Restricted FA's

• DT Shaun Smith, Cincinnati (compensation: none): Just a big, ol' 325-pound anchor who doesn't move all that well but who won't be moved, either. His numbers will never be very impressive, as evidenced by just 44 tackles and no sacks in 34 games, but he will eat up blockers inside and allow linebackers to flow to the football. Occasionally, he'll even get a little penetration. He can be a solid No. 3 tackle in some team's rotation.

Sounds good to me.

 

Some people that interest me are

• SLB Brandon Chillar, St. Louis (compensation: fourth round): A nice combination of size and strength, he can stack people at the line of scrimmage but also has some pursuit skills. He earned a starting job on the strong side in 2006 and registered 67 tackles and two sacks in 14 starts. He looks like an ascending player. He doesn't turn 25 until October and already has 26 starts on his résumé.

• WR Terrance Copper, New Orleans (compensation: none): A do-it-all player who excels on special teams and is a better wide receiver than people think. Coach Sean Payton demonstrated a lot of faith in him last season, especially when Joe Horn was injured. Copper made a lot of big plays for the Saints, catching 23 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He can also return kicks and will play on the coverage units. The kind of solid, serviceable role player every team needs to have around.

• TE/FB Richard Owens, Minnesota (compensation: none): He can line up at tight end, H-back or fullback and will play on special teams, too. At 270 pounds, he packs a wallop when he makes contact and he hits well on the move. He has begun to develop his receiving skills and has 16 catches for 132 yards and one score.

• CB Jason David, Indianapolis (compensation: fourth round): Skeptics always cite his lack of size (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) and pedestrian long speed. But the guy was good enough to start all 20 games for the Super Bowl XLI champions in 2006, counting playoff contests, owns 43 regular-season starts in three seasons, and won't turn 25 until mid-June. He has eight interceptions and 26 passes defensed for his career, possesses good football instincts, and is well-schooled in the Cover 2 scheme.




Only problem is, no 4th round pick...

 

Tommy Kelly - I would gladly give up 57 for this guy. The perfect RE for the 3-4.

Randy Starks - I would gladly give up a third for this guy if we choose him over Kelly.

Shaun Smith and the guy from the Browns (6th round) are two NT prospects worth looking at.

Owens (FB/TE) and Sampson (T) are worthwhile risks also. One of my favorites for a big ass RT is Stacy Andrews (Shawnns brother). Guy could be a monster.

I listed a few other guys a couple weeks ago in another thread. I think RFA is easily the most interesting part of the offseason. It's a chance to sacrafice picks for youth that has been NFL trained the way I see it.

 

Copper is a guy I like. I saw a fair bit of him last year and I think he would be a fine addition, if his head's screwed on right.