Sometimes teams say they don't want to overpay for players in free
agency, but then reality presents itself with unforeseen options.
Both
the Atlanta Falcons and the Tennessee Titans have struck poses which
would make them unlikely to make a big splash in free agency when it
starts on March 13, but in the case of each, it could make sense to do
so – to strengthen a weakness and to weaken a key division rival who is
struggling with salary cap space in the first place. Incidentally, both
teams also have owners who revel in the kind of headline-making
sensation that big signings create.
In the Falcons' case, they
are faced with the near-impossible task of re-signing 17 free agents.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff said in January that the reality is
that they will keep less than half that number. In recent seasons, the
Falcons have made big splashes with trades (Tony Gonzalez in '09, Julio
Jones in '11) or free-agent signings (Dunta Robinson in '10, Ray Edwards
in '11). Now, in the collective minds of the Falcons' front office, is
the time when they have to look after retaining the core that has helped
them to make the playoffs in three of the last four seasons while also
upgrading. It’s a tricky balance.
In the Titans’ case, the new
regime of coach Mike Munchak, as he enters his second season, and
general manager Ruston Webster, entering his first, is looking to grow
from within. At the NFL combine, Webster was asked whether the Titans
would make a big splash with a free-agent pass rusher.
"I don’t
really want to overpay for anybody," he said, "but the one position
probably that can happen with the most is pass-rushing defensive
linemen."
Neither the Falcons nor Titans had the kind of
production it wanted last season from its offensive line. The Falcons
because they could not pass-protect long enough to institute the
vertical passing game they wanted and because they could not convert on
short yardage in key situations. As a result, they brought in a new
offensive line coach in Pat Hill.
The Titans because, for a
variety of reasons, running back Chris Johnson did not have the stellar
type of season the team has come to expect from him. Right guard Jake
Scott is a free agent and might not be back. Center Eugene Armano has
been subject of speculation in terms of a position change. Some feel the
Titans will sign one free agent on the offensive line and likely draft a
player there, as well.
"You’re looking at all your options in
the offseason," Munchak said at the combine. "I could be standing here
thinking we’re not necessarily going to do something, then all of a
sudden in free agency we feel there’s a lineman out there that could
really make a difference."
For the Titans, that lineman could be
Houston center Chris Myers. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the
Texans' top 51 players under contract will count for $118.9 million
under the salary cap with the cap expected to be around last season's
$120-million threshold. Plus, the Texans have to re-sign running back
Arian Foster, one of the league’s best. Myers keeps saying that he wants
to stay, but, a sought-after commodity, he could explore free agency.
Myers
could be the kind of lineman who, in Munchak’s words, "could really
make a difference." A Pro-Bowler last season, Myers hasn’t missed a
start in five seasons. The center is the brains of any offensive line.
Losing Myers might not only help the Titans, but it also could hurt the
team projected to repeat in the AFC South -- Houston. Besides, wouldn’t
Titans owner Bud Adams, a long-time Houston oil man, love to stick it to
the team in his home town?
The same is true for the Falcons and
New Orleans Saints' 6-foot-5, 343-pound left guard Carl Nicks, a
two-time Pro-Bowler and a first-team All-Pro last season. The Saints are
reportedly trying to restructure the contract of defensive end Will
Smith, to create cap room, as they, too, are working with tight
constraints. PFT says the Saints' top 51 players total $109.6 million
under the cap.
Add in the fact that the Saints are in the midst
of a contentious contract negotiation with quarterback Drew Brees, who
is coming off a record-setting season. Brees' contract, by some
estimates, could cost New Orleans between $20 and $24 million annually.
No doubt the Saints will have to pony up. Without Brees, there is no NFC
South title in 2011, no Super Bowl crown in 2009-10 and not much hope
for 2012.
That could mean casualties elsewhere and that the
Saints are vulnerable. Nicks is in a similar predicament to Myers. He
wants to stay, but he also wants to get paid. He posted on Twitter, "So I
guess people are getting hot so I'll just say this... I want to be a
saint but I want what's fare (sic)... Be mad... If u don’t like it..."
He also posted that he doesn’t want to be hit with the franchise tag,
which would ensure the Saints would retain him. If the Saints cannot
complete a deal with Brees by Monday – the last day teams have to use
the franchise tag option -- they would have to tag Brees, which could
potentially free up Nicks to become a free agent.
With all of the
problems the Falcons had last season at right guard – using three
different players in that spot without an injury to any – they could
plug Nicks in at left guard and move Justin Blalock to the right side,
helping to solidify the line. That move could make Hill an instant
coaching genius.
And wouldn't Falcons owner Arthur Blank like the headlines generated by the move while hurting his team’s arch-rival?
The
capologists might have to burn some midnight oil for both the Falcons
and Titans to make these moves work. Atlanta’s contracts reportedly
total $101.5 million and they might have to cut some players to make it
work, notably former starting left tackle Sam Baker, who could go in any
event.
The Titans have a little more room at $94.5 million. If
Jake Locker wins the starting quarterback job out of camp and they elect
to cut Matt Hasselbeck, they could reap big savings.
Choices, choices. It's what being an NFL general manager is all about.
