There are stacks of players in the 2012 NFL free agency pool who are restricted and unrestricted free agents, and whom teams better slap franchise tags on or they will be sorry for it down the line. Then there are those players who are not necessarily franchise players but who can be vital to a teams’ success in the short-term and deep future. Whatever a free agent’s status, this time of year is very crucial to those who sign the checks (owners), team general managers, and head and assistant coaches.
First on the list is quarterback DREW BREES who has put together six outstanding seasons (and four Pro Bowls) of work for the New Orleans Saints. Brees has led the Saints to their only Super Bowl appearance and victory in their 45 year history. Just think, from 1967-2005 the Saints never even sniffed a Super Bowl and in just four short years Mr. Brees led them to league-wide respectability and of course a Super Bowl championship. To be perfectly honest Brees shouldn’t even be up for discussion as far as franchise tags, because the Saints would be imbeciles to not slap that tag on him for all that he has done for them and the city of New Orleans. Next.
Oakland Raiders quarterback JASON CAMPBELL is also a free agent and that’s on top of the fact that he has been nursing a collarbone injury that ended his season since Week 6 of the season. Campbell hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire in his days as a starter for the Raiders (18 starts from 2010-2011), but he is a capable quarterback with a good arm and some mobility. But when he does get back, or if he is re-signed, he will have to battle CARSON PALMER to keep his job, or at least get it back. The Raiders fired both of the coaches who coached Campbell the longest in Tom Cable and Hue Jackson, and the new Raiders head coach DENNIS ALLEN has no lineage or history with Campbell. So not only does Campbell have to come back from his injury, but he has to fight for a starting job, and really impress his new head coach. Could the Saints live without Brees? Heck no. Could the Raiders live without Campbell? Yes. But Palmer was decent in 2011 which was his first season as a member of the Raiders, and if he stays healthy, gets the Raiders offensive system down to a tee, and becomes the Palmer that he is capable of, then Campbell may be in trouble. The big worry for Campbell is coming back from his collarbone or lower neck injury, and then trying to find his rhythm. The only player on the Raiders who could command a franchise tag besides Campbell is fellow free agent and running back MICHAEL BUSH. The Raiders can’t franchise both of them and to be perfectly honest, neither one of them are bona fide franchise players in the first place. The Raiders have a decision to make.
Washington Redskins strong safety and unrestricted free agent LARON LANDRY can be a heck of a player when he wants to be, but he is a serious injury risk. In the NFL it’s about what has a player done for a team lately, and even though he is one of the leading tacklers as far as defensive backs (383) in the NFL for the past five years and he can be fun to watch, he has appeared in just 17 games out of 32 total games for the Redskins. He can defend the run and play in space, but six year veteran REED DOUGHTY filled his spot when he was out and did a solid job. And yes Landry has more ability than Doughty, but the latter may have played himself into a possible starting job for the Skins. Plus, Landry made close to $5.7 million in 2011 for only 8 games of action. Landry was drafted to be one of the Skins’ difference makers on defense and he hasn’t done that consistently plus he’s too expensive, so there is a good chance that may have played his last days in Washington.
Here is a short list of some other key free agents with a short synopsis:
1.) CORTLAND FINNEGAN (Cornerback–Tennessee Titans) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: One of the better cover cornerbacks around and a consistent Pro Bowler, the Titans would be smart to pay him what he asks for or franchise him because the rest of their cornerbacks are either too young or not big enough to eat at the table as far as being counted on for consistent man to man or zone coverage. He does command $4.2 million dollars on average from his original contract signed back in 2008.
2.) MARSHAWN LYNCH (Running Back-Seattle Seahawks) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: Lynch had his career resurrected in Seattle, especially this past season. None of his Seahawk backups/alternates at running back have his combination of power, speed, and ability to handle large doses of carries. He fits Seattle’s offensive system and his complement to their passing game which needs work. Instead of trading Lynch or letting him go, they need to get him help in the backfield. But then again he commands nearly $3.2 million a year from his original contract.
3.) ALEX SMITH (Quarterback-San Francisco 49ers) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: Head Coach Jim Harbaugh loves Smith and he wants to see him do well. Smith led the Niners to their first NFC Championship game since 1997. He is on the cusp of a big turnaround to his career. He has been beaten, battered, and left for dead by fans, the media, and some of his coaches but he is still here. I played with him in high school at Helix High and I know that he is not and never will be a quitter, so the Niners better not quit on him and pay him what he needs or just franchise him.
4.) KIRK MORRISON (Linebacker-Buffalo Bills) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: If the Bills don’t think Morrison will become a starter in 2012 then they need to cut the cord on him, although he can still play and become a factor in run defense. But here’s the thing, Morrison can still bring it but he is not the player he was from 2005-2009. He didn’t start any games for the Bills last year and fellow inside linebackers KELVIN SHEPPARD and NICK BARNETT outplayed Morrison and played more than he did. This may be a case of will the Bills pay him a decent salary to be a backup or do they believe he can take Sheppard’s job? Stay tuned.
5.) CARLOS ROGERS (Cornerback-San Francisco 49ers) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: This Pro Bowl cornerback was one of the vital cogs of the Niners’ punishing defense in 2011. He was one of the leading interceptors in the league with 6 (led the 49ers) and he can defend the run and cover. And the Niners need him to complete their trio of studs in the secondary along with safeties DASHON GOLDSON (Pro Bowler) and DONTE WHITNER, those three do not need to be broken up as that trio is on the brink of big things. Part of the Niners’ success defensively in 2011 was because of those three.
6.) MATT FORTE (Running Back-Chicago Bears) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: The Bears need Forte more than more than he needs them. It takes time to develop a two-tool (rushing and pass catching) running back through the draft, let alone one who is a Pro Bowler like Forte. He led the Bears in rushing yards (997) and in catches (52) and this was after missing four games due to injury. For four years he has given the Bears his heart and soul and he should be the only Bear 2011 free agent who should either be franchised or paid what he deserves.
7.) CEDRIC BENSON (Running Back-Cincinnati Bengals) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: Benson was the Bengals running game and he like Lynch above, had his career resurrected on a team that didn’t draft him. If the Bengals get rid of him then who do they have? No offense to their other backs, but the Bengals do not have any back on their roster besides Benson who can scare a defense or is a big worry. But he commands $5 million a year and he isn’t exactly a perennial Pro Bowler or irreplaceable. But to his credit, he did help with the development of rookies ANDY DALTON and AJ GREEN, taking pressure off them with his 1,067 yards on 273 carries. A rookie quarterback always needs a strong running game or back to help with his development.
8.) D’QWELL JACKSON (Linebacker-Cleveland Browns) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: Every time you watch this guy, he gives it 110 percent like he did at the University of Maryland (2002-2005). Jackson isn’t exactly flashy but he gets the job done and tries to play every down like it’s his last, despite playing for a franchise that since 2006 has gone 32-64 (.333 winning percentage) without a sniff of the playoffs. If it weren’t for a preseason injury he suffered in 2010 that ended his season, he would have started darn near just about every game that the Browns have played since his rookie year. The Browns defense is set up to make Jackson the leading tackler and get most of the attention, as he and their defensive tackles are their chief run defenders. Jackson’s playing style, size, and his skill set is set up to defend the run and he has responded, but he does command around $5 million a year. It took time to become the player he has become and if the Browns let him go, they have find a true 4-3 inside linebacker all over again through the draft or in free agency.
9.) RYAN GRANT (Running Back-Green Bay Packers) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: If it isn’t one thing it’s another in the saga that is Grant’s career. He’s either hurt, off his game, or some other players step up and his past work is pushed to the background. He commands $5 million a year and I never really thought he was all that special even at Notre Dame, but he has always been a blue-collar hard-working back that can help a team when he has too. He hasn’t had 1,000 yards rushing since 2009 and his 2011 was like 2010, where whatever he was doing was overshadowed by the passing game. It’s hard to be seen when an AARON ROGERS or GREG JENNINGS is around. Grant is a solid back but he can be replaced, and the Packers need to address having a breakaway speed back (with solid size) which is something their franchise has ignored for far too long.
10.) ARIAN FOSTER (Running Back-Houston Texans) Restricted Free Agent
Synopsis: Sign him, Houston, Next.
11.) REGGIE WAYNE (Wide Receiver-Indianapolis Colts) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: In what was a horrific year for the Colts, Wayne treated the season as business as usual. He led the team in catches (75) and yards (960), despite catching passes from career backup/fringe quarterbacks in CURTIS PAINTER and DAN ORLOVSKY and one who is way past his prime in KERRY COLLINS. Wayne is still a proper receiving threat, but he is also 33 (he will be 34 in November 2012) and he can’t take the receiving game on his shoulders like he used to do. He is right now a veteran No.1/No.2 receiver (creeping more towards the No. 2) and he commands just under $6.6 million a year. Are the Colts really in the mood to pay an aging receiver that much money? He will have to take a pay cut or move to another team.
12.) DWAYNE BOWE (Wide Receiver-Kansas City Chiefs) Unrestricted Free Agent
Synopsis: He fell off in 2011 but he is still an elite receiver. Bowe commands just $1.8 million a year which is a bargain for a player of his caliber and like Forte before, the Chiefs need Bowe more than he needs them. He is the most exciting player the Chiefs have, and he is one of the reasons why fans go to Chiefs games. He is a ticket-seller. Next.
