Elite free agent corners that is. Adam Schefter is reporting that the Oakland Raiders have exercised their right to franchise free agent corner Namdi Asomugha. This leaves two premier free agents at the position, Asante Samuel and Marcus Trufant. Tick Tick Tick, what will the Hawks do. And for those who want to debate it, Asomugha was the best corner available. I think I read that he was thrown at 12 times last year. That is less than once per game!!!!Also, finally, I have DSL up and running again. Thank god! If I drank anymore Starbucks I think my skin would jump right off my body!
UPDATE (2:09pm) The Raiders used the exclusive tag on Asomugha, which prevents teams from even talking to him. In exchange for this they have to pay him the average of the top 5 salaries of this year, which is about to go way up if Samuel and Trufant hit the market.
he was thrown at 27 times 9 were completed.
ReplyDeleteat 26 he would have been the best corner out there, better sign tru or we'll have jennings and wilson out there in 08, does that scare anybody else!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think we are going to see Trufant tagged!
ReplyDeleteI agree a Trufant tag seems inevitable after the clements deal. All the corners want too much money now, so seattle is in a box. Here's hoping they can pull off some last minute long term deal with Tru but it's "not bloody likely"
ReplyDelete- PaulySINM
Sorry about the miss info, I was lazy and didn't look for the stats
ReplyDeletethats ok I was kinda wrong too, he was thrown at 27 times 9 complete thru the first 14 games.
ReplyDeleteLots of questions for Michael steffes:
ReplyDeleteWhat would it cost to franchise trufant? Would it even be a viable option? Do you think Mora could turn Wilson into a Deangelo Hall, minus the attitude?
Also, if we we don't tag him, how long do we have to sign him until other teams have the ability?
If we lose Trufant, do we go after that guy from Tampa?
I think we NEED to franchise Trufant, even if he is not worth the money. Once he is franchised we could then trade him for another mid range first round pick if the FO has decided he is not in the cards... I know we can get a decent pick for him. I would prefer to keep him, but if the money doesn't fit the performance than so be it. You don't just let a commodity walk away for absolutely nothing though.
ReplyDeleteThe franchise tag for corners is estimated at 9.5 million. If it is not used on Marcus, the Hawks have until 9pm on Feb 28th before other teams can sign him. Remember this though, the Hawks brass is busy with the combine while Marcus' agent is there trying to find out where the best deal is so he can sign within a day or two. Josh Wilson--he is just as fast as Hall, but I would argue part of what makes Hall so good is his attitude. This year everybody commented on Marcus being more confident as the big difference. Wilson could get there, but Mora won't have as much time with him now that he is a head coach in training, so to speak. In what i have seen, the Hawks have spent most of the all star game time talking to corners, so they probably draft one, but if they are going to sign one it will be Kelly. Not only did Ruskell originally draft him, but he represents the Mike Wahle type level of the CB market
ReplyDeleteI saw this on yahoo and it concerns me: Seattle
ReplyDeleteKey needs: 1. Cornerback 2. Running back 3. Offensive line
1. Cornerback - Pro Bowler Marcus Trufant is likely to leave the team via free agency.
2. Running back - Veteran Shaun Alexander is on the downside of his career.
3. Offensive line - Two starters on the line are over 34 years of age. This could be a surprise early pick.
Yahoo doesn't have any inside info. They are assuming Trufant leaves and that Gray is the starter at RG. Right now Holmgren and Ruskell don't even know that.
ReplyDeleteMike--Who Kelly? Team, first name, etc?
ReplyDeleteBrian Kelly from TB. He just opted out of his contract. He is 32 but still a capable player. Plus as I mentioned, Ruskell was director of player personnel when Tampa drafted him
ReplyDeleteI still think that we are either going to franchise Trufant or let him go to make space for other contracts to be signed.
ReplyDeleteWe need to keep Tru. If Jennings can develop more over the off-season, I think we'll have a pretty good set of corners. A solid DT to compliment our current front four on rotation and we've got ourselves a pretty solid defence. Now to see what competition on the right side of the O-line can do for better performance and push. IMO, Shaun still has something left in the tank and should be able to contribute in 08 given some holes from the O-line.
ReplyDeletequestion for Michael Steffes:
ReplyDeleteHow do you answer all of the questions so quick? I put up a comment at about 2 pm, you answered all of my questions within about 20 minutes!!!! Kudos man.
"Brian Kelly from TB. He just opted out of his contract. He is 32 but still a capable player. Plus as I mentioned, Ruskell was director of player personnel when Tampa drafted him"
ReplyDeleteDefinately a Ruskell type. Another guy on the wrong side of 30 from the Atlanta Bay Falconeers.
My hope now is that we take Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie in the 1st round, and pawn Trufant off on some team like we did Rick Mirer, and like New England did with us with Deion Branch.
Or maybe we can actually sign a deal with Trufant. The Colts just signed Dallas Clark to a 6 year deal after tagging him. But his cap hit would only have been $4.5 mil under the Franchise Tag.