Top NFL Veterans to Watch this Year!
msnbc.com
1. Tiki Barber.
Tiki’s tale of football redemption could become one of the most intriguing story lines of the season.
If anyone offers him a contract.
A couple of teams supposedly are interested, and Tiki’s agent has declared that they know where Tiki will play. But the two teams in which he has expressed the most interest — the Buccaneers and the Steelers — may not be interested in him.
His obvious goal is to restore relevance, and then possibly to relaunch a media career that begins with slightly lower expectations. The first question is whether he’ll get that chance.
2. Kevin Kolb.
Based on the manner in which the Eagles have gotten the absolute most out of every quarterback that has taken the field under coach Andy Reid, why is there a presumption that Kevin Kolb constitutes a can’t-miss proposition?
No offense to Kolb, but his (limited) achievements could be chalked up to the coaching in Philly, given that the coaching in in Philly has done wonders since 1999 with a laundry list of signal-callers.
Sure, even if Kolb is 75 percent in Arizona of what he was in Philly, Kolb will still be better than anything the Cardinals had last year. But given the manner in which the Eagles have grifted the likes of the Dolphins out of a second-round pick for A.J. Feeley and the Redskins out of a two and a four for a possibly washed-up Donovan McNabb, buyer beware are the operative buzzwords.
3. Donovan McNabb.
Speaking of McNabb, Adam Schefter of ESPN said earlier this morning on Mike & Mike in the Morning that Redskins coach Mike Shanahan wants to get a draft pick for McNabb. Schefter, who once wrote a book with Shanahan and who thus knows a little more than the rest of us about Shanahan’s thinking, speculated that Shanahan would want something like a fifth-round selection that could increase to a fourth-rounder based on McNabb’s play in 2011.
But McNabb will want out ASAFP, and he won’t be inclined to restructure a contract that pays him $12.5 million this year.
The Redskins eventually will cut McNabb before Week One, at which time the $12.5 million will be fully owed. McNabb will want the Redskins to do it now, so that he can find a new chair before the music stops.
And so it could get ugly, quickly, in D.C., with a two-ring training camp circus featuring McNabb and Albert Haynesworth trying their best to get out of town, and Shanahan trying his best to show them who’s boss.
4. Vince Young.
The Titans have made clear their desire to trade or cut Vince Young, the third overall pick in the 2006 draft. Under the 2011 transition rules, the Titans will have to cut Young by Friday at 4:00 p.m. ET, if they can’t trade him. Otherwise, they’ll owe him a $4.25 million roster bonus.
Chances are that Young will be cut, and then the question will become whether he can get it done in a new city.
A couple of high-profile occasions on which Young couldn’t handle adversity have overcome the situations in which he has handled prosperity. At the time his 2010 season ended with an injury to his thumb and a shoe to his butt from former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, Young’s passer rating was perched at 98.6.
Can we be sure that Young’s bad reaction to periodic rough spots can be blamed only on Young? What if Young were playing for a head coach who knew how to press the right buttons, in order to get him through the inevitable challenges of playing quarterback in the NFL?
It could be that it’s all Young. But there aren’t enough good quarterbacks to go around, Young has been a good quarterback, and if there’s a head coach who can better manage Young, he could still do a lot of good things in the NFL.
5. Peyton Manning.
Colts owner Jim Irsay has declared for months that Peyton Manning’s next contract will be the biggest contract in league history. Now that Irsay is staring down the barrel of a $120 million cap limit with more than $23 million devoted to Manning, the owner is tapping the brakes.
For Manning, the question becomes whether he’ll make another money grab, or whether he’ll give the Colts enough cap space to get him the help he needs in order to build a better on-field legacy.
It’s a tricky situation for everyone, and Manning could take a big hit in the eyes of the fan base if he holds out into the preseason while he waits for a new deal.
6. Plaxico Burress.
Plaxico Burress seems to be interested in every team other than the Giants. The Giants, surprisingly, could be interested in Plaxico Burress, based on recent comments from co-owner John Mara.
In the end, the question comes down to Plaxico’s priorities. He has said he wants to play for a coach who cares, and a quarterback who can bring it. Money is surely a factor, as is Plaxico’s spot on the depth chart.
Teams will be interested. Burress must then compare the opportunities to his priorities. When he does, the decision will be easier than a decision not to take a loaded gun into a Manhattan nightclub.
OK, maybe it won’t be an easy decision.
7. Reggie Bush.
The Saints owe Bush a base salary of $11.8 million in 2011. He won’t make that much money.
The question becomes whether whatever money he makes will be made in New Orleans or elsewhere.
If he wants out, all he has to do is do nothing. The Saints surely won’t keep him past Week One, at which time that $11.8 million salary becomes guaranteed. There’s a good chance the Saints won’t even bring him into the building for training camp absent a new deal, given that a torn ACL or a busted Achilles’ would likely lead to $11.8 million making its way to Bush’s back pocket.
He’s worth more to the Saints than he is to any other team. But would he take less elsewhere for a fresh start? Lately, he has been saying all the right things. In the end, all that matters is whether he’ll say “yes” when the Saints extend their best offer for a reduced salary in 2011.
8. Ike Taylor.
Yeah, Nnamdi Asomugha has become the crown jewel of the 2011 free agency class. Sure, Antonio Cromartie gets more buzz. But Ike Taylor quietly has become one of the names to watch in free agency.
If the Steelers wanted to keep their No. 1 corner, the Steelers would have signed him before he made it to free agency.
And if Taylor wanted to stay, he wouldn’t be publicly declaring his intention to go to the highest bidder.
Making the situation even more intriguing is the fact that Taylor quietly is held in high regard by some of the coaches who are familiar with his style of play over the last eight seasons. He consistently faces the top receiver on the opposing team, and he can handle press coverage effectively, allowing the Steelers to keep offenses guessing as to whether Taylor will run with the receiver, or whether he’ll release his man after applying a jam and occupy a short zone.
With the Ravens dumping salaries, some fans think they’re making room for Asomugha. Given that the Ravens have seen twice (and sometimes thrice) per year what Ike can do, maybe he’s the guy they’re truly after.
9. Matthew Hasselbeck.
Despite the belief that the long-time Seahawks starter will jump to the Titans and that the 49ers will keep Alex Smith, there’s an emerging belief that Hasselbeck will slide down the coast, joining forces with Jim Harbaugh.
Whether Hasselbeck goes to San Fran or to Arizona, staying in the NFC West could be his best move. The team with the best quarterback play will likely win James Carville’s favorite division, and Hasselbeck could relish the Favre-style opportunity to stick it to a team that no longer wanted him.
Either way, it’s rare that a quarterback who has started a Super Bowl is available in free agency. Surely, there will be a market for his services.
10. Chris Johnson.
The Titans’ key player won’t be a free agent for two more seasons, and therein lies the problem.
Johnson wants much more than the last two seasons of his rookie deal will pay him, and for good reason. He has become one of the best players in the league. After two more years, Johnson will have less tread on the tires — and thus less reason to justify big money.
So now is the time to get paid. A holdout is virtually guaranteed, and it could get as ugly as last year’s Darrelle Revis debacle.
The King 25: Ranking Top NFL Free Agents
1 Nnamdi Asomugha
Position: CB Age: 30
Old Team: RAIDERS Best Fit: TEXANS
King's Take: Best free-agent corner since Deion Sanders in 1995.
2 DeAngelo Williams
Position: RB Age: 28
Old Team: PANTHERS Best Fit: DOLPHINS
King's Take: Good fit for Miami, which still wants to power-run.
3 Cullen Jenkins
Position: DE Age: 30
Old Team: PACKERS Best Fit: REDSKINS
King's Take: Follow the money: Jenkins wants it; Dan Snyder has it.
4 Aubrayo Franklin
Position: NT Age: 30
Old Team: 49ERS Best Fit: 49ERS
King's Take: Top nosetackle in this class and, at 30, still in his prime.
5 Sidney Rice
Position: WR Age: 24
Old Team: VIKINGS Best Fit: JAGUARS
King's Take: But expect the Rams to go after him very, very hard.
6 Jason Babin
Position: DE Age: 31
Old Team: TITANS Best Fit: JAGUARS
King's Take: Led all free-agents-to-be with 12 1/2 sacks in 2010.
7 Santonio Holmes
Position: WR Age: 27
Old Team: JETS Agreed To Sign With: JETS
King's Take: Has two strikes against him in player discipline.
8 Matt Light
Position: T Age: 33
Old Team: PATRIOTS Best Fit: SEAHAWKS
King's Take: Only proven above-average left-tackle starter available.
9 Antonio Cromartie
Position: CB Age: 27
Old Team: JETS Best Fit: RAIDERS
King's Take: Al Davis? Overpay for a cornerback? Yup. He always does.
10 Ray Edwards
Position: DE Age: 26
Old Team: VIKINGS Best Fit: EAGLES
King's Take: Rush end to complement the underrated Trent Cole.
11 Johnathan Joseph
Position: CB Age: 27
Old Team: BENGALS Best Fit: STEELERS
King's Take: Good, aggressive Pittsburgh-quality corner.
12 Matt Hasselbeck
Position: QB Age: 35
Old Team: SEAHAWKS Agreed To Sign With: TITANS
King's Take: Tennessee outbids Vikings on best quarterback in crop.
13 Marshal Yanda
Position: G-T Age: 26
Old Team: RAVENS Agreed To Sign With: RAVENS
King's Take: But beware of Washington, which could break the bank.
14 Doug Free
Position: T Age: 27
Old Team: COWBOYS Agreed To Sign With: COWBOYS
King's Take: Dallas will pony up for rising star who'll protect Tony Romo.
15 Ahmad Bradshaw
Position: RB Age: 26
Old Team: GIANTS Best Fit: BRONCOS
King's Take: New York wants to keep him, but not at silly money.
16 Eric Weddle
Position: FS Age: 26
Old Team: CHARGERS Best Fit: JAGUARS
King's Take: But he won't get away from San Diego without a fight.
17 Charles Johnson
Position: DE Age: 25
Old Team: PANTHERS Agreed To Sign With: PANTHERS
King's Take: Makes no sense for a team with cap space to lose him.
18 Brandon Mebane
Position: DT Age: 26
Old Team: SEAHAWKS Best Fit: BRONCOS
King's Take: John Fox needs interior-line beef to bolster run defense.
19 Harvey Dahl
Position: G Age: 30
Old Team: FALCONS Best Fit: DOLPHINS
King's Take: Miami has to get better up front.
20 Barrett Ruud
Position: LB Age: 28
Old Team: BUCS Best Fit: BUCS
King's Take: Tackling machine. Tampa Bay has to have him back.
21 Ike Taylor
Position: CB Age: 31
Old Team: STEELERS Agreed To Sign With: STEELERS
King's Take: Has strengths and weaknesses; Pittsburgh knows both.
22 Melvin Bullitt
Position: SS Age: 26
Old Team: COLTS Best Fit: PATRIOTS
King's Take: Overshadowed by top safeties, but a solid NFL starter.
23 Braylon Edwards
Position: WR Age: 28
Old Team: JETS Best Fit: RAIDERS
King's Take: Will want too much money. Al will likely give it to him.
24 Willie Colon
Position: T Age: 28
Old Team: STEELERS Best Fit: STEELERS
King's Take: Missed 2010 (Achilles tendon); still best T option for Pitt.
25 Malcom Floyd
Position: WR Age: 29
Old Team: CHARGERS Best Fit: CHARGERS
King's Take: San Diego can't afford to lose Floyd and Vincent Jackson.
Ohio State bans Terrelle Pryor, to the benefit of his pro career
By Graham Watson yahoosports.com
If it comes at all, Terrelle Pryor's entry to the NFL's supplemental draft will come at a price.
Ohio State said in a letter to Pryor's attorney Larry James today that the former quarterback has been "completely disassociated" with the program and would not have been reinstated to the team after his five-game suspension.
The school also has banned him from any contact with the athletic program for five years.
The team said the punishment stemmed not only from Pryor trading his memorabilia for tattoos, which is what prompted the NCAA's five-game suspension, but also because Pryor failed to cooperate with the NCAA regarding the investigation.
Pryor's lawyer asked for the letter after NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told FoxSports.com that Pryor didn't meet the criteria to be eligible for the supplemental draft.
"If there are no players eligible for a supplemental draft, there is no supplemental draft," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an email to FOXSports.com on Sunday. "It is for players whose circumstances have changed in an unforeseen way after the regular (college) draft. It is not a mechanism for simply bypassing the regular (draft)."
Aiello cited examples of "unforeseen" changes as players who were kicked off their college teams, declared academically ineligible or graduated and then decided to leave school. Pryor doesn't qualify on any of those fronts.
Obviously, with Ohio State's letter, Pryor would likely qualify for the supplemental draft, but is also painted as a villain in the eyes of the university he played with for three seasons. It also shows that Pryor's decision to leave school in June, which seemed voluntary, was ultimately forced by the school. This also explains why Ohio State coach Luke Fickell didn't return Pryor's phone messages in the days leading up to his departure.
This is perhaps an even sadder ending to Pryor's Ohio State career than the one we all believed for the past month. Even Ohio State isn't standing by the image of Pryor being the decent football player who made some mistakes and left the program. Pryor is now portrayed as a guy who willfully ruined his university's reputation and disgraced himself and his association with the game.
He's like the Barry Bonds of college football, only not nearly as successful.
It will be interesting to see how this plays with NFL scouts. Before they might have been able to overlook Pryor selling his memorabilia to make some cash, but now, with the five-year ban from the program, there has to be more to the story. There were four other players suspended for trading memorabilia, but they're all still in school. As far as we know, they'll be eligible after they serve their suspensions and the school won't be banning them from the grounds.
So what did Pryor really do to make Ohio State want to distance itself from him so badly?
We may never know.
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