NFL Free Agency: How the Proposed Free Agency Rules Affect the AFC West

by Rich Langford on Jun 22, 2011 6:15 AM PDT

As the new CBA is getting close and coming into view the landscape of the rules of NFL free agency are coming into view. Yesterday we talked about the Raiders this is likely to switch from restricted to unrestricted free agents. The Raiders list is short on names, but big on impact. Let's take a look at how this could change the rosters of the rivals.

I'm not positive that all of the following players had been tendered to begin with, and I may have missed one that was, but I tried to get it as accurate as possible. Check it out after the jump....

For a comprehensive look at all the day's Raider news and AFC West and NFL highlights be sure and check out our daily edition of Pirate Booty.

First to recap the silver and black:

Oakland Raiders

TE Zach Miller, RB Michael Bush, C Samson Satele

This is going to cost the Raiders. Both Miller and Bush are likely to command more on the open market than their tender would have been worth. I think it is going to price Bush right off the roster. Most of us think he will be back.

Kansas City Chiefs

QB Brodie Croyle, TE Leonard Pope, LB Corey Mays and C Rudy Niswanger

A bunch of backups! Damn Chiefs.

Denver Broncos

OT Ryan Harris, DT Marcus Thomas, DE Kevin Vickerson

Ryan Harris has struggled with injuries, but he once was one of the top RTs in the league. It will be interesting to see what kind of offers he receives.

San Diego Chargers

LB Antwan Barnes, OT Jeromey Clary, CB Donte Hughes, FS Paul Oliver, LB Brandon Siler, FS Eric Weddle, WR Malcolm Floyd

This is going to cost the Chargers some coin. Most of the guys on the list are backups and will be re-signed for what they were tendered originally. Except Eric Weddle and Malcolm Floyd. With the lack of FS talent available Eric Weddle is going to get a nice contract. Floyd should also draw a lot of interest.

Overview

I think it is a toss up who this hurts the most between the Raiders and the Chargers. I can't imagine Zach Miller or Michael Bush playing for any other team, and if the Raiders bring them back it is going to severly limit the cash they have to add any outside free agents.

I think they would be basically reduced to adding journeymen. The Chargers are now going to have a big choice to make with Weddle. It is almost the exact same choice the Raiders will have with Huff—only I think the Chargers really want Weddle back. They are now going to have to overpay to do it.

The Chargers are now faced with either signing Malcolm Floyd to a big contract or watching him leave. This is especially problematic since they don't have the Vincent Jackson situation resolved. They franchised Jackson, but Jackson will likely hold out again.

So, if they don't sign Floyd they could be faced with the prospect of starting the season without Jackson or Floyd playing. Maybe they'll just sign Floyd and let Jackson walk. I don't know—other than it will be interesting to watch, and expensive for the Chargers.

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Other FA

I think daaa Raidaz need to go after Santonio Holmes. Out of all the veteran recievers out there- he is the only one that gets my panties in a bunch. He would make a huge impact and I gurantee he would be over 1000+ first season with us.

by Dutch J on Jun 22, 2011 9:21 AM PDT reply actions

That's big bucks! Who would they not re-sign?

I was the walrus, but now I'm John

by Rich Langford on Jun 22, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions

i really love bush but if losing him meant we get santonio i think i might have to pull that trigger

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."--Al Davis

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jun 22, 2011 12:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

It may be big bucks

I think we could make it work very easily- drop some of the old over paid linemen that will do nothing but line the bench… and teach the rooks how to suck and make a good living. Trade Away Heyward, or give him away… Trade Bush if we must… There is plenty of ways to make room to bring in a wideout like santanio

by Dutch J on Jun 22, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions

For the record I would trade half the team away before I gave up on Bush. He is very important to our run game. But we could do away with possibly cartright or the other old guy. keep marcel bush dmac and jones and we r set

by Dutch J on Jun 22, 2011 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Dude, who the hell is going to trade for DHB?

The Raiders would have to take on another massive contract of a under performing player. They also just can’t cut players and have the salaries be off the books for 2011…unless there is no cap, which makes the books irrelevant.

I think to sign Santanio would likely mean they don’t re-sign either Bush or Miller and can’t add anyone else but minimum contracts.

I was the walrus, but now I'm John

by Rich Langford on Jun 22, 2011 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions

The Rock is our STs Captain and our STs improved a lot last year - Cartright (#25 great number btw) is a True Raider Badass

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/1911]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jun 22, 2011 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions

V. Jackson

He isn’t goin to hold out again. The man wanted to get paid and the franchise tag will def pay him. I haven’t heard any grumbling about him holding out for another year.

by TnSD11 on Jun 22, 2011 9:38 AM PDT reply actions

I expect AJ to monumentally jack it up again

it’s what the Chargers do best. And make no mistake, allowing McNeill and V.Jack to sit out that long cost them big time.

"tough times call for perseverance and a tough mind. I have been told that I can't play football before. We all know what happened with that. #neverquit"--Mark Herzlich

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Jun 22, 2011 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Miller,

I find it troubling that AD didn’t wrap him up when he had plenty of time as AD pays his boys. Not sure if it means that Miller priced himself out in earlier negotiations or that AD believed that the old tender process would still work.

by raiders4liffe on Jun 22, 2011 10:09 AM PDT reply actions

FA

Personally, I would rather see RFA at four years and UFA at six. Marketing-wise, why should fans buy “Official” NFL jerseys at $100+ for a player that MAY be there only four years. I guess the answer marketing-wise is to just buy a jersey of one of the greats.

by Mallard Davis on Jun 22, 2011 10:10 AM PDT reply actions

If we lose Aso and Miller.............................

‎"There is nothing like a wise phrase or quote to help convince others that your decision makes sense." - Anon

"If you're ever in a fair fight, then your tactics suck." ಠ_ಠ

by dubzfan on Jun 22, 2011 10:39 AM PDT reply actions

I have a good feeling about our secondary...

even with Aso possibly on his way out. Don’t take this the wrong way now, I really want ‘em back too. I think if we sign Huffy back, who is going to be way cheaper than Nnam, then with what we just drafted, we have enough total depth in the secondary to find someone to workout. I know it’s a gamble. But we also have to realize, we did very well this year on D and though Nnam helped tie up receivers, Houston’s a beast and only gonna get better. Seymour’s the anchor not much to say. Shaughnessy’s probably the mot underrated d-lineman in the league. Scott is an awesome rotation guy, not amazing, but does his job. Wimbley, some say he’s meh, yeah he doesn’t have uber football IQ, but he dissrupts something more often than not. McClain, once again a beast only to get better. And last but not least I think we have a decent enough secondary to take our caps off to Nnam, even though I DON’T WANT TO, I think we could.

by J. Da Pirate on Jun 22, 2011 12:07 PM PDT reply actions

Routt is gonna be ready.

To either step in and be our No. 1 or pair off with Nnamdi for one more ride into the sunset.

Remember Routt put up some amazing numbers last year. If Nnamdi stays, Routt will get thrown on alot until some of those broken passes turn into interceptions. IMO Routt is a couple highlights away from being the guy you don’t want to throw on. If Nnamdi leaves I think our pass rush is going to be more then capable of helping our secondary out with their pass rush.

by TheDudeAbides138 on Jun 22, 2011 12:53 PM PDT reply actions

Sticking to my guns. Bush, Asomugha, Miller will be back. Don't think Satele will

How are they gonna be able to afford it? Beats the shit outta me, but Al does what it takes to keep the guys he wants to keep.

I believe Hue’s “nucleus,” is comprised of the aforementioned individuals, and the “plan” to keep them is in full effect.

"tough times call for perseverance and a tough mind. I have been told that I can't play football before. We all know what happened with that. #neverquit"--Mark Herzlich

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Jun 22, 2011 5:32 PM PDT reply actions

Hope all four stay but suspect Satele will be leaving - a demotion after his much improved season must feel like a kick to the nuts

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/1911]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jun 22, 2011 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought the expected CBA makes players with 4 years of experience UFA's

And doesnt Bush only have 3 years?

by footballfan2577 on Jun 22, 2011 7:04 PM PDT reply actions

Sharks Gather Smelling Blood...Feeding Frenzy About To Begin???

The weird thing is our Bush did not even get honorable mention in any report regarding 4h yr "FA"s..So footballfan2577 might just be on to something…

This reported at nfl.com

Another aspect that could add to the rabid pace of free agency is the number of teams who will dive head in, according to a team official and an agent. Typically, the majority of teams wait a few weeks for the initial wave of free agency to settle down and the expense of the first-wave of free agency to level off.

“They won’t have time for that luxury,” a league source said. “Those teams are going to be right there from the beginning just like everyone else.”

by PantyRaider on Jun 22, 2011 9:36 PM PDT reply actions