2003 Free Agents (Offense)

Since everyone seems to be looking forward to the '03 offseason, here's a list of available free agents after this year. The QB list is none too impressive, for those who think we can pluck someone from that bunch.

Quarterbacks

Plummer, Jake, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson, Rob, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matthews, Shane, Washington Redskins
King, Shaun, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Blake, Jeff, Baltimore Ravens
Batch, Charlie, Pittsburgh Steelers
Frerotte, Gus, Cincinnati Bengals
Detmer, Koy, Philadelphia Eagles

Running Backs

Hambrick, Troy, Dallas Cowboys
Gary, Olandis, Denver Broncos
Bryson, Shawn, Buffalo Bills
Levens, Dorsey, Philadelphia Eagles
Johnson, James, Cleveland Browns
Chapman, Doug, Minnesota Vikings
Morris, Sammy, Buffalo Bills
Wiley, Michael, Dallas Cowboys
Keaton, Curtis, Cincinnati Bengals
Mitchell, Brian, Philadelphia Eagles

Fullbacks

Anderson, Richie, New York Jets
Martin, Cecil, Philadelphia Eagles
Neal, Lorenzo, Cincinnati Bengals
Konrad, Rob, Miami Dolphins
Edwards, Marc, New England Patriots
Makovicka, Joel, Arizona Cardinals
Dyer, Deon, Miami Dolphins

Wide Receivers

Boston, David, Arizona Cardinals
Coles, Laveraneus, New York Jets
Hilliard, Isaac, New York Giants
Jackson, Darrell, Seattle Seahawks
Dyson, Kevin, Tennessee Titans
Freeman, Antonio, Philadelphia Eagles
Price, Peerless, Buffalo Bills
Sanders, Frank, Arizona Cardinals
Mathis, Terance, Pittsburgh Steelers
Gadsden, Oronde, Miami Dolphins
Jenkins, Ronney, San Diego Chargers
Jenkins, Martay, Arizona Cardinals
Dugans, Ron, Cincinnati Bengals
Dawson, JaJuan, Houston Texans
Hatchette, Matt, Oakland Raiders
Stokley, Brandon, Baltimore Ravens
Bates, Michael, Carolina Panthers

Tight Ends

Kleinsasser, Jim, Minnesota Vikings
Conwell, Ernie, St. Louis Rams
Williams, Eddie Lee, New Orleans Saints
Tuman, Jerame, Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleeland, Cameron, New England Patriots
Weaver, Jed, Miami Dolphins

Offensive Tackles

Pace, Orlando, St. Louis Rams
Adams, Flozell, Dallas Cowboys
Page, Solomon, Dallas Cowboys
Petitgout, Luke, New York Giants
Dotson, Earl, Green Bay Packers
Rosenthal, Mike, New York Giants

Offensive Guards

Tauscher, Mark, Green Bay Packers
Collins, Mo, Oakland Raiders
Gibson, Aaron, Dallas Cowboys
Dixon, Mark, Miami Dolphins
Piller, Zach, Tennessee Titans
Bedell, Brad, Cleveland Browns
Brzezinski, Doug, Philadelphia Eagles
Tucker, Rex, Chicago Bears

Centers

Ackerman, Tom, Oakland Raiders

 

I would think Brad Johnson would be available if Rob Johnson wasn't. Brad is not a great QB, but he could certainly run this offense.

 

he's an upgrade over Peete, yes. And he's a local guy I believe, Asheville?

save for the overly expensive Pace I would think there are plenty of good names there at decent prices at RT. Hope we go that route.

 

I would imagine that we would take a QB in the first round of next year's draft and unless we would bring him in as kinda the one year guy and let Weinke and Peete go which I could see happening.

I think though that we should look at WR, not too pricy but someone who could help. What about Kevin Dyson of the Titans or Orande Gadsden of the Phins? Maybe trade Moose for a 2nd round pick and with that pick draft a quality WR, so Dyson/Gadsden and Smith at the other end with a rookie WR in the making as 3rd. I'd be comfortable with that. Better with what we have now. Moose hasnt been on the field too much, Bright has dissapointed, but on the other hand Smith has excelled.

 

I don't see us getting rid of Moose, although the hammy injuries do get a bit frustrating. In some ways it's worse than just breaking a bone. It's not something that heals and is all better, its just a nagging thing.

But yeah, QB and WR need to be addressed with some 1st day picks next year, IMO.

 

Yeah, I doubt that Moose will go as well, but something needs to be addressed about the WR situation.

 

I'm starting to get on board with drafting a WR first after thinking about it a little last night. I looked at the Ravens and Jets QB's. They sat on the bench for a couple of years and learned with no pressure on them, and now both of them seem to be pretty effective. Not spectacular, but (in Redman's case anyway), they seem to be getting the job done. That's really all we need. My hopes for the rest of the season are none to optimistic anyway. I got to reading an article on ESPN.com, and while they ain't always geniuses, I found myself agreeing with what Mike Golic had to say.

Team living on borrowed time: Carolina Panthers
They are playing well, especially their defense, which is ranked No. 1 in the NFL. The Panthers are not a fluke. But I don't know if they can sustain it for the entire season. If they get nicked up, they don't have great depth. Their starters are playing well, but as the season wears on, depth could be an issue for them. If they lose key people to injuries for a week or two, they could fall into a hole.

After seeing how the offense has floundered with just one injury (Moose), I am inclined to agree. Also, how well will our defense play if we lose Dan Morgan? Or one or two of our starting D-lineman? Our starters are indeed talented, but there ain't a whole lot past that.

>>I would think Brad Johnson would be available if Rob Johnson wasn't. Brad is not a great QB, but he could certainly run this offense.

No way Gruden dumps Brad Johnson. He knows Rob Johnson ain't no QB.

>>save for the overly expensive Pace I would think there are plenty of good names there at decent prices at RT. Hope we go that route.

Pace gets a franchise tag brother. And yes, I wholeheartedly agree that a lot of these guys are an upgrade over Terry. How much you wanna bet the cowgirls can't sign BOTH of their bookend tackles? I'd take either one over Terry. Especially Page.

 

I look at that list overall and see that the Cards are fucked. They'll have to franchise either Plummer or Boston to keep one of them, the other is liable to walk.

On to the list, I'll just look at the skill guys:

QB's-aside from Plummer and maybe King no one jumps out at me. Plummer would cost too much and is a bit erratic. King is still young enough to have some upside. Frerotte can't hold the starter's job even with the Bengals. Why bother? Blake, if we were interested we'd have made a play this year. Batch I've never been sold on. Johnson, Matthews, and Detmer all suck.

RB's-we may only be looking at a backup/3rd down type guy. To be honest, not much there. Gary, maybe depending on how he shows during the rest of the year coming back from two years of injuries. We'd need a bruiser to complement Foster if Smith isn't around next year.

FB's-we may be in the market here. Neal's probably the best blocker of the bunch, but he's a bit long in the tooth to be bringing in. I like Martin from Philly. Konrad and Edwards would be probably cost a bit much to go after. Anderson is a fairly good FB, but his hands seem to be a problem at times. He'll snag one down around his ankles and then drop one dead in his chest the next time around.

WR's-Boston would be great, but we'd probably be talking Gilbert type dollars to sign him. I doubt the Cards let him walk however. Dyson is a good player, but do we need two Steve Smiths? Price will probably get tagged by the Bills, but I'd love to have him here. Jenkins is a decent WR, but do we need another possession guy to pair with Moose? Jackson put up some good numbers for Seattle and may be worth a look. Stokley could be Jeffers II, depending on the cash involved, might be the guy. Maybe Coles could give Weinke some one he'd be comfortable with if he's still here. Sign him and trade for Warrick from the Bengals and maybe Weinke could get his shit together.

TE's-damn, that's an ugly lot to choose from. Boo Williams is a downfield TE, not much the blocking TE Henning would be looking for. Cleeland, if he could stay healthy might be a steal.

 

QB - Plummer and King are posibilities. The Cards will let Plummer test the market, he hasn't lead them anywhere yet.
King is a guy I tlked about a few weeks ago. I think he'd be a good QB in this offense. Plus, Hennings is real good at not exposing his QB's weaknesses in designing his offensive scheme.
I'd be happy with either, but Plummer would be a big change in that the offense would have to be restructured and Hennings would have to toss out this years playbook all together.

RB - Don't really see a need or anyone that would be much of an upgrade over what we have. Bryson maybe, if we let Smith go, but I don't see that happening. Plus, Foster is a question mark at this point? Use a mid to late rounder to add competition.

FB - Again, don't see the need. Hoooooover is developing into a good FB. Unless we are looking to upgrade the #2, in which case, we can draft one.

WR - Stokley would be my first choice, but I don't know if he'd be a #2 type of guy. Like him better as a #3. Same with Martay Jenkins and Dawson on a lesser level. Jenkins would give us a returnrer to lighten Smith's load.
As a #2, I'd say Jackson or Gadsden.
Price and Boston should be tagged.
Drafting someone early is essential! Although, based on what I am seeing right now...Rogers isn't the guy. The sloppy Hawkeye CB's are containing him, practically taking him out of the equasion?

TE - Walls is getting old, Mangum as a starter scares me, and Heinrich is green. Could be an are of need. Why did we let Luther get away?
Williams and Weaver aren't bad. Opposites, Williams is more of a pass catcher and Weaver a blocker. Although, Jed showed flashes last year.
Cleeland is a poor mans Walls more than Mangum ever was. He even has Wals body language on the field. Just can't stay healthy and he's still young.

OT - Pace will get tagged, but Page or Dotson would be welcomed additions IMO. I said before, I wouldn't mind seeing Terry moved inside. Just curious to see what he could do there?

OG - Move Terry? Nesbit is playing well and has improved each of the last three years. James has come on as well, but we could stand to upgrade and use him off the bench.
Tauscher and Tucker stick out to me. Both are young guys with fire and good technique. Neither is of Pro-bowl caliber, but both are reliable.

C - No need what so ever.

DE - I like what we have in Rassmusen and Wallace at this point. If we can upgrade with a mid rounder, I'd be happy w/ that.

DT - First or second rounder would be my preference, but if I had to spend the money...I'd rather not. Get someone in the draft. Buckner/Burton and Jenkins isn't a bad combo, although an upgrade next to Jenkins would be prefered.


LB - Depth is needed! I'd rather have Navies comign off the bench and Witherspoon starting, maybe next year? Although an upgrade in depth is needed, I don't see LB being much of an off-season concern.

CB - Not sure who, but we need someone. Whether it's someone we have on IR (Fair) or a Wesley or Franklin, someone needs to get in the mix. What we have will work for now though, Howard, Cousins, McDaniel haven't played bad. Add the other three to the mix and let the bets pair win. We're in much better shape with our host of Nicklebacks than I ever thought we were!

S - No need, our deepest position on the field. Although, I think Richardson will be a FA? Enter D-Coop?

ST - A return specialist is needed, preferable one that can step in as a #3 or #4 WR as well. No need @ punter, we got lucky there.
Kicker is an area of concern. We need to pick up a UFA to battle with Kasay. Not another "Who? From Where?", but a college kicker who has actually done something worth mentioning to really compete for the job!

 

FINE!! I thought we were talkin strictly offense, but since you brought it up, McFly, here's the defensive free-agents as well. And CB's, with the exception of McAlister, looks pretty thin.

Defensive Ends

Holliday, Vonnie, Green Bay Packers
Gbaja-Biamila, Kabeer, Green Bay Packers
Sawyer, Talance, Minnesota Vikings
Sinclair, Michael, Philadelphia Eagles
Owens, Rich, Kansas City Chiefs
Smith, Robaire, Tennessee Titans

Defensive Tackles

Myers, Michael, Dallas Cowboys
Brown, Gilbert, Green Bay Packers
Martin, Steve, New England Patriots
Young, Brian, St. Louis Rams
Dotson, Santana, Washington Redskins
Warren, Steve, Green Bay Packers
Smith, Larry, Jacksonville Jaguars

Outside Linebackers

Spikes, Takeo, Cincinnati Bengals
Colvin, Rosevelt, Chicago Bears
Simmons, Anthony, Seattle Seahawks
Peterson, Mike, Indianapolis Colts
Slaughter, T.J., Jacksonville Jaguars
Diggs, Na'il, Green Bay Packers
Barber, Shawn, Philadelphia Eagles
Fredrickson, Rob, Arizona Cardinals
Navies, Hannibal, Carolina Panthers
Bell, Marcus, Seattle Seahawks
Simoneau, Mark, Atlanta Falcons
Newman, Keith, Buffalo Bills
Minor, Kory, Carolina Panthers


Middle Linebackers

Claiborne, Chris, Detroit Lions
McKinnon, Ronald, Arizona Cardinals
Ruff, Orlando, San Diego Chargers
Ulbrich, Jeff, San Francisco 49ers
Webster, Nate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kirkland, Levon, Philadelphia Eagles
Short, Brandon, New York Giants
Holecek, John, Atlanta Falcons
Cox, Bryan, New Orleans Saints

Cornerbacks

McAlister, Chris, Baltimore Ravens
Edwards, Mario, Dallas Cowboys
Bly, Dre', St. Louis Rams
Westbrook, Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Lyght, Todd, Detroit Lions
Wright, Kenny, Minnesota Vikings
Jenkins, DeRon, Carolina Panthers

Safeties

Lassiter, Kwamie, Arizona Cardinals
Flowers, Lee, Pittsburgh Steelers
Darius, Donovin, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones, Tebucky, New England Patriots