Do you think with the likelihood of this free agency class that has high potential of players to hit the market that Dave has positioned over 61 million for cap space?


I think Dave has set his eyes on a prospect early in the process and will wait for his guy. We may see him strongly pursue some players early in FA 2015.

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I personally feel this was his plan all along. Cut all the bad contracts in 2013, let the money accumulate in 2014 then sign a bunch of guys in 2015. He had some foresight to the FA crop looking the way it is now.


Very uncomventional to go so young but to save the money and develop some players it needed to be done.

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Today (2-12-15) Pete Prisco issued an article at cbssports.com/nfl entitiled, "2015 NFL Free Agency - Five Under The Radar Free Agents To Watch"

 

Interestingly, while Pete is a national sports writer for CBS Sports, he sort of has Jaguar connections, so when two on his list of five happen to play ORT and FS, well, perhaps I am reading too much into it, but I think he is talking to the Jaguars or at least Jaguar Nation.

 

The two guys that he lists as under the radar are:

 

Joseph Barksdale - ORT - Rams 

 

Pete describes him as solid. He plays in a ZBS and while he has problems with speed rushers so do most ORTs. If Bulaga does not make it to the market or the Jags decide not to overspend on the ORT spot, then it seems reasonable that Joe Barksdale will be a considered as a candidate to sign in Free Agency.

 

Barksdale's name has been out there and because he had a poor rating on ProFootballFocus, his signing as sort of been poo-pooed, but I think he is someone I think the Jags have on their list, because of his age, and his ability.

 

Ron Parker - FS - Chiefs

 

Some have him listed as a SS and he has played some SS. He is a former CB that was converted to Safety and he did well for the Chiefs. He seems to know how to tackle and he has some range. He is not Devin McCourty but again he may be the type of upgrade the Jags are looking for and someone we as fans may need to investigate further.

 

Thoughts?

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I thought I would look at overall stats for 4 FS Free Agent Candidates

 

Name                                            Total Tackles               Interceptions                Passes Defended

 

Ron Parker - Chiefs                            94                                  1                                     13

DaNorris Searcy - Bills                        65                                  3                                     8

Rahim Moore - Broncos                      49                                  4                                     9

Kendrick Lewis - Texans                     84                                  2                                     8

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Stigma, thanks for bringing light to a guy like Parker. He is a guy that probably isn't on many radars, mine included. Always nice when someone brings light to little known players for thoughts at worst. I was on some Chiefs boards, and it seems like they don't really care for him. General consensus seems to be one hit wonder. Regardless, he would be an upgrade. I'm seeing where he is asking for north of 6 million and I don't think that is a good price for this particular player.

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Interestingly, Ron Parker was an undrafted CB who started out in Seattle in 2011, moving to Oakland and Carolina and then back to Seattle before being claimed by the Chiefs in 2013. 2014 was his breakout year.

 

I did read that Parker is quoted as wanting a 4 or 5 year deal worth north of 6 Mil per year, but does anyone really think he will land that kind of contract?

 

I think the Seattle in 2011 connection to Gus is interesting. My guess is that Parker will be offered a PROVE IT Deal that is incentive laiden.

 

Right now, he looks like someone to keep an eye on.

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He doesn't necessarily have to spend big. There are some great options out there at center, RT, and linebacker without breaking the bank.

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I'll be happy with anyone who would be an upgrade.

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I believe it is next Monday. At this point, I've seen that these tags are all but certain at this point: Lions: Suh, Broncos: Demaryius Thomas, Cowboys: Bryant. I've seen others as speculation like Chiefs tagging Houston and Patriots tagging Devin McCourty.

 

You are correct regarding Monday:being the first day a player can be tagged in 2015:

 

While I believe there's at least a good chance the Lions will use the Franchise Tag on Ndamukong Suh if necessary,   I think it's more along the lines of a 70 to 75 % chance of this happening if a long term contract isn't reached close to the tag deadline:

 

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/02/09/m...lions-suh/

 

Feb. 16 is the earliest a team can use the franchise tag, and March 2 is the deadline to do so.

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Byron Maxwell CB, Greg Hardy DE, Malcon Smith OLB or Scofield DE/OLB, Charles Clay TE and Doug Free OT........

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I thought I had seen on the Lions website that Tim Twentyman stated that Suh would either sign a new deal or play on a franchise tag, but now I can't find the article.

 

The best I can find right now is Walter Football Rumors: <i>2/10: </i> "Either Ndamukong Suh signs an extension or plays on franchise tag." - Tim Twentyman, DetroitLions.com

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I thought I had seen on the Lions website that Tim Twentyman stated that Suh would either sign a new deal or play on a franchise tag, but now I can't find the article.

 

The best I can find right now is Walter Football Rumors: <i>2/10: </i> "Either Ndamukong Suh signs an extension or plays on franchise tag." - Tim Twentyman, DetroitLions.com

 

My guess is Tim Twentyman's comments were based on Lions team President Tom Lewand expressing a very high level of confidence that the Lions will reach a contract with Ndamukong Suh in the next few weeks.  

 

Lions GM Martin Mayhew said last month that the Franchise Tag is an option with Suh.

 

If I come across the article on the Lions website you mentioned,  I'll gladly post it.   

 

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...few-weeks/

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I'm starting to get more and more optimistic most of the big names should at least make it past being tagged. From what I've seen, McCourty, Houston, Suh, Bryant and D. Thomas will likely be off the market due to franchise tags. Then, it becomes how many players sign with their old team before the March 10th period when they could sign with any team. We should have some nice options to target.

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The Wolverjag,  I didn't see anything on the Lions website from Tim Twentyman regarding what you mentioned.

 

However,  I did come across Twentyman's answer to an opinion question on Twitter.   Based on the comments of Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew,   I believe Twentyman formed the opinion which Walter Football Rumors quoted:

 

https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/56...5374248960

 

Either signs an extension or plays on franchise tag. @YupItsBC: @ttwentyman what do you think is going to happen with Suh this off season?

 

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Thanks for taking the time to find this. I heard Tim Twentyman is a pretty reliable source on all things Lions, so if he was saying that you could almost take it for fact. Seems closer to speculation than officially confirmed at this point, but still probably likely.

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Thanks for taking the time to find this. I heard Tim Twentyman is a pretty reliable source on all things Lions, so if he was saying that you could almost take it for fact. Seems closer to speculation than officially confirmed at this point, but still probably likely.

 

My pleasure.

 

I agree with you regarding Tim Twentyman.   He's been covering the Lions for a long time,  including with The Detroit News before he was hired by the Lions organization for the team's website.

 

I also agree with your assessment that it's likely that Ndamukong Suh will remain with the Lions in 2015.    Having said this,  if the Lions don't use the Franchise Tag on Suh by the March 2 deadline if a contract isn't signed,   I think there's a good chance Suh will sign with another team.    The bottom line from my perspective is if the Lions want to retain Suh,  he has to be signed to a new contract or tagged by March 2.

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I have to ask because I am curious. Are you a Lions fan or a Calvin Johnson fan?

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I have to ask because I am curious. Are you a Lions fan or a Calvin Johnson fan?

 

I've been a Lions fan since 1970.

 

Calvin Johnson has been my favorite Lions and NFL player since the early part of his NFL career.   Calvin Johnson has the combination of great ability,  a great work ethic,  and is a very humble person who gives back to society.    He definitely ranks very high on the list of my favorite all-time Lions and NFL players.

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i dont think dave needs to catch two or three of the biggest fish.  he needs a complete haul and fill out the roster with a combination of a couple three B+ players with maybe a huge signing and a couple more to make it a competitive camp.

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I do expect Caldwell to go after at least 3 or 4 guys in free agency who would immediately become starters. Since several of the top names will be tagged or re-signed, I would be very pleased if the Jaguars could sign the following players:

 

Clay or Cameron

Rahim Moore (best available FS)

Wisniewski or Hudson

Orlando Franklin

 

All of these players are close to the ideal age (none are 30 or older) and would provide major upgrades at positions of need. It is realistic that all will be allowed to test the market. After the 1st week of free agency, I would also expect the Jags to find a veteran receiver like Royal or Washington to replace Shorts.

 

The Jags could then take the best available defensive lineman in round 1 (hopefully Leonard Williams) and the best linebacker in round 2 (Dawson, Perryman or Kendricks). For the remainder of the draft, follow the BAP philosophy (except no q.b.until late round if at all). One of these will certainly be a running back since this class is so deep at this position. It wouldn't shock me if one possible stud falls to the 3rd (hopefully Duke Johnson, Coleman or Abdullah). If not, someone like Mike Cobb would be a steal in the 4th round. Caldwell has excelled with his mid and late round picks and I expect this to happen again due to the excellent opportunity their staff had to coach in the senior bowl again.

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