The Market's Dry Mar 12, 2009 | More

Welcome to the Free Agent edition of the Brew Crew Corner. Most of the big names have either stayed put or left for new teams. The remaining list of names reads like the last round of a keeper draft, full of disappointing prospects and players on the decline. Most teams are done looking through the FA list and will now focus solely on the draft to fill the positions that are still in need. There still can be some draft day deals in the works and post-draft cuts to come. Don't forget players who could still to be released such as Torry Holt and Ladainian Tomlinson. Where they land will greatly affect their value from last year.

list as of 3/8/09

QUARTERBACKS

Player Name   FA Status       '08 Team                           '09 Team
Matt Cassel    Signed           New England Patriots          Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Simms    Signed           Tennessee Titans                 Denver Broncos

These two signed with a new team. The significant is Cassel's trade to Kansas City. Cassel will now have to put a franchise on his back and make them a contender again while proving that he can play rather than benefiting from the system the Patriots had in place. The Simms move may not seem like much, but with Jay Cutler unhappy and the Broncos retooling the team in the post Mike Shanahan era, anything is possible. I think Cutler stays but keep in eye on the situation leading up to the draft.

Player Name   FA Status       Team

Kurt Warner    Re-signed       Arizona Cardinals

Kerry Collins    Re-signed       Tennessee Titans

Kyle Orton      Re-signed       Chicago Bears

Luke McCown Re-signed       Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Warner and Collins keep retirement at bay with re-signing. Matt Leinart and Vince Young wait in the shadows and may never be relevant again. Orton stays on in Chicago, which ends the Rex Grossman experiment.

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
Ryan Fitzpatrick        Signed           Cincinnati Bengals      Buffalo Bills
Brett Basanez          Signed           Carolina Panthers       Chicago Bears
Bruce Gradkowski      Signed           Cleveland Browns      Oakland Raiders
Damon Huard           Signed           Kansas City Chiefs     San Francisco 49ers
J.T. O'Sullivan          Signed           San Francisco 49ers   Cincinnati Bengals
Dan Orlovsky           Signed           Detroit Lions             Houston Texans

Six QBs land on new teams to do the same job they did in their last stop, which is holding the clipboard. Nothing more to see here. Keep it moving.

Player Name   FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
Ken Dorsey     UFA (Cut)       Cleveland Browns     Free Agent
Gus Frerotte   UFA (Cut)       Minnesota Vikings     Free Agent
Trent Green    UFA (Cut)      St. Louis Rams         Free Agent
Brad Johnson UFA (Cut)      Dallas Cowboys        Free Agent

These players have been cut and should probably be out the league soon.

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                           '09 Team
Jeff Garcia              UFA               Tampa Bay Buccaneers        Free Agent
Rex Grossman         UFA               Chicago Bears                     Free Agent
Byron Leftwich          UFA               Pittsburgh Steelers              Free Agent
J.P. Losman              UFA               Buffalo Bills                       Free Agent
Patrick Ramsey         UFA               Denver Broncos                  Free Agent
Charlie Batch            UFA               Pittsburgh Steelers              Free Agent
Brock Berlin              RFA               St. Louis Rams                   Free Agent
Kyle Boller                UFA               Baltimore Ravens                Free Agent
Brooks Bollinger        UFA               Dallas Cowboys                  Free Agent
Todd Bouman            UFA               Baltimore Ravens                Free Agent
Anthony Wright         UFA               New York Giants                 Free Agent
Charlie Frye              UFA               Seattle Seahawks                Free Agent
Joey Harrington         UFA               New Orleans Saints             Free Agent
Drew Henson           RFA               Detroit Lions                      Free Agent
Jamie Martin             UFA               San Francisco 49ers            Free Agent
Marques Tuiasosopo  UFA               Oakland Raiders                 Free Agent

The remaining free agents are a mix group of backups and busts. Garcia and Grossman may be the only QBs that may compete on a new team.

RUNNING BACKS

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
Derrick Ward           Signed           New York Giants        Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fred Taylor              Signed           Jacksonville Jaguars   New England Patriots
Maurice Morris         Signed           Seattle Seahawks      Detroit Lions
Correll Buckhalter      Signed           Philadelphia Eagles     Denver Broncos
LaMont Jordan          Signed           New England Patriots Denver Broncos
J.J. Arrington           Signed           Arizona Cardinals       Denver Broncos

There weren't any big name RB free agents as there were in the past. Taylor becomes the new Corey Dillon in New England and will keep Laurence Maroney irrelevant. Ward landed on a team he could steal the starting job and have good value in fantasy leagues. The Broncos have added plenty of bodies to the back field but I plan to stay away from Denver's running game this season.    

Player Name             FA Status       Team
Brandon Jacobs        Re-signed       New York Giants
Darren Sproles         Re-signed       San Diego Chargers
Cedric Benson          Re-signed       Cincinnati Bengals
Kevin Jones             Re-signed       Chicago Bears
DeDe Dorsey           Re-signed       Cincinnati Bengals

Jacobs resigning in New York was key for them as they are a run-first team. Sproles’ signing has created an awkward situation for the Chargers as they make LT choose between a pay cut or a release. Rumors are that if released, he could sign with a team like the Saints. This will be one of the bigger stories to watch at the RB position this offseason.  

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                           '09 Team    
Deuce McAllister        UFA (Cut)       New Orleans Saints              Free Agent
Warrick Dunn           UFA (Cut)       Tampa Bay Buccaneers        Free Agent
Ahman Green           UFA (Cut)       Houston Texans                 Free Agent
Reuben Droughns      UFA (Cut)       New York Giants                Free Agent
Maurice Hicks           UFA (Cut)       Minnesota Vikings               Free Agent

These once-productive RBs are no longer viable options for any team to consider. 

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                           '09 Team
Shaun Alexander       UFA               Washington Redskins           Free Agent
Fred Jackson           RFA               Buffalo Bills                       Free Agent
Rudi Johnson            UFA               Detroit Lions                      Free Agent
Tatum Bell               UFA               Denver Broncos                 Free Agent
Dominic Rhodes         UFA               Indianapolis Colts                Free Agent
Patrick Cobbs           RFA               Miami Dolphins                   Free Agent
DeShaun Foster         UFA               San Francisco 49ers            Free Agent
Samkon Gado          UFA               St. Louis Rams                   Free Agent
Andre Hall               RFA               Denver Broncos                Free Agent
Jesse Chatman          UFA               New York Jets                   Free Agent
Lorenzo Neal            UFA               Baltimore Ravens               Free Agent
Chris Perry              RFA               Cincinnati Bengals                Free Agent
Michael Pittman         UFA               Denver Broncos                 Free Agent
Aaron Stecker          UFA               New Orleans Saints              Free Agent
Danny Ware            RFA               New York Giants                Free Agent
Jason Wright            UFA               Cleveland Browns               Free Agent

The list of RBs still out on the market shows how little talent is left. Of the group, Jackson, Rhodes and  Ware have the most potential to have some relevance in 2009.

WIDE RECIEVERS

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
T.J. Houshmandzadeh Signed         Cincinnati Bengals      Seattle Seahawks
Terrell Owens           Signed           Dallas Cowboys         Buffalo Bills
Laveranues Coles       Signed           New York Jets                    Cincinnati Bengals
Jabar Gaffney          Signed           New England Patriots Denver Broncos
Bryant Johnson        Signed           San Francisco49ers    Detroit Lions
Brandon Jones          Signed           Tennessee Titans       San Francisco 49ers
Anthony Mix             Signed           Free Agent                Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nate Washington       Signed           Pittsburgh Steelers     Tennessee Titans

The WR group had the most buzz so far this offseason with T.J. signing with Seattle and T.O. going to Buffalo. Coles may get a boost if Carson Palmer is healthy. The rest could be fill in players sometime during the season for your fantasy team.

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team
Antonio Bryant         Re-signed       Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Clayton         Re-signed       Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devery Henderson     Re-signed       New Orleans Saints
Michael Jenkins          Re-signed       Atlanta Falcons
Roscoe Parrish         Re-signed       Buffalo Bills
David Anderson         Re-signed       Houston Texans

The most note worthy of the group is the re-signing of Bryant. With Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway gone, Bryant benefits the most. It will be interesting to see what Parrish's role will be now that T.O. is in the mix.

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                           '09 Team
Marvin Harrison         UFA (Cut)       Indianapolis Colts                Free Agent
Joey Galloway          UFA (Cut)       Tampa Bay Buccaneers        Free Agent
D.J. Hackett             UFA (Cut)       Carolina Panthers               Free Agent
Drew Bennett           UFA (Cut)       St. Louis Rams                   Free Agent
Marty Booker           UFA (Cut)       Chicago Bears                    Free Agent
Ronald Curry            UFA (Cut)       Oakland Raiders                 Free Agent
Mike Furrey             UFA (Cut)       Detroit Lions                      Free Agent
Ike Hilliard               UFA (Cut)       Tampa Bay Buccaneers        Free Agent
Kelley Washington      UFA (Cut)       New England Patriots          Free Agent

Unlike the QB & RB list of players cut, thus list still has some talent that will play a role on a new team. Add in Torry Holt if he is cut. Harrison and Galloway are the most likely to land a spot on a new team. Hackett had plenty of potential but never lived up to the hype do to injuries. 

Player Name             FA Status       ‘08 Team                 '09 Team
Lance Moore            RFA               New Orleans Saints    Free Agent
Bobby Engram         UFA               Seattle Seahawks      Free Agent
Mark Clayton           RFA               Baltimore Ravens       Free Agent
Miles Austin             RFA               Dallas Cowboys         Free Agent
Hank Baskett           RFA               Philadelphia Eagles     Free Agent
Drew Carter            UFA               Oakland Raiders        Free Agent
Terrance Copper        UFA               Baltimore Ravens       Free Agent
Malcom Floyd           RFA               San Diego Chargers   Free Agent
Robert Ferguson        UFA               Minnesota Vikings      Free Agent
Sam Hurd                RFA               Dallas Cowboys         Free Agent
Darrell Jackson         UFA               Denver Broncos         Free Agent
Keary Colbert           UFA               Detroit Lions             Free Agent
Ruvell Martin            RFA               Green Bay Packers    Free Agent
Ashley Lelie             UFA               Oakland Raiders        Free Agent
Brandon Lloyd          UFA               Chicago Bears           Free Agent
Jerry Porter             UFA               Jacksonville Jaguars   Free Agent
Justin McCareins        UFA               Tennessee Titans       Free Agent
Shaun McDonald        UFA               Detroit Lions             Free Agent
David Patten             UFA               New Orleans Saints    Free Agent
Reggie Williams         UFA               Jacksonville Jaguars   Free Agent
Koren Robinson         UFA               Seattle Seahawks      Free Agent
Amani Toomer         UFA               New York Giants        Free Agent
Demetrius Williams     RFA                Baltimore Ravens       Free Agent

A long list of players that could still have some relevance in 2009, but it will take a good situation or an injury. Some of these players could also re-sign with their former teams. Moore and Engram have the best potential.

TIGHT ENDS

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
Kellen Winslow         Signed           Cleveland Browns      Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Baker             Signed           New York Jets                    New England Patriots
Dan Campbell           Signed           Detroit Lions             New Orleans Saints
Robert Royal            Signed           Buffalo Bills              Cleveland Browns

The Winslow trade was a surprise for me as he was a key part of the offense for Cleveland. Perhaps Eric Mangini didn't want a hot head in the locker room. This puts Winslow on a team that still has QB issues but has a running game that could provide him with good matchups.

Player Name             FA Status       Team
Jim Kleinsasser         Re-signed       Minnesota Vikings
Jerramy Stevens       Re-signed       Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It will be interesting to see what role Stevens has with Winslow now on the team. If Tampa uses two TE sets then he will have some value.

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
Owen Daniels           RFA               Houston Texans         Free Agent
Jeff King                 RFA               Carolina Panthers       Free Agent
Dominique Byrd         RFA               St. Louis Rams          Free Agent
Bubba Franks           UFA               New York Jets                     Free Agent
Itula Mili                   UFA               Seattle Seahawks      Free Agent
Marcus Pollard          UFA               Atlanta Falcons          Free Agent
Leonard Pope           RFA               Arizona Cardinals       Free Agent
Bo Scaife                FFA               Tennessee Titans       Free Agent
Ben Troupe              UFA               Oakland Raiders        Free Agent

Daniels will likely re-sign with Houston. After catching 70 passes last year, they would be crazy not to keep him. Scaife has been franchised.

PLACE KICKERS

Player Name   FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
Shane Andrus Signed           Free Agent                Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dave Rayner   Signed           Free Agent               Washington Redskins
Mike Nugent   Signed           New York Jets                    Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The kicker position is probably the quietest group this offseason. Nugent singing in Tampa will mean Matt Bryant is out.
    
Player Name   FA Status       '08 Team
Rob Bironas    Re-signed       Tennessee Titans
Jay Feely        Re-signed       New York Jets
Jason Hanson Re-signed       Detroit Lions

Kickers staying with their teams. Nothing more, nothing less.

Player Name             FA Status       '08 Team                 '09 Team
John Carney            UFA               New York Giants        Free Agent
Shayne Graham        FFA               Cincinnati Bengals      Free Agent
Martin Gramatica       UFA               New Orleans Saints    Free Agent
John Kasay              UFA               Carolina Panthers       Free Agent
Matt Stover             UFA               Baltimore Ravens       Free Agent
Shaun Suisham        UFA               Washington Redskins Free Agent

A few names that are still available that teams will probably add during camp. Graham has been franchised.

And there you have it folks. FA 2009 isn't as glamorous as it has been in the past but there are plenty of moves that will be significant this year. With the addition of so many new coaches, players will be used differently then they have before. Once the draft happens and the salary cap casualties fall, the pictures will be much clearer.

Thanks for reading.