| Well, the June 1 free-agent deadline has come
and gone, and there are still a number of quality players who have yet to be tendered
contracts. The question now is who will get picked up before the summer is over and who
will be sitting at home this fall? Most of the players still available were cut
loose for salary-cap reasons. Some are older, some didn’t fit their team’s new
system, others may have been in the way of a top draft choice. Regardless of the reason,
they are facing a harsh decision — keep playing at a reduced salary or retire.
Looking for a quarterback? It seems that everyone has passed, thus far, on Super Bowl
QB Trent Dilfer. The odds are he will be signed as a backup sometime this summer. Danny
Kanell is also available for backup duty.
The running backs who are still available could still be useful backups, to be used as
third-down backs or to spell a starter. Players like Kimble Anders, Mario Bates, Anthony
Johnson and Natrone Means most likely are near the end of their careers. However, former
Bills RB Jonathan Linton or former Browns RB Madre Hill could be intriguing pickups who
have the potential to be more than reserves. Need a blocking fullback? Charles Evans,
William Floyd or Brian Milne could do the trick for you.
There are several veteran wide receivers still looking for work. Michael Bates is
attractive as a top return specialist. Other wideouts include Andre Hastings, Courtney
Hawkins, Tony Martin, Derrick Mayes, Leslie Shepherd, Yancey Thigpen and Lamar Thomas.
If you need a tight end, you could choose from journeymen like Troy Drayton, Chris
Gedney, Andrew Glover or Ryan Wetnight.
C Steve Everitt is available as are veteran OG Kevin Gogan, OG Jamie Nails and OG Sale
Isaia. Three veteran tackles are still out there — Bruce Armstrong, Andy Heck
and Erik Williams.
A number of NFL-quality placekickers and punters remain, such as Morten Andersen, Doug
Brien, John Carney, Brad Daluiso, Al Del Greco, Tommy Barnhardt and Ken Walter.
Defensively, the line positions are loaded with players who can still contribute.
D’Marco Farr, Cortez Kennedy, Ernie Logan, Kelvin Pritchett, Alonzo Spellman and
Henry Thomas are still searching for a team. So are ends Chidi Ahanotu, Lester Archambeau,
Michael Bankston, Roy Barker, Bobby Hamilton, Nolan Harrison, Mike Mamula, Darren Mickell,
Andre Wadsworth and Bernard Whittington.
A couple of Super Bowl veterans highlight the list of available linebackers. Cornelius
Bennett and Ken Norton Jr. could help a young team as experienced leaders. Other
linebackers include Dwight Hollier, Donta Jones, Lonnie Marts, Bryce Paup, Roman Phifer,
Chris Slade, Winfred Tubbs and Brian Williams.
There are a ton of cornerbacks still available, which makes you think that many of
these veterans will be signed in the coming months. Players like Kevin Abrams, Michael
Booker, J.B. Brown, Terrell Buckley, Chris Canty, Je’Rod Cherry, Eric Davis, Tyrone
Drakeford, Darrien Gordon, James Hasty, DeRon Jenkins or Darryll Lewis still have
something left to help a team.
Finally, there are a handful of solid safeties on the market, highlighted by Mark
Carrier, Michael Dumas, Tim Hauck, Kerry Joseph, Keith Lyle and Darren Perry.
It will definitely be interesting to keep an eye on the transaction wire in the coming
weeks to see where many of these veterans land. In the meantime, the players hope the old
motto "patience is a virtue" holds true. |
