list of free agent LB, Ends, Tackles

[RamWraith]

As of March 1st


Unrestricted Free Agent Linebackers

Franchised: Lance Briggs

1. Cato June, Colts - June, 27, is a productive playmaker but fits best in one scheme as a starting weak-side linebacker. That defense is run in Buffalo.

2. Kawika Mitchell, Chiefs - Piles up numbers as a middle linebacker but K.C. wants him on the strong side. Mitchell turns 28 in October and almost certainly wants to remain inside. That's where the money's at.

3. London Fletcher, Bills - 32 next season. Fletcher makes his plays downfield and in coverage, which is acceptable in the bend-but-don't-break Tampa 2 but may not fit anywhere else.

4. Napoleon Harris, Vikings - Big (6-2/255), young (27), versatile. Injuries bugged him last year but he'll be starting somewhere in 2007.

5. Tully Banta-Cain, Patriots - Fell into a starting job last year and had 5.5 sacks. He's young at 26, but NE has a knack for making "just guys" into stars. Banta-Cain was a seventh-rounder for a reason.

6. Peter Sirmon, Titans - 30 and not much of a playmaker. He can play all three linebacker positions, which increases his value.

7. Donnie Edwards, Chargers - Works in a 4-3 as a weak-side linebacker and a 3-4 inside. He definitely won't re-sign. Edwards fits best on a team that can win right now because he's turning 34 and may only have one good year left.

8. Antwan Peek, Texans - Can't stay healthy and needs a change of scenery. Peek is only 27, had six sacks in 2005, and should be playing OLB in a 3-4, not defensive end like he was in Houston.

9. LaVar Arrington, Giants - Coming off a ruptured Achilles'. Because he's a big name, he'll get attention but Arrington is unlikely to help a team in 2007. He may retire.

10. Rob Morris, Colts - 32. Seems likely to return to Colts.
11. Randall Godfrey, Chargers - Could retire.
12. Chris Draft, Panthers - Best as a backup.
13. Danny Clark, Saints - Has starting experience at MIKE.
14. Shawn Barber, Eagles - 32, has never stayed healthy.
15. Ben Taylor, Packers - 113 tackles in 2005. 12 in 2006.
16. Junior Seau, Patriots - Could retire.
17. Brandon Short, Giants - Couldn't stay on the field in 2006.
18. Warrick Holdman, Redskins - Just a guy and 31.

Restricted Free Agent Linebackers

1. Landon Johnson, Bengals - Highly versatile. Johnson will cost a third-round pick and a contract if an offer sheet isn't matched.

2. Demorrio Williams, Falcons - Productive whenever he's started, but hasn't done so extensively.

3. Brandon Chillar, Rams - Starting SLB could be an up and comer.
4. Alex Lewis, Lions - Undersized but the Lions like his motor.
5. Gilbert Gardner, Colts - Lost starting job in 2006.
6. Caleb Miller, Bengals - Small, has some starting experience.
7. Shantee Orr, Texans - Will face competition for starting job.
8. Reggie Torbor, Giants - Should be backing up.

Unrestricted Free Agent Defensive Tackles

Franchised: Cory Redding

1. Robaire Smith, Titans - Massive man is not yet 30. Tennessee is intent on keeping him to pair with Albert Haynesworth on what should be one of the league's more underrated interior frontlines.

2. Ian Scott, Bears - 4-3 nose tackle lost his starting job in 2006 but will likely get a multi-year contract because he's only 25 and teams are desperate for run stuffers.

3. Anthony Adams, ***** - Undersized nose doesn't fit a 3-4. He was a second-round pick in 2003 and had been starting until last season, so the talent is there.

4. Aubrayo Franklin, Ravens - Big (6-1/320), young (26), and has been learning behind Kelly Gregg. Franklin could be a late bloomer.

5. Keith Traylor, Dolphins - Was having a fine 2006 until old knee troubles caught up to him. Traylor can still anchor a 3-4 but is unlikely to hold up for 16 games.

6. James Reed, Chiefs - Herm Edwards favorite.
7. Michael Myers, Broncos - 31. Denver d-line faded late in 2006.
8. Ron Edwards, Chiefs - Big (6-3/320), young (27), but nothing special.
9. Alfonso Boone, Bears - Journeyman played quite a bit in 2006.
10. Kindal Moorehead, Panthers - Had five sacks in 2005.

Restricted Free Agent Defensive Tackles

1. Randy Starks, Titans - 23 and productive but has off-field troubles.
2. Tommy Kelly, Raiders - May challenge Tyler Brayton at DE.
3. Craig Terrill, Seahawks - 'Hawks love him as a productive sub.
4. Tim Anderson, Bills - Lost starting job in 2006 to a fifth-round pick.
5. Spencer Johnson, Vikings - Rotation player in a Tampa 2.
6. Rashad Moore, Jets - Can play nose in a 3-4 but not a starter.
7. Jordan Carstens, Panthers - Recovering from blood clot in lung.

Unrestricted Free Agent Defensive Ends

Franchised: Dwight Freeney, Charles Grant, Justin Smith

1. Adalius Thomas, Ravens - 28 sacks in the past three years but turns 30 before the season. Still, he is peaking after multiple years as a special teamer. Thomas has a reasonable asking price, but wants nearly all the money upfront. New Orleans, Green Bay, and San Francisco seem the frontrunners.

2. Patrick Kerney, Falcons - Looks likely to depart. Kerney, 30, only plays left end, which could cancel him out of some teams' plans but not too many.

3. Jarret Johnson, Ravens – Can play DE, OLB, and ILB, and has been sitting behind numerous great players since going in the '03 fourth round. He's big (6-3/285), athletic, young (25), and deserves a starting chance.

4. Dewayne White, Bucs - 27 and versatile but probably best suited in a Cover 2-based rotation. White started most of last year but had only four sacks.

5. Juqua Thomas, Eagles - Former undrafted FA could get a chance to start as a 3-4 OLB.

6. David Bowens, Dolphins - Has been through free agency before and didn't excite anyone.

7. Jimmy Wilkerson, Chiefs - Undersized DE/DT has never been very disruptive.

8. Patrick Chukwurah, Broncos - Possible help as a 3-4 OLB.
9. Al Wallace, Panthers – Durable but old. Cut last week.
10. Brandon Green, Rams - Very situational pass rusher.
11. Alvin McKinley, Browns - Just a guy. Has a cool beard.
12. N.D. Kalu, Texans – Can also play inside but old.

Restricted Free Agent Defensive Ends

1. Jared Allen, Chiefs - Wants to be traded but is the Chiefs' most dominant defensive player and they can't let him get away. Allen should receive the first- and third-round tender if he won't sign long term.
2. Bobby McCray, Jaguars - Lanky speed rusher had ten sacks in '06.
3. Darrion Scott, Vikings - Six sacks last year and can play inside.
4. Anthony Hargrove, Bills - Should compete to replace Chris Kelsay.
5. Josh Thomas, Colts - Rotational type, has most value in Indy.

[Nick]

Guys I think we should at least talk to...

4. Napoleon Harris, Vikings - Big (6-2/255), young (27), versatile. Injuries bugged him last year but he'll be starting somewhere in 2007.

12. Chris Draft, Panthers - Best as a backup.

15. Ben Taylor, Packers - 113 tackles in 2005. 12 in 2006.

2. Ian Scott, Bears - 4-3 nose tackle lost his starting job in 2006 but will likely get a multi-year contract because he's only 25 and teams are desperate for run stuffers.

4. Aubrayo Franklin, Ravens - Big (6-1/320), young (26), and has been learning behind Kelly Gregg. Franklin could be a late bloomer.

5. Keith Traylor, Dolphins - Was having a fine 2006 until old knee troubles caught up to him. Traylor can still anchor a 3-4 but is unlikely to hold up for 16 games.

4. Dewayne White, Bucs - 27 and versatile but probably best suited in a Cover 2-based rotation. White started most of last year but had only four sacks.

2. Bobby McCray, Jaguars - Lanky speed rusher had ten sacks in '06.

3. Darrion Scott, Vikings - Six sacks last year and can play inside.

Though I can't say off the top of my head that I know the tender price for the last two DEs.

[RAMMAN68]

McCray, Ian Scott, and Harris are ones to look at, might be affordable.

3. Brandon Chillar, Rams - Starting SLB could be an up and comer.

Interesting take, IMO he has been improving with playing time and just might be the solution at SLB IF we can upgrade the D line.

[Nick]

Interesting take, IMO he has been improving with playing time and just might be the solution at SLB IF we can upgrade the D line.

I think a number of people, including myself, underestimate Chillar to a degree. He's no where near as big of an issue for us as the defensive line personnel are.

[keith m. klink]

i personally think chillar is fine where he is and i don't see a need to get someone to take his place, unless a star falls in our lap, and beats him out in camp.i think with pisa and spoon, we are ok at lb, our front line seems to be the problem.

[RAMarkable]

I think a number of people, including myself, underestimate Chillar to a degree. He's no where near as big of an issue for us as the defensive line personnel are.

This is somewhat along the lines of what I've been saying: To wit, the criticisms of B. Chillar are coming mostly from the Rams FANS. I never hear much negative talk from the coaches or other personnel people familiar with his play. Granted we all would like to see an upgrade, but we could make that same argument with every position on the team. Until I read or hear otherwise I can only conclude that B. Chillar is not a huge problem at this time, and certainly not as huge a need or concern of the type that plagues this team in other positions.

WHAT SAY YE?

[RAMMAN68]

I think the Rams should perhaps look at a solid vet back up at LB; I know they are reworking Coakley's contract to try and resign him as a WLB but we need some depth at MLB and SLB.

Falcons released LB Edgerton Hartwell.

A textbook example of free agency gone wrong. Hartwell got a huge deal to sign in Atlanta just two years ago after being a complimentary player in Baltimore. His health problems couldn't have been foreseen, but he also struggled to change schemes. Now GM Rich McKay is ditching him to free up more of Arthur Blank's money. Mar. 2 - 2:59 pm et

I know, over priced, not that good, but "IF" they were able to work a reasonable deal............. he could be a back up/ situational type.

What say ye all.

[Nick]

I know, over priced, not that good, but "IF" they were able to work a reasonable deal............. he could be a back up/ situational type.

The snippet you posted sums it up - he's had health problems and struggled to go from the Ravens 3-4 to the Falcons 4-3. I don't see him being much of an option for us.

[HUbison]

Quite a blow for the Falcons.....his entire contract was guaranteed money, that can't be good for the cap.

[RAMMAN68]

Here's another available DT;

Montae Reagor,-DT Colts
Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 285 Age: 29
Born: 6/29/1977, Waxahachie, TX
College: Texas Tech
NFL Experience: 8th season
Drafted: 1999 - Rd 2 (58th overall) by the Broncos
2005 Salary: $2,850,000