Draft Rivals: Could we see Ware and Merriman together on the same team?

I'm not going to bury us only 2 games in.  I think there is a 50/50 chance we could turn this thing around.  However, a desperate Jerry will be like a kid in a candy store in the uncapped year.   Next offseason Jerry could easily rebuild this team to a contender, especially with the FA's available.

Here are a the premium FA's I think will be available.

Nose Tackles:

Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots (27)
According to the latest from inside the Patriots organization, the team is working everyday on trying to get a new deal done for NT Vince Wilfork. For five seasons since the Patriots drafted him 21st overall, Wilfork has been consistently dominant as the anchor of the Patriots 3 man front. The team appears to have placed a higher priority in getting him under a long-term contract than fellow linemen Richard Seymour who is a couple years older. Barring a complete misfortune, Wilfork will be on the Patriots for several years longer.

[I'm not so sure with them drafting Ron Brace]

Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh Steelers (31)
Hampton has been the nose of the Steelers 3-4 defense, but his age in addition to his workout regimen could scare the Steelers from jumping into contract negotiations right away. Though Hampton came into camp in shape this year, he’s been known to show up out of shape in the past. Still, the Steelers have had great success with the 4-time Pro Bowler at the heart of their tenacious D. The Steelers will look into re-signing Hampton, but probably not until after they’ve locked up a couple other key players.

Ryan Pickett, Green Bay Packers (29)
After a disappointing tenure in St. Louis where he was a first round selection, Pickett came to Green Bay as a free agent in 2006 and has turned around his career. Through his first two seasons in Green Bay, he was a dominant run-stopper that often commanded the attention of a double team. Last year, Pickett, without a heavy rotation on the D-Line, became easily gassed and very blockable. With the Packers moving to a 3-4 defense, he’ll start at the crucial NT position where he can become a 2 down player once again. The impact of first round draft pick B.J. Raji will also play a factor in Ted Thompson’s decision to re-sign Pickett.

Tank Tyler, Kansas City Chiefs (24)

 

Linebackers:

 

Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers (29)
Peppers made it blatantly obvious that he wanted to be traded from the organization that placed the franchise tag on him and waited until the last minute to sign his tender. The Panthers could very well have the same plan of action next season where he’d get an even larger increase the $16.683 million Peppers is slated to earn this year. While Peppers maintains that he has no rift with the organization, I’d be shocked if we don’t go through the same ordeal next offseason. Peppers will mostly likely be available, but at a very steep price.

Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers (25)
Had it not been for the injury that forced him out for the entire 2008 season, Merriman would have likely already signed an extension with the team or been on verge of doing so. Now the Chargers will have to wait to see how Merriman plays on surgically-repaired knee before putting an offer on the table. If he returns to be even 75% of the player he was prior to the surgery, he’ll get a lucrative extension, most likely incentive-based, even with Chargers spending a 1st round selection on OLB Larry English.

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans (25)
Ryans has been a stalwart for the Texans, displaying consistency from game-to-game and year-to-year. Under new defensive coordinator Frank Bush, the team has been experimenting with more pressure. Look for Ryans to return to rookie numbers where he recorded 3.5 sacks and up his quarterback pressures. At the beginning of training camp, Ryans stated his displeasure with the team for not rewarding his consistent play with a new contract, something the Texans failed to do with cornerback Dunta Robinson as well. Ryans would like a long-term contract with the Texans, but if the two sides can’t reach a deal, there’s a good chance he would be willing to accept a deal elsewhere.

 

Defensive backs:

O.J. Atogwe, St. Louis Rams (28)
Atogwe, the Rams designated franchise player, has quietly become one of the league’s most underrated players. Over the past 3 years, he’s recorded an average of nearly 80 tackles, 9 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions. As one of the few bright spots on the Rams’ defense, Atogwe should sign a long-term extension with the team at the end of the season.

Nick Collins, Green Bay Packers (26)
After seeing teammate Greg Jennings handsomely rewarded this offseason, Collins missed most of voluntary workouts, partially as a protest to not receiving one himself. In 2008, Nick Collins emerged out of several seasons of mediocrity to become a safety net and playmaker in the secondary. He tied Charles Woodson for a Packers-high 7 interceptions, nearly doubling his career total. If he can string together a couple great games out of the stretch and prove 2008 wasn’t a fluke, the Packers may consider rewarding him with a lucrative in-season extension of his own.

Antoine Bethea, Indianapolis Colts (25)
While Bob Sanders is credited with being the heart of the defense, Antoine Bethea is every bit as talented and coming close to reaching that level. A 2007 Pro Bowl selection, Bethea wants nothing more than to start all 16 games again this season and continue to elevate his performance, striving to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the game’s best safeties. The Colts may have a tough decision between re-signing Jackson and Bethea if they can’t get either for a bargain.

Dunta Robinson, Houston Texans (27)
After long-term contract negotiations stalled, the Texans placed the franchise tag on Robinson, who has yet to sign and report to camp. Robinson returned to form late last season from a knee injury that cost him 7 games in 2007 and 5 more in 2008. Recently, he stated that he would be in camp if Texans promised him that they would not place the tag on him again next offseason, something the team is reluctant to give. Robinson will return to the team in time for the Texans’ first regular season game, regardless of how the episode plays out, but it’ll be interesting to see how the situation unfolds again next offseason.

 

Wide receivers:

Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos (25)
The Broncos’ troubled receiver has already made it known that he’s no longer happy in Denver. He’s not holding out, but don’t be surprised if the two sides part ways next offseason. The team will probably try to get something in return for their star receiver (tag and trade?), but his off-field issues may limit his value. Marshall has a pending misdemeanor battery trail coming up shortly, which could significantly change the risk/reward scenarios that teams will play through before deciding whether or not Marshall would be good for them. If his production takes a dip without Jay Cutler, Marshall may yet again not get a contract indicative of his talent and back-to-back 100-reception seasons.

Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28)
Bryant turned heads last year when he put up career highs in receptions (83), yards (1248), and touchdowns (7). With a quarterback competition brewing and the acquisition of Kellen Winslow, Bryant may have some difficulties repeating his numbers. In free agency this could pose a problem for the Buccaneers if they can’t reach a fair deal, a year after slapping the franchise tag on him. If Bryant tests the waters, he’d be doing so alongside a potentially strong crop of receivers, which could limit his options.

rest here