2014 NFL Free Agency Discussion

[Beerman]

I'm not a fan of signing Allen to a big contract either. I've said repeatedly I prefer 1 year deals or maybe a two year deal for Allen since he's still productive and relatively durable.

As far as having depth, I'm sure we can bring in some vet OG's still on the market for relatively cheap to provide depth - maybe a guy like Wade Smith who is still out there from the Texans.

Maybe I just don't value OG's as much as some people, I think we can do just fine now that we have legit bookend OT's.

[Beerman]

1. Geoff Schwartz (Signed four-year, $16.8M deal with NYG)
2. Travelle Wharton
3. Chad Rinehart (Re-signed two-year, $6M deal with SD)
4. Willie Colon (Re-signed one-year, $2M deal with NYJ)
5. Jon Asamoah (Signed five-year, $22.5M deal with ATL)
6. Zane Beadles (Signed five-year, $30M deal with JAX)
7. Brian Waters
8. Uche Nwaneri
9. Davin Joseph
10. Shelley Smith (Signed two-year, $5.5M deal with MIA)
11. Richie Incognito
12. Daryn Colledge
13. Mike Johnson (Re-signed one-year deal with ATL)
14. Shawn Lauvao (Signed four-year, $17M deal with WAS)
15. Wade Smith
16. Charlie Johnson (Re-signed two-year, $2.5M deal with MIN)
17. Mike Pollak (Re-signed three-year, $5M deal with CIN)
18. Harvey Dahl
19. John Jerry (Signed one-year, $770K deal with NYG)
20. Jamon Meredith (Re-signed two-year deal with TB)
21. Chris Williams (Signed four-year, $13.4M deal with BUF)
22. Garrett Reynolds
23. Leroy Harris
24. Kevin Boothe (Signed two-year, $2.63M deal with OAK)
25. Gabe Carimi (Signed one-year, $850K deal with ATL)

Here's a top 25 list from Rotoworld at OG. Just look at some of those deals. Every single one of those free agent OG's has a lower APY than Clary this season. We're getting 2 years of Rinehart for what we are paying Clary this year. You can bet TT looks at those contract numbers to gauge what Clary would get on the open market.

[Steve]

I know it is speculation, but I think Allen wants a deal similar to Ware, who is 31. I think he wants the bonus, and big average salary. I haven't heard anything definitive on what he is looking for, just media types speculating on $8 - $10 mill a season. But the structure of the deal would be all the difference in whether he is an option or not.

As far as OG go, they are a lot more valuable in short passing offenses. If the QB doesn't hold the ball, the outside rushers don't have time to get around the corner and get to the QB before he throws. A big part of why so many quick passers take fewer sacks.

But quick pressure up the gut can still disrupt the short passing game. Which would also explain why we may not value the outside speed rushers as much, since KC and Den are both generally quick passing offenses too. And we have draft DE (DT in the rush line) recently.

The other thing to consider, the OG you listed are not making much less then Clary. He is in the last year of a 4 yr $20 mill contract, so a $5 mill average. Zane Beadles is making more, and Lauvao, Asamoah, and Schwartz are making similar amounts. Yes, he is getting more, but not a lot more, and if we have to replace him too, so factor that in. And while there are a lot of OG getting a lot less, those guys aren't nearly as good as Clary.

[Panama]

I don't really have a preference regarding Allen either, but the only way we sign him is if TT sits down with him and says, "We can't afford to pay you that much this year, but we can offer you two years and make up the money, fully guaranteed, in the second year. You'd be on a contender, would have a chance to improve your Hall of Fame chances, and would be back in the division where you started, with a chance to stick it to the team that gave up on you twice a year. What do you say?" That said, it's a pipe dream.

[Beerman]

I don't put too much value on the overall value of a deal, it's all about the per year cap hit. Clary's is 6 million this year. Cutting him saves about 4.5 million. What I suspect they prefer is him taking a 1.5-2 million pay cut to be more in line with other similar OGs.

[SDFan]

I don't put too much value on the overall value of a deal, it's all about the per year cap hit. Clary's is 6 million this year. Cutting him saves about 4.5 million. What I suspect they prefer is him taking a 1.5-2 million pay cut to be more in line with other similar OGs.

IF Clary didn't restructure/extend (and he most likely will)- he makes the same $ as Beadle. What happens if you cut Clary and replace him with Rinehart and Porkchops starts at LG? Then Rinehart gets hurt and Dunlap gets hurt just like last year? Now we do the big OL shuffle in the middle of the year again and either Harris or Fluker plays LT- but Who is your backup OG? Your potentially starting 2 backups with nobody behind them now. I posted a Gehlken chat weeks ago where he mentioned Royal, Clary, JJ all potential restructure candidates and only Royal being a potential release if he didn't lower his number. It was quite evident Royal would restructure to stay but Clary probably stays even if he doesn't because of his value to the team as OG/OT and locker room guy and being dependable. Freeney took less and I'm looking for Clary to do the same before the season starts to show he is a team player. Unless they draft an OG that clearly beats out Clary in TC- he is a virtual lock even at current salary based on all his attributes and intangibles.

[Beerman]

Obviously all of this is under the assumption that we bring in another starting caliber OG via the draft or FA. We aren't just cutting Clary to cut him.

[Fleet]

I dont really compare Clary to other OGs. I thought he was an important member of the OL and it showed when he was out against the Broncos. Hes been on this team for a while and i think there's something to say about chemistry. I also feel like hes a great team player. Meaning the other teammates love playing with the guy. Hes a hard worker blue collar type and i wouldn't be opposed to extending him and reducing his annual number. It was his first full year at OG and i thought he and Rhinehart played pretty well. Our running game and protection up the middle was the best its been in a while. I also think he has value as a spot start RT. I like versatile players and under JD he could turn into a really solid fixture. Id like to keep him this year even if we draft his potential replacement. Have him take a small paycut.

TNot sure i want to fuck with the OL at the moment unless we are getting obvious upgrades. And im sure JD is in Clarys corner as far as wanting him here. If the OL sets back we are in a worl of hurt. It all hinges on that unit and i like the chemistry these scrubs had last year. Rather add to it than take away.

[blueman]

Obviously all of this is under the assumption that we bring in another starting caliber OG via the draft or FA. We aren't just cutting Clary to cut him.

You have anyone in particular in mind? Who would be an immediate upgrade to Clary while costing us less.

[Beerman]

You have anyone in particular in mind? Who would be an immediate upgrade to Clary while costing us less.

Travelle Warton is probably the only starting caliber FA still on the market. I'm slightly intrigued by Davin Joseph being brought in on a prove it deal. The guy was awesome prior to a patellar tendon tear. Now a year+ removed, he may be better than last season. He would be more of a depth signing than anything.

The most likely scenario is a 3rd/4th round draft pick if one proves too good to pass up.

[blueman]

Hmm, Clary is better than all of those options IMO, for reasons Fleet cites.

[SDFan]

Hmm, Clary is better than all of those options IMO, for reasons Fleet cites.

yep. you can't just look at his cap# in isolation and ignore his other attributes and intangibles and kick him to the curb without a real solid plan to replace all you lose.