2009 Free Agents

Gross & Lechler should be priority. I would use a draft pick on a RB like Sproles...may not be as good but RB's can step right in and play and although Betts is a good backup he does not provide a change of pace from Portis.

They could tag and trade Cassell also though. It gives them some leverage. For example, suppose Favre retires and the Jets go after Cassell. Well now he won't come without a steep price to a division rival

Had'nt thought of that. Good point. Either way it's to their advantage. I guess that's why they're always in the thick of things.

They could tag and trade Cassell also though. It gives them some leverage. For example, suppose Favre retires and the Jets go after Cassell. Well now he won't come without a steep price to a division rival

I heard on the radio ( it was either Mort or Clayton) that NE is planning to tag Cassell and pay him 14mil next year in case Brady isn't ready. He said that they're not worried about paying him that much money because they're already way under the cap.... plus it goes up some next year.

It's obvious that whoever the GM who said this about Sproles doesn't know jack. You can't measure physical stature for heart. Maybe the GM was Vinny? By the way Sproles reminds me of young Brian Mitchell.

Adam Schefter
Chargers face pricey decision with RB Sproles

After making one key running back decision last offseason, the Chargers now will be forced to make another.

Last year, rather than look to do the unthinkable and consider trading franchise running back LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego let his backup Michael Turner leave for the Atlanta Falcons.

Now, after a season in which Tomlinson fought injuries and reduced production, Chargers mighty-mite running back Darren Sproles is poised to become a free agent. One NFL executive e-mailed Sunday morning: “Be careful spending money on the guy. He is small, 200 pounds, and if he gets the money, can he hold up and deliver for 16-plus games?”

Still, every time Sproles has been questioned at any level, he has produced. The Chargers were questioned for allowing Turner to leave. They will be questioned again if they allow Sproles to leave.

San Diego cannot afford to let Sproles go, but it will be awfully pricey to get him to stay.

It's obvious that whoever the GM who said this about Sproles doesn't know jack. You can't measure physical stature for heart. Maybe the GM was Vinny? By the way Sproles reminds me of young Brian Mitchell.

Adam Schefter
Chargers face pricey decision with RB Sproles

After making one key running back decision last offseason, the Chargers now will be forced to make another.

Last year, rather than look to do the unthinkable and consider trading franchise running back LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego let his backup Michael Turner leave for the Atlanta Falcons.

Now, after a season in which Tomlinson fought injuries and reduced production, Chargers mighty-mite running back Darren Sproles is poised to become a free agent. One NFL executive e-mailed Sunday morning: “Be careful spending money on the guy. He is small, 200 pounds, and if he gets the money, can he hold up and deliver for 16-plus games?”

Still, every time Sproles has been questioned at any level, he has produced. The Chargers were questioned for allowing Turner to leave. They will be questioned again if they allow Sproles to leave.

San Diego cannot afford to let Sproles go, but it will be awfully pricey to get him to stay.
I just don't know how they would let him go. With all the talk about this being a 2back league and how you need one RB to spell/compliment the other, don't they have the ideal situation at that position? If he didn't prove how important he is to the Chargers last night, he never will. They would not still be in the playoffs without him.

if we could somehow someway get thru free agency with Gross,Lechler,and ONE Defensive impact player... and have a sufficient draft...wed be in buisness.

Why would we need Sproles again?

Betts was just signed last year.

I know that Sproles fits the flavor of the offseason taste that the front office loves so much but does he really fit into our long term plans? And if he does then why was Betts signed within the year?

...It's a certainty that Sproles has no place on the Skins next year and shouldn't even be a FA target.

Why would we need Sproles again?

Betts was just signed last year.

I know that Sproles fits the flavor of the offseason taste that the front office loves so much but does he really fit into our long term plans? And if he does then why was Betts signed within the year?

...It's a certainty that Sproles has no place on the Skins next year and shouldn't even be a FA target.

Because Betts isn't an explosive playmaker, doesn't represent a 'change of pace' and is very much a lesser version of Portis. Betts was re-signed 2 years ago when Portis was coming off his season of injuries and Betts had a decent stretch of games. Betts is effective if he's a 15+ carry per game type of guy but he's doesn't have the potential to change the game every time he touches the ball like Sproles.

what date does free agency actually begin this year?

Feb 27