The information trickling out about the new CBA negotiations has been dizzying to say the least.
Myriad questions remain before things get settled, with revenue sharing (both the owner-player split and the owner-owner split) and start dates for the new NFL calendar (the Ravens announced that training camp would be moved to the team’s facility in Owings Mill, Maryland) among them.
All the while, hundreds of free agents are lining up at the starting gate, jockeying for position and waiting for the gun to sound. Here is a quick-hitting look at some of the big names slated to make sizable deposits at the ATM.
Let’s get things started with a player requiring extensive research, multiple workouts and a lot of trust.
Plaxico Burress, WR
Burress is unquestionably the most interesting free-agent prospect on the radar. Never a burner, there isn’t as much emphasis placed on speed lost while away from the game. It’s all about height, length and red zone skills when considering his future whereabouts.
Burress’ name has been connected with the Eagles (he wore a Phillies cap when released from prison), Rams (the Steve Spagnuolo connection), Colts and Redskins among others. Interestingly, the idea of Burress returning to Pittsburgh is gaining some steam. Chicago fans are clamoring for another wide receiver, and Oakland is seemingly always in need of a receiver that isn’t merely a burner. Philadelphia appears to be a proper fit.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB
When considering the free agent market on FOX Sports Radio a recent weekend (FOXSportsRadio.com from 9-11 a.m. ET), I dubbed Hasselbeck as one of two key components in the great quarterback shuffle. The other piece of the puzzle is where Carson Palmer is playing football, if at all, in 2011.
Hasselbeck has reportedly been offered a sizable one-year deal to remain in Seattle. If he stays, then the price to land Kevin Kolb or Kyle Orton rises for Arizona.
His high ranking in this piece is due to a combination of the stability that he gives the offense (he did well with Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu last season) and how his decision will impact the position overall.
DeAngelo Williams, RB
Williams’ decision on his future will set the dominos falling at running back. It’s believed that the Panthers will make every effort to retain Williams in tandem with Jonathan Stewart as Cam Newton develops. However, Williams is one of several high-priced free agents with whom the Panthers will need to negotiate and, after watching last season’s misery, it’s clear that there are many holes to plug. I suspect that the Broncos and Dolphins will court him to work alongside Knowshon Moreno and Daniel Thomas, respectively.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB
In late May, Bradshaw quietly replaced his former agent with Drew Rosenhaus in anticipation of becoming an unrestricted free agent. He’s been tagged with a second-round tender under the old agreement.
Remember that Bradshaw came into the 2010 season with myriad injury questions and then look at the numbers he compiled. Bradshaw amassed 1,549 total yards, eight touchdowns and caught 47 passes. He’ll most definitely draw interest once free agency gets underway. The Dolphins, Colts and perhaps the Broncos will be in the market, but I expect the Giants to re-sign him.
Santonio Holmes, WR
Holmes has spoken candidly of his desire to sign the long-term deal that he believes he’s earned. Under the current rules, Holmes is a restricted free agent. He’s made it clear that he’ll hold out rather than play on a one-year deal. Now that Vincent Jackson has set the precedent, fantasy owners hitting the draft board early need to proceed with caution.
Sidney Rice, WR
Rice missed 10 games in 2010 because of a nebulous hip injury that seemed to get worse by the week. Ultimately, Rice required surgery before getting back onto the field for the stretch run.
He’s spoken of his desire to test the open market, and several teams will most certainly kick the proverbial tires. St. Louis and division rival Chicago are the two teams at the top of the list. If either backs up the truck to support Sam Bradford or Jay Cutler, Minnesota waves goodbye.
Cedric Benson, RB
The word out of Cincinnati is that “Benson is in the best shape of his life!” We’ll hear that 200 or 300 more times before this mutant offseason ends. If that’s the case, then that’s fantastic news. Chicago fans will continue to wonder what occurred during his tenure at Soldier Field.
Re-signing Benson is reportedly the Bengals’ top priority as they contemplate re-tooling the offense. Carson Palmer may walk the earth, thereby thrusting Andy Dalton into the top spot. As a result, new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden would be looking to support the rookie quarterback with a steady, durable and proven option. Benson has logged 667 touches in the past two seasons. Regardless of the quarterback decision, I believe that he’ll be back in a Cincinnati uniform. Palmer’s exit would give Benson some additional leverage.
Braylon Edwards, WR
While the Jets’ front office will work to retain the services of fellow free agent Santonio Holmes, they’re not expected to make a big push for Edwards. The former fantasy hero in Cleveland (2007) is rumored to be coveted by Chicago brass to run opposite Johnny Knox. At 6-foot-3, he would give the Bears an element currently missing from the mix for Jay Cutler.
Edwards caught 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010. He caught touchdowns in three of the Jets’ first four games while they awaited the return of Holmes from suspension.
Santana Moss, WR
Moss set new career marks in receptions and receiving yards last season, but the Redskins went young early and often in the 2011 NFL Draft (they selected three to go along with Anthony Armstrong). He’s expected an interest in returning to the team and, given the youthful receiving corps and the unsteady quarterback position (Rex Grossman or John Beck, anyone?), Daniel Snyder might just fork over enough money to keep him onboard.
Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, RB
Brown’s rushing average dipped by over one-half of a yard last season (down to 3.7) in the usual timeshare with Ricky Williams. He amassed a total of 976 yards (734 rushing) on 233 touches with five rushing touchdowns.
The selection of Daniel Thomas signals the end for this veteran tandem. Brown has discussed his desire to return to the team this offseason. Depending on the availability of DeAngelo Williams or Ahmad Bradshaw, both players may have played their final game in Miami.
Terrell Owens, WR
Say what you will. The man can still catch the ball when he’s on his game and things are flowing. It’s just a matter of whether a team wishes to put up with the potential (and inevitable) antics. Owens definitely won’t be back in Cincinnati. Pick one of the aforementioned teams in need of a receiver and add Jacksonville to the mix. Jack Del Rio is in a make-or-break season in Jacksonville.
Steve Smith, WR (New York Giants)
Smith is optimistic that he’ll be fully recovered from microfracture surgery and available once the lockout ends. He told ProFootballTalk.com that “(he’s) close.” Smith also revealed that talks with Giants brass were progressing prior to the lockout and that he expects to return to New York.
One thing to note is that the Giants did select 5-foot-9 speedster Jerrel Jernigan out of Troy in the third round of the draft. He can run the “Wildcat” offense and has great hands. Jernigan could play a big role immediately should Smith experience a setback once camp gets underway.
Joseph Addai, RB
The Colts face a very difficult decision with Addai. He missed half of the 2010 season because of a shoulder injury and has been banged up throughout his career. However, former first-round selection Donald Brown has not yet proven that he can take on a heavy workload and either produce or remain healthy. Rookie Delone Carter is intriguing, but will take some time to acclimate to the squad and does not factor into the passing game. All signs point to Addai returning to the Colts and remaining a nice, low-end risk (he’ll be drafted as a RB3) capable of putting up a double-digit touchdown total.
Zach Miller, TE
Miller has been the Raiders’ only reliable receiving threat of late. The team placed a first and third-round tender on Miller, which would have guaranteed his return to Oakland under the old rules. Under the proposed new rules, Miller would be declared an unrestricted free agent. He’s changed his representation in the anticipation of such an event. While the price may escalate, I expect Miller to re-sign in Oakland.
And one for the road …
Randy Moss, WR
Moss’ attitude and effort were called into question in the three cities that he called home in 2010. His return to Minnesota was short-lived, and he became an invisible man in Tennessee. It is presumed that Moss will add the New York Jets to his resume once the lockout ends, regardless of Santonio Holmes’ fate. Rex Ryan clearly recalls Moss making a play or two and leading the highlight packages during the early part of the 2010 season (he scored in both games against the Jets).
