thundercleetz

We will only sign players that have been cut by other teams. No way Ozzie gives up the potential third/fourth round picks we should get for losing McPhee and Smith. Someone like Dwayne Bowe or Kenny Britt sounds like a good pickup for us.

Awesome deal! We trade a part time player for fourth and fifth round picks (great ammunition), and kept Ngata out of the conference. Papa this trade has to make you happy!

Ngata at this point in his career is a part time player. His effectiveness decreased dramatically as his playing time increased.

Good for Cary getting another big deal. He is a good player but I wouldn't give him $6M a year with Jimmy Smith's deal coming up.

With McPhee getting a deal that averages $6M a year and Torrey getting a deal that likely averages $7-9M a year, we could get two thirds or a third and a fourth in compensatory picks next offseason. With that said, I don't see Ozzie signing any UFAs that are coming off of rookie deals, and canceling Torrey and McPhee's deals in the compensatory formula. We don't have anyone else coming off of a rookie deal that I believe will get signed for a big enough deal that would factor in. Because of this, I predict we will only go after cut players.

Cundiff was 22 of 29 and won us our first matchup against the Browns by missing two field goals. I still wouldn't trust Cundiff in the playoffs regardless of what regular season he has. So much of being a kicker is mental. Tucker has ice running through his blood. Until Cundiff proves himself in the playoffs it doesn't matter how well he does in the regular season. Regardless, Graham Gano and Steve Houschka have turned into good kickers sinceeaving Baltimore. Tucker has the chance to be our next Stover however.

I love what the Red Sox are doing. They are loaded with young talent, spent on some solid veteran talent, and continue to spend big money internationally and in the draft. They are spending a lot but they are spending in the right places, unlike the Yankees the past few years.

I agree with Adam. I'm happy to hear his passion. I obviously don't have any support, but my gut says the whole Blue Jay situation was a distraction to Duquette.

Changing the topic a little bit and examining the RB market. Forsett is the clear #2 RB production wise after Murray. However, there are a lot of buy low, potentially high reward options similar to Forsett last year: Ryan Matthews, CJ Spiller and Darren McFadden are all still young and very talented, just injury prone. Add in a strong RB draft class and there is a lot on the market. IMO the move is to sign a veteran and draft an RB. My gut is that we re-sign Forsett, but if he leaves we have lots of options.

I agree if Strong is there he would be a great pick. However, it is looking ever more likely someone will pick him prior to us.

One more thing on Funchess: if you take out his first game against a lower level of competition, Appalachian State, his stats are extremely pedestrian (Funchess had over 100 yards and 3 out of his 4 total TDs against Appalachian State). I am not sure where his first round grade is coming from. I'll pass.

Ok, so while I am not very high on Funchess here is an interesting comparison: Kelvin Benjamin Ht. 6'5" Wt. 240 lb. Arm Length 34 7/8 in Hand Size 10 1/4 in 40 Yd. Dash 4.61 sec Bench Press 13 reps Vert. Jump 32.5 inch Broad Jump 119.0 inch Devin Funchess Ht. 6'4" Wt. 232 lb. Arm Length 33 1/2 in Hand Size 9 3/4 in 40 Yd. Dash 4.70 sec Bench Press 17 reps Vert. Jump 38.5 inch Broad Jump 122.0 inch Benjamin had a faster 40, was a little bigger, with bigger hands and a longer wingspan. However, Funchess is also a very big receiver with a long wingspan and big hands. He also had a better bench, vertical jump and broad jump than Benjamin, indicating more explosiveness. Last year experts suggested Benjamin could be seen as a tight-end, much like Funchess this year. Another interesting point, with Pitta's status unknown, Funchess could be a better fit for us than most teams. He could fill two holes for us and find playing time as both a flex tight-end and receiver.

I would even say Wallace is a better receiver. When he was in Pittsburgh he was very effective on screen passes and getting YAC on short passes. Torrey isn't as good with this. Regardless, given Torrey's character and that he is younger their values even out. Anyways my point is: with more receiver options on the market, and a strong draft class, does that drive down Torrey' s value any?

Still a couple of moves to be made with Ngata and Webb, possibly an extension with Koch.

Harry Douglas and Brian Hartline were released today. The market is becoming flooded with veteran receivers. Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall and Mike Wallace could be next. Hypothetical question: if the Dolphins release Mike Wallace, what effect does that have on Torrey Smith's contract? Mike Wallace is young enough where he could "double dip" and get another long-term deal. Even in two down years, Wallace's numbers are similar if not better than Torrey's past two seasons. Wallace is only two and a half years older than Torrey. If Wallace is a free agent, he could justify asking for the same deal as Torrey. Btw the Dolphins offensive play calling was terrible. They had a young quarterback with a rocket and a receiver with speed to burn, but did not take any shots downfield. Wallace is still a very good player and will rebound strong for someone. Even in a down year he was better than most other receivers.

Webb and Ngata are up next: restructure or cut?

The reason I mention Peters: it depends on the information the Ravens get on him and how the interviews go. If the Ravens get a good impression on him, I think he is a realistic target in that presents clear value above what is projected to be available at 26. Of course the Ravens could trade back. Mel Kiper says he only has 16 players with first round grades. I simply think Peters is a BPA option. On Dupree: my little brother goes to UK and is very high on him. Dupree is a freak athlete who has the ability to chase down sweeps from the opposite of the field. On top of that he was a great student and has solid character. He's the type of player who projects as a better pro than college player. My little brother told me the UK back-end was terrible so team would constantly expose it with quick passes before the pass rush had any chance. Further more teams would run away from Dupree because the defense had nothing else. Once again I see Dupree as a BPA type pick for us. Especially considering we need a young pass rusher.

From the State of Ravens it sounded pretty clear any prospect with domestic violence history would be off the board.

Free agency will change a lot of teams drafting philosophy. However there is a good chance all of our receiver targets could be off the board. If so, Marcus Peters and Bud Dupree look like potential targets.

I am skeptical of the number LaCanfora reported. I am guessing that info was leaked by Torrey's agent or someone associated. My gut still says Torrey returns. Yes, he will get a better offer elsewhere, but I think we will give him a competitive offer. It will come down to how much he values winning. Todd McShay in his latest podcast said Devin Smith from OSU is "Torrey Smith with better hands," and could be our target if Torrey leaves. A combination of Devin Smith (or another high round rookie WR) and a free agent pickup like Kenny Britt would be an upgrade for us.

Real shame JJ wasn't a part of the SB team. One of my favorites as well.

From the sound of the press conference Torrey could he gone too.

Pass as well. You get terrible value drafting a RB in the first round no matter how good he is.

As soon as those words left Bisciotti's mouth I knew it was trouble. Also trouble how he compared Deflategate to the Ray Rice situation. The guy is a loose cannon.

After that combine performance, where do you see Gaines going in the draft? A RS Sophomore with only one year of playing experience... But had 14 INTs. I know critics say he took a lot of chances, but if simply taking chances got you 14 picks, everyone would do it. So there has to be some serious talent and instincts there. Corners tested very well. I am getting worried all of the top corner and WR targets will be gone by the time we pick... Edit: sorry I got Holliman and Gaines mixed up from UofL. I was talking about Holliman.