Day four of free agency is in the bag and what a day it was. A new suitor for Peyton Manning was introduced to us. The center market was set. And deals were made and visits were undertaken.
Our analysts had a lot of fun breaking down the days events on the blog and twitter, and now we’ve put them on the spot to get their thoughts on the best and worst of the day. What moves did they like? What moves did they hate? What would they do if they were one of the players?
Let’s find out.
1. What move did you like the most from day four?
Ben: Not many great moves yesterday so I’ll tip my hat to the top two centers coming off the board late last night. The Rams got a clear upgrade at center in the shape of Scott Wells but the Texans desperately needed to retain Chris Myers. One of the theories of Gary Kubiak’s zone scheme is that you can plug and play offensive lineman but to be able to retain a center of Myers’ caliber as a blocker and a leader is crucial. No team gained more yardage through the A-gaps last season than the Texans and Myers was a crucial part of that.
Khaled: Once again I really liked a move the Chargers made, this time in signing Atari Bigby. He’s fresh after playing limited snaps the past two years, and a proven performer who should complement quite nicely with Eric Weddle if he cracks the starting lineup. If not? Well there’s little risk attached to the move.
Nathan: It was a good day for centers, but I like Chris Myers returning to the Texans most of all. With the offensive line losing some players, it was good to see that Houston was able to bring back their best linemen.
Neil: The Texans getting Chris Myers back is huge for them. It looked as if they were completely losing O-line continuity but pulling him in (and at a not too ridiculous dollar value) is a really positive signal. The Antoine Caldwell for Mike Brisiel change at right guard is (at worst) a wash so now the only negative is releasing Eric Winston. In doing so they saved $5.5M but they may come to regret not finding that elsewhere.
Sam: The Texans retaining Chris Myers was huge. They had already cut RT Eric Winston and allowed RG Mike Brisiel to leave, losing Myers on top of that would have meant more of the O-line from last year was not coming back than was returning, and that would have been unlikely to lead to success. Myers is the best zone blocking center in the league and locking him down was smart.
2. What move did you hate the most from day 4?
Ben: Why were the Cowboys in such a hurry to sign Nate Livings? Yes he might have the size the Cowboys like but that’s about it, and he has never consistently performed at anything close to a reasonable level. They have panicked after a tumultuous season at guard and made a bad move that won’t fix those problems.
Khaled: I hate the Livings move, but in the interest of giving a different answer … no, I can’t do it. I hate the Nate Livings move so much I couldn’t possibly go another way. Way overpaid in a good guard market for a guy based on size over production.
Nathan: The cutting of Kamerion Wimbley. I know he was owed a lot of money, but that eliminated basically all of the outside pass rush in Oakland, and he was solid in run defense as well. You would at least like to see Oakland get something out of losing him, but it looks like they won't until receive anything.
Neil: There’s a few to choose from but it’s the Nate Livings deal that shocked me the most. If there was depth at one position it was guard and yet the Cowboys, with all their resources, somehow managed to select Livings. If they were purely looking for someone to keep Tony Romo upright he’s at least average in that regard but as a run blocker? It seems as if the scouts have done no more than said: “Wow…He’s a big guy, he’ll fit” without realizing run blocking is not his strong suit.
Sam: There weren't many poor moves yesterday so the one that stands out is Nate Livings to Dallas. Livings is big on size but not so much on playing ability, and I can't see that he brings much in the way of upgrade to the Cowboys. The money may not have been obscene, but there are better ways to spend it.
3. Who were the big winners?
Ben: They only made one re-signing but the Atlanta Falcons got back, at a cheaper price than he wanted, the most important player on their defense and one of the most effective pass rushers in the entire league. John Abraham came at a good value for his age and he can still flat out play, crucial.
Khaled: You realize the San Francisco 49ers are in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes? Just being in the race makes them potential winners, so imagine if they get him?
Nathan: The Atlanta Falcons for bringing John Abraham back. Earlier this spring, Abraham was asking for 12 million per year, and they got him for nearly half that. He was arguably the best player remaining in free agency, and he will get to likely play out the rest of his carrier in Atlanta.
Neil: The San Francisco 49ers. The Carlos Rogers deal was finalised yesterday and if they can somehow get Peyton Manning I believe they will be clear favourites to win the Super Bowl next year.
Sam: They may be working on a shoestring budget but the Oakland Raiders made some shrewd moves. They bit the bullet and released Kamerion Wimbley, who I don't see as being as effective in their new scheme, and used that to finance the move for RG Mike Brisiel and CB Ron Bartell. Bartell is a talented corner who if he checks out medically is a huge upgrade for them.
4. And the big losers?
Ben: The big losers yesterday are still the “non-rush” linebackers who, as I explained in this article yesterday, simply cannot buy a break right now. Teams are obsessed with other positions right now and it would seem that they don’t value these guys in spite of their ability to help a team. Those teams with a pressing need at linebacker who didn’t take the opportunity to sign one of these guys whilst other teams were busy at other positions have missed a trick. The market has to break at some point.
Khaled: I don’t think it was a great day for the Tennessee Titans. They found out they have serious competition for Peyton Manning, watched their center targets leave the market and then John Abraham re-sign with the Falcons. Their walking a line between getting better and getting worse this off season.
Nathan: Teams that were looking for a center like the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers. The top ones like Myers, Scott Wells and Matt Birk are all off the market, and now there is a big drop off in talent available at the position.
Neil: So the Arizona Cardinals are definitely stuck with Kolb, decide to re-sign Levi Brown (to go with Adam Snyder) and still haven’t got anything resembling an edge rusher. Rumour has it the front office are actually being paid to come up with this stuff.
Sam: As I said earlier, there really weren't too many bad moves yesterday, so the Dallas Cowboys draws the short straw for the Livings move.
5. What move would you be looking to make if you were one of the top available free agents, Peyton Manning (Neil), Erin Henderson (Sam), Eric Winston (Ben), Brodrock Bunkley (Khaled) and Stephen Tulloch (Nathan)?
Ben: First things first I’m (Eric Winston) spoiled for choice, I’m one of the best right tackles in the league and I know it. I’ve been cut after my best season and there aren’t many good right tackles around so I don’t have to create a market for myself. I have stated openly that winning is what counts to me so aside from going back to Houston which there appears to be no chance of then my most encouraging visit thus far would have been with the Kansas City Chiefs. I would complete one of the best offensive lines in the league on a team that is only a year removed from a division title. Kansas City would be in pole position right now but I’d also be waiting for a team like San Francisco to get in contact, they have a pressing need at right tackle and they were so close last season. Barring any late wildcard entrants I’m heading west for the 2012 season.
Khaled: If I’m Brodrick Bunkley I’m wondering why the phone hasn’t been ringing non-stop. Don’t teams know I’m Pro Football Focus’ top ranked run defending defensive tackle? After having my best year ever in Denver I probably wouldn’t mind returning there, but it would be interesting to go to the Indianapolis Colts and be the centerpiece in their new defense.
Nathan: While this isn't the interesting answer, the best fit is probably returning to the Detroit Lions. They are a playoff team where Stephen Tulloch knows he can fit in and succeed, and after the Calvin Johnson deal they have some cap room. The other teams that seem interested like the Buccaneers and Redskins don't seem as close to winning.
Neil: Denver has never felt right to me and I enjoy the Tim Tebow stuff so much I don’t want to do anything to spoil my fun. The 49ers makes a lot of sense because of their “D” but their receivers don’t fill me with any confidence. I think the Chiefs are a good fit but I’m sticking with my original choice: the Seattle Seahawks. I like the targets available, the defense and the home-field advantage. The O-Line doesn’t scare me because poor play there has never really affected him that much. I know they’re out of the race, but if I was Peyton Manning, they’d be my top choice.
Sam: For Erin Henderson returning to the Minnesota Vikings is the best place for him, and it's his first choice destination – the problem is the Vikings are trying to get him on the cheap and hoping the market for linebackers is set low. Henderson can play all three LB spots in a 4-3 and the Vikings currently have openings at two of them. There are alternative destinations though that he might use to try and entice a better offer from the Vikings. Atlanta have a potential hole at MLB without Lofton, but may not have the money to meet the asking price.
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