What free agent defensive tackles are available

[general counsel]

IN the context of continuing our pickett debate, could someone please let us know what free agent options are available at defensive tackle.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[AvengerRam]

I seem to recall that Rocky Barnard of the Seahawks is going to be a UFA.

[HUbison]

IN the context of continuing our pickett debate, could someone please let us know what free agent options are available at defensive tackle.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

Here's the entire list per redzone.org


Aubrayo Franklin RFA Ravens
Cedric Killings RFA Redskins
Chris Hovan UFA Buccaneers
Damione Lewis UFA Rams
Demtrin Veal RFA Broncos
Edward Jasper UFA Raiders
Ethan Kelley RFA Browns
Grady Jackson UFA Packers
James Reed UFA Jets
Justin Bannan UFA Bills
Kenderick Allen RFA Giants
Kendrick Clancy UFA Giants
Kenny Smith UFA Raiders
Kindal Moorehead RFA Panthers
Langston Moore RFA Cardinals
Larry Tripplett UFA Colts
Lional Dalton UFA Chiefs
Ma'ake Kemoeatu UFA Ravens
Monsanto Pope UFA Broncos
Rob Meier UFA Jaguars
Rocky Bernard UFA Seahawks
Ron Edwards UFA Bills
Russell Davis UFA Cardinals
Ryan Pickett UFA Rams
Terdell Sands UFA Raiders
Willie Blade UFA Cowboys

[general counsel]

Great, thanks for the post. Now we have a working list to see our options if we dont sign pickett. Will the group please give us views on what they think of the guys on that list and what we think they are going to cost. The trick here is relative value, ie not just which ones are better than others, but how much better in terms of cap dollars.

Obviously, what we cant know is what these guys are going to ask for and command in the context of what pickett wants. We can get a view on how healthy they are, where they are in their career and how good they are on the field compared to pickett, money aside.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[HUbison]

Rocky Bernard looks good on paper, but he is more of a replacement for D-Lew (inside rush) than Pickett (run stop). Grady Jackson can run stop, but he's 33 where Pickett is 26. Hovan ended the season well, but he didn't play at Pickett's level. Maake Kemoeatu is a great run-stopper, but would have to adjust from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and will command top dollar from the 3-4 teams out there.

If we're looking to replace Pickett, we may have a tough time doing it for pocket change.

[chiguy]

Price tag is an important issue here. If Hovan can be had at a relatively good price (1-1.5 price range), I wouldn't cry if we signed him and let Pickett go. Assuming that the cap money then goes towards filling other holes.

[HUbison]

Price tag is an important issue here. If Hovan can be had at a relatively good price (1-1.5 price range), I wouldn't cry if we signed him and let Pickett go. Assuming that the cap money then goes towards filling other holes.

Hovan would be quite a fall-off in production just to save a little cap space. This D doesn't have many bright spots, it'd be a shame to take a step back in the one area of play that was good.

[chiguy]

Hovan would be quite a fall-off in production just to save a little cap space. This D doesn't have many bright spots, it'd be a shame to take a step back in the one area of play that was good.

Pickett got a lot of tackles last year, but no pressure on the QB. Hovan's got more of a reputation as a pass rusher. If the LBs and DEs can tackle more, I think a cap savings of 1-2 million is worth it. Especially if it means we sign a top drawer FA some where else in the defense.

[HUbison]

Pickett got a lot of tackles last year, but no pressure on the QB. Hovan's got more of a reputation as a pass rusher. If the LBs and DEs can tackle more, I think a cap savings of 1-2 million is worth it. Especially if it means we sign a top drawer FA some where else in the defense.

Savings of 1-2 million gets a Claiborne or Coakley, not a top drawer FA. As for getting to the QB, Hovan has 3.5 sacks in the past 3 seasons, Pickett has 5 sacks. Neither one is getting to the QB, but Pickett is a much better run stopper.

[Nick]

Pickett got a lot of tackles last year, but no pressure on the QB.

Probably because Pickett isn't a pass rushing DT. But even so, Pickett is getting into the backfield, as evident by his team-leading 11 tackles for loss.

[RamJackson39]

I wouldnt mind seeing Kindal Moorhead signed. I thought he did a nice job filling in for Kris Jenkins, and Carolina fans seem to like him.

But, Pickett HAS to be resigned. He was a great DT this season and he's only going to get better. I dont really care how much he's asking for. He HAS to be in Blue and Gold next season.

[Milan]

I'd like to see Tripplett or Moorehead playing for the Rams, but I'd also like seeing Pickett back.

[Nick]

Chris Hovan UFA Buccaneers
Edward Jasper UFA Raiders
Grady Jackson UFA Packers
Kendrick Clancy UFA Giants
Kenny Smith UFA Raiders
Kindal Moorehead RFA Panthers
Larry Tripplett UFA Colts
Monsanto Pope UFA Broncos

If for some reason we don't resign Pickett, these would be the guys I'd look at off of that list. Also, I think you'd have to consider a DT in the second round as well.

[jkramsfan]

not alot of big names on that list,it will be interesting to see what the price tag will be on some of them.

[Nick]

Hovan's an interesting name, since he was on the Vikings when Linehan was there. I'm wondering if that connection might prompt the Rams to go after him.