2003 Free Agents (Offense)

DE's-since we'd only be looking at backups, I'd pass on all these guys.

DT's-No one there worth paying what we'd have to pay to sign them. We'll draft one or wait until some one else gets cut to make a move, possibly both.

OLB's-A lot depends on what we do about Navies. Sign him and again we'd be looking at backups. Spikes, Colvin, and Peterson would all be upgrades even over Fields.

MLB's-backups only, how many of these guys have the speed we're looking for? Ruff's a local kid, but he's looking to go somewhere he can start. I don't see us going after any of them.

CB's-McAllister is Hicthcock Jr. has the talent but gambles too damn much. Likewise with Wright. Bly's local and a decent player, he may get a look if his demands aren't too outrageous.

S's-Don't think we'll even look at any one if Grant continues to improve. If he starts regressing, it could be another story.

Our defense starterwise is in good shape outside of CB unless Navies leaves openning another hole. We'd concern ourselves with persuing better depth at this point. We'll probably be looking at a kicker also.

 

All we really need on D is an upgrade beside Jenkins and maybe a LB to replace Navies and of course depth everywhere but Safety. Hannibal has played well in that we don't hear his name called much. He's not making big mistakes, but I'd like to have someone making more plays.
There are only two players that really stick out to me, both would be considered replacements for Navies and that would be:
Diggs, Na'il, Green Bay Packers
Simoneau, Mark, Atlanta Falcons
Simoneau would be the cheaper and probably not all that much of an upgrade. Diggs would solidify that LB crew for years to come.
In a perfect world, we'd retain Navies as a back-up and Witherspoon would develop into the starting role.
Otherwise, the rest of those guys would garner too much money or would create a situation where we're almost too deep for the sake of the cap.

 

I was thinking Diggs would fit nice too, but I didn't think GB would let him get away... I think he'll be resigned at seasons end

 

Simoneau is nowhere near athletic enough to fill Navies' shoes. The situation that'd be most able in that case would be to put a guy like that strong side (despite his height) and have Fields weakside because of his speed...but Fields has been much more effective in coverage on the strong side without losing his impact overall. So overall you keep Navies or you plug Witherspoon in.

 

But Diggs is

 

and he'd be expensive, if he's not re-signed. Still, he's been only average so far this year.

 

Any free-agent dollars on defense better be spent on either DT or CB. Or I'm pissed. BTW, I heard somewhere or another (don't remember where off-hand) that Gilbert is retiring after this season. Anybody out there that can confirm that? If so, that's a BIG relief for the salary cap next year.

 

Funny thing about Gilbert is we're getting better production out of him with limited playing time, than we ever did with him as a starter?
Couldn't say for sure, but I'd bet he plays about 10 downs per game or so. The guy has played pretty well when he can come out right away and run to the sideline for a snack.

At this point it's either retire or get released.

 

I don't think Gadsden will be looking to stay...I'd like to pair him with a high pick

http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/1022/1449552.html

 

I'll second that.