In an online exclusive, the Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn rates the best players among the 427 unrestricted free agents, the approximately 75 players that have been cut since Feb. 6 and the 44 players that didn't receive qualifying offers last week. March 13. The 20 players designated as "franchise" players weren't considered.
Approximately 75 players already have signed with new teams since the start of the signing period. Another 45 or so have re signed with their own teams.
So called "street" free agents and players without qualifying offers are denoted by the (ex ) before their most recent teams.
Defensive linemen and linebackers marked with an asterisk have proven ability to play in 3 4 defenses. Last week, Jackson's new five year deal averaged $11.1 million ($26M guaranteed), Garcon's new five year deal averaged $8.5M ($20.5M guaranteed), www.officialhockeyauthentic.com/womens-youth-mario-marois-authentic-jersey-c-1_403_407.html Robinson's new five year deal averaged $6.5M ($13.6M guaranteed), Meachem's new four year deal averaged $6.38M ($14M guaranteed) and Morgan's new five year deal averaged $5.75M ($7.3M guaranteed). One could argue that the 26 year old Nelson is better than all of them. Clearly, the Packers got Nelson for a bargain basement rate. Just as clearly, the going rate for wide receivers has skyrocketed. Jackson is a first rate talent. However, Garcon has been inconsistent, Robinson has had one good season, Meachem used his terrific deep speed to run mostly clear out routes and Morgan, though tough and smart, lacks big play capability. Somewhat surprisingly, Wayne went back to the Manning less Colts for $8.5M guaranteed over three years. After signing Randy Moss off the street the 49ers took a shot on Manningham, who can be a dynamic, explosive player but still isn't close to being assignment sure. Lloyd was reunited with Patriots coordinator Josh McDaniels, for whom in Denver he gained an NFL high in receiving yards (1,448) in 2010. The Chargers replaced Jackson with Royal, who hasn't been the same player since his 91 catch rookie season in 2008. Doucet finally stayed healthy and had his best season. At this point, Burress, 34, is just a red zone receiver. Schilens has very good speed but pales in comparison to Ginn, who can fly but doesn't track the ball well. The Eagles should bring back Smith, whose only year in Philly was ruined by a post operative knee. Evans fell off the map in Baltimore. Still, at 31, the former Badger shouldn't be over the hill quite yet.
OTHERS: Leonard Pope, Kansas City; Jacob Tamme, Indianapolis; Will Heller, ex Detroit; Reggie Kelly, Atlanta; Dante Rosario, Denver; John Gilmore, New Orleans; Bo Scaife, Cincinnati; Justin Peelle, San Francisco; Anthony Becht, Kansas City; Donald Lee, Cincinnati.
OVERVIEW: Carlson didn't play a snap after hurting his shoulder and undergoing surgery in training camp. The Vikings, deciding to move on from Shiancoe, gave Carlson $25M over five years to team with second year man Kyle Rudolph. Dreessen isn't overly gifted but just has a knack for getting open. Bennett, often compared to Green Bay's Jermichael Finley before the '08 draft, has missed just four games in four seasons but has merely 85 receptions and four TDs. An excellent blocker, he lacks temperament and focus. The Giants needed a tight end after Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum suffered torn ACLs in the Super Bowl. Shockey isn't as good as teammate Greg Olsen but remains a solid player. New England is considering Fells, which would give Bill Belichick a third tight end and frees Aaron Hernandez to play even more outside. Fells is a reliable snap eater with a well rounded game. New Bears GM Phil Emery moved quickly to secure Davis, a career underachiever. Clark, an old 32, has been dinged a lot over the years and now faces a future without Manning. Another cap casualty was Boss. Giants; Adam Goldberg, St. Louis.
OVERVIEW: The Texans made a decision between Winston and C Chris Myers, and so Winston was released and Myers was re signed. They'll try to replace Winston on the right side with veteran Rashad Butler. Winston replaces Richardson at right tackle. Brown, who might have played better in the second half of 2011 than at any point in his first five seasons, was released on Thursday and then brought back a day later with a more cap friendly deal. Having lost McNeill to a series of neck stingers, the Chargers gave Gaither a whopping $24.5M over four years ($9M guaranteed) to be their left tackle. Gaither had been cut by Kansas City near mid season and also didn't pan out in Baltimore. Backus had another solid season and was re signed for a reported $10M over two years. Carey, a career tackle, moved to right guard in '11 and did fine. McKenzie's slippage was noticeable and the Giants elected to move on. Richardson, a two year starter, has size and youth on his side but is handicapped by slow feet. Bell is a finesse left tackle with a long history of injury. After watching journeyman Paul McQuistan start games at three positions, the Seahawks gave him a $750,000 signing bonus as part of a new two year deal. Barnes, Keith and Colombo all started at right tackle last season. Within hours, the Saints reciprocated by signing Grubbs for $36M over five years. Later, Hutchinson went to Tennessee for $16.75M over three years and will replace Scott at right guard. The well traveled Mathis, who might have been the most pleasant surprise for the Eagles in 2011, re signed for a reported $25M over five years. The Raiders dumped the 34 year old Carlisle, a starter for them since '07, and replaced him with Brisiel (five years, $20M). Weak in the middle of the line, Dallas made second tier signings of Bernadeau and Livings. Snyder became a starter in Game 4 after the 49ers decided Rachal was too immobile. Wharton, who has made 99 starts, was a cap casualty and landed in Cincinnati (three years, reported $10M), where he will replace Livings. Gallery lasted one season in Seattle, where he did himself no favors by reporting out of shape after the lockout. Steinbach, a high level starter since '03, missed all season following back surgery and was making too much money to keep. Kemoeatu was benched in Pittsburgh after 10 games largely because he made too many mental mistakes. Hadnot played 95.7% of the snaps but was pink slipped after the signing of Snyder.
OTHERS: Casey Wiegmann, Kansas City; Todd McClure, Atlanta; Mike McGlynn, Cincinnati (to Indianapolis); Mike Pollak, Indianapolis; Tony Wragge, St. Louis; Jamaal Jackson, ex Philadelphia.
OVERVIEW: The Packers stuck to their offer of about $16M over four years to Wells, who won his bet by obtaining a contract averaging $6M from the Rams. About the same time Friday, the Texans re signed Myers for slightly more. Forced to choose between his two capable centers, Patriots coach Bill Belichick elected to go with the healthier and younger Connolly over Koppen, who is coming off a broken leg. After a bad season that included being benched at mid season, Brown got his act together and played better at guard in the final six games. Faine's level of performance appears to have slipped after assorted triceps injuries. Satele is somewhat undersized and isn't expected to be re signed. Plus, he was arrested last week in Hawaii for disorderly conduct. One scout said Hardwick's play declined in '11 but the Chargers still brought him back on a three year deal. Saturday and Weigmann, 38, are undersized technicians and probably could play another season. Weigmann didn't miss in '11, which has been standard operating procedure throughout his career. Last season, Weigmann played every snap and Saturday missed only six. Since then, he has visited a handful of teams and now could be headed for the 49ers, which would enhance their Super Bowl possibilities if www.officialhockeyauthentic.com/womens-youth-peter-forsberg-authentic-jersey-c-1_403_405.html he can stay on the field. Manning, who will be 36 on Saturday, reportedly has had four surgical procedures on his neck in the last year. On Sunday, Flynn took an offer from Seattle over overtures from Miami, which is coached by Joe Philbin, his former coordinator. Smith, a vastly improved player in 2011, could be ticketed for Miami if Manning takes his place in San Francisco. The 49ers still would have athletic Colin Kaepernick as No. 2. Orton decided to replace retired Jon Kitna as Tony Romo's backup in Dallas. Henne, whose career in Miami went up in flames, will be ready if the Blaine Gabbert era dead ends in Jacksonville. Campbell took a one year, $3.5M ($2M signing bonus) deal to be Jay Cutler's backup. Young threw too many interceptions in Philly and won't return. A day or so after Stanton went to the Jets for $1.25M over one year, the Lions re signed the efficient Hill as Matthew Stafford's understudy. Leinart is coming off a second broken collarbone and is expected to depart. Carr went back to the Giants for the veteran minimum. Orlovsky accepted $2.5M over two years. Whitehurst, who was traded from San Diego to Seattle for the equivalent of a third round draft choice in March 2010, bombed out and was re signed Friday by the Chargers. Then San Diego cut the 35 year old Volek.
OVERVIEW: Few teams seem interested in this tepid crew. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli dipped his toes in the murky water first, signing Hillis for one year at $3M. If Hillis fits better in Kansas City than he did in Cleveland, the Chiefs would have the perfect complement to Jamaal Charles. The Raiders are going back to Darren McFadden so Bush is on his way out. Tolbert, a bowling ball type runner, is effective in the passing game, something Green Ellis, Benson, Jacobs and Grant are not. Addai, an excellent receiver, didn't fit in the power ground game favored by new Colts coach Chuck Pagano. Hightower is coming off an ACL injury. At 29, Mario Marois Youth Jersey Benson's career is starting to wind down. Plus, he fumbled five times in '11. Tomlinson, 32, might have some value as a third down back but his burst to the perimeter is a thing of the past. Jones, 33, hit the wall in his 12th season and might struggle earning another pay check.
OTHERS: Peter Forsberg Youth Jersey Spencer Larsen, Denver; Jerome Felton, Indianapolis; Jacob Hester, San Diego; Owen Schmitt, Philadelphia; Brit Miller, ex St. Louis; Moran Norris, San Francisco; Mike Sellers, ex Washington.
OVERVIEW: Robinson, who was a quarterback at Penn State, spent his first full season as a fullback in 2011 and was so outstanding that the Seahawks re signed him for $5M over two years. Vickers replaced departed Vonta Leach as the lead blocker for Arian Foster but then decided to leave for Dallas, which parted company with the determined Fiammetta. That didn't stop the Bills from making him the highest paid defensive player ever. His six year, $115.2M contract included a signing bonus of $19M and an option bonus of $8M. The Falcons, who ranked 25th in sack percentage, decided a future without their best rusher was untenable and re signed Abraham. Bryant, a fourth round draft choice from Texas A in 2008, started just eight games in his meager 17 game career through three seasons before breaking out in 2011. He's a heavy, long power end who doubles as a fiery team leader. Bryant's five year, $35M deal included a $7M signing bonus and 14.5M in guarantees. Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie, saddled with one of Al Davis' crazy high contracts, almost had no choice but to cut Wimbley Friday. An edge rusher with top speed, he has played down in a 4 3 and up in a 3 4. Carriker, a bust in St. Louis, found a home in Washington's 3 4. Thus, the Redskins gave him $20M over four years to re sign. The hard charging Mincey, drafted in the sixth round by New England in '08, parlayed an eight sack season into a four year, $20M contract. Langford, Redding, Castillo and Mitchell are 3 4 base ends. The Rams, who aced out the Packers for Scott Wells, then signed Langford for a reported $24M over four years to play DT in their 4 3. The Packers had called to inquire about Langford's services. Redding left to rejoin Pagano in Indy, where he will install the 3 4. Castillo suffered a season ending leg injury in Week 1. The often overworked Idonije went back to the Bears as the left end opposite Julius Peppers. Rucker, Fanene, Hall and Scott can get off the ball and rush the passer. The Patriots, seeking versatility in their defensive front seven personnel, added both Fanene and Scott. Jones, who has 15 sacks in four seasons, played in a 4 3 for the Titans but could play in a 3 4, too. He was the Titans' No. 1 pass rusher. Now the Seahawks have brought him aboard for a reported $4.5M (all guaranteed) over one year. Soliai, one of the better 3 4 nose tackles, went back to Miami and its new multiple scheme for $11.5M over two years. After an extremely slow start to his career, Garay has developed into a force. Bunkley, a former Eagle, had a strong debut season in Denver and is expected to re sign. The Vikings, with aging Kevin Williams and non factor Remi Ayodele at DT, re signed Guion and Evans to provide support. Look for Ayodele to be waived soon. Bernard contributed to the Giants' title run but is nearing the end. His leadership was instrumental in their playoff season. Hawthorne, Lofton and Fletcher were other three down players. Hawthorne is looking for $10 million per year. The Falcons just signed former Seahawk Lofa Tatupu, a sign they're probably not going to pay what it would take to bring back Lofton. Fletcher led the NFL in tackles (209) and, even at 37, doesn't seem to show any slippage. When Brooking and James got old in a hurry, the Cowboys responded by signing Connor to a modest two year deal. McClain is a big, old fashioned 3 4 inside backer. The Saints, perhaps preparing to cut Jonathan Vilma, have had Hawthorne and Mays in for visits but might just turn to Dunbar, who had an active season on the strong side. McIntosh, a five year starter, irritated the Redskins' brass late with a Game 16 curfew violation and won't be back. Mays and Blackburn, a Super Bowl hero, are two down tough guys. The Bengals re signed Mays over the weekend. Goff would have started in the middle for the Giants but blew out his knee in August. Farrior, 37, can't play every down anymore but his cunning and leadership could still help a 3 4 team. Brackett, 31, wrecked his shoulder in Game 1 and never played again. Ruud, 28, was a major disappointment trying to replace Tulloch in Tennessee. Henderson, 31, battled chronic knee problem and might be finished.
