| Scanning over the official free-agent list
provided by the NFLPA, I must say I was disappointed by the lack of star players who will
be eligible to hit the open market. I’ve always found the offseason to be much more
interesting when there is the potential for blockbuster deals. I know that some folks
claim that free agency and player movement have hurt the game. They say that there is no
more loyalty in pro sports, and that players are motivated more by the mighty dollar than
anything else.
I don’t agree. Let these guys go to the highest bidder. It’s all part of the
game. If a team is smart enough to manage its salary cap wisely and has the money to
spare, it has earned the right to add key new players.
But those rare teams that are in fine salary-cap shape and that are looking to spend
freely will be disappointed by the 2002 crop of unrestricted free agents.
Take a look at the quarterbacks, for example. I know that Trent Dilfer is a very
efficient player, even a Super Bowl champion. In fact, I’m a Dilfer fan — he
knows what he can do and what he can’t. But is he really the guy that you ideally
want quarterbacking your team? Jim Miller also is a pretty good quarterback. But the Bears
are looking for an upgrade at the position for a reason. Tony Banks get you excited? Nah,
me neither.
Are you looking for a running back? Well, may I offer you Super Bowl XXXVI champion
Antowain Smith? He got his career jump-started in New England and now will be looking for
more money. He topped 1,100 yards, scored 12 touchdowns and averaged 4.0 yards per carry.
He’s serviceable, maybe even good. But a superstar he is not. Ricky Watters used to
be a superstar. But he’s on the downside of his career and may be best-suited to be a
role player. (Don’t tell him I said that, though. Watters still aches to be an
every-down back.) Michael Pittman is an option, especially if you like to throw to your
running backs a lot. He’s a good receiver and a tough runner. But he wasn’t that
productive last year.
Wide receiver is not an area where there are a ton of high-quality options. Az-Zahir
Hakim and Ricky Proehl of the Rams are on the market. As is Green Bay’s Bill
Schroeder and Washington’s Michael Westbrook. As I said, not a lot to get excited
about.
If you want a tight end, you may consider Washington’s Stephen Alexander, who was
injured for much of 2001. Or you may consider Minnesota’s Byron Chamberlain. Aside
from those two, it’s slim pickings.
There are some options along the offensive line. Flozell Adams has been a decent tackle
for the Cowboys for the past few years. The same can be said for Arizona’s
monster-sized Anthony Clement. Washington’s Ben Coleman is a decent guard, when his
knees are healthy. OG Ron Stone will be looking for work considering he’s probably
too pricey for the Giants to re-sign. Stone is playing in another Pro Bowl this season. OT
Tarik Glenn of the Colts is another option. Perhaps the best guy available, though, is
Seattle’s Walter Jones. But we hear he could be re-signed by the Seahawks before the
free-agent signing period begins.
On defense, there are a couple of decent pass rushers available in Rams DE Leonard
Little (14.5 sacks) and Bengals DE Reinard Wilson (nine sacks). New Orleans DT La’Roi
Glover is on the market because the Saints refused to pick up his option.
Washington’s Kenard Lang is a versatile defensive lineman who switched to tackle last
season, even though he prefers playing end.
At linebacker, the state of Pennsylvania offers up perhaps two of the most talented
free agents in Steelers OLB Jason Gildon and Eagles MLB Jeremiah Trotter. Any team would
be lucky to have these guys, but it looks like their current clubs have the inside track
on retaining their services. St. Louis LB London Fletcher could be a decent signing by
someone, and Patriots LB Roman Phifer showed he could still play.
Not a lot to choose from at cornerback. A pair of former first-round picks —
Chicago’s Walt Harris and Baltimore’s Duane Starks — are on the list. While
they still have some skills, neither has blossomed into a star, shut-down cover man. Also
in the secondary, S Kwamie Lassiter is a very productive player, picking off nine passes
last season. Safeties Tony Parrish and Lance Schulters are also nice players, but none of
those guys is going to be the one to put a team over the top and into the Super Bowl.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing things to watch this offseason is the merry-go-round
among kickers. Some of the NFL’s most accurate and most productive kickers of all
time hit the open market in March. Denver’s Jason Elam is expected to leave the
Broncos, with the favorite to sign him being the Texans. New England’s Adam Vinatieri
secured a nice payday with his clutch postseason kicks. It would be surprising if
he’s not back with the Patriots. John Carney did well for the Saints, who would like
to bring him back. Mike Hollis had a down year for the Jaguars. There’s no way he
returns to Jacksonville, thanks to its salary-cap situation and a long-running feud with
head coach Tom Coughlin.
So, there you have it — some of the biggest names available on the free agent
market. Happy shopping, everybody. |
