**** The Official Free Agency Thread ****

[Titty Meat]

Post all free agent rumors, signings, etc here.

I'll try to keep up this updated.


UPDATE: Official List Of Free Agents


http://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/...ee-agency1.pdf









**Free Agent Signings Recap **

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2011recap.php






** Notable Rumors **


Chiefs: Signed Steve Breaston, Kelly Gregg, Brandon Siler, LeRon McClain

Chargers Sign: Antwan Barnes, Takeo Spikes, Re-sign Jeromy Clary, Re-sign Eric Weddle

Broncos: Trade Jaber Gaffney for Jeremy Jarmon

Raiders:



Other teams in the league:

Jaguars sign: Paul Posluszny, Clint Sessions, Dawan Landry

Cowboys: Re-sign Doug Free

Vikings acquire Mcnabb.

Redskins sign Barry Coefield, Josh Wilson, Donte Stallworth, and Stephen Bowen.

Titans sign Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Smith, Barrett Ruud

Kolb to Arizona Eagles get DRC and 2nd round pick

Rams sign Mike Sims-Walker, Quintin Mikell,Harvey Dahl, Zac Diles, Justin Bannan

Seahawks sign Allen Branch,Tarvaris Jackson, Sidney Rice & Robert Gallery

Panthers trade for Greg Olsen

Bears sign Marion Barber, Roy Williams, Amobi Okoye

Bills sign Brad Smith

Patriots trade a 2013 5th round pick for Albert Haynesoworth. Traded for Chad Johnson gave up a 2012 5th round pick, and a 2013 6th round.

Texans sign Johnathan Joseph & Danielle Manning

Lions sign Justin Durant, & Eric Wright

Falcons sign Ray Edwards

Cardinals sign Stewart Bradley, Rashard Marshall

Eagles sign Vince Young,Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins, Anthony Hargrove, Ronnie Brown

Saints sign Darren Sproles

Bengals sign Thomas Howard,Nate Clements

Dolphins Traded for Reggie Bush sign Kevin Burnett

49ers sign Jonathan Goodwin

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I know its all rumors right now, but Ive heard it mentioned a couple places that more than one team has contacted Gilberry.

Pretty sure we tendered him at a 2nd round pick, so if the talk is true and someone signs him we get a second rounder, right?

I like Gilberry, but I think everyone has a boner for him because he gets some sacks. Truth is, he's a situational player. He can't play every down because he gets handled against the run. I'd love to see the Chiefs keep him, but if the Chiefs can get picks for him, it's not going to be earth-shattering. I'm a lot more itnerested in making sure we keep Deep Freeze, but then, I'd be shocked if we didn't.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

If you'll recall, the Raiders threw at us at will in the second half of the first Raiders game and we were never in the game the second time around.

That doesn't mean we weren't getting pressure on the QB.

This isn't the 2008 Chiefs. We had 38 sacks last year and added a first-round talent at OLB. We're not so desperate for pass rush that we need to reach on another OLB.

[BossChief]

If we want SS to return, he will return. If we dont, he wont. Its really that simple.

He wants to be here and will surely give us the first real chance at re-signing him...the ball is in our court on that one.

In the grand scheme of things, Gilberry is very important for us to retain....if we lose him, we should make a run for Cullen Jenkins.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

I have a Chiefs football boner.

Can't wait for all this shit to happen leading up to the season.

Grab the Jergens.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Red 5

That doesn't mean we weren't getting pressure on the QB.

This isn't the 2008 Chiefs. We had 38 sacks last year and added a first-round talent at OLB. We're not so desperate for pass rush that we need to reach on another OLB.

Despite Gunther's claims that's not a position you spend on.

Outside rushers are like HB's if you know how to scout talent...

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

If you'll recall, the Raiders threw at us at will in the second half of the first Raiders game and we were never in the game the second time around. Hali's a very good OLB, but he's nowhere near the same level as DeMarcus Ware or a James Harrison. I don't see him command the same kind of attention as those guys. He's a very good OLB, but he's not the kind that can do it alone. Not consistently at least.

Over the last few years, Tamba has been the single most disruptive pass rusher in all of football. That is with absolutely nothing on the other side or up the middle. Yes, additions to these areas will help. That much is obvious, but don't act like Tamba isn't a top tier guy.

Ware has Spencer(1st round pick 2007) on the left side and Ratliff up the middle. Tamba does what he does alone.

Harrison has Woodley on the left and Hampton up the middle. Again, Tamba does what he does alone.

Despite no help from teammates, he out produces these guys on a snap by snap basis. Don't gloss over that fact.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

We need another pass rusher. It's not a good sign when the next best pass rushers are in our secondary (Berry/Arenas). DJ and belcher aren't good pass rushers. And none of our front 3 are either (Gilberry is solid in specific situations). If Houston can be an 8-sack guy and consistently get into the backfield and force the QB to stay put, then great. I think there's an okay chance he could. But that's a lot of faith to put in a 3rd round pick. Without a second pass rush threat, we're doomed to be the same defense that shows flashes of brilliance and then has other games where we make a backup Jaguars QB look like he belongs in the Super Bowl.

So why don't you just do yourself a favor, and consider him a first rounder? That is where his talent was evaluated to be, so therefore, he isn't a mere third rounder is he? I agree, you don't put that kind of faith in a third rounder, lucky for us though, our third rounder just so happens to be a first round talent.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Red 5

That doesn't mean we weren't getting pressure on the QB.

This isn't the 2008 Chiefs. We had 38 sacks last year and added a first-round talent at OLB. We're not so desperate for pass rush that we need to reach on another OLB.

The pass rush is better. But we can't pretend like we were squaring off against elite offensive lines and QBs every single week. And using a first round pick on a young, proven OLB isn't a reach. He's young, and he fills a need at a position that has very high positional value. Houston, on the other hand, is young and very unproven. If we're going to be threats in the playoffs, we have to do it against pass offenses like the Chargers'. We're not there yet. Our pass defense is way too streaky.

Like I said, worst case scenario is that Houston plays very well, and you have a solid depth rotation. I don't see how anyone could be opposed to having two 10+ sack guys on opposite ends of each other. If you give the QB nowhere to go and force him to throw the ball early against Flowers/Berry/Carr... that's a pretty ridiculous proposition right there. Our defense right now is solid but wildly inconsistent. We are about a borderline top 10 defense at best. I like the progress this defense is making, but let's not forget that all season long we pointed out that our clear weakness was Edwards and Vrabel.

[Hammock Parties]

So we have to pay Hali AND Woodley...is that realistic?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Despite Gunther's claims that's not a position you spend on.

Outside rushers are like HB's if you know how to scout talent...

There's a distinct difference between an edge rusher in a 4-3 and a 3-4 OLB who is asked to be a terrific pass rusher and also be able to stand up and seal off the outside run, not to mention have some coverage ability. Woodley is adequate at best against the pass, but he's one of those rare talents that is phenomenal against both the run and the pass.

Even in a 4-3, an every down DE that is very good against the run/pass is probably one of the hardest positions to find in football.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I know its all rumors right now, but Ive heard it mentioned a couple places that more than one team has contacted Gilberry.

Pretty sure we tendered him at a 2nd round pick, so if the talk is true and someone signs him we get a second rounder, right?

Yup, he was tendered at a second, and we would receive a second. Second page of free agent list found here.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Red 5

So we have to pay Hali AND Woodley...is that realistic?

I think that's a more than fair question to ask.

I just disagree with the amount of confidence people have that we're set because we have Houston, or the amount of people who are trying to claim the LOLB position doesn't matter.

[BossChief]

We do need another OLB...no doubt.

We are looking for a depth guy for that signing, though.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't see how anyone could be opposed to having two 10+ sack guys on opposite ends of each other.

I fully expect Justin Houston to be a 10+ sack guy. Just not in his rookie season.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by aturnis

Over the last few years, Tamba has been the single most disruptive pass rusher in all of football. That is with absolutely nothing on the other side or up the middle. Yes, additions to these areas will help. That much is obvious, but don't act like Tamba isn't a top tier guy.

Ware has Spencer(1st round pick 2007) on the left side and Ratliff up the middle. Tamba does what he does alone.

Harrison has Woodley on the left and Hampton up the middle. Again, Tamba does what he does alone.

Despite no help from teammates, he out produces these guys on a snap by snap basis. Don't gloss over that fact.



So why don't you just do yourself a favor, and consider him a first rounder? That is where his talent was evaluated to be, so therefore, he isn't a mere third rounder is he? I agree, you don't put that kind of faith in a third rounder, lucky for us though, our third rounder just so happens to be a first round talent.

Hali is a good pass rusher, but let's not try to put him in the same league as a player like Ware or Harrison. I know they have much better talent around them, but despite that, they are also players offensive coordinators specifically scheme against. Like I said, Hali is a very good player, but he's not elite like those guys. Let's not forget that last season was the first where he racked up over 10 sacks. Will be interesting to see how he fares against a much tougher schedule in 2011.

And by the way, Dorsey in front of him isn't exactly a slouch.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

There's a distinct difference between an edge rusher in a 4-3 and a 3-4 OLB who is asked to be a terrific pass rusher and also be able to stand up and seal off the outside run, not to mention have some coverage ability. Woodley is adequate at best against the pass, but he's one of those rare talents that is phenomenal against both the run and the pass.

Even in a 4-3, an every down DE that is very good against the run/pass is probably one of the hardest positions to find in football.

We list ourselves as a 3-4 but we're really a bastard child.

We run everything.

Seemed to me (GoChiefs can probably back this up) we did the conservative thing early on rushing guys like Hali extensively but as the game progressed we moved into different coverages.

There were a few times last year we even ran the "spinner" (the much hated GROB scheme of a $#it ton of DB's and only 2 DL.)

Again, it's not about how player X fit's into the Y scheme, it's about making a dominant defense out of what you have. We drafted more than a few people who know how to rush the passer.

On top of that we might have the best emerging secondary in the NFL.

THAT makes a defense...