QUOTE: “We live in a stage of politics, where legislators seem to regard the passage of laws as much more important than the results of their enforcement.” -- William Howard Taft, “Our Chief Magistrate and His Powers”
Happy Presidents Day to everyone…
A report over the weekend said Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby is interested in four teams -- the Giants, ‘Skins, Chargers and Dolphins -- who are all good fits for his talent and could use his services within the framework of their defenses. But will all four be able to acquire his rights? Three of the four can be active in pursuing Dansby, and only the Chargers will be limited with their offer based on a $5-million first-year salary and the restrictions placed on the final eight teams. The Chargers can make this work if they want, but they have so many other players to sign that even though Dansby would be a welcome addition, they first have to think about getting wideout Vincent Jackson and tackle Marcus McNeill re-signed. It’s difficult to acquire new free agents when you have pending free agents of your own — there’s only so much money to go around.
The other three teams will be free to spend whatever they want but will have some form of internal budget. For example, the ‘Skins, picking fourth overall, will have to account for that expense in their free-agent planning. In the past, they have always been heavy hitters in free agency -- and I suspect they will be this year as well -- but they never had to spend for the fourth pick overall, which in terms of cash is like signing two heavy-duty free agents. What the ‘Skins must prepare for and protect themselves against is the return of a cap, as unrealistic as that might seem today.
The Giants spent a ton of money last year in free agency, and their committed cash expense is high for 2010, so I can see them signing a player like Dansby -- but it will have to be the right deal. My sense of the Giants this free agency period is that they’ll shop for bargains along with making deals that fit their budget. Team owner John Mara has complained about player costs, so he would look bad if the Giants were overly aggressive in free agency.
The Dolphins also spent money in free agency last year and, like the Giants, are high in committed cash. But my sense of the Fins is that they’ll be active in free agency trying to fix their problems on defense. They signed linebacker Channing Crowder last year to a big deal but all season were looking for inside backer help. What hurts most is when you sign a player to fortify a need, but three months later that help has not been provided. The Dolphins, like the Giants, were too slow on defense, especially inside at linebacker, so it makes perfect sense that they would be chasing the same players.
So who gets Dansby? My money would be on the Giants or Dolphins, but don’t rule out a sleeper team like the Patriots, who could use more speed on defense. One thing’s for sure when it comes to those three teams -- they all seem to share a passion for the same players, especially on defense.
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Seems to be a good fit for the Eagles. He could play middle and Bradley could move back to toe SAM.
I'm sure Karlos Dansby will go to the Dolphins or Giants. The Chargers can't afford him and Washington has the most solid linebacking core of teams you've mentioned with Orakpo, Fletcher and McIntosh so they don't need him as much as the Dolphins or G-Men. Hopefully we do get our cap Lombardi, just for the sake that we eschew a lockout. Thanks again for your insights! I live for these things in the offseason!
Where would Dansby best fit in a 4-3 defense in Washington or New York?
The addition of Clancy Pendergrast in Oakland might added leverage to signing Dansby, were the team competitive to any level at the time.
The Skins will likely be running some version of a 3-4 as their base set next season.
If the 'Skins are going to a 3-4, then they have a major shortage of linebackers. Orakpo (likely to be used the same was as DeMarcus Ware in a 3-4), McIntosh (talented, but injured a lot) and Fletcher (a beast, but getting older and more suited to the 4-3) are basically it. Dansby would be a major addition and would have the advantage of playing behind Haynesworth.
'Skins need O-Line first, second and third, but linebacker depth is required, along with a free safety, a cornerback and a speed running back. Oh, and a nose tackle? No pressure on Shanahan and Allen, then...
Vince Wilfork, Karlos Dansby and Marcus McNeill in free agency, please!
Karlos may want those 4 teams now, but he'll go wherever they offer him the most money, and it'll likely not be one of those 4.
It seems likely to me that the Cardinals will tag him again. At this point they won't be giving new money to Boldin either way, he'll either play the year out and walk or get traded. They don't need to re-do Dockett at this moment, he's under team control for several more years. And they will have money coming off with Warner
They could also tag him with the intent to take trade offers, specifically from those final 8 teams who would otherwise be unable to pay him market value as a UFA. If he's acquired as a trade, those restrictions can be bypassed. And if that doesn't work out they can either remove the tag or keep him around for (I believe 110% is the rule in the Uncapped Year) a slight raise on his 09 salary. Not a bad outcome either way
Dansby to the Chargers, IMO, would create a lot of locker room enmity, since they have so many vets expecting their own big paydays in terms of due compensation.
How are the Eagles not in the discussion?
He would fit very well in Washington if they plan to go with a 3-4 defense!!!
I keep telling you guys that Jerry Reese is committed to giving Jon Goff a shot at MLB. That might change if McClain fell into his lap at #15, but he's not breaking the bank for Dansby...
PLEASE COME TO NEW YORK GIANTS WE NEED YOU CARLOS!
THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THE G-MEN WALK AWAY FROM THIS GUYS, PROBALLY ONE OF THE QUICKER MLB'S IN THE LEAGUE, THEY NEED HIM TO COVER A GUY BY THE NAME OF CELEK OR ITS BUST AGAINST DA EAGLES, GREAT AGAINST THE RUN, GIANTS LEGACY, YOU CANT RUN ON US, EXCEPT FOR THIS PAST YEAR, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN 100 YARDS AGAINST OUR D, WE LOOKED PATHEIC ALL YEAR ON D, ALL FUC=ING YEAR, THERE WERE TIMES THAT OPPOSING OFFENSES OPENED WHOLES SO BIG I COULD HAVE DROVE MY GTI THRU OUR D-LINE, ITS AP WHEN HE WAS 28, LIKE I SAID PERRRRFECT FIT, GOTTA GET HIM, CONSIDERED IT A DUN DEAL, FOR AROUND, SAY 5.75 MILLION A YEAR, 4 YEARS, 26 MILLION WITH 18 MILLION GUARNTEED, KARLOS DOES THIS WORK FOR U OR NO WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE U A GIANTS DEFENSIVE LEADER N POSSIBLE RETURN TO THE STUPID BOWL IN THREE YEARS IF NOT SOONER
I think dansby is such a great talent. I would not pass up on him at all. He is too talented.
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Feb 15, 2010
11:35 AM
Yep, because they all share the common link of Bill Parcells.