NFL free agent season about to open up

[PLamb]

AND.........there's a lot of big names out there and if you are a Pats fan, I am, then the possibilities of signing some much needed help are definitely there

Problem is most teams won't be going crazy signing players in this uncapped year for fear of what it might mean with a new CBA and a hard cap coming in low which would mean having to cut some big names from big contracts while paying big penalties

Here's some guys to ponder for your team, whoever that may be:

Julius Peppers
LaDainian Tomlinson
Thomas Jones
Karlos Dansby
Darren Sharper
Gary Brackett
Aaron Kampman
Brian Westbrook
Torry Holt
Terrell Owens
Antonio Bryant
Chester Taylor
Dunta Robinson
Brandon Marshall


These of course are just some of the names with a whole bunch more being bandied around

I would love to see the Pats get Karlos Dansby and Thomas Jones but knowing Belichick I would expect smaller less expensive moves looking for that key word......value

[MBz]

I could see Thomas Jones here if he's willing to take a 1 year contract.

[Fafnir]

My Bears are apparently going nuts.

I'm not that enthusiastic about Peppers.

[PLamb]

Bears signed Brandon Manumaleuna, former Chargers TE which paves the way for them to trade Greg Olsen to the Patriots for a pick

Not sure that's even a sideways move for them if they do move Olsen

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4967716

Lions have signed former Seahawk Nate Burleson

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4967481

Apparently Bears are hot and heavy after both Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers as well






Should be a fun day for NFL fans

[wdleehi]

I will be a dreamy place if the Giants sign both Rolle and Dansby.



But I expect them to just sign Rolle and then draft the middle LB in the 1st round (since Miami would be more likely not to if they sign Dansby)

[PLamb]

I will be a dreamy place if the Giants sign both Rolle and Dansby.



But I expect them to just sign Rolle and then draft the middle LB in the 1st round (since Miami would be more likely not to if they sign Dansby)

You think Rolando McClain is their guy in the first round

He's the best ILB in the draft I just don't know if he will fall that far given he's definitely top 10 in talent

[Rondo2287]

Apparently the asking price for Boldin is a 3rd rounder.  Great pickup for whoever parts with that pick and then signs him to a deal.  And Personally I would rather the pats take Grisham out of Oklahoma in the first round than trade a 2nd for Olsen.

[wdleehi]

I will be a dreamy place if the Giants sign both Rolle and Dansby.



But I expect them to just sign Rolle and then draft the middle LB in the 1st round (since Miami would be more likely not to if they sign Dansby)

You think Rolando McClain is their guy in the first round

He's the best ILB in the draft I just don't know if he will fall that far given he's definitely top 10 in talent

It depends on the mock. 


I think they would love to have him. 


Of course if they get both Dansby and Rolle, the focus switches to DT and OT. 

[Rondo2287]

Also, since the colts resigned Brackett, they cannot sign any unrestricted free agents.

[ssspence]

I will be a dreamy place if the Giants sign both Rolle and Dansby.



But I expect them to just sign Rolle and then draft the middle LB in the 1st round (since Miami would be more likely not to if they sign Dansby)

You think Rolando McClain is their guy in the first round

He's the best ILB in the draft I just don't know if he will fall that far given he's definitely top 10 in talent

It depends on the mock. 


I think they would love to have him. 


Of course if they get both Dansby and Rolle, the focus switches to DT and OT. 

I'm with you. He's there guy, if he's still there when they pick -- which looks unlikely. This could lead them to Dansby.

But you also wonder if they'll quietly gauge Osi's value on the market. If the could move up to get McClain and get additional compensation, they'd have to consider it.

I say this while thinking it sure seems like Canty would be a better fit rotating with Tuck and Kiwi at end.

[wdleehi]

I will be a dreamy place if the Giants sign both Rolle and Dansby.



But I expect them to just sign Rolle and then draft the middle LB in the 1st round (since Miami would be more likely not to if they sign Dansby)

You think Rolando McClain is their guy in the first round

He's the best ILB in the draft I just don't know if he will fall that far given he's definitely top 10 in talent

It depends on the mock. 


I think they would love to have him. 


Of course if they get both Dansby and Rolle, the focus switches to DT and OT. 

I'm with you. He's there guy, if he's still there when they pick -- which looks unlikely. This could lead them to Dansby.

But you also wonder if they'll quietly gauge Osi's value on the market. If the could move up to get McClain and get additional compensation, they'd have to consider it.

I say this while thinking it sure seems like Canty would be a better fit rotating with Tuck and Kiwi at end.

Osi stays.  There is a good chance he can win the starting job back.  Either way, he fits the scheme to much.  He is worth a 1st rounder on his own in a trade.


Canty is still in the DT rotation.  He isn't the pass rusher they like at DE.  I think they need one more DT to work in rotation. 

[ssspence]

I will be a dreamy place if the Giants sign both Rolle and Dansby.



But I expect them to just sign Rolle and then draft the middle LB in the 1st round (since Miami would be more likely not to if they sign Dansby)

You think Rolando McClain is their guy in the first round

He's the best ILB in the draft I just don't know if he will fall that far given he's definitely top 10 in talent

It depends on the mock. 


I think they would love to have him. 


Of course if they get both Dansby and Rolle, the focus switches to DT and OT. 

I'm with you. He's there guy, if he's still there when they pick -- which looks unlikely. This could lead them to Dansby.

But you also wonder if they'll quietly gauge Osi's value on the market. If the could move up to get McClain and get additional compensation, they'd have to consider it.

I say this while thinking it sure seems like Canty would be a better fit rotating with Tuck and Kiwi at end.

Osi stays.  There is a good chance he can win the starting job back.  Either way, he fits the scheme to much.  He is worth a 1st rounder on his own in a trade.


Canty is still in the DT rotation.  He isn't the pass rusher they like at DE.  I think they need one more DT to work in rotation. 

I agree regarding his value, but I'm not as convinced they won't look at it.

And I agree about DT, depending on how they feel Alford is recovering. As that line goes, so go the Giants. Considering the bust that is Bernard they may need more than one.

[Rondo2287]

If the Giants need a D-tackle I think they should stay in State.  Art Jones from Cuse was all Big East two years in a row and was projected as first round pick before he dislocated his knee cap this year.  Now I have seen some mocks where he goes in the late third early 4th round. 

[Evantime34]

A lot of Giants talk here, I hope they get a backer in free agency, because I am a pats fan.

If they grab a backer it means they probably won't draft one, which means one more team drafting in front of us isn't selecting a backer. If it's Dansby then that also keeps him away from the Dolphins, which is good for me.

Didn't really follow the G-Men this year, who did they bench Osi in favor of? Kiwi?

[Rondo2287]

I still dont think the pats go LB in the first round.  I want them to but i dont think BB will do it.  I expect to see a first round pick that nobody sees coming and then all D in the second round.