New and Improved Free Agency Discussion and News Mega-Thread

[BeerBaron]

Originally Posted by hawkeye123

Bears sign Devin Thomas

No such thing as too many special teamers. Even more so with Knox's future uncertain.

[bigbluedefense]

I wanted to keep Devin Thomas. This sucks.

He was a great special teamer and was a great effort guy. Good for the locker room.

[NY+Giants=NYG]

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

I wanted to keep Devin Thomas. This sucks.

He was a great special teamer and was a great effort guy. Good for the locker room.

I agree! I wanted to see him develop as a WR. Maybe see if he can take that Z and compete for it. But, I guess he saw a better chance in chicago. Best of luck to him! Now next man up, for his ST spot.

[Complex]

Amid rumblings and reports that the Titans are interested in Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, the move could soon be coming to fruition.

Derrick Gunn of CSNPhilly.com reports that Samuel could be traded to the Titans within the next few days.

Per Gunn, the Eagles would receive a conditional third-round pick. Which could mean that the pick would come in the 2013 draft based on Samuel’s performance in 2012, since the only condition that would apply before the 2012 draft would relate to signing Samuel to a new contract.

Samuel has a $10.5 million cap number in 2012. Per NFLPA records, Samuel is due to earn a base salary of $9.9 million.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...o-titans-soon/

[ChiFan24]

I'm ridonculously excited about having Thomas. Very good special teamer with some upside (I was a big fan in 08). My expectations are low from an offensive standpoint, but this is the kind of move that makes me like a new GM. Not no-brainer trades or 3 million dollar backup quarterbacks.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

He's no longer a good player. But the Jacobs of 07-08 was a beast. When he got going he was hard to stop. People can say whatever they want about him, but you saw how players avoided tackling him (Ask Mike Jenkins) and how he effected PA pass.

And he never got enough credit for his blocking ability. The dude was basically another linemen when he stayed in to block.

I think that's one of the biggest reasons we want to hold onto him, ***** runner he may now be, but the man still crushes it as a blocker. Our positional coaches really do a great job of teaching our skill position guys to block. Pope is a master at getting guys like Shockey and Boss to become monster blockers, our receivers all block the living **** out of people and our backs learn to block so that even little Ahmad Bradshaw makes some big blocks.

[MidwayMonster31]

The Giants will probably draft a running back this year. I think Lamar Miller will be available, but you never know.
I approve of this Thomas signing, a good gunner will fit in well with us.

[Ness]

Originally Posted by Larry

I think he makes the roster. We had no use for dixon on offense last season.

Maybe. I think we either keep Dixon or draft a running back. Dixon still has potential as a runner.

[GaMeTiMe]

Originally Posted by Complex

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...o-titans-soon/

Happy to see they might get even a 3rd rounder for him whether it's this year or next, but I wouldn't be surprised if the conditional pick is about his restructuring as mentioned. He's well worth a 3rd rounder at a reduced rate, but I can see that instead becoming a 4th rounder if he doesn't agree to restructure. Not sure why he'd take a paycut while helping the Eagles but hopefully he agrees to just play under a brand new, short-term but generous deal where he won't play for much less this year and can still go into FA and get another contract (in his mind)

[DoughBoy]

Its being reported the Titans just have "lukewarm" interest at best and are not willing to give up a conditional 3rd.

[BeerBaron]

Originally Posted by DoughBoy

Its being reported the Titans just have "lukewarm" interest at best and are not willing to give up a conditional 3rd.

God dammit. I did not want Detroit to get him so I was pulling for Tennessee.

[eaglesalltheway]

Originally Posted by DoughBoy

Its being reported the Titans just have "lukewarm" interest at best and are not willing to give up a conditional 3rd.

There were also a bunch of reports that the Cardinals didn't want to give up what they did for Kolb last year...

They're probably just posturing, but the Eagles, once again, find themselves in a position where they can wait it out until they get what they want. Not saying the Tits are gonna get bent over backwards like the Cards did last year, a conditional third is a great price for Asante, but don't expect the Eagles to cave in and change their demands, they never do it. It may take a while, but someone will trade for him, despite his age, he is too talented for a team not to be willing to give up a third rounder for him.

[BaLLiN]

i dont remember anyone mentioning this or seeing this myself but former Giant's first round pick and starting cornerback signed with the Jaguars for 3 years and 15.3 million.

ESPN report

IMO thats too much, but he did play pretty damn well in the superbowl and at times in the season he was very good. He just is terrible in the slot.

So the Giants lost:

Brandon Jacobs
Mario Manningham
Aaron Ross
Devin Thomas

Gained:

Martellus Bennet

Reaction:
Jacobs is, what, the 3rd string? maybe 4th? Sure he is good at picking up the blitz and getting yardage that almost any other back could get with good blocking, but he has lost his touch. It is a rare occasion when he makes a good play, and a common occasion that he gets stopped in the backfield by trying to stretch the play to the sideline. Dumb move IMO, don't think he'll be doing much for the team.

Mario is a good player when used right. He is crazy good at using space to his advantage (except on fly's) and runs well in space. However, he doesn't catch with his hands well, if ever. He loves letting the ball get into his body. Another thing he doesn't do well is option routes, simplify the offense and get him the ball quickly (WCO) and i think you have a good #2 option. Look at tape from last season (2010) and i think you niners fans will see what I am talking about. Ok to good move by the niners, but pending how you are going to use him.

Ross is older now (29 i think), but he has good ballskills and has become pretty good in run support. BBD or someone else in the giants forum described it correctly: he is a great corner when covering the #2 WR and not in the slot. Not real fast or quick, but he is adequate in both. I HATE HOW HE DOESN'T EVER TAKE READ STEPS AND LETS THE WR EAT UP HIS CUSHION! I am not sure which he is better in, man off or on, but he is a man corner and not too good in zone. Often injured as well. I really liked him in his rookie and 2nd season but he never lived up or progressed to what we thought he could be after that. Overpaid for sure and I hope you guys don't think he's a #1 CB because Andre Johnson will beast him.

Devin Thomas is a high character guy and team player. He is actually a pretty good receiver and probably smart enough for any system if he could understand ours without playing much. Fast and agile, good enough special teams hitter, but he can break the double team bump as well as anyone on the giants ive seen since David Tyree who went to the pro bowl for it. Good move by the Bears IMO.

[Ness]

Yes, we were already aware Aaron Ross signed with the Jaguars a while ago.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by BaLLiN

i dont remember anyone mentioning this or seeing this myself but former Giant's first round pick and starting cornerback signed with the Jaguars for 3 years and 15.3 million.

ESPN report

IMO thats too much, but he did play pretty damn well in the superbowl and at times in the season he was very good. He just is terrible in the slot.

So the Giants lost:

Brandon Jacobs
Mario Manningham
Aaron Ross
Devin Thomas

Gained:
Martellus Bennet

FML...

He's going to stay healthy and be a great outside corner for them. That's how this story plays out.

[Scotty D]

Originally Posted by eaglesalltheway

There were also a bunch of reports that the Cardinals didn't want to give up what they did for Kolb last year...

They're probably just posturing, but the Eagles, once again, find themselves in a position where they can wait it out until they get what they want. Not saying the Tits are gonna get bent over backwards like the Cards did last year, a conditional third is a great price for Asante, but don't expect the Eagles to cave in and change their demands, they never do it. It may take a while, but someone will trade for him, despite his age, he is too talented for a team not to be willing to give up a third rounder for him.

He's going to get released or you can keep him.

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

He's going to stay healthy and be a great outside corner for them. That's how this story plays out.

Oh yeah, you guys just have the worst luck.

[GaMeTiMe]

Originally Posted by eaglesalltheway

There were also a bunch of reports that the Cardinals didn't want to give up what they did for Kolb last year...

They're probably just posturing, but the Eagles, once again, find themselves in a position where they can wait it out until they get what they want. Not saying the Tits are gonna get bent over backwards like the Cards did last year, a conditional third is a great price for Asante, but don't expect the Eagles to cave in and change their demands, they never do it. It may take a while, but someone will trade for him, despite his age, he is too talented for a team not to be willing to give up a third rounder for him.

I agree that they probably won't budge off their price of a conditional 3rd but I don't think it's a good bet that someone eventually trades for him. Tennessee and Detroit have already pretty much been crossed off and there's really not a team off the top of my head that needs a starting CB at that age and price. Maybe they can talk to their buddies in Cleveland and move him there if he definitely re-structures, but that's really the only fit left that I can think of. He very well just may be cut.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

Oh yeah, you guys just have the worst luck.

Clearly, otherwise the giants would've gone 11-5 in the regular season before winning the superbowl...

[Giantsfan1080]

Giants fans have no right to complain and Reese does this almost every year. No FML needed at all.

[A Perfect Score]

Originally Posted by eaglesalltheway

There were also a bunch of reports that the Cardinals didn't want to give up what they did for Kolb last year...

They're probably just posturing, but the Eagles, once again, find themselves in a position where they can wait it out until they get what they want. Not saying the Tits are gonna get bent over backwards like the Cards did last year, a conditional third is a great price for Asante, but don't expect the Eagles to cave in and change their demands, they never do it. It may take a while, but someone will trade for him, despite his age, he is too talented for a team not to be willing to give up a third rounder for him.

Why anyone would give up a third for a ******, zone trail CB who hasn't made a form tackle in 5 years is beyond my level of understanding. But then again, so was the Kolb trade.

Oh my god, I think I just realized something...




=

[BeerBaron]

Don't do deals with the Eagles. More of the NFL should have learned this by now.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by A Perfect Score

Why anyone would give up a third for a ******, zone trail CB who hasn't made a form tackle in 5 years is beyond my level of understanding. But then again, so was the Kolb trade.

yes. asante samuel is the most overrated cornerback i've ever seen on this board. he's deltha o'neal.

[BeerBaron]

Originally Posted by njx9

yes. asante samuel is the most overrated cornerback i've ever seen on this board. he's deltha o'neal.

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa....whoa...

Asante may be overrated, but that is too far.

[Giantsfan1080]

Originally Posted by njx9

yes. asante samuel is the most overrated cornerback i've ever seen on this board. he's deltha o'neal.

On this board? It's everywhere.