Bolt Beat Monday Mailbag: Reactions to Free Agency
By Tyler Schoon
Welcome to the Bolt Beat Monday Mailbag!
Don’t just be a comment section reader, or an article skimmer. Be a part of the Bolt Beat Mailbag by submitting your questions/topics/suggestions to:
- On Twitter @tjscooter30
- Through email at bbmailbag17@gmail.com
- In the comments section of this article or on our Facebook page
I imagine there’s going to be even more as free agents are signed and the draft nears, so I will try my best to get to all of the submissions. The earlier, the better!
Without further delay, here’s the latest mailbag:
Question 1: Thoughts on the Bolts’ free agency so far? – Etien
I wanted guys like Andrew Norwell, Anthony Hitchens and mostly any defensive interior guy. After seeing the kind of contracts they got, I’m glad they’re not with the Chargers. I, like most, wanted at least one splash signing, but not at, for example, the five0year, $65.5 million contract Norwell received. The Jaguars are a better team for having acquired him, but I appreciate Tom Telesco keeping the team’s salary cap healthy. At the time of writing this post, guys like
Mike Pouncey and Johnathan Hankins have been released by their respective teams and are looking for new homes. The important part of not being active early is having the cap space comfort of signing the second wave of free agents. Pouncey, a very capable starter at center and a likely upgrade over Spencer Pulley, is visiting the Chargers after being released by the Dolphins. Whether or not he gets signed with Los Angeles remains to be seen.
The most important part of free agency, at least this year, has been retaining the talent of important players from 2017. Solid contributors like safety Adrian Phillips, edge rusher Chris McCain and wide receiver Tyrell Williams will return for 2018, and rightfully so. Say what you want about the previous issues with “loyalty” surrounding the team (Eric Weddle, for example), it is apparent that Telesco has done a very good job of rewarding and keeping difference makers that deserve a spot on the team.
Casey Hayward signed a three-year extension to remain with the team, and it’s a ridiculous bargain. How much of a bargain? According to Spotrac.com, he’s the 17th-highest paid corner. It is a raise over his last contract, sure; but to have at the very least one of the top five players at his position at that value is insane. Telesco has been a magician with recent contracts, regularly signing guys to team-friendly deals.
All in all, I’m a happy guy. A little bored by the lack of action, but in the end, very happy.
Thanks for your question!
Question 2: Virgil Green? – jjb92
If you’re asking what my thoughts are on Virgil Green, then I’ll just say that it was a fine signing. Not spectacular, but if we can project his usage and how he’ll impact the team, then it’s a good hire.
Green is primarily a blocking tight end, having only caught 71 passes across seven seasons with the Broncos. That’s good for two reasons: It benefits the run game and benefits Hunter Henry. The latter is most important. If Green can free up Henry to run more routes, then the offense will be more dynamic, which is fantastic for the Chargers and, more importantly, my fantasy football dynasty team.