Which FA WR would you rather have?

[Ray_Dogg]

In an ESPN.com Q & A, Adam Schefter mentioned the Vikings, 49ers, and Panthers as potential suitors if free agent Vincent Jackson makes it to the open market on March 13.
Schefter is plugged-in enough that he likely wouldn't have mentioned those teams without inside info. Schefter suspects Jackson's willingness to give the Chargers a "slight discount" gives them an edge over other teams at this point, but that could change quickly after March 13. We've heard the Vikings and 49ers mentioned in connection with V-Jax. The Panthers would be a new addition to the bidding for this year's top free agent wideout.
Related: Vikings, Panthers, 49ers
Source: ESPN Insider
Mar 5 - 12:56 PM

 

[BINGO]

In an ESPN.com Q & A, Adam Schefter mentioned the Vikings, 49ers, and Panthers as potential suitors if free agent Vincent Jackson makes it to the open market on March 13.
Schefter is plugged-in enough that he likely wouldn't have mentioned those teams without inside info. Schefter suspects Jackson's willingness to give the Chargers a "slight discount" gives them an edge over other teams at this point, but that could change quickly after March 13. We've heard the Vikings and 49ers mentioned in connection with V-Jax. The Panthers would be a new addition to the bidding for this year's top free agent wideout.
Related: Vikings, Panthers, 49ers
Source: ESPN Insider
Mar 5 - 12:56 PM

To think about it the change of scenery would be great for him if he ended playing in either of those 3 cities.

Minnesota = indoor weather. Some nice pieces on offense to complement his style of play. Ponder could develop. If he flops, you might end up playing with yet another hot franchise QB in Barkley in 2013.

San Francisco= One of the best teams in the league let alone the conference. You'd get constent 1-on-1 matchups because teams would still opt to try to shut down the run and dare Alex to pass. Playing with Crabtree and Davis helps in opening things up for you. And what player wouldn't love to play for Harbaugh?

Carolina = Playing with an up and coming team. Brings back memories when you and Rivers had your first initial breakout season. That experience was so fun, it's like reliving that joyous feeling. You and Cam can be the next big duo to hit the league.

 

[CalamityX11]

I wonder how interest Vjax is with the niners?

 

[NinerSickness]

I'm interested in all of it, but I think the 10 yard split is a huge deal.

The jumps show a lot for DE / OLB players too. It shows how much mpower they have coming out of their stances.

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Garcon and VJax make it to the market.

 

[CalamityX11]

Bowe is tagged.

 

[BINGO]

Latest V-Jax chatter
1:39 PM ET
Vincent Jackson | Chargers | Interested: Redskins?, Rams?, 49ers?, Patriots?, Vikings?, Bears?, Panthers?

UPDATE: ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter checked in with some buzz he's heard on potential free agent destinations for Vincent Jackson if and when the San Diego Chargers do not place the franchise tag on him. (Scroll down to find Schefter's remarks).

---
In recent remarks, Chargers GM A.J. Smith did not rule out the franchise tag for impending FA WR Vincent Jackson, though it remains unlikely. In fact, according to a report Sunday from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, those chances are very unlikely:

"No one among the Chargers' decision makers believes placing the tag on the Pro Bowl wide receiver is a sound decision or that it will happen. The possibility was estimated by multiple sources last week at less than 1 percent." [Editor's note: Well, that's better than one out of a million].

Since some close to the WR believe that he'd take a lesser deal from the Chargers to stay with Philip Rivers and Norv Turner, Acee believes that the Bolts can wait and see what kind of real offers the WR gets from other teams after the market opens on March 13. After checking with Jackson's agent, they can then offer what they believe is a fair deal to continue the business relationship. If that sequence of events takes place, we obviously shouldn't expect Jackson to be one of the first FAs to sign on March 13.

Other teams believed to be interested in Jackson include the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins.

- Tim Kavanagh​

Adam Schefter
He'll be a hot commodity

"As I write this on Monday afternoon, my understanding is that it's highly unlikely that Jackson will be tagged, which means he would become the most sought after wide receiver in this free-agent class. Minnesota made a run at Jackson before and could do so again. San Francisco will be in the market to add another wide receiver, as might Carolina. But given his choice, I think Jackson would like to remain in San Diego. He might give the Chargers a slight discount, not much, but enough that the Chargers have a small advantage over other teams. Still, he will not be easy for San Diego to re-sign."

 

[Flyingiguana]

let other teams fight over vjax, i say we spend less and go after other guys hard.

 

[CalamityX11]

I think Vjax will ultimately get a much bigger deal due to need. I can see Carolina, Jax(if room, cuz they should) and Minny going hard for him.

 

[shouldakepowens]

Is Wallace and plax too much you get your deep threat plus red zone guy who should be real cheap. Maybe im in madden world I dunno

 

[Flyingiguana]

losing a 1st for wallace? no thanks

 

[shouldakepowens]

A first that will probably be on a wr

 

[Yadahell]

Chargers pull plug on franchise tag
Posted by Mike Florio on March 5, 2012, 4:38 PM EST
Buffalo Bills vs San Diego Chargers Getty Images

After weeks of speculation as to whether the Chargers will use the franchise tag for a second straight year on receiver Vincent Jackson, the Chargers have opted not to tag Jackson.

We know this not because the time period for applying the tag came and went without Jackson being tagged. Instead, the team issued a press release announcing that the franchise tag wasn’t being used, on anyone.

“We discussed it again this morning, and nothing changed. We did not like the franchise number, never did,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “Vincent will enter the market, and we will see what happens. We would like to have him continue on with us, but other teams now will enter the picture.

“We will now evaluate our contract proposal, and proceed accordingly.”

The use of the franchise tag in 2011 resulted in a one-year tender of $11.424 million. Under the CBA, the franchise player receives either the franchise tender for his position or 120 percent of his pay from the prior year, whichever is greater.

For Jackson, 120 percent of $11.424 million ends up being more than $4 million greater than the franchise tender of $9.4 million. And so in lieu of paying Jackson $13.7 million this year and, if tagged once more, $19.74 million in 2013, the Chargers opted instead to let the market determine his value.

 

[maniax]

I would have VJAX on a plane to SF on the day free agency opens up.

You never know, he may want to come to SF, instead of Jacksonville or some other non-playoff team. Houston will rule Jacksonville's division for a while and with the wild card spots being competitive in the AFC I don't see Jacksonville in the playoffs for the next few years.

 

[bigpb72]

Colston + Rookie like Streeter or Mechem + Nick Toon load up baby

 

[michaelwarner]

Colston + Rookie like Streeter or Mechem + Nick Toon load up baby

This looks like it could be our most viable option although there are other guys I'd draft besides Streeter or Toon.

 

[RedneckNiner]

I still like Colston..

 

[Badger8843]

losing a 1st for wallace? no thanks

the 30th pick for one of the better WR's in all of the NFL? Wallace has averaged over 1,200 yards and 9 Tds the past 2 seasons and he's 25 years old, there isnt a WR in the draft that will come in and post those type of numbers, you would be dumb not give up the 30th pick for a bad ass like Wallace

 

[Yadahell]

the 30th pick for one of the better WR's in all of the NFL? Wallace has averaged over 1,200 yards and 9 Tds the past 2 seasons and he's 25 years old, there isn't a WR in the draft that will come in and post those type of numbers, you would be dumb not give up the 30th pick for a bad ass like Wallace

Ok, but you are also going to have to sign him to a large, front-loaded contract. That would make it difficult signing Rodgers this year and could also cause issues with signing Bowman next year for instance. All of this and you are giving up the a pick that should turn into a valuable starter.

I really like Wallace, but that's a lot to give up. VJax will be demanding a similar contract and you don't have to give up the 30th pick for him. You can also structure VJax's contract differently- you aren't forced to front-load it like you would have to with Wallace.

 

[BINGO]

Niners' remaining WR options
8:22 AM ET
San Francisco 49ers

A record number of franchise tags were applied this offseason (21), and three of them were placed on WRs that would've generated a wealth of interest on the free agent market: Dwayne Bowe, DeSean Jackson and Wes Welker. The fact that the supply of top-level wideouts has decreased will potentially increase the price tag associated with the remaining pass-catchers on the market, a notion that is not a good development for a team like the San Francisco 49ers that needs help at that position.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee ran down a list of remaining options for San Francisco in light of all the tagging done in recent days, adding his take on the Niners' chances of landing each player. Vincent Jackson will likely be too pricey for them, while Mike Wallace carries a big price tag and would require them sending their first-rounder back to Pittsburgh (read more on that topic by clicking here).

One player who seems to be a good fit for the Niners is Marques Colston. Colston is big and fast (though not to the same degree as Jackson and Wallace) and has gained a reputation as a hard worker who is an able and willing blocker as well. If there's a particular free agent WR on whom the Niners should spend a little extra this offseason, it's Colston.

Ultimately, the Niners may elect to sit out on the big names on the market, instead filling out the roster with lower-priced options and a draft pick or two.

- Tim Kavanagh​