Official NFL Free Agency Thread

[McGahee]

tbbearcat5 said:

I think Bush is the second best receiving RB in the league. I know he had better stats than did Tomlinson this year, but he's done it for longer. Give him a few more seasons, and he'll overtake him.

I'll gladly admit defeat to that. But I'm sure nobody's going to hold that against Reggie for not being better than the MVP...

[NoT25hAbY]

mcgahee26 said:

Edge had just as many rushing touchdowns as Reggie Bush did, and that's considering the fact that Bush had 1/3 of the carries, split duties with McAlister, and had a quarterback that threw for plenty of scores himself. He also had a better yards per carry and is easily the primiere receiving back in the league.

So yeah, I'll take 22 year old Bush over 30 year old Edge.

Yeah, the Broncos system works, but not for everyone. Steven Jackson was a first round pick, not some 29 year old free agent. Same thing even with Portis. You haven't even seen Thomas Jones play, so I don't know how you can comment on such a thing, but to say that anybody can get plugged in is ridiculous.

The question really is, do you want a guy (like Edge or Ahman) who can play pretty good but can't be the main focus on offense, or do you want a guy who can be a star in the future (like how LT was and how Reggie Bush is and how Adrian Pederson could be).

Edgerin James had a horrible year last year because he started on a team with Quartebrack issues, no offensive line and a horrible defense. He carries the ball enough, but teams drove his blockers back.

James was a better Runningback when he enterd the league on the ground and through the air. Give him the Saints offensive line, Quarterback and coaching and I gurantee you he plays better than Bush.

I have seen Jones' play. At Virginia University, Arizona, Tampa Bay and Chicago.

I don't beleve Reggie Bush is going to be a star, because you have to put to much coaching and gameplan into him. You give LT, Clinton Portis, Steven Jackson, Shaun Alexander and even Thomas Jones the ball and they can run at a remarkable rate.

You have to put in play all different kinds of formations, audibles and playcalls just so you can create a mismatch and hope Bush doesn't get lit up like he did against Philladelphia in the playoffs.

Bush as a returner or change of pace back... Brilliant. You get your moneys worth. Bush as a featured back... You better pass the ball.

This isn't even about Reggie Bush and who he's better or worse than... It's the fact that teams dont take star Runningbacks for the exact reason that they are replaceable at an alarming rate..... I would have taken Mario Williams or Vernon Davis in a hearbeat over Bush, Williams or Maroney.

[Freak93]

With the signing of Montae Reagor, the Eagles are reportedly going to move current defensive tackle Darwin Walker. Reports have Walker going to the Bills. Other reports also have the Eagles interested in Takeo Spikes, who the Bills are shopping around.

[Sportsbuck]

Any NFL position is replacable. Jeff Garcia sure stepped in for McNabb this season. Tom Brady stepped in for Drew Bledsoe.

The question is do you want a guy who will step in for one season, or do you want someone who could be a franchise back for the next 10+ years such as Reggie Bush. And seriously you can't say that you need a whole thing of playbooks and audibles for Bush to have success. Have you not seen him when he gets the ball? You don't even have to draw up a play, just give it to him, and he will put together something special.

[NoT25hAbY]

I know every position is replaceable, but Runningback and Defensive Tackle are about the most relaceable positions. The amount talent the comes in every year makes that happen.

Guys from Free Agency dont ussualy come in for one season, they are there for 3 or 4 and if that's the case... it doesn't matter. Bush will more than likely be on his way out in 3 or 4 years anyways haha.

I wont say Bush will be a franchise back for the next 10 years, because he'll never be able to carry the full load for the plain fact that he cant run between the tackles whatsoever nad his small frame will run down his body.

As for him getting the ball and making something happen... He did that on returns and two catches this year. Only once maybe did he make something happen when the got the ball. 80% of the time he ran around the corner and got ran down by a End before he could make a move.

[Sportsbuck]

It's only once in a blue moon that a rookie running back showcases his talent fully in his first season, and Carnell Williams was the last. Years 2-4 is where judgement is cast on a franchise back. And at 6-0 205 how does he have a small frame? Frame has nothing to do with being able to take punishment. Look at Barry Sanders, for example.

[Freak93]

I think you need to have a play for the other players around so they know what to do.

Also, anything is replacable. You can change the offense around to fit a player to highlight his strengths and limit his weaknesses. In Garcia's case last season, the Eagles ran the ball more and used more shorter passing plays to help him out. I say it turned out really well for him and the team last year.

[bearcat]

freak93 said:

I think you need to have a play for the other players around so they know what to do.

Also, anything is replacable. You can change the offense around to fit a player to highlight his strengths and limit his weaknesses. In Garcia's case last season, the Eagles ran the ball more and used more shorter passing plays to help him out. I say it turned out really well for him and the team last year.

Freak's right. In other words, you do what you have to do to ultimately win ballgames.

[McGahee]

sportsbuck2745 said:

And at 6-0 205 how does he have a small frame? Frame has nothing to do with being able to take punishment. Look at Barry Sanders, for example.

Not to mention that the heralded Edgerrin James only has 15 pounds on him... he could easily bulk if that much if he needed to...

[NoT25hAbY]

You have to be beyond Ignorant too look at Edgerin James and Reggie Bush and say that if Bush put on 15 pounds he'd be as built and physically sound as Edgerin James.

I dont care that bush is 6-0 and 205 pounds... he's weak....

[bearcat]

sportsbuck2745 said:

It's only once in a blue moon that a rookie running back showcases his talent fully in his first season, and Carnell Williams was the last. Years 2-4 is where judgement is cast on a franchise back. And at 6-0 205 how does he have a small frame? Frame has nothing to do with being able to take punishment. Look at Barry Sanders, for example.

Sanders was a much, much different player, however. He relied on making people miss. Sure, he took his share of hard hits, but Barry's ticket to stardom in the NFL was breaking linebackers' ankles. That's why it was so surprising when he retired so abruptly, because he hadn't had a great deal of damage caused to him unlike other backs, who were more straight-ahead runners, and took more punishment on a weekly basis than he did.

And it's also not fair to compare Edge and Bush, they're a good amount of time apart in age. Now Bush to Cadillac? That makes more sense.

[ChisAto]

There are talks of a trade between the Redskins and the Bears for Lance Briggs, and a swap of their first round picks. If we moved up to #6 then we can grab a DT like Amobi Okoye or Alan Branch. , Or we could also trade down to #13 or so and take Patrick Willis or Paul Posluszny to fill the Lance Briggs hole. If we don't draft a LB we still have Brendan Ayanbadejo. Most people don't know about him since we have Briggs, but he was the NFC Pro Bowl Special Teamer, and the coaches love him.

[detroitbasketball]

Even the Lions had a Pro Bowl special teamer a year or two ago. And our coaches love Mike Williams.

[Cerrano39]

Pro Bowl special teamer means crap. Larry Izzo is a 3-time Pro Bowler, love him on special teams, but would go nuts if I ever saw him line up behind Seymour for more than 1-2 plays a game.

[Leak2Troupe03]

Brendan Ayanbadejo actually used to be a fullback. Him and his brother used to play for the Ravens back in 2000. Atleast, I think it was him and not his brother at fullback though I may be wrong

[Sportsbuck]

tbbearcat5 said:

sportsbuck2745 said:

It's only once in a blue moon that a rookie running back showcases his talent fully in his first season, and Carnell Williams was the last. Years 2-4 is where judgement is cast on a franchise back. And at 6-0 205 how does he have a small frame? Frame has nothing to do with being able to take punishment. Look at Barry Sanders, for example.

Sanders was a much, much different player, however. He relied on making people miss. Sure, he took his share of hard hits, but Barry's ticket to stardom in the NFL was breaking linebackers' ankles. That's why it was so surprising when he retired so abruptly, because he hadn't had a great deal of damage caused to him unlike other backs, who were more straight-ahead runners, and took more punishment on a weekly basis than he did.

You could say the same for Reggie Bush, he relies heavily on utilizing his speed and arsenal of moves to run the ball effectively.

[Cerrano39]

leak2troupe03 said:

Brendan Ayanbadejo actually used to be a fullback. Him and his brother used to play for the Ravens back in 2000. Atleast, I think it was him and not his brother at fullback though I may be wrong

You're thinking of Obafemi Ayanbadejo. Brendon is his brother, and was traded to Bears from Miami.

[JacktheRipper]

Reggie Bush is lucky to have Deuce in front of him, because it kept him from catching too much flack and gave him a break. There is no way Reggie Bush could be the premiere back for New Orleans at this point.

That being said, Bush was turning into a better runner at the end of the year. The Saints fans were not happy with him early on, because he tried to rely too much on cuts. He's got the speed to be a great change of pace from Deuce, and at least for a few years is going to get the chance to develop into a good back. He'll probably end up being the Saints number one back in five years or so, but the Saints will have another back to go with Bush as long as he's there. I still think he's a dynamic enough player to be a key part of the Saints offense once he gets the coaching to be willing to run between the tackles more and not rely so much on making people miss. That being said, his current critics have valid points.

[Freak93]

The Eagles finalized the trade for Takeo Spikes. It should be an itneresting year for the Eagles with Takeo but I doubt they will re-sign him after the season.

Also, the Giants signed Kawika Mitchell. I've always been a fan of his and I think he can really do something good with the Giants.

[McGahee]

I had Kawika on one of my fantasy league teams (7 defense guys total and I picked him last)... I figured with Edwards coaching the Chiefs that maybe he could turn into a Vilma-esque player, but it didn't exactly turn out that way. He's got great potential though...