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Can't have enough of these

Strong Safety

LaRon Landry, Washington Redskins

By far one of the most talented safeties in the league, Landry has a quite confidence about him off the field. On the field it is an entirely different story. He is an intimidating force both physically and verbally.

Despite this, he has yet to make a Pro Bowl appearance and has missed 13 games over the course of the last two seasons. It goes without saying that there are injury concerns.

Doctors have concluded that Landry needs Achilles Tendon surgery, which has yet to be conducted.

This could put a damper on a large payday for the talented safety. It also seems to signify an end to his days in Washington as they are prepared to move on.



Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders

A real wildcard in the free-agent class, Branch played at a consistently high level for the Oakland Raiders last season.

With them planning on moving Michael Huff to corner (if he isn't released), there is added importance that the team retains the young safety.

The Raiders, who are on the verge of a salary cap purge after releasing Stanford Routt, might not be in any situation to get into a bidding war for Branch.



Other Notable Free-Agent Strong Safeties

Sean Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jim Leonhard, New York Jets

Craig Steltz, Chicago Bears

Jordan Babineaux, Tennessee Titans

Atari Bigby, Seattle Seahawks



Summary

Not much to see here, move on. Seriously, this isn't an impressive group of players.

Landry has major injury concerns, Branch is talented but hasn't proven it on a consistent basis over multiple seasons and the rest are marginal starters.



Grade: D

Free Safety

Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers

A lot of people have questioned Goldson's coverage ability on the back end of the 49ers defense, myself included. What cannot be denied is the fact that he is a dynamic playmaker.

He made his first Pro Bowl after a season that saw the safety record over 70 tackles, six interceptions and another 10 passes defended.

There are questions as to whether he is a better fit as a strong safety or his natural free safety position.

The rest of the league might not get a chance to get a good look at Goldson this offseason as he appears to be a prime candidate for the franchise tag.



Michael Griffin, Tennessee Titans

Inconsistent is the best word that can be used to describe the former first-round pick. Great one season and struggling the next...he has somewhat of a split personality.

With that said, Griffin has been pretty darn solid over the course of the last two seasons. He has also made it pretty clear that he doesn't plan on returning to Tennessee in 2012.

Look for a myriad of different teams to come calling, including the Dallas Cowboys from his home state.



Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati Bengals

Considered a downright bust with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Nelson has revived his career in Cincinnati.

He recorded nearly 90 tackles, four interceptions, two sacks and 12 passes defended in 2011. In doing so, Nelson proved himself to be a standout performer in the defensive secondary.

A return to his home state of Miami could be in the books as the Dolphins are already expressing a great amount of interest. You can bet that the Bengals will have something to say about that.



Other Notable Free-Agent Free Safeties

Thomas DeCoud, Atlanta Falcons

Dwight Lowery, Jacksonville Jaguars

Chris Harris, Detroit Lions

Brodney Pool, New York Jets

Deon Grant, New York Giants

Reggie Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Steve Gregory, San Diego Chargers

Abram Elam, Dallas Cowboys

Brandon Meriweather, Chicago Bears

Madieu Williams, San Francisco 49ers



Summary

There are a couple of difference-makers on this list but it is hard to imagine teams planning to rebuild their entire secondary around individuals like Goldson and Griffin. Rather, they are going to be nice complementary pieces in a good secondary.

This list does go pretty deep in terms of players that can contribute and start on decent teams.

Grade: B-

Most league observers expect the Kansas City Chiefs to place the franchise tag on Dwayne Bowe which would make Brandon Carr a free agent (absent a longterm deal). Carr will be one of the top cornerbacks available on the market so there should be plenty of interest in him.

And one of the teams that's expected to show interest in him is the Dallas Cowboys, according to a report from Pro Football Weekly.

Sources have said the Cowboys would love for Chiefs CB Brandon Carr to hit the open market, so they can make a run at him. The expectation is that the Chiefs could franchise Carr and are said to be in fine cap shape, but they also have WR Dwayne Bowe to worry about. If Carr somehow makes it to March 13 unsigned, expect the Cowboys to go all in for him and worry about a high-profile guard (Carl Nicks or someone else) thereafter.

Rule No. 1 in free agency: Get the word out that the Cowboys or Redskins are interested in you and watch the offers increase. Now, I have no idea if the Cowboys reported interest comes from Carr's camp (I doubt it) but it does indicate that teams are going to want Carr.

And why shouldn't they? He's 25 years old. Four years of starting experience. High-character. Hard worker. He's big. Someone's gonna pay him a lot and I think he'll be worth it.

I thought it would be inconceivable to think that that Pioli wouldn't get one of Carr or Bowe signed before FA. Its looking like neither will sign and they will have to tag Bowe allowing Carr to walk freely. If this happens then fuck Pioli! Hes only had 3 years to prepare for this day. You dont develop talent that could fetch a 1st or 2nd round pick only to watch them walk out the door.

Yeah Brandon Flowers tweeted today that hes waiting for Carr to get his big deal somewhere because he was paying to take Flowers and Arenas on a trip out of the country.

And don't get me wrong, I think the same thing that happened to Routt is going to happen to Carr, which happens to a lot of free agents when they go to new teams. They get the big contract and don't live up to it at all. Routt was a GREAT #2 CB for the Raiders, he just wasn't a great #1... I have a feeling Carr is going to be the same way.

That being said we saved money then by getting Routt. Plus he might be better if Crennel wants a more blitzing style defense.

Chiefs | Expected to have interest in Paul Soliai
Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:38:13 -0800
The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to have interest in Miami Dolphins impending free-agent DT Paul Soliai if he becomes available in free agency.




Chiefs | Could show interest in Mike Tolbert
Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:33:22 -0800
The Kansas City Chiefs may show interest in San Diego Chargers impending free-agent RB Mike Tolbert if he is available this offseason.

Chiefs | Zeke Markshausen signs
Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:50:26 -0800
The Kansas City Chiefs signed free-agent WR Zeke Markshausen Wednesday, Feb. 29. Markshausen spent time on the Chiefs practice squad after entering training camp with the team in 2011.

Getting Soliai and Tolbert would take care of a couple of huge issues before the draft. If we signed Soliai, Tolbert, Nicks, and Dan Connor all before the draft we would be in great shape.

Honestly I think getting RG3 is more likely than signing Nicks, and I don't think getting RG3 is that likely.

Grubbs COULD be possible, I don't know how much he wants. But I know Nicks wants paid more than his guard teammate who became the highest paid OG a few years ago(until Mankins passed him last year).

I would be fine with Grubbs he is a top ten guard in the NFL. We just need to draft a RT to help protect Manning.

Chiefs Free Agency: Bengals Anthony Collins Could Plug Hole At Right Tackle
by Matt Conner

As the NFL gears up for the end of the franchise tag period and the beginning of free agency, teams are getting ready to survey the options and go for broke on some players. For the Chiefs, the weaknesses include right tackle and there are precious few options out there for Scott Pioli to choose from. But Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus says that Anthony Collins of the Bengals could fit the bill.

The Chiefs definitely need something since they have a major hole on the right side. Barry Richardson has been among the worst starting tackles in all of football over the last two seasons, particularly last year, and he is now a free agent. The team could bring him back for depth, but going into another year with the same weakness at right tackle is not likely.

Jahnke writes, “While it’s possible the Chiefs bring back Wiegmann who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent and move one of their players to tackle, it would be better for the Chiefs long-term to bring in someone. Anthony Collins of the Bengals would be the best choice to take over the right tackle spot. The Chiefs have built their line around strong pass protectors, and Collins fits that mold. In his last 302 pass plays dating back to 2009, he has allowed just five pressures, with no sacks or hits.”

Collins is a free agent after the Bengals franchised Mike Nugent. Now the team has no ability to deal with Collins aside from the same rules every other team has to abide by. Expect Pioli to at least kick the tires on this option.

And hes only 26? Talked me into it.