Current 2014 Free Agents

Franchise tag is such a strong optionYou'd think, right?

The Bears have about 9m in space, but only have 33 players under contract so I can't see them signing him. Seahawks only have about 5m in cap space, but they are going to have to pay their own players soon ie..Wilson, Sherman and already have a lot committed to Harvin. Oakland has the most money to spend so he could get the best deal from them, but then again it's Oakland.

I don't know exactly where Orakpo's priorities lie in free agency, but Oakland, Chicago, and Seattle all have every reason to offer him the moon to get him to come play for them. He's a cornerstone defensive player. Those guys are expensive...but they're more expensive to replace.


You can scratch Seattle off of that list. They are working on a new deal for Earl and will have to deal with Sherman's contract soon. This doesn't even include Okung's contract coming up within 2 years as well as Wilson's. No way Seattle can drop that kind of coin on Orakpo. I wouldn't call him a "cornerstone" player either. He's a good player, but nothing close to elite.

Signing Rak to a long term deal now is the best thing to do. Most people keep putting out that 11 mil against a 120 mil cap is bad value, but the cap is now over 130 mil and expected to be 150 mil in a few years. 11 mil with a 150 mil cap is not bad at all for him. Top end players are going to be getting higher salaries in the coming years. If Rak was a FA in 3 years, he would be getting 15 mil per year with the exact same play, its just simple economics.

This is also why I think we should extend Trents contract now, because each year that goes by is a mil or two per year to resign him due to the salary cap rising. This is the year to get long term contracts done because they are going to look better and better each successive year where that was not the case in the past.

The NFL's salary cap could break $150 million by 2016 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10532044/the-nfl-salary-cap-break-150-million-2016)

Franchise tag is such a strong option

Well, sure it is. With the power of the franchise tag, the team is holding a far better hand in negotiations than Orakpo. They just need to franchise tag him and let him know that they wouldn't hesitate to franchise him again next season, as well, if the sides can't find common ground on a multi-year deal.

He would have to wait two years to hit the open market. Meanwhile, if he doesn't sign a long-term deal with the Skins, he'd better hope that he isn't injured when he finally becomes a FA.

His only rational alternative when faced with the prospect of two years of the franchise tag is to try to negotiate a fair long-term deal with the Skins with as much guaranteed money as he can get. Otherwise, he'd be risking a fortune.

new name MLB/ OLB 6-2 250 Vinny Rey from Cincinnati, he has only started a few games but had great stats

2013/ started 3 games/ 57 tackles/ 4 sacks / 2 interceptions

Gruden should be familiar with him

Everything u just said is spot on.

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The Redskins would be crazy not to franchise him if they can't reach a long term deal by tomorrow. Yes it's a lot but the cost in terms of money, time and risk of replacement are far greater. You don't just sign 'a few mid level players' and hope to cobble together the expected production of one if your better players. He's not a top 5 OLB or a budding hall of famer but he's better than anyone else we would trot out there to replace him next fall. This organization dives me nuts, smdh.

In the last two seasons the best run our defense had was when Rank was out. I think we can live out him if he is asking to much.

I think the decision on Orakpo should be based on two things:

1. Are we rebuilding?

Once that is answered, then:

2. What, not who, is our Top Priority?

I think we are rebuilding because we were 3-13 last season, we have a developing young QB, we have a new GM and a new, first-time, HC, and Bruce Allen said wants to add 20 new players during the off-season.

If we're rebuilding, then what is our Top Priority? I think that would probably be protecting our investment in RGIII by improving our pass protection so that he can better develop as a pocket passer. Of course, that means rebuilding the OL first.

I don't think the debate on whether or not to franchise Orakpo is as much about his worth as it is about where we stand as a team and what area of the team we need to focus on improving first. I would guess that if Orakpo is not franchised, then we should expect the Skins to bring in two or even three well regarded OL in FA.