Current 2014 Free Agents

Either sign Orakpo or draft his repalcement. KI you got me confused. You want your back up QB to be top notch and then go cheap at linebacker. I would do the opposite. Go top notch at LB and go cheap at back up QB. if we release Orakpo we could trade Cousins and use the pick we get for him to move up to draft another Orakpo type player.

I'm not surprised that I confused you because I am very confused. The more I think about it, the more the idea of using up $11M of our 2014 cap space for one player stresses me out. Honestly, I don't know what to do. I'm just glad that I'm not making that decision.

Also, I think we need to find out if we have a good chance of signing Greg Hardy or Jairus Byrd (by taking advantage of the so-called "tampering window" at the Combine) before making a decision to use up 1/3 of our cap space for Brian Orakpo. I just want the the Skins to get the most impact for their cap dollars.

I'm not sure what I said before about Cousins (I probably went back and forth on the topic) but, given the strength of this draft class, I would be in favor of trading Cousins for a second round pick. I might even take a third and a player or an additional fourth or fifth round pick for him. But I'm not excited about trading him for anything less than that.

If Cousins is traded, we can get an adequate backup QB to replace him. I'm not concerned about that.

We should sign Connor Shaw to a free agent contract to take Cousins place.

You don't think Shaw will be drafted late?

I like Shaw. I think he is underrated. He would be a good developmental QB, IMO.

I'd take Shaw but I'd also sign a veteran backup QB to replace Cousins in the short term..

So our biggest needs are DB and OL, but we might pay an OLB $11m? THat is a Vinny Cerratto move.
Over paying Orakpo because we are afraid to see him leave is weak. Orrakpo is not worth $8million a season, much less $11m. I would rather spend money to fix safety, offensive line and cb positions, where we have serious needs.

Interesting stat fact: The Seahawks defense dominated in 2013 and their team leader in sacks in regular season had 8.5 sacks. Ranked eighth in total team sacks, but they were first (by a long shot) in interceptions. Their secondary is big and fast. Our secondary is neither.
Team defense. Team sport. No weak links. Fix secondary and OL first.

Sidney Rice just cut by the Chickens.


No thanks.

Sidney Rice will be released. I wonder if we'll bring him in and have a look at him.

Bruce Allen said that he wanted to add 20 new players to the team. That is a very large number of players to add in one offseason. If he indeed adds that many new players, more than half of them would probably be UFA's. That's going to require alot of cap space, which makes me wonder if signing Orakpo is a good idea for a team that finished 3-13 last season and is planning to make alot of personnel changes during the offseason.

I doubt that the Skins can or even want to sign Orakpo to a multi-year deal. So, to me, the only question for the Skins about Orakpo is "Can we improve the defense more by tagging Orakpo for $11M or by signing two mid-tier FA's to more favorable, longer-term contracts?".

The Skins need alot of help on defense but we have Jackson and Jenkins at OLB, so the cupboard isn't bare at that position. I'm starting to wonder if the Skins might just let Orakpo walk in favor of picking up two good players at other positions.

Jackson is a FA also, so technically we only have Jenkins. Jackson may be the better overall OLB, but still cant rush the passer as good as Orakpo. So it depends on what they want from the OLB's as to who to resign. If they are finally going to let the OLB's be a true pass rusher, as some reports have said, then Orakpo is the better choice. If they are only going to let them rush 60% of the time, then Jackson may be the better choice and will be cheaper.

The salary cap is going up in future years more that it has in the past. The new TV contracts go into effect this year and will hit the cap next year, and according to reports, those TV contracts are much larger than the ones that just expired (Plus the addition of one more since they recently signed a Thursday night contract). Some of that money has already been used up since it was brought forward to keep the cap from going down the last 2 or 3 years but the cap is still expected to make some jumps in the next few years. 11 mil for a player with a 120 mil cap is quite different than 11 mil with a 150 mil cap. The better GM's will have this in mind when signing long term contracts. Signing Orakpo to a 5 year contract at 11 mil per may be a steal in a couple of years depending on how high the cap goes.

Orakpo is going to get that since salaries are going to be going up as the cap does. Its actually probably better for Orakpo to be tagged and hit FA again next year where the price tag for a pass rusher will probably go up.

Skinzman, you made some very good points that put things in perspective for me. Particulary about how the Skins plan to use Orakpo and the future of the salary cap.

BTW, I was aware that Jackson is a FA. I just assumed that we'd be able to resign him at a reasonable rate. Then again, if he slips up just once and gets caught, he could be facing an indefinite suspension. Maybe I shouldn't count on him so much.

Ok if Denver cuts Champ and he doesnt retire.. imo i think hed be a good DEPTH signing and a great player like that finish his career where he started. Let em coach up Amerson a little bit give em a few tricks. Thoughts?

Ok if Denver cuts Champ and he doesnt retire.. imo i think hed be a good DEPTH signing and a great player like that finish his career where he started. Let em coach up Amerson a little bit give em a few tricks. Thoughts?

Nah! I'd pass on him.

Ok if Denver cuts Champ and he doesnt retire.. imo i think hed be a good DEPTH signing and a great player like that finish his career where he started. Let em coach up Amerson a little bit give em a few tricks. Thoughts?

No way that Bailey ever signs with the Skins, or that the Skins would even offer him a contract.

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