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| Tuesday, February 25 Updated: February 26, 5:54 PM ET AFC North: Free agency breakdown Pro Football Weekly |
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PFW breaks down each team's plan of attack in free agency.
Each team's capsule contains a list of players who are scheduled to become free agents on Feb. 28. Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are players who have accrued four or more NFL seasons and are free to sign with any team unless given a franchise or transition tag. Restricted free agents (RFAs) are players with three accrued seasons. The player's current team has a right of first refusal on offers from other teams. If the team chooses to let a restricted free agent leave by opting not to match an offer, the team will receive draft-choice compensation from the player's new team. Those who have been designated "franchise" players are required to be paid at least the average of the top five players at their position or a 20-percent raise, whichever is higher. "Transition" players require an offer of the average of the top 10 players at their position or a 20 percent raise, whichever is higher. In both cases, the original team has the right to match, and compensation for signing another team's franchise player is a pair of first-round picks.
Baltimore Ravens
 Analysis: This is a team with plenty of money to spend after purging a
number of high-priced veterans last offseason. The Ravens exceeded
expectations last season but have plenty of weak areas to improve. Look for
the team to go after at least one wide receiver in free agency. Current No.
1 WR Travis Taylor may be better-served as a complementary player; at the
very least, he needs some help. The Ravens gave CB Chris McAlister the
franchise tag on Feb. 20. In the first half of 2002, McAlister was one of
the game's top cornerbacks, but injuries and foolish penalties marked the
end of his season. The Ravens are talking to QB Jeff Blake about a new deal,
but it is unclear whether the two sides can come to terms. If Blake is back,
he'll be the starter. If not, the team will turn to Chris Redman, who
underwent back surgery in January. However, Redman's balky back would mean
the team would have to pick up a veteran in free agency. The team could
bring back WR Brandon Stokley, but it is in no rush, given Stokley's injury
history. OG Edwin Mulitalo, who settled back in at left guard after a failed
audition at right tackle, will be back. OT Ethan Brooks could be back, but
only as a backup, as the team is seeking an upgrade at right tackle.
Cincinnati Bengals
 Analysis: The Bengals have many needs to be filled in free agency; the whole
defense, for starters, needs an overhaul. Overall, this team needs more
quality depth across the board. But can the Bengals attract players who are
likely wary of the team's past? New head coach Marvin Lewis should help the
team's recruiting efforts. LB Takeo Spikes, whom the team gave its
transition tag to on Feb. 11, wants no part of the Bengals. He could get his
escape from Cincinnati if a team is willing to give Spikes a contract with a
"poison pill." The Bengals, however, have a reported $9 million in
salary-cap space and may be reluctant to let their best defensive player get
away before Lewis coaches a game. The team likely will try to bring back C
Rich Braham, a solid performer at center, so long as the price is right.
Price also will determine whether the team can bring back both RB Nick
Luchey and FB Lorenzo Neal. Luchey's run skills make him an interesting
prospect, and Neal is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Of the Bengals' other
unrestricted free agents, only QB Gus Frerotte is a lock not to be brought
back. RFA Ron Dugans could draw interest because of his solid play on
special teams.
Cleveland Browns
 Analysis: The Browns have enough cap room to make one big signing in free
agency. Their biggest needs are on the defense, where a shutdown corner
would be welcome. They could have made a run at Ravens CB Chris McAlister,
but his franchise tag virtually takes him off the market. Hence, the team is
unlikely to be a big spender this offseason. The team will try to bring back
Chris Akins, a special-teams ace. Darren Hambrick and Earl Little are
starters that likely won't attract big offers elsewhere, so both should be
back. S Devin Bush will not be back. The team has some tough decisions to
make with its restricted free agents, particularly RB Jamel White. If the
Browns give him a high tender, he almost assuredly will be back with the
team. But if he gets a low tender, he likely will be snapped up by another
team. White sees himself as a No. 1 back; the Browns, however, may see him
as just a third-down back. OG Shaun O'Hara and CB Lewis Sanders are likely
to be retained; the team particularly likes Sanders' potential, even after
he struggled last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
 Analysis: Job No. 1 for the Steelers in free agency is getting a safety. Lee
Flowers struggled in coverage last season, and it really hurt the team vs.
the Browns and Titans in the playoffs. He likely will not be back. The team
also will look to pick up a backup quarterback. Charlie Batch didn't take a
snap last season, but did have some success in Detroit a few years back.
With a number of teams looking for new blood at the QB position, Batch's
price could be on the upswing. If this occurs, the Steelers are going to
have trouble convincing him to come back as the No. 2 quarterback. On
defense, another cornerback also would be appreciated, but a Steelers
observer doubts the team will be able to pick up quality help on the cheap.
It will be hard for the team to afford OT Wayne Gandy, and it's unlikely
Pittsburgh will make a strong effort to bring him back. Of the team's four
unrestricted tight ends, Jerame Tuman is the best player but will be the
hardest to bring back, as he may draw some interest. WR Terance Mathis also
may be tough to bring back. With the Steelers, he is no better than No. 4 in
the WR pecking order. P Tom Rouen and LB Michael Jones were stop-gap players
who will not be back.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
