ForceEight

Losing a UFA only helps our cause.

I think the Burleson contract even further puts Marshall and Co. out of reach. Maybe they simply can't afford him.

Marshall will get a top dollar contract, and Bryant won't. I think that's the difference.

By the way, let's not forget about Antonio Bryant.

I don't think anyone views Walter as a #2 receiver, to be perfectly honest. And it's not that they're afraid to spend so much money in regards to Marshall. They're (reportedly, anyway) afraid of what will happen to him once he comes into that money. He's never had a big time contract, and we all know what a head case he is.

My thought process, though, is that Bannan is a better backup than Edwards is a starter. I can very much understand them letting him walk for a sizable payday and replacing him with a fresh body.

You're right, they would. That just means they get the #1 seed in the tournament. If the record is the same, we get a share of the title no matter what.

I think Bannan would be the bigger loss. Something happens to Gregg and we'd never miss a beat. Edwards came out of nowhere and had a decent season, but I think they see him as replaceable.

Marshall is supposedly already over with. They don't want to give him actual money.

We tried to trade for Owens in October: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/05/source-two-teams-are-interested-in-to/

Max is always a wreck!

Free agency isn't the end-all, Crav. I wouldn't be surprised at all if nothing of major importance really happened at the castle today, or all weekend, for that matter. You know Ozzie likes the draft. You know they won't overpay for anyone (otherwise, Marshall would already be here). You just have to wait until training camp to get the full view of what they want to do for 2010. Just enjoy it.

Nope, because as long as the Terps win, they get at least a share of the title. That's all it takes.

Because he's being silly. Burleson got FIVE YEARS and $25 MILLION from the Lions. And I thought Schwartz knew what he was doing. Chargers let go of Kassim Osgood. He says he's visiting an East Coast team today that will give him a "legit shot". Obviously no superstar, but I can see them looking at him.

Walter to Ravens picking up. Marshall doesn't look like much of an option right now. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/04/walter-to-ravens-chatter-picks-up/

Cromartie is a Jet, so this argument can die. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/04/antonio-cromartie-is-headed-to-the-jets/

That's true. What he said had me thinking that Gaither was a UFA. The correct answer is that the Cowboys can offer him whatever they want, and he can take it.

I don't think Flacco needs Marshall live up to his potential, no. And I certainly don't think we're the kind of team that would put all our eggs in the Marshall basket. Is he the best option from a football standpoint? Probably. Is he worth it from a financial, pain-in-the-neck standpoint? That's what we're about to find out.

That's not true, Cleet. They can offer him a contract of at least $5.3 million, and there's no limit on increases each year thereafter. The divisional round losers of the Final Eight can offer one UFA a contract of the $5.3 million with no growth limits, and can offer as many UFAs $3.8 million or less in the first year, with a growth limit thereafter. Also, the "losing a UFA to sign another one" rule also applies to us.

I don't care if Colin Cowherd tells me that grass is green and I need water to survive. He is wrong. He is the absolute last person anyone should ever listen to regarding anything even closely related to sports whatsoever. I'd put more stock into Anita Marks saying it. Or even my four year old cousin.

There have been numerous reports already that they're looking hard at him. I don't think they'd invest all that time without at least offering him something.

Anyway, I'm really warming up to Walter over the last two days or so. I sincerely doubt that the front office will commit enough money to the receivers (considering the fact that Demetrius Williams was tendered) to sign two big contract guys, whether those two are any combination of Marshall, Boldin, Walter, Owens, or whatever. Walter will certainly cost less than Boldin or Marshall, and he does all the things both of them do. He has excellent hands, he has no problem going over the middle, and like you posted just a bit ago, Cleetz, he has huge downfield potential. It's not a flashy signing and it's not the "all in this year, or bust" attempt that we're looking for, but I think we could do just fine to sign Walter, draft a big-time college receiver (I don't really have a strong opinion on any of those to be honest; we just damn sure better not draft Golden Tate), and pick up a Burleson, Chambers, etc. for pennies on the dollar. I think it could definitely work, and in all honesty, I think it's what Ozzie and Co. would prefer.

Is five yards per carry a worthless stat? The fact that McGahee plays behind one of the best backs in the league is the only reason he's lost value and notoriety. He would be a starter on quite a few teams. He would be a starter on this team if Rice wasn't the next coming of Jesus. Cromartie played poorly for the entire 2008 season, and was BENCHED. This is not a recent occurrence. Ask anyone in San Diego how angry they are with him; for as physically gifted as he is, he should not struggle so much for so long, especially when totally healthy. My argument isn't that we shouldn't get Cromartie, or that Cromartie can't be a good player again. It's simply that McGahee is a better and more valuable player, and that a straight up trade, much less one with a high pick (as suggested) added, is a sizable net loss in value for this team, and that's not how Ozzie works. It won't ever happen.

I'd very much like to sign and keep Gaither. I don't want a first round pick from either of those teams.

I'd love to know how 14 touchdowns makes McGahee "below average". Willis is probably still a top ten RB in the league; he just happens to be playing behind a top three RB. And if Cromartie is so fantastic in coverage, why are the Chargers so willing to get rid of him? Why isn't he even a starter on their depth chart anymore?