2011 Chargers Offseason: The Unrestricted Free Agents

by Wonko on Jan 21, 2011 6:01 AM PST in San Diego Chargers Offseason

A few days I wrote about 2011 Chargers Offseason: Impending Free Agencies and covered when every Charger would become a free agent. To expand on that, let's look at at the Chargers that are guaranteed to be unrestricted free agents in 2011.

Free Agent	Age	Analysis	Conclusion
Kevin Burnett	29 in Dec.	In my mind Kevin Burnett has shown that he can be a leader on this team. He can make big plays, win matchups, play in coverage and rush the quarterback. He's still quick and agile and maybe he's finally learning how to stay healthy. Other teams, especially ones trying to rebuild a linebacking corps, are going to see this as well. I don't want to get in a bidding war with another team over him, but I'd like to offer him a multiyear deal at market rate. Most likely some team more desperate than the Chargers will try to top that, but hopefully his desire to win will keep him here. The key here is to keep from lowballing him while also protecting the team from paying a lot of money to a player who had one healthy season and may never repeat that.	Attempt to re-sign.
Jacques Cesaire	30 in Aug.	Cesaire was a de-facto starter in 2010, but most familiar with the team know that they've wanted someone better for years. They had Igor Olshansky to fill that role for a while and later made attempts with Travis Johnson and Vaughn Martin to try to force Cesaire to a reserve role. However, the guy is scrappy and what he lacks in ideal size he makes up for with heart, determination and experience. I'd like him back, but probably to just a 1 year deal.	Re-sign cheaply.
Stephen Cooper	32 in June	Cooper's time in San Diego may have run its course. He is a leader and a heady player on the field. However, at age 32 he's one of the older players on the roster and he's lost a step here and there. He's also been more injury-prone in recent years and that takes its toll on his play. Hopefully, another team (like Carolina) will see his experience and offer him a nice contract so it'll feel like the parting had mutual benefit.	Do not offer contract.
Vincent Jackson	Just turned 28	I think it's safe to say that we all know Vincent Jackson wants to get paid. Last year he threw away millions in a an effort to try to get more millions. There seemed to be some hostility in those negotiations, but Vincent never showed that in the press. He's said multiple times that he'd love to come back to the Chargers. He's a top tier talent, makes everyone else's job on offense easier and he's been as healthy as you can expect from a football player. You can't overlook his past off-the-field transgressions, but starting another season without him is an unsavory prospect. The easiest road to take that also offers smallest risk to the Chargers while at the same time helping Jackson's bank account is to place the franchise tag on him and hope he signs the tender.	Franchise tag.

Free Agent	Age	Analysis	Conclusion
Travis Johnson	29 in April	I've heard people that report on injuries say that "health is a skill". Travis Johnson does not possess that skill. At one point he was a first round draft pick by the Houston Texans, but I think that injuries have now sapped his ability to realize that sort of talent. He's okay guy to have around for depth at the position, but not someone you make a priority. He's a lower priority than Cesaire, but if the Chargers need depth they could try to bring him back for a small chunk of change.	Do not offer contract.
Randy McMichael	32 in June	McMichael used to be a starter in this league and he showed that some of those skills remain when he stepped in for an injured Antonio Gates halfway through the season. He's familiar with the offense, he can block, run routes and at this point in his career is probably content in a reserve role. However, the team already has Kris Wilson under contract and could stand to find a young TE to work as an understudy to Gates. Or, they could potentially sign a free agent TE that also has starting experience and is a little bit younger. Still, I say the team gives McMichael a 1 year or 2 year small deal and wait until 2012 to get younger at the position.	Attempt to re-sign.
Brandon Moore	Just turned 32	Moore was signed off the scrap heap late in the season because of injuries creating holes on the roster. He was experienced and could play special teams. With the roster being healthier to start next season than it was finishing last season, there will be no room for him.	Do not offer contract.
Scott Mruczkowski	29 in April	The Chargers have spent a lot of time and effort into developing "Mooch". He was an asset in 2009 when he held down the Center position while Nick Hardwick recovered from injury. It'd be a shame to see him go when you know he's a capable back-up. I'm thinking the Chargers should lock him up for a couple of years with pay commensurate with a reserve Center. I have to wonder that if not for the CBA uncertainty that the Bolts brass would have done this already. Or maybe this is a calculated exit strategy to replace a once cheap player with another cheaper, younger version. There's also a chance that some team could see him as a short term answer as their starting Center in 2012, but that's no reason to deter the Chargers from making an offer.	Attempt to re-sign.
Darren Sproles	28 in June	There is absolutely no reason the Chargers should bring back Sproles. The team franchised him the last two years and paid him handsomely because they were afraid of what would happen if he wasn't on the roster. At one point this was defensible because he was above average kick returner, a decent change-of-pace running back and good in pass protection. However, now his skills have diminished in all those areas to the point where it's not worth paying him veteran wages. The team needs to get a younger version that can be a kick returner and has some potential to help in the running game.	Do not offer contract.
Billy Volek	35 in April	Volek is an interesting case. He's now two years removed from the last time he got any decent playing time in the NFL and it's hard to say whether or not he's still a useful backup. On the other hand, the Chargers have not developed a replacement and finding a quality, experienced backup QB could be pricey and the new guy would not know the offense as well as Billy does. However, it's also worth noting that Philip Rivers' backups don't see the field much so you may never see the downside of rolling the dice on a new guy. I say roll the dice, find a Volek replacement that's younger and can remain a Charger for multiple years.	Do not offer contract.
Kelley Washington	29 in Dec.	In case you didn't notice, the Chargers special teams need all the help they can get. They got some of that last year when they signed Washington. Sure, he has a bit of an attitude, but for the most part it isn't anything that hurts the team. Last year, he didn't make a roster out of training camp, so it's likely that he could return cheaply. I say do it and let training camp and preseason decide whether you continue to keep him around.	Re-sign cheaply.

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Comments

TJohnson and McMichael

Are the only two I disagree with. McMichael was poor in pass and run blocking (by PFF metrics) and he’s valuable as a receiver, but he’s kind of worn out, and like you said, Kris Wilson is still here for a while. Travis Johnson played fairly well in his limited run, and I think he should be given another year. If he stays healthy, and contributes, offer him 3 years. Otherwise, let him go if it’s too expensive.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Jan 21, 2011 6:43 AM PST reply actions

agree on McMichael

Mainly because I think Gates has become a bit fragile and I’d like to see some youth behind him to prepare for the future. Sperry looks good and I’d like to see a bigger body guy like a Manumaleuna or Pupunu type back in that position (polynesian bloodlines would be a plus in my book). I wouldn’t be surprised if Kris Wilson is gone next year, I don’t think he did enough to make anyone think his ceiling is anything more than 3rd string TE. Unless he is a big contributor on ST I think he will be gone.

The Chargers under Norv will always use three TEs and I think you need three types: 1) your Gates playmaker type (doesn’t have to be a HoF caliber guy, but someone who can’t be covered by a safety), 2) your thumper (manumaleuna type), and 3) your tweener who can step in at either of the other two and is perhaps being groomed as the future at one of the other two. This year we had two playmakers and a tweener with no upside.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 21, 2011 8:07 AM PST up reply actions

So we draft or trade for a thumper?

Who fits that bill?

by Muncie on Jan 21, 2011 8:10 AM PST up reply actions

I’d say you can pick a thumper off the second or third tier of FA. You don’t really need someone who is an impact player at the position, just someone who is a good blocker and can sneak out into a pattern once or twice a game.

Its a bit of an undervalue position so I don’t think you need to work too hard at it. I don’t think you trade for it and you wouldn’t draft it until the third day. If you want to develop your own, you’d be better off getting a UDFA and developing them for a year or two on the PS. The thumper is not a guy you want to spend too much money on.

FA TEs

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 21, 2011 11:55 AM PST up reply actions

I think you were right on all of them

with the possible exception of Volek, but I could live with him being replaced.

by JeromeB on Jan 21, 2011 7:06 AM PST reply actions

My thoughts exactly.

I’d add, I wouldn’t mind if they just signed VJ to a multi-year deal… but franchise tag works too.

by Its Mikey!! on Jan 21, 2011 7:54 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

My thoughts likewise.

nuff said

by Nutz bout Boltz on Jan 21, 2011 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

If they don't re-sign Sproles

Then who will run the draw on 3rd and 1?

by Grey Suit on Jan 21, 2011 7:42 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

This made me smile

Well said good sir.

by Its Mikey!! on Jan 21, 2011 7:52 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

It's not Sproles' fault

that Norv was enthralled with a play that worked once in two years. Who’s the best remaining blocking back? Hester? Tolbert? That’s who will run the draw. The difference is one of those guys has half a chance at breaking a tackle and making the yard. Assuming Ray Lewis doesn’t shoot the gap and blow it up seven yards behind the line of scrimmage. Okay, big assumption.

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Jan 21, 2011 12:35 PM PST up reply actions

I agree with everything except I would like to have Travis Johnson, and im also glad Tolbert is a very powerful and consistent person to run the ball so we dont have to waste our cap room on Sproles.

by celticsox937 on Jan 21, 2011 7:54 AM PST reply actions

I'd go Johnson over Cesaire, but that's just me.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 21, 2011 10:47 AM PST reply actions

My take

Keep Burnett, Mruc, VJ, maybe Washington & Volek.

The rest can go. Thanks.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jan 21, 2011 11:44 AM PST reply actions

you’re welcome

"If you wanna crown em, then crown their asses"

by Natrone Means Business on Jan 21, 2011 2:32 PM PST up reply actions

VJ didn't help himself

in the last 12 months. He could be a key piece to a great season next year, but he lost some value because he didn’t play like an elite player when he had the chance in 2010. Injury or not, he should have shined. Should.

by JewelDust on Jan 21, 2011 9:01 PM PST reply actions

No way Washington’s back, not AJ’s type of guy, he was only here this year because we were desperate. McMichael had more bone headed plays than positive plays this yr. I still haven’t forgiven him for not picking up the fumble in Oakland and not fighting for the pick in Cincy when he strained his calf.
Should at least offer Cooper some sort of reduced role.

by nunz on Jan 23, 2011 11:03 PM PST reply actions