Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

you can remove Champ Bailey's name off the available FA list, but if he was able to get a 4 year contract worth $43 million at this point in his career what will Ike Taylor want?


Broncos agree to four-year contract with Champ Bailey


Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on February 22, 2011

So much for the theory that players couldn’t score big long-term deals in these uncertain labor times.

The Broncos agreed to a four-year deal with Champ Bailey on Tuesday, according to John Elway’s Twitter account. (Suddenly transparency may seem less exciting to Broncos reporters.)

“We’re fortunate to have Champ with the Broncos for a long time,” Elway wrote. “This is a GREAT day for our entire organization and our fans.”

This is a move that will be extremely popular with Broncos fans and media alike. Bailey, set to turn 33 before next season, was on top of his game in 2010 and is worth huge money. We still question whether this was the right signing for the Broncos organization at this time.

The goal is to win titles. Will Bailey really be worth his salary when the Broncos could possibly be a contender?

Signing aging cornerbacks to big money deals rarely pays off, and it’s not like Bailey is the one piece that will put the Broncos defense over the top. We’ll follow up when we know more about the contract terms.

UPDATE: The initial Bailey numbers are team-friendly. Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports the deal is for four years and $43 million. Bailey will get $11 million guaranteed in the first year and $4 million guaranteed in the second year. If those numbers hold up, Bailey gave up some potential earnings on the open market to get security now.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/22/broncos-agree-to-four-year-contract-with-champ-bailey/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... mp-bailey/[/url]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

Here's how it breaks down: Bailey will receive a fully guaranteed $11 million salary in 2011, $11 million in 2012, and $10.5 million in both 2013 and 2014.

The first week of the 2011 season will trigger a guarantee worth $4 million for 2012. Bailey's remaining $7 million salary in 2012 will be guaranteed against injury, and it will become fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2012 league year.

[url]http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_17454037?source=commented-sports[/url]

It's basically a guaranteed $11 million for 2011. They can cut him next March if he underperforms in 2011, and he would only count as $4 million worth of dead money against their 2012 cap. Everything after that is entirely un-guaranteed, so the 3rd and 4th years are a sham (and since he'll be in his late 30's at that point, they can dump him with no penalty). Four years and $43 million sounds good for the papers, but it's not reality.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

it will be very interesting to see how this turns out...


Steelers face decision on Taylor

By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, February 23, 2011


The Steelers have several unrestricted free agents, but cornerback Ike Taylor is likely to attract the most attention from other teams.

A six-year starter, Taylor has never missed a game because of injury. He has started three Super Bowls and is among a handful of corners to have won two Super Bowls as a starter.

The Steelers still control Taylor's rights. They can use the transition tag on Taylor until 12:01 a.m. Friday, when he becomes a full-fledged unrestricted free agent. At that point, Taylor can sign with any team.

Transition tags pay players the average of the top 10 salaries at the position. It guarantees the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer. The transition tag can be used once a year by each club unless it elects to use a franchise tag instead.

It's uncertain if franchise tags and transition tags will be part of the next collective bargaining agreement. That could be why the Steelers designated linebacker LaMarr Woodley as their franchise player last week.

Woodley, according to the current CBA which expires after March 3, is a restricted free agent because he is a four-year veteran; four-year players are considered restricted free agents under the current deal.

If the owners try to declare a negotiating impasse to continue operations as usual under the old deal, they'll want to continue normal business. If the owners are successful in achieving that strategy, the union will want to return to the first years of the collective bargaining agreement and not just the final, uncapped year.

"LaMarr, under the current rules, is a restricted free agent. He and Willie are in the same boat," agent Joe Linta, who represents five-year veteran and free-agent tackle Willie Colon, said before the Steelers gave Woodley the franchise tag. "The Steelers still have rights to tender them under the rules of an uncapped year."

Instead of giving Woodley a tender offer which is normally done for restricted free agents, the Steelers gave him a franchise tag.

Woodley and Colon will become unrestricted free agents if the new CBA honors the rules that were in place prior to the uncapped year.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_724152.html#ixzz1ElFhhpKx"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... z1ElFhhpKx[/url]

[The Sodfather]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

They view themselves, and rightfully so, as SB contenders next season and beyond.

Ike isn't going anywhere and unless he just flat wants to leave. Write it down.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

The Steelers still control Taylor's rights. They can use the transition tag on Taylor until 12:01 a.m. Friday, when he becomes a full-fledged unrestricted free agent. At that point, Taylor can sign with any team.

He can't sign elsewhere without a new CBA in place. John Harris should know this. Yikes.

[Oviedo]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

The Steelers still control Taylor's rights. They can use the transition tag on Taylor until 12:01 a.m. Friday, when he becomes a full-fledged unrestricted free agent. At that point, Taylor can sign with any team.

He can't sign elsewhere without a new CBA in place. John Harris should know this. Yikes.

You are talking about John "Affirmative Action Doesn't Work" Harris. The guy is the worst writer in Pittsburgh. Get a college intern.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

CBs and safeties that are still available:


CORNERBACKS

1. Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders. He's an elite shutdown and all-around corner with the high pricetag to match.

2. Ike Taylor, Steelers. Fearless, physical and savvy: Those are three pretty good attributes for his position.

3. Antonio Cromartie, Jets. He tantalizes with his talent -- especially ball skills -- but rarely lives up to it.

4. Josh Wilson, Rats. The speedster found his niche as a nickel back in Baltimore.

5. Brent Grimes, Falcons. The Pro Bowler makes up for an undersized frame with great leaping ability and ball skills.

6. Johnathan Joseph, Bengals. If not for injuries, he would be only a notch below Asomugha.

7. Richard Marshall, Panthers. He quietly was a consistent playmaker in Carolina.

8. Chris Carr, Rats. Although he started outside, he's better suited as nickel back and return man.

9. Corey Graham, Bears. He's a special teams standout who needs more of a chance to play on defense.

SAFETIES

1. Eric Weddle, Chargers. The Pro Bowler is a solid tackler and a budding playmaker.

2. Donte Whitner, Bills. With the way he tackles vs. the run, it's like having an extra linebacker.

3. Dawan Landry, Rats. While Ed Reed makes the big plays vs. the pass, he has been a solid in-the-box safety.

4. Danieal Manning, Bears. He has good size and covers plenty of ground, and he also can help on kickoff returns.

5. Michael Huff, Raiders. He's a late bloomer who is starting to stuff the stat sheet.

6. Gerald Sensabaugh, Cowboys. He can do a lot of things, but his lapses in coverage in 2010 hurt his market value.

Read more: [url="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/20"]http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/20[/url] ... z1G0ozK8Go

[Shawn]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

I would say the fact they were using Madison as the 4th CB instead of Lewis says it all.

I have read/heard they are high on Butler. Who knows what that actually means.

I agree. Madison is terrible so that does not speak well of Lewis' future on this team. It's a shame because he seems to have all the physical tools. Hopefully the light goes on.

Now for my obligatory personal rant: They let the wrong CB go when they released Burnett.

I think it important to remember Taylor really struggling early as well. I'm not saying Lewis will be another Taylor but it seems DBs seem to take awhile to develop in our system for whatever reason.

[Oviedo]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

I would say the fact they were using Madison as the 4th CB instead of Lewis says it all.

I have read/heard they are high on Butler. Who knows what that actually means.

I agree. Madison is terrible so that does not speak well of Lewis' future on this team. It's a shame because he seems to have all the physical tools. Hopefully the light goes on.

Now for my obligatory personal rant: They let the wrong CB go when they released Burnett.

I think it important to remember Taylor really struggling early as well. I'm not saying Lewis will be another Taylor but it seems DBs seem to take awhile to develop in our system for whatever reason.

Maybe they struggle early because LeBeau DOESN'T LET THEM PLAY!!!!!! Just a thought

[ikestops85]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

Many people forget that Taylor was almost as bad as Gay 2 years ago. He also was horrible in 2006 ... so bad that Cowher benched him.

I know he is our best corner but he is very inconsistent. I'd almost, and I stress the almost, rather take the money allocated for Ike and try and sign one of the decent FAs available.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Defensive Backs Abundant In Free Agency Market

Many people forget that Taylor was almost as bad as Gay 2 years ago. He also was horrible in 2006 ... so bad that Cowher benched him.

I know he is our best corner but he is very inconsistent. I'd almost, and I stress the almost, rather take the money allocated for Ike and try and sign one of the decent FAs available.

I wouldn't have guessed that it would be the guy with Ike in his username to state this opinion.