NFL Free Agency Preview

As we look upon the beginning of what seems like it will be a long NBA lockout, there is reason to rejoice because it does look like it is the beginning of the end of this horrible NFL lockout. This means the off-season will begin soon and free agents will begin to sign with new teams. This year's class features some intriguing players, and some who may have played their last down in the NFL.

Every off-season there are a few teams that ask the same question, "How do we get better at Quarterback?" Well if you didn't get a QB in the draft this year, you are prettymuch out of luck, the best QB on the open market right now is Matt Hasselbeck, who has been on a steep decline in production over the last couple of years. Of course the market could change dramatically when free agency officially starts. It seems very likely that the Redskins will release QB Donovan McNabb, and the QB who McNabb mentored in Philly seems to be available for the right price. However it seems very unlikely that QB Kevin Kolb will leave Philly unless a team is willing to part with a 1st Round draft choice.

One of the deepest positions in this free agent class are the running backs. DeAngelo Williams is the best RB in this class, injured last year, but when healthy is one of the topbacks in all of football, in his two previous seasons before being injured, Williams put up a combined 2,632 rushing yards. And all of that is with sharing the backfield with Jonathan Stewart. Another notable running back in this class is Ronnie Brown, Brown had a sub par season for the Dolphins in 2010 but in the two previous seasons Brown was a Pro-Bowl caliber RB. He never put up huge numbers but he was a key component in Miami's Wildcat Offense. Another position that creates some intrigue is the wide receiver position. Now there are two types of receivers in this class,

the idiots, and football players. If your looking for a receiver who can constantly attract attention to himself off the field or a guy who can shoot himself in the leg, you want the Idiot Group. Some of the guys that fall under the Idiot Group include, Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress, and Randy Moss. These guys are way past their primes and at this point in their careers don't really havethat much to offer. Some of the guys that fall under the Football Player Group include, Sidney Rice, Santonio Holmes, and Steve Smith(NYG). These guys are young and in their prime and all have notable accomplishments to their record. The one guy who I think can really excel out of this group is Sidney Rice. Rice is another player who was injured last year but put up big numbers the previous year. The one year Rice played with a respectable QB he put up huge numbers, 83 catches for 1,312 yards in 2009. If you can get Rice in the right situation, he can be special.

There are many defensive players who will be sought after once free agency begins, but most of the attention will be turned to the secondary. The best player in this free agent class, Nnamdi Asomugha comes from the secondary, he doesn't put up big numbers and that is because he is the definition of a "shut-down" cornerback. Nnamdi can take away one side of the field, and that makes it so hard for offenses. Some other corners are in this class with Pro-Bowl experience, those players include Jonathan Joseph, Antonio Cromartie, and Brent Grimes. Of the three, Grimes had the best season, recording 5 interceptions for the NFC's #1 seed. However, theplayer with the most potential would have to be Cromartie, he owns the record for the longest play in NFL history, and he was an interception machine, early in his career with the Chargers.

Let's take a look at some of the top free agents and where their best fit may be:

QB Matt Hasselbeck - Tennessee

Why: Hasselbeck still has some starting ability in his beat up body, Hasselbeck can start while grooming the QB of the future, Jake Locker

RB DeAngelo Williams - Denver

Why: Knowshon Moreno has been a complete bust in Denver and it's time for a new back to take the reigns, Williams will fit in very well with that system

RB Ronnie Brown - Miami

Why: Unfortunately, for Brown it does not look like there will be a huge market for him, I think the best move he can make is to return to Miami, and attempt to salvage the remainder of his career

WR Sidney Rice - Tampa Bay

Why: Rice needs a Quarterback, Josh Freeman appears to be one of the rising young QBs in the league, and the Bucs would have quite a duo with Rice and Mike Williams

WR Santonio Holmes - New York Jets

Why: In the 12 games that he played for the Jets last year, Holmes was sensational, winning 4 games in a row for the Jets by making the game-winning play. I also have a feeling that Holmes loves playing for Rex Ryan

WR Terrell Owens - Retirement

Why: Even though Owens is coming off a pretty good season, he is recovering from ACL surgey. Owens is also 37 years old, and I think the NFL has had enough of him

CB Nnamdi Asomugha - Houston

Why: The Texans are willing to spend top-dollar to acquire Asomugha, Houston's defense was horrendous last season and Asomugha would certainly help

CB Antonio Cromartie - Baltimore

Why: The Ravens are losing 3 cornerbacks in free agency this offseason, the Ravens can put Cromartie opposite rookie Jimmy Smith, and now their secondary is respectable

Written on June 30th, 2011