A huge amount of progress has recently been made in resolving the NFL lockout, and it appears that the lockout should wrap up early next week. With the NFL season so close and training camps opening very shortly, NFL teams will have a very short, frenzied period with which they need to sign enough players to fill their expanded roster of 90 players for training camp. Many experts predict that by Wednesday, many teams will be avidly and directly pursuing free agent players. Luckily for those teams in need of help, there is a bevy of talent on the free agent market right now, that may be secured at a manageable price. Here are a list of the biggest NFL free agents this summer and where they could end up.
Nnamdi Asomagha CB - Asomagha is a rare player, a freakish combination of skill and athleticism that has allowed him to rise up to the level of a shutdown corner. Its quite obvious that during his stint in Oakland over the past few seasons, he altered many games in favor of the Raider’s simply with his defensive presence. Several teams could greatly used Asomagha to shore up their weak secondaries, but he is by far the most sought after free agent this summer and will not be cheap to secure.
Some of the teams that could greatly use him are the Houston Texans, Philadephia Eagles, Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Detroit Lions ,Denver Broncos and the San Fransisco 49er’s.
Plaxico Burress WR - Burress is an interesting story this summer, as he has be a free man for only a few weeks, yet is poised to return to the NFL nearly two years after an incident where he accidentaly shot himself in a New York nightclub with an unregistered firearm. Burress was a very talented, big bodied receiver for several seasons before the incident, which saw him released from his team, the New York Giants. Burress and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have told the media that Plaxico worked out a lot in prison, and is still in great shape. The only problem is that teams don’t know how well that will translate back to the game he has been out of for 2 years, and how well his work ethic and hands will show up when he gets back onto the field. Had Plaxico been in the league this whole time and not in jail, I can assure you he’d be in the midst of some 6 year, 45 million dollar deal, but as he comes out of prison, he can’t expect big money and will very likely receive a low deal from a team. Until we can see if the old Plaxico is back, he remains a low risk- possible high reward player and will be paid as such.
Teams that could use Plaxico: Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and the St. Louis Rams.
Donovan McNabb QB - McNabb is a guy I have felt a lot of sympathy for over the past two seasons. After many successful years as quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, the team picked up Michael Vick after his release from jail, and his re-emergance put a quick and ugly end to McNabb’s time in Philly, as many people thought it would. Betrayed by his own team, McNabb was picked up by division rival Washington, where he spent last season under fire from coach Mike Shanahan and the fans alike. He put up career lows in all categories and it remains to be seen where his career will go from here. Unfortunately, his recent career plunge makes him much less valuable on the free agent market. However, there are some teams in this league in desperate need of a quarterback who can lead the team, something McNabb has proven himself capable of.
Some teams that could use McNabb: Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins. He could also be picked up and used to mentor a young quarterback in any of the following places; Carolina (Cam Newton) Tampa Bay (Josh Freeman) Cleveland (Colt McCoy).
Kevin Kolb QB - Probably the second most sought after free agent of this summer is Kolb. A proven passer who has always been a career backup behind Donovan McNabb, Kolb is matured and ready to start for his own team. Several teams will probably try to snap him up, but Arizona is a great fit for Kolb, with a Pro Bowl receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, A VERY winnable division, and a team which severely needed a capable quarterback to excel last year, and with Kolb could be an impressive team next season. Kolb has spent some time in Arizona recently, presumably getting a feel for the area and some of his possible teammates, as he worked out with Larry Fitzgerald while there.
Some of the teams that may try to get Kolb: Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins.
Matt Hasslebeck QB - Well, if you haven’t noticed the trend in this article, there are several teams in dire need of a QB, and only a few decent ones to go around. Hassleback has played for the Seattle Seahawks for the past few seasons, though his performance has been hampered by injuries and a shaky offensive line, and it is assumed that he will start the season at the helm of a new team next year, but that location remains unknown.
Some of the teams that could be in the mix to get Hasslebeck: Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals (althought their interest in him is much less than their interest in Kolb), Miami Dolphins.
Though there is a lot of speculation as to which teams will pick up each player once free agency begins, it is anyone’s guess as to where these guys will go. One thing is for sure, this free agency period will be fast and furious, and has the potential to leave several teams in a very bad position, especially those who may have though they were very close to landing their guy.
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