The Offseason Thread

[allblackraven]

Nah, with the cap space we have now and projected cap for next year, this would’ve went a long way in getting our defense back to #1 and wouldn’t have even hurt us cap wise. If you have cap(we do) and need pass rush, then that signing is a no brainer.

I’m pretty pissed we couldn’t match that.

we probably could but he's not worth that much.

 

[rossihunter2]

Nah, with the cap space we have now and projected cap for next year, this would’ve went a long way in getting our defense back to #1 and wouldn’t have even hurt us cap wise. If you have cap(we do) and need pass rush, then that signing is a no brainer.

I’m pretty pissed we couldn’t match that.

that's quite a lot for houston - i did think he'd be looking for around 13m (close to what brandon graham got) and that we'd be more willing to pay in the 9-11 range... this would make a lot of sense

the other thing is that there's no easing of cap hits on a 2 year deal like that - will be interested to see the guaranteed money (especially what's guaranteed in year 2)

 

[balfan23]

I seriously don't see how it can be fixed this year, short of hitting on 2 rookies and trading for a good vet, since what's available in FA at the moment is a WR craps

Still I think we still need to add an FA WR even if the pickings are slim. No way we can count on drafted WRs to be immediately productive.

But then we’re going to still have to hit good on at least one drafted WR to not be in this perpetual need at that position.

 

[Dom McRaven]

I don't know if the FO would wait until after the draft to do this, but I'd like to see the likes of Judon, Humphrey, and/or Stanley extended this offseason.

 

[allblackraven]

Still I think we still need to add an FA WR even if the pickings are slim. No way we can count on drafted WRs to be immediately productive.

But then we’re going to still have to hit good on at least one drafted WR to not be in this perpetual need at that position.

Could have sorted that one last year

 

[Simba]

that's quite a lot for houston - i did think he'd be looking for around 13m (close to what brandon graham got) and that we'd be more willing to pay in the 9-11 range... this would make a lot of sense

the other thing is that there's no easing of cap hits on a 2 year deal like that - will be interested to see the guaranteed money (especially what's guaranteed in year 2)

Exactly. We can't compete with a 2 year deal because that cap hit in year 1 is still large regardless of how it's structured. If we lengthen it to say, 4, we have to guarantee more money. Not a feasible contract for a team that's somewhat tight against the cap. The Colts have a shitload of cap and can afford that regardless.

 

[balfan23]

Still is a bit disappointing we didn’t land Houston. If we’re win now he would have filled a significant need nicely and I hate to see him with an AFC contender.

 

[Sami84]

next year is when we'll have an exciing offseason with more draft picks and probably top 3 cap space!

 

[balfan23]

Could have sorted that one last year

Yeah. When we passed on James and traded back I thought “oh well at least we’ll get either Ridley or DJ”.

I know we still have faith that Hurst will amount to something one of those guys would be nice to have.

Oh well. Water under the bridge.

 

[JoeyFlex5]

that's quite a lot for houston - i did think he'd be looking for around 13m (close to what brandon graham got) and that we'd be more willing to pay in the 9-11 range... this would make a lot of sense

the other thing is that there's no easing of cap hits on a 2 year deal like that - will be interested to see the guaranteed money (especially what's guaranteed in year 2)

But you don’t need to ease the cap hit there. You’re looking at 90m or so for next year. There aren’t players worth making a move on in this free agency’s, spend it by getting the best remaining player at pass rusher for 12m, next year you have all that money, use ONE mill more on a high end edge rusher lol and nobody will feel the difference. There is no reason that in this scenario where the cupboard is bare at a huge position, that another 1m wouldn’t be fine, after 2 seasons you are done with it so the commitment isn’t huge.

For a franchise that has pulled a Eugene Monroe, Jeremy maclin, and Elvis grbac, you would think Houston for 24m over 2 years when we desperately need a edge rusher, sounds better than any of those

 

[allblackraven]

Yeah. When we passed on James and traded back I thought “oh well at least we’ll get either Ridley or DJ”.

I know we still have faith that Hurst will amount to something one of those guys would be nice to have.

Oh well. Water under the bridge.

We could still get Ridley after that trade down, he went one pick after us

 

[rossihunter2]

Exactly. We can't compete with a 2 year deal because that cap hit in year 1 is still large regardless of how it's structured. If we lengthen it to say, 4, we have to guarantee more money. Not a feasible contract for a team that's somewhat tight against the cap. The Colts have a shitload of cap and can afford that regardless.

a 3/4 year deal would have been ok because the signing bonus (the majority of the guarantees) would be spread out over 4 years in stead of 2 which would keep the cap hits fairly manageable

 

[rossihunter2]

But you don’t need to ease the cap hit there. You’re looking at 90m or so for next year. There aren’t players worth making a move on in this free agency’s, spend it by getting the best remaining player at pass rusher for 12m, next year you have all that money, use ONE mill more on a high end edge rusher lol and nobody will feel the difference. There is no reason that in this scenario where the cupboard is bare at a huge position, that another 1m wouldn’t be fine, after 2 seasons you are done with it so the commitment isn’t huge.

For a franchise that has pulled a Eugene Monroe, Jeremy maclin, and Elvis grbac, you would think Houston for 24m over 2 years when we desperately need a edge rusher, sounds better than any of those

the 2 years is more of a problem cap wise than the 12m tbh

 

[Oldfaithful]

I think Eric is playing the long game.

I think we finish the year with a top 15 pick unless we nail every pick in the draft and/or Tim Williams and/or Bowser breaks out. Which I don't think is a bad thing in the long run personally.

I'd use the draft to do two things

1. Build the trenches up, the most important thing you can do with a young QB by far.

2. Get him a receiving option or two.

I'd also try to extend Stanley and Pierce this year and take a good portion of their cap hits this year to ensure that next year we maximize the space we do have. Stanley has proven himself to be a franchise LT. It's been three good years, you can anoint him.

 

[Simba]

a 3/4 year deal would have been ok because the signing bonus (the majority of the guarantees) would be spread out over 4 years in stead of 2 which would keep the cap hits fairly manageable

To clarify, I think a guy like Houston would command greater guarantees over that 4 year period. Him taking 2 is basically him betting on himself. If he reaches the end of that deal and does well, he'd still be in line for another solid deal at 32.

 

[Grim]

I really wanted Houston but if he wanted that much then Houston, we have a problem.

Sorry, couldn’t resist. Anyway, kinda sucks we didn’t get him. You wonder if DeCosta is too cautious but then again, everyone wants the young guys to play so maybe that’s the plan. To be fair, I remember this exact scenario when we drafted Mosley. We had Smith and JAGs but it turned out well and he was a good pick for us. I really think we go Edge with our first but I can definitely see OL or WR too.

 

[JoeyFlex5]

the 2 years is more of a problem cap wise than the 12m tbh

I just don’t understand why that’s a problem lol. We can afford 12m this year, we can definitely afford 12m next year

Unless I’m sorely mistaken... am I?

 

[rossihunter2]

I just don’t understand why that’s a problem lol. We can afford 12m this year, we can definitely afford 12m next year

Unless I’m sorely mistaken... am I?

12m would push us hard up against the salary cap - because its a 2 year deal you cant really lower the first year too much (so say 10m e.g.) but that would leave us with 7m cap left for the season and you take another 2.5 off that for the rookie class to fit under the cap + you normally want to go into a season with a few mill in cap space spare for emergencies etc. and the suddenly we're strapped for space

a longer deal and you can artificially lower the cap hit in his first year knowing that there's likely no guaranteed money in year 3 and beyond and the signing bonus is less extreme spread across the extra years (even when you add on extra money because its a longer deal)

 

[Deebo813]

i like pierce alot but is he just another version of bwill? Our defense have always relied on big guys in the middle but it wasnt untill those big guys stop getting pressure and sacks that our defense wasnt the force it used to be.

 

[Oldfaithful]

i like pierce alot but is he just another version of bwill? Our defense have always relied on big guys in the middle but it wasnt untill those big guys stop getting pressure and sacks that our defense wasnt the force it used to be.

Pierce isn’t amazing as a pass rusher sacks wise but he’s considerably better than Bwill. In fact I’d argue he’s competent in this regard.

Next season we need to opt out from Brandon Williams. That contract was terrible at the time and it’s even worse now. You don’t reset the market for a NT. We should’ve signed Larry Warford, who was and still is a perfect scheme(and cheaper) fit, and I told you all so.

This team fucking sucks at spending its money and has backward ass priorities. At least Eric didn’t overpay Ingram.