There is a lull in NFL land right now, but most likely it is the quiet before the storm. No, I am not talking about the snow storm everyone expects to hit Super Bowl XLVIII in the Meadowlands. I am talking about the storm that happens around mid-June in the NFL when player moves become more prevalent as teams prepare to open training camps.
With that in mind, here are some of the big names left in the free agent market and where they might find themselves come late July.
| Quarterbacks | |
| Marc Bulger | Bulger made a quiet exit in St. Louis, and although he leaves the Rams with the second highest yards passing in franchise history (22,814) he certainly did not win many games (41-54 ). That’s probably why Bulger has not received much interest. That, and his injury problems. In his final three years, Bulger missed 13 games due to injury and he will be hard pressed to find a team before the season starts. |
| Patrick Ramsey | It may be time for Ramsey to hang ’em up. The journeyman QB (four teams in 9 seasons) has not lived up to the hype from being the Redskins 1st Round draft pick in 2002. After being released by the Lions, there may not be another team interested in his services. |
| JaMarcus Russell | When Al Davis gives up on you, there is usually no place left to go. Russell has become the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf, and he really does not care for the game. Unless a starting QB dies right before the season, Russell will not be playing football in the NFL this year. Actually, he may never play in the NFL ever again. |
| Running Backs | |
| Brian Westbrook | After being released by the Eagles, Westbrook has a tough decision to make. He can retire and start the next chapter in his life, or sign with another team and play as a third down back and risk another concussion. The Rams, Redskins and Seahawks are all interested, and Westbrook will have a team to play for if he so chooses. |
| Jamal Lewis | Holmgren and the Browns decided to go younger with the team, so Lewis found himself as the odd man out. That means that Lewis has to prove to others that his 30 years of age is a good thing. I don’t see many teams out there willing to take a chance on this solid, but aging back. |
| Justin Fargas | Another USC player that never lived up to the hype. Although one can argue it was the system in Oakland that failed and not Fargas himself. Still, potential teams will find Fargas’ injury problems hard to overlook. If he finds a team, it will not be until just before camps start. |
| Wide Receivers | |
| Terrell Owens | Since he made a greater splash on TV with his reality show than he did in Buffalo last year, T.O. is stilll looking for a job. His phone is not ringing off the hook because most teams are not willing to pay his $4 to $5 million dollar price tag and take on his persona too. Sources say the Seahawks have inquired about his services, but that’s about it. Look for Owens to find a job during training camps when he drops his salary requirements. |
| Laveranues Coles | Coles never delivered with the Bengals so he is out of work again. Good news though, the Jets say they are interested in Coles again. Could he make his third and final stop in New York, for either the Jets or Giants? |
| Javon Walker | Walker has never been the same since the death of Darrent Willams and no one can blame him. He needed to get out of Denver, but Oakland was not the answer. Not sure another team will take on Walker and right now, I don’t really think Walker even cares to play football again. |
| Defensive Backs | |
| Ken Hamlin | Hamlin played three years with the Cowboys after leaving Seattle via free agency. In 2007, he made the Pro Bowl with 5 INTs and over sixty tackles. However, in his final two years with the Cowboys, Hamlin was injured more often that he was on the field and managed just 1 INT in two years. His past injuries and age (29) might keep him off a roster. If he lands anywhere, it might be Cincinnati. |
| Shawn Springs | Springs is most likely done in the NFL. After 13 seasons with three different teams, Shawn’s age and health finally caught him. Sources say he failed his physical before being released by the Patriots. Springs has little to no value to teams right now and will likely announce his retirement soon. |
| Fred Smoot | Another corner that has little left in the tank. After Smoot’s second go with the Redskins, he was released after his third year in which he only started 6 games. Fred himself has contemplated retirement and recently went on a radio show and discussed opening a Waffle House in the D.C. area. Unlikely another team will come calling for Fred’s services, unless they are looking to order an All-Star Special Breakfast. |
| Linebackers | |
| Antonio Pierce | Pierce might be done with football on the field, as TMZ.com reported last month that Pierce had an audition to be an in-studio football analyst for ESPN. However his old defensive coach and current head coach for the St. Louis Rams, Steve Spagnuolo, may have him reconsider. Outside of St. Louis, there is little to no interest in Antonio Pierce. |
| Adalius Thomas | "LateGate" aside, here is another football player with food on his mind. Thomas, who has no suitors at this time, is spending his unemployed time promoting his A.D.licious marinade. Thomas remains confident that someone will come calling before the start of camps, but I am not sure a team will be willing to pay a 10 year veteran for more than one year. If he does land somewhere, it may be New York, where he can reunite with Rex Ryan. |
great insight.
i think the year steven and jeff will stop hating on the raiders and rams will be 2012.
I despise it when people are accused of being “Haters” or “Of hating”. Its usually bollocks and also when there are so many other words you could use from the language of Shakespeare it just makes it silly. Use proper English and stop thinking people are biased all the time!!! Pundits are nearly always impartial and don’t have petty feuds with certain teams, if your accusing people of “Hating” get over it and look at yourself frankly.
PS Very informative post, didn’t realise how the names there were still FA’s. The next signing for JaMarcus Russell will probably be when he signs for jobseekers allowance.
Uh-oh! New vacancy alert: BIG FAT LENDALE WHITE!
@ jack howes
They said that they ARE haters of the raiders and rams, so I’m not accusing them of hating, I’m stating that they are haters.
Shame about Springs, understand that when your time comes to retire then its your time to go (Statement there excluding Brett Favre) But being a Patriot I enjoyed our time together and also in Madden. He helped me win many games!
I did hear something about the Bears looking into T.O.. May help out a bit there.
I just mentioned that in my response to the franchise qb article. I think T.O. is a viable option for the Bears. Cutler needs a legit no. 1 WR, and Lovie needs to win in order to keep his job. Without a no. 1, Cutler will be sure to have another 20+ INT season. What’s the risk? Sign him to a one year deal. Offer him an incentive based, one year contract for up to $5 million. If he causes problems, cut him… and you’re back to Aroma-Therapy as your best WR.
The Bears need a legit number one WR but T.O. is not what he once was. His last season with Dallas he struggled to get open when in press coverage and often dropped easy to catch passes. Being a Dallas fan I was shocked and surprised by T.O. out-right release before last season but hindsight being 20/20 this was a shrewd decision by Jerry Jones.
T.O. and Jay Cutler would be an interesting dynamic to watch on the sidelines. The only way to sign T.O. is to keep the proverbial “carrot” out in front of him. As long as he has a big payday ahead he will keep his attitude and antics somewhat in check, when you pay him the big money up front he becomes the locker room cancer yteams fear.
The only big name free agents that may make an impact, I think, would be Adalius Thomas with the Jets or Brian Westbrook, if he can avoid more concussions. I don’t want to see Westbrook in aRedskins uniform because the McNabb-Westbrook combo has tortured us Cowboys fans enough.
Sincerely,
BGR
Is Keith Bullock still available or has he been resigned>?
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