Detroit Lions Weblog

Summer “Brees”, Free Agency

The Lions have become an increasingly rumored player in the pursuit of Chargers QB Drew Brees, who is an unrestricted free agent. Should the C.B.A. talks to continue to stall, the Lions not only could be a major player for Brees’ services but many other unrestricted free agents or “street” free agents who have been recently released for salary cap purposes. The Lions, according to today’s Detroit News article by Mike O’Hara, would be $13 Million under the $94.5 Million salary cap if free agency began today. Many teams will have to struggle to get their salaries pared down to that number, and will not be looking to add salaries to their payroll since they also will still need to have cap room to sign their draft picks in April.

In regards to this situtation, I think the Lions should be very cautious with Brees. He is the best available QB without a doubt. Yet, Brees is going to be returning from major shoulder surgery and it remains to be seen how his abilities will be effected. In baseball, many players are able to come back stronger than they were prior to a major shoulder injury. In this particular case, I think it would be wise for the Lions to see what the market truly is for Brees. Should you overpay for potentially damaged goods? Is Brees marginally better than Joey Harrington or will his acquisition make a significant difference towards the team’s future success.

Personally, I believe that the Lions could make 2-3 additions that would be position upgrades (i.e. Guard, Defensive End, Cornerback, Safety, Linebacker) that would have bigger long term impact than the acquisition of Brees and cost them less.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations continue to push back the deadlines for free agency and the deadline for teams to be under the $94.5 M salary cap. Tuesday the owners will meet in order to work out their differences over the distribution of local revenues. If the owners can come out of this meeting with their differences worked out and meet the demands of the players, the C.B.A. will be extended. Otherwise, the salary cap purges will be delayed until Wednesday Night and free agency will begin Thursday.

Even if the purge ensues, their is a great likelihood that the owners would attempt to agree upon a new C.B.A. before it effects free agency and surely wouldn’t allow for an uncapped 2007 season. I also believe that they would like to avoid messy situations like union de-certifications, player lockouts, anti-trust hearings, the dissolution of the College Draft and other nightmare scenarios that could severely damage the league.