As is the case every spring with free agency, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and usually parallels an individual team's needs. That's essentially the nature of free agency, spackling holes with real, live bodies, hoping that the investment nets a handsome return.
The subjective nature of free agency makes it difficult at times to identify the top players in the pool. What everyone seems to agree on in this latest edition of free agency, though, is that the 2003 market is a thin one.
"It's not quite the old 'Plan B' system that we used to have," said an AFC personnel director at the predraft scouting combine last week, "but it's close to that. Teams are learning to (retain) their own best players more than they did in the early years of free agency. I don't think you'll see many real big deals out there."
There will still be some players, particularly at the linebacker position, who will merit solid contracts. Unlike most positions, linebacker is a loaded spot, with Rosevelt Colvin of Chicago winning the honor as ESPN.com's most coveted player, and three other 'backers among the top 15.
The free agent list will shrink in some areas, and expand in others, before the signing period commences at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. Here is how ESPN.com views the top 30 players either already available, or soon to be, Wednesday, Feb. 26 at noon:
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ESPN.com's Top 30
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Player
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Team
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Years
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Comment
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OLB Rosevelt Colvin
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Chi.
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4
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Better as a pass rusher, with 10 ½ sacks each of last two seasons, than run defender. Good, live body, very good athlete who can chase down plays. Signed with Patriots.
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WR David Boston
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Ari.
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4
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Stunning combination of size, speed and playmaking skills. Has run afoul of the law and of the NFL substance abuse policy, so some clubs might be scared off. Signed with Chargers.
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DE Hugh Douglas
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Phi.
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8
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His age, 32 in August, will be a factor for a few teams, but Douglas is still a big-motor guy and capable of getting 10-12 sacks for a few more seasons.
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*OT Luke Petitgout
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NYG
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4
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Emerging blocker who moved from right to left side in 2002 and did an excellent job protecting Kerry Collins. A tough kid with a very nice upside.
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OLB Mike Peterson
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Ind.
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4
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Led the Colts in tackles two of last three seasons, but didn't make enough big plays for team to justify spending big money. Someone else, though, will pay him.
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*OLB Anthony Simmons
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Sea.
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5
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Despite lack of name value outside of Pacific Northwest, every team knows about him, and he is a terrific player with splendid all-around abilities.
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DE Vonnie Holliday
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G.B.
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5
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Solid anchor end versus run, with some pass rush ability, can move down inside to tackle on third down. But any team interested must check out recent injuries.
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OG Randy Thomas
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NYJ
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4
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Guards don't typically rate this high, but the market for Thomas is going to be big. More a move, technical-type blocker, who won't blow people off the line. Signed with Redskins.
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DT Daryl Gardener
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Was.
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7
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Coming off redemptive, comeback year in which he was Redskins most effective and consistent lineman. Buyer beware, check out attitude and back injury. Signed with Broncos.
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*OT Flozell Adams
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Dal.
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5
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Massive and girthy left tackle but better feet than he sometimes is credited with having. An underachiever at times, but was Dallas' lone dependable linemen in '02.
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QB Jake Plummer
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Ari.
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6
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The best of a sorry bunch of quarterbacks in free agency, has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes. Some team will gamble on change of scenery helping him. Signed with Broncos.
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CB Dre' Bly
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Stl.
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4
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A real "gamble" type cornerback who loves to make the big play, has great hands, will explode to the ball in front of him. Lone drawback for some teams is lack of height.
Signed with Lions.
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OG Mo Collins
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Oak.
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5
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Former first-round pick who began career at tackle, has found a home at guard, will be very popular in the market. Unlike Randy Thomas, a real road-grader of a blocker.
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DT John Thornton
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Ten.
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4
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Another relatively unknown player, but a young, emerging inside defender. Can stuff the run with consistency and flashes some pass-rush ability. Signed with Bengals.
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OLB Shawn Barber
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Phi.
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5
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Very athletic, a run-around guy who is sort of a poor man's Derrick Brooks. Can drop and cover, has not been used much as a blitzer in his career. Signed with Chiefs.
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RB Stacey Mack
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Jac.
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4
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Overcame some fumbling problems in 2002 and a tough back with very few miles on him. Has some pop and speed in the secondary, catches the ball well enough.
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DE Chike Okeafor
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S.F.
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4
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Smaller than most teams want, but the undersized end is suddenly in vogue in this copycat league, and he plays a lot bigger than his size would indicate.
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CB Tyrone Williams
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G.B.
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7
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Voided out his deal with the Packers to test the free agent waters. Has been a "tease" at times in his career, and he doesn't always play up to his potential.
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OT Wayne Gandy
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Pit.
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9
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Won't merit the kind of money Adams and Petitgout will pull in but, for a club (attention Miami) seeking a good, medium-priced pass protector, he's the guy. Signed with Saints.
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FS Dexter Jackson
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T.B.
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4
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Might not be nearly as productive in another system, but some teams will be blinded by Super Bowl performance and perhaps overpay to get him.
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QB Kordell Stewart
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Pit.
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8
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The critics can scrutinize this choice but, in a league where 5-7 teams are desperate to upgrade, he's still better than a lot of players who started in 2002.
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DE Willie Whitehead
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N.O.
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4
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Has never really been a full-time starter and some team will have to project exactly when, or if, he'll emerge. Flashes on the pass rush, good enough versus the run.
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SS Sammy Knight
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N.O.
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6
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One of the most prolific playmakers at safety over the last four years, a "ball magnet" who has lots of takeaways. Question is, does he still have the range?
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WR Kevin Dyson
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Ten.
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5
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Will have to demonstrate he's healthy and can stay that way. Some deep speed, adjusts well to the ball in the air and can run after the catch. |
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OLB Kevin Hardy
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Dallas
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7
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Showed in '02 that, when healthy, he is still a force against the run and a threat coming off the edge. Would like to stay in Dallas, but will listen to other offers. Signed with Bengals.
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*OG Zach Piller
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Ten.
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4
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Rugged in-line blocker with true blue-collar mentality. Not as athletic as Thomas or powerful as Collins, but has a notable nasty streak, is tough drive-blocker.
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*FB Rob Konrad
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Mia.
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4
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The fullback position always gets short shrift in free agency, but it's a deep position this spring. A good blocker and adept receiver, Konrad is the best of a very solid bunch.
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MLB Shelton Quarles
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T.B.
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6
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Had played primarily strong-side 'backer until his move to the middle in 2002. Fits the Tampa scheme well, some teams will grade him as strong-side possibility.
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DT Brandon Noble
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Dal.
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4
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He's not a special player, but he is a tough interior defender who anchors well against run. Very nice complementary player who fits well with speedier tackle next to him. Signed with Redskins.
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CB Denard Walker
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Den.
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6
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Released by Denver on Tuesday because of cap reasons and diminishing returns. Heading for the wrong side of 30, but still has a couple good coverage seasons in him.
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*Re-signed with team
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