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http://www.cowboysportsblog.com/apps/blog/show/7752072-defensive-free-agents-who-just-make-sense
click on link or read it here:
It’s almost here. Free agency is right around the corner. Everyone has their wish lists ready and their hopes high. Unfortunately, as more and more information comes out concerning the collective bargaining agreement, the salary cap, and the free agency structure, those wish lists must be reevaluated to fit the new parameters of the NFL. Instead of looking at the expensive, flashy free agents, now it makes more sense to look at the underpublicized, low-cost free agents who would gel nicely with the surrounding players. Considering the very tight budget that the Boys have to work with, it only makes sense that the bulk, if not all, of the free agent signings will be on the defensive side of the ball. This list excludes players such as defensive tackle Haloti Ngata for two reasons. The first reason is that he has already received the franchise tag and the second is that he’s an absolute pipe dream. The players on this list either have ties to the Cowboys or the Ryan defense, or fit the more difficult 3-4 mold.
10. Gerard Warren, DT, Patriots, 32
Warren is a big 3-4 nose tackle who can rush the passer. The Boys are lacking depth behind pro bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff. Warren tied Ratliff with 3.5 sacks in 2010. Gerard Warren is an underrated free agent who played for Rob Ryan for two years from 2007 to 2008. He had success in that defense and would be a veteran, Rob Ryan presence in this defense.
9. Shaun Ellis, DE, Jets, 34
The Jets will have a hard time resigning Ellis with players such as Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, and Antonio Cromartie no longer under contract. Ellis is a historically consistent pass rusher from the defensive end position. Even as a 3-4 end in a Ryan-family defense over the last two years, Ellis still continued to produce. He has recorded 11 sacks over the last two years. The Boys’ defensive ends recorded 2.5 sacks as a unit last season.
8. Remi Ayodele, DT, Saints, 28
Ayodele was on the Cowboys roster from 2006 to 2007, but never saw significant playing time. He has dramatically improved in New Orleans and is now a 16 game starter. He would be a good compliment to Jay Ratliff. Ayodele, the brother of former Cowboys linebacker Akin Ayodele, is a good run stuffer and is versatile enough to slide outside.
7. Trevor Pryce, DE, Jets, 35
Pryce has played in the Ryan-family defense since 2006. He has had a good career to this point, recording 91 career sacks. Over the last few seasons, he has faced many injuries that limited his playing time. If the Boys take a low risk, high reward chance on Pryce, he could be a big piece of the defensive unit for a year or two.
6. Cullen Jenkins, DE, Packers, 30
Jenkins has thrived since playing in Don Capers’s 3-4 Packer defense. He is unlikely to return and he would be a force on the Cowboys defensive line. He plays defensive end but has the versatility to play anywhere on the line and still get pressure on the passer. Jenkins has respect for the organization and recently hosted a top 100 bonus special on quarterback Tony Romo.
5. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders, 29
Asomugha would probably be number one on this list if it weren’t for the incredible amount of money that he would cost. Asomugha became the shutdown corner that he is while under the instruction of Rob Ryan. Asomugha is unique in that he doesn’t fit a certain defensive system, rather a defensive system must conform to his abilities. If Asomugha played on a team such as the Bears who play a cover two defense, I guarantee you that they would start playing a lot more man-to-man. Unfortunately, the money just doesn’t seem to be available to sign the best cornerback in football.
4. Brodney Pool, FS, Jets, 26
Pool played for both Rob and Rex Ryan in the last two years. He is young at only 27 but has been playing for six years. He is entering his prime and is one of the most complete safeties on the market. He plays the run well and is also good against the pass. He has the ability to play either free or strong safety. With his experience in the Ryan defense and his good size and talent, he could develop into a pro bowl type player.
3. Michael Huff, S, Radiers, 28
Huff is a player who has been discussed for months at this point. He has ties to Rob Ryan from his time in Oakland and is a local guy who played at Texas. This guy is already a pro bowl type, all-around player who has played both free and strong safety. He has expressed interest in coming to Dallas and the Raiders are likely going to let him walk. I personally love the idea of Huff in Dallas, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that Huff blossomed after Rob Ryan left and Huff was benched in Ryan’s last year in Oakland.
2. Dawan Landry, SS, Ravens, 28
Dawan Landry, the older brother of Redskins safety LaRon Landry, has been an overachiever from the moment he set foot in the NFL. He was drafted in the fifth round and made his impact felt with 5 interceptions and 3 sacks in 2006. Behind Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Landry is an absolute joy to watch in the Ravens defense. He played for Rex Ryan for three years and is one of the league’s most underrated safeties. He is an above average, run defending safety and is also heady and instinctive in pass coverage. He is coming off a 111 tackle season. He seems like a guy who already knows the Ryan defense and could come in and be a defensive force in the secondary from day one.
1. Abram Elam, SS, Browns, 29
It’s simple. Elam just makes sense in every way imaginable. He played in Dallas in the 2006 season. He played for Rob Ryan for the last two years, recording 170 tackles. He is not a highly publicized free agent who can be signed for cheap. He is a do-it-all safety who amassed 79 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions in 2010. When I look at him objectively, I see little to no reason not to sign him.
click on link or read it here:
It’s almost here. Free agency is right around the corner. Everyone has their wish lists ready and their hopes high. Unfortunately, as more and more information comes out concerning the collective bargaining agreement, the salary cap, and the free agency structure, those wish lists must be reevaluated to fit the new parameters of the NFL. Instead of looking at the expensive, flashy free agents, now it makes more sense to look at the underpublicized, low-cost free agents who would gel nicely with the surrounding players. Considering the very tight budget that the Boys have to work with, it only makes sense that the bulk, if not all, of the free agent signings will be on the defensive side of the ball. This list excludes players such as defensive tackle Haloti Ngata for two reasons. The first reason is that he has already received the franchise tag and the second is that he’s an absolute pipe dream. The players on this list either have ties to the Cowboys or the Ryan defense, or fit the more difficult 3-4 mold.
10. Gerard Warren, DT, Patriots, 32
Warren is a big 3-4 nose tackle who can rush the passer. The Boys are lacking depth behind pro bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff. Warren tied Ratliff with 3.5 sacks in 2010. Gerard Warren is an underrated free agent who played for Rob Ryan for two years from 2007 to 2008. He had success in that defense and would be a veteran, Rob Ryan presence in this defense.
9. Shaun Ellis, DE, Jets, 34
The Jets will have a hard time resigning Ellis with players such as Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, and Antonio Cromartie no longer under contract. Ellis is a historically consistent pass rusher from the defensive end position. Even as a 3-4 end in a Ryan-family defense over the last two years, Ellis still continued to produce. He has recorded 11 sacks over the last two years. The Boys’ defensive ends recorded 2.5 sacks as a unit last season.
8. Remi Ayodele, DT, Saints, 28
Ayodele was on the Cowboys roster from 2006 to 2007, but never saw significant playing time. He has dramatically improved in New Orleans and is now a 16 game starter. He would be a good compliment to Jay Ratliff. Ayodele, the brother of former Cowboys linebacker Akin Ayodele, is a good run stuffer and is versatile enough to slide outside.
7. Trevor Pryce, DE, Jets, 35
Pryce has played in the Ryan-family defense since 2006. He has had a good career to this point, recording 91 career sacks. Over the last few seasons, he has faced many injuries that limited his playing time. If the Boys take a low risk, high reward chance on Pryce, he could be a big piece of the defensive unit for a year or two.
6. Cullen Jenkins, DE, Packers, 30
Jenkins has thrived since playing in Don Capers’s 3-4 Packer defense. He is unlikely to return and he would be a force on the Cowboys defensive line. He plays defensive end but has the versatility to play anywhere on the line and still get pressure on the passer. Jenkins has respect for the organization and recently hosted a top 100 bonus special on quarterback Tony Romo.
5. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders, 29
Asomugha would probably be number one on this list if it weren’t for the incredible amount of money that he would cost. Asomugha became the shutdown corner that he is while under the instruction of Rob Ryan. Asomugha is unique in that he doesn’t fit a certain defensive system, rather a defensive system must conform to his abilities. If Asomugha played on a team such as the Bears who play a cover two defense, I guarantee you that they would start playing a lot more man-to-man. Unfortunately, the money just doesn’t seem to be available to sign the best cornerback in football.
4. Brodney Pool, FS, Jets, 26
Pool played for both Rob and Rex Ryan in the last two years. He is young at only 27 but has been playing for six years. He is entering his prime and is one of the most complete safeties on the market. He plays the run well and is also good against the pass. He has the ability to play either free or strong safety. With his experience in the Ryan defense and his good size and talent, he could develop into a pro bowl type player.
3. Michael Huff, S, Radiers, 28
Huff is a player who has been discussed for months at this point. He has ties to Rob Ryan from his time in Oakland and is a local guy who played at Texas. This guy is already a pro bowl type, all-around player who has played both free and strong safety. He has expressed interest in coming to Dallas and the Raiders are likely going to let him walk. I personally love the idea of Huff in Dallas, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that Huff blossomed after Rob Ryan left and Huff was benched in Ryan’s last year in Oakland.
2. Dawan Landry, SS, Ravens, 28
Dawan Landry, the older brother of Redskins safety LaRon Landry, has been an overachiever from the moment he set foot in the NFL. He was drafted in the fifth round and made his impact felt with 5 interceptions and 3 sacks in 2006. Behind Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Landry is an absolute joy to watch in the Ravens defense. He played for Rex Ryan for three years and is one of the league’s most underrated safeties. He is an above average, run defending safety and is also heady and instinctive in pass coverage. He is coming off a 111 tackle season. He seems like a guy who already knows the Ryan defense and could come in and be a defensive force in the secondary from day one.
1. Abram Elam, SS, Browns, 29
It’s simple. Elam just makes sense in every way imaginable. He played in Dallas in the 2006 season. He played for Rob Ryan for the last two years, recording 170 tackles. He is not a highly publicized free agent who can be signed for cheap. He is a do-it-all safety who amassed 79 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions in 2010. When I look at him objectively, I see little to no reason not to sign him.
