Smart move by Ireland. He could have possibly left for more money in the offseason with no real talent coming up in the draft.
I like Fasano, as a #2 TE. We need that pass catching speed/size mismatch TE that we struggle so much to stop. Getting Fasano locked up is a good idea, and fairly cheap too. He will have to have a good year to see the second year of that extension.
The only big ones left without extensions are Ricky and Ronnie right? One reason could be them not wanting to give one an extension and not the other.
Gosh, you really got to think they can turn Roberto Wallace into that guy, don't you? I mean he's got the perfect size, speed combo to be a seambuster. I would use him in that capacity right now if it were up to me. I would motion him into the slot or just flat out stand him up as a TE. Sadly though, there aren't any TE's with any kind of speed in the draft. Wallace runs a 4.4 but may need more seasoning to catch balls in traffic.
Soliai and McDaniel both. Lock those guys up. McDaniel was a great acquisition and keeping Soliai despite his struggles was the right call. This regime has really built one hell of a defensive line.
Didn't even know McDaniel was a FA. We have a 7 man rotation with the defensive line. Amazing depth, really.
McDaniel was offered an extension in the off-season but turned it down, in favor of testing the market.
That seems like alot of cash to give to Fasano, maybe not next year, but 3.6 million in 2011? 7.75 for two years? I'm glad we've locked him up, because he's pretty useful to us, but I'd still like to see us get a more athletic, receiving TE as most others have mentioned here. Seems like alot of cash for a guy of his calibre. Hopefully we plan to use him more, he had a huge game Sunday, found alot of room over the middle and I'd love to see us take advantage of that more, if we do, hell yeah its worth it. Fasano is a pretty good blocker too, so like I said, I'm glad we've locked him up for a few more years, but was he worth that cash? As others have also stated, we need to get Soliai locked up too. He's improved a great deal.
I'm a big Fasano fan, and am verry happy with the extension. I believe him to be one of the top 3 blocking TE's in the game. Last year his position should have read TE/OL. He was targeted only 54 times with 34 catches, and an impressive 127 YAC. This season, he has been targeted 42 times with 25 catches, a more impressive 137 YAC, and tied for the TD lead with 3. Good Deal. Soliai should be next. Anyone see him absolutely CRUSH Young on the fumble? I recall my frustration in the off season when, one by one, the FA NT's were not able to be signed. Teams know their value, and it is increasing. I like McDaniel but, with Odrick and Merling coming back, not as big a need. I would add Thigpen to the mix. Don't know where we can find a better backup.
