Previewing the NFL Free Agency Period: The Defense

3/1/05

Defensive Linemen

Buck Rasmussen	Patriots
Jarvis Green	Patriots
Rodney Bailey	Patriots
Carl Powell	Bengals
Shaun Ellis	Jets
John Abraham	Jets
Bryan Robinson	Dolphins
Demetrin Veal	Ravens
Marques Douglass	Ravens
Felip Claybrookes	Browns
Tyrone Rogers	Browns
Eric Taylor	Steelers
Brett Keisel	Steelers
Corey Sears	Texans
Raheem Brock	Colts
Rob Meier	Jaguars
Lionel Barnes	Jaguars
Jason Gildon	Jaguars
Shawn Johnson	Titans
Carlos Hall	Titans
Bryant McNeal	Broncos
Marco Coleman	Broncos
Reggie Hayward	Broncos
Anton Palepoi	Broncos
Bobby Hamilton	Raiders
Robert Pollard	Chargers
Alex Brown	Bears
Aaron Kampman	Packers
Bryce Fisher	Rams
Erik Flowers	Rams
Kyle Vanden Bosch	Cardinals
Chike Okeafor	Seahawks
Brandon Mitchell	Seahawks
Karon Riley	Falcons
Kavika Pittman	Panthers
Tony Bryant	Saints
Darren Howard	Saints
Derrick Burgess	Eagles
Hugh Douglas	Eagles
Ron Warner	Redskins
Demetric Evans	Redskins
Pat Williams	Bills
Ethan Kelley	Patriots
Josh Evans	Jets
Jason Ferguson	Jets
Alan Harper	Jets
James Reed	Jets
Dario Romero	Dolphins
Matt Zielinski	Ravens
Terrance Martin	Bengals
Tony Williams	Bengals
Nick Eason	Browns
Grant Bowman	Steelers
Kendrick Clancy	Steelers
Junior Ioane	Texans
Seth Payne	Texans
Dorsett Davis	Broncos
Luther Ellis	Broncos
Monsanto Pope	Broncos
Montique Sharpe	Chiefs
Jacques Cesaire	Chargers
Dequnicy Scott	Chargers
Eric Downing	Chargers
Shaun Rogers	Lions
Marcus Bell	Lions
Kelvin Pritchett	Lions
Cullen Jenkins	Packers
Chris Hovan	Vikings
Ross Kolodziej	Cardinals
Rocky Bernard	Seahawks
Tony Brown	49ers
Jordan Carstens	Panthers
Howard Green	Saints
Jon Bradley	Buccaneers
Chartric Darby	Buccaneers
Jermaine Brooks	Cowboys
Kendrick Allen	Giants
Lance Legree	Giants
Corey Simon	Eagles
Joe Salave'a	Redskins

BB: Jesus Christ on a stick that’s a lot of defensive linemen. Let’s narrow it down a little bit.

PR: I demand that if Dean has a third son, his name must be Buck Rasmussen.

BB: Corey Simon got franchised by the Eagles, which is kinda weird for a guy that was getting the Chris Hovan-you-aren’t-good-anymore press all 2004. Of course – it’s not as if the Eagles don’t have the cap room for one season.

PR: Oh yeah – no one was as maligned for his play last year as Simon was. And deservedly so, as he had career lows across the board except in sacks. I am thinking that the Eagles are just hoping that someone stupidly signs him so they can get they two first round draft picks. Yes – you, like me, are thinking this is where the Redskins come in.

BB: Hovan seems like he would be a good pickup for someone assuming that his problems were due to the system he was in and the situation as opposed to anything more substantial.

ED: Well, Hovan wasn’t really that good to begin with. Sure he was really white and ugly. And that certainly made a lot of people happy. But he was…OK. At best. Then again, with the media as it is, that’s enough to make him a superstar. The perfect match for him is Cincy or New England. He’ll want more than either team will pay so he’ll end up in Kansas City where he can dry Dick Vermeil’s tears.

BB: John Abraham got franchised too. And I think Shaun Ellis signed a long-term deal. I think. I’m not an expert. Thank god the Jets only spent two other first round picks on defensive linemen since then.

PR: Yup, the Jets gave Ellis a six year deal with $15.5 million guaranteed. Considering he signed in November, I have no idea why he still shows on the FA list. I blame the Internet. And speaking of the internet, am I the only one who is surprised that Josh Evans’ name hasn’t shown up in one of those online Instant Messenger sexual predator FBI raids yet?

BB: Ross Kolodziej’s last name sounds like it was in a car accident and lost two or three letters. Or it sounds constantly incomplete. One or the other.

PR: It appears that Dennis Green cut one letter for every game that Kolodziej played in. Oh yeah – and don’t think he wasn’t originally drafted by the Giants. Oof…

BB: The Patriots will tender Jarvis Green to the point where it’s not worthwhile but he’d be a good signing for one of the teams late to the party and switching to the 3-4 in 2006.

PR: It might be easier to list the teams NOT switching to a 3-4 defense.

BB: Bryce Fisher had a really good game against the Seahawks and will probably get too much money from someone because of it. Let’s say…Cincinnati.

ED: Cincy, KC. They’ll be the buyers this off-season on the D-line front. Assumedly. Well, they’ll try. Of course, no one wants to go to KC or Cincy so they’ll get shot down repeatedly. Good thing their head coaches are geniuses.

PR: Oh yeah, KC is the spot. I see Dick Vermeil ignoring all facts and reasoning, just wondering around Arrowhead touting that he always knew that Fisher fella had potential.

BB: Shaun Rogers got a huge deal to stay in Detroit, something like $46 million for 6 years. In Madden I just signed him for $18 over 4. Of course – I might have homosexuals on my Madden Lions. That’s the price of heterosexuality.

ED: If there weren’t any Matt Millens’ in the sports world, we’d be stuck doing reviews of Voltron, wouldn’t we?

PR: The 5 piece Lion version or the 11 piece vehicle version?

BB: This is where I pretend like I know what they’re talking about.

BB: Kendrick Clancy played really well everytime I saw him and I think if the Steelers aren’t able to resign him, he could be a good fit for someone like the Browns, especially if they trade Gerard Warren to, say, the Cowboys. Hey look – I just booked three offseasons.

ED: The thought of Gerard Warren in Dallas make my heart happy. Which, oddly, would do the opposite for Bill Parcells. Darn.

PR: Well, you will just have to be happy about him going to the Broncos instead. Bill already ruined the run stoppers are sexy joke so we are going to have to think outside the box here. Yeah… remember when Bill brought up teams switching to the 3-4. Hmmm… one DT starting and you already have Mario Fatafehi, who is better and cheaper. Yeah, this won’t be awkward. Of course, I am being distracted by Len P. calling Warren “Big Money”.

PR: Kavika Pittman might not be a bad guy to take a flier on. Sure he is old and crippled but I need to dream that a guy only a few months older than me can still play.

PR: I don’t think I ever let Kendrick Allen play a single down for me in Madden. Still, he had a nice 4 game run for the Giants last year. Still, I doubt he is meant for a NFL roster much longer. Lance Legree had a nice little mini-breakout season and I would love the Giants to keep him… mainly because I won’t have to work so hard to improve his numbers next year in Madden.

LINEBACKERS

Josh Stamer	Bills
Eric Alexander	Patriots
Justin Kurpeikia	Patriots
Don Davis	Patriots
Jason Glenn	Jets
Kenyatta Wright	Jets
Morlon Greenwood	Dolphins
Bart Scott	Ravens
Edgerton Hartwell	Ravens
T. J. Slaughter	Ravens
Adalius Thomas	Ravens
Marcus Wilkins	Bengals
Nate Webster	Bengals
Frank Chamberlin	Bengals
Chris Clemons	Browns
Kevin Bentley	Browns
Ben Taylor	Browns
Barry Gardner	Browns
Warrick Holdman	Browns
Eric Westmoreland	Browns
Dedrick Roper	Steelers
Larry Foote	Steelers
Kendrell Bell	Steelers
Troy Evans	Texans
Marcus Bell	Texans
DaShon Polk	Texans
Gary Brackett	Colts
Rob Morris	Colts
Jim Nelson	Colts
David Thornton	Colts
Tony Gilbert	Jaguars
Rocky Calmus	Titans
Justin Ena	Titans
Brad Kassell	Titans
Donnie Spragan	Broncos
Scott Fujita	Chiefs
Quinton Caver	Chiefs
Tim Johnson	Raiders
Stephen Cooper	Chargers
Zeke Moreno	Chargers
Donte Curry	Lions
Wali Rainer	Lions
Jody Littleton	Lions
Paris Lenon	Packers
Hannibal Navies	Packers
Torrance Marshall	Packers
Nick Rogers	Packers
Chris Claiborne	Vikings
Keith Newman	Vikings
Max Yates	Vikings
Jeremy Loyd	Rams
Trev Faulk	Rams
Tommy Polley	Rams
Ronald McKinnon	Cardinals
Orlando Huff	Seahawks
Ray Wells	49ers
Saleem Rasheed	49ers
Brandon Moore	49ers
Julian Peterson	49ers
Jamie Duncan	Falcons
Eric Johnson	Falcons
Matt Stewart	Falcons
Artie Ulmer	Falcons
Sean Tufts	Panthers
Vinny Ciurciu	Panthers
Brian Allen	Panthers
Jessie Armstead	Panthers
Mark Fields	Panthers
Will Witherspoon	Panthers
James Allen	Saints
Roger Knight	Saints
Sedrick Hodge	Saints
Keith Burns	Buccaneers
Ryan Nece	Buccaneers
Kalen Thorton	Cowboys
Ryan Fowler	Cowboys
Scott Shanle	Cowboys
TJ Hollowell	Giants
James Maxwell	Giants
Keith Adams	Eagles
Jeremiah Trotter	Eagles
Lemar Marshall	Redskins
Antonio Pierce	Redskins

BB: Jeremiah Trotter will get a new deal pretty easily although he’s going to end up being a disappointment. He is also the only one of the NFC East LBs available who I’ve ever even heard of. Jesus – I don’t even like football that much.

ED: And that’s why you’re not an expert.

PR: Aww… how quickly you forget Jessie Armstead. I remember when I thought the Giants would pay for releasing him. That is why I’m not an expert.

PR: I am sure the Bengals are happy they spent that money on Nate Webster. Whoops!

BB: Will Witherspoon is a stud and might be the best defensive player available this offseason as a UFA.

ED: And Carolina will back up the Brinks truck for him. At least they should. I mean, they’re not paying Chris Weinke anymore are they?

PR: Read the Offensive preview Ed. Okay, the UFA caveat prevents me from arguing that Julian Peterson is better. Of course, Big Len doesn’t have Witherspoon in his Top 25 so again – what the heck do we know? I mean, when in doubt, sign the 31 year old Kevin Carter.

BB: For those of you who are more interested in guys who can be great but really are gonna be injured – this is where you come in, Paul DePodesta – Kendrell Bell might be more up your alley.

ED: Ahh, over-hyped Steelers players. You will get old enough to spot them someday, Bill. They’re easily recognizable by…ya know…being Steelers.

PR: I learn it by signing them in Madden and then trying to trade them before the end of training camp. I actually even did this with Bell recently.

BB: Julian Peterson got franchised and…well, poor fella has to be a 49er now for a while.

PR: One would assume that Peterson doesn’t send the Yorks Christmas cards.

BB: Chris Claiborne would make a lot of sense for the Packers if they could find the salary cap space for him. It would also mean he’d have played for 3 of the 4 NFC North teams, and if you collect all 4, you get elected into the Chris Berman Hall of Fame.

ED: I tell myself that I do not want to know what getting into the Chris Berman Hall of Fame gets you. And yet I am strangely intrigued. My guess, a massive heart attack by the age of 55. Beyond that, I’m guessing rights include a bottle of Canola and a funny nickname for his li’l linebacker.

BB: That’s worth $5K right there.

BB: I think the Chiefs signed or are going to resign Scott Fujita but he always seemed like he was the pretty decent player surrounded by idiots last year whenever I saw the Chiefs play.

ED: Idiots in KC? In the AFC West? Howwhahuh?

BB: Ed Hartwell is probably the best middle linebacker in the pool, depending on what you think of Claiborne. In fact – I know this is blasphemous and will get me stabbed – but dude was better than Ray Lewis this year. I know because I watched way too many awful, boring Ravens games.

ED: Note to self: Do NOT go to any night clubs with Bill.

PR: Okay, let me try to ID a couple of the other guys Bill ignored. Lemar Marshall already resigned with the Skins. The coverted safety had himself a nice little season replacing the crippled and overrated Lavar Arrington. I doubt the Redskins tried to bait and switch Marshall on his contract because they actually like him. Speaking of breakout years replacing crippled guys – Antonio Pierce had a monster year, leading Washington in tackles as he took the place of Michael Barrow. Again, I thought the Giants would regret that. Yup, no expert.

PR: TJ Hollowell and James Maxwell are no one of consequence and will be easily replaced by some other undrafted cannon fodder out of Rutgers or Hofstra.

BB: Aww…Hofstra. I was going to apply there until my visit. I remember I went to a party the night before and I was just beginning to be hung over by the time I left to get to the campus for the 9 AM Saturday Morning tour. That should’ve been the first warning sign. So my mother and I get to the school just on time and the tour guide starts walking us around. It’s maybe fifteen degrees outside. The tour guide takes us to the Computer Science building…which looks oddly like the gym. It’s not until we get inside and start seeing the exercise bikes that we realize the tour guide just got lost and doesn’t know where he’s going. Fifteen minutes later we get a supplemental tour guide (no – not Dave Brown or Wayne Chrebet) and go onward. Get to a dorm, guy goes to open a door to show the assembled masses a room, door doesn’t open. Tries again, no luck. Tries another door, doesn’t open. Tries a third door, it’s two girls sleeping. Immediately they scream and freak out to the bemusement – no, more general malaise and bitterness – of the 20 or 30 people on the tour. The tour guide apologizes and goes to search for the right room while the girls, suitably chastened, tell us about all the problems with their building and how no one in their right mind should consider going to Hofstra. At this point, I insist on leaving and ditch the tour in mid-flight. I can only imagine what else would’ve happened afterwards.

CORNERBACKS

Kevin Thomas	Bills
Earthwind Moreland	Patriots
Terrell Buckley	Jets
Jimmy Wyrick	Dolphins
Calvin Carlyle	Ravens
Zach Norton	Ravens
Gary Baxter	Ravens
Dale Carter	Ravens
Deion Sanders	Ravens
Raymond Walls	Ravens
Rashad Bauman	Bengals
Reggie Myles	Bengals
Christian Morton	Browns
Anthony Henry	Browns
Lewis Sanders	Browns
Vontez Duff	Steelers
Willie Williams	Steelers
Demarcus Faggins	Texans
Jason Bell	Texans
Jason Simmons	Texans
Kenny Wright	Texans
Joseph Jefferson	Colts
Donald Strickland	Colts
Nick Harper	Colts
Kiwaukee Thomas	Jaguars
Charles Woodson	Raiders
Todd McMillon	Bears
Andre Goodman	Lions
Chris Cash	Lions
Danion Sidney	Lions
Jason Horton	Packers
Rhett Nelson	Vikings
Derek Ross	Vikings
Brian Williams	Vikings
Dwight Anderson	Rams
Renaldo Hill	Cardinals
Michael Stone	Cardinals
Robert Tate	Cardinals
Kris Richard	Seahawks
Ken Lucas	Seahawks
Jimmy Williams	49ers
Aaron Beasley	Falcons
Kevin Mathis	Falcons
Allen Rossum	Falcons
William Hampton	Panthers
Dante Wesley	Panthers
Jason Craft	Saints
Ronyell Whitaker	Buccaneers
Corey Ivy	Buccaneers
Lance Frazier	Cowboys
Lenny Williams	Cowboys
Pete Hunter	Cowboys
Tyrone Williams	Cowboys
Frank Walker	Giants
Roderick Hood	Eagles
Fred Smoot	Redskins
Samari Rolle	Titans

PR: Aww.... Ed didn’t want to comment on Charles Woodson blowing up the Raiders spot by signing the franchise tender. Poor little salary cap.

BB: Dale Carter and Deion Sanders is an ugly, ugly pair of cornerbacks. Jesus.

PR: Jesus told Deion that headhunting is wrong.

ED: Obviously, the ideal landing spot for Deion is Washington. The Nats, that is. C’mon, you know Jim Bowden would do that in a heartbeat. How Dale Carter isn’t a Cowboy is beyond me.

BB: I wonder how Ken Lucas finds the time to play for the Seahawks with all his movies and albums and Chappelle Show appearances. Of course, he’s still the best receiver in this market. RAISE IT UP!

PR: I was more fascinated by Ken Lucas’ voting record in the house. Likes: Guns, Soft Money and School Prayer. Dislikes: Gays and Abortion and Internet gambling.

BB: He’s an Old Testament kinda guy.

BB: Pete Hunter’s definitely stretched as a starter for the Cowboys but there’s no reason he can’t be the nickel corner for someone.

ED: If you think through that logic, you realize that Bill has had too much alone time with Chris Mortensen.

BB: Really – who’s gonna be dumb enough to overpay for Allen Rossum? OH! San Diego! There you are! Thanks lil buddies.

BB: Chris Cash is the goods as a third corner in Madden but I can’t tell you if he’s worth it in real-life. Ah, fortunately, I am kept away from Detroit for my own safety.

PR: Oh, I eagerly await the stupid contract that someone is going to give Fred Smoot. I mean Samari Rolle is the new hotness all of a sudden. So playing the Redskins for a $15 million signing bonus isn’t surprising. Oh yeah – that is going to be spectacular. Anyway, Smoot will then talk his way into like the Saints secondary. Oh yeah – I wanna see Jim Haslett/Fred Smoot meetings.

PR: Frank Walker has played some perfectly acceptable defense for the Giants. Assuredly, this means Tom Coughlin wants no part of him on the team. Yeah, can’t understand why folks would think that Philip Buchanan is headed to the Big Apple. Nope, not at all. Grrr....

SAFETIES

Ainsley Battles	Steelers
Cory Bird	Colts
Chris Young	Broncos
Kenoy Kennedy	Broncos
Bobby Gray	Bears
Willie Offord	Vikings
Rich Coady	Rams
Izell Reese	Bills
Will Demps	Ravens
Chris Hope	Steelers
Tyrone Carter	Steelers
Marlon McCree	Texans
Idrees Bashir	Colts
Jerry Wilson	Chargers
Brian Russell	Vikings
Justin Lucas	Rams
Terreal Bierria	Seahawks
Damien Richardson	Panthers
Travares Tillman	Panthers

BB: There’s not a lot here to talk about. No one really stands out and really safety’s such an easily replacable position that any of these guys could slip into your favorite team’s defense and you probably wouldn’t even know it.

ED: My money is on Will Demps becoming a Raider. Not that I want such to happen, but it’s such an easy call.

PR: As long as I can still sign Victor Green in Madden, I could care less about everyone else.

BB: I’m sure there are punters who are free agents but you can do that your research yourself and you’re going to have to if you want it.