Offseason Focus

I'm not having this conversation if you're going to talk about replacing Minter

 

Don't know if Mort was counting that or not.
I'd hope he would. Since he reported on it at another time.

But it will go somewhat fast. $1.3 mil for Smith, and figure other RFAs at $600k a clip. At minimum, three more guys I'd like back there. Add in $550k cap hit if we bring back Donnalley right off the bat. So in a starting receiver's tender, along with a backup LB, backup SS, and one other RFA, and a vet starting G, we've spent $2.7 mil. And those are relatively cheap actions.

 

I didn't suggest that at any time, anywhere. I made an analogy. Minter costs a lot of money, too. Doesn't mean you just cut him for cap space or because something cheaper might be there.

 

Couldn't agree more with meatpile. Like it or not, I think offensive line is the biggest need on this team, especially considering Fields comes back. OL is aging and if ANYONE got injuried this team would take a significant step backwards in terms of talent. I think we need a RT AND a Guard this offseason. CB needs an upgrade but at least there are guys that can play somewhat there. The offensive line needs more talent AND more depth.

Moose should stay IMO, and we should resign Dyson for close to minimum. Honestly, a healthy Dyson is as good as a rookie 2nd round pick or maybe better.

If we plan to use the TE more in the offense - that position needs a player too. I could see us go TE, OT/G in round 1 and 2. WR isn't as big a need as we think right now. OT, OG, TE, OLB, CB in that order are the needs right now.

 

i dunno. i could see the OL thing, but Fox didn't sound too thrilled with our inability to stop the pass. i think we see changes in our DBs and LBs ... Towns, Favors and Allen all had a miserable game/year.

 

it's down to where I would consider just not bringing back Towns and Allen as RFA. Are those two worth $600k apiece? Bringing back Caldwell as a reserve and getting something in the draft should do a decent job, theoretically.

I don't want to short change the OL. if we can't bring back either Jeno or KD, I'd like to think we could go get an able body as a vet. I just think that, if possible, we should consider drafting a mid-rounds backup OT and develop him, rather than expecting that another first rounder will fill a hole. If we need a starter, FA.

 

then analogy somebody else

 

i'd like a younger kicker, but i don't think you'll find more accurate than kasay. but i guess they can't do like this season and try out two if he doesn't already have a contract.

 

I was positive you could handle the analogy.
Steussie is a big part of this football team. So is Muhammad. So is Minter. They all cost over $3.5 mil in salary alone this year. Can we just drop them for shits and giggles because Player X can be had for a 2004 cap hit of $2.2 mil? No, there's gotta be a lot more involved than that. They're all important to the team, and wanting to cut any of them should carry a lot more weight on importance to the team rather than "I like/dislike the player in question."

 

At least in this case, if we do keep him, we can put him to the vet minimum. Knocks his cap figure in half. If he's not to the min, then he's costing us a lot. Base is $750k for that aged veteran, so anything more plus bonus starts nearing $1 mil again. Not really worth it.

I really like what Nate Kaedling can do. A 6th rounder isn't a ton for a kicker.