Free Agency Begins in a Week, Whats the Plan?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Coverage and pass rush certainly benefit each other. But for the specific defense that Haslett likes to run, even if the pass rush is great the coverage will break down regardless. Orakpo and Kerrigan both had good years, yet our defense left a lot to be desired. Sure you could get more pass rushers from the DL spot, but the way Haslett likes to get pressure is by blitzing in various forms.

Here's how a very fast FS allows Haslett to do his thing:

- the fast FS is capable of covering the gap left behind when a SS blitzes

- the fast FS is capable of covering the gap left behind on the seam route when a middle LB blitzes - the fast FS can successfully walk the line between covering the deep middle and covering the seam route, whereas a slower FS really has to choose either/or

- the fast FS lets the CBs play an off-zone the way it's meant to be played, with eyes on the QB ready to jump the route. Inevitably some of those gambles will go wrong, and the safety needs to be there to save the day.

- the fast FS just straight up reduces the risk of the long ball when a CB just gets flat burned

These are all reasons why we still miss Sean Taylor dearly. We'd be an entirely different defense.

If Haslett played a Tampa 2 then safety's not that important a position. Or if he played a conservative stop-run-first scheme like Blache always did, safety isn't as important. But to blitz and play soft-zone coverages, it's crucial.

Nice breakdown, thanks. I am not opposed to Byrd by any means. My preference is to spread the wealth among multiple players but if the end result is a better, more effective (ie. fewer points against) defense, I'm in!

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I would pay the freight for Byrd, he's a free safety with serious range, a necessary ingredient to permit Haslett to run the scheme he wants to. If your CBs are going to be Hall and David Amerson - players whose strengths are reading the QB and jumping the route to grab INTs - then you need a bad ass safety to cover for their inevitable mistakes. (Rest in peace, Sean Taylor).

The impact safety also allows Haslett to blitz more creatively. It's the biggest hole on our entire team given the way we play.

Other than Byrd, I'm with Matty. Keep it cool calm and collected, and wait to see what falls to us.

Exactly, and we have a winner.

[Chico23231]

I worry about Byrd's health and how he would play after he got paid. Questionable behavior in Buffalo

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

I worry about Byrd's health and how he would play after he got paid. Questionable behavior in Buffalo

What was the questionable behavior?

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

What was the questionable behavior?

eh, more of a disgruntle employee. there were questions if he was really hurt early in the year and just chose not to play.

Its clear that Byrd wants to be the highest paid safety in the league, I hope we dont fall for that trap.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

eh, more of a disgruntle employee. there were questions if he was really hurt early in the year and just chose not to play.

Its clear that Byrd wants to be the highest paid safety in the league, I hope we dont fall for that trap.

Or he has earned that check and he really was hurt.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

Or he has earned that check and he really was hurt.

He's a great player, im just really concerned about giving him a ton a money.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

eh, more of a disgruntle employee. there were questions if he was really hurt early in the year and just chose not to play.

Its clear that Byrd wants to be the highest paid safety in the league, I hope we dont fall for that trap.

Unless Byrd's goal is to be highest paid player in NFL, I think it's more of Byrd wanting to get out of Bills. I remember reading an article a couple of days ago, Bills offered Byrd a contract that would make him highest paid FS in NFL and he declined it.

I would not be oppose to the idea of pursuing after Byrd

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Unless Byrd's goal is to be highest paid player in NFL, I think it's more of Byrd wanting to get out of Bills. I remember reading an article a couple of days ago, Bills offered Byrd a contract that would make him highest paid FS in NFL and he declined it.

I would not be oppose to the idea of pursuing after Byrd

Byrd turned down an offer from the bills that looked to be in the 30M/three year range. I expect he is looking for 35-40M in guarantees. Maybe not the most in the NFL, certainly the highest paid (substantially) safety.

Others think he is worth that. I have my doubts that we can't do fine with a substantially less costly option. Quite frankly, almost any reasonable amount spent will purchase an upgrade over last year's performance at the position.

[Chico23231]

Offense: TE A. Quarless, RT A. Collins, WR A. Roberts

Defense: FS Clemons, ILB D Jackson

Those would be my initial targets.

I dont know enough about the Guards, but we need one at a good value to start opposite of Gettis, Collins, next to Silverblunt.

I would do my due dilegence with Britt and Nicks, looking at 1 year deals with either.

Would look at CB Sam Shields, find out what it take. Wouldnt over spend for him.

[donofriose]

I would give Byrd a similar deal to Eric Weddle/Eric Berry which would be a little less than 10 million a year (average). If he thinks he is worth more than that and another team wants to pay that much to him, then I would be more than happy to let him go if I was Allen.

Set your value, and do not exceed it. No need to just fall in love with Byrd and let him dictate the terms.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by donofriose

I would give Byrd a similar deal to Eric Weddle/Eric Berry which would be a little less than 10 million a year (average). If he thinks he is worth more than that and another team wants to pay that much to him, then I would be more than happy to let him go if I was Allen.

Set your value, and do not exceed it. No need to just fall in love with Byrd and let him dictate the terms.

Agree w this. I think that $ would be about right for Byrd. I bet it gets it done.

[MTK]

I'll never hold it against a player looking to get paid on their 2nd contract. It's the one shot to really cash in. Some players yeah, you need to be concerned about how they will play once they get that big payday (see Haynesworthless).

Is Byrd one of them? I really don't know much about the guy off the field. I can see where he's probably frustrated in Buffalo, for many reasons.

[Chico23231]

We just had a week long discussion about Rak getting a very large guarenteed contract with a lot of disagreement. One thing about Rak, he gives 110%. Byrd would demand a contract just as large. That cap room would close very quickly and we have a ton of holes to fill and no #1 draft pick.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

We just had a week long discussion about Rak getting a very large guarenteed contract with a lot of disagreement. One thing about Rak, he gives 110%. Byrd would demand a contract just as large. That cap room would close very quickly and we have a ton of holes to fill and no #1 draft pick.

But Byrd doesn't just fill one hole, he would make the entire defense better. By turning the weakest link on the D into one of the strongest, at the most pivotal position, all of a sudden we're a possible top 10 D.

I truly believe that's the impact of a big rangy FS in Haslett's defense.