Vern Carey is a fine Offensive linemen, he has played both Left Tackle and Right Tackle at a high level for us, he also has not missed a game in 4 years, meaning if we sign him we will see him playing 16 games for quite some time. That said, if we do not recontract him and try to draft a replacement, a bit of research on Offensive Tackles taken over the last 4 drafts reveals some surprises: In 2005 there were 6 Offensive tackles taken in the top 100 picks in 2006 there were 9, in 2007 there were 7 taken in the top 100 and in 2008, "the year of the tackle" there were only 9 taken in the first 100 picks. Of the 23 teams picking ahead of us (the Lions are incredibly unlikely to go OT at #1) 4 took Left Tackles last year, and 7 teams have Drafted Left Tackles who have played well in the last 4 years, and 3 teams have established, veteran Left Tackles already on their roster. 16 teams are "set" at Left Tackle, leaving with on on the bubble (Philadelphia) That leaves 8 teams who may be in the market for Left Tackles St Louis at #2 Bengals at #4 Oakland at #8 Jacksonville at #9 Lions with the #20 Philly at #21 Vikings at #23 New England at #24 The Rams will take the best LT available as Orlando Pace is at the end of the line. If we look at the Bengals, IMO it is doubtful they will go LT at #4, the Owners, the Browns, are notoriously cheap, and Marvin Lewis is on the Bubble. With the slotting of early #1 picks, it would make more sense to acquire a player who can provide more of a fast impact, they could go Moreno, or whichever running back they like the most. So we are looking at Oakland which is liable to do anything, from taking Eugene Monroe to taking Macklin, and Jacksonville...who did have Khaliff Barnes, who had a bad year last season, but Del Rio is on the bubble as well. Rather then going through the rest of the "possible" destinations for this years large crop of Left Tackles, suffice it to say, with 7 or possibly 8 top quality Lt prospects again this year, if we let Vern Carey walk, we can find a good prospect to replace him.
I think the key point is if we let him go to sign with someone else, that's one less tackle taken in the first round and a better tackle available during our first and second round picks.
Yeah I see what you guys are saying; but if we lose our RT that's another hole to fill. Sure get the picks that's awesome but what if that guard isn't there come the draft and we haven't picked one up via FA? suffer with no RT?
The 8 million Carey might ask for could be the difference between Derek Smith as our starting ILB and Karlos Dansby being signed.
Channing wanted upper tied ILB starter money, Vern C no one knows what he is asking for, but IIRC, he has a high powered agent type representing him. That could mean mid tier Left Tackle money...
Wouldn't this be assuminig the dolphins want Crowder and Ayodele as their starters this year? It could be the difference for Dansby, though.
We have plenty of cash. It's the worth of the player that decides all. I think they plan on keeping Carey so that they have free reign in selecting front seven players in the draft.I expect an interior linemen and two defensive front seven players as well as a safety to come about. Letting all of our players go puts us back and nothing else.
I agree w/you about losing everyone and it putting us back, Jaj. I just don't see the FO spending money they feel a player doesn't deserve, either.
