A few years ago the New England Patriots identified a restricted free agent they truly liked -- thanks to a recommendation from a friend of Bill Belichick named Nick Saban -- and they went after the player.
No, they didn't end up signing Wes Welker as a restricted free agent. But they did work out a trade for him with the Miami Dolphins.
That was 2007. Restricted free agency has seen precious few players changing teams since then despite the success Welker has had with New England. The fact is as draft picks have become more valuable (based on the fact rookies now make less) fewer teams are willing to give draft pick compensation for players that will also come with new contracts.
Nonetheless, the NFL Players Association collects the list of players that do not have four years in the league but are out of contract as restricted free agents.
Here is that list:
TEAM PLAYER NAME POSITION ACCRUED (includes 2012 season)
AF Palmer, Michael TE 3
AF Smith, Antone RB 3
BB Brown, Colin OL 3
BB Jones, Donald WR 3
BB Nelson, David WR 3
BR Cox, Morgan OL 3
BR Dickson, Ed TE 3
BR Harewood, Ramon OL 3
BR Jones, Art DT 3
BR Pitta, Dennis TE 3
BR Reed, Brandon WR 3
CHB Collins, Nate DT 3
CLB Ogbonnaya, Chris RB 3
CLB Williams, Eddie RB 3
CNB Miles, Jeromy S 3
CNB Quinn, Richard TE 3
CP Neblett, Andre DT 3
CP Ness, Nate S 3
DB Ball, Lance RB 3
DB Clark, Chris OL 3
DB Colquitt, Britton P/K 3
DB Gronkowski, Chris RB 3
DC Costa, Phil OL 3
DC McCray, Danny S 3
DL Fox, Jason OL 3
DL Spievey, Amari S 3
DL Young, Willie DE 3
GBP Crabtree, Tom TE 3
GBP Dietrich-Smith, Evan OL 3
GBP Francois, Rob LB 3
GBP Shields, Sam CB 3
GBP Zombo, Frank LB 3
HT Gardner, Andrew OL 3
IC Edds, A.J. LB 3
IC Linkenbach, Jeff OL 3
IC Olsen, Seth OL 3
IC Vaughn, Cassius CB 3
JJ Bolen, Brock RB 3
JJ Bosworth, Kyle LB 3
JJ Estes, John OL 3
JJ Potter, Zach TE 3
JJ Selvie, George DE 3
JJ Shipley, Jordan WR 3
KCC Rucker, Martin TE 3
MD Amaya, Jonathon S 3
MD Mastrud, Jeron TE 3
MD McCann, Bryan CB 3
MD Moore, Marlon WR 3
MD Spitler, Austin LB 3
MV Jefferson, A.J. CB 3
MV Kropog, Troy OL 3
NEP Fletcher, Dane LB 3
NEP Hoomanawanui, Michael TE 3
NOS De La Puente, Brian OL 3
NOS Drescher, Justin OL 3
NOS Galette, Junior DE 3
NOS Ivory, Chris RB 3
NYG Brown, Andre RB 3
NYG Brown, Stevie S 3
NYG Cruz, Victor WR 3
NYG Pascoe, Bear TE 3
NYG Torain, Ryan RB 3
NYJ Cumberland, Jeff TE 3
NYJ Howard, Austin OL 3
NYJ Mauga, Joshua LB 3
NYJ Purdum, Tanner OL 3
OR Adams, Phillip CB 3
PE Anderson, Colt S 3
PS Dwyer, Jonathan RB 3
PS Kapinos, Jeremy P/K 3
PS McLendon, Steve DT 3
PS Redman, Isaac RB 3
PS Sanders, Emmanuel WR 3
PS Sylvester, Stevenson LB 3
SDC Ajirotutu, Seyi WR 3
SDC Alexander, Danario WR 3
SDC Brinkley, Curtis RB 3
SDC Windt, Mike OL 3
SF Brock, Tramaine CB 3
SF McBath, Darcel CB 3
SLR Cole, Justin LB 3
SLR Cudjo, Jermelle DT 3
SLR Stewart, Darian S 3
SS Butler, Deon WR 3
SS Gresham, Clint OL 3
SS Maragos, Chris S 3
SS McDonald, Clinton DE 3
TBB Blount, LeGarrette RB 3
TBB Cutrera, Jacob LB 3
TBB Te'o-Nesheim, Daniel DE 3
TT Velasco, Fernando OL 3
WR Baker, Chris DT 3
WR Banks, Brandon WR 3
WR Jackson, Rob DE 3
WR Paulsen, Logan TE 3
WR Sundberg, Nick OL 3
WR Young, Darrel RB 3
The last thing the team wants to do is let people know who they are targeting, that would only drive the price up.
Some of you don't know economics 101.
Posted by: Bons | February 01, 2013 at 09:08 PM
Ross was too cheap to pay Matt Flynn or we would've been in the playoffs for sure.
Posted by: Zonk | February 01, 2013 at 09:09 PM
Zonkscum,
When are you going to come up with a new line? Are you too busy working on your GED? LOL.
Posted by: Scotty | February 01, 2013 at 09:12 PM
There are no Secrets anymore.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 01, 2013 at 09:13 PM
I SEE THE FILTHY MOUTH ODIN IS HERE.
ODIN ASK AMANDO TO SAY IAM NOT FLIPPER BREED,QUIT DRUNKING SO MUCH DURING THE DAY,HAVE SHAME LIKE THE GRAET POSTER PHIN78 WHO MADE PEACE WITH FLIPPER YESTERDAY./
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)
Posted by: ALoco | February 01, 2013 at 09:14 PM
Odindouche, say hi to Dashi for us.
Posted by: The Blog | February 01, 2013 at 09:17 PM
It aint a secret dude. There are three so called top recievers on the market and somebody's gonna give the money.
Vincent Jackson got 55 million last year. I'm not saying anything is going to happen. I know better than to make predictions, I've been watching football for 35 years.
I'm just speculating like everyone else as to who we may be rooting for year.
None of us are gonna win any awards for being right.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 09:17 PM
that was fake alOCO @ 9;14 PM....
TO BE
OR
NOT
TO
BE...
LIFE IS SHORT ..
Posted by: ALoco | February 01, 2013 at 09:17 PM
Armando is the most naive of all. He takes the bait hook line and sinker and broadcasts it to the world. Oh the FO loves Armando for his gullible stupidity.
Posted by: Bons | February 01, 2013 at 09:19 PM
Heres waht wouldn't surpise me with Greg Jennings. The Dolphins offer him a 4 year 34 million dollar deal.
GB counters with a 5 yr 40 million dollar deal and he resigns with the Pack.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 09:31 PM
I SEE ARMADO IS NOW IMPERSONATING ME,NO HONOR////
ODIN DO YOU APOGIZE LIKE THE GREAT PHIN78 WHO MADE PEACE WTH YG LAST NIGHT R ARE YOU GONNA BE A BROWN DONKY???????
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)
Posted by: ALoco | February 01, 2013 at 09:31 PM
Rick you make no sense. Who the hell is giving a 5 yr deal to a 30 yo receiver? Nobody, He is no Rice or Moss.
Posted by: Bons | February 01, 2013 at 09:35 PM
Jennings has already began his acting career....that tells you where his head is at.
Posted by: Bons | February 01, 2013 at 09:38 PM
Bons,
I like you have no clue what Jennings or anybody else will be signed for. I was just speculating based on the few tidbits of info that are out there.
I usually don't get into debates but it seemed like you were getting personal so i felt compelled to argue.
Btw, when you say economics 101 do you really mean Ireland economics. I mean I get the dude needs to have a poker face but sometimes you have to take calculated risk. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
I mean if expect to pay every player their exact "market value" you could end up 7-9 and watching the risk takers in the playoffs.
Haley to Dallas-good risk
White to GB-good risk
Haynesworth to the skins-we know how that worked out, but the Redskins kept plugging away and if RG3 makes it back to the field the may finally be there.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 09:58 PM
I agree with Bons.
I'd like to see Ireland use his ammunition for serious fresh talent. Trade up to get Warmack and Patterson. Try to get Wallace if the price is not ridiiculous.
Posted by: Senso | February 01, 2013 at 10:03 PM
Guys, I think Jennings is just over the curve now. We are trying to develop a team for the future. Let's spend the money wisely and invest in those who will be contribuiting in the future, and not declining.
Posted by: Senso | February 01, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Remember how Ireland was bringing in every retread from his former team Dallas? If the Flynn ordeal is any indication, Ireland in conjuction with Philbin is not going to bring in whoever just because they are from GB. They proved that with Flynn. So I see this as a good sign that they are valuing the circumstances over nepotism.
Posted by: Senso | February 01, 2013 at 10:21 PM
Again I'm not saying Jenning, Bowe, Wallace or anyone else would be the perfect guy.
It's not like I'm hanging out at the local Beef O Bradys with Ol Joe and the Shermster chatting about who we like.
I'm just saying that if they think that Jennings or anyone else is the cog thats going to make their offense go,they may well splurge and make it happen.
There is or at least there should be a sense of urgency here.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 10:22 PM
I'd rather offer big bucks to Flacco then to any WR.
Posted by: Monte | February 01, 2013 at 10:24 PM
If Ireland uses his ammunition, y'all better duck. Dude can't shoot straight. Guaranteed to lose at least two FAs he wants, and three that we want.
No decent FA will come here unless there's tangible overpay in the guaranteed money.
We are still viewed as a joke, bogus franchise by the majority of the league's players.
Sad but true.
Thanks, Tuna!
Posted by: DR. Bateswood, LLC | February 01, 2013 at 10:25 PM
Btw bons,
Vincent Jackson signed by the Bucs last year 5 yrs 55 million. Turned 30 last month.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 10:26 PM
I'd rather offer big bucks to Flacco then to any WR.
Posted by: Monte | February 01, 2013 at 10:24 PM
Thats just straight up dreaming Monte. Flacco aint riding the pine and Dolphins wouldn't admit they made a mistake on Tannehill that soon.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 10:33 PM
Rick,
How do you compare Vincent Jackson with Jennings??? C'mon man....VJ is a freak of an athlete way better than Jennings. Get real.
Posted by: Bons | February 01, 2013 at 10:34 PM
Tanne will be better than Flacco who is only a pocket passer. We see the trend...Newton, RG3, Kaepernick, WIlson...and yes Tanne...QB's that can play the pocket and throw well but are a serious threat to run. Vick was never the passing threat that these QB's are. It is a different time now.
Posted by: Senso | February 01, 2013 at 10:38 PM
Tanny will never be near as good as Flacco. Maybe he'll develop into a Henne.
Posted by: GetSense | February 01, 2013 at 10:44 PM
Bons,
I agree with you Jackson. He is more athletic than Jennings.
But you said "Rick you make no sense. Who the hell is giving a 5 yr deal to a 30 yo receiver? Nobody"
I guess we can quibble over a year. Jackson was 29.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 10:48 PM
Speaking of the Bucs...good grief the just hired Wanny as their special teams coach.
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | February 01, 2013 at 10:51 PM
How Many Of Those Guys On The List Are Going to Be Free Agents?
---------------------------------------------------------
YG,
Clown!
You Have Been Calling For Odin! The Last 2 Days!! He Shows Up! And You Run And Hide!!
Give It A Break!! FOOL!!
Plus!! How Many Times Does Dashi Have To Tell You!!
Dashi is Dashi!! Nobody Else!!
First And Last Post Today!!
Posted by: Dashi | February 01, 2013 at 11:02 PM
Dashi and Odin make me want to throw up with their stupid annoying posts. What derelicts.
Posted by: Barf Bag | February 01, 2013 at 11:19 PM
I really like Sam Shields and think he has the "it" factor to be a starting CB in the league and be quite good as well. What would it take (draft pick wise) to pull him from GB to the Dolphins? Does it depend on what tag they put on him?
Posted by: 305phinphan | February 01, 2013 at 11:34 PM
Re Marino....It is a man's job to populate the earth, it is a woman's job to find the strongest male to ensure her seed survives! It is nature! If a man has sex with 3 different women a day for a year, he can populate a town or a small city. One woman, on the other hand could only provide one child per 9 months, if she and the child survive. So it is a man's duty to impregnate as many females as possible during his lifetime to ensure the survival of the species!! Dan's da man!!
Posted by: redsky | February 02, 2013 at 12:55 AM
So guys, I'm not advocating infidelity, but both sexes are guilty of it, and, for you married guys out there, more women cheat on their husbands than the other way around.....AND....they get away with it because they are endowed with better speaking ability than we are....yes, they can lie better and we want to believe them, so there you go. Where women are programmed not to believe anything we say, we men want to believe anything they say. So we're even....actually, women have the advantage....
Posted by: redsky | February 02, 2013 at 01:21 AM
Barf bag, all the bloggers that have been here, like ALOCO, Odin, Darryl Dunphy, Cuban Menace, YG, myself and others... have tenure! We've been suffering and discussing the Phins for years! What do you bring to the table? You ain't sprouted pubic hairs on this site yet. Come back when you're a man!
Posted by: redsky | February 02, 2013 at 01:32 AM
I RATHER HAVE VICTOR CRUZ THAN MIKE WALLACE.
I WOULD PERFER BOTH.
GET RID OF HARTLINE.
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | February 02, 2013 at 01:59 AM
Justin credible, I understand your thought process. I'd agree if we acquire the right personnel.
Posted by: redsky | February 02, 2013 at 02:57 AM
GET FLACCO OR BUST
Posted by: INCREDIBLE | February 02, 2013 at 04:02 AM
I don't know most of the fukkkers on that list.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 02, 2013 at 04:46 AM
I have to go to work Today.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 02, 2013 at 04:48 AM
I have to go and make the Coffee.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 02, 2013 at 04:49 AM
moisture.
Posted by: petrograd | February 02, 2013 at 06:50 AM
MY FREE AGENTS I WILL GO FOR IN THIS ORDER
WR- VICTOR CRUZ
TE-ED DICKSON OR DENNIS PITTA ALSO LIKE TE- WALKER FROM S.F
WR-MIKE WALLACE
TAG LONG.
KEEP STARKS AND LET GO SOLIAI.
KEEP CB SMITH AND SIGN CB ROGERS-CROwhatever.
IF THIS HAPPENS THEN DRAFT WOMACK TO SURE UP THE LINE FOR YEARS TO COME.
2nd round S ELAM FROM FLORIDA. SOMEBODY UP HERE SAID HIS NAME(SORRY I CAN't REMEMBER WHO)
HOWEVER HE LOOKS REALLY NICE IN HIS HIGHLIGHTS.
PLEASE KEEP GIVING ME NAMES TO YOUTUBE FROM THE DRAFTEES.
YOU MUST AGREE THIS WOULD BE A NICE TEAM.
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | February 02, 2013 at 07:28 AM
ARMANDO:
R U TAKING NAMES OFF THE LIST?
THERE's A FEW I DON't SEE ANYMORE
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | February 02, 2013 at 07:31 AM
OHHH.
RESTRICTED..
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | February 02, 2013 at 07:36 AM
Restricted means your going to make a trade costing you draft pick(s) AND...a big contract. The reason why most of these restricted guys hardly ever move in FA.
Posted by: dadsmithwest | February 02, 2013 at 07:40 AM
Just sign Jennings and Dustin Keller then go about drafting
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 07:48 AM
All we need is love baby
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 07:50 AM
If we could trade back 10 spots we could pick up another 2nd rounder and maybe a 4 th rounder and still get a top receiver then my friends we are really on our way
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 07:52 AM
I would love to see us pick up the honey badger at some point he is clearly a playmaker
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 07:55 AM
The draft process is so fluid it's impossible to predict anything but I did predict our last 2 first round picks but this year forget about it.i do like Cordadelle Patterson WR TENN?
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 07:59 AM
I really like Brian hartline but not for 6 mill. A year no way Jose
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 08:00 AM
Watching highlights of niners bengals Super Bowl and ya know what I see a true west coast offense and you know what it's a balanced attack run and pass exactly like ours it's a matchup offense always looking for a mismatch very hard to defend
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 08:12 AM
The biggest reason I can find that the Dolphins should sign most of their 2012 FAs back is the cost of acquiring new blood. It's not that the new guys MUST be pricey but that most will want their new contract with the Dolphins to reflect a decent raise. And it's likely that the better the player, the bigger the contract desired (acorns, anyone?). If no starting UFAs for the Dolphins are signed, the team will lose OT, WR, CB, DT, TE, RB, S and decent backups for QB, DT and OL. How many players can be replaced and the team expected to be competitive next year?
$76M - 40 players currently under contract
$8M - Draft: 9 rookie signings
$6M - held in reserve for season 2013
-----------------------------------------------------
$90M - Total accounted for out of $127M 2013 salary cap - 49 players signed incl rookies
Take a look at the prices for OT, WR, CB (Data from Spotrac):
(had to break up into 2 posts)
Posted by: billcale | February 02, 2013 at 08:25 AM
***Avg 2012 Cap hit for the 10 best paid tackles = $9.4M
Trent Williams -$14,000,000 Redskins
Joe Thomas -$12,960,000 Browns
Jake Long -$12,800,000 Dolphins
Jordan Gross -$11,500,000 Panthers
Jason Peters -$7,900,000 Eagles
Andre Smith -$7,513,333 Bengals
Michael Roos -$7,250,000 Titans
Andrew Whitworth -$6,750,000 Bengals
Jermon Bushrod -$6,750,000Saints
Donald Penn -$6,433,333Bucs
Posted by: billcale | February 02, 2013 at 08:27 AM
***Avg 2012 Cap hit for the 10 best paid WRs = $10.2M
Vincent Jackson -$15,432,000 Bucs
Larry Fitzgerald -$13,250,000 Cardinals
Calvin Johnson -$11,531,946 Lions
Dwayne Bowe -$9,515,000 Chiefs
Wes Welker -$9,515,000 Patriots
Brandon Marshall -$9,500,000 Bears
Santonio Holmes -$9,250,000 Jets
Roddy White -$8,225,000 Falcons
Sidney Rice -$8,200,000 Seahawks
Darrius Heyward-Bey -$8,159,000 Raiders
Posted by: billcale | February 02, 2013 at 08:29 AM
***Avg 2012 Cap hit for the 10 best paid CBs = $10.0M
Champ Bailey -$11,750,000 Denver
Darrelle Revis -$11,503,621 Jets
Nnamdi Asomugha -$11,000,000 Eagles
Brent Grimes -$10,281,000 Falcons
DeAngelo Hall -$9,800,000 Redskins
Chris Gamble -$9,750,000 Panthers
Johnathan Joseph -$9,750,000 Texans
Corey Webster -$9,475,000 Giants
Leon Hall -$8,500,000 Bengals
Antonio Cromartie -$8,250,000 Jets
Posted by: billcale | February 02, 2013 at 08:30 AM
The thing about FA is you are going to pay for these guys or someone else will. This is a competition for them and they won't come cheap. I see Hartline being worth 6 mil compared to the guys on that list. I was surprised to see Jennings make an appearance on the Finsiders...that guy wants to be here.
Posted by: dadsmithwest | February 02, 2013 at 08:38 AM
Paying 8,000,000 for SS and Hartline each will be stiff ones to take.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 02, 2013 at 08:39 AM
Yeah, I would like Jennings here but he's also gonna ask for 8 mill.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 02, 2013 at 08:48 AM
That's why you draft new players don't overpay for shity players
Posted by: Nj | February 02, 2013 at 08:50 AM
Throwing millions around, that's 20 mill right there in signing 3 Players. Uff!
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 02, 2013 at 08:50 AM