GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
So free agency is soon to be upon us...
Let's predict where some of these cats end up.
Let's predict where some of these cats end up.
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Where will Antwaan Randle El End Up? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
- Start date
Jason Wood
Zoo York
As much as I can't believe it, I think he's going to land in Philly. Just what we need...another WR2 pretending to be a WR1. 
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
I'd bet $500 he's not back in Pittsburgh.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
For whatever it's worth, this link: http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9271811
claims that Arizona is at least interested enough in ARE that they "intend to persue" him. Makes no sense at all....
They also mention New England and Denver as possible destinations.
claims that Arizona is at least interested enough in ARE that they "intend to persue" him. Makes no sense at all....
They also mention New England and Denver as possible destinations.
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Godsbrother
Footballguy
Arizona??? That IS wacky...
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Man...people are collectively WAY too high on ARE. He's a nice complementary player, but a difference maker? I'm not convinced [and neither are the Steelers it seems].
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
ARE is tough to put a value on. Looking at him only as a WR, he's _AT BEST_ a #2. But, he's a PR threat and if a team has the schemes to let him make plays and work a few wrinkles into the scheme, he's a great X factor, as most football fans already knew and the average Joe learned in the Superbowl.
Whatever team that pays him -- they better hope they utilize him correctly, because if he gets a massive payday to become nothing more than a WR, we're going to be looking at the second coming of Peerless Price.
Whatever team that pays him -- they better hope they utilize him correctly, because if he gets a massive payday to become nothing more than a WR, we're going to be looking at the second coming of Peerless Price.
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
I'd be suprised if it's not Chicago. If they are anywhere near the ballpark of other offers he'll end up there. ARE is a family guy and Chicago is his home.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
I didn't mean that he would go be a number one ... I just meant, if utilized incorrectly, he's going to make about a bajillion dollars for some potentially stinky output.
Traders2001
Footballguy
Your being nice to him , he is a WR 3 wanting WR 1 money . I hope he does nt get it , it would be stupid for any team to invest too much money on a below average WR just because he occasionally he throws a TD pass on a trick play .As much as I can't believe it, I think he's going to land in Philly. Just what we need...another WR2 pretending to be a WR1.
Traders2001
Footballguy
Kansas City already have the best returner in football and probably as good as receiver as EL, they dont need another KR cause that is all El is.Maybe they intend to make him the RB and backup QBArizona??? That IS wacky...Next thing you know, we'll see Detroit rumored.
IF Denver doesn't land Owens, ARE isn't a bad fallback. He'd be 2b with Lelie as 2a.
Personally, I'd like to see Kansas City involved.
Franknbeans
Footballguy
This will only happen if Philly steps up with theAs much as I can't believe it, I think he's going to land in Philly. Just what we need...another WR2 pretending to be a WR1.
Randle El wants to be paid like a #1 receiver and I doubt Philly will see him in the same light. In fact, the only team I see possibly over-reaching for him at this point is the Skins because Danny boy has a history of doing just that.
Challenge Everything
Footballguy
Carolina
Traders2001
Footballguy
WHat will he do in Carolina !!!If he cant return kicks he is worthles as a WR , they already have a good returner.
jeter23
Footballguy
Arizona has over $20 million in salary-cap space, and it has needs along the offensive line and at running back. Yet the one offensive free agent that the Cardinals intend to pursue is Pittsburgh's free-agent wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. The Cardinals think he could provide more depth to a position that already includes Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and Randle El could bolster their return game.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9271811
This would make no sense at all, meaning it will probably happen.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9271811
This would make no sense at all, meaning it will probably happen.
Franknbeans
Footballguy
Now he wants to stay...
Randle El hopes to stay
By Joe Bendel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
It was fitting that Antwaan Randle El spent Tuesday afternoon at Wal-Mart, where the ad campaign features a commitment to "rollback" prices.
That's because the dynamic wideout said he is willing to rollback his price for the Steelers -- provided they come close to matching an offer made by another team during the free-agency period, which could be delayed from its scheduled starting date of Friday.
"If (the Steelers) are a million dollars off, that's not enough to make me leave," said Randle El, who greeted more than 1,500 fans at the Robinson Township Wal-Mart to autograph Warner Home Video's 2006 Super Bowl XL Champions DVD. "If I'm the No. 2 receiver and the punt returner, and, certainly, I have the opportunity to play, then a million-dollar difference won't make me leave here. Why would I want to move my family if I didn't have to?"
Randle El said he and the Steelers have talked, but "we're not there yet."
"It goes back to what they can spend without breaking the team," he said. "I'm not certain they'll be able to do it. If it works out, it works out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. We'll see."
The reality is, Randle El could receive offers that far outweigh what the Steelers are willing to pay, given salary cap restraints and the like. He said 10 to 12 teams could show interest in him at the start of the free-agency silgning period and that he plans to use his ability to return punts (he took two back for touchdowns last season) as a selling point if he hits the market.
He surely increased his stock in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, where his 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward not only sealed a 21-10 victory but also upped his passing totals to 15 of 18 for 171 yards with three touchdowns
"You have to take the punt returns into account when you're making deals," said Randle El, who had 35 catches for 558 yards (15.9 average) with a touchdown last season, while also averaging 10.2 yards on 44 punt returns. "I'm blessed that I have that (bargaining chip)."
Randle El pointed out that not all No. 2 wideouts come cheap. He mentioned the $13.5 million signing bonus Reggie Wayne recently received with the Indianapolis Colts. Not that Randle El was suggesting that he deserves Wayne money -- though he does have that previously stated bargaining chip.
"I'm saying you still get decent money as the No. 2 guy," said Randle El, who might have a hard time getting big money from the Steelers because the team used a $9 million signing bonus on Hines Ward in August. "But it's extra incentive when it comes to returns. I returned two last year for touchdowns, and that was big on my part."
Among the teams interested in Randle El are his hometown Chicago Bears, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles.
And, while going home to Chicago might be somewhat appealing, Randle El said he would be more interested in getting a chance to play for an up-and-coming Bears team in a significant role.
"The attractive thing is, they don't have a punt returner," Randle said. "I think they cut their punt returner last year after our game. And, they want a No. 2 receiver. Certainly, I can play on the other side of Mush (Muhsin Muhammad) and be able to make some plays. But that can happen anywhere. In Washington, I could be on the other side of Santana (Moss). There are 10 or 12 teams that I can name that need a punt returner and a No. 2 guy."
Randle El added that he'd prefer not to sign with a team that is in rebuilding mode.
"I'm not into that," he said. "I don't want to go anywhere where I'm losing a bunch. That's not what I want. We won the Super Bowl and have been in the playoffs in three of the four years that I was here. I wouldn't want to go where we weren't winning like that. Those are the teams that know that they have to jump higher than normal (in offering a contract) because it's not a great thing when you go to a losing organization."
The Steelers used their second-round draft pick on Randle El four years ago, selecting him ahead of Pitt's Antonio Bryant, who is also an unrestricted free agent this year and recently stated he would be interested in playing for the Steelers. Randle El, a quarterback at Indiana University, has 162 career catches for 2,012 yards with seven touchdowns during his Steelers career. He's also returned 168 punts for an average of 9.5 yards and four touchdowns.
Randle El has developed a strong bond with the Rooney family during his tenure here, but he understands that business and sports can be mutually exclusive.
"It's tough, but we have an understanding between me and the Rooneys that if it doesn't work out, they wish me the best," Randle El said. "There are no ill-feelings or hard feelings. I've tried to be gracious. They said they're going to make a push for me, and I respect that and I want it to work out here and not go anywhere else. But at the same time, I'll have to look into other opportunities if it doesn't work out."
Randle El hopes to stay
By Joe Bendel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
It was fitting that Antwaan Randle El spent Tuesday afternoon at Wal-Mart, where the ad campaign features a commitment to "rollback" prices.
That's because the dynamic wideout said he is willing to rollback his price for the Steelers -- provided they come close to matching an offer made by another team during the free-agency period, which could be delayed from its scheduled starting date of Friday.
"If (the Steelers) are a million dollars off, that's not enough to make me leave," said Randle El, who greeted more than 1,500 fans at the Robinson Township Wal-Mart to autograph Warner Home Video's 2006 Super Bowl XL Champions DVD. "If I'm the No. 2 receiver and the punt returner, and, certainly, I have the opportunity to play, then a million-dollar difference won't make me leave here. Why would I want to move my family if I didn't have to?"
Randle El said he and the Steelers have talked, but "we're not there yet."
"It goes back to what they can spend without breaking the team," he said. "I'm not certain they'll be able to do it. If it works out, it works out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. We'll see."
The reality is, Randle El could receive offers that far outweigh what the Steelers are willing to pay, given salary cap restraints and the like. He said 10 to 12 teams could show interest in him at the start of the free-agency silgning period and that he plans to use his ability to return punts (he took two back for touchdowns last season) as a selling point if he hits the market.
He surely increased his stock in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, where his 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward not only sealed a 21-10 victory but also upped his passing totals to 15 of 18 for 171 yards with three touchdowns
"You have to take the punt returns into account when you're making deals," said Randle El, who had 35 catches for 558 yards (15.9 average) with a touchdown last season, while also averaging 10.2 yards on 44 punt returns. "I'm blessed that I have that (bargaining chip)."
Randle El pointed out that not all No. 2 wideouts come cheap. He mentioned the $13.5 million signing bonus Reggie Wayne recently received with the Indianapolis Colts. Not that Randle El was suggesting that he deserves Wayne money -- though he does have that previously stated bargaining chip.
"I'm saying you still get decent money as the No. 2 guy," said Randle El, who might have a hard time getting big money from the Steelers because the team used a $9 million signing bonus on Hines Ward in August. "But it's extra incentive when it comes to returns. I returned two last year for touchdowns, and that was big on my part."
Among the teams interested in Randle El are his hometown Chicago Bears, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles.
And, while going home to Chicago might be somewhat appealing, Randle El said he would be more interested in getting a chance to play for an up-and-coming Bears team in a significant role.
"The attractive thing is, they don't have a punt returner," Randle said. "I think they cut their punt returner last year after our game. And, they want a No. 2 receiver. Certainly, I can play on the other side of Mush (Muhsin Muhammad) and be able to make some plays. But that can happen anywhere. In Washington, I could be on the other side of Santana (Moss). There are 10 or 12 teams that I can name that need a punt returner and a No. 2 guy."
Randle El added that he'd prefer not to sign with a team that is in rebuilding mode.
"I'm not into that," he said. "I don't want to go anywhere where I'm losing a bunch. That's not what I want. We won the Super Bowl and have been in the playoffs in three of the four years that I was here. I wouldn't want to go where we weren't winning like that. Those are the teams that know that they have to jump higher than normal (in offering a contract) because it's not a great thing when you go to a losing organization."
The Steelers used their second-round draft pick on Randle El four years ago, selecting him ahead of Pitt's Antonio Bryant, who is also an unrestricted free agent this year and recently stated he would be interested in playing for the Steelers. Randle El, a quarterback at Indiana University, has 162 career catches for 2,012 yards with seven touchdowns during his Steelers career. He's also returned 168 punts for an average of 9.5 yards and four touchdowns.
Randle El has developed a strong bond with the Rooney family during his tenure here, but he understands that business and sports can be mutually exclusive.
"It's tough, but we have an understanding between me and the Rooneys that if it doesn't work out, they wish me the best," Randle El said. "There are no ill-feelings or hard feelings. I've tried to be gracious. They said they're going to make a push for me, and I respect that and I want it to work out here and not go anywhere else. But at the same time, I'll have to look into other opportunities if it doesn't work out."
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
I'm not really sure of the details on how / why it would work this way, but I'm a tad skeptical with the timing of ARE's latest comments coming 11 seconds after the CBA talks broke down....
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
ARE is as good as gone. He's just a good team guy that would never come out and say it until it's official.
SammyJankis
Footballguy
I keep hearing that Randel El to Arizona "makes no sense at all", but I couldn't disagree more. I think the average fan thinks "Boldin and Fitz are two of the best WRs in the game. Why would the Cardinals want another WR when they have so many other needs."The thing is: Boldin and Fitzgerald are two of the best WRs in the NFL, but neither is very fast. Boldin's calling card is being of the best run after the catch WRs in the NFL. Fitzgerald is the best in the NFL at adjusting to a ball in the air and coming down with the ball. However, many fans/pundits were skeptical of the Fitz selection from Day 1, suggesting that if Fitz was paired with Boldin, the Cards were desperately going to need a speed WR to stretch the field.
The hope was that Bryant Johnson could be that guy. That didn't work out and Johnson will be shown the door. I think if the Cards can add a speed WR in the mold of Randel El, the offense will improve by leaps and bounds.
I actually had Randel El pegged as a guy the Cards would be interested in this offseason long ago. However, I really thought that with Randle El's great finish to the season combined with the high intereste from a number of teams, that he had probably priced himself out of the Cardinals plans. That the Cardinals still remain interested, shows that they must be serious about acquiring a guy to stretch the field.
Would Randel El come here? I think the WR3 could be rationalized with enough money. I can imagine a press conference with Dennis Green coachspeak: "We don't have a WR1, WR2 and WR3. We have three great WRs in what we hope to be one of the best passing offenses in the NFL." I think the real question is if the Cardinals can match what other teams will offer Randel El. That may hinge very much on whether the new CBA deal gets done.
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Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
Anything is possible but after reading Randle El's interview it seems unlikely that he'd be interested in being 3rd fiddle on a bad team.
suchislife
Footballguy
I heard Ray Didinger on 610WIP this morning. He said his sources tell him the Eagles are prepared to offer ARE WR2 money (whatever that amount is), take it or leave it. Don't expect them to get in bidding war over him. Didinger feels this would be a good move for the Eages as ARE would instantly upgrade the WR corp, not to mention he fills the need for a reliable kick returner.For those of you unfamiliar with Didinger, he is a Hall of Fame writer who works for NFL Films. He's an analyst on the Eagles post game show and hosts his own WIP show on the weekends. He provides the most objective, level-headed commentary. He's a class guy who's opinion I trust above all others when it comes the Eagles.As much as I can't believe it, I think he's going to land in Philly. Just what we need...another WR2 pretending to be a WR1.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Hey Sammy, I know this is an aside, but Fitzgerald and Boldin's subpar 40-times are really compelling evidence against GMs not putting too much behind that measurable. They're both dominant, plain and simple, and yet ran what could only be classified as "slow" times on a track.As to ARE, not sure why you see him as a deep threat, speed guy. He was a 4.42 guy at the Combine and has averaged fewer yards per reception in his career than either Fitz or Boldin, and has fewer 40+ yard receptions to boot.
I'm not saying Fitz and Boldin are speed guys, they're not...but neither is Randle El.
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I was skeptical before the year that El could be the vertical threat they lost (sort of) in Burress, and 35 catches were a severe disappointment as far as I am concerned. Bottom line : the guy is a great slot receiver/punt returner/gadget QB and nothing more. The Steelers know this and are wisely valuing him as such. If other teams realize this and offer him a contract in line with what he's worth (something like a 4 year $12 million deal) - the Steelers could likely re-sign him for a little less than that. However, that's not likely to happen. All it takes is one desperate team that's high on him to float out that 5 year / 25 million dollar deal with $7 million up front and he's history. The latter scenario is far more likely.The Steelers need to prioritize Haynes, Tuman, Keisel, Townsend, Randle-El, Kriewaldt, and Hope, and need to restructure Hartings and Staley. My guess is they'll get the restructured deals done, saving them a few million and putting them at about $80-85 million after Bettis' retirement. If the cap lands at $95 million, after the money they set aside for the rookie pool and the tenders they need to extend to Ike Taylor (high) and Sean Morey (low), they'll have enough left over to sign maybe 3 of the 7 guys above. I think they want to wait until free agency begins, amd gauge what the market is going to be for some of those guys before they determine who to extend an offer to. They may prefer to return El to, say, Keisel, but if the best offer Keisel is going to get is 8 million over 3 years and someone offers El $17 million over 4 years, Keisel will get re-signed so they can bring back as much of their core as possible.
My guess is that Haynes, Keisel, and Kriewaldt return, the rest walk. That would leave them enough $$ to sign all their rookies, get Taylor and Morey under contract, and still go out and land 2-3 low-budget free agents to fill whatever holes they aren't addressing in the draft.
Franknbeans
Footballguy
Ding Ding DingThis will only happen if Philly steps up with theAs much as I can't believe it, I think he's going to land in Philly. Just what we need...another WR2 pretending to be a WR1.
nygiants56
Footballguy
Why all the hype about Randle El???
I don't see him as a #1 WR, more like a lackluster #2...
if you want a kick returner,thats fine..but to think he is a big free agent WR that your team must have, is nonsense, IMO..aren't there any other WR's with better stats that you'd rather have?
I don't see him as a #1 WR, more like a lackluster #2...
if you want a kick returner,thats fine..but to think he is a big free agent WR that your team must have, is nonsense, IMO..aren't there any other WR's with better stats that you'd rather have?
Franknbeans
Footballguy
exactly, which makes Danny's signing that much more laughable
