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baronm 03-02-2005 09:05 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
Quote:

Here are a dozen unrestricted free agents who probably won't break the bank with new contracts, but who are serviceable middle-level players who figure to draw interest:

• FS/SS Idrees Bashir (Indianapolis) -- 4 years experience -- Never quite lived up to expectations with the Colts but, despite a string of injuries, averaged 13 starts per season. Has some range but lacks instincts, still worth looking at in nickel role.
Derrick Blaylock
Running Back
Kansas City Chiefs
Profile


2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
118 539 8 25 246 1


• RB Derrick Blaylock (Kansas City) -- 4 -- Superb all-around special teams player who got a chance to start when Priest Holmes was injured in 2004, averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns. Could be a nifty No. 2 tailback.

• RB Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia) -- 4 -- Star-crossed runner, and part-time starter who has suffered two major knee injuries in four seasons. Given his injury history, he might be a medical risk, but his pure running skills make him worth a gamble.

• DT Leonardo Carson (Dallas) -- 5 -- Never going to make a lot of plays, but a 305-pounder who will take up space inside and push people around enough to make impact. Bill Parcells would like to keep him around.
• OG Roberto Garza (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Moved into the starting lineup because of injury in 2004 and became integral part of a unit that helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing. A little stiff, but can be a powerful in-line force in stretches.

• WR Kevin Johnson (Baltimore) -- 6 -- Has bounced around a lot the last few years and voided his contract to become a free agent. Still has deceptive speed and some teams feel he has the best hands in the league.

• FS Bhawoh Jue (Green Bay) -- 4 -- Has played every position in the secondary and, while he doesn't run well on the stopwatch, has pretty good competitive speed. Should help some team as a regular in nickel packages.
Mike McMahon
Quarterback
Detroit Lions
Profile


2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Att Comp PaTD RuTD Int Rat
15 11 0 0 1 56.8


• QB Mike McMahon (Detroit) -- 4 -- With all the veteran quarterbacks being released and then recycled, he sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. Athletic and competitive guy, and good enough to win some games in a pinch.
• LB Ike Reese (Philadelphia) -- 7 -- Consummate role player with the Eagles, combination blitz-cover guy who excels in nickel packages but would like to be a starter. A terrific performer on special teams units.
• OT Oliver Ross (Pittsburgh) -- 7 -- Has played a lot of positions but settled in at right tackle the past two seasons and, while not a pure road-grader, played well. A decent pass blocker and could also move inside and play guard.
• KR Allen Rossum (Atlanta) -- 7 -- One of the top two-way (kickoffs and punts) return men in the game, earned a Pro Bowl spot for the 2004 season. Can also play the nickel or dime cornerback spot in a pinch.

• LB Matt Stewart (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Only 25 years old and a three-year starter. Falcons feel they can upgrade, but might be hard pressed to do so, and Stewart could move on and be a starter with a new club. Decent two-way blitz-cover guy on third down.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here .

Euphoria 03-02-2005 09:44 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
I\'d pass on those guys but I do kind of like the LB Matt Stewart.

saintswhodi 03-02-2005 09:46 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
I\'d pass on every one of them except Ross and McMahon. Especially Jue though. He is a less talented Tesucky.

Euphoria 03-02-2005 09:53 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
Jue? ahhh yes, I have to say I like him haver second review... I mean we/he turns it around we can call him Bad Jue jue in our D if ya throw at him, lol.

saintswhodi 03-02-2005 09:54 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
Okay, that was spooky. :sulkoff:

baronm 03-02-2005 09:58 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
McMahon wasn\'t that bad in the games that I saw...definitly worth a look as a backup qb.

baronm 03-02-2005 10:47 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
Quote:

Top 50 free agents: The younger, the better
March 1, 2005
By Pete Prisco
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!


Rule No. 1 of NFL free agency: Don\'t get caught up in names.

Rule No. 2: Don\'t give big money to any player over the age of 30.


Samari Rolle has the kind of coverage skills many teams badly need. (Getty Images)
Naturally, a lot of teams don\'t follow those rules. But they should. As the free-agent period is about to begin Wednesday, teams are preparing to strike fast (if you don\'t think many of these deals are done already, then I have a piece of swamp land I\'d like to sell you). In some cases, that means name players will be signing. In others, it\'s players over 30, which means on the downward slope of their careers.

That\'s where cap problems come into play. Signing a player for big money who is over 30 can blow up a team\'s cap. That\'s why teams that are close to getting to the Super Bowl have to be careful whom they pay. The lure of winning can sometimes cloud prudent thinking.

\"We\'ve seen that before with a lot of teams,\" said one NFL personnel director. \"They get so close, and it\'s killing them to get it that they pay a player they have no business paying, thinking he will fill a key spot. Then that player struggles, the team doesn\'t get to the Super Bowl and they\'re on the books for a big contract that they don\'t want.\"

So in compiling our Top 50 list of free-agent players, we took age very much into account. There is no player 30 or older in our top 10. Of the 10, two are 28, two are 27, four are 26 and two are 25. They all fall into the key target age. And there are no players who have been slapped with franchise tags because that takes them off the market.

The top player on this board is Tennessee Titans cornerback Samari Rolle. He is a premier cover player who was set free for cap reasons. The Titans coaches love the guy, as will the team that gets him.

He isn\'t a great tackler, but in terms of coverage skills he\'s outstanding. He\'ll be 29 when the season starts, which is a little older than I would prefer, but he can give a team 4-5 good years of coverage play. That\'s too valuable to ignore.

There are two other corners in the top 10: Fred Smoot of the Redskins at No. 3 and Anthony Henry of the Browns at No. 8. That\'s because in my book, good, young corners have a lot of value.

Hope you enjoy the list. And if your team violates one of the two main tenets of free agency, don\'t say you weren\'t warned.

1. Samari Rolle, CB, Titans: At 28, he is a premier cover player. Even if he isn\'t a great tackler, that is a valuable ability to have on your defense.

2. Mike Wahle, G-T, Packers: The Packers plan to cut him for cap reasons Wednesday. This 27-year-old is a heck of a guard, but some teams have him targeted as a tackle.

3. Fred Smoot, CB, Redskins: At 25, he\'s an outstanding cover player who talks a big game, too. Some like their corners more physical, but we like this kid a lot.

4. Plaxico Burress, WR, Steelers: This is the best receiver available, even if he didn\'t put up big numbers last year. Plus, he\'s only 27.


5. Antonio Pierce, LB, Redskins: This guy is coming off a heck of a season in which he played every play for the Redskins. At 26, his best football is ahead of him. 6. Reggie Hayward, DE, Broncos: In a league desperate for pass rushers, he had 10 1/2 sacks last year, which makes him a hot commodity. Plus, he\'s only 25.

7. Edgerton Hartwell, LB, Ravens: Played next to Ray Lewis the past couple of years, but will leave his shadow for bigger things. He\'s 26.

8. Anthony Henry, CB, Browns: He\'s an underrated corner the Browns\' new brass wants back, but he may get too pricey. Plays the ball well, although at 28 he\'s a little older than most in this top group.

9. LaMont Jordan, RB, Jets: There aren\'t a lot of carries on his body, which makes him appealing. He\'s a power back who has his best days ahead of him. At 26, he has five good years left of taking a pounding.

10. Ken Lucas, CB, Seahawks: A quality younger corner who will get some play on the market because he\'s been a consistent starter. Has good size and speed and he\'s just 26.

11. Derrick Mason, WR, Titans: At 31 years old, he has a few years left. But it\'s risky giving an older receiver big money. It should be buyer beware.

12. Marco Rivera, G, Packers: Rivera went to the Pro Bowl in 2004, but he\'s not as good as Wahle. But he is an above-average starter.

13. Ben Hamilton, G, Broncos: Has played guard with the Broncos, but he was a college center and some teams think that\'s his best position.

14. Gary Baxter, CB, Ravens: Here\'s another player with versatility, having started at both corner and safety. The Ravens want him back badly.
15. Kendrell Bell, LB, Steelers: Injuries have derailed his career, but if he\'s healthy he\'s a force inside or in the middle. 16. Chike Okeafor, DE, Seahawks: A speed rusher who will get play in large part because there aren\'t a lot of them.

17. Dwight Smith, S, Bucs: Has played corner in the past, but he is a free safety who loves to tackle. A recent arrest may impact his value, although it\'s doubtful.

18. Jermane Mayberry, G, Eagles: He missed a lot of time with injuries last year, but he is a quality guard. Can also play tackle. At 31, age is an issue.

19. Ty Law, CB, Patriots: He is coming off a major injury and he\'s 31 years old. That\'s two red flags. But for a team that is close, and willing to risk money on an older player, he might be worth it.

20. Jason Ferguson, DT, Jets: He had a good season in 2004, but he\'s getting up there in years. Somebody will pay him well, though.

21. Kurt Warner, QB, Giants: The Cardinals will make a strong push to get him, and that will be a great fit. He can still play.

22. Oliver Ross, T, Steelers: He was a 16-game starter for the second-best running team in the league. Says something about his drive-blocking ability. 23. Pat Williams, DT, Bills: A wide-body in the middle who can plug the run, but he\'s getting up there in years.

24. Andre Dyson, CB, Titans: If he were two inches taller, he\'d be higher on this list. He\'s a scrappy little corner who will start for somebody.


25. Jonas Jennings, T, Bills: He\'s not a top-grade tackle, but he is a consistent starter. Has also played guard.

26. Rick DeMulling, G, Colts: Here\'s a player we like more than most. He\'s a battler who knows what it takes to get the job done.

27. Kareem McKenzie, T, Jets: With quality right tackles at a premium, he will get some play. He\'s a good run blocker.

28. Kenoy Kennedy, S, Broncos: A big hitter who clearly outplayed John Lynch, who went to the Pro Bowl playing next to him.
29. Stockar McDougle, T, Lions: The Lions would like him back after signing center Dominick Raiola.

30. Morlon Greenwood, LB, Dolphins: He is a smallish linebacker who can run. But he has trouble when teams run at him.
31. Casey Rabach, C/G, Ravens: He played center last year when Mike Flynn went down, which is his college position, but he can also play guard. He\'s worth a strong look.

32. Derrick Burgess, DE, Eagles: Don\'t let his postseason success fool you, he\'s had problems staying healthy. If he can stay on the field, he\'s a quality speed rusher.

33. Corey Bradford, WR, Texans: He is a guy who can stretch a defense with his speed, even if he isn\'t consistent.

34. David Terrell, WR, Bears: So maybe it didn\'t work out for him in Chicago, but this guy still has good skills. A new venue might do him well.

35. Victor Riley, T, Saints: In 2003, he had an outstanding year. Then he tailed off last season. He is capable of bouncing back.

36. Allen Rossum, KR, Falcons: Normally, I wouldn\'t have a return man on the list, but Rossum is coming off a heck of a season and he won\'t cost all that much.

37. Tommy Polley, LB, Rams: This is a kid (27) with loads of potential who hasn\'t quite lived up to it. Maybe a fresh start will be a good thing.
38. Mark Fields, LB, Panthers: He played well in 2004 after missing 2003 with cancer, but age (32) is a factor for any team signing him.

39. Anthony Thomas, RB, Bears: The A-train doesn\'t have big-time speed, but he can be a tough runner for a team looking for that type of player.

40. Jeremiah Trotter, LB, Eagles: He played well for the Eagles when he was inserted into the lineup last year, but he has bad knees that will scare off some people.

41. Vonnie Holliday, DE, Chiefs: If the Chiefs\' woeful defense doesn\'t want you, there\'s something wrong. Holliday\'s skills have eroded.

42. Fred Miller, T, Titans: The Titans released him for cap reasons, but he\'s still a solid right tackle. Age (32) is starting to be a concern.

43. Keydrick Vincent, G, Steelers: He stepped in when Kendall Simmons went down and played well. He made some money in 2004.

44. Kevin Carter, DT-DE, Titans: He played mostly inside at tackle last year, but there are teams that feel he can go back out to end. Most likely, he\'s re-signing with the Titans.



45. Bryce Fisher, DE, Rams: He\'s an effort player who had his best year in 2004. A decent first step helps him with his pass-rush ability.

46. Floyd Womack, T, Seahawks: He\'s been a quality starter at both guard and tackle, but guard might be his better position.

47. Seth Payne, DT, Texans: Aside from durability issues, Payne is a force in the middle when he\'s on the field. He can clog things up in the run game.

48. Marques Douglas, DE, Ravens: With more and more teams going to a 3-4, he has played the 3-4 end the past couple of seasons. He\'s not a great player, but in that defense the ends don\'t have to be.

49. Itula Mili, TE, Seahawks: He is getting up in age (31), but he\'s still an effective player in the passing game. He\'s a tough cover for linebackers.

50. Derrick Blaylock, RB, Chiefs: Had success when Priest Holmes went down but there are some concerns over whether he is a product of the system.



saintswhodi 03-02-2005 10:49 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
Saw that too, although since they are TOP 50, it means we likely have no chance of getting them. If we could just get Pierce i\'d do backflips. DO SOMETHING!!!!!! :mad2:

baronm 03-02-2005 11:29 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
Quote:

Edgerton Hartwell, linebacker -- He didn\'t have his best year statistically as free agency beckoned (no sacks or interceptions in 2004), but the inside linebacker is a tackle machine who gets virtually no publicity playing beside the camera-seeking Ray Lewis. By the way, Lewis had just one sack and no interceptions last season, so Hartwell stacks up pretty well by that standard. With so many teams either playing or switching to the 3-4 defense, Hartwell will be in demand.
• Jermaine Wiggins, tight end -- Maybe it\'s coincidence, but Wiggins somehow keeps showing up on somebody\'s playoff roster. Wiggins blossomed into a go-to target in Minnesota, leading the Vikings with 71 catches -- which isn\'t easy to do when you\'re wearing the same color uniform as Randy Moss. With tight ends being so instrumental in offensive game plans these days, Wiggins should draw real interest if he makes it to the market.

• Jeremiah Trotter, linebacker -- Having already lost Trotter once via free agency in 2002, the Eagles are intent on re-signing their middle linebacker and defensive team leader. No surprise there. Philadelphia\'s defense took shape last year when Trotter was inserted into the lineup and quickly toughened up the run defense. He\'s not going to break the bank at this point in his career, but the Eagles would be wise to give Trotter enough green to keep him wearing green.
• Jason Ferguson, nose tackle -- Ferguson plays a position that figures to be in demand this offseason because of the number of teams making the move to a 3-4 defensive formation. Nose tackle is really the first position you make sure you have filled when you switch to a three-man defensive line. The 6-3, 305-pound Ferguson has the brawn to tie up blockers, and also can penetrate the backfield at times, as his 3.5 sacks -- and eight in the past two years -- will attest.
• L.J. Shelton, offensive tackle -- Yes, we know Shelton is not a free agent. The Cardinals are making him available via trade, and aren\'t likely to release him if one does not materialize. But for prospective suitors, there\'s a lot to like about the sixth-year veteran. He\'s on the block because he got in head coach Dennis Green\'s doghouse, but he\'s only 29, plays a pretty fair left tackle, and makes a very manageable $3 million per year. That\'s pretty low risk on all the key fronts.
Between free agency and the draft, the NFL does a better job than any professional sport of packaging and selling hope each and every offseason. For the 31 NFL teams that happen to not be the defending Super Bowl champion, the start of free agency holds out the promise of better days right around the corner, and the illusion of being able to wipe the slate completely clean and start over.

With the free-agency signing period opening Wednesday, there are both solid bets and risky propositions to be wagered on. Here are 10 nominations for the best bets. (Click here to see 10 players teams should be wary of.)

10 Best Bets
• Derrick Mason, receiver -- Consistency and production should be the bywords in free agency, and it\'s hard to grade Mason anywhere but atop the list of available receivers using those guidelines. In the past four years, Mason has averaged 86 catches for 1,153 yards and more than seven touchdowns per season, with 95 receptions in 2003 and 95 in 2004. He\'s 31, and lacks great size (5-foot-10, 190 pounds), but Mason has years of quality football left in him.

• Ty Law, cornerback -- The broken foot that cost Law the second half of last season leaves a question mark in the minds of potential suitors, but when he\'s right, he\'s the game\'s most complete cover corner. And if you don\'t believe us, just ask Peyton Manning. We don\'t buy into the notion that the new emphasis on illegal contact has made cornerbacks less worthy of big money. Instead, the best cover men are now more valuable than ever.

• Samari Rolle, cornerback -- His stock may have fallen a bit, given that he was arrested last month on domestic assault charges, and he\'s coming off a left knee injury that limited him to a career-worst 11 games last season. But Rolle won\'t even be 29 until August and he\'s easily still one of the league\'s top 10 cornerbacks. Somebody is going to pay big to get him, but wherever he lands, he\'ll be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
• Jay Fiedler, quarterback -- As Miami found out, he\'s not going to stay both healthy and productive enough to get the job done for 16 games and the playoffs. But in a pretty deep free-agent crop of veteran quarterbacks, Fiedler\'s skills as a dependable backup and occasional starter will not go unappreciated. He was 36-23 as a starter in Miami, and as long as you don\'t ask him to do too much, he\'s a pretty handy player to have around.

• LaMont Jordan, running back -- Curtis Martin\'s renaissance season in New York overshadowed Jordan\'s contributions to the Jets returning to playoff form, but more than one NFL team would have a hard time keeping Jordan out of its starting backfield. At 5-10, 230 pounds, Jordan is a powerful package, and he produced when given the chance. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 93 attempts, and he has proven he can catch the ball, too.


saintswhodi 03-02-2005 11:31 AM

bargains in Free agency
 
Ferguson signed with the Cowboys already.


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