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Re-Loading Season - Free-Agent Primer #1

Free Agency is a few weeks away, and while most expect the Broncos to quiet this year there is no doubt they will make some type of move.  Below is who Pete Prisco from CBSSportsline sees breaking the bank this off-season --

1. Asante Samuel, CB, New England Patriots: He is a premier corner who is coming off an All-Pro season. He will get the biggest contract on the market.

2. Antwan Odom, DE, Tennessee Titans: In a league starved for pass rushers, here's a 26-year old coming off an eight-sack season. The Titans will be hard-pressed to keep him considering they will have to franchise Haynesworth.

3. Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots: I love the way he plays. But he turns 31 this week and one has to wonder how he'll be as a player in another system, without the peer pressure to toe the line. The Pats might still franchise him, but that's not a definite.

4. Corey Williams, DT, Green Bay Packers: This 27-year-old is one of the better young players available. At 312 pounds, he can hold up against the run, and he has 14 sacks over the past two seasons.

5. Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears: The Bears would love to keep him but they can't franchise him, so he will hit the market. He's coming off a heck of a season and should cash in on it.

6. Flozell Adams, T, Dallas Cowboys: After a so-so year in 2006, he played well last season. Was it a money push? The Cowboys would love to have him back, but only at the right price.

7. Justin Smith, DE, Cincinnati Bengals: He had only two sacks last season, which hurts his marketability. But he's a better player than that. In a league looking for pass rushers, he will get overpaid some.

8. Alan Faneca, G, Pittsburgh Steelers: If he were four years younger, he'd be even higher. He played at a really high level last season after a so-so 2006. But at 31, how much more does he have left?

9. Bernard Berrian, WR, Chicago Bears: He had a little case of the drops last season, but his deep speed is enticing. He's the next-best deep threat on the market after Moss.

10. Michael Turner, RB, San Diego Chargers: I'm not big on paying running backs who played with other teams, but he will get his money. He'll give his new team two or three good years. There's already wear and tear on the tires.

11. Jacob Bell, G, Tennessee Titans: He has developed into a power player for the Titans. He is part of a good offensive line that doesn't get the attention it deserves. He has 31 starts the past two seasons.

12. Gibril Wilson, S, New York Giants: He is coming off a good playoff run that probably upped his value. He led the Giants in tackles in two playoff games. He is a physical safety with range.

13. Ken Hamlin, S, Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal and he responded with a Pro Bowl season. That's cashing in. He is a big hitter who played better against the pass last season than he did when he was with Seattle.

14. Ryan Lilja, G, Indianapolis Colts: He has developed into a good player the past two years and he is a big reason the Colts' running game has improved. The way guards got paid last year, he will get his this time around.

15. Bryant Johnson, WR, Arizona Cardinals: He is the third receiver in Arizona, so bringing him back is a luxury. The Cardinals want to keep him but it might be tough. He has good speed. He caught 46 passes and made eight starts last season.

16. Drayton Florence, CB, San Diego Chargers: He lost his starting job to Antonio Cromartie, but played well as a nickel corner after that. With teams searching for corners to match up against the spread offenses, he should be a wanted commodity.

17. D.J. Hackett, WR, Seattle Seahawks: He played in only six games due to injury, but he is 26 and was being counted on as a big part of the Seattle offense. In one three-game span in November, he had 23 catches for 294 yards and three scores.

18. Calvin Pace, LB, Arizona Cardinals: The former defensive end moved to linebacker and responded with a 6½-sack season. He also showed he has the foot speed to play the position.

19. Tommy Kelly, DT, Oakland Raiders: Before tearing an ACL, he was a quality starter for the Raiders, a player on the upswing. If he can show that the knee is rehabbing right, he will get a nice deal. The team that signs him will be getting a good defensive lineman.

20. Travis LaBoy, DE, Tennessee Titans: He was used mostly as a speed rusher and had six sacks. Injuries have held him back, but he's only 26. He plays with a lot of effort.

21. Jerry Porter, WR, Oakland Raiders: He had 44 catches last season in a bad offense, but averaged 16 yards per catch. At 29, he still has some good football left. He will be free when the period opens after opting out of his contract.

22. Rex Grossman, QB, Chicago Bears: In a quarterback-famished league, he's bound to get some action. Grossman did lead a team to the Super Bowl two years ago. Maybe a new team will be good for him.

23. Jamal Lewis, RB, Cleveland Browns: He signed a one-year deal with the Browns and surprised a lot of people -- me included -- with a big season. But can he expect a long-term deal after eight years as an NFL running back? For a season or two, he could be a bargain.

24. Kawika Mitchell, LB, New York Giants: He's another player who took a one-year deal and will now cash in. Mitchell exceeded a lot of expectations for the Giants

25. Eugene Wilson, S, New England Patriots: He has started 55 games the past five seasons, playing both corner and safety. He started six games last season and has range for a team looking for a free safety.

26. Stacy Andrews, T-G, Cincinnati Bengals: He can play both guard and tackle and filled in nicely last year when injuries hit Willie Anderson. Andrews moved to right tackle and played well.

27. Julius Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys: He lost his starting job by season's end to Marion Barber. The Cowboys will let Jones walk. Can he be a decent starter? Yes. But if he's asking for mega-money he might be in for a shock.

28. Josh Brown, K, Seattle Seahawks: Brown made 28 of 34 field-goal attempts, his misses all coming from outside 40 yards, two from outside 50. I don't normally put kickers on the list, but he's worth a look.

29. Sean Locklear, RT, Seattle Seahawks: He has 42 starts the past three seasons at right tackle. In a league where there aren't a lot of them, he has some value. He's another 26-year-old player.

30. Maurice Williams, T-G, Jacksonville Jaguars: He was benched as the team's right tackle this season when the Jags signed Tony Pashos, but Williams played well when he started the final two months at guard. He can play both positions, which will help his value.

31. Max Starks, T, Pittsburgh Steelers: He was a starter at right tackle in the Super Bowl season of 2005 and in 2006, but lost his job this season in camp. When injuries hit, he moved to left tackle and played well. He's a huge man at 6-8 and 335 pounds. He did end the season on IR with a knee injury, but it isn't serious.

32. Jake Scott, G, Indianapolis Colts: He has started 48 games the past three seasons for a good offense. And he's only 26. At 290 pounds, he's not big enough to play in all systems.

NOTE -- When I put together my list of the top 32 free agents, it is done with an eye on the future, not on the past.

That's why you might think the list that follows is a bit different than the norm. Two other things about my list: It doesn't include any players we expect to be hit with the franchise tag and it doesn't include restricted free agents.

In the franchise category, that leaves off players like Oakland corner Nnamdi Asomugha, Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen, Carolina tackle Jordan Gross, Baltimore defensive end Terrell Suggs, Seattle corner Marcus Trufant, Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Arizona linebacker Karlos Dansby and Philadelphia tight end L.J. Smith (already tagged).

Those players can still move, but the tag basically makes it almost impossible, the compensation far too great to prevent a team from signing them.

So they're all off the list.

Age is also a consideration. I'm not big on putting guys over 30 on my list, although there are exceptions.

You might notice me leaning toward young, rising players. Those are the players I would look to sign. That's why a player like Tennessee Titans defensive end Antwan Odom is ranked at No. 2. He is just touching the surface of his ability.

There are other young players who might be higher on this list than others. It's looking to the future, not the past. That's the key to any free-agency class.

Interesting to say the least.  With so many teams having tons of cap room, the big names will most likely go quickly.  There are some names on this list the Broncos could target, and at a decent price.  I will go over those names a little later.  Until then, any names light a fire for you guys and gals???

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At the right price...
Even though Jerry Porter has the stain of playing for the Raiders, I still consider him a good WR in this league that would be a nice fit as our #2 WR, especially if we move Walker.  Playing in Oakland in the post-Gruden era must have been a nightmare for Porter and perhaps he would covet the opportunity to exact some revenge against his former team as a member of the Broncos.  Hell, Shanny has made an art form out of it.  The signing would have to be at the right price and dependent on their decision to part with Walker.

I'd love to steal some of the big name DL on this board, but I don't think we're prepared to drop the cash necessary to sign them.  

by bcfunderburk on Feb 13, 2008 8:09 AM MST   0 recs

I May Be Mistaken...
Didn't Joey Porter have similar issues to those of Javon Walker as it pertains to possibly being a #2 on his own team?  Honestly, I'm not sure that I won't this kid on our team.  He's talented, no doubt, but I'd prefer to focus on chemistry instead.

by ejruiz on Feb 13, 2008 9:35 AM MST to parent up   0 recs

Safeties?
I noticed there are 3 safeties on the list. Depending on their draft strategy, they could look to FA to help out there.

Would love to get Briggs somehow, too, but that's another "pie-in-the-sky" scenario. The other LB's don't impress too much. They could be alright, but in general, I'm averse to being the team that rewards a player for one good season.

Also, looks like the Colts and the Steelers could take a decent hit on the O line. Nuttin' wrong wit dat.

Or so I'm told.

by MN Bronco on Feb 13, 2008 8:39 AM MST   0 recs

Rex Grossman
No. I'm kidding. I'm kidding!

by Silverblood on Feb 13, 2008 9:23 AM MST   0 recs

What, you don't want
Rex "The Sex Cannon" Grossman, who is unconstrained by the limits of possibility and monogamy?

by Silverblood on Feb 13, 2008 9:42 AM MST to parent up   0 recs

Calvin Pace
may fall off of the early radar while Kawika Mitchell and Lance Briggs get a lot of air time.

I wouldn't be surprised if he visits Denver.

But honestly, what are the chances Denver is going to approach anyone on this list?

by styg50 on Feb 13, 2008 10:28 AM MST   0 recs

Carlos dansby just got tagged
so i guess that increases the opportunity og Pace hitting the market... right?
From Denmark, so i excuse my self for un-knowing-ness...

by Claaaaas on Feb 15, 2008 5:24 AM MST to parent up   0 recs

I will say this...
Denver has always had the luxury of being a team that was on the cusp of a title, or at least it seemed...

After two years in a row missing the playoffs, that is no longer the case and the Broncos may have to work even harder to get guys to sign on.

by TheSportsGuru on Feb 13, 2008 11:32 AM MST   0 recs

LoL @

the rex f*ck-it-i'm-going-deep grossman comment (coming from a Chicago resident and husband to a die hard Bears fan)

um... from a respect standpoint, why isn't Elam on that list????

by tunga77 on Feb 13, 2008 11:52 AM MST   0 recs

I hope you didn't have to
start seeing a marriage counselor after That Game.

by Silverblood on Feb 13, 2008 12:12 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

i know, right?

but no, it was fine.  we all know that the better team actually let the lesser team win in that case.

besides, she had already threatened me with bodily harm if the broncos had won... so i looked at the outcome of the game as me coming out ahead ... and alive.

by tunga77 on Feb 13, 2008 1:25 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

The Notes...
say it best....More credence was given to younger players, players that have longterm value...Elam, while great, is pretty much a year to year guy at this point...

by TheSportsGuru on Feb 13, 2008 12:24 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

That reminds me
as a question for the board at large, and/or our resident football professors, do you see the Broncos targeting a kicker at some point in this year's draft and if so, who?

by Silverblood on Feb 13, 2008 12:28 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

Not that the Broncos will target him, but...
Louisvilles kicker, Art Carmody, is probably the only kicker who will be drafted this year, and probably not until the 6th or 7th round.  Outside of him there are about five other kickers who have a chance in this league, but they will all be CFAs.

Carmody is the all time NCAA leading scorer for kickers, and was 100% on PATs and FGs over 40 yds.  But Elam would be the first to tell you that kickers make their living inside 40 yds.  That is where you would like to see him at 100%, though for a young kicker, mostly you just want to see them getting better all the time.  One good thing about Carmody is that he has done it all:  last second kicks to win it, multiple FG games, a long of 51 yds, had a blocked kicked (his first FG attempt) that was also his last blocked kick.  He is ready for the NFL, and probably worth a th round scrub pick.

There is also a good punter in this draft, Georgia Tech's Durant Brooks.  I think this guy will be a really good kicker in the NFL.  He is getting a lot of knocks for being a poor directional punter, but he has a strong leg and gets good hang time.  But what is really great about him is that he gets kicks off QUICK.  That is going to be a huge help in the NFL.  But he could go as early as the 4th round, so it is higly unlikely that Denver would target him with as many needs as we have on defense.

by styg50 on Feb 13, 2008 1:42 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

oh c'mon

given the longevity of kickers these days (see: andersons and mortensons), Elam's still in his prime!  =P

by tunga77 on Feb 13, 2008 2:09 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

wait
not sure who i was thinking of, when i said 'mortensons'... i guess i just meant the andersons!

by tunga77 on Feb 13, 2008 2:11 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

It works....
for a guy like Anderson because he makes sure to play for a dome team.  Elam could probably kick forever inside 40 yards, but a team like the Broncos need to take advantage of the altitude.  

by TheSportsGuru on Feb 14, 2008 5:48 AM MST to parent up   0 recs

I just had to
pop in, when you guys were talking about a dane!!

And a question: How does "taking advantage of the altitude" involve kickers? I mean its not the kickers, that keeps the opponents D# on the field?

TT:
I would take anybody... I mean A N Y B O D Y that has "T" "G" "S" "DT" or "LB" (and "WR" for the rigt price) in the second column.
But then again i have absolutely no idea of the Broncos' history of targeting FA's!

From Denmark, so i excuse my self for un-knowing-ness...

by Claaaaas on Feb 14, 2008 3:03 PM MST to parent up   0 recs

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