| I’ve never made any claims of
being the most cultured guy around, but I have seen a stage production of "Fiddler on
the Roof." (I guess it counts, even though we left at intermission, or halftime, as I
called it.) In that play, one of Tevye’s daughters sings, "Matchmaker,
matchmaker, make me a match," as she seeks to find a husband with the help of an
intermediary.
I can’t help but think of that song — it has displaced "Genie in a
Bottle" in my head for the time being — as the free-agent market opens. With so
many big names out there for the taking, many players and teams have to be bewildered by
all the options. So as a public service, let’s play "Market Matchmaker."
We’ll look at three big-name players in this edition.
(I want to be clear that the connections presented below are not based on any rumors or
rumblings. They’re just ideas and possibilities.)
DE Bruce Smith — I understand why the Bills let Smith go. He’s a veteran
player near the end of the line with a big salary-cap number. But it was still stunning to
see his name cross the waiver wire Thursday (Feb. 10). You just don’t expect to see
one of the league’s all-time best defensive ends unceremoniously cut —
especially when he still has some football left in him.
But it’s done now, so Smith has to look for a new place to play. My suggestion is
Indianapolis, where the Colts are an up-and-coming team that still needs some defensive
help. Smith could line up across from Chad Bratzke in pass-rush situations and make
Indy’s defense a lot better. While Smith is probably no longer an every-down player,
he can still bring the heat, as he showed in the playoff game vs. Tennessee last month.
Another reason Smith should think of the Colts is the presence of LB Cornelius Bennett
and team president Bill Polian, both of whom were in Buffalo with Smith during the
Bills’ Super Bowl years. With WR Andre Reed already pegged by many as a Colt, Smith
would have plenty of familiar faces around him.
Last but not least, the Colts would give Smith a chance to win a Super Bowl ring. That
should not be a small consideration for a great player like Smith, whose résumé lists
just about every accomplishment — except the ring thing.
CB Deion Sanders — "Prime Time" isn’t on the market yet, but
all signs point to the Cowboys cutting ties with him come June 2 because his cap number is
so astronomical. Sanders is going to take another shot with the Cincinnati Reds this
spring, so he may not be available to an NFL team until midseason.
So where would Deion fit? I say Washington. True, the Redskins already have two top
corners in Darrell Green and Champ Bailey, but enough teams use three-WR sets that having
three good CBs isn’t overkill. Just imagine: With Sanders, Green and Bailey, the
Redskins could send six or seven rushers toward the quarterback without leaving themselves
vulnerable in the secondary. LB LaVar Arrington, rumored to be Washington’s target
with the second overall pick in the draft, could be set free to blitz play after play.
That would make this defense scary good.
To make this work, Deion might have to sign a one-year deal, but he has done that
before, when he spent one season in San Francisco and helped the 49ers to a Super Bowl
before getting a big-money deal in Dallas. Would Sanders do the same this time around for
a shot at another ring?
TE Shannon Sharpe — The Broncos say they want Sharpe back, but the salary cap
probably won’t allow that. Baltimore is very interested in acquiring Sharpe, but I
say Shannon should take a long, hard look at Seattle. Mike Holmgren’s offense works
best with a pass-catching tight end, and Christian Fauria didn’t fit the bill last
season. Sharpe would be a short-term solution, but this Seahawks team is not all that far
away from being a contender. Plus, the Seahawks could use a little outspoken leadership in
the locker room, and Sharpe isn’t shy when it comes to that sort of thing. |
