I wasn't finding fault with your draft or some other moves. All I was saying is you didn't address what we do with the best player we've had in 40 years (if not ever), who is a FA after this season. Also I don't consider acquiring Alex Smith unreasonable; I just don't like the move because I don't think much of him. I don't know how likely it is, with him coming off his best season, that he's going to sign a friendly deal with the Jets that is low on guarantees and heavy on incentives anyway.
Revis and our QB situation are the 2 biggest moves so I commented on those 2 things. Plus I thought - and still think - Cromartie's trade value is higher than you laid out.
I don't disagree this will be a tough off-season. But because someone else hasn't done a lengthy, full off-season mock of the entire roster and draft at the same time you did doesn't mean that people have to keep quiet until they do.
No reason to be defensive, just stated out the fact that this will be a tough-off-season. Not in any way or form was I trying to place a padlock on anyone's mouth. I just ask you a simple question that I will ask again to see where your coming from.
Q: What would be your solution on freeing up cap space for our cap strap team?
Q: What team does Cro fit into interms of style, salary and you see willing to give up an early second for?
As for your question regarding the plan with Revis and trading Cro was answered in the thread.
My solution is not a popular one, since my priority is to be a contender again by 2014, not bleed but bleed more slowly in 2013.
Trade Revis even though he's the best CB I ever saw, unless he can be locked up for just-above Cromartie money (which won't happen). Also wouldn't happen because I wouldn't allow a front-heavy contract with him or he'll just hold out again after the guaranteed money is over. The only way to re-sign him is what we're doing now: put out feelers and let him find out no one wants to guarantee him that much money. If they are willing to, good for him. Trading him not only nets us a 1st (at a minimum) for a player we can't or won't lock up, it also leaves us free and clear of him for 2014. Keep in mind there's some $12M he's already pocketed that hasn't hit any prior salary caps. So keeping him one more year leaves us not only with no compensation for him but on top of that makes a $9M hole in our 2014 cap. I've outlined this and more in other threads, but the basic gist is that the only thing worse than losing Revis is losing him, getting nothing for him, and taking an almost 8-figure cap hit in 2014 when I hope we're a serious team again.
After that, I'd still entertain offers for Cromartie. I think your assessment of there being a lack of interest in a man corner is because there are so few of them that can do the job effectively with today's rules. It's an exercise in futility to try to cover receivers today - particularly the better ones - without someone like Cromartie or Revis. In other words, other than some exceptions where the DC is a true zone coverage guy (like Spag) no matter who is on his team, I'm sure many teams employ that coverage in the secondary due to the necessity for lack of having an adequate cover corner. There will be interest in Cromartie. If, after moving Revis, he only garners a very low 2 or a high 3, then I'd keep him and let his contract run out. Only reason I'd advocate moving him is because he only has 2 years left on his deal and for 1 of them there is a 0% chance of winning or competing for a SB. I'd like to be competitive (truly competitive) in '14 and Cromartie would help. But he'll be a UFA the year after that and in 2014 he'll be at an age (31) where locking him up beyond that becomes less likely to be a solid investment. But for a 3rd round pick, I'd keep Cromartie on the team for 1 year since it also comes with first-refusal rights beyond 2014.
Sanchez I would just dump now. I don't think it's likely to happen because of peripheral reasons - like Woody maybe not wanting to pay him $8M to play elsewhere with no salary offset - but that's what I'd do. Take the beating in '13 so we don't have a $5M hole in our '14 cap if he plays out '13 and is then cut (or if he's cut/traded after June 1). Get his sulky loser face out of the locker room.
Play wait-and-see with Holmes. Similar to Sanchez in the hit it would take to get rid of him now, but unlike Sanchez he actually has talent.
I would try to leave Harris alone. The only thing worse than his disgusting $13M cap figure is having it leak over into the following season. He's not the player he was, and he was never great enough to warrant a deal like he was handed anyway.
I have a meeting now but I'll write more later.
