Brees may become a free agent

[az1965]

Options narrow as Chargers rule out tagging Brees

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

http://log.go.com/log?srvc=sz&guid=...ileespn.com?campaign=mobile&source=insider_ah


The Chargers have all but ruled out the possibility of placing the franchise or transition tag on quarterback Drew Brees, leaving them only two options: signing him to a new contract or letting him hit the free-agent market.

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[SIZE=-2]Brees[/SIZE]
For a month, the Chargers had been considering the transition designation for Brees following his shoulder surgery because it gave them the flexibility of keeping his rights but not offering him a guaranteed contract. But an interpretation from the NFL Management Council late this week scared them out of that concept.
Because Brees had the franchise tag in 2005 and his $8.078 million salary was guaranteed, the league interpreted two things. First, the tender offer for Brees' transition tag would have to be at 120 percent of his 2005 salary instead of the 2006 quarterback transition number of $8.327 million. That means Brees would have to be offered $9.7 million by the Chargers. Second, there can be a case made that because his principle terms of the 2005 franchise tag was guaranteed, Brees' 2006 transition tag could also be considered a guaranteed offer.
The Chargers could ask for a hearing to determine whether that was the case or not, but instead have ruled out giving him the franchise or transition tag.
In the meantime, negotiations between Brees and the Chargers have continued all week. General manager A.J. Smith said he wanted to keep all three of his quarterbacks -- Brees, Philip Rivers and A.J. Feeley. Earlier this week, the Chargers worked out a two-year, $2 million deal for Feeley. Rivers is entering the third year of a six-year contract. If Brees isn't signed to a new contract by March 3, he will be a free agent.



Should we go after him if he becomes a free agent...??

 

[FlagstaffDave]

Should we go after him if he becomes a free agent...??

Nope. I'm sure others will load this thread with stats as to why we should though. So I figured I'd get my answer out of the way.

 

[Scott MS]

No, because if Brees becomes a free agent, he's going to get a lot of money. You'll have rich teams like Washington and Oakland going after him because they need a solid QB.

Arizona just doesn't have enough respect to win those kind of battles. I have the same concerns about Edgerin James and Shaun Alexander. Would love to sign them, but how far down are the Cards on their lists?

 

[Dr. Jones]

Nope. I'm sure others will load this thread with stats as to why we should though. So I figured I'd get my answer out of the way.

Agreed

 

[Ryanwb]

Earlier this week, the Chargers worked out a two-year, $2 million deal for Feeley.

Just a side note, how are teams able to sign players, or work out contracts before the FA period begins?

 

[Pariah]

yes. we should go after him hard.

 

[spanky1]

No, because if Brees becomes a free agent, he's going to get a lot of money. You'll have rich teams like Washington and Oakland going after him because they need a solid QB.

Arizona just doesn't have enough respect to win those kind of battles. I have the same concerns about Edgerin James and Shaun Alexander. Would love to sign them, but how far down are the Cards on their lists?

The negative stigma of being a Cardinal is rapidly going away under the Green era.

We are better than our 5-11 record and, the players around the league know this. The entire perception of cheap ownership, out of date attitude's regarding contracts, no hope because of no talent etc. etc., is being removed one layer at a time. We can now compete in all areas. Add in the new stadium and the fact that we have a developing "team attitude" that is spreading around to all corners of ther league, a quality of life in AZ that is hard to deny and the bottom line is.....if we put the best offer on the table, those FA's that we want, will come.

 

[az jam]

I don't think that we will have a problem getting free agents to come here. However, with the signing of Warner I don't see going after a starting qb as a prioity anymore. The empasis will be on improving the rushing game.

 

[joeshmo]

Just a side note, how are teams able to sign players, or work out contracts before the FA period begins?

Becuase Feeley was already on the team.

Much in the same way that we were able to re-sign Warner.

 

[Shane]

We just payed Warner 7 million dollars tis season. If we were to sign Brees that would make an immediate rift on the team IMO. They are both starting QB's. They both have some pride and will want to play.

Not to mention that the money that it would take to sign him would be more than it took to get Warner. There goes the big splash in FA to upgrade other areas of this team.

 

[ajcardfan]

We just payed Warner 7 million dollars tis season. If we were to sign Brees that would make an immediate rift on the team IMO. They are both starting QB's. They both have some pride and will want to play.

Not to mention that the money that it would take to sign him would be more than it took to get Warner. There goes the big splash in FA to upgrade other areas of this team.

And, he has a bum shoulder. That has to be a concern for anyone who signs him.

 

[Pariah]

riiiigghhht. We have Warner, so we're set. I forgot.

Come on, guys. Warner is alright, but he's a bandaid solution at best. Brees is a guy coming into his prime and could be the QB for the next 7 years--which just so happens to be roughly the same amount of time Fitz and Boldin will be playing at a high level.

But, Warner's here for 2006, at least, right. We can deal with who will be throwing these poetential pro-bowl WRS next year...and the next year....and the next year...right up until they get fed up and walk or simply retire with half the stats they could have had if they'd had a lasting relationship with a good QB for most of their career.

 

[ajcardfan]

riiiigghhht. We have Warner, so we're set. I forgot.

Come on, guys. Warner is alright, but he's a bandaid solution at best. Brees is a guy coming into his prime and could be the QB for the next 7 years--which just so happens to be roughly the same amount of time Fitz and Boldin will be playing at a high level.

But, Warner's here for 2006, at least, right. We can deal with who will be throwing these poetential pro-bowl WRS next year...and the next year....and the next year...right up until they get fed up and walk or simply retire with half the stats they could have had if they'd had a lasting relationship with a good QB for most of their career.

Everybody knows we need a QBOF. The Cards have made it clear that they will add one. So, your histrionics are a just a tad over the top.

I want a QBOF, I just don't want Brees.

 

[Shane]

riiiigghhht. We have Warner, so we're set. I forgot.

Come on, guys. Warner is alright, but he's a bandaid solution at best. Brees is a guy coming into his prime and could be the QB for the next 7 years--which just so happens to be roughly the same amount of time Fitz and Boldin will be playing at a high level.

But, Warner's here for 2006, at least, right. We can deal with who will be throwing these poetential pro-bowl WRS next year...and the next year....and the next year...right up until they get fed up and walk or simply retire with half the stats they could have had if they'd had a lasting relationship with a good QB for most of their career.

Thats all well and good. but this team needs to win now. Signing Brees would not accomodate that and would likely drain a whole helluva lot of that cap space we need tp upgrade our OL, RB, LB, FS etc....

Yea we need a QBOF but to say it is going to be Brees especially considering his recent shoulder injury would be a mistake.

 

[Pariah]

I want a QBOF, I just don't want Brees.

Why, and who do you propose instead? Pennington or Culpepper (both of who are rumored to be released, as well)?

Here's why Brees is an ideal choice:
1. He's entering his prime
2. He's learned through the school of hard knocks
3. He's good

I'd love to draft a QB this year in the first or second, but the problem with that scenario is that in all likelyhood it will take that QB 3-4 years to get to the level Brees is right now.

And by the way, my histrionics weren't "over the top." They were calculated and impactful.

 

[Shane]

Why, and who do you propose instead? Pennington or Culpepper (both of who are rumored to be released, as well)?

Here's why Brees is an ideal choice:
1. He's entering his prime
2. He's learned through the school of hard knocks
3. He's good

I'd love to draft a QB this year in the first or second, but the problem with that scenario is that in all likelyhood it will take that QB 3-4 years to get to the level Brees is right now.

And by the way, my histrionics weren't "over the top." They were calculated and impactful.

Considering we have Warner signed for the next three years and easily has at least two year left in him IMO that is not a bad thing.

 

[Pariah]

We have Warner signed, but I don't belive for a second that he A) plays at a starting-QB level for the next three years or B) sees the end of that contract.

Like I said, I like the idea of drafting a QB. But, it's not really in sync with the rest of the team's development, IMO.

 

[ajcardfan]

Why, and who do you propose instead? Pennington or Culpepper (both of who are rumored to be released, as well)?

Here's why Brees is an ideal choice:
1. He's entering his prime
2. He's learned through the school of hard knocks
3. He's good

I'd love to draft a QB this year in the first or second, but the problem with that scenario is that in all likelyhood it will take that QB 3-4 years to get to the level Brees is right now.

My answer is: none of the above.

Yes, I'd take my chances in the draft. I think there are going to be more good QBs drafted this year than people are expecting. I'd be happy with any of the "big 3", but someone like Charlie Whitehurst or Reggie McNeal is going to light it up.

 

[john h]

I don't think that we will have a problem getting free agents to come here. However, with the signing of Warner I don't see going after a starting qb as a prioity anymore. The empasis will be on improving the rushing game.

I agree. We now have an expensive QB signed so I doubt management will go after another. We have to manhy other needs at this point. You can forget about Brees or Cullpepper for this year anyway. We need to direct our money at the best FA Ol or RB we can get.

 

[slanidrac16]

For anybody to argue how long or how much gas Warner has in his tank has to realize this... He will not carry this team on his shoulders to the playoffs. Not this year or next year. He needs a supporting cast. He has everything he needs to get this team to the playoffs except a running game. That must get fixed or it won't matter who we have or who we would bring here.
Take the Redskins for example. Who would you rather have, Warner or Brunell? Most sane people would say Warner, yet Brunell got his team to the playoffs because he had a running game, solid defense and good special teams.
There is no doubt in my mind that given the same tools , Warner will be able to do the same thing.
I would like to see us get a guy like Shaub or Volek who both have played and played well when given the chance. They wouldn't cost a boat load of money and might understand that their career could start at any given time. Add to that if that opportunity presents itself they may never be on the bench again.

 

[AntSports Steve]

After the NFL season ends up until the start of Free Agency, teams are allowed to try and resign any of their own players. This time gives teams a chance to put out the 1st offer to their own players and possible get them off the free agent market before other teams. It's NFLs way to try to keep player movement reduced. The players do not have to sign (see S.Alexander) but the teams do get a chance.

 

[JasonKGME]

Going after Brees would have been a no brainer if we hadn't allready signed Warner. Going after him now basically says you have thrown away $5-$7 million dollars for absolultly nothing.

Is Brees an upgrade over Warner? Probably, however the dollar cost to sign him and throw away the money that we used on Warner means its too expensive of an upgrade. It's like saying we have Fitzgerald and Boldin and we are allready paying both of them so lets go out and with our #10 pick trade up and get Sinorice Moss. Would he improve the team? Yes, but not an equal amount to what it would cost to get him, same for Brees at this point.

Only way I could do this is if you could get a team like Detroit to trade for Warner, i.e. we trade our #2 and Warner for thier #1. Then we are only really out Warner's $3 million in signing bonus and for $3 million and a 2nd rounder we have the #9 pick in the draft. Then you could go sign Brees and greatly improve the team.

 

[Diggity]

Going after Brees would have been a no brainer if we hadn't allready signed Warner. Going after him now basically says you have thrown away $5-$7 million dollars for absolultly nothing.
QUOTE]

Agreed.

I agree with those that get upset over the fact that when some of you see a free-agent possibility you automatically say " Hey we should bring in this guy!" Come-on people.
1. We can't bring in everybody, nor do we have to.
We don't need Brees, Pennington. If anything we draft Cutler, Young at 10 or the Alabama QB later in the draft before we throw money at either one of these guys.

Oh and the Center from the Jets, Well at 35 and coming off an injury I wouldn't give this guy anything over 1 million a year.

I apprieciate the threads and the opinions which everyone are entitled to but out of every 5 threads regarding people we should bring in, only 1 really is worth the effort in talking over. IMHO.

 

[overseascardfan]

Draft Omar Jacobs in the 2nd round and take either Jimmy Williams or trade down and take either Ngata or Wright #1.

Sign Bentley, either Metcalf or Hartings and James or Alexander.

 

[moklerman]

I know that most won't embrace this idea, but Rohan Davey is a legitiamte prospect when it comes to qb. I doubt that the Cardinals will draft a project qb like Young, if any in the first round at all, but Davey seems like he has all the tools and some professional success to go along with it. Give him a full training camp and I bet he'll jump to the #2 spot.