Bye bye Andre Dyson

saintswhodi · 04-21-2005, 03:44 PM

Cornerback's deal worth $17.5 million over five yearsBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Related Video:
Mort's draft preview: Colts and Titans

Working to fill another area of need before the draft, the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday afternoon reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent cornerback Andre Dyson, ESPN.com has learned.

The four-year veteran, who had played his entire career with the Tennessee Titans, was one of the last few quality players remaining in the free agent pool. He will sign a five-year, $17.5 million deal that includes a signing bonus of $3 million and a total of about $6 million in guarantees.

He is the second veteran cornerback acquired by the Seahawks in the last month. Seattle last month added former Denver cornerback Kelly Herndon, a three-year veteran and a restricted free agent, who started all 16 games for the Broncos in 2004.

The Seahawks lost standout cornerback Ken Lucas to Carolina in free agency. Seattle also has former first-round cornerback Marcus Trufant.

Dyson, 25, chose the Seattle proposal over offers from the New York Jets and the Titans. He had visited with Jets officials over the weekend and New York made a formal offer a few days ago. Talks with the Titans, for whom Dyson started all four seasons, had been on-and-off through much of the offseason.

The Seahawks met with Dyson several weeks ago but, after securing Herndon, seemed to cool on him. When it became obvious in the last few days that Dyson would strike a deal somewhere before the draft, the Seahawks resumed negotiations.

Given his consistent productivity, it is surprising that Dyson did not generate even more interest in free agency, particularly in the early stages of the signing period, when the cornerback position was in demand.

Tennessee has now lost both its starting cornerbacks, Dyson and Samari Rolle, from the 2004 season. The Titans will almost certainly be forced now to address their cornerback issues in the draft, possibly in the first round, with the sixth pick overall.

A former Utah standout, Dyson was selected by the Titans in the second round of the '01 draft. He appeared in 62 games, and started in 59 of them, including starting all 16 games in each of the past three seasons.

For his career, Dyson has 225 tackles, 16 interceptions and 59 passes defensed. He has at least three interceptions in every season and posted a career-best six pickoffs in 2004.

Damn Seahawks. Why does it seem like we are the only team who is sitting still? :(

Zulu--King · 04-21-2005, 03:54 PM

He was #3 on my list, behind Simon and Sharper. I guess we can pick up a cheaper prospect in the draft. The Hawks also snapped up my Trufant. :casstet:

RockyMountainSaint · 04-21-2005, 03:57 PM

This sucks but not unexpected.

Also, the Colts have signed zero Free Agents this year.

Jimnthetwins · 04-21-2005, 04:16 PM

How can the Saints not draft a corner within the first two rounds in the draft? They have passed on so many free agents and i understand because the market for a corner is ridiculous. You are looking at at least a $10 million bonus for an average corner. Baxter, Henry...neither of which seem to me like anything resembling a shut down corner. Plus, the ongoing speculation that Fred Thomas may be dealt on draft day only furthers the point that the Saints need to target a CB early.

saintswhodi · 04-21-2005, 04:20 PM

RMS, I think the Colts are in a better position to not sign anyone than us. As well as the Steelers and Eagles. Doesn\'t mak me feel any better.

TheDeuce · 04-21-2005, 04:25 PM

Jim, I wouldn\'t mind adding a little bit of depth to the CB position, but the fact is, MM and Fakhir did a very good job during the 2nd half of last season and I don\'t think that CB is as high of a priority as a LB, or somebody who can stop the run. I wouldn\'t mind taking a CB, but I think we have more pressing needs.

04-21-2005, 03:44 PM	#1
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	Bye bye Andre Dyson Cornerback's deal worth $17.5 million over five yearsBy Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Related Video: Mort's draft preview: Colts and Titans Working to fill another area of need before the draft, the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday afternoon reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent cornerback Andre Dyson, ESPN.com has learned. The four-year veteran, who had played his entire career with the Tennessee Titans, was one of the last few quality players remaining in the free agent pool. He will sign a five-year, $17.5 million deal that includes a signing bonus of $3 million and a total of about $6 million in guarantees. He is the second veteran cornerback acquired by the Seahawks in the last month. Seattle last month added former Denver cornerback Kelly Herndon, a three-year veteran and a restricted free agent, who started all 16 games for the Broncos in 2004. The Seahawks lost standout cornerback Ken Lucas to Carolina in free agency. Seattle also has former first-round cornerback Marcus Trufant. Dyson, 25, chose the Seattle proposal over offers from the New York Jets and the Titans. He had visited with Jets officials over the weekend and New York made a formal offer a few days ago. Talks with the Titans, for whom Dyson started all four seasons, had been on-and-off through much of the offseason. The Seahawks met with Dyson several weeks ago but, after securing Herndon, seemed to cool on him. When it became obvious in the last few days that Dyson would strike a deal somewhere before the draft, the Seahawks resumed negotiations. Given his consistent productivity, it is surprising that Dyson did not generate even more interest in free agency, particularly in the early stages of the signing period, when the cornerback position was in demand. Tennessee has now lost both its starting cornerbacks, Dyson and Samari Rolle, from the 2004 season. The Titans will almost certainly be forced now to address their cornerback issues in the draft, possibly in the first round, with the sixth pick overall. A former Utah standout, Dyson was selected by the Titans in the second round of the '01 draft. He appeared in 62 games, and started in 59 of them, including starting all 16 games in each of the past three seasons. For his career, Dyson has 225 tackles, 16 interceptions and 59 passes defensed. He has at least three interceptions in every season and posted a career-best six pickoffs in 2004. Damn Seahawks. Why does it seem like we are the only team who is sitting still? :(

04-21-2005, 03:54 PM	#2
Zulu--King 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 150	Bye bye Andre Dyson He was #3 on my list, behind Simon and Sharper. I guess we can pick up a cheaper prospect in the draft. The Hawks also snapped up my Trufant. :casstet:
Zulu--King 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 150

04-21-2005, 04:16 PM	#4
Jimnthetwins Rookie Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 15	Bye bye Andre Dyson How can the Saints not draft a corner within the first two rounds in the draft? They have passed on so many free agents and i understand because the market for a corner is ridiculous. You are looking at at least a $10 million bonus for an average corner. Baxter, Henry...neither of which seem to me like anything resembling a shut down corner. Plus, the ongoing speculation that Fred Thomas may be dealt on draft day only furthers the point that the Saints need to target a CB early.
Jimnthetwins Rookie Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 15

04-21-2005, 04:20 PM	#5
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	Bye bye Andre Dyson RMS, I think the Colts are in a better position to not sign anyone than us. As well as the Steelers and Eagles. Doesn\'t mak me feel any better.

04-21-2005, 04:25 PM	#6
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	Bye bye Andre Dyson Jim, I wouldn\'t mind adding a little bit of depth to the CB position, but the fact is, MM and Fakhir did a very good job during the 2nd half of last season and I don\'t think that CB is as high of a priority as a LB, or somebody who can stop the run. I wouldn\'t mind taking a CB, but I think we have more pressing needs.
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

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04-21-2005, 03:57 PM	#3
RockyMountainSaint Mmm That Smell! Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Metairie Terrace Posts: 3,073	Bye bye Andre Dyson This sucks but not unexpected. Also, the Colts have signed zero Free Agents this year.