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Free Agency Primer: Front 7

Unrestricted Free Agent Linebackers

Franchised: Karlos Dansby (Cardinals), Suggs (Ravens)

1. OLB Lance Briggs (Bears) - The quintessential 4-3 weak-side 'backer. The Bears are making one last push, but it'll be worth it for Briggs to see what's out there. He should be the NFL's richest linebacker by early March.

Prediction: Redskins - 7 years, $63 million ($21 million guaranteed)

2. OLB Calvin Pace (Cardinals) - Had 5.5 sacks on the strong side last year. A 2003 first-round pick and college end, Pace resurrected his career as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He's 27 and athletic enough to rush at 272 pounds with his hand up.

Prediction: Jets - 5 years, $28 million ($10 million guaranteed)

3. ILB Zach Thomas (Dolphins) - Carries injury baggage (migraines, concussions), but still effective from sideline to sideline and a legitimate run stopper. Going on 35, Thomas is only a two-down linebacker any longer, but will want to start on a good team.

Prediction: Saints - 2 years, $9 million ($4 million guaranteed)

4. OLB Kawika Mitchell (Giants) - Flourished on the weak side in '07 after playing MLB for the Chiefs. Mitchell should stay outside, but brings added versatility. He is athletic and well built at 6'1/253.

Prediction: Giants - 3 years, $18 million ($7 million guaranteed)

5. OLB Clark Haggans (Steelers) - Pure strong-side linebacker is declining, but understands the zone blitz and can still hurry the passer. Haggans could help a team transitioning to the 3-4 with young players.

Prediction: Bengals - 3 years, $13 million ($4 million guaranteed)

6. OLB Victor Hobson (Jets) - 6'0/252-pound 'tweener took a big step back last year after a 100-tackle, six-sack campaign in 2006.

7. OLB Landon Johnson (Bengals) - Young (26), highly productive, and versatile but not a traditional run stuffer.

8. OLB Brandon Chillar (Rams) - SAM linebacker not a big playmaker, but smart, only 25, and coming off a career best year.

9. OLB Demorrio Williams (Falcons) - Has intriguing ball skills, athleticism, but nearly lost job on the weak side to day-two pick Stephen Nicholas last year.

10. ILB Dan Morgan (Panthers) - Pro Bowl talent isn't over the hill, but coming off Achilles surgery and has a history of concussions. He visited the Saints Tuesday.

Others of note: ILB Al Wilson (Broncos), OLB Chaun Thompson (Browns), OLB Boss Bailey (Lions), ILB Dontarrious Thomas (Vikings), OLB Reggie Torbor (Giants), ILB Teddy Lehman (Lions), OLB Keyaron Fox (Chiefs), ILB Mark Simoneau (Saints), ILB Tedy Bruschi (Patriots), ILB Derek Smith (49ers), OLB Danny Clark (Texans), OLB Caleb Miller (Bengals), ILB Junior Seau (Patriots)

Restricted Free Agent Linebackers

1. OLB Michael Boley (Falcons) - New Falcons' management smartly views Boley as a building block. He'll get the first-round ($2.017 million) tender.

2. ILB Channing Crowder (Dolphins) - Should succeed Zach Thomas as Miami's "MIKE" linebacker, but will need at least the second-round tag ($1.417 million).

3. OLB Darryl Blackstock (Cardinals) - Low tender ($927,000) would likely keep this disappointing former third-round pick around for one more year.

4. OLB Heath Farwell (Vikings) - Relentless special teamer lacks size, speed to be realistic long-term answer on the weak side.

5. ILB Adam Seward (Panthers) - Utility linebacker with little upside.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.