Around the NFL: On The Eve of Free-Agency
Happy Free-Agency Eve Everyone! If you’re like me, then I feel very sorry for you, but you’re also very excited about the fact the Free Agency in the NFL starts at 12:01 Friday morning. While some teams have been scrambling (some with success) to sign their own players prior to the midnight deadline, other teams have been freeing up cap space in order to sign some of the big name free agents. Let’s take a look at some of the roster changes that have already been made, and some of the big name players that may be donning a new uniform for the 2009 season.
The Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been very active already in Free Agency. After refusing to use their franchise tag, most suspected that Miami would be parting ways with five starters (OT Vernon Carey, SS Yeremiah Bell, FS Renaldo Hill, CB Andre Goodman, and ILB Channing Crowder). However, since the deadline for the franchise tag came and went, the Fins have dished out multi-year contracts to Carey, Crowder, and Bell, leaving only two starters to explore free agency. Additionally, the Dolphins have signed recently releases former Raiders and Giants safety Gibril Wilson. While he played SS last year for the Raiders, the re-signing of Bell likely means that he’ll be moved to play FS, a position he played during the Giants’ Super Bowl run. This all but assures that Hill will not be returning. Miami may not be done yet either, as reports have linked them to Baltimore Center Jason Brown, one of the up-and-coming OL in the league. If they fail to re-sign Goodman, the need to address the CB position in the draft becomes even more critical.
Tampa Bay’s Purge
The Bucs purged their roster this week, letting go veterans Warrick Dunn, Ike Hilliard, Joey Galloway, Cato June, and future first-ballot Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. This was part of a changing of the guard in Tampa, as the new regime wants to get away from the Cover-2 defensive scheme they’ve ran so effectively for so long under former DC Monte Kiffin. June is an ideal SLB in that style defense but would likely be only average in new DC Jim Bates’ scheme, so his release made sense. Hilliard and Galloway both really showed their age last year, so releasing them was a must. With disappointing WR Michael Clayton an unrestricted free agent the Bucs will be looking to add another WR opposite Antonio Bryant. Dunn and Brooks are both fan favorites and Brooks has been the face of the franchise for over 13 years. If the Bucs offered these two the opportunity to play for less money and continue their roles on the team and the declined, then I have no problem with their release. However, if that option wasn’t on the table then I’m sad to see the Bucs cast aside two players who have done so much for the team over the years (even though Dunn played in Atlanta for six seasons). Best of luck to everyone involved, and it’ll be interesting to see where they end up. They both have a couple years left in them. Watch Cato June to see if he returns to Indianapolis, particularly if the Colts can’t resign LB Freddie Keiaho.
Old Skills
Several long-time star skill position players have been let go from their respective teams this year. In addition to the Bucs’ purge, RB’s Fred Taylor, Ahman Green, and Deuce McAllister are both seeking work now, as well as QB’s Brad Johnson, Trent Green, Damon Huard, and Ken Dorsey. Along with Galloway and Hilliard, fellow veteran WR’s Marvin Harrison, Amani Toomer, Drew Bennett, Marty Booker, Jerry Porter, and Laveranues Coles were all let go. They could be joined by Torry Holt and possibly even LaDainian Tomlinson before the night is out, though the former is far more likely than the later. These players are still valuable and can still be key contributors to the rights teams, but their salary numbers don’t match their production anymore and teams are trying to purge whatever they can to make room for the lower cost youth and the higher priced free agents.
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Key Available Players
Here’s my list of the top 10 players available and teams that I think should be taking notice:
Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee – This guy has the Redskins written all over him. While the Titans would like to re-sign him and his agent has stated that no deal has been reached, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Dan Snyder make Haynesworth the highest paid defensive player ever in the very beginning hours of free agency.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati – Housh is one of the best possession receivers in the league. He knows how to make the clutch catches and he has a nose for the end zone. He plays with passion and while he’s over 30, he should have another 4-5 years of very solid play left in him. The Eagles will make a push and should be considered the favorites to land him. The Seahawks might have a chance. Look for the Bucs as a dark horse candidate. Housh would look great lined up on the other side of Antonio Bryant.
Jason Brown, C, Baltimore – Brown is huge, only 25 years old, and he can play Center or Guard. He’s just starting to reach his potential and will command a great deal of money. Miami seems to have the edge here, as Brown wants to play there, but the Ravens will try to re-sign him and the Vikings are very interested as well.
Bart Scott, LB, Baltimore – While Ray Lewis might get more attention and he’s going to command a lot of money in free agency also, fellow backer Bart Scott might be the better signing. He’s only 28 years old and is one of the more tenacious defensive players in the league. He’ll be coveted by many, and the Ravens will try to lock him up, but could a reunion with former DC Rex Ryan in New York be possible? I think so.
Chris Canty, DE, Dallas – With so many teams switching to a 3-4 style defense, Canty is going to garner a lot of interest on the open market. Canty is an ideal 3-4 end and the Cowboys may not have the money to re-sign him with their focus likely being on extending the contract of DeMarcus Ware. Canty will get big bucks somewhere, maybe San Diego, Denver, or Kansas City.
Jabari Greer, CB, Buffalo – Greer is one of those under-the-radar players who could make a good impact on a team needing a starting CB. Greer quietly had a solid 2008 season and some team will be lucky to sign him. I haven’t heard any rumors about where he may end up, but if I were New England, Miami, Denver, or Cleveland I’d be taking notice.
Derrick Ward, RB, New York Giants – Ward rushed for over 1,000 yards last year as a backup running back in New York. This year he’ll be looking for a starting opportunity and to get the same chance that Michael Turner had this season in Atlanta. While I don’t believe that Ward has the same talent as Turner, I do believe he can be a solid starting running back for a team with a good offensive line. Denver, Arizona, Philadelphia, and Seattle would all be great places for Ward to land.
Byron Leftwich, QB, Pittsburgh – Say what you will about his work ethic, his injury history, and his slow release, but Byron Leftwich is capable of being a starter in the NFL. He may struggle to find the opportunity, as many teams may not want to invest in him, but he’s at the very least a valuable backup and should be brought in by a team looking to add some competition to the fold. He’d be a great addition in Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Chicago, or Minnesota if one of those teams would give him a chance.
Jonathan Vilma, ILB, New Orleans – It never sat right to me that the Jets got rid of Vilma after he didn’t fit right into their 3-4 scheme. A great coach will find a way to use his playmakers and it’s hard for me to believe that a guy like Rex Ryan or Bill Belichick would’ve found a way for Vilma to thrive. He had a very solid year as the MLB in a 4-3 and any team running that scheme would be lucky to land him. The Saints will try to re-sign him but another team might be the highest bidder.
Leigh Bodden, CB, Detroit – Bodden was a bust last season for the Lions. Of course, lost in the argument is the fact that Bodden is a straight-up man-to-man cover corner and the Lions tried to put him in a cover-2 scheme. Bodden is a very good CB, despite that he’s probably underachieved a bit throughout his career. Still, put him in the right position and he could thrive. I’d love to see Green Bay pick him up with how much press coverage they run, and that would allow Woodson to move to safety.
Other players of note are Ray Lewis, Kerry Collins, Kurt Warner, Antonio Smith, Bert Berry, Michael Boley, Ron Bartell, Dre Bly, DeAngelo Hall, L.J. Smith, Tony Richardson, Lorenzo Neal, Colin Cole, Jon Stinchcomb, Nate Washington, Devery Henderson (if he can catch the ball), Rex Grossman, and Ray Willis, among others. Keep watch on all the movements as they happen and we’ll see what happens in the next week. Whatever happens will have a huge impact on the draft in addition to the 2009 season.
The NFL is going to look a little different by next week, so until then, enjoy all the signings!
By Brandon Niles
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer