kerouac9
Klowned by Keim
Assumptions:
1. CBA doesn't get resolved before the draft, so no free agency to fill holes.
2. The Huddle Report Player Value Rankings for draft assumptions. No one above our choice is available (after my Top 5 mock)
3. I don't forecast trades, because they're unpredictable, but I'll mention when they're possible.
Re-signings/extensions before CBA expiration:
1. Lyle Sendlein, OC. 4 years, $10 million, $4 million guaranteed. He should jump at this deal after making the NFL minimum for four seasons. Good player with experience even if he has to battle for a starting job.
2. Deuce Lutui, RG. 6 years, $30 million, $10 million guaranteed. He's a B-plus lineman, and the best in our unit. I'd include $500K workout bonuses every season to make sure that he's in the program and 2010's offseason doesn't happen again.
3. Levi Brown, LT. 6 years, $50 million, $18 million guaranteed. It's not what it seems, though. The Cards essentially guarantee the next two years of Brown's contract (which should be in the ballpark of $16-18 million) and have $5 million or so salaries the rest of the contract. Brown hasn't played up to his draft position, but he's been healthy and you can always move him back to the right side.
NFL DRAFT
PANTHERS: DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson. The Panthers know what a marquee defensive end can do for a franchise.
BRONCOS: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. The MVP of the National Championship game gives the Broncos a playmaker as they transition (back) to a 4-3 defense.
BILLS: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Mizzou. Building the defense doesn't sell tickets in Buffalo or Toronto. Hope sells tickets. Gabbert has the arm strength to push the ball through the winds upstate New York.
BENGALS: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina. The Bengals might like to trade out of this spot. The Bengals defense has some continuity, but they lack a premier pass rush specialist who can play every down. Surprisingly, the Bengals take a character risk on a player.
1 (5). Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU. Cards take BPA here to help push Michael Adams down the depth chart and provide competition with both Greg Toler and DRC. Peterson is a special player.
2 (38). DE/OLB Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma. Cards reach a little bit with OT and OG prospects on the board, but Beal has great intensity and football instincts that will help spell both OLB positions. He's not a pass rushing demon, though.
3 (69). Marcus Cannon, OT/OG, TCU. Cards apparently like Horned Frogs. Cannon has good size and will take the Brandon Keith/Herman Johnson role of being trained inside before moving to tackle.
4 (102). Mason Foster, LB, Washington. The 6'2", 244 lbs. Foster will provide a physical presence on special teams and a developmental thumper at the SILB position.
5 (133). Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon. If you could put Matthews's mind in Daryl Washington's body, you'd have a perrennial Pro Bowl linebacker. Matthews will be a sub player and a demon on special teams.
6A (166). Weslye Saunders, TE, South Carolina. Something has to be done at the tight end position. At 6'5", 280 lbs., Saunders will be the 6th offensive lineman (5th if you don't count Brandon Keith) that the Cards seem to want at the position.
6B (179). Chase Beeler, OC, Stanford. Bigger player at the position, and you know he's smart.
2011 NFL Free Agency
Marc Bulger, QB (Ravens). Coach Whis gets the guy he wanted last summer.
Alex Smith, QB (49ers). Smith and Bulger will go into camp with an open competition.
Brian Leonard, FB (Bengals). Leonard will compete for the starting FB job, but will more likely replace Jason Wright's veteran presence in the RB corps.
Brad Smith, WR (Jets). Smith can play the slot WR role and be the kind of short-yardage outlet that Anquan Boldin was for a number of Arizona Quarterbacks over the years.
Manny Lawson, OLB (49ers). Lawson failed to build on the 6.5 sacks he recorded in 2009, but he's is a discounted veteran who will be able to play in the base defense while O'Brien Schofield hones his pass rush techniques. Lawson is excellent in coverage (6 passes defensed, 1 INT in 2010)
1. CBA doesn't get resolved before the draft, so no free agency to fill holes.
2. The Huddle Report Player Value Rankings for draft assumptions. No one above our choice is available (after my Top 5 mock)
3. I don't forecast trades, because they're unpredictable, but I'll mention when they're possible.
Re-signings/extensions before CBA expiration:
1. Lyle Sendlein, OC. 4 years, $10 million, $4 million guaranteed. He should jump at this deal after making the NFL minimum for four seasons. Good player with experience even if he has to battle for a starting job.
2. Deuce Lutui, RG. 6 years, $30 million, $10 million guaranteed. He's a B-plus lineman, and the best in our unit. I'd include $500K workout bonuses every season to make sure that he's in the program and 2010's offseason doesn't happen again.
3. Levi Brown, LT. 6 years, $50 million, $18 million guaranteed. It's not what it seems, though. The Cards essentially guarantee the next two years of Brown's contract (which should be in the ballpark of $16-18 million) and have $5 million or so salaries the rest of the contract. Brown hasn't played up to his draft position, but he's been healthy and you can always move him back to the right side.
NFL DRAFT
PANTHERS: DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson. The Panthers know what a marquee defensive end can do for a franchise.
BRONCOS: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. The MVP of the National Championship game gives the Broncos a playmaker as they transition (back) to a 4-3 defense.
BILLS: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Mizzou. Building the defense doesn't sell tickets in Buffalo or Toronto. Hope sells tickets. Gabbert has the arm strength to push the ball through the winds upstate New York.
BENGALS: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina. The Bengals might like to trade out of this spot. The Bengals defense has some continuity, but they lack a premier pass rush specialist who can play every down. Surprisingly, the Bengals take a character risk on a player.
1 (5). Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU. Cards take BPA here to help push Michael Adams down the depth chart and provide competition with both Greg Toler and DRC. Peterson is a special player.
2 (38). DE/OLB Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma. Cards reach a little bit with OT and OG prospects on the board, but Beal has great intensity and football instincts that will help spell both OLB positions. He's not a pass rushing demon, though.
3 (69). Marcus Cannon, OT/OG, TCU. Cards apparently like Horned Frogs. Cannon has good size and will take the Brandon Keith/Herman Johnson role of being trained inside before moving to tackle.
4 (102). Mason Foster, LB, Washington. The 6'2", 244 lbs. Foster will provide a physical presence on special teams and a developmental thumper at the SILB position.
5 (133). Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon. If you could put Matthews's mind in Daryl Washington's body, you'd have a perrennial Pro Bowl linebacker. Matthews will be a sub player and a demon on special teams.
6A (166). Weslye Saunders, TE, South Carolina. Something has to be done at the tight end position. At 6'5", 280 lbs., Saunders will be the 6th offensive lineman (5th if you don't count Brandon Keith) that the Cards seem to want at the position.
6B (179). Chase Beeler, OC, Stanford. Bigger player at the position, and you know he's smart.
2011 NFL Free Agency
Marc Bulger, QB (Ravens). Coach Whis gets the guy he wanted last summer.
Alex Smith, QB (49ers). Smith and Bulger will go into camp with an open competition.
Brian Leonard, FB (Bengals). Leonard will compete for the starting FB job, but will more likely replace Jason Wright's veteran presence in the RB corps.
Brad Smith, WR (Jets). Smith can play the slot WR role and be the kind of short-yardage outlet that Anquan Boldin was for a number of Arizona Quarterbacks over the years.
Manny Lawson, OLB (49ers). Lawson failed to build on the 6.5 sacks he recorded in 2009, but he's is a discounted veteran who will be able to play in the base defense while O'Brien Schofield hones his pass rush techniques. Lawson is excellent in coverage (6 passes defensed, 1 INT in 2010)
