Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-03-2007, 02:02 PM

Cornerback Nate Clements got an 8-year deal worth $80M. Guard Eric Steinbach got a 7-year deal worth $49.5M. Guard Derrick Dockery got a $16M signing bonus on a 7-year deal worth $49M. Fullback Olvie Mughelli got a 6-year deal worth $18M. Strong Safety Michael Lewis, who was benched in favor of Sean Considine by the Eagles, got a $10M signing bonus. The exhorbitant free agent contracts are not terribly surprising. A lot of teams have a lot of money to play with, multiple holes to fill, and need to outbid other cap-rich teams for the few quality free agents.

An unforeseen complication of these signings, however, is that they are likely to increase the number of players who seek to be released or traded in the hopes of hitting that jackpot. These signings just dramatically changed the market, and therefore the worth of every player in the league. Sure, teams can tell players, "You must honor the contract you signed." But I wonder how meaningful such pleas will be to guys like Shawn Merriman (5 yr. deal, $15M, $9M guaranteed) who are earning 1/3 of slightly-above-average guards like Derrick Dockery.

Rajmahal33 · 03-03-2007, 02:12 PM

If what you're saying is true and Merriman hits the market (I usually don't advocate ridiculous spending), i would say the redskins should throw the bank at him b/c he is EXACTLY what this team needs. I actually helped recruit him to Maryland a few years ago and I'm telling you that the guy is not just a physical specimen, he WANTS to win and thats why he plays like such a beast, unlike Vernon Davis, who would be so much better if he had the attitude that merriman had. Merriman uses his entire body to get through ppl and when he makes tackles he aims at a point that is a foot behind his target. In a GW defense this guy could be so disruptive and would probably be a franchise player. Picks, money, it doesn't matter if this guys hits the market or wants to be traded we need to get him.

JWsleep · 03-03-2007, 03:23 PM

This is the nature of the business, right now. And I do think it will have a negative impact on Spirngs and Dock's replacement.

But we are sleeping in a bed we made, as kings of FA. Hopefully, our coaching staff will be able to turn some of these lesser guys into performers. We'll see!

Longtimefan · 03-03-2007, 05:12 PM

Maybe if the current trend continues, eventually there will be a maximum established for FA's based on position, and length of service. I can understand a player wanting to be compensated for his play, but some of these contracts now are beginning to reach gigantic porportions, ensuring the fact that every marginal player now will rush to free agency in an effort to cash in.

JWsleep · 03-03-2007, 06:02 PM

Look, if the signings are overpriced, the teams will suffer in the long run--that will help settle the market. We, of all teams, are aware of that! So I don't think a salary limit is needed. Let the market sort things out. So long as there's a cap, things shouldn't turn into baseball.

That Guy · 03-03-2007, 06:38 PM

just sit back and the market will settle. if every marginal player asked to be released, guess what? supply > demand, and prices drop. the average salary is definitely going to go up each year though, cause the NFL's revenue hasn't plateaued yet.

RedskinPete · 03-03-2007, 06:46 PM

Let's face it and not try to suger coat it. Last year we shot the moon in free agentcy and trading draft picks. The last big deal was the back breaker for Duckett...what a BAD move that was!!! The AA pick up in free agentcy was a bad move and some of us here didn't like it! Should have goen with Chris Hope! He had a great year in Tenn.!! So I could go on but why. We are were we are. With this years Free agents getting big money that we don't have we are going to have to wait and see when the market slows down. Then see if there is anyone that we like is left. As for the draft that 6th pick well and must be made in to more then one pick...so trading down is most likey a given. Last please do not trade next years draft any trying to make up for the sins of the past! Our free agent super bowl time of the year is goen and now it's time to take the bad and learn from our mistakes! Tough love is hard to take!

GiantsSuck703 · 03-03-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

If what you're saying is true and Merriman hits the market (I usually don't advocate ridiculous spending), i would say the redskins should throw the bank at him b/c he is EXACTLY what this team needs. I actually helped recruit him to Maryland a few years ago and I'm telling you that the guy is not just a physical specimen, he WANTS to win and thats why he plays like such a beast, unlike Vernon Davis, who would be so much better if he had the attitude that merriman had. Merriman uses his entire body to get through ppl and when he makes tackles he aims at a point that is a foot behind his target. In a GW defense this guy could be so disruptive and would probably be a franchise player. Picks, money, it doesn't matter if this guys hits the market or wants to be traded we need to get him.

Steriods made me a physical speciman too, unfortunately my balls shrunk

wilsowilso · 03-03-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajmahal33

If what you're saying is true and Merriman hits the market (I usually don't advocate ridiculous spending), i would say the redskins should throw the bank at him b/c he is EXACTLY what this team needs. I actually helped recruit him to Maryland a few years ago and I'm telling you that the guy is not just a physical specimen, he WANTS to win and thats why he plays like such a beast, unlike Vernon Davis, who would be so much better if he had the attitude that merriman had. Merriman uses his entire body to get through ppl and when he makes tackles he aims at a point that is a foot behind his target. In a GW defense this guy could be so disruptive and would probably be a franchise player. Picks, money, it doesn't matter if this guys hits the market or wants to be traded we need to get him.

Uhhhhh that guy is a cheater I don't care how good he is. That excuse of there were steroids in my supplements is so old and ridiculous it makes me even angrier when someone tries to use it.

Rajmahal33 · 03-03-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

Uhhhhh that guy is a cheater I don't care how good he is. That excuse of there were steroids in my supplements is so old and ridiculous it makes me even angrier when someone tries to use it.

The truth of it is, u guys have NO idea what actually happened and neither do i. If u want to believe that he used steroids knowingly in the NFL thats on u. But just know this, the guy works his ASS off in the offseason (at MD and at the NFL level), and I know this cuz I have seen it. I can say with confidence that he was NOT juicin when he was with the Terps. Personally, knowing the guy's personality from my run-ins with him and observations in the locker room, he is not the kind of person who would knowingly use 'roids. Maybe I could be wrong, but what i do know is that he served out his suspension and apologized for testing positive. I would wager that he puts up comparable numbers next year. This isn't some washed up guy like Jason Giambi or Bill Romanowski, this is a kid who was in his second season after having a great rookie year and I don't think he was looking for an edge. I could understand ppl's scrutiny of him if he was in his contract year or coming off of an injury, but he had no critics to answer or added pressure to perform that would warrant the risk of using performance enhancers. So I believe him.

That Guy · 03-03-2007, 10:03 PM

those things they found weren't the "accidental" type of roids, they were hard-core. you've already said you were involved in recruiting him to UMD, so of course you're going to be an apologist for him :P.

dmek25 · 03-03-2007, 10:09 PM

after all the man love, how the hell do you know merriman wasn't juicing at Maryland? and if he wasn't afraid of working hard, then why cheat? oh, i know, he took steroids unknowingly( yeah right)

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-06-2007, 12:19 AM

This is an interesting read.

CHIEF CHUCKING MY SPEAR · 03-06-2007, 12:24 AM

hit it right on the head redskinpete

bedlamVR · 03-06-2007, 08:40 AM

Pete - While i don't want to debate the points you made but I don't think anyone is crying into thier cerial that we cannot pay the likes of Derrick Dokerty $49million.

I think the point the Sherrif was making was these deals are crazy and they are going to have implications Leauge wide not just in Redskins Park.

I actually think we may come out on top this year because we are not making the various moves we usually make and it actually fits the recent Redskins splurge and save cycle which seems to have hit the save point at the right time.

Interestingly no one of note has yet been cut, Wynn, Daniels, Hall, Patten etc until we actually need the cap space or untill they are beaten out of thier roster roll.

It was a blow to loose Derrick and I certianly do not wish him ill will for leaving i think everyone would have under the circumstances but it has more to do with the fact the Skins FO valued him approximatly 25% of the value the Bills did. Who was right we will have to find out.

03-03-2007, 02:02 PM	#1
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems Cornerback Nate Clements got an 8-year deal worth $80M. Guard Eric Steinbach got a 7-year deal worth $49.5M. Guard Derrick Dockery got a $16M signing bonus on a 7-year deal worth $49M. Fullback Olvie Mughelli got a 6-year deal worth $18M. Strong Safety Michael Lewis, who was benched in favor of Sean Considine by the Eagles, got a $10M signing bonus. The exhorbitant free agent contracts are not terribly surprising. A lot of teams have a lot of money to play with, multiple holes to fill, and need to outbid other cap-rich teams for the few quality free agents. An unforeseen complication of these signings, however, is that they are likely to increase the number of players who seek to be released or traded in the hopes of hitting that jackpot. These signings just dramatically changed the market, and therefore the worth of every player in the league. Sure, teams can tell players, "You must honor the contract you signed." But I wonder how meaningful such pleas will be to guys like Shawn Merriman (5 yr. deal, $15M, $9M guaranteed) who are earning 1/3 of slightly-above-average guards like Derrick Dockery.

03-03-2007, 02:12 PM	#2
Rajmahal33 Special Teams Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 478	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems If what you're saying is true and Merriman hits the market (I usually don't advocate ridiculous spending), i would say the redskins should throw the bank at him b/c he is EXACTLY what this team needs. I actually helped recruit him to Maryland a few years ago and I'm telling you that the guy is not just a physical specimen, he WANTS to win and thats why he plays like such a beast, unlike Vernon Davis, who would be so much better if he had the attitude that merriman had. Merriman uses his entire body to get through ppl and when he makes tackles he aims at a point that is a foot behind his target. In a GW defense this guy could be so disruptive and would probably be a franchise player. Picks, money, it doesn't matter if this guys hits the market or wants to be traded we need to get him. __________________ McNasty FTW!

03-03-2007, 03:23 PM	#3
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 55 Posts: 4,717	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems This is the nature of the business, right now. And I do think it will have a negative impact on Spirngs and Dock's replacement. But we are sleeping in a bed we made, as kings of FA. Hopefully, our coaching staff will be able to turn some of these lesser guys into performers. We'll see! __________________ Hail from Houston!

03-03-2007, 05:12 PM	#4
Longtimefan Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Germantown, Md. Posts: 4,832	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems Maybe if the current trend continues, eventually there will be a maximum established for FA's based on position, and length of service. I can understand a player wanting to be compensated for his play, but some of these contracts now are beginning to reach gigantic porportions, ensuring the fact that every marginal player now will rush to free agency in an effort to cash in. __________________ A revolution is coming and it will be televised.

03-03-2007, 06:02 PM	#5
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 55 Posts: 4,717	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems Look, if the signings are overpriced, the teams will suffer in the long run--that will help settle the market. We, of all teams, are aware of that! So I don't think a salary limit is needed. Let the market sort things out. So long as there's a cap, things shouldn't turn into baseball. __________________ Hail from Houston!

03-03-2007, 06:38 PM	#6
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,553	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems just sit back and the market will settle. if every marginal player asked to be released, guess what? supply > demand, and prices drop. the average salary is definitely going to go up each year though, cause the NFL's revenue hasn't plateaued yet.

03-03-2007, 06:46 PM	#7
RedskinPete The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Camino,Ca Posts: 1,174	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems Let's face it and not try to suger coat it. Last year we shot the moon in free agentcy and trading draft picks. The last big deal was the back breaker for Duckett...what a BAD move that was!!! The AA pick up in free agentcy was a bad move and some of us here didn't like it! Should have goen with Chris Hope! He had a great year in Tenn.!! So I could go on but why. We are were we are. With this years Free agents getting big money that we don't have we are going to have to wait and see when the market slows down. Then see if there is anyone that we like is left. As for the draft that 6th pick well and must be made in to more then one pick...so trading down is most likey a given. Last please do not trade next years draft any trying to make up for the sins of the past! Our free agent super bowl time of the year is goen and now it's time to take the bad and learn from our mistakes! Tough love is hard to take!

03-03-2007, 10:03 PM	#11
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,553	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems those things they found weren't the "accidental" type of roids, they were hard-core. you've already said you were involved in recruiting him to UMD, so of course you're going to be an apologist for him :P.

03-03-2007, 10:09 PM	#12
dmek25 MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: lancaster,pa Age: 63 Posts: 10,672	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems after all the man love, how the hell do you know merriman wasn't juicing at Maryland? and if he wasn't afraid of working hard, then why cheat? oh, i know, he took steroids unknowingly( yeah right) __________________ "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt." courtesy of 53fan

03-06-2007, 12:19 AM	#13
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems This is an interesting read.

03-06-2007, 12:24 AM	#14
CHIEF CHUCKING MY SPEAR Impact Rookie Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: va Age: 57 Posts: 890	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems hit it right on the head redskinpete

03-06-2007, 08:40 AM	#15
bedlamVR Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 389	Re: Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems Pete - While i don't want to debate the points you made but I don't think anyone is crying into thier cerial that we cannot pay the likes of Derrick Dokerty $49million. I think the point the Sherrif was making was these deals are crazy and they are going to have implications Leauge wide not just in Redskins Park. I actually think we may come out on top this year because we are not making the various moves we usually make and it actually fits the recent Redskins splurge and save cycle which seems to have hit the save point at the right time. Interestingly no one of note has yet been cut, Wynn, Daniels, Hall, Patten etc until we actually need the cap space or untill they are beaten out of thier roster roll. It was a blow to loose Derrick and I certianly do not wish him ill will for leaving i think everyone would have under the circumstances but it has more to do with the fact the Skins FO valued him approximatly 25% of the value the Bills did. Who was right we will have to find out.

Teams' Free Agent Signings Likely to Cause Problems

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