The reports out of Zona are that he wants to re-sign but, chances are unlikely he will. Dansby is a VG ILB, 6' 4", 250, and an UFA. In 09, he had 109 tackles, 6 for loss, and is good in coverage. However, he is 28 and will cost A LOT of money. Speculation is $20M or so guaranteed. Our other option is waiting to see what the draft will bring. We may have a shot at McClain, may get a Spikes, or another a rated a bit below. I HATE that the draft is after FA. Oh well, it is what it is, and we will have to decide before instead of after. Your choices?
That is a lot to assume given a new CBA is unlikely and Arizona will have like three tags they can choose to place on him. If they want him they can likely keep him.
It might take both. It really depends on how things fall in the draft. But, the question could be "Karlos Dansby AND the Draft" and not "versus".
As Boomer astutely pointed out in the game thread last night, it will quite likely hinge on whether or not Kurt Warner retires or not. If he is available, we need to pull the trigger, THEN find out what happens in the draft. I would much prefer of having the headche of too many good Linebackers as opposed to having none...which is where we currently are
Dansby for me. ILB is not a core position I want to use first round picks unless the player is elite. I'm not sure I'd put any ILB in this draft in that category.
A team source is saying that Dansby is likely not affordable to them. Sorry, but as always there is no name or position with the team
Teams still only have one franchise tag; in an uncapped year they gain a second transition tag, but no one uses the transition tag in the first place. (The last and only time I can remember is the Steelers using it on Max Starks about 3 years ago.) It looks like Arizona will NOT franchise Dansby.
That's a good point I had not thought of. It may be the reason Zona has yet to contact Dansby's agent to even open up contract talks.
Honestly, I'd be in favor of cutting Ayodele and Torbor, signing Dansby AND drafting McClain if he's there. Signing Dansby wouldn't make me shy away from McClain, because we desperately need TWO ILBs (Crowder is mediocre) and McClain is special.
Agreed. I believe that Spikes may make a better Pro than McClain, and he might be had in the 2nd round. I see our FA money going to a vet NT and a LB or two. First choice is Wilfork, unlikely, and his cost knocks Dansby out of the box. Then there is Hampton. He and Dansby will probably cost too much combined but, there is a shot. Banta-Cain is another option at OLB if No Dansby at ILB. I just want to fill two holes in FA before the draft to give us options.
McClain is absolutely an elite talent. He has the ability to be the next Patrick Willis. Spikes isn't even on the same level and will NOT be a better pro. Also, anyone that says ILB is not a "core position" didn't watch Ayodele and Crowder this past season, and see how much our defense suffered because of them.
IF we got Dansby, I'm trading down. I really like Kindle, OLB, and our need on the outside could be more than the inside. Porter is likely gone, JT could be as well. Who does that leave? Anderson and Moses?
I LOVED Willis, wanted him in the worst way to be our pick. Do not have the same feeling on McClain, although I would not be disappointed if he were our pick. Ayodele and Crowder are nothing special. However, our D really suffered when Ferg went out, and when Crowder got hurt. Before that, we were doing OK, especially vs the run.
He is being mentioned on every fan site for every NFL team. Every year the same 3-4 FAs are wanted by every team. My point being that chances of getting him are always small, this year even smaller. We need to keep thinking draft.
The chances of signing Dansby are slim, IMO. Arizona will find some way to keep him. Our focus should be on other players like Demeco Ryans, Barrett Ruud, Brandon Silar, Larry Foote, or Derrick Johnson. There are plenty of players to choose from.
There are far greater chances that we sign Dansby a UFA as compared to Demeco Ryans and Derrick Johnson two guys not even unrestricted, let alone the former being a guy they'll never let go of.
I thought Ryans and Johnson were both UFA. That's my mistake if they aren't. Also, you are right about Ryans never leaving Houston. I don't even know why I put him on the list.
Elivs Dumervil is another name being thrown around, although I believe he is a RFA, so that's probably unlikely. You'd think the Phins would rather go young at that position, since it seems to be such a priority.
That would include Ireland who listed core positions and didn't list ILB. Also I haven't seen anybody with any credibility who puts McClain in the Willis class. He just doesn't have the same coverage ability.
You sign Dansby you more or less ensure that the entire draft strategy has changed and you'll be in great position.