement. Medically cleared to re-enter the league, Wilson has been touring the league looking for a place to re-start his career. Assuming he’s healthy (an admittedly big assumption), Wilson would be a low risk/high reward option for a team looking to solidify the interior of its front seven.

5. Dan Morgan (6′2″, 245 pounds, 29 years old) — If ability was the only criteria, Morgan would rank much higher but unfortunately his durability counts against him. A victim of multiple concussions, Morgan has never played more than 13 games in a season and only played four of the last 32 games for Carolina. Despite his health issues, several teams have brought him in for a look. Expect Morgan to sign a one-year, incentive laden deal on a team that will give him a shot at starting.

6. Mark Simoneau (6′0″, 245 pounds, 31 years old) – Simoneau has been a starter in Philadelphia and New Orleans but the fact NO has brought in Zach Thomas and Dan Morgan for workouts suggests his days are numbered in the Big Easy; at least as a starter. Not sure he’ll be in high demand (the market will have to come to him) but don’t count him out for a multi-year deal and a chance to start for some team in need.



The (Near) Complete List

Player Name Status 2007Team 2008Team

Calvin Pace UFA ARZ

Karlos Dansby UFA ARZ

Demorrio Williams UFA ATL

Nick Greisen UFA BAL

Josh Stamer UFA BUF

Leon Joe UFA BUF

Mario Haggan UFA BUF

Donte Curry UFA CAR

Na\’il Diggs UFA CAR

Terrence Melton UFA CAR

Brendon Ayanbadejo UFA CHI

Lance Briggs UFA CHI

Caleb Miller UFA CIN

Dhani Jones UFA CIN

Landon Johnson UFA CIN

Lemar Marshall UFA CIN

Chaun Thompson UFA CLE

Keith Adams UFA CLE

Mason Unck UFA CLE

Matt Stewart UFA CLE

Boss Bailey UFA DET

Teddy Lehman UFA DET

Tracy White UFA GB

Charlie Anderson UFA HOU

Danny Clark UFA HOU

Shantee Orr UFA HOU

Keith O\’Neil UFA IND

Rocky Boiman UFA IND

Chris Claiborne UFA JAX

Tony Gilbert UFA JAX

Keyaron Fox UFA KC

Derrick Pope UFA MIA

Donnie Spragan UFA MIA

Dontarrious Thomas UFA MIN

Junior Seau UFA NE

Larry Izzo UFA NE

Tedy Bruschi UFA NE

Mark Simoneau UFA NO

Kawika Mitchell UFA NYG

Reggie Torbor UFA NYG

Victor Hobson UFA NYJ

Isaiah Kacyvenski UFA OAK

Clark Haggans UFA PIT

Marquis Cooper UFA PIT

Kevin Bentley UFA SEA

Niko Koutouvides UFA SEA

Roderick Green UFA SF

Brandon Chillar UFA STL

Raonall Smith UFA STL

Jeremiah Trotter UFA TB

Gilbert Gardner UFA TEN

Rich Scanlon UFA TEN

Jashon Sykes UFA WAS

Randall Godfrey UFA WAS

Brandon Archer Signed IND DEN

William Kershaw Signed PHI DEN

T.J. Slaughter Signed SF NE

Darryl Blackstock RFA ARZ

Michael Boley RFA ATL

Mike Smith RFA BAL

Robert McCune RFA BAL

Adam Seward RFA CAR

Corey Mays RFA CIN

Rashad Jeanty RFA CIN

Kris Griffin RFA CLE

Kenneth Pettway RFA JAX

Mickey Pimentel RFA KC

Eric Alexander RFA NE

Heath Farwell RFA NE

Matt McCoy RFA NO

Isaiah Ekejiuba RFA OAK

Jon Alston RFA OAK

Ricky Brown RFA OAK

Arnold Harrison RFA PIT

Marques Harris RFA SD

Lance Laury RFA SEA

Quinton Culberson RFA STL

Antoine Cash RFA TB

Marcus Wilkins Released ATL

Kevin Harrison Released BUF

Dan Morgan Released CAR

Warrick Holdman Released DEN

Shawn Barber Released HOU

Zach Thomas Released MIA

Derek Smith Released SF

 

[Cecil Lammey]

The Broncos are looking at some LBs. Most notably Zach Thomas and Dan Morgan. Thomas' agent said that Denver was no longer in the running, rumors have the Saints as his top spot.

This means that Denver would move DJ Williams to the weak side. I thought DJ showed improvement at the end of the year, but clearly he is not instinctive enough to play MLB. Just like in the training camp reports last year, DJ is extremely athletic, but needs to play on the outside where he can use his natural tools to read and react.

 

[Jason Wood]

I personally think Haggans would make a nice addition for the Jets; while I can see Pace landing somewhere for BIG $$$$; perhaps Cleveland?

 

[MAC_32]

I personally think Haggans would make a nice addition for the Jets; while I can see Pace landing somewhere for BIG $$$$; perhaps Cleveland?

I have been quiety begging for Pace to Cleveland for about a month now. Sign him. Sign that man.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I suspect that Pace is another Bryan Thomas. Scuffles for a number of seasons, bursts onto the scene in a "new" defensive scheme, then disappears when he gets paid. Pace definitely looked like a disruptive talent during the second half of the season, but I'm skeptical. He'd been tried at DE and SLB in the past, including with Pendergast and been a disappointment.

I've thought that Mitchell might be a decent fit in New England. If the Pats can't convince Thomas, who I don't think is the best of fits, it won't shock me if they sniff around Mitchell.

Morgan is the best talent available, but as Woodrow said, probably gets left on the pile like June did last year due to his injury history. He signed the incentive laden deal suggested last year, so he should be amenable to that again in 2008.

 

[MAC_32]

I suspect that Pace is another Bryan Thomas. Scuffles for a number of seasons, bursts onto the scene in a "new" defensive scheme, then disappears when he gets paid. Pace definitely looked like a disruptive talent during the second half of the season, but I'm skeptical. He'd been tried at DE and SLB in the past, including with Pendergast and been a disappointment.

I think it's more along the lines of another case of the Cardinals making another dumb Cardinals move. They've developed this kid to be disruptive on the outside in a customized 3-4 and just when he finally gets it, remember how bad he was when they first moved him there, they let him go.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I suspect that Pace is another Bryan Thomas. Scuffles for a number of seasons, bursts onto the scene in a "new" defensive scheme, then disappears when he gets paid. Pace definitely looked like a disruptive talent during the second half of the season, but I'm skeptical. He'd been tried at DE and SLB in the past, including with Pendergast and been a disappointment.

I think it's more along the lines of another case of the Cardinals making another dumb Cardinals move. They've developed this kid to be disruptive on the outside in a customized 3-4 and just when he finally gets it, remember how bad he was when they first moved him there, they let him go.

I'd rather have Dansby than Pace, though, and it's possible that neither were going to sign a contract knowing that at least one would likely get a shot at UFA since both couldn't be tagged.(ugh, what a horrible sentence that was...sorry)

 

[Jason Wood]

Jene, you really see Pace as another Bryan Thomas?

I guess you are making Thomas 78 tackle, 8.5 sack 2006 analogous to Pace's 2007 breakout? I can see that to an extent but what player on the Jets defense didn't regress in 2007? I can't say whether Pace is a smart player or not, but I can say that Thomas isn't. The guy couldn't find his way out of a paper bag.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Jene, you really see Pace as another Bryan Thomas?

I guess you are making Thomas 78 tackle, 8.5 sack 2006 analogous to Pace's 2007 breakout? I can see that to an extent but what player on the Jets defense didn't regress in 2007? I can't say whether Pace is a smart player or not, but I can say that Thomas isn't. The guy couldn't find his way out of a paper bag.

Yeah, it's imperfect, but that's the analogy I'm drawing. From my observations, Pace was much more disruptive in 2007 than Thomas was in 2006 and he was a better all-around player than Thomas. Pace may well be different, and the last 3/4 of 2007 may be Pace finding his niche. Still, it's hard for me to ignore the 4+ years of inconsistent play, injury and lack of impact. Thomas went through the same thing. Different scheme, different coach, huge production in a contract year.Just smells funny. Not saying Pace won't or doesn't deserve a nice contract. Too many red flags for me.

 

[Boston]

I can't believe Al Wilson is only 30. Didn't he play with Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar?

It will be interesting to see if Capers hooking up with the Pats has any impact on what they do at LB this offseason. Capers favors a more attacking style of 3-4. The Pats season has ended two years in a row where one sack (that they couldn't get) could have changed the fortunes of those losses. Gotta believe Haggans is on their radar regardless of what Capers addition means.

 

[Smizzy]

I see the Jets making a splash for Calvin Pace. He would fit very nicely in our 3-4

 

[Smizzy]

Jene, you really see Pace as another Bryan Thomas?I guess you are making Thomas 78 tackle, 8.5 sack 2006 analogous to Pace's 2007 breakout? I can see that to an extent but what player on the Jets defense didn't regress in 2007? I can't say whether Pace is a smart player or not, but I can say that Thomas isn't. The guy couldn't find his way out of a paper bag.

While most everybody suffered from the lack of a NT in our 3-4,Thomas was invisible the entire season.

 

[Bri]

Vilma being allowed to seek a trade, in a way, is part of this list.

Mangini inheritted good young LBers and has to make it work(with whomever he has) in 08, if he wants to be there in 09.

 

[Jason Wood]

Vilma being allowed to seek a trade, in a way, is part of this list.Mangini inheritted good young LBers and has to make it work(with whomever he has) in 08, if he wants to be there in 09.

I thought about including players who could be traded, but it's just easier to keep that a separate category. The same holds true for the WR position (which we previewed yesterday, too) b/c of players like Javon Walker, Laveranues Coles, Troy Williamson and Larry Fitzgerald.