OL free agents 08

[J-Russ]

Any good one coming out this year?

[b0ng]

Alan Fancea (old) Max Starks (2nd string, but young).

Other than that, not really.

[SA Texan]

Faneca is getting up there in age, but I would take him in a second.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by J-Russ

Any good one coming out this year?

Nobody worth the money that it would take to get him.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by SA Texan

Faneca is getting up there in age, but I would take him in a second.

No way. Draft your offensive linemen. Only rarely does a decent one who isn't over the hill hits FA.

[BSofA04]

Honestly, there's no one worth taking in FA. As we've seen, even the most intriguing FA's (ala Ahman Green) might not play as expected.

However, there's a VERY solid draft class of OT's this year. If we're looking for a long time answer (and we should be after the Ahman Green fiasco), we need to just bite the bullet and draft a LT in the first round. Take your pick....

1) Jake Long, Sam Baker (no doubt we draft them but 99.99% sure they will not be available when we pick)
2) Gosdner Cherilus, Barry Richardson, Ryan Clady, Tony Hills, Phil Loadholt

[awtysst]

Originally Posted by BSofA04

Honestly, there's no one worth taking in FA. As we've seen, even the most intriguing FA's (ala Ahman Green) might not play as expected.

However, there's a VERY solid draft class of OT's this year. If we're looking for a long time answer (and we should be after the Ahman Green fiasco), we need to just bite the bullet and draft a LT in the first round. Take your pick....

1) Jake Long, Sam Baker (no doubt we draft them but 99.99% sure they will not be available when we pick)
2) Gosdner Cherilus, Barry Richardson, Ryan Clady, Tony Hills, Phil Loadholt

Depending where we end up, we could trade down, pick an extra 3rd(maybe a second) and still get Clady.

[edo783]

My take, don't try and get cute with a trade down (yes, we could use the extra pick) just take the best OT that is available and move on then a safety/CB and then a center. After that....pick just about anyone. I expect that at least one of those positions will be addressed in FA and very likely a RB.

[austintexanite]

Need to draft an OL in the first. Prefer center or left tackle.

[Grid]

Well we are gonna need to find SOMEONE in FA. We need to much help on the Oline to leave it all up to drafting.

Seems that every year when FA rolls around, some unexpected players find themself testing the market... maybe we will have a good olineman unexpectedly become available.

[adam]

In my opinion, we need to spend our first round pick on an o-lineman of some nature (a LG would be may preference). In my opinion, we should move Pitts back to LT (our line as a whole had it's best season with him at LT) and draft a LG. I think McKinney should be good to come back next season, which should set us at center. I haven't heard anything on Weary, but if he can't return back to his previous form, I have confidence that Studdard will develop fine. In my opinion, Eric Winston is the lone bright spot on our o-line at moment, so we should be fine at RT. That should give us, at the very least, an o-line with a lot of potential. Which is at least better than what we have right now.

That leaves us the 3rd round, where I definitely draft something for the secondary. It's uncertain whether or not Dunta will ever be back to 100%, and thus we need something back there. We're just fortunate that Bennett turned out to be such a solid player.

As for RB, I think we should make a try for Julius Jones. He's proven that he is the real deal wouldn't be a huge risk for us. Given Dayne's improvement, I would say keep him and let him go in as relief. If we can't get Jones, then I would settle for LaMont Jordan.

We have a lot of off season work to do. A LOT.

[Wolf]

http://www.draftdaddy.com/nfldraft/freeagentoffense.cfm


they have a list (not sure how accurate)

of offensive players

[Maddict5]

Originally Posted by Grid

Well we are gonna need to find SOMEONE in FA. We need to much help on the Oline to leave it all up to drafting.

Seems that every year when FA rolls around, some unexpected players find themself testing the market... maybe we will have a good olineman unexpectedly become available.

exactly we have to find 2 or 3 starters in FA... personally id def go rb there with somebody like turner or julius, and then find some people for the secondary, olb and o-line also

[Maddict5]

here, bar gross and flozell (who wont make it to FA imo), i see nobody to get excited about

Ruben Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
An aging veteran, Brown has a lot of experience opening holes for backs and allowing time for passers. He’s a solid guard who holds down his position quite well. If he decides to stick around, he may have a couple of good seasons left. Teams won’t line up to sign him, but there should be a handful that show interest.

Alan Faneca, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Faneca seems to be the most likely of this group to leave his current team. Rumors suggest that he plans on leaving after the season and has not discussed an extension with the Steelers. Faneca is a quality guard who has started in five Pro Bowls and been selected as a first team All-Pro five times as well. He also still has some prime seasons of his career remaining. Faneca will receive the most interest at his position, could be the most coveted offensive linemen after the season, and should also be one of the most coveted players available in all of the NFL.

Flozell Adams, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
A veteran left tackle, Adams should hit the market and receive decent interest. A second-round pick in 1998, Adams has developed into one of the league’s better offensive linemen. His size, experience, and performance will lure teams into making a considerable offer for his services. The Cowboys are developing young talent behind him, and depending on how that youth pans out the rest of the season, the team could allow him to leave in favor of saving some money.

Jordan Gross, UFA, Carolina Panthers
With Gross’ contract voiding at season’s end, the Panthers will need to increase his salary in order to keep him around. The ownership seems to agree that he deserves a pay raise, and the team appears to want to keep him around as their starting right tackle. A former first-round selection who has played well, Gross will be looking for a considerably larger check come next season.

Ryan Lilja, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
A quality guard, Lilja is relatively young and has a Super Bowl ring to call his own. The Colts will do well to sign him to an extension, but there’s a chance that Lilja tests the market. In reality, the system that Lilja plays within is a nice fit, and he could easily stay because of it.

Max Starks, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Starks is young and massive, and another Pittsburgh player that may leave the Steel City. He’s 25 and is listed at 6’7” while weighing 337 pounds. His size and age will make him a desired player on many team’s list. A top tier tackle will always garner interest and Starks may lead the free agent class at the spot because of the high level of play he has shown on the field.

Floyd Womack, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
A big, experienced guard, Womack could get a decent offer from any team missing out on a top tier target like Faneca. If Womack isn’t the outright starter in Seattle this season, look for him to find work elsewhere with an expanded role guaranteed.

Jake Scott, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Scott is the starting right guard for one of the top offensive line units in the entire NFL, and his ability to help protect Peyton Manning should equate to a nice contract number. Indianapolis has found a way to retain most of their line talent in recent seasons, and it should come as no surprise if Scott is locked into a long-term deal in the near future.

Todd Steussie UFA St. Louis Rams
Steussie has been a solid offensive tackle for several years, but he was placed on injured reserve earlier this season because of a foot injury. He’s approaching forty years of age, but he may still have a good season or two in him. He should receive some attention as a free agent simply because of his experience and the position he plays.

Travelle Wharton UFA Carolina Panthers
A late third-round selection in 2004, Wharton has developed into a solid starting left tackle. He has been a key reason for the successes that the Panthers have had, and his absence last season was a key reason for the team’s struggles. Wharton’s rookie contract will expire at season’s end, and his value on the market should be fairly strong. A quality left tackle is hard to find, and team’s looking to bolster an offensive line will have to consider Wharton. Carolina will likely make every effort to work out an extension.

Other Free Agent Offensive Linemen
OG P.J. Alexander UFA Atlanta Falcons
OT Nat Dorsey UFA Cleveland Browns
OT Trai Essex RFA Pittsburgh Steelers
OG Chris Kemoeatu RFA Pittsburgh Steelers
OT Cory Lekkerkerker RFA San Diego Chargers
OT Sean Locklear UFA Seattle Seahawks
OG Brian Rimpf RFA Baltimore Ravens
OG Keydrick Vincent UFA Baltimore Ravens
OG Fred Weary UFA Houston Texans

[adam]

I wouldn't mind having Flozell Adams at LT.

Starks, if only because of his size, seems like an interesting option to explore.

[Maddict5]

btw theres some nice olb's and db's

Lance Briggs, UFA, Chicago Bears
Since 2004, Briggs has been a standout linebacker for the Bears. He’s overshadowed by Brian Urlacher much of the time, but Briggs gets the job done as is evidenced by the fact that he’s totaled more than 100 tackles in each of the past three seasons and that he’s added four sacks and five interceptions over that time. Teams are going to line up to try and entice Briggs to come play for them, and whichever team lands him will be adding one of the top weak-side defenders in the league. The chances of Briggs leaving seem good.

Tedy Bruschi, UFA, New England Patriots
The safe bet is that Bruschi will retire once his contract ends after the season, but if he can be convinced to play another season or two, he’ll be able to attract decent attention as a leader with valuable playoff experience and championships under his belt. In fifteen games during the ’06 season, Bruschi logged 112 total tackles and an interception, all after coming back from a stroke. Bruschi has proven that he’s not only talented and has a natural ability for the game, but also that he’s one tough customer with a work heart that can’t be measured. He is a unique breed of a player.

Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Dansby may very well end up being the cream of the crop in terms of linebackers during the next free agency period. He has excellent size and is coming into his own as a top level defensive player. He will turn 26 later this season and has consecutive seasons of 80 or more tackles. He also collected three interceptions in ’05 and an impressive eight sacks in ’06. Being young, strong, and talented should land him a large contract, and the Cardinals could be the team locking him up very soon.

Demorrio Williams, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Williams is slightly undersized, but he has a knack for finding the ball and making the play. His 217 combined total tackles over the past two seasons is a solid number, and he’s been helpful against the passing attack at times. He is also appealing because he’s still maturing at the position and is just 27 years old. Atlanta will try to retain his services, but Williams might command more money on the open market.

Boss Bailey, UFA, Detroit Lions
Bailey has strong coverage skills and works hard to make plays. Bailey is physically gifted, but he has battled injury the past two seasons and hasn’t had a chance to show consistent play. Due to lost games, he’s also been unable to work on developing a knack for tracking down the ball. Bailey needs to be more physical, but also find a way to stay healthy. He’ll turn 28 early in the season, and will need to be on the field to garner attention on the free agent market.

Danny Clark UFA Houston Texans
He’s played for three teams in three seasons, and he’s making a decent impact in Houston this year. Clark totaled 113 tackles in 2005 with Oakland and then went to New Orleans, where he played sparingly. In ten games this season, he has 42 total tackles and an interception to his credit. Clark isn’t an elite player, but he can be an asset in a depth role or alongside top-quality linebackers. He may have found a home in Houston, depending on how his season finishes out.

Kawika Mitchell UFA New York Giants
Mitchell tallied seasons of 105 tackles and 104 tackles in Kansas City prior to this season. Mitchell is now playing for a Giants team that has some decent depth at linebacker and has improved their defensive play over the course of the season, so he hasn’t been asked to post similar totals. However, he’s still been able to make 42 total tackles, force a fumble, and record a sack. Mitchell may not be the biggest prize as a free agent, but he will be a solid addition for any team that needs linebacker help.

Mark Simoneau UFA New Orleans Saints
Simoneau hasn’t overly impressed with his play in recent seasons, but he was a crucial part of the Saints success last season. His effort and ability to make timely plays paid big dividends early in the season and helped the team get off to a strong start. He has 47 tackles this season, and he’s a veteran who knows how to play the game. He’s a liability in coverage at times, and doesn’t strike fear into opponents, but he’s a decent player that will find a place to play if the Saints don’t work to extend his contract.

Other Free Agent Linebackers
Jordan Beck RFA Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Bentley UFA Seattle Seahawks
Darryl Blackstock RFA Arizona Cardinals
Brandon Chillar UFA St. Louis Rams
Na'il Diggs UFA Carolina Panthers
Landon Johnson UFA Cincinnati Bengals
Teddy Lehman UFA Detroit Lions
Lemar Marshall UFA Washington Redskins
Sam Williams UFA Oakland Raiders

Asante Samuel, UFA, New England Patriots
Samuel is quickly becoming known as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, having posted a league-best ten interceptions last season. His interception total was impressive, but so was his ability to stick to receivers on a regular basis. In the first six games of the current season, he has three picks, and has kept up his strong play, continuing to shutdown receivers and helping the Patriots to an undefeated record to this point. If Samuel is not signed to an extension, he’ll command big dollars on the market, especially if he keeps the pace up.

Mike Doss, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
The former Colts safety has a new home this season, and if he can avoid injury, he could see a long-term deal from Minnesota. Doss recorded a pair of interceptions in just six games last season, and has two picks each of the past three seasons. He has the ability to make an impact in slowing the opposition’s rushing attack, and has plenty of playoff experience under his belt. Doss is developing into a leader and is a defensive weapon that many teams wouldn’t mind having.

Domonique Foxworth, RFA, Denver Broncos
The Broncos added Dre’ Bly during the off season, so Foxworth will still be used mainly as a nickel defender. Foxworth is fast, but doesn’t always make the best play on the ball. He’s just 24, so experience and playing time should help his development. If another team thinks he can be a top two cornerback, he may seek to leave Denver to take on that bigger role. His RFA status will make it difficult to pull him away from the Broncos, but the cornerback position is one of great significance in the modern NFL, so there’s a chance.

Drayton Florence, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Florence has held onto his starting spot over Antonio Cromartie when it was thought that Cromartie would win the job early. However, the veteran showed his resolve and stepped up his play since having his position challenged. Florence is not a shutdown type of player, but he does make plays when he needs to most of the time and he had three interceptions in 2006. The Chargers can probably afford to let him hit the market, and the best bet is that Florence will find a starting position somewhere else come next season.

Randall Gay UFA New England Patriots
Gay is just 25, and while he benefits from playing for a solid Patriots team, he is still a decent player in his own right. He’s been able to step up even more this season and post solid numbers, while also showing more consistency. He has registered 25 total tackles through the team’s first ten games, to go along with three interceptions. The Patriots and Gay will look to keep him in New England, but a few teams could jump in and try to lure him away, including the New York Jets, who were interested in Gay last offseason.

Marcus Trufant, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Trufant’s contract has voided based on playing time and given the team’s commitment to other players at his position, it appears that the cornerback will be looking for a starting position elsewhere. His 2004 season was easily his best, when he compiled 96 total tackles, five interceptions, and a sack. He was unable to match that type of production until this season, in which he has 58 total tackles and four picks through eleven games. He will be one of the top defensive targets on the market.

Ken Hamlin, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
The Arkansas product has 43 total tackles and four interceptions in eleven games, and has helped Dallas to one of the league’s best records. If he can add another interception before the end of the season, he’ll have a new career high and will help his value on the market. Hamlin is still young at 26, and should have several seasons ahead of him, so there will be teams interested in using him at the safety spot.

Other Free Agent Cornerback
Chris Carr RFA Oakland Raiders
Tory James UFA New England Patriots
Karl Paymah RFA Denver Broncos
B.J. Sams UFA Baltimore Ravens
Chad Scott UFA New England Patriots


Other Free Agent Safety
William Bartee UFA Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Bellamy UFA New Orleans Saints
Omar Stoutmire UFA Washington Redskins
Derrick Strait UFA Carolina Panthers
Gibril Wilson UFA New York Giants

[run-david-run]

Would love to get Trufant or even Florence. Both would easily top Faggins and would compete with Bennet and Drob (depending on health). I would imagine even in best case scenario, Drob wont be at his best for some of next year (with the posibility of him missing all of it still there) so we must plan accordingly, unlike the Spencer fiasco. However, unlike last year, we will have the cap room to improve our roster substantially.

[run-david-run]

Does anyone know what DE's are going to be hitting the market?

[BSofA04]

Originally Posted by run-david-run

Does anyone know what DE's are going to be hitting the market?

http://footballsfuture.com/2008/nfl/freeagentsDL.html
Here's a good list of possible FA's to replace Weaver.

[SA Texan]

After watching the game last night, I'm even more convinced that Faneca is someone to go after during the off season....at least make a play for him, the guy is a beast and a difference maker.
It would be great to draft an offensive lineman also, but this team needs established vets on the line as well. Why not go after the best available?