2011 Chargers Offseason: The Restricted Free Agents

by Wonko on Jan 27, 2011 8:00 AM PST in San Diego Chargers Offseason

First up there are two players that we know with almost absolute certainty will be restricted free agents. So, let's cover them first.

Free Agent	Age	Analysis	Conclusion
Antwan Applewhite	26 in Dec.	I don't think it hurts to tender a contract to Applewhite. He's played hard for the Chargers, he's had his moments (good and bad) on special teams and the team can always low ball his tender offer to keep his salary low. Giving a player a low tender also means that another team may be tempted to sign them, but it's no big loss if that happens. I almost feel like it's a toss up between Antwan and Jyles Tucker. You probably can't keep both, but Tucker already has a contract.	Low tender offer.
Mike Tolbert	26 in Nov.	This is probably the biggest no-brainer this offseason. Or at least the fact that you need to tender Tolbert a contract is. How much you tender him is a matter of risk vs. miserliness. If you tender him at the highest level then he's basically assured of staying a Charger (I doubt any team is willing to give up a first round and a third round pick for him), but that also increases his impact on the payroll. That being said, the Chargers run game could suffer greatly were they to lose him. I say go the conservative and spendy route	Offer highest tender

Now onto the players with uncertainty about their free agency. As I mentioned in my post on impending free agencies, the Collective Bargaining Agreement will determine whether or not these players will be restricted for unrestricted free agents. For some players the decision making will be different depending on their status, for others it doesn't matter that much.

Free Agent	Age	Analysis	Conclusion
Antwan Barnes	27 in Oct.	Barnes came in and was solid in pass rushing situations for the Chargers down the stretch. If he's a restricted free agent he's definitely worth tendering to some sort of offer since you don't want to let him go for free. If he's an unrestricted free agent, then you may have to either let him go or see if he liked it here and wants to come back on a reasonable one or two year deal. I don't want to pay him starter money to stay.	Tender/Sign to reasonable deal
Jeromey Clary	28 in Nov.	If he's a restricted free agent, then he gets the highest tender. No ifs, ands or buts about it. If he's an unrestricted free agent then it's a much tougher choice. Clary is never going to make any Pro Bowls and he's not going to sell many jerseys, but he proved that he could be a solid protector for Rivers last year. With so many other players needing contracts I'm not sure there would be enough money to give him the salary that an average RT deserves. I think you just have to see what the market and budget bear out.	Tender/50-50 as to whether you sign him

Dante Hughes, Legedu Naanee, Ryan Neill, Paul Oliver, Brandon Siler, Eric Weddle, Malcom Floyd and Pat Watkins can all be found after the jump.

Free Agent	Age	Analysis	Conclusion
Dante Hughes	26 in Aug.	Hughes wasn't bad at the end of the year and probably deserves some sort of tender. As a free agent I only see him returning if he can be signed for the veterans minimum. Even then his spot on the roster wouldn't be assured.	Low tender/Offer league minimum
Legedu Naanee	27 in Sept.	As a restricted free agent I think you need to try to figure out what tender could be low enough that might entice someone else to sign Naanee and have the return be worthwhile. Ideally, you'd like to keep the WR corps together, but it's likely that someone will have to go. Dangling Naanee could possibly get you something while the team still keeps its top WRs. If Naanee goes to unrestricted free agency, then I think it's time to go in another direction.	Strategic Tender/Do not offer contract
Ryan Neill	29 in Dec.	Goodbye Neill. Nice knowing you.	Do not offer contract
Paul Oliver	27 in Mar.	I think Oliver is in the same boat as Naanee. If he's a restricted free agent, then it's a good depth move to tender him a contract. If he's unrestricted then you are looking and Steve Gregory and Darrell Stuckey to fill in and probably only want to sign Oliver if Weddle can't be retained.	Strategic Tender/Do not offer contract
Brandon Siler	26 in Dec.	Siler has proven to be an asset in goal line situations and has shown some value as a starter. Most likely the team will lose Kevin Burnett, Stephen Cooper or both and it would be wise to keep Siler in the fold. As an RFA I say he gets the highest tender. As an UFA then you try to find a reasonable deal, but not starter money.	Tender/Sign to reasonable deal
Eric Weddle	Turned 26 this month	RFA for Weddle means highest tender offer from Chargers. Book it. Otherwise, he then becomes the #1 priority for the team to re-sign. I know many have issues with Weddle and point to some missed tackles as their reasoning. What I see is that Weddle makes a ton of tackles by being in the right place at the right time. They are not always big plays, but oftentimes they prevent big plays and go unnoticed. I don't think he's a Pro Bowler and I don't think he deserves the money that the top safeties get, but he does deserve a pretty hefty deal that will keep him in San Diego for a while.	Tender/Sign to Market Value
Malcom Floyd	30 in Sept.	Floyd got the highest tender last year, so there's no reason not to offer him that again. As an unrestricted free agent I think you have to consider giving Floyd a contract that's comparable to a #2 WR. The only problem with that is that usually some other team is desperate enough to give a #2 WR the money that a #1 WR should be making because they are so thin. It'll be interesting to see how that all plays out. I would be more gung ho about bringing Floyd back if he hadn't missed so much time in his first full season as a starter.	Tender/Sign for #2 WR money
Pat Watkins	29 in Dec.	I think you offer Watkins a low tender or you try to bring him back for close to what you signed him for. I mentioned in the unrestricted free agents about how Kelley Washington was a special teams asset and maybe deserved to be brought back for that. Same goes with Watkins. He played a huge part in patching the holes that were there on special teams. When he got hurt before the San Francisco game the punt and kick coverage units got noticeably worse.	Tender/Sign to reasonable deal

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Comments

Floyd, Weddle, and Tolbert

Are probably our highest priority right now. Nanee, i’m not sure about, in terms of priority and signing, buti’d like to see him back. There’s a good chance we’ll lose Clary, and for sure Vincent Jackson. Can’t wait to see what we do next.

"Since we only live once (that we know of) we should focus on enjoying our lives, not stressing to follow every single thing and trend that society impose upon us." - Thom Yorke of Radiohead

by Jonathan Holmes on Jan 27, 2011 8:30 AM PST reply actions

Vincent Jackson will get the franchise tag

by Grey Suit on Jan 27, 2011 8:43 AM PST up reply actions

I agree with all of this, except...

I would let Floyd walk. Or offer him a low tender. I know that’s not a popular opinion, he’s a great guy and a great player, but a 30 year old guy with health issues doesn’t belong at the #2 WR spot on this team.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 27, 2011 8:49 AM PST reply actions

so who plays WR next year (or whenever)?
You assume VJ comes back?

by itay n. on Jan 27, 2011 11:31 AM PST up reply actions

Imo He assumes VJ is tendered and Crayton stays, probably with Naanee.

#feelinacertaintypeofway

by sd_Baby-B on Jan 27, 2011 11:57 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

This

Although if Naanee is gone there is still Tutu, Goodman and Washington. I actually really like Goodman in the slot.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 28, 2011 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

I was disappointed in Floyd's season

As wonko said, he was injured and missed some time. He had the “injury prone” tag before this season and last season reinforced it. I think if he could have gotten through the season uninjured, we could have counted on him as a #1 or #1a, and everyone else moves up a slot and things are much clearer. As it stands now, VJ will be franchised and be back, but after him I think everything is up in the air, especially for 2012. Do we put our eggs in the the youth basket with Tutu, Goodman, and maybe a high draft pick? If so, what does that mean for 2011? Do we cut ties with more guys who won’t be sticking around? Buster is probably gone, Legs might be gone, Floyd probably can’t be counted on, VJ probably won’t be around long term. WR has gone from a position of strength and depth in 2009 to a position where every guy might have changed by 2012.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 27, 2011 8:50 AM PST reply actions

I'd tender Tolbert and Clary for firsts at most

I’d totally take pick #32 for either one of them.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 27, 2011 8:59 AM PST reply actions

I don’t like the idea of getting younger at RB at this point. We’re going to lose Sproles and losing Tolbert would leave us with only the supremely talented but unproven in many ways Mathews.

Maybe if we added a FA RB, it would make sense.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 27, 2011 9:16 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

this

#feelinacertaintypeofway

by sd_Baby-B on Jan 27, 2011 11:58 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

I'd try to retain all the defensive cogs that I could

I’d tender Floyd for a 1+3, because there’s no reason not to. If he’s UFA, I’d offer him #2 WR money and watch him go for a comp 3rd or 4th. I’d tender Naanee for a 2nd, and if someone takes him, great.

I’d tender Applewhite for the minimum tender that provides compensation. I think that’s a second. I’d listen to reasonable offers. I’d tender Oliver for a second, but would not shop him or entertain a third-day pick for him.

Priorities to keep: Weddle, Siler, Barnes, Burnett.

I’d seriously consider trading up in the first to grab a stud OLB. Specifically, I’d like to get into the 9-10 range (Dallas or Washington) by trading #50 and maybe a 2012 third-rounder (for #9), to pick my ROLB before Houston, Miami, Jacksonville and New England get to pick over the list. Of course, I’d only do that if I really liked some player. I’d be more tempted to think that Washington probably wants a QB and may be hesitant to trade down, so I’d probably try to deal with Dallas unless Washington traded up with, say, Cincy or Cleveland. As an alternative to #50, we could package #61 and #82 to get #9 and a third-day pick to use on a TE. That would still leave us with a pick in every round over the first two days. If no such deal materializes, I’d shrug and draft an OLB, DE, or CB at #18.

If Clary fetches the value of his replacement on top of that, we’ll be set for years to come. If not, and if he’s RFA, we can grab a developmental RT prospect in the third. If he goes in UFA, we need to use #61.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 27, 2011 3:04 PM PST up reply actions

Nice Overview

I would prioritize keeping:

Weddle – I have almost exactly the same opinion of him that you do.
Tolbert – Blue Collar Beast
Barnes – Great passing down OLB (much better than J. Tucker in my opinion)
Watkins – STs looked very different with him in there; I think he could be had relatively cheap since he is not going to crack a lineup as a starter.

The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 27, 2011 9:29 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Let’s see if we can get an extra pick for Floyd, a 2nd or even a 3rd. I love Floyd, but he is aging and he is very injury prone. It doesn’t make any sense to sign the guy to a long term contract if we are only going to see him half a season.

We all know VJax is going to get the tag, If we can get an extra pick from Floyd, than we will be in great shape come draft day. We can find Floyd’s replacement very easily in this years draft. We can grab a guy like Leonard Hankerson in the 3rd or even our late 2nd. He’s got great speed, size and hands. And doesn’t have an injury history. We can get that Buster Davis replacement in the form of Titus Young who sort of reminds me of Desean Jackson.

I would also see if we can get a 4th for Naanee, he’s not worth keeping. I would love for the Chargers to nab Julio Jones. I think he’s the best receiver in the draft, everyone loves AJ Green, but Jones I believe will be a stud.

by BOLTUREYE on Jan 27, 2011 11:20 AM PST reply actions

I would keep:

Weddle
Tolbert
Burnett (injury concern, hopefully not a bank breaking deal)
Barnes
Siler

I think Siler, Burnett and Butler will make a great LB core, I would also love it if we grabbed Vontaze Burfict in 2012 or Nate Irving this year.

We really need a stud at DE and SS, and I think that’s going to be AJ’s priority. AJ will probaly looke at DE, WR, SS and CB in this years draft.

I hope we find a way to get Jaquizz Rodgers. Don’t forget about Sproles now, he might not be back next year. This team really needs playmakers, Rodgers is a playmaker.

by BOLTUREYE on Jan 27, 2011 11:24 AM PST reply actions

Pretty sure Burnett played all 16 games this year.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 27, 2011 11:30 AM PST up reply actions

For the first time in his career

So did Hardwick, doesnt mean both dont have a large injury file

IMO

by Foilhat on Jan 27, 2011 11:42 AM PST up reply actions

I have to disagree with you on getting a WR, i mean we have 7 of them including the free agents and they are all underrated. But the thing is they are all getting up there except for Naanee and Ajirotutu so i guess you have a point. Also I agree with you about drafting a DE.

by celticsox937 on Jan 27, 2011 3:08 PM PST up reply actions