Serious Business: 2/16 Chargers Links
by Richard Wade on Feb 16, 2010 3:00 AM PST
in Daily Links
37 comments
Four Downs: AFC West
All the prominent halfbacks on the market are restricted free agents, so the Chargers could hope for a veteran like Fargas, Larry Johnson, or Thomas Jones to become available as no-cap casualties. If the rumors about Peppers wanting to play in a 3-4 are true, he'd be a huge upgrade on Merriman and a great fit for what the Chargers need right now: An elite pass rusher.
Why not L.T. in KC? | Red Zone
The Chiefs need a proven running back to take some of the load off Jamaal Charles. LaDainian Tomlinson will soon need a new job. If Tomlinson can accept a secondary role, at least initially, this union makes too much sense for it not to happen.
Free agency: AFC West - Bill Williamson - ESPN
The team would like to bring back Osgood, one of the best special-teams players in the NFL. But Osgood wants a chance to be a receiver and the opportunity might not be in San Diego. The Chargers will spend most of their energy on their restricted class. The priorities are receiver Vincent Jackson, tackle Marcus McNeill, linebacker Shawne Merriman, running back Darren Sproles and receiver Malcom Floyd.
Three And Out: February 15, 2010
Under Section 7 of Article XXI of the CBA, they can't. Here's the key language: "No Club subject to the provisions of this Article may, for one League Year, trade for a player it otherwise would not be permitted to sign as an Unrestricted Free Agent as a result of the provisions of this Article."
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Chester Taylor is a UFA. I’m not entirely against Fargas or Thomas Jones if they become available though.
Anybody else think Peppers isn’t going to be as good of a 3-4 OLB as he is a DE? He just seems way too big at 6’7", 283lbs.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
I love the work ethic that Fargas shows. There is something to be said for the backs that run hard every time they are on the field (especially in a place a dysfunctional as Oakland). I think that Jones would be a good fit as a mentor for a good young back coming in through the draft and could give us a little LT-like redzone presence.
I think Peppers would fit better in the role that Merriman is filling now than Merriman himself. It looks pretty clear to me that the injury sustained by Merriman is/was a lot worse than anyone was letting on. He is just not that good anymore. Peppers I see as someone who could bring new passion and fire to a pass rush that was a huge whole for us last year. I think he is a little oversized but would be a good run down backer that could play a hybrid OLB/DE that would require a lot of the focus of the opposing offense, like Merriman did a few years ago and like Jamal does when he is around. I think it’s fun to dream about, but the reality of us getting him when we have a lot of talent we are trying to keep on the team is minimal.
Give the man some time to recover from a major knee operation.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Feb 16, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
True but there is a chance he will never play the same again. The question for AJ becomes not whether or not he will get better, but if he wants to pay him while waiting for him to get back to where he used to be.
There are a lot of other, more productive, options out there.
Should've kept Leaf.
Oh internet, what a wicked web you weave.
by Mad_Villain on Feb 16, 2010 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
He did in 2007
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Feb 16, 2010 12:05 PM PST up reply actions
Peppers
Is a beast Im sure he could play just about anywhere he wanted to along any defensive line or at standup edge rusher. He would have his hand in the ground in nickel, so he wouldnt be standing up all the time.
Would I take him instead of Lights heck yea, but the guy is going to get huge money. And we have our own people that need contracts first.
plus, he is a bit old
30 years old is like 60 in NFL years. Peppers would be looking for a long term deal and we would definately lose on the back end. That being said, dude is a stud when he puts his mind to it.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Feb 16, 2010 2:16 PM PST up reply actions
I would be happy with C. Taylor or T. Jones
But I would take the 2010 version of LT over Fargas. Peppers would be awesome. Our team really needs an elite pass rusher. Merriman may return to form next year but I doubt we’re going to keep him any longer than that. I’m sure A.J. is just going to keep him for one more year and see how English develops. L.E. is good, but not dominant. We’ll see if one more year under his belt does the trick. That guy just keeps getting ‘close’ but doesn’t seem to be able to seal the deal with his sacks. Peppers would get to the quarterback. I also think he’s fast enough to drop back. He couldn’t play any worse than Merriman did in coverage this year. With that height and wingspan, he would pose problems just by standing in a zone. I remember him making some pretty athletic INTs over the years. I think he’s worth the experiment. Plus, it seems Rivera ran a pure 4-3 a lot this year. However, we all know A.J.‘s stubbornness when it comes to picking up FAs… especially high profile FAs like Peppers. I put it at 100 to 1 odds he’s on our team next year. I hope I’m wrong. We need to improve the pass rush.
Maybe Jamal feels like he has one more year in him and we can become a DOMINANT D again and make another run. Yes… another run. Regardless, it’s better than watching the Chargers through the Leaf era. How soon we forget just how bad it can be.
why would you take chester taylor
he’s 30. just as old as LT.
which defeats the purpose of getting rid of LT in the first place.
Gary Potter: Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.
Happy Gilmore: Psycho.
Taylor – 1,028 career carries
Tomlinson – 2,880 career carries
The age is the same, but the mileage is different. And, just for the hell of it….
Michael Bennett – 840 career carries
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Feb 16, 2010 12:07 PM PST up reply actions
def low mileage
IMO Bennett looked a lot faster than LT last year. We’ll probably do better with Bennett and Sproles than we did with LT. I like Chester Taylor too but using Bennett would be more economical.
by boltsgamedayfootball on Feb 16, 2010 2:19 PM PST up reply actions
Michael Bennett
Was almost an Olympic sprint in his hey day. So, basically he’s always been faster than LT, probably always will be.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Feb 17, 2010 1:32 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Solid links
Bill Williamson is always a good read, but I was impressed with Bill Barnwell at Football Outsiders. I’ve never really read any of his analyses before. Good stuff. And a funny line about Cro.
Cromartie isn’t a restricted free agent, but his middling play… has placed him on the market. No matter where he goes, he’ll be close to family.
by Andy (allfield) on Feb 16, 2010 10:22 AM PST reply actions
Obviously
Anyone who seriously thought Peppers had a chance of coming to SD is out of their mind. The team is very much invested in 4 OLBs for the upcoming season, with only two starting spots available. To add a 5th name to that list, for a ton of money, would be ridiculous.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Feb 16, 2010 11:03 AM PST up reply actions
so.
how bout that janikowski. 16 mil/4 years.
Gary Potter: Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.
Happy Gilmore: Psycho.
There is absolutely no way
Julius Peppers will be on the Chargers. I watch Panthers games whenever I can and let’s just say he’s way overpaid for how well he plays. There is no way A.J. would pay Peppers the salary he demands.
If they want to pay big money
for a FA on defense (and I am not sure that they should) I would spend it on Dansby over Peppers. I think that the Chargers can stick with what they have at OLB, Dansby fills a bigger need in my opinion at ILB.
Dansby has also said he want's to play for the Chargers.
Plus with McNiell and Dontarrious Thomas already on the team the Chargers just need to sign Cadillac Williams and Dansby for a little 2005 Auburn Tiger reunion
We don’t need more ILBs.
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Feb 17, 2010 4:30 AM PST up reply actions
I think we could use
a top notch one, we may have enough of them but none are the quality of Dansby.
When I first read your comment I agreed with you
but after thinking about it are we really set? Maybe for this year but consider the possibility that Coop continues to fall off (he’s 4 days older than LT) and both Burnett and Dobbins leave in UFA next off season.
Cooper: Man I love watching Coop play. He doesn’t do any one particular thing great but he does everything well and he’s always around the ball. With that said was he slowed last year because of injuries or is he at the point in his career where his level of play starts to taper off?
Siler is a keeper for sure. I’ve been rooting for Siler since the day he was drafted. What else was I supposed to do with my Donnie Edwards jersey? A little white tape, a magic marker, and about 5 minutes and BAM brand new Siler home white!
Dobbins is a restricted free agent. I assume he’ll be tendered this year but after that I don’t know if they’ve seen enough to keep him around.
Burnett is only signed for this upcoming year and so far he’s been exactly what a lot of Cowboy fans said he would be: a very good player that can’t seem to stay on the field.
Can’t really say anything about Beckwith and not sure if the Chargers view Holt as an ILB or OLB. I know he’s listed as an OLB but I had read during training camp he was practicing at ILB and was doing well.
So basically I see ILB as a position I would feel comfortable going into the TC with the players already on the roster but if the opportunity is there to upgrade and without hurting themselves at other positions I would say they should do it.
by Natrone Bomb on Feb 17, 2010 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
"he’s 4 days older than LT"
Other positions don’t tail off like RBs do. Just thought I’d throw that out there. I’ve seen a couple people post stuff about players that are turning 30 as if they are going to hit some wall. That logic only makes sense for RBs. Every other position can see players stay in the peak into their early 30s and many will just see a gradual decline instead of a falling-off-the-cliff decline.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Feb 17, 2010 4:31 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Hard to get to exciting about the Chargers dabbling with top free agents
Since they are restricted by the Final 8 rule for the uncapped year. For the Chargers to break the bank, someone would have to break the bank on a Chargers free agent.
I noticed that Bill Barnwell left this out in his analysis. He also mentions that Sproles will make less in 2010 because he’s a restricted free agent, but doesn’t mention that the less would be in the form of a multi-year deal or signing with another team. I thought that edition of Four Downs was pretty piss poor.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
For the next four teams (Cardinals, Cowboys, Ravens, Chargers), one unrestricted free agent may be signed at a base salary of $5.5 million or more, and an unlimited amount of others at a first-year salary of $3.7 million with a 30-percent limit on growth.
You seem to be referencing the rules for the “final 4” teams. Chargers are in the boat where they can sign anyone, but only one big-money guy.
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Feb 17, 2010 4:32 AM PST up reply actions
forgot the link
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Feb 17, 2010 4:33 AM PST up reply actions
You think those guys will sign for less than $5.5 base in the first year?
It seems unlikely. I supposed if they really wanted to get a deal done it could work. But, I’m assuming that the player would want a high base salary in their first year. It was wrong to assume that I wasn’t aware of that. And it was still silly for Barnwell to leave it out (I know Doug Farrar didn’t when he the Cardinals in the NFC West).
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
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