The negotiator's are going at it full force for Vernon Carey. His agent says he will walk because the FO "does not like him that much." Posturing? Probably...but Jordan Gross was Franchised this week so the plan of signing him instead, for a little more is out the window.
Vernon Carey, Yeremiah Bell, Andre Goodman, Channing Crowder, Renaldo Hill and Al Johnson are all good players that we would like to keep (in that order) but the FO will not over spend for any of them.
There is a good market for FA CB's this year, pretty good for ILB's (Vilma) not so much for Safeties and Centers.
(Nnamdi Asomugha doesn't expect the Raiders to announce that they've franchise tagged him until "the last minute." Asomugha, who's been through five head coaches and was tagged last year, knows the process by now. Oakland has until February 19 to make the move).
Miami could get in a bidding war with a team like Pittsburgh if we don't sign Carey. Bell will be offered a big contract from someone if we don't sign him. Same for Goodman. Crowder will not be offered a huge contract but will be offered more than we will pay.
Carey is now the best FA tackle on the market. Bell is the 2nd best SS on the market (Jermaine Phillips). Goodman is somewhere in the top 5-10 best CB's. Hill is in the top 5-10 for FS's. Al Johnson is in the same boat and Crowder is in the top 5 ILB group but is younger than any of the top 10 ILB's.
Bell, Goodman, Hill and Johnson are less attractive due to age and injury history.
It should be interesting in the next few weeks.....
So knowing that and how the FO operates what do we do? One source says that Miami is unlikely to sign an offensive lineman in the first round but it would be nice to nab Max Unger, who can play every line position including LT, with 2a.
I like these guys for this years draft...
Max Unger (Mr versatility)
Hakim Nicks (good hand & route runner ala Reggie Wayne...NFL ready)
Sean Smith (the next Nnamdi?)
Juaqin Iglesias (chain mover)
Jeremy Maclin (NCAA record holder for all purpose yards in freshman year)
BJ Raji (true NT with up field potential)
Michael Oher (Best OT in draft)
Tyson Jackson (better than Marcus Spears)
Malcomb Jenkins (best CB in draft)
Clint Sintim (versatile 3-4 backer)
Gerald McRath (will grow into top IL
Ron Brace (another true NT)
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