What KIND of Free Agents?

[Shouright]

There are different schools of thought on this. One says grab guys who are already proven pro-bowl caliber players and pay them a lot. Another says get guys who are on the cusp of being great and pay them less.

The pro of the former approach is that you have a proven player. The con is that he may not be ultra-motivated to play as hard given that he just got a huge contract (probably depends on the player, but it's a definite possibility).

The pro of the latter approach is that you pay less and get a guy who's still motivated to earn a huge contract down the line. The con is that he may never be great.

What do you all think?

 

[PhinGeneral]

Saban may go after 1 big name free agent. Other than that, I think he'll sign the mid-level types that either are about to blossom or may blossom in the types of systems we run.

 

[Shouright]

Saban may go after 1 big name free agent. Other than that, I think he'll sign the mid-level types that either are about to blossom or may blossom in the types of systems we run.

That's the approach I'd like to see, and I'd like the one big-named guy to be Steve Hutchinson. I think the O line needs a guy who will set a high bar for the rest of the line to shoot for, and Hutchinson is the kind of high-character guy whose play won't diminish at all after he gets his big contract IMO.

 

[sports24/7]

With the cap room we are going to have I think we should take a shot at one or two big names. If Hutchinson is a FA we NEED to sign him. Guys like Peterson and Wayne should be looked at as well. Maybe a CB. But I trust Saban to find some under the radar guys as well and build through the Draft.

 

[miamirick]

I'd like to see one or two high profile FA's brought in along with a few "role-type" FA's. Its pretty much the same way that Bellicheck (sp) does things...he normally goes for the type of guys that fit into his system...they may not be all-stars, but they play hard and play well together.

 

[finsruleurlife]

I think we should solve our secondary issues from the draft and maybe one F.A.


F.A. Wishlist

-Jon Kitna(if we dont make a trade for carr or shaub)
-Julian Peterson
-Steve Hutchinson

 

[Roman529]

I would love Reggie Wayne here if the price is right.....Wayne and Chambers would be unstoppable.....even Gus would not overthrow Wayne. :hide:

 

[Ruderic]

I'd like to see them get Nate Clements which means they upgrade and take away from a division rival.

 

[SCall13]

There are different schools of thought on this. One says grab guys who are already proven pro-bowl caliber players and pay them a lot. Another says get guys who are on the cusp of being great and pay them less.

The pro of the former approach is that you have a proven player. The con is that he may not be ultra-motivated to play as hard given that he just got a huge contract (probably depends on the player, but it's a definite possibility).

The pro of the latter approach is that you pay less and get a guy who's still motivated to earn a huge contract down the line. The con is that he may never be great.

What do you all think?

I think it's better and safer to go after the younger guys who still have something to prove. Because at the very least you are going to have a solid player who gives you his all. Some of these Pro Bowlers become lazy, get the big head, and like you said, don't give their all.

 

[Duss]

Saban may go after 1 big name free agent. Other than that, I think he'll sign the mid-level types that either are about to blossom or may blossom in the types of systems we run.

and try to find underchievers that a change of scenery may help

 

[paskerbrandon]

I would like to see us pick up 2 "Big Name" FA's..... being....

1) Steve Hutchinson
2) Julian Peterson

And around 3-4 lower class FA's

1) Ryan Clark
2) Vince Manawai
3) Will Allen
4) Ryan Pickett

That would solidify us as a team... All we would need to look for in the draft would be some secondary help, a QB, and prob. some more o-line depth....

 

[Jaj]

I would like to see us pick up 2 "Big Name" FA's..... being....

1) Steve Hutchinson
2) Julian Peterson

And around 3-4 lower class FA's

1) Ryan Clark
2) Vince Manawai
3) Will Allen
4) Ryan Pickett

That would solidify us as a team... All we would need to look for in the draft would be some secondary help, a QB, and prob. some more o-line depth....

Ummm good idea, but a couple of problems. Those two on the top, you know that guard and linebacker together well.... They'll cost close to 11m in their first year together. Ryan Clark probably in the 2-3m range, Vince Manuwai is a RFA so he'd take a pick and probably have a decent salary, as would Will Allen and he'd get about 2m is my guess. Ryan Pickett would take 3m atleast since he's 26 and has great potential still.

So that comes to something around 21-22m in first year salaries, plus our 5m draft, and the re-signings we have to do and that comes to around 30m. We can't afford 30m on our cap and then have no flexibility at all during the season. Here I'll try to do something to help you out. Take out Hutchinson which will probably save about 5m, and replace him with Fonoti in hopes that Houck can help him return to 04 form. Let's say a savings of about 4m. Ryan Clark if you want leave or we can say Adam Archuleta. Whatever... Same salary range of 2m. Drop Vince so we don't have to give a pick and save a few million. Sign Pickett I agree with sure so that's about 3m. In total we saved close to 7m right there and still can put together a pretty good offensive line. I'd subtract however 1.5m as I think we'll have a veteran QB. So all in all we go into the draft in hopes of drafting a QB at one point or another. How about...

1- Antonio Cromartie(I think he'll raise his stock to the first after he proves he's healthy) CB
2- trade down to the 3, for a pick next year and a fourth this year
3- Brodie Croyle QB
3- Andrew Whitworth (RTs usually slide) T
4- Jonathan Orr WR
4- Dawan Landry FS/SS
7- DE
7- DT
7- OLB/DE

Also worst comes to worst, re-sign McKinney on the cheap to compete with a rejuvenated 325lb Wade Smith. He's a perfect C physically and it's not like our line calls our complicated.