Free Agency Musical Chairs - Offense

Yesterday, we looked at the movement in free agency by some key defensive players who were still unsigned last week. Last week we also discussed 18 offensive players, looking for a home, who would likely make an immediate impact on their new team once signed. Today, we track the progress of some of those players.


Center

Jonathan Goodwin – New Team: San Francisco 49ers

Goodwin was a solid, steady, reliable starter on an offensive line that gave up very few sacks. After the exemplary performance of the Saints offensive line in recent years, Goodwin, understandably, wanted to get paid. At age 32, however, the Saints appeared reluctant to offer Goody a long term deal, especially with second year center Matt Tennant developing quickly, based on reports from the local media.

The 49ers, on the other hand, were not so successful protecting the quarterback in 2010, giving up 44 sacks. According to advancednflstats.com, the Niners allowed their quarterback to get hit 85 times (tied for second worst in the NFL) and gave up 69 tackles for a loss (7th worst). Goodwin was a good fit and the 49ers were willing to pay close to $11 million over 3 years, according to ESPN.


Olin Kreutz – New Team: New Orleans Saints

When it became apparent that Goodwin was shopping his services, I expected this move. Kreutz signed a one year deal with the Saints, giving them a veteran centering the Saints O-line, while giving Tennant one more year to develop before pushing him into the deep end of the pool.



A 30-something center earning close to $4 mil a year in a long term deal? That smile would be glued to my face, too. 1 

 Wide Receiver

Braylon Edwards – New Team: San Francicso 49ers

In spite of a chronic case of the “dropsies”, Edwards 6’3” length and physicality will provide a much welcomed compliment to third year standout wide receiver Michael Crabtree.


Randy Moss – unsigned

Moss “retired” earlier this month, to which I say, “yeah right”. I will be stunned if Moss does not play this season and I am confident, as great and proud a player as Moss is and as disastrous as last season was for Moss, professionally, he will have something to prove wherever he lands and will prove it.


Terrell Owens – unsigned

Owens’ recovery from offseason knee surgery is likely delaying his arrival in a new home. Assuming a full, or near-full, recovery, he is going to open up several options for the team with which he signs. Owens continues to be a 1,000-yard caliber receiver, in spite of being on two very bad teams during the last two seasons. The fact that he has done so fairly quietly will make him an attractive addition to someone’s receiving corps.

Edwards: "'Dropsies'? Droppin' these BENJAMINS, suckah!" 2

Tight End

Kevin Boss – New team: Oakland Raiders

The loss of former Raiders tight end Zach Miller to the Seattle Seahawks necessitated this acquisition, pulling the rug from under the New York Giants’ attempt to retain Boss’ services in 2011.


Desmond Clark – resigned with the Chicago Bears

The trade of 2010 starting tight end Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers gave the Bears little choice but to resign the 13 year veteran. While used very infrequently as a pass receiver, he is a competent blocker and brings irreplaceable experience to a tight end squad that, absent Clark, has nine combined years of NFL experience and had 10 combined catches in the NFL in 2010.


He's not a Don, but he's a Boss! 3

Halfback
Tiki Barber – unsigned

Barber is 36 years old and has not played in five years. However, he destroyed the competition the last time he played, left the game healthy, and has not endured the rigors and physical strain of football season during that period. Someone will take a chance on Barber if he still wishes to play and is patient.


Ronnie Brown – New team: Philadelphia Eagles

Brown, entering his 7th season in the league, has been hobbled by nagging injuries through out his career, as a starter with the Miami Dolphins. However, with his power, Brown should be an excellent backup and compliment for Eagles starting RB LeSean McCoy.


Ricky Williams – New team: Baltimore Ravens

Opposing defenses may be frequently battered into submission from the combination of Williams and starter Ray Rice.


BenJarvus Green-Ellis – resigned with the New England Patriots

The Patriots, wisely so, have retained the services of The Law Firm.

I put this in for two reasons:
1) For the ladies, many of whom are probably tired of looking at my Jenn Sterger shrine on this blog.
2) To reiterate my point that someone will give Tiki a shot. 4

Quarterback

Brett Favre – unsigned

Rumors were aplenty that Favre may back up Mike Vick in Philadelphia. Then there were rumors that the Ol’ Gunslinger could take his talents to South Beach (where, even at age 41, they would be sorely welcomed, considering the motley crew the Fins have under center). Those rumors were squashed. I think Favre may really, truly be done this year. However, Favre himself has yet to issue a statement completely slamming the door on returning for 2011 and there are teams, with talent, who Favre could make better, even in his age and condition. I would not hold my breath, though.

Favre: "Okay, Jenn...hand over your heart, just like I tried to demonstrate." 5

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Remaining Inventory - Offense

Unless you have been in an ostrich hole for the past week, you are, no doubt, aware that the NFL recently went through rapid-fire free agency. Players resigned and relocated at an unprecedented pace due to the extremely short timeframe between the start of free agency (which effectively began when the lockout ended) and the beginning of training camp. Some high profile signings, such as that of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha with the Philadelphia Eagles and Plaxico Burress with the New York Jets, happened shortly after the beginning of training camp. They were the latest in a long string of big names that were signed last week.

With the free agency rush that took place, one may think that all of the flashy, attractive free agent inventory is off of the shelves. Training camp has started. However, there are still several available free agents available who can help make a team better. Today, we will evaluate the possibilities involving those offensive free agents.

There is plenty of good free agency stock left on the shelves! 1

Center

Jonathan Goodwin – played with the New Orleans Saints: Whoever gets Goodwin is getting a good edition to the offensive line. One of the best measures of the effectiveness of an offensive lineman is how often you do NOT hear his name. Being a Saints fan, I can tell you that I usually only heard Goody’s name in pre game introductions. The Saints are trying to resign him, but Goodwin does have options.

Olin Kreutz – played with the Chicago Bears: With the Bears’ signing of former Seattle Seahawks center Chris Spencer, Kreutz appears to be looking for a new home. Kreutz could land in New Orleans if the Saints are not successful in negotiations with Goodwin. Still, Kreutz is a 14 year veteran who can immediately bring experience and leadership to an offensive line.

Will Jonathan Goodwin be a part of the Saints' future? 2

Wide Receiver

Braylon Edwards – played with the New York Jets: The signing of WRs Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress by the Jets give the appearance that the talented, but drop prone Edwards is not likely to return to the Jets. There are a number of teams in need of good receivers; however, whether or not Edwards will be able to start in the NFL is questionable.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh – played with the Baltimore Raves: In spite of playing in all 16 games last year, Housh had fewer than 70 receptions and 900 receiving yards for the first time in 8 years, with his least productive season since his 2002 rookie year. Granted, the Ravens had established starters ahead of Houshmandzadeh in Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin, in addition to Donte Stallworth in slot/spread situations. Still Houshmandzadeh probably has something to prove and with his speed and physical attributes, he can be a contributor.

Randy Moss – played with the Tennessee Titans: Randy Moss announced his retirement yesterday. I just don’t buy it. Moss, through his agent, communicated that Moss was putting himself through two a day workouts, was in excellent shape, and had something to prove, a chip on his shoulder. I think Moss discovered that he had less leverage than he thought he had in negotiations with the Super Bowl contending teams he was interested in playing for, like the Patriots and Jets. Moss could take that leverage back by waiting for a Super Bowl contender to lose a starting wide receiver for an extended period of time. Moss does not have the profile of a man who was pondering retirement.

Terrell Owens – played with the Cincinnati Bengals: T.O. has grown up considerably during the last two seasons, in my opinion. Because of this, I think Owens will get a break with a contending team. Because he is recovering from an offseason knee injury, Owens may choose to (or may have to) wait and see which opening is the best fit for him. Whomever he signs with, Owens will bring value to the table immediately.

Steve Smith – played with the New York Giants: Smith missed 7 regular season games but caught 48 passed in the 9 regular season games in which he did participate. With the ascension of receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and the fact that Smith is still recovering from a knee injury, Smith could be either expendable or resigned at a deep discount, relative to his past production.

I think this was the only time Darrelle Revis was burned all last year. You mean to tell me THIS guy is finishied??? 3

Tight End

Kevin Boss – played with the New York Giants: I have heard a number of rumors and I am not sure whether Boss is returning to the Giants or not. If he does not, he is going to be a dynamic addition to another team’s passing game as a viable safety valve option.

Desmond Clark – played with the Chicago Bears: Clark’s productivity has declined sharply in the past two seasons, in large part because of injuries. Still, with the trade of TE Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers last week, the Bears options at tight end appear to be limited and it appears that the Bears can afford no further veteran attrition at the tight end position.

Boss says his first choice is to return to the Gaints. The clock is ticking, Kevin! 4

Fullback

Heath Evans – played with the New Orleans Saints: Evans is an uncommon fullback who has to be accounted for as a receiver out of the backfield. As much as the Saints like to throw the football, I was surprised that he has not resigned. However, Evans is 32 years old and Father Time may play a factor in his destination (if he has a 2011 destination). The Saints signed former Green Bay Packer Korey Hall over the weekend, likely turning the page on the Saints chapter in Evans’ career.

Tony Richardson – played with the New York Jets: Tony Richardson is among the greatest fullbacks of his time. At age 39, however, what career he has left in the NFL will likely be evaluated and implemented in one year increments. The Jets have not signed any of the other free agent fullbacks and Richardson played in all 16 games last year. A return to the Jets is not out of the question.

Does Tony Richardson really need training camp after 16 previous NFL seasons? Probably not, but I am sure they could use him nonetheless. 5

Halfback

Tiki Barber – played with the New York Giants: I am not sure where a 36 year old running back who has not carried the ball in 5 years would land. However, with a 1,600 yard rushing season in his last year, 2006, and an exit from football in good health, count on someone signing Barber. I would not count on Barber being signed by the Giants, though. Barber may have said one too many things to rub his Giants teammates, including quarterback Eli Manning, the wrong way during his stint with NBC Sports.

Ronnie Brown – played with the Miami Dolphins: The powerful, but often injured, Ronnie Brown is entering the seventh year of his career. Running back years are like dog years, especially when past injury problems have plagued the RB. With the acquisition of Reggie Bush in a trade with the Saints, it appears very unlikely that Brown will return to Miami.
- Update: Philadelphia Sports Daily is reporting, this afternoon, that Ronnie Brown signed a one year deal with the Eagles today.

Ricky Williams – played with the Miami Dolphins: In spite of being 34 years old, Ricky Williams still consistently averages over 4.0 yards per carry. Williams will likely cross the 10,000 career yard milestone and, depending on the production of Thomas Jones and Clinton Portis, possibly finish the 2011 season as one of the NFL’s top 25 all time leading rushers should he choose to play. Williams will add value as a backup on a number of NFL teams. The question is, “Where?”

BenJarvus Green-Ellis – played with the New England Patriots: The Law Firm is coming off of a breakout, 1,000 yard season. He is a restricted free agent and I would be stunned if the Patriots did not, through one means or another, retain Green-Ellis’ services for 2011.

Still going strong at age 34, number 34 is having the last laugh. 6

Quarterback

Marc Bulger – played with the Baltimore Ravens: Bulger has not thrown a pass in two years. However, Bulger has demonstrated that he can put the ball in the air and connect when he has talented receivers. He is only 34 years old, meaning his body should have a couple of years remaining at the quarterback position. I expect Bulger to pick up on a team that need emerge at the backup QB position during the season.

Kerry Collins – played with the Tennessee Titans: The 38 year old Collins eclipsed the 40,000 career passing yards milestone last season. If Collins starts one game this year, he will likely pass Joe Montana and be the NFL’s 10th all time leader in passing yardage. Collins posted a QB rating of 82.2 last season, significantly above his career average. So, should Collins choose to play, he will have options.

Brett Favre – played with the Minnesota Vikings: The 20 year veteran will turn 42 this season. Favre said he is retired. Then rumors surfaced about Favre possibly coming to the Philadelphia Eagles as a backup to Mike Vick. I will believe Favre is retired after an entire NFL season begins and ends and Favre is not any part of it, though, for once, if I had to bet, I would bet that Favre truly is finished. He will not return to the Vikings, barring a serious injury to Donovan McNabb and a season already headed in a winning direction. Should he sign with anyone, I cannot imagine Favre coming to terms with any team other than a serious contender. Favre, with an entire offseason and training camp of rest and a year removed from an ankle injury which, I think, affected his play more than he let on in 2010, could help a team in need put up some “Ws”. With Favre, don’t believe it until you see it!
 

How does he plan on fitting a chin strap over that thing? 7

Tomorrow: remaining defensive free agents

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