Top 5 free agents by position
BY JIM THOMAS
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/02/2005
Here's a position-by-position look at the top players available in free agency:
QUARTERBACK
Overview: Johnson, Garcia and Warner are good enough to start for somebody in the NFL; but the quality falls off sharply after that.
1.) Brad Johnson, Tampa Bay: Has never been an elite QB but still can do more than just manage an offense.
2.) Jeff Garcia, Cleveland: The year in Cleveland was a disaster, but Detroit (and Steve Mariucci) could be the perfect spot.
3.) Kurt Warner, NY Giants: Warner certainly isn't what he used to be, but he's still a middle-tier QB who could help the right team.
4.) Jay Fiedler, Miami: Won plenty of games in 4 1/2 seasons as starter, but benefited from great defenses.
5.) Kelly Holcomb, Cleveland: Despite some remarkably productive outings, has been an injury-prone tease so far in the NFL.
Rams' needs: It looks as if Jeff Smoker is the No. 2, but the No. 3 job remains uncertain.
Worth a look: Quincy Carter, NY Jets. But only if convinced his off-the-field problems are behind him.
Buyer beware: Jeff Blake, Philadelphia. Little more than a No. 3 at this stage of his career.
RUNNING BACKS
Overview: Jordan should attract the most attention. Everybody else comes with questions.
1.) Lamont Jordan, NY Jets: A power back who's ready to step out of Curtis Martin's shadow somewhere.
2.) Correll Buckhalter, Philadelphia: Plenty of talent, but not worth a huge investment because of injury problems.
3.) Anthony Thomas, Chicago: Chicago's not his kind of town, but this power back does have two 1,000-yard campaigns in 4 NFL seasons.
4.) Garrison Hearst, Denver: Barely used for Broncos, but still has some tread on the tires at age 34.
5.) Derrick Blaylock, Kansas City: At worst, could be an effective change-of-pace player in a two-back system.
Rams' needs: Aveion Cason and Arlen Harris are possibilities, but still looking for a No. 3 back behind
Steven Jackson and Marshall Faulk.
Worth a look: Amos Zereoue, Oakland. Had 709 yards rushing- receiving in Raiders' backfield by committee.
Buyer beware: Eddie George, Dallas. George definitely has hit the wall after 9 NFL seasons.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Overview: Some good talent at the top. Burress, Mason and Patten all could flourish in the right system.
1.) Plaxico Burress, Pittsburgh: Production has dipped past 2 years but remains a big target and a big-play threat.
2.) Derrick Mason, Tennessee: One of game's best possession receivers finished 2nd in NFL in receptions (96) last season.
3.) David Patten, New England: Underrated part of Patriots' Super Bowl machine averaged 18.2 yards per catch with 7 TDs last season.
4.) Kevin Johnson, Baltimore: Only 35 catches in 2004, but that total was a team high for the offensively impaired Ravens.
5.) Cedrick Wilson, San Francisco: Finished second on team with career-high 47 catches last year; might put up bigger numbers in better offense.
Rams' needs: Basically non-existent, what with all 6 WRs from last season either tendered or under contract.
Worth a look: Troy Brown, New England. Not what he once was as a WR, but can still contribute - and play DB!
Buyer beware: Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay. A descending player who never quite lived up to his No. 8 overall draft selection in 1995.
FULLBACKS/TIGHT ENDS
Overview: One of the slimmest FB crops in the history of free agency; some decent tight ends.
1.) Itula Mili, TE, Seattle: Seahawks' best TE last season, even if receptions dipped to 23 from career-high 46 in 2003.
2.) Jermaine Wiggins, TE, Minnesota: Caught 71 passes last year - or 21 more than his career total in 4 previous NFL seasons.
3.) Stephen Alexander, TE, Detroit: Bounced back from injury-plagued 2003 season to log 40-plus catches for 3rd time in career.
4.) Chad Lewis, TE, Philadelphia: Accomplished receiver had 2 TD catches in NFC title game but suffered season-ending foot injury.
5.) Patrick Pass, FB, New England: Undersized-but-willing blocker was Patriots' primary FB for first time in career in 2004.
Rams' needs: Could be looking to upgrade 2nd TE spot behind Manumaleuna; Goodspeed is adequate at FB.
Worth a look: Jon Ritchie, FB, Philadelphia. Pass catcher and tough lead blocker suffered season-ending knee injury in Game 3.
Buyer beware: Freddie Jones, Arizona. Doesn't like to block and gets upset when he doesn't get the ball.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Overview: No superstars in this group, but lots of solid starting talent at both tackle and guard.
1.) Jonas Jennings, T, Buffalo: The only starting LT on the open market, Jennings has a big body, plays nasty and has good feet. He will cash in.
2.) Mike Wahle, G, Green Bay: A cap casualty Tuesday, Wahle is a good, solid, athletic guard who can also play tackle.
3.) Fred Miller, T, Tennessee: Remains a durable, above- average starter at age 32.
4.) Marco Rivera, G, Green Bay: Three-time Pro Bowler has some miles on him but remains an effective, tough blocker.
5.) Oliver Ross, T, Pittsburgh: Ascending player who has been a starting RT for only the last year and a half.
Rams' needs: Even if LT
Orlando Pace re-signs, the Rams still need a starting right tackle and could be shopping at guard, too.
Worth a look: Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack, T/G, Seattle. Probably better suited to play G but performed well in relief of injured RT Chris Terry last season.
Buyer beware: Stockar McDougle, T, Detroit. Tons of ability but makes too many mistakes.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Overview: Good but not great players here. Franchise tags to John Abraham (Jets) and Darren Howard (Saints) took some luster off this unit.
1.) Pat Williams, DT, Buffalo: Wide-body, and big-time run stuffer is one of the league's better interior d-linemen.
2.) Jason Ferguson, DT, NY Jets: Can clog up the middle, but also provides an inside push; 3 1/2 sacks, 18 QB pressures last season.
3.) Chike Okeafor, DE, Seattle: Hustle player with good quickness had 8 1/2 sacks, 5 forced fumbles last season.
4.) Reggie Hayward, DE Denver: Emerging player with 19 sacks over past two seasons, including 10 1/2 in 2004 as first-time starter.
5.) Bryce Fisher, Rams: A strong month of December will earn him a lot of money in free agency, more than the Rams probably can afford.
Rams' needs: Could use another productive body here, particularly if Fisher goes elsewhere, as expected.
Worth a look: Derrick Burgess, DE, Philadelphia. Had his moments in the playoffs after a modest regular season.
Buyer beware: Jason Gildon, DE, Jacksonville. His play no longer matches his reputation.
LINEBACKERS
Overview: Pending any 11th-hour signings, this is the deepest position in free agency, especially at MLB.
1.) Edgerton Hartwell, Baltimore: Tough, solid performer led Ravens in tackles in 2002 and was second to Ray Lewis in 2003 and 2004.
2.) Antonio Pierce, Washington: A pleasant surprise - and then some - in 2004, replacing the injured Mike Barrow at MLB.
3.) Kendrell Bell, Pittsburgh: Strong, quick and hard to block, but played in only 3 games in 2004 because of hernia and shoulder and groin injuries.
4.) Jeremiah Trotter, Philadelphia: Heart and soul of Eagles defense at MLB revived career after moving into starting lineup at midseason.
5.) Chris Claiborne, Minnesota: Slowed by calf injury over first half of season, was Vikings' best defensive player last month of season.
Rams' needs: LB is the No. 1 team need, particularly in middle, with Robert Thomas expected to move to weak side this year.
Worth a look: Tommy Polley, Rams. Although he fizzled out in St. Louis, a change of scenery might do him good.
Buyer beware: Ronald McKinnon, Arizona. A descending player who dipped below 100 tackles in 2004 for first time since 1996.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Overview: Thanks to cap cuts, there's lots to choose from at corner, but not much at safety.
1.) Ty Law, CB, New England: Four-time Pro Bowler and superb cover corner played in only 7 games last year because of foot injury.
2.) Samari Rolle, CB, Tennessee: Elite performer, a six-year starter and 2000 Pro Bowler, missed last 5 games of 2004 with left knee "scope."
3.) Fred Smoot, CB, Washington: Stepped out of Champ Bailey's shadow last year, but brash attitude rubbed some team officials the wrong way.
4.) Gary Baxter, CB, Baltimore: Has shuffled between corner and safety the past two years but wants to be a corner only.
5.) Anthony Henry, CB, Cleveland: An ascending young talent, with ideal CB size (6-1, 190); 17 INTs in four NFL seasons.
Rams' needs: A big area of need since Adam Archuleta and converted LB
Pisa Tinoisamoa are the only safeties under contract.
Worth a look: Ken Lucas, CB, Seattle. Six INTs and 21 breakups last season.
Buyer beware: Rolle is facing an assault charge after Valentine's night incident with wife.
PUNTERS/KICKERS
Overview: One of the skimpiest crops in years. Not a top-tier talent in the bunch.
1.) Jay Feely, K, Atlanta: Young kicker made 18 of 23 FG attempts last season.
2.) Steve Christie, K, NY Giants: Above 75 percent in FG accuracy last season for only 2nd time since 1998.
3.) Tom Rouen, P, Seattle: Suffered season-ending hamstring injury Oct. 10 vs. St. Louis, but still has 43.7 career average.
4.) Morten Andersen, Minnesota: You could still do a lot worse than Andersen, who turns 45 in August!
5.) Toby Gowin, NY Jets: Has lost distance in last two years but has good touch inside 20 and can kick off.
Rams' needs: Obviously set with K Jeff Wilkins. But can the same be said for P Kevin Stemke?
Worth a look: Sean Landeta, Rams. Before his late-season release in 2004, was averaging 43.3 yards per kick.
Buyer beware: Joe Nedney, Tennessee. Has missed the last two seasons with knee and hamstring injuries.
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