27 replies to this topic

[birdguy]

No real 'splash' signings in free agency and lots of draft day wheeling and dealing .... All comments/thoughts welcome - bash away.


KEY FREE AGENTS:

Keenan Lewis - CB, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is cash-strapped yet again and has another young CB in the fold in Cortez Allen.  Lewis tests the market and gets a full time starting gig.

Alan Branch - NT, Seattle
Played SDT in a 4-3 under alignment under Gus Bradley.

Patrick Chung - FS New England
Fallen out of favor with Belichick and opts to reunite with college coach Chip Kelly.

Mike DeVito - DE/DT, New York Jets
Veteran depth signing.  Can play DE or SDT in the 4-3 under scheme.


TRADES:

1(4) to Miami for 1(12), 2(12)
Miami has plenty of ammo to move around this year with two 2nd's and two 3rd's.  Miami moves up to select one of the elite OT's (Joeckel, Fisher) using its first of two 2nd round picks.  To be conservative, I am selling 130 points short of the value of the 4th overall pick according to the pre-CBA trade chart.

Trent Cole and 5(4) to Miami for 3(20)
Miami rings again.  This time the Eagles trade Trent Cole and a 5th round pick to Miami for its second of two 3rd round picks.  This trade kills two birds with one stone for Miami by (i) allowing it to move Jared Odrick inside in its new 4-3 alignment and (ii) bringing in a veteran pass rusher to pair opposite Cameron Wake.  This trade would peg Cole at mid-late 4th round value which I think is fair.

2(12)(from Miami) to Atlanta for 2(28) and 3(28)
Michael Turner is past his prime and Atlanta trades up to grab one of the draft's top RB's (Bernard, Lacy). Eagles pick up a late 3rd for moving down in the 2nd.

Nnamdi Asomougha (re-structured) to Tampa Bay for 4(29)
Bucs are a good secondary away from having a playoff-caliber defense and they decide to take a flyer on Asomougha at a reduced price tag for essentially a 5th round pick.  This may be a little bit of a stretch here on the comp, but Asante fetched us a 7th in a similar situation and Tampa Bay is desperate for secondary help.  I would be willing to throw in a late/conditional pick next year to make it work.

DRAFT:

1(12)* (from Miami) - Dion Jordan, DE/OLB
Versatile athlete who should fit at either the SLB or Predator in 4-3 under scheme.

2(3) - Johnathan Banks, CB
I think there is a good chance that one out of Rhodes, Trufant and Banks slips to early 2nd round.  IMO Banks seems like the most likely candidate.

2(28)* (from Atlanta) - Kyle Long, OT/G
Versatile lineman that is moving up draft boards.

3(4) - Vance McDonald, TE
Turned some heads at the senior bowl.  Eagles have already shown interest.

3(20)* (from Miami) - Menelik Watson, OT/G
Raw athlete with high upside.  Projects at either RT or G.

3(28)* (from Atlanta)- Shawn Williams, SS
Tough, physical player which is exactly what this secondary needs.

4(4) - Gerald Hodges, ILB
4(29)* (from Tampa Bay) - Michael Buchanan, DE/OLB
6(4) - Denard Robinson, WR
7(4) - Ray Ray Armstrong, SS
7(X) - Adam Smith, OG

[MCoster]

Hooray more dumb trades! Why would buffalo trade us 3 of their first four picks. If they want to move up, they'll trade with Cleveland and only give up a fourth or something.

You don't restructure Nnamdi then trade him. That's not how it works.

Only the cole trade is realistic and no way we take dion Jordan at 8. That's like 10 picks too high. I doubt chip wants dion

[birdguy]

MCoster, on 29 January 2013 - 01:14 PM, said:

Hooray more dumb trades! Why would buffalo trade us 3 of their first four picks. If they want to move up, they'll trade with Cleveland and only give up a fourth or something.

You don't restructure Nnamdi then trade him. That's not how it works.

Only the cole trade is realistic and no way we take dion Jordan at 8. That's like 10 picks too high. I doubt chip wants dion

Relax there chief ....

A.  First off, Buffalo is giving up 2 picks .... Totally fair compensation presuming Buffalo sees Geno as its QB of the future.  According to last year's trade value chart Buffalo actually wins on this deal.
B.  Re-structure/trade is hardly unprecedented.  See Asante Samuel.
C.  Regarding Jordan .... The draft is 3 months away.  I don't think it is at all out of the realm of possibility Dion Jordan ends up a top 10 pick.  And remind me again why Chip wouldn't want a former player who was extremely productive for him?

[LuciusLeftFoot]

MCoster, on 29 January 2013 - 01:14 PM, said:

Only the cole trade is realistic and no way we take dion Jordan at 8. That's like 10 picks too high. I doubt chip wants dion

You're right... he should just have gone through and said "Best _____ available" for every pick. Way more realistic that way.

[downundermike]

birdguy, on 29 January 2013 - 12:15 PM, said:

Trent Cole to Cincinnati for 3(21)
Cole teams up with Michael Johnson to give Cincy a formidable pair of pass rushers.  Eagles get slightly above-market compensation as Cincy is looking for pieces to take a top 10 defense to the next level.  Does not hurt that Cole has ties to the Cincinnati area.

Carlos Dunlap is 10 times the pass rusher Trent Cole is.

[dawk1977]

It seems really well thought out if you ask me.  I really like dion jordan.  Although I would probably pick up ezekial a(byu).  Alot of different names. What can you tell me about Michael Buchanan?  I would not trade down past eight.  We really need talent.  From what I have seen of past drafts, your high end talent has a better chance of panning out.  Alot of guys don't stick.

[egforever]

downundermike, on 29 January 2013 - 02:08 PM, said:

Carlos Dunlap is 10 times the pass rusher Trent Cole is.

Carlos Dunlap is no way 10 times the player Cole is and never will be half the player Cole has been...

[birdguy]

downundermike, on 29 January 2013 - 02:08 PM, said:

Carlos Dunlap is 10 times the pass rusher Trent Cole is.

Not sure that I agree with your statement but in that case maybe Cole is a replacement for Johnson if he makes it to free agency.  Either way I think you look to trade Cole if the value is right.  IMO Cincinnati is a good fit.

I realize that we would not exactly be 'selling high' but as many others have pointed out we should be looking to build around our young core.

[birdguy]

dawk1977, on 29 January 2013 - 02:09 PM, said:

It seems really well thought out if you ask me.  I really like dion jordan.  Although I would probably pick up ezekial a(byu).  Alot of different names. What can you tell me about Michael Buchanan?  I would not trade down past eight.  We really need talent.  From what I have seen of past drafts, your high end talent has a better chance of panning out.  Alot of guys don't stick.

Here's a little blurb on Buchanan ... http://www.bigcatcou...-nfl-draft-2013

He fits the mold of lengthy players that Chip/Howie are supposedly targeting.  Plays well in space and can drop back into coverage.  Think this kid will rise post-combine but currently pegged anywhere from 2nd to 5th.

[dawk1977]

He is not a lber at all. Strictly DE from what I see.

[birdguy]

dawk1977, on 29 January 2013 - 03:17 PM, said:

He is not a lber at all. Strictly DE from what I see.

He played a hybrid DE/OLB in college.  More of a tweener that could be a fit in either alignment.

Athleticism
+Elite frame and good length through the upper body.
+Bends well for a tall athlete.
+Changes direction very well, able to mirror athletic ball carriers in space.
-Will need to add some bulk to play in as a 4-3 defensive end.

Pass Rush
+Shows off an impressive repertoire of rush moves and counters.
+Able to vary his club, swim, spin, push/pull and rip/dip moves to keep linemen off balance.
+Relentless in pursuit of the quarterback, closes very well.
+Has a good first step, gets off the snap quickly.
-Occasionally loses balance with his violent movements.
-Gets a little high in his bend and will allow the tackle to recover at times.
-Could add some more inside moves to his bag of tricks.

Run Stuffing
+Excellent open field tackler, looks comfortable in space.
+Uses strength and hands to disengage from linemen, sheds and locates the ball well.
+Delivers a powerful initial punch.
+Pursues sideline-to-sideline, good motor.
+Explodes through contact, powerful tackler.
+Anchors well for an undersized lineman.
+Spills plays to the outside when appropriate, can also force RB back inside by keeping outside arm clean.
=Sets a hard edge in college, but will need to add bulk to compete at the next level.
-Gets engulfed at times by bigger linemen.
Technique
+Uses his hands well, keeps linemen’s hands off his chest plate.
+Pad level stays low, doesn’t lose many leverage battles.
-Looks a bit awkward in his zone drops, needs to clean up his angles.

Intelligence
+Very disciplined in his reads, rarely misses his assignment/keys.
+Versatile player, playing the “Bandit” position.

Leadership
+Respected member of the locker room according to coaches.
+Embracing more of a vocal leadership role as a senior.
-Involved in an off-season fight that resulted in a broken jaw, handled it well.

Overall:
Buchanan is not your typical athletic college speed rusher. He plays the “Bandit” DE/OLB position for the Illini, for the same coach who taught Demarcus Ware and the late Gaines Adams the same position (Vic Koenning, current DC at North Carolina). As the “Bandit”, he is asked to be half pass rush end and half edge setter, two things he does very well at this point.

Although he was over-shadowed by his teammate Whitney Mercilus last year, Buchanan looks like the more complete draft prospect to me. if Buchanan can add another 10 pounds (he recently bulked up from 240 to 250) before stepping onto an NFL playing field, his upside will go that much higher and he could be attractive to both 4-3 and 3-4 teams.

http://www.nepatriot...ing-report.html

[Asiragusa]

I don't hate this offseason but do you think Dion Jordan is worth the 8th overall?

[Pegger]

birdguy, on 29 January 2013 - 12:15 PM, said:

Key Free Agents:

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB) (re-signed)

Thanks for putting that at the beginning. I immediately knew it would be a waste of my time to continue reading.

[Asiragusa]

Pegger, on 29 January 2013 - 09:47 PM, said:

Thanks for putting that at the beginning. I immediately knew it would be a waste of my time to continue reading.

Agreed.  We don't need underachieving corners who don't care and can't tackle

[Pegger]

Asiragusa, on 29 January 2013 - 10:19 PM, said:

Agreed.  We don't need underachieving corners who don't care and can't tackle

my favourite arguments are that he's young, a good athlete and new coaches will fix him.

Young? What will he learn in years 5+ is he going to learn that he hasn't in years 1-4? His issue is effort. Can't teach that.
Athlete? Better athletes have failed before and will fail after.
Coaches? What's his 5th DC or his 3rd head coach going to do that the others haven't?

[deevo82]

I think Jonathan Cyprien will be gone at the top end of the second round but would like it if he fell to us.

[Asiragusa]

Pegger, on 30 January 2013 - 12:29 AM, said:

my favourite arguments are that he's young, a good athlete and new coaches will fix him.

Young? What will he learn in years 5+ is he going to learn that he hasn't in years 1-4? His issue is effort. Can't teach that.
Athlete? Better athletes have failed before and will fail after.
Coaches? What's his 5th DC or his 3rd head coach going to do that the others haven't?

Great minds think a like, let him walk

[egforever]

Asiragusa, on 29 January 2013 - 10:19 PM, said:

Agreed.  We don't need underachieving corners who don't care and can't tackle

If thats the case 50% or more of the team would be gone right off the bat by your standards.  I would think that part of the problem last year was the coaching.  I don't think it was all just on the players, although I do think they gave up on the system which wasn't right.

[WestPaEaglesNest]

Sorry, but 4 spots high in the first round is worth a hell of lot more than a 3rd and a 4th.

[birdguy]

WestPaEaglesNest, on 30 January 2013 - 08:40 AM, said:

Sorry, but 4 spots high in the first round is worth a hell of lot more than a 3rd and a 4th.

Not true at all - especially this year given the generally weaker crop at the top end of the draft this year.  Irregardless, I chose to err on the side of caution and sell short of 'true' value of the 4th overall according to the pre-CBA value chart.  Any extra comp we received would be a plus.

[LuciusLeftFoot]

birdguy, on 30 January 2013 - 10:08 AM, said:

Irregardless

:shudder:

[Pegger]

Asiragusa, on 30 January 2013 - 06:48 AM, said:

Great minds think a like, let him walk

I honestly don't know why anyone would sign him. There were so many times this season where I wished we had Dimitri Patterson out there instead of him. Ushering Dez Bryant into the endzone was completely unexcusable. He gave him a 10 yard cushion on our 10 yard line, so essentially allowing a completion, then his zero effort tackle attempt pretty much just let the Cowboys score. If you hate the Cowboys you've got to really question if you want this guy on the field the next time we play.

[Asiragusa]

Pegger, on 30 January 2013 - 10:43 AM, said:

I honestly don't know why anyone would sign him. There were so many times this season where I wished we had Dimitri Patterson out there instead of him. Ushering Dez Bryant into the endzone was completely unexcusable. He gave him a 10 yard cushion on our 10 yard line, so essentially allowing a completion, then his zero effort tackle attempt pretty much just let the Cowboys score. If you hate the Cowboys you've got to really question if you want this guy on the field the next time we play.

Exactly.  And I dont

[Robbieb77]

Cole for a 3rd, Nnamdi for a 4th? SMH

[birdguy]

updated as of 2/8

[Asiragusa]

Miami is trying to rebuild too they're not going to give up rounds 2-3 for the 4th pick and an old pass rusher past his prime

[birdguy]

Asiragusa, on 08 February 2013 - 03:24 PM, said:

Miami is trying to rebuild too they're not going to give up rounds 2-3 for the 4th pick and an old pass rusher past his prime

Securing a franchise OT in the first trade is exactly the kind of trade that makes sense for a team like Miami which has a young franchise QB.  This essentially locks up two cornerstones for the next 10+ years at LT and QB.  Not to mention they have extra ammo in the early rounds (2 2nd round picks, 2 3rd round picks), so this wouldn't take the out of the 2nd altogether as they would still have Indy's 2nd round pick.

Point taken on the second trade .... As I said above, with us giving up the early 5th round pick it would peg Trent Cole at roughly a mid-late 4th round value and Miami would still have its own 3rd round pick.  IMO this year was an aberration for Cole and he still has a few good years left - just doesn't really fit our new scheme as well as others.  And from Miami's perspective the trade would give them a pretty scary defensive line of:  Wake-Starks-Odrick-Cole.

[Asiragusa]

I forgot that Miami has two seconds so I think the first trade makes sense but I just don't see the second one happening regardless of how fair it is