Skill Position Talent on Display in Divisional Round

If your team is in need of an upgrade at one of the offensive skill positions, it should pay close attention to what happens this weekend in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Several talented playmakers with expiring contracts will take the field in what could amount to a final high-stakes audition.

Need a running back? DeMarco Murray (Cowboys), Shane Vereen (Patriots) and Justin Forsett (Ravens) are all set to become unrestricted free agents. How about receiving help? Demaryius Thomas (Broncos), Dez Brant (Cowboys) and Randall Cobb (Packers) are some of the best in the game. There are some free-agents-to-be at tight end, as well, including Julius Thomas (Broncos), Owen Daniels (Ravens) and Ed Dickson (Panthers).

It is unusual for so many high end players to get so tantalizingly close to the open market. It runs contrary to how most league insiders tend to view free agency. It reminds me of a quote from Bill Polian, former general manager of the Bills, Panthers and Colts: “Free agency is an overpayment situation. The best players are already signed. These are ‘B’ players whose agents are looking for ‘A’ money. That is not the best of buys.”

That is what makes this situation unique. There are a lot of ‘A’ players taking the field this weekend who are just a loss away from starting the offseason and the countdown to unrestricted free agency.

Without a doubt, some of these marquee players will return to their current teams. Others, though, are about to cash in elsewhere. The Cowboys and Broncos, both of whom have two dominant offensive skill players to worry about, will be hard pressed to avoid a devastating defection.

What happens on the field this weekend will play a factor, too. Teams that disappoint in the playoffs are typically less willing to break the bank to retain their own players. On the flip side, teams that advance all the way to the Super Bowl often see their free agents attract offers far above market value.

So, if you are a team that needs to upgrade your offensive skill positions (are you paying attention, Jacksonville?) you need to pay close attention to what happens today and tomorrow. The best of the best available will be showcasing their skills … and they are competing for more than a Lombardi Trophy.

Hughes Eyes Dollars, Not Discounts

Buffalo defensive end Jerry Hughes, coming off a second straight 10-sack season, is ready to dive into free agency. The Bills would love to keep him off the open market, but it won’t be cheap.

“I’ve never heard of a [hometown discount],” Hughes said last week. “That’s a nice little deal to throw out there, but yeah, I’ve never heard of a hometown discount in the business world.”

While Hughes is unfamiliar with hometown discounts, he may need to get familiar with the concept of a franchise tag. That is one of the options the Bills have for keeping Hughes in place on a defensive line that features three Pro Bowlers (Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus). The franchise tag for defensive ends last season was $13.116 million.

If the Bills have legitimate hopes of locking up Hughes with a long-term deal, it’s going to take a five-year commitment in the area of $50 million. Last offseason, Minnesota signed Everson Griffen to a five-year, $42.5 million deal ($19.8 million guaranteed) and Tampa Bay inked Michael Johnson to a five-year, $43.75 million contract ($18 million guaranteed). Both those players averaged about seven sacks per season in the two years before they hit the open market.

Hughes has 20 sacks over the last two seasons, so he will cost a little more. Also, Hughes’ agent (Ben Dogra) is not exactly known for leaving money on the table. Nonetheless, Buffalo GM Doug Whaley seems undeterred in his quest to keep his high-powered defensive line in tact.

“We’ll do everything we can to keep him,” Whaley said.

If the money is equal, Hughes would prefer to stay in Buffalo. Sharing a defensive line with three Pro Bowlers provides him with some favorable match-ups. Also, the Bills are the ones who rescued him from a bad situation in Indianapolis, where he was drafted in the first round in 2010. Hughes had just five sacks in three seasons with the Colts and was widely considered a massive bust during his time there.

If Hughes makes it to the open market, the Giants, Panthers, Titans and Raiders are expected to be among the teams competing for his services.

Clary’s Quiet Exit

Chargers offensive lineman Jeromey Clary officially announced his retirement this week, ending his career after nine years and over 100 games played (including 93 starts). He goes out in one of the most gratifying — and ironic — ways possible.

Clary, who spent his first seven seasons at right tackle, was the favorite scapegoat of Bolts backers for years. He lacked the foot speed to keep up with speed rushers off the edge, leading Chargers fans to clamor for him to be replaced every offseason. But those inside the locker room — and those who examine game film for a living — refused to give up on the 2006 sixth-round pick.

Things changed in 2013 when the Chargers drafted D.J. Fluker in the first round, forcing Clary to move inside to right guard. Clary exceeded expectations at his new position and proved invaluable to Fluker, who benefited greatly from playing alongside the knowledgeable and versatile veteran.

Clary’s best season was also his last. A pair of hip injuries forced him to miss San Diego’s Divisional Round loss in Denver last season and kept him off the field all of this season, as well. In fact, the last snap he ever played was Ronnie Brown’s 58-yard touchdown run to seal San Diego’s win over Cincinnati in the opening round of last season’s playoffs.

“Honestly, it has been a long time coming now with the two hip injuries,” Clary said.  “San Diego was a great place to play, and I couldn’t have asked for a better organization to play for.  All the coaches and all the players I was with, and the friendships I’ve built … I’m honored to have played for an organization like this.  It means the world to me.  I’ve processed this decision a lot and gone through it a lot, and to be honest with you, I’m really excited about the future. I look forward to getting back to Texas and being around my family.”

The Chargers struggled to run the ball this season without Clary, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry (second worst in the NFL). Now, the team heads into the offseason looking for a another gritty offensive lineman who can spark the running game and provide some positional versatility. Basically, another Jeromey Clary.

Oh, the irony.

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