Thoughts on Free Agency (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

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Companion article to our podcast Wednesday night, with added thoughts on all that's happened since Wednesday night. There's a new comment and discussion feature at the bottom of each article page. Comments and questions are always welcome in these threads, but you can use the articles themselves as a place for discussion now, too.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Will put them into an updated article this weekend, but added a run of thoughts on the past 24 hours to my Twitter feed @JeneBramel this morning. Some highlights (timeline starts from the bottom, newest tweets on top). More thoughts to come throughout the early afternoon and tonight...

JeneBramel Jene Bramel

@FootballAndData Moats was next on my list after Schofield, Cunningham. Waiting to see him in that role on tape before pushing him harder.

5 minutes ago

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True, Kiwi got more snaps than I remember, too. RT @mschauf63 I'd say LB designation more worrisome. Easier to fit sub in at DL than LB.

6 minutes ago

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Agree. RT @bryanzukowski Spikes good instincts & short area quickness; great around LOS; could be beast in gaps behind Wilfork/Haynesworth

8 minutes ago

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I like Siler, but he was less consistent v run last year. Red flag that Chargers appear to have zero interest despite current depth issues.

10 minutes ago

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Siler versatile enough to handle both ILB spots. Doubt they'd go that route though. @FootballAndData Siler as an option in Buffalo?

12 minutes ago

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Re: NE 3-4. Reported that Cunningham/Moore at end, Nink SLB, Spikes MLB, Mayo WLB

15 minutes ago

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If not, they certainly don't look like they've prepared well for the possibility that Posluszny signed elsewhere.

17 minutes ago

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Crowder, Bradley, Cooper upgrades over Torbor, but not necessarily great fits. Maybe the staff drafted Sheppard as all-around backer.

18 minutes ago

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Most of the backers suggested for Buffalo (with exception of Burnett bef signed) better SILB fits.

19 minutes ago

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Also don't get the Buffalo linebacker speculation. Davis and Torbor as starters? No range behind an improving defensive line.

20 minutes ago

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Always been lukewarm on Michael Huff, but thought he played well enough in coverage last year to generate more interest than he has.

21 minutes ago

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That 4-3 move could also be good news for Patrick Chung's stats. He could see more time in the box behind a SLB like Ninkovich.

23 minutes ago

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Spikes could get major upgrade in #IDP leagues if he passes the test and also earns trust in subpackages.

24 minutes ago

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Belichick likely using this time to evaluate Spikes impact as MLB, whether Cunningham can hold up in three point stance vs run.

25 minutes ago

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Mayo fine as WLB, but won't have same impact. Would like the front more with Spikes SLB, Mayo MLB. Not terrible as-is, though.

26 minutes ago

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The NE to 4-3 talk doesn't feel right. May not be best use for Mayo, Cunningham, Ninkovich. Still expect it as changeup front only.

27 minutes ago

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Playing time bigger issue as subpackage player mostly, but yes. RT @rtslack Should Kiwanuka owners worry abt LB designation?

28 minutes ago

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Jermaine Cunningham, too. RT @searbat You gave me Cam Wake last year. Who are a few breakout big play IDP league candidates this year?

29 minutes ago

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Woodley rebound, put chips on Schofield for nowRT @searbat You gave me Cam Wake last year. Breakout big play IDP league candidates this yr?

32 minutes ago

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Think the LB market has to break today. Corners signed now, camps in full swing. Rumor mill picking up on Ruud/Barnett/Tulloch...

35 minutes ago

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Harper was the best fit at SS for Gregg Williams. Probably could've made Pollard or Whitner work with that secondary, but Harper best mix.

36 minutes ago

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Richard Marshall should be stable enough in Arizona, but probably small hit given range of safeties and ILBs in run support.

37 minutes ago

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Depends on alignment and nickel role, but that's fair (with weekly matchup upside for each) @TonyMadeira So Dansby LB3 and Burnett LB4?

39 minutes ago

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LB2 w/ upside as every-down player & that OLB group. Jarrett ultimate winner in time. RT @Thomsen80 Expectations for Matthews if stays MLB?

39 minutes ago

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Probably, but still think the Eagles find another vet option at MLB to transition in 2011. RT @dooger2 drop Chaney for Matthews?

41 minutes ago

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Asomugha's presence likely makes DRC a viable fantasy option in all leagues again, if he shows any interest in supporting the run.

42 minutes ago

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Eagles' corner moves will have big effect on front seven. Coverage sacks from top DL, less pressure on so-so LBs to cover underneath zones.

44 minutes ago

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Hard to see either Burnett or Dansby as a safe bet for 90 or more solos. Interested to see how they're used during the preseason.

47 minutes ago

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Burnett big upgrade in range and coverage, but Crowder (when healthy) probably a better inside run stuffer.

47 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

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Like Kevin Burnett to Miami, but he's not a clean replacement for Crowder. Dansby likely moves over to SILB, Burnett playing WILB.

49 minutes ago

 

[tonka]

This is fantastic info. Much appreciated.

 

[Whitney26]

Jene,

Thanks for your time and work. You do a magnificent job.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Morning thoughts on linebackers, Mitchell. Timeline again starts at the bottom. Likely more to come today on Twitter with another RTD update for the site with extended thoughts tomorrow morning. With luck, full rankings update, every-down LB thread and warehouse thread updates today, too.

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@brianchenry Curran doesn't fit Gray's defense. McRath could still grow into a player, upside dependent on Ayers, role.

3 minutes ago

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The Raiders loved measurables, pretty film work at Ohio U. Just don't seem to trust him with more than a nickel safety role yet.

5 minutes ago

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The Mike Mitchell Project at SS probably delayed again with the re-signing of Michael Huff by Oakland.

7 minutes ago

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Still more interesting news coming with the backers: Barnett likely to BUF, Hawthorne standing on verge of big things if Tatupu released.

10 minutes ago

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Think the delay in signing and one year deal is related to the talent available (Tulloch/Ruud okay, not great), market & timing of FA.

12 minutes ago

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Not that the pass rush, cover corner, DT, etc not important, just hesitate to marginalize the Mike while the league trends to 3-4.

13 minutes ago

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Not sure I agree with comments that 4-3 MLBs aren't valuable. Still the anchor of the defense, even if just a two-down run stuffer.

13 minutes ago

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Colin McCarthy still best bet to play in the middle in 2012. Ruud signing gives him time to get ready.

15 minutes ago

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Ruud to Titans on 1yr deal not that surprising. Good transition guy for Tennessee, good spot for Ruud to rehab his image as all-around MLB.

16 minutes ago

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Levy/Durant #IDP value will be fluid. Schwartz could use ROLB/LOLB system, both could see nickel snaps.

17 minutes ago

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Tulloch in prime position for a potential "I'll show you" season on the 1yr deal behind very good DL. Levy to WLB, Durant to SLB likely.

18 minutes ago

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Tulloch to Detroit, which isn't surprising after the market came down a bit and the Lions missed on Joseph at CB.

20 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

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Linebacker market finally breaking last night and this morning. Landing spots not too surprising, but the one year deals may be.

 

[cr8f]

JeneBramel Jene Bramel

Linebacker market finally breaking last night and this morning. Landing spots not too surprising, but the one year deals may be.

I agree on the 1 year contracts. I wonder if the teams have options to extend them at same cost.

 

[Tick]

I love Jene Bramel.

 

[J Giles Band]

I love Jene Bramel.

 

[Jene Bramel]

RTD Vol 5 -- More free agency and early camp report reviews.

Also updated all positional redraft rankings last night, with comments hopefully to follow today.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

RTD Vol 5 -- More free agency and early camp report reviews.

Also updated all positional redraft rankings last night, with comments hopefully to follow today.

Amazing how much different they are from a few short days ago. I hope to have mine updated tomorrow.

 

[JoeSteeler]

 

[cr8f]

RTD Vol 5 -- More free agency and early camp report reviews.

Also updated all positional redraft rankings last night, with comments hopefully to follow today.

Amazing how much different they are from a few short days ago. I hope to have mine updated tomorrow.

Hawthorne & Barnett suddenly top 10.

 

[Gary Davenport]

RTD Vol 5 -- More free agency and early camp report reviews.

Also updated all positional redraft rankings last night, with comments hopefully to follow today.

Amazing how much different they are from a few short days ago. I hope to have mine updated tomorrow.

Amen. My rankings went from speculative to crapulative in less than a week. $28M guaranteed for Kamerion Freaking Wimbley. Crazy Al Strikes Again.