Alright I think I'm convinced on Keenan Lewis. If E.J. Biggers and Chris Houston went on the list there was never any reason not to put Lewis on it, except my assumption he was going to get paid a lot more than them. But I'm not sure of that so he should go on the list.
So what do we do? Do we let Smith walk, cut Marshall, sign two CBs from free agency, and draft one? Are we restructuring Patterson? I don't see any way we are paying each of them $5 million (Smith, Patterson) and then drafting a CB high. Just no way.
I'd still re-sign Sean Smith if he's only asking what was originally reported which is Jason McCourty money, about $7 million a year. That's the going rate. I'd do it. He's still ascending. He's never been better than he was in 2012, IMO. Much more responsibility placed on his shoulders, yet he performed IMO. But even if we re-signed him, I would still dip heavily into this class of free agency. Would you rather have ONE of Keenan Lewis, Chris Houston, Derek Cox or E.J. Biggers...or would you rather have Richard Marshall AND Dimitri Patterson. A lot of times you'll take the two players over the one. Not in this case. I'd take any one of those four players I named over the combination of Marshall and Patterson. But if he's giving you static about that price level, wants in the $9 or $10 million range on a long term deal with lots of guaranteed, you let the guy walk. I think what is key about the other guys is, which guys want to be here? Some guys you won't even get your foot in the door. Many of those guys could be thinking they want to go to teams that run certain systems, or go to their home stats, or some such. Many may re-sign with their teams.
JMO, but I'd let Smith walk, keep Marshall and Patterson, sign one UFA corner and draft one no later than round 3.
Hopefully Ireland learned from 2009 that we're better off using FA to solve cornerback rather than heading into the draft looking for a starter.
Ireland has the opportunity to rebuild much of the secondary & WR/TE from scratch, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out and the type of vision he and our staff have in mind.
i have no issue with bringing in both Trufants .... Marcus as the FA (not for crazy $$$ of course) and Desmond in the draft if we trade down or can get lucky and pick him up in RD 2. It'd be a nice story and a pretty good mentor for Marshall $$$. we'd still need to sign Lewis, Houston, Fletcher or Biggers ... as i'd prefer Marcus in the slot ...
I'm confused, Coyle doesn't really use press a lot, right? Wasn't that what was Sean Smith was B*$ching about on twitter when watching the Seahawks corners play press? So guys like Fletcher and Lewis would not make sense, right?
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would be a dream come true for me but he will get a kings ransom in free agency
Good stuff CK. Thanks. This is very important. It's absolutely a great thing that they don't have to spend a high draft pick on a DB. I think DB is a huge need, but I wouldn't want them to spend a high draft pick on one. They must sign one of these guys. Some may be resigned, but that's a pretty stunning list of FA CBs. There certainly will be some good ones to be had. I have mentioned in another thread about D. Cox and C. Houston, but there are, obviously, a bunch of options. I feel comfortable in the fact that they will be able to sign one of these guys and fill a huge need whilst also leaving them a nice s--t load of picks to fill other needs. This could be a great offseason for the team. They are set up with the opportunity to make this team a lot better and to take the next big step.