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2014 NFL Free Agent Tracker

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
If the Bills and Byrd don’t reach a deal by Monday, it doesn’t rule out a deal before the FA period. Stay tuned

Bills made Jairus Byrd an offer that would’ve made him highest paid S for a portion of his deal. Was rejected. Team still wants to sign him

Bills, after gauging market and looking at possible trade options, are now unlikely to tag Jairus Byrd, per source (@JoeBuscaglia 1st said)
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I'm hoping Byrd follows his DC to the Browns. Him and TJ Ward as the Browns' safeties would be stout, assuming the Browns can re-sign Ward. They have a ton of money to spend, and that would be a good place to start.
 
Dutchrudder said:
I'm hoping Byrd follows his DC to the Browns. Him and TJ Ward as the Browns' safeties would be stout, assuming the Browns can re-sign Ward. They have a ton of money to spend, and that would be a good place to start.
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Interesting possibility: Lovie wanted to draft Byrd when he was coming out of college, and Byrd's father is the DB coach in Tampa Bay so you have to figure they will be in the picture.
 
Dutchrudder said:
Byrd and Barron might make a nice combo too. I would expect Dashon Goldson gets cut soon if Byrd to Tampa has any real possibility.
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I find it funny how often guys like Goldson sign huge FA deals and are on the cutting block a year later.

How many FA's go from good teams (SF) to bad ones (TB) all for the money and end up being worth it?
 
WolverineFan said:
Dolphins re-signed CB Brent Grimes to 4-year deal.

Looks like the FA CB market just got more expensive.
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@JasonLaCanfora 38m
Corner Brent Grimes' 4 yr deal with Miami is worth $8M per year, with 50% ($16M) guaranteed

Wowzers!


@ProFootballTalk 1h
Redskins reportedly set to tag Orakpo if no deal reached by deadline


Also, buyer beware on Jarius Byrd:
Last season, the Bills franchised Byrd at $6.9 million, but he held out until late August in protest of the tag. He then missed the first five games of the season because of plantar fasciitis in both feet.
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Great job by Grimes. Took his one year deal last year made the most of it, now getting him money.

Interesting that the Skins will tag Orakpo.
 
What your article fails to mention is that fifth year option has to be activated by May 3, 2014. Can't wait until offseason to make that decision.
 
Troy Chapman said:
What your article fails to mention is that fifth year option has to be activated by May 3, 2014. Can't wait until offseason to make that decision.
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I'm missing something. The league year and free agency begins March 11th. The option is on 2015 - JJ is under contract for 2014. What offseason are you referring to?
 
infantrycak said:
I'm missing something. The league year and free agency begins March 11th. The option is on 2015 - JJ is under contract for 2014. What offseason are you referring to?
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Just pointing out that the Texans have to make a decision by May 3, 2014...if they want to option the 5th year on his contract. They cannot wait until the offseason after the 2014 season to do so. It has be done this year.
 
2014 NFL Free Agency Primer: QBs, RBs
Doug Farrar
For NFL teams, the next three months are the league’s version of Christmas shopping. Between free agency, which starts March 11, and the draft, which kicks off in early May, this is the time to get your salary cap situations cleaned up (as much as possible) and take a run at the most intriguing prospects. And with free agency just around the corner, it’s time to take a closer look at the most appealing prospects — starting with a class of quarterbacks that don’t really excite, and a group of running backs with some interesting sleepers...
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Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN
Business is business, but there are consequences that come with tagging players that has nothing to do with money.

Original intent of the franchise tag is nothing like how most players view it currently, which is less than positive.

Reports of Graham & Orakpo not planning on signing tenders right away, and not showing up in the near future, is exactly what GM's do not want.
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Playoffs said:
Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN
Original intent of the franchise tag is nothing like how most players view it currently, which is less than positive.

Reports of Graham & Orakpo not planning on signing tenders right away, and not showing up in the near future, is exactly what GM's do not want.
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Personally, I think owners should pressure the NFLPA to do something about this. The use of the franchise tag was agreed upon in the latest CBA, it shouldn't be an issue. Players shouldn't be getting bent out of shape. & if they do, they shouldn't be taking it out on the team, they should be taking it out on the NFLPA who argued on their behalf & agreed to the tag.
 
Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora
Jason Worilds has signed his transition tag w/PIT worth $9.75M. No offer sheets can come now. He was a primary target for the Eagles ...
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The #Redskins announced they have cut DL Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca

#Redskins also released TE Richard Quinn, waived RBs Davin Meggett and Jawan Jamison (2013 7th rounder).

#Chargers continue house cleaning: Releasing CB Derek Cox after 1 season

Eagles announce they've released WR Jason Avant.
 
Yahoo Sports/Rotoworld Free Agent Rankings by position:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2014-nfl-free-agents-015900284--nfl.html

They have all positions listed, but here are most of the defensive ones:


Defensive Ends

1. Greg Hardy (Re-signed one-year, $13.116M deal with CAR)
2. Michael Johnson
3. Lamarr Houston
4. Michael Bennett
5. Arthur Jones

6. Everson Griffen
7. Jared Allen
8. Justin Tuck
9. Antonio Smith

10. Red Bryant
11. Tyson Jackson
12. Robert Ayers
13. Corey Wootton
14. Anthony Spencer
15. Willie Young
16. Brett Keisel
17. Jeremy Mincey

18. Will Smith
19. Matt Shaughnessy
20. C.J. Wilson



Defensive Tackles

1. Henry Melton
2. Linval Joseph
3. B.J. Raji
4. Jason Hatcher
5. Randy Starks
6. Paul Soliai
7. Clinton McDonald
8. Jonathan Babineaux
9. Kevin Williams
10. Alex Carrington
11. Pat Sims
12. Earl Mitchell
13. Vance Walker

14. Tony McDaniel
15. Corey Peters (Re-signed one-year deal with ATL)
16. Ziggy Hood
17. Ryan Pickett
18. Ropati Pitoitua
19. Fred Evans
20. Jay Ratliff
21. Mike Patterson
22. Terrence Cody
23. Johnny Jolly
24. Fili Moala
25. Peria Jerry



Outside Linebackers

1. Brian Orakpo (Franchise Tagged)
2. Jason Worilds (Re-signed one-year, $9.754M deal with PIT)
3. Shaun Phillips
4. Calvin Pace

5. Mike Neal
6. O'Brien Schofield

7. Rob Jackson
8. Erin Henderson
9. Jo-Lonn Dunbar
10. Keith Rivers
11. Jonathan Casillas
12. Parys Haralson
13. Reggie Walker

14. Stephen Nicholas
15. Michael Boley


Inside Linebackers

1. Donald Butler (Re-signed seven-year, $48M deal with SD)
2. Karlos Dansby
3. Brandon Spikes
4. Daryl Smith
5. Jon Beason
6. D'Qwell Jackson
7. Wesley Woodyard
8. Arthur Moats
9. Perry Riley
10. Kavell Conner
11. Jameel McClain
12. Darryl Sharpton
13. Joe Mays
14. Pat Angerer
15. Stewart Bradley
16. Akeem Jordan
17. D.J. Williams
18. Desmond Bishop
19. Jonathan Vilma


Cornerbacks

1. Brent Grimes (Re-signed four-year, $32M deal with MIA)
2. Aqib Talib
3. Alterraun Verner
4. Vontae Davis
5. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
6. Sam Shields

7. Walter Thurmond III
8. Charles Tillman
9. Tarell Brown
10. Captain Munnerlyn

11. Corey Graham
12. Derek Cox
13. Chris Cook
14. Terrell Thomas
15. DeAngelo Hall (Re-signed four-year, $17M deal with WAS)

16. Asante Samuel

17. Jabari Greer
18. Trumaine McBride
19. Will Blackmon

20. Drayton Florence
21. Antoine Cason
22. Rashean Mathis
23. Josh Wilson
24. Tracy Porter
25. Richard Marshall
26. Nolan Carroll
27. E.J. Biggers
28. Quentin Jammer

29. Corey Webster
30. Kelvin Hayden (Re-signed one-year, $840K deal with CHI)

31. Dunta Robinson



Safeties


1. Jairus Byrd
2. T.J. Ward

3. Donte Whitner
4. Antoine Bethea
5. Chris Clemons

6. Louis Delmas
7. Malcolm Jenkins
8. Stevie Brown
9. Michael Mitchell
10. Nate Allen

11. Major Wright

12. Charles Woodson

13. Steve Gregory
14. Nick Collins
15. Ryan Clark
16. James Ihedigbo
17. Bernard Pollard (Re-signed two-year deal with TEN)
18. Usama Young
19. Kendrick Lewis
20. Mike Adams
21. Chris Crocker
22. Yeremiah Bell
23. Quintin Mikell

24. Roman Harper

25. Kerry Rhodes
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I wouldn't mind bringing Terrance Cody's big fat ass to the defense, since nothing resembling a nose tackle is on the roster.

Coming off an injury, Anthony Spencer could come cheap. Better-than-average 3-4 OLB
 
Depending on cost I've got my eye on:

Red Bryant/Brett Keisel - DE
Paul Soliai - NT
O'Brien Schofield - OLB
Perry Riley - ILB
Sam Shields/Antoine Cason - CB
 
Dutchrudder said:
Whaaaaaaaaat? No way. Not gonna happen.

If Earl Mitchell gets 4 years, 22 million from a team in free agency, I'll eat SWTBound's hat.
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Bill Polian's free agent tracker on Insider.ESPN:
Mitchell has become a real inside force and one of the most productive penetrators in the NFL at generating consistent inside pressure. He is a much better athlete than most guys who play his position, and his effort is outstanding. He is a one-gap penetrator with good quickness and really works to finish the play. He is young and will only get better.

Grade: A (A= $6 million-plus AAV (annual average value), three-plus years in term and/or guaranteed money)
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Who knew?
 
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I really think Mitchell is underrated around here because he hasn't been put in an optimal position to succeed. His strengths as a player aren't being maximized here.

I think he would be a really good weak side DT in a 43. He can play the run and push the pocket.
 
Sounds like Dutch might be consuming someone's hat this offseason.

When this happens please LMK, I would like to witness a hat being eaten.
 
TexansFTW said:
Sounds like Dutch might be consuming someone's hat this offseason.

When this happens please LMK, I would like to witness a hat being eaten.
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I don't know that SWTBound's hat ever existed. It was a figment of our imagination that never materialized.
 
bah007 said:
I really think Mitchell is underrated around here because he hasn't been put in an optimal position to succeed. His strengths as a player aren't being maximized here.

I think he would be a really good weak side DT in a 43. He can play the run and push the pocket.
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Could Mitchell play DE in the 3-4? If so, we could let Ninja walk (or resign him cheap) & replace him with a much younger player.
 
Now that the Ravens have decided not to designate offensive tackle Eugene Monroe as their franchise player, negotiations between the two sides are slated to continue.
It would have cost the Ravens $11.654 million on a one-year franchise tag for Monroe, an expensive proposition.
With that decision, though, the clock is ticking toward March 11, when Monroe is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. NFL teams can start talking with Monroe, one of the top free-agent tackles along with Kansas City Chiefs lineman Branden Albert, during the legal tampering period that begins Saturday.


Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...ackles-20140304,0,4105651.story#ixzz2v7kZ0XgY
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So... if the Ravens can't make a deal, should we make a run?
 
bah007 said:
I really think Mitchell is underrated around here because he hasn't been put in an optimal position to succeed. His strengths as a player aren't being maximized here.

I think he would be a really good weak side DT in a 43. He can play the run and push the pocket.
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Yep. I really liked him as a prospect, but playing him at NT was a waste of his skills. He's a much better player than Texans fans give him credit for. If he goes to a 4-3 team I think he will be pretty successful.
 
WolverineFan said:
Yep. I really liked him as a prospect, but playing him at NT was a waste of his skills. He's a much better player than Texans fans give him credit for. If he goes to a 4-3 team I think he will be pretty successful.
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Maybe or he could be another OkOye.

Time to move on from Mitchell. Purge!!!! Purge!!!!! Purge!!!!

When is Slick Rick going to be purged !!!!! Purged!!!!! Purged!!!!!!
 
Here's a quicklist of the top 18 paid DTs in the league last year, please tell me where you would slot Earl Mitchell in your evaluation. Is he top 10 material? That would put him at 6 million +.

Name - Team - APY

Ndamukong Suh Lions $12,900,400
Gerald McCoy Buccaneers $11,000,000
Geno Atkins Bengals $10,665,400
Ahtyba Rubin Browns $8,833,333
Henry Melton Bears $8,450,000
Randy Starks Dolphins $8,450,000
Vince Wilfork Patriots $8,009,000
Kyle Williams Bills $7,287,500
Desmond Bryant Browns $6,800,000
Barry Cofield Redskins $6,000,000
Paul Soliai Dolphins $5,750,000
Domata Peko Bengals $5,553,000
Kendall Langford Rams $5,500,000
Ricky Jean-Francois Colts $5,500,000
Marcell Dareus Bills $5,101,825
Kevin Williams Vikings $5,000,000
Brandon Mebane Seahawks $5,000,000
Jonathan Babineaux Falcons $5,000,000
Sen'Derrick Marks Jaguars $4,500,000
Brodrick Bunkley Saints $4,500,000
Tyson Alualu Jaguars $4,379,800
Sammie Lee Hill Titans $3,800,000
Isaac Sopoaga Patriots $3,666,667
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Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN
"Don't mistake activity for achievement" - John Wooden

What does "spending" guarantee you? Nothing. #beentheredonethat

Of the 10 teams that had the highest amount of cap dollars allocated to defense at end of '13, only 1 finished top-10 in total defense. #Bengals
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Well per Adam Schefter:

Colts gave former Browns LB D'Qwell Jackson a four-year, $22 million deal including $11 million guaranteed.
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Must be nice to have the cap space to play with.
 
Dutchrudder said:
Here's a quicklist of the top 18 paid DTs in the league last year, please tell me where you would slot Earl Mitchell in your evaluation. Is he top 10 material? That would put him at 6 million +.
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Bill Polian seems to think so. Mitchell makes a surprise appearance in his "group A" players available in free agency. ESPN insider article so I'll just post a little bit, first of all his criteria:

"Who are the best-available unrestricted free agents in this year's class? We graded every player this offseason and have compiled below our list of guys who earned grades of A, A-minus and B-plus -- 14 in total. The grading scale translates as follows:

A: $6-plus million AAV (annual average value), three-plus years in term and/or guaranteed money

B: $2 million to $6 million AAV, two years or fewer in term and/or guaranteed money

C: $2 million or less AAV, two years or fewer in term and/or guaranteed money

D: Minimum salary, one-year contract"

The evaluation of Mitchell:

"Mitchell has become a real inside force and one of the most productive penetrators in the NFL at generating consistent inside pressure. He is a much better athlete than most guys who play his position, and his effort is outstanding. He is a one-gap penetrator with good quickness and really works to finish the play. He is young and will only get better."

Article link: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/stor...cy-michael-bennett-best-available-free-agents

I love Earl Mitchell but I had no idea he was that highly thought of outside the organization. Between him potentially looking at a big pay day and his questionable fit in the new defense it doesn't look like we will hold on to him.
 
Good grief! Apparently the Colts think he's better than I do

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter · 4m
Colts gave former Browns LB D'Qwell Jackson a four-year, $22 million deal including $11 million guaranteed.
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HOU-TEX said:
Good grief! Apparently the Colts think he's better than I do
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Dqwell didn't make the transition to 3-4 ILB last year for the Browns. Despite having lots of great talent around him on D, he still was one of the 10 worst ILBs in the league last year. He's a 4-3 ILB through and through. He also has had some injury issues, which should give a GM pause before signing him. His best attribute is his leadership on the field. I wouldn't worry about it too much, considering how bad the Colts defense was last year.
 
Jackie Chiles said:
Bill Polian seems to think so. Mitchell makes a surprise appearance in his "group A" players available in free agency. ESPN insider article so I'll just post a little bit, first of all his criteria:

"Who are the best-available unrestricted free agents in this year's class? We graded every player this offseason and have compiled below our list of guys who earned grades of A, A-minus and B-plus -- 14 in total. The grading scale translates as follows:

A: $6-plus million AAV (annual average value), three-plus years in term and/or guaranteed money

B: $2 million to $6 million AAV, two years or fewer in term and/or guaranteed money

C: $2 million or less AAV, two years or fewer in term and/or guaranteed money

D: Minimum salary, one-year contract"

The evaluation of Mitchell:

"Mitchell has become a real inside force and one of the most productive penetrators in the NFL at generating consistent inside pressure. He is a much better athlete than most guys who play his position, and his effort is outstanding. He is a one-gap penetrator with good quickness and really works to finish the play. He is young and will only get better."

Article link: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/stor...cy-michael-bennett-best-available-free-agents

I love Earl Mitchell but I had no idea he was that highly thought of outside the organization. Between him potentially looking at a big pay day and his questionable fit in the new defense it doesn't look like we will hold on to him.
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That is just bat**** crazy to give him 6m+ APY. He was playing next to the best DE in the league and pretty good one in Antonio Smith, he's going to get some good pressure due to that alone. The fact that he was routinely getting taken out of his lane by centers and guards makes him a horrible 3-4 NT. Put him next to a bigass DT in a 4-3 and he might be good, but he's not a one-man wrecking crew.
 
Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
The #Colts are releasing long-time starting OL Samson Satele, per source. (as @MikeKlis said).
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Playoffs said:
Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Broncos are releasing CB Champ Bailey... Denver frees up $10 million in cap space but loses a leader.
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Champ Bailey was voted to 12 Pro Bowls...

Only 1 player has been to more Pro Bowls. Who???

HOU-TEX said:
Good grief! Apparently the Colts think he's better than I do
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Means Pat Angerer is gone. D'Qwell's last good year was 2011 as a MLB.
 
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