OT - (un)OFFICIAL Undrafted Free Agent Thread

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

Rather than make a new thread every time someone of note signs...let's discuss here in one thread like we did each day of the NFL Draft.

Here are some notables:

Kellen Moore - Detroit Lions
Vontaze Burfict - Cincinnati Bengals
Chris Polk - Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Edwards - Detroit Lions
Andrew Sweat - Cleveland Browns
J.B. Shugarts - Cleveland Browns
Marquis Maze - Pittsburgh Steelers
Davin Meggett - Houston Texans
Case Keenum - Houston Texans
Dan Persa - Tampa Bay Bucs

Michigan Players
Ryan Van Bergen - Carolina Panthers
Troy Woolfolk - Dallas Cowboys
Michael Shaw - Washington Redskins
Brandon Herron - Tampa Bay Bucs

 

UFA Trackers:

GoBlueInNYC

April 29th, 2012 at 12:03 AM ^

Honestly? I'd say that Cousins is the better NFL prospect. Persa was the NW offense when he was healthy, but that guy took a beating, and I think it looked like he lost something when he came back his senior year. Good luck to him, though, I also liked and respected him.

justingoblue

April 29th, 2012 at 12:48 AM ^

I always had a lot of respect for Persa and his game, so this might not be the most objective statement, but remember that he's only ~18 months off a severed Achilles Tendon. I don't think there was any question he was playing at some fraction of his ceiling last year, and it's still early enough to hope for/expect a full recovery. At 100%, I would take Persa every day (and ahead of any QB from the conference this class, including Wilson).

Then again, I could be completely misguided and/or an idiot.

GoBlueInNYC

April 29th, 2012 at 1:05 AM ^

I don't know if I'd go as far as to say that a healthy Persa is better than Wilson, but it's definitely a reasonable argument. But I think this is a case of the difference between college and the NFL. I would definitely take a heathly Persa ahead of Cousins to lead a college team, but I'm not sure that his skill set would translate to the NFL as well as Cousins' will.

justingoblue

April 29th, 2012 at 1:12 AM ^

True, and I don't know enough about the systems they were drafted into to make an informed statement about which is more valuable with what pick, but I do feel like Persa would have done more than Wilson in college with equal talent around him (and they seem fairly similar in style, so that would mean Persa is more talented, at least in my opinion).

As far as Cousins, he's certainly more of an NFL prototype, but I don't know how well that predicts success over a Persa or a Wilson, who have considerable talent as well. I guess we'll wait and see, like with everything else. Sigh.

GoBlueInNYC

April 29th, 2012 at 1:27 AM ^

I could see Persa fitting in with the Bucs pretty well, given what I know of Freeman's style of play (which is admittedly very little, but I'm thinking kind of scrambly type of QB). But I'm with you on the waiting. Welcome to the summer football doldrums.

 

justingoblue

April 29th, 2012 at 1:36 AM ^

Ugh. Football? Done. Hockey? Done (M/Wings). BB? Done (M).

I'm not a baseball fan, so I'm down to softball, Michigan and the girlfriends team. Finding analysis on softball north of the Mason-Dixon is not time well spent, so my sports fandom is basically wondering what Denard has to do to win the Heisman, how we can beat Alabama, and pretty much avoid all injury on the offensive line from now until September 1.

GoBlueInNYC

April 29th, 2012 at 2:12 AM ^

Priority #1 for Denard is to cut back on turnovers. A lot of other things need to go right, but that's the painfully obvious first step. I feel like Borges' continuing embracing of Denard's skill set is the next step.

That Bama game is going to be a low-scoring affair. Michigan's D should be good enough to keep Bama's fairly vanilla offense from putting up too many points. I see this as being a Sugar Bowl type of game; it'll come down to reliable special teams and (hopefully) a couple of big plays by the O.

Now that I've cleared up your summer concerns, I suggest frequenting MGoVideo. Our Persa discussion actually prompted me to re-watch the NW game from this past season (Coulter has to be one of the most versitile players I've ever seen).

Michigasling

April 29th, 2012 at 12:16 AM ^

Gil Brandt on NFL.com had a list of top-five undrafted free agents list for each position.  The position of interest: 

Tight ends

1. Kevin Koger, Michigan

2. Garrett Celek, Michigan State

3. Beau Reliford, Florida State

4. Matt Veldman, North Dakota State

5. Adam Nissley, Central Florida

Wonder if that was with or without knowledge of his injury? 

Mr. Yost

April 29th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^

Because you can pick a team based on depth.

I look at Troy Woolfolk. Sure he gets to go back home to Texas and I'm sure Dallas is his all-time favorite team. But they have a TERRIBLE secondary. It makes sense to go to the Cowboys.

I look at Case Keenum...Matt Leinart just left the Texas. Kellen Moore can make the Lions as a #3, personally I see him as a decent #2 down the road.

A lot of guys just go where they're familiar, or their favorite team...but for some guys it's a business decision and they go where they can MAKE the team and even have an impact.

To have your name called is awesome, but the freedom of free agency is probably the best option.

Also you get to pick where you hopefully are going to live! I love Buffalo, and no offense to anyone, but no thanks. I'd head to the Carolina Panthers...I love Charlotte, new coach so I know he'll be around. If I felt the depth chart situation was right, that would be my choice. But the thing is...I CHOOSE.

Perkis-Size Me

April 29th, 2012 at 12:46 AM ^

i'm amazed moore didn't get drafted. i don't know his combine stats, but apparently being the winningest quarterback in college football history means nothing anymore. i look at him and see a lot of potential drew brees comparisons.

Crazy Canuck

April 29th, 2012 at 12:54 AM ^

someone didn't draft Kellen Moore with at least a 7th round pick. The kid won 50 games as a starting QB. He threw for over 14000 yards and 142 tds. Seriously? I wish my Bucs would've taken him. Better him than a TE/FB from Northwestern.

Michigan4Life

April 29th, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^

They don't play on wide split and is not a trick offense. They actually won games playing pro style offense straight up. The offense is actually brilliant if you actually bothered to watch Boise State

Mr. Yost

April 29th, 2012 at 9:47 PM ^

I didn't say it was...I said it's what people know Boise for.

I DO watch Boise St. and they more than legit...look at who they've beaten.

I spoke with a Va Tech coach a few months back and he said they were the best team they've played in 5 years.

But that's not the reality, they are PERCIEVED as a gimmick team by many.

Mr. Yost

April 29th, 2012 at 9:43 AM ^

If he goes out an does something dumb off the field or if your star WR AJ Green breaks his hand in practice punching Burfict for going after his knees in mini camp.

I'm sorry, but in THIS NFL...I have no faith he'll make it. Even if he turns out to be a good player in terms of talent. THIS NFL fines you left and right for hits he made in college. He averaged ONE PERSONAL FOUL EVERY TWO GAMES!!! That's fines and suspensions...he'll never be on the field.

Also he leaves his teammates out to dry and doesn't wrap up. But like I said, even if he straightens that out. You can't trust him to actually be on the field.

He's like Metta World Peace, only he's not an All-Star like talent.

He's better off in some Any Given Sunday/XFL type league.

NFL games mean too much and have WAY too much importance to leave any part of it on an "unknown" or a "wreckloose." Coaches, Ownership, Fans...hell everyone would go CRAZY the first time Burfict bounces off Ray Rice as Rice walks in for the winning TD because he didn't wrap up. There is just too much at stake.

With that said...maybe he makes the team and can play special teams. At least then you can say "son, see ball...hit ball." He may give up a long return for not staying in his lane, but he'll probably force a few fumbles or block a few kicks.