Is it too early to think about the 2008 NFL Free Agent class? I say no, so here it is by position.
QB:
Tony Romo (DAL) - Easily the biggest name and we all assume he will remain a Cowboy.
Kyle Boller (BAL) - Looking at the Ravens offense and McNair, he may be far more important to this team than we may think, that is, unless Troy Smith is the man.
Rex Grossman (CHI) - Will find a new home this off-season but not as a starter.
Jim Sorgi (IND) - Just because he's the most famous backup that I can remember, except for Scott Zolak.
RB:
Chris Brown (TEN) - Couldn't find a job a new job this year, and will his 175 yard opening day outburst be forgotten?
Mike Alstott (TB) - Will he comeback again for another year? The neck injury will hopefully be enough for one of the great fullbacks of this decade to hang 'em up for good and enjoy fishing in southern Florida.
T.J. Duckett (DET) - A big back who has never found a home. Teams will continue to give him a chance, but at this point he's running out of feature back chances.
Justin Fargas (OAK) - After a big Week 4, he's shown what he can do, but being on a team with LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes won't help him this year. He has a chance to be the Sammy Morris of next year.
Jamal Lewis (CLE) - He slimmed down hoping to attract teams for one more contract and had done well so far this season except for an injury against the Patriots. If he can prove that he's a 1200 yard, 8 TD back, he should get another chance somewhere.
Lorenzo Neal (SD) - LDT's lead blocker may call it quits but I say it depends on how the Chargers finish this season. If they miss the playoffs, I see Lorenzo waving goodbye to the Chargers.
Tony Richardson (MIN) - Another great lead blocker will see if he can get a 3 or 4 year deal before he calls it a career.
Fred Taylor (JAC) - What are we to make of Fred Taylor? He's been a 1000 yard back for as long as I can remember and seems beyond his injuries. The Jags may want him to stay around and share carries with Jones-Drew, but will Taylor want to stay?
Michael Turner (SD) - Supposedly the best back in the market, hasn't played nearly as well as last year in limited carries.
Derrick Ward (NYG) - A virtual unknown to most of us before the season started, will probably earn himself a timeshare.
Vernand Morency (GB) - Looking at his numbers so far this year, Morency has a chance to get money somewhere in the league, but I'm not sure why he'd want to leave the hallowed grounds of Lambeau Field.
WR:
Bernard Berrian (CHI) - The Bears speedster has nobody to throw him the ball. I see a lot of teams lining up to get a down field threat to compliment an already solid receiver...if the price is right.
Troy Brown (NE) - He will either retire or sign another 1-year deal with the Patriots to continue to try and win another championship.
Brandon Stockley (DEN) - Obviously hasn't been the same receiver since leaving the Colts but has shown signs of life in Denver. If he has a solid year, he can decide to stay as the #2 behind Javon Walker, or if Brandon Marshall continues his current pace, he can look elsewhere for work.
Patrick Crayton (DAL) - A solid WR who has filled in admirably for Terry Glenn should get another contract in Big D. Another player the Cowboys have to decide on in this crucial off-season for the Cowboys.
TE:
Chris Cooley (WAS) - Solid HB/TE who it appears Jason Campbell is comfortable with, but is he worth a new contract? He can get a job elsewhere and may hit the market for the dollars.
L.J. Smith (PHI) - Injuries have plagued him the last few years and the Eagles teams we used to know may be gone. With the management's history of cutting guys loose early, plus the emergence of young stud Brent Celek, LJ would be better off with a new home. A chance of scenery may help extend his career a few seasons.
OL:
Alan Faneca (PIT) - Already had disputes with the Steelers and it doesn't seem likely that he will return after the season. Look for him to try and get big money on the market.
Ryan Lilja (IND) and Jake Scott (IND) - The Colts cannot afford to lose two starting offensive linemen in one season. While Tony Ugoh has done a great job thus far filling in for retired Tarik Glenn, I don't believe that the Colts could afford to lose anymore starters.
DL:
Jared Allen (KC) - Workhorse for the Chiefs would be a welcomed addition to any defense. The question is, who will pay him what he wants?
Terrell Suggs (BAL) - He's about to turn 25 and could make HUGE dollars this off-season. The Ravens have a knack of turning anybody into a great defensive player and Suggs has turned into a star. With Ray Lewis getting older, the Ravens may need to keep Suggs around, but his versatility (he can play DE or OLB) and his ceiling will be plenty to have teams opening the checkbook for his services.
Simeon Rice (DEN) - The old-time sack master hasn't been the same since 2005, but Rice can get to the quarterback as well as anybody. He should be able to get another contract in the off-season, especially for a team that wants him to show a young kid the ropes.
Mike Rucker (CAR) - At 32, his prospects of getting a contract this off-season look grim, but he's been a great player for the Panthers for the last 9 years. I think the Panthers keep him around for a few more years to keep alongside Julius Peppers.
Justin Smith (CIN) - The Bengals 1st round pick of 2001 continues to be a solid contributer on a weak Bengals defense who should re-sign him in the off-season. If the Bengals pass on Smith, he could get good money in the open market and teams would be willing to pay him.
Albert Haynesworth (TEN) - A monster defensive force who has been fantastic so far this season. His troubled past and up-and-down performance could make teams shy away, but if he plays well this season, he could be the cream of the crop in this defensive class.
Pat Williams (MIN) - More than a few teams will be hot for the vetern run stuffer capable of playing nose tackle in the 3-4.
Mike Wright (NE) - I put him on the list because he's a great worker and the Patriots found a consummate professional in Mike Wright. I love this guy and hope we keep him to back up Wilfork.
LB:
Tedy Bruschi (NE) - The soul of the Patriots defense will be the one to decide if he wants another year with Brady and Belichick. If the Patriots win the Super Bowl this year, he may start picking the kids up from school...or he might come back to get the one for the thumb.
Karlos Dansby (ARI) - Young, athletic linebacker who has the skill set to be great, but does he do enough to warrant a deal from the Cardinals?
Mike Vrabel (NE) - Another Patriot linebacker whose future directly relates to the success of the Patriots this year. He loves Boston and the fans love him so it makes sense to stay in New England especially because even at 30, he's loving the game and looking like he's 25.
CB:
Domonique Foxworth (DEN) - At only 24 years old, he has a chance to prove himself this year and be the 3rd CB in for the Broncos...or he could have a solid year and make himself some money on the free agent market. He doesn't have the skill-set of a #1 corner just yet, but he definitely has the talent to make a team very happy if they invest in him.
Eugene Wilson (NE) - I'm not sure what the Patriots will do with Wilson, but nobody ever knows what the Patriots will do. A lot of questions will be answered when we find out what Asante Samuel decides to do this off-season and if the Patriots believe Ellis Hobbs, Randal Gay, James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather can handle the load. If those players can, the Patriots will have one of the youngest and most talented defensive backfield in the NFL, with or without Samuel and Wilson.
QB:
Tony Romo (DAL) - Easily the biggest name and we all assume he will remain a Cowboy.
Kyle Boller (BAL) - Looking at the Ravens offense and McNair, he may be far more important to this team than we may think, that is, unless Troy Smith is the man.
Rex Grossman (CHI) - Will find a new home this off-season but not as a starter.
Jim Sorgi (IND) - Just because he's the most famous backup that I can remember, except for Scott Zolak.
RB:
Chris Brown (TEN) - Couldn't find a job a new job this year, and will his 175 yard opening day outburst be forgotten?
Mike Alstott (TB) - Will he comeback again for another year? The neck injury will hopefully be enough for one of the great fullbacks of this decade to hang 'em up for good and enjoy fishing in southern Florida.
T.J. Duckett (DET) - A big back who has never found a home. Teams will continue to give him a chance, but at this point he's running out of feature back chances.
Justin Fargas (OAK) - After a big Week 4, he's shown what he can do, but being on a team with LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes won't help him this year. He has a chance to be the Sammy Morris of next year.
Jamal Lewis (CLE) - He slimmed down hoping to attract teams for one more contract and had done well so far this season except for an injury against the Patriots. If he can prove that he's a 1200 yard, 8 TD back, he should get another chance somewhere.
Lorenzo Neal (SD) - LDT's lead blocker may call it quits but I say it depends on how the Chargers finish this season. If they miss the playoffs, I see Lorenzo waving goodbye to the Chargers.
Tony Richardson (MIN) - Another great lead blocker will see if he can get a 3 or 4 year deal before he calls it a career.
Fred Taylor (JAC) - What are we to make of Fred Taylor? He's been a 1000 yard back for as long as I can remember and seems beyond his injuries. The Jags may want him to stay around and share carries with Jones-Drew, but will Taylor want to stay?
Michael Turner (SD) - Supposedly the best back in the market, hasn't played nearly as well as last year in limited carries.
Derrick Ward (NYG) - A virtual unknown to most of us before the season started, will probably earn himself a timeshare.
Vernand Morency (GB) - Looking at his numbers so far this year, Morency has a chance to get money somewhere in the league, but I'm not sure why he'd want to leave the hallowed grounds of Lambeau Field.
WR:
Bernard Berrian (CHI) - The Bears speedster has nobody to throw him the ball. I see a lot of teams lining up to get a down field threat to compliment an already solid receiver...if the price is right.
Troy Brown (NE) - He will either retire or sign another 1-year deal with the Patriots to continue to try and win another championship.
Brandon Stockley (DEN) - Obviously hasn't been the same receiver since leaving the Colts but has shown signs of life in Denver. If he has a solid year, he can decide to stay as the #2 behind Javon Walker, or if Brandon Marshall continues his current pace, he can look elsewhere for work.
Patrick Crayton (DAL) - A solid WR who has filled in admirably for Terry Glenn should get another contract in Big D. Another player the Cowboys have to decide on in this crucial off-season for the Cowboys.
TE:
Chris Cooley (WAS) - Solid HB/TE who it appears Jason Campbell is comfortable with, but is he worth a new contract? He can get a job elsewhere and may hit the market for the dollars.
L.J. Smith (PHI) - Injuries have plagued him the last few years and the Eagles teams we used to know may be gone. With the management's history of cutting guys loose early, plus the emergence of young stud Brent Celek, LJ would be better off with a new home. A chance of scenery may help extend his career a few seasons.
OL:
Alan Faneca (PIT) - Already had disputes with the Steelers and it doesn't seem likely that he will return after the season. Look for him to try and get big money on the market.
Ryan Lilja (IND) and Jake Scott (IND) - The Colts cannot afford to lose two starting offensive linemen in one season. While Tony Ugoh has done a great job thus far filling in for retired Tarik Glenn, I don't believe that the Colts could afford to lose anymore starters.
DL:
Jared Allen (KC) - Workhorse for the Chiefs would be a welcomed addition to any defense. The question is, who will pay him what he wants?
Terrell Suggs (BAL) - He's about to turn 25 and could make HUGE dollars this off-season. The Ravens have a knack of turning anybody into a great defensive player and Suggs has turned into a star. With Ray Lewis getting older, the Ravens may need to keep Suggs around, but his versatility (he can play DE or OLB) and his ceiling will be plenty to have teams opening the checkbook for his services.
Simeon Rice (DEN) - The old-time sack master hasn't been the same since 2005, but Rice can get to the quarterback as well as anybody. He should be able to get another contract in the off-season, especially for a team that wants him to show a young kid the ropes.
Mike Rucker (CAR) - At 32, his prospects of getting a contract this off-season look grim, but he's been a great player for the Panthers for the last 9 years. I think the Panthers keep him around for a few more years to keep alongside Julius Peppers.
Justin Smith (CIN) - The Bengals 1st round pick of 2001 continues to be a solid contributer on a weak Bengals defense who should re-sign him in the off-season. If the Bengals pass on Smith, he could get good money in the open market and teams would be willing to pay him.
Albert Haynesworth (TEN) - A monster defensive force who has been fantastic so far this season. His troubled past and up-and-down performance could make teams shy away, but if he plays well this season, he could be the cream of the crop in this defensive class.
Pat Williams (MIN) - More than a few teams will be hot for the vetern run stuffer capable of playing nose tackle in the 3-4.
Mike Wright (NE) - I put him on the list because he's a great worker and the Patriots found a consummate professional in Mike Wright. I love this guy and hope we keep him to back up Wilfork.
LB:
Tedy Bruschi (NE) - The soul of the Patriots defense will be the one to decide if he wants another year with Brady and Belichick. If the Patriots win the Super Bowl this year, he may start picking the kids up from school...or he might come back to get the one for the thumb.
Karlos Dansby (ARI) - Young, athletic linebacker who has the skill set to be great, but does he do enough to warrant a deal from the Cardinals?
Mike Vrabel (NE) - Another Patriot linebacker whose future directly relates to the success of the Patriots this year. He loves Boston and the fans love him so it makes sense to stay in New England especially because even at 30, he's loving the game and looking like he's 25.
CB:
Domonique Foxworth (DEN) - At only 24 years old, he has a chance to prove himself this year and be the 3rd CB in for the Broncos...or he could have a solid year and make himself some money on the free agent market. He doesn't have the skill-set of a #1 corner just yet, but he definitely has the talent to make a team very happy if they invest in him.
Eugene Wilson (NE) - I'm not sure what the Patriots will do with Wilson, but nobody ever knows what the Patriots will do. A lot of questions will be answered when we find out what Asante Samuel decides to do this off-season and if the Patriots believe Ellis Hobbs, Randal Gay, James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather can handle the load. If those players can, the Patriots will have one of the youngest and most talented defensive backfield in the NFL, with or without Samuel and Wilson.
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