Free Agency/Franchise Tag thread 2011

Cullen Jenkins is the kind of player this defense needs, a good vet who can still get to the QB, stops the run and gets a good pass rush, and knows the 34 defense.

Yes. It either means he was not what the Packers want moving forward which could be for several reasons. Or that he wants too much money and they feel he's not hard to replace.

I've had enough of this free agent DT stuff. It has to end at some point.

or this could be a case of a GM thinking too highly of himself. We've seen tons of players move from a team because they weren't deemed necessary anymore and they've gone one to have good careers with their new teams. After a season like the one he had last year, that leads me to believe that is the case. I don't see this being like the Eagles letting Westbrook go or anything of the sort. Jenkins was good all year and there weren't any signs (from what we could see) that would suggest he's slowing down.

of course, it's all about the price being right. BA doesn't like signing players to huge contracts anyways.

Sure Cullens is a nice player, but if we dont get a NT in there this year, go ahead and expect a replay of last year with teams running the ball down down our throats all day long. Our play last year all the way around was frankly an embarrassement, but I was most embarrassed about getting run on the way we did. Being "out physical" is not a Skins tradition and in order to get the 3-4 right, you gotta get a decent NT.

A 7th round choice and Bryant (mostly unproven) is not gonna cut it IMO. Our only true focus in free agency on the defensive side should be NT.

A 7th round choice and Bryant (mostly unproven) is not gonna cut it IMO. Our only true focus in free agency on the defensive side should be NT.

Actually I think they can. Are the dominant Vince Wilfork Pro Bowl type NT's? No, however they're (Neild and Bryant) both capable of taking on double teams and holding the line of scrimage. The main problem at the start of last year was that teams found out in week 2 or 3 that they could block Kemo one one one with a Center on top of the fact that they were able to easily drive Golston off the ball.

Knowing this teams simply ran away from the only quality lineman up front in Carriker. You look at the difference once Kemo and Golston were replaced by Bryant and Holiday and it's like night and day. In fact the switch was a big reason Carrikers production went up in the second half of the season, since teams were no longer able to run away from him. And a big part of that was the play of Bryant.

Now they have Bryant returning to start and another guy that can hold his own in Neild along with Jenkins to keep people off our linebackers. Personally I feel comfotable with our D-Line. Especially when you throw in Kerrigan and Orakpo who are both good at shedding blockers.

Sure Cullens is a nice player, but if we dont get a NT in there this year, go ahead and expect a replay of last year with teams running the ball down down our throats all day long. Our play last year all the way around was frankly an embarrassement, but I was most embarrassed about getting run on the way we did. Being "out physical" is not a Skins tradition and in order to get the 3-4 right, you gotta get a decent NT.

A 7th round choice and Bryant (mostly unproven) is not gonna cut it IMO. Our only true focus in free agency on the defensive side should be NT.

I'm with you. Bryant is not much more than adequate. And while I like the choice of Neidt, he may end up having the same roller skates that Kemo did.

Good defenses are built up front and especially at the NT position in the 3-4. Our #1 FA priority should be getting the best NT that we can get.

Actually I think they can. Are the dominant Vince Wilfork Pro Bowl type NT's? No, however they're (Neild and Bryant) both capable of taking on double teams and holding the line of scrimage. The main problem at the start of last year was that teams found out in week 2 or 3 that they could block Kemo one one one with a Center on top of the fact that they were able to easily drive Golston off the ball.

Knowing this teams simply ran away from the only quality lineman up front in Carriker. You look at the difference once Kemo and Golston were replaced by Bryant and Holiday and it's like night and day. In fact the switch was a big reason Carrikers production went up in the second half of the season, since teams were no longer able to run away from him. And a big part of that was the play of Bryant.

Now they have Bryant returning to start and another guy that can hold his own in Neild along with Jenkins to keep people off our linebackers. Personally I feel comfotable with our D-Line. Especially when you throw in Kerrigan and Orakpo who are both good at shedding blockers.

This!

Although adding Kris Jenkins with a moderate contract (durability?) via FA would make me feel even better.

I think the biggest mistake Shanahan made in this 3-4 conversion, was to think 4-3 players like Haynesworth and Golston would easily convert to 3-4 d-linemen. The first priority for them should've been to acquire a true NT (which was hard last season) or draft one (T. Cody in the 2nd round).

I do agree with Dirt that we are in good shape now with the d-line, although it would help to get guys like J. Jenkins and Nield to camp. I wouldn't mind picking up a Kris Jenkins at a reasonable price, to tutor the young NTs. Cullen Jenkins would be a huge pick up, and it would solidify our d-line.

Jenkins is a nice player at NT, but unreliable due to age and injury. Kemo was suppose to be that guy for us already.

I think the biggest mistake Shanahan made in this 3-4 conversion, was to think 4-3 players like Haynesworth and Golston would easily convert to 3-4 d-linemen. The first priority for them should've been to acquire a true NT (which was hard last season) or draft one (T. Cody in the 2nd round).

I do agree with Dirt that we are in good shape now with the d-line, although it would help to get guys like J. Jenkins and Nield to camp. I wouldn't mind picking up a Kris Jenkins at a reasonable price, to tutor the young NTs. Cullen Jenkins would be a huge pick up, and it would solidify our d-line.

I'm confused. Are you saying that Shanny was right about converting the 4-3 Bryant to the 3-4?

Or is a 7th round pick (Neild) our NT savior?

Or, lacking these scenarios, don't we still need a NT who is not just a tutor (Kris Jenkins)?

First to post!

Report: Mutual interest between Redskins, Cullen Jenkins | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/11/report-mutual-interest-between-redskins-cullen-jenkins/)


I'm confused. Are you saying that Shanny was right about converting the 4-3 Bryant to the 3-4?

Or is a 7th round pick (Neild) our NT savior?

Or, lacking these scenarios, don't we still need a NT who is not just a tutor (Kris Jenkins)?

If by savior you mean a player that absolutely commands respects and destroys teams that are foolish enough to experiment with one on one blocking then no. However if you mean a guy that will win one on one, draw double teams, and bring those to a stalmate then yes, I feel that Neild is that guy. Nose Tackle isn't a very... difficult position to train people. It's more about being strong willed and fighting then it is about skill.

For now though I view Neild similarly to Chris Hoke of the Steelers. Yes they love having Casey Hampton at the nose but they know when he's injured or needs a rest they're in good hands with him. Also if you look at some of the guys starting at Nose Tackle in this league a good amount of them are in fact late round picks. (meaning rounds 4-7).