Jene Bramel
Footballguy
The Roundtable crew was back at it on the Audible last night (link to come soon), but I thought I'd add some extended thoughts in blog from as well.
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Thoughts on the Second Wave of Defensive Free Agency (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jene Bramel
- Start date
Yes, I couldn't find anything new.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Weird, the link in the original post goes straight to the new blog post for me.Here's the text...The Titans’ linebacker situation may have gotten a little messier with the signing of Will Witherspoon, whose addition gives Tennessee five viable linebacker options. In reality, signing Witherspoon probably means the end of Keith Bulluck and leaves Gerald McRath competing with David Thornton (if he’s healthy enough to play) for the other OLB spot. Stephen Tulloch is still the man to target in dynasty leagues, but he may again be at risk of losing snaps in the nickel if Witherspoon and Thornton are the opening day starters at OLB. If McRath is the odd man out, those in deeper leagues can consider stashing him for future value.The Broncos surprisingly cut Andra Davis as the second wave of free agency began, despite not having a ready replacement on the depth chart. Speculation from local writers has Mario Haggan and Spencer Larsen potentially competing for the SILB job, but expect the team to address the position early in the draft. Neither Haggan nor Larsen would be an every-down backer and neither would be likely to provide the intermittently solid numbers that Davis did last season. Davis landed on his feet quickly in Buffalo, where he’ll likely assume the starting SILB role over Kawika Mitchell. It’s unlikely he’ll be more than a base defensive defender for the Bills, and his upside is limited to his 2009 numbers in Denver.The Lions were reported to have little interest in bringing Larry Foote back for 2010 and publicly praised the late season play of DeAndre Levy in the middle. There remains a small percentage chance that Levy might platoon with Jordon Dizon in the nickel, but all signs point to Levy playing an every-down role in a very favorable situation. He may creep into the top twenty on some rank lists this summer, but those following the situation closely are likely to have him inside the top fifteen (where he’ll likely be in my next update) by the time minicamps begin. Foote landed in Pittsburgh with a surprisingly lucrative deal. Reports suggest that he’s returning as a backup, but Foote turned down other suitors who likely offered more playing time and the Steelers may see him as a hedge against either James Farrior or Lawrence Timmons, who both struggled against the run at times last year.It's not getting much play around the IDP internet circles, but don’t ignore Philadelphia’s signing of former Colts’ cornerback Marlin Jackson. Every year, I rank Jackson highly. Every year, Jackson struggles with injury and can’t sustain his strong statistical numbers long enough to hold value. On paper, however, Jackson is a poor man’s Charles Tillman. He has good size, strong run support skills and has the ability to make plays on the ball. If he can stay healthy, the Eagles’ defensive scheme will give Jackson yet another chance at 65 solos and multiple coverage plays.Chinedum Ndukwe will yet again have to deal with a second wave veteran free agent signee taking snaps from him in the base defense. Roy Williams, who was a good fit as Cincinnati’s in-the-box safety last season, is back and expected to assume the same role this year. Expect Ndukwe to put up inconsistent numbers until the inevitable injury to either Williams or Chris Crocker, when Ndukwe will again step in as a DB1 caliber lineup option.The Raiders traded for Kamerion Wimbley, who never reached his promise as a standup pass rusher in Cleveland’s 3-4 defense. Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post (and formerly a Raiders’ front office man) reports that Wimbley will play defensive end. Presumably, that means that the Raiders aren’t considering a potential move to a 3-4, though the pieces look like they could fit better than some teams who have recently transitioned to the 3-4. It also suggests that Trevor Scott is firmly entrenched at OLB on the depth chart and that Matt Shaughnessy will move back into a rotational role with Wimbley and Richard Seymour. Meanwhile, there’s been very little movement on the Kirk Morrison market. The post-draft minicamps will be very interesting in Oakland.It may finally be time for Darryl Tapp to shine consistently in the boxscores. Tapp was traded to Philadelphia shortly after signing his original pick tender in Seattle. Tapp isn’t going to be an every-down player in Philadelphia, but the Eagles have supported a number of nicely productive rotational players in recent seasons. Tapp’s surrounding cast should be good enough to allow him to push for five or more sacks and it’s possible that Sean McDermott can get Tapp to play more consistently than he did in Seattle and tease the breakout season many of us have been patiently waiting to see.Tapp's trade may have another important ripple effect. There were rumors that the Seahawks could be considering some 3-4 looks after Pete Carroll’s hiring. Carroll’s 4-3 under defense at USC often used an elephant pass rusher, similar to how players like Terrell Suggs or Charles Haley have been used in the past. With the Seahawks potentially losing Patrick Kerney to retirement, Tapp to Philadelphia and the reports that Carroll was never particularly high on Lawrence Jackson’s pro prospects, we might be seeing the first moves away from Gus Bradley’s preferred Cover-2 schemes toward more of a four linebacker front. The new front would allow the Seahawks to use Curry as an all-around elephant type player and get David Hawthorne on the field at the same time. Stay tuned for minicamp reports here, too.If you're asking yourself, “If the Bucs weren’t happy with Sabby Piscitelli’s tackling or consistency in coverage, why would they sign Sean Jones?” you aren’t the only one. Still, the SS position in Tampa Bay is one that can be productive and it warrants watching closely. If Jones takes Piscitelli’s job, he’ll again be a viable IDP option and would deserve consideration as a DB3.The loss of Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards in free agency and the news that Paul Kruger is looking to bulk up to play defensive end in Baltimore are interesting developments. The Ravens will probably still remain a multiple front defense leaning toward a 4-3, but it’s not impossible to think that the team could again swing back toward a 3-4 look with the improvement in play from Dannell Ellerbee and Kelly Gregg’s healthy offseason. For now, the key piece of offseason fluff is that Paul Kruger is adding weight. If the Ravens stay primarily 4-3, Kruger could have a lot of upside as a rotational player alongside a very good group of defensive linemen, with only aging DE Trevor Pryce standing in his way for more extensive playing time.The Cardinals got stuck without a chair when the music stopped on the second wave of linebacker signings – even though they made their move first. Buffalo got Andra Davis. Pittsburgh got Larry Foote. Arizona got Paris Lenon. Lenon has had spurts of excellent production in Detroit, but his numbers still lagged behind the opportunity he was presented. If the Cardinals don’t add a more exciting name later in free agency or the draft, forget Lenon and focus on the increased opportunity for Gerald Hayes (who would be favored to play in subpackages over Lenon) and safeties Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes, both of whom move up at least a half tier if the Cardinals can’t do better than Lenon at WILB.Finally, an early glimpse on some tier discussion to come in early May. I’ll have much more to say on this later, but it’s time to start thinking about the implications of the sizable influx of defensive end talent as the aftermath of this year’s free agency period sorts itself out. In line for more playing time this fall are promising prospects like William Hayes, Charles Johnson, Everette Brown, Paul Kruger, Connor Barwin and Darryl Tapp. Aaron Kampman and Kyle Vanden Bosch landed in promising locations. Julius Peppers signed with a 4-3 team and Andre Carter could be traded before he gets stuck in a 3-4 front again. Kamerion Wimbley and Matt Shaughnessy may fulfill some potential. Aaron Kampman is back in the DE lists and could elevate the game of yet-to-reach-his-potential Derrick Harvey. The only formerly valuable defensive ends who might get swallowed by the ever-increasing tide of teams turning to the 3-4 front are Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay. Aaron Maybin was never going to be a viable fantasy option and Jeremy Jarmon had yet to find his stride in Washington. After a season in which the pool of attractive fantasy DL prospects was as shallow as ever, things are looking significantly better. Should it make a difference in your drafting and rostering strategies? I’ll save my thoughts on that discussion for another time.
PewterFan
Footballguy
The link took me to the proper story. Good read.
It's my understanding that Sean Jones can play both FS and SS, so he adds value there. He may not be an All-Pro, but trust me when I say, that he's an upgrade over Piscitelli. From a NFL perspective, I like the signing. Not sure how it'll translate in FF.
