Let's talk players

[Racehorse]

Looking ahead, we will see some roster turnover. I want to see where we all are on which players to retain and which to let walk. Please refrain from discussing coaches and front office people. We all know everyone's position on those.

I will start with some of the obvious ones:

1. We have to extend Pierce. He is our best WR.

2. I think Buckner retires.

3. Jones should be offered a reasonable 2-3 year contract.

4. Paye and Franklin need to go.

5. I like Ebukam and Gallimore. They should return

6.Our starting CBs should be kept. Ward, Sauce, Walley, and Moore should make a solid unit. I don't care if we keep Mitchell, Jones, et.al.

7. Braden Smith is replaceable.

8. Cross has to be re-signed.

9. The rest of the expiring contracts do not concern me.

10. Kicker should be interesting, with Grupe doing well and Schrader returning.

Thoughts on players?

[Thorgrim]

Agree with most of this. The Jones question is tricky. His recovery to pre-injury form is not assured so the contract length, amount, and details need to be very team friendly.

[apballin]

I agree Pierce has to be resigned

As far as I’m concerned everyone one else is replaceable including Franklin especially in Lou’s defense.

I hope Buck doesn’t retire

Franklin, Cross, Paye, and Braden Smith can all be let go

[Colts And Orioles]

o


I think that because Buckner did not take his time with his recovery and tried to rush back, he may not want to retire.

o

[Lov2fish]

Pierce has to be extended. He is a legitimate downfield threat. He is also really good at intermediate routes, so a must.

I agree, Buck retires, but there are some young talent replacements in free agency. Look, Buck is Buck and take what I said tongue in cheek, there is no replacing him, just his position.

Our backend is solid if Walley come to what we all think he can become.

Ebukam and Gallimore I am good with keeping. Latu is under his rookie contract and I really think he is going to be a good player. I'm not sure that will ever translate to elite, but sometimes a few "Good" is equivalent.

Smith can go, he is replaceable as we have observed.

Definitely keep Cross with Bynum. I like Bynum's energy and enthusiasm. Cross gets better as it goes.

I still like Spencer. Why was Grupe still available when we needed a kicker? No questioning his leg strength. I saw him hitting some long range shots today in warmups when just him, Rhoades and Roberto were out there.

We have some very nice pieces on both sides of the ball. Need to get real help. As intriguing as Hendrickson is, he is the wrong side of 30 coming off an injury. Crosby has went from I ain't leaving the Raiders to (Rumor) he isn't happy now.

Lots of what ifs this off season. If it is without Ballard I hope it is sooner than later. I suspect if he is not gone by mid February he will be back.

With the cupboards bare in free agency Jones is our best option, hurt or not. I agree 3 year max with a friendly hit.

[Hoopsdoc]

I think Jalen Travis has held up pretty well which makes Braden Smith expendable.

I’m not sure I’m sold on giving Pierce a huge contract when we have Pittman, Downs, and Tyler Warren already. Seems like a luxury.

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

Looking ahead, we will see some roster turnover. I want to see where we all are on which players to retain and which to let walk. Please refrain from discussing coaches and front office people. We all know everyone's position on those.

I will start with some of the obvious ones:

1. We have to extend Pierce. He is our best WR.

2. I think Buckner retires.

3. Jones should be offered a reasonable 2-3 year contract.

4. Paye and Franklin need to go.

5. I like Ebukam and Gallimore. They should return

6.Our starting CBs should be kept. Ward, Sauce, Walley, and Moore should make a solid unit. I don't care if we keep Mitchell, Jones, et.al.

7. Braden Smith is replaceable.

8. Cross has to be re-signed.

9. The rest of the expiring contracts do not concern me.

10. Kicker should be interesting, with Grupe doing well and Schrader returning.

Thoughts on players?

Pierce= YES

Buck= If he wants to play, move him so he has a chance and maybe get something in return (we are going to need any young players we can get)

Can't we franchise DJ? If so, go that route.

Paye and Franklin, completely agree. Addition by subtraction with both.

DB's, if Ward plays, then it is worth keeping them all. We really need to be looking for Kenny's replacement. The other cadre of JAG's, agree, who cares.

Smith and Cross can go. Cross gets a lot of credit without his more than fair share of criticism.

Players not on the team:
We have a huge hole at linebacker. Pratt is our best backer and that's not a great thing to say. Trying to stay away from coaches- Lou to me is largely the same guy as Gus- and if he is still here, then we probably don't even try to upgrade the position because he doesn't seem to think LB's are even necessary. Regardless of what Lou thinks, we need better linebackers!

DL- man I don't even know what to say here. We have such a deficit on the edge it is sickening and with no draft picks to work with... no idea how we make any strides in this area.

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

Pierce= YES

Buck= If he wants to play, move him so he has a chance and maybe get something in return (we are going to need any young players we can get)

Can't we franchise DJ? If so, go that route.

Paye and Franklin, completely agree. Addition by subtraction with both.

DB's, if Ward plays, then it is worth keeping them all. We really need to be looking for Kenny's replacement. The other cadre of JAG's, agree, who cares.

Smith and Cross can go. Cross gets a lot of credit without his more than fair share of criticism.

Players not on the team:
We have a huge hole at linebacker. Pratt is our best backer and that's not a great thing to say. Trying to stay away from coaches- Lou to me is largely the same guy as Gus- and if he is still here, then we probably don't even try to upgrade the position because he doesn't seem to think LB's are even necessary. Regardless of what Lou thinks, we need better linebackers!

DL- man I don't even know what to say here. We have such a deficit on the edge it is sickening and with no draft picks to work with... no idea how we make any strides in this area.

The only way I see addressing the void on the edge is possibly via trade although even that is unlikely. What talent can we afford to part with? Some might suggest Pittman. I just don’t know. I hope in the third round we can find a good coverage linebacker. Thumpers come a dime a dozen.

[Lov2fish]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

The only way I see addressing the void on the edge is possibly via trade although even that is unlikely. What talent can we afford to part with? Some might suggest Pittman. I just don’t know. I hope in the third round we can find a good coverage linebacker. Thumpers come a dime a dozen.

Lots of edge rushers in free agency. Some past their prime, some young enough to be a long time fix. Do we have the money? Are they an improvement to what we have? Maybe. We need someone to consistently get to the QB.

[YDFL Commish]

I would not be opposed to trading a valuable asset and two 2nd round picks for Maxx Crosby.