FREE AGENTS : VETS - should we sign ? ? ?

Pete Boulware. You?ll remember him as a very good pass rushing LB who got injured and has started to get old. We need pass rush, he can still offer it, for the right price, on limited plays.

From ESPN:

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Boulware suffered a knee injury two seasons ago and has not been the same player since. He played in only seven games last season and finished the year with only nine tackles. His options might be a little limited, because he's an outside linebacker who really only fits the 3-4 scheme. It would be asking a lot for him at 31 years of age to go back to being an every-down linebacker in a 4-3 defense. At one point he had very good pass-rush ability, but he is not going to be a quick-twitch rush end at this point in his career. Another drawback for him as a backup player is that he has little to no experience as a regular contributor on special teams. His best bet will be to catch on with a team looking for a little veteran leadership. He can give a team 10-15 pass rushes per game, but that is about it at this point in his career.

Gary Walker ? Defensive End. He?s not a sexy signing. 11 year vet, health risk and likely part timer.
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Walker is a veteran who no longer can dominate like he used to, but he still can be an effective player when healthy. This biggest issue with him is his health and whether numerous injuries have taken their toll on his physical abilities. He was waived in Houston because of his high salary and because he really is a better fit in the 3-4 scheme the team is moving away from. Depending on Walker?s contract demands, he should have league-wide value from teams that use the 3-4 front. When healthy, Walker is still an excellent run defender in the 3-4 scheme.

Travis Hall ? Defensive End. Unspectacular, good motor, hard worker. Not a perfect edge rush kind of guy, but a usable part in Mangini?s schemes
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Hall has adequate size to play on the defensive line and he has the versatility to line up at either the defensive end or the defensive tackle position. He is probably a better fit at the tackle position as he has great upper body strength and he lacks the foot speed to consistently turn the corner when pass rushing on the edge. He has decent foot quickness and decent running ability but he is not going to run many plays down from behind. He plays with good leverage and he shows the ability to come off the ball and deliver a good blow and get good arm extension to keep blockers away from his body. He is limited in pass rush technique but he shows the ability to knock an offensive lineman back off the ball and he has decent closing speed to the quarterback. He uses his hands and his strength well to dis engage from blockers and he shows that he can hold his own on the line of scrimmage versus the one on one block. He is very physical at the point of attack however when he does come off the ball high he can be knocked off the line of scrimmage by a double team block. He lacks explosiveness and change of direction skills and he does not shoe the ability to collapse the pocket in pass rush. He plays hard with a good level of intensity and with his experience he fulfills a role as a back up. Age and durability are starting to be a factor in his play.

Terrence Metcalf ? Guard. He?s a 28 year old guy who has versatility (like some of the rest of our line), can either take the next step and battle for a starting position or be a worthwhile backup.
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Metcalf has adequate size for the position and he has the versatility to line up at either guard or center. He has very good foot quickness and he takes a good quick first step and he takes good angles to his blocks. He has a good initial punch coming off the ball and he has very good upper and lower body strength. He has good running ability and he shows that he can pull and get in front of the screen and he is effective on pulls getting to a moving target. He can work up to the second level and he is effective blocking linebackers. He plays with good leverage most of the time and he shows that he has the strength and the leg drive to get movement on the line of scrimmage. He does a good job of picking up stunts and twists in the middle. He does not use his hands well to lock on and although he works hard to sustain his blocks he will occasionally lose his base and come off a block. In pass protection he has difficulty with a quick one gap penetrator who lines up on his outside shoulder and he struggles at times to re set his feet. He is somewhat vulnerable to counter moves. He anchors fairly well versus a strong bull rush. He needs to continue to improve in his pass protection technique and become more consistent overall.

How about Jonathan Wells as a Sowell replacement? He?s 26, and a big guy 6-1 252. He?s a fullback with good hands and gives us a power rusher.
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Wells has a good combination of size, strength and power. He is a backup running back that can play fullback in a two back situation. He is an adequate lead blocker but he lacks the ideal qualities you look for at the position and he does not look comfortable do it. He is a better inside runner than he is an outside runner. He has above average running back skills. He is a north/south runner that has a strong lower body to break tackles. He has good balance, body control and good vision to see the cut back lanes. He is effective when he is running the inside zone play. As a receiver out of the backfield he rarely drops the ball. He has soft hands, he can adjust to the bad throw and he is a load to tackle in the open field. He will lower his head and run over defensive backs He is a willing pass blocker. He has good awareness on blitz pick-up and he will deliver a blow on blitzing linebackers and defensive backs. However, Wells lacks overall speed; he does not have good quickness and foot speed. He is not an elusive back who is going to make a lot of defenders miss. He has average change of direction skills and he is not a threat to go all the way. He does not always run with good body tilt and he will take some big hits. He will take false steps on his start, he his late getting to the hole and you do not see a burst. Overall, Wells is a good backup who is a punishing runner between the tackles and he is a decent receiver out of the backfield. He does not really excite you and he is not a big play back but will give you adequate depth and a change of pace.

Another option for the role is Jesse Chatham. He?s a brick 5-8 245. Also 26 which means he need not be a 1-2 year solution.
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Chatman is a young RB who does not have great height but he is well built in the upper and lower body. He is a North/ South runner who runs hard and has the power to break tackles. He is a good inside runner, he has good vision and he hits the hole quickly. He runs with good body tilt, he hard to bring down and he is always going forward after contact. He keeps his legs driving and he is a very good downhill runner. He is a willing blocker on pass protection and he has good awareness on blitz. He is an effective receiver out of the backfield, he has reliable hands and he has decent run after the catch ability. However, Chatman lacks speed. He is not a perimeter runner and he does not have the speed to consistently turn the corner. He not an elusive runner and he would rather run over you than around you. He is not a threat when he gets into the open field to take it to the house. Overall, Chatman is a short, compact RB that runs hard between the tackles. He is an adequate back up who can come off the bench to get you out of a jam or as a good change of pace.

> i " borrowed " this from another site