While free agency has slowed down, there's some quality talent still left at
various positions on both sides of the ball.
Offense
QUARTERBACK
1) Kerry Collins - He's clearly the top choice left at the position. If the
Ravens strike out with Steve McNair then Collins becomes a viable candidate to
challenge QB Kyle Boller for the starting job. Collins could also choose to wait
to sign with another team later on if a team loses a starter during training
camp.
2) Jay Fiedler - He's probably one of the most experienced backups out there
on the market. The Giants have been in contact with his agent for several weeks.
The Patriots are another possibility as we get closer to the start of training
camps if he's still available. Fiedler is still recovering from shoulder
surgery.
3) Tommy Maddox - The veteran signal caller hasn't received a lot of
attention in free agency (Cincinnati and Miami showed some). Maddox clearly lost
something from his game over the last few seasons but probably has a season or
two left as a backup. He could find a job as a backup after training camps start
or as a No.3 before that.
RUNNING BACK
1) Jonathan Wells - The team opted to sign veteran RB Antowain Smith instead
of re-signing Wells who is a similar back to Smith in size. Wells is a good
special teams player and short-yardage back but is more of a straight-line
runner. If a team needs a second back with power, Wells should get a call.
2) Stephen Davis - His agent told scout.com before April's draft that Davis
is fully recovered from his knee problems from last season but Davis hasn't
decided yet if he still wants to play. Davis could handle a short-yardage role
for a team but that's about all his knees can handle at this point of his
career.
FULLBACK
1) Moran Norris - Norris is a decent blocker and if a team is looking for
depth at the position, he'll find a job.
WIDE RECEIVER
1) Kevin Johnson - He clearly is one of the best offensive players left in
free agency and could easily fill a role with a team that's looking for a No.3
or No.4 receiver.
2) Az-Zahir Hakim - He had worked out the parameters of a deal before the
draft with the Cardinals but the team backed off. The Lions are interested in
signing him to handle the slot role which is very important in offensive
coordinator Mike Martz's scheme.
3) Johnnie Morton - The former Lion, Chief, and 49er hasn't had much
interested shown in him since he was released back in Feburary. The 35-year old
Morton should find a role as a fourth receiver during training camp.
4) David Boston - At one point in his career, he was seen as one of the
rising stars at the position but off the field issues, injuries, and weight
problems curtailed his progress. He doesn't turn 28 until training camps start
so he still could have something left in the tank. The Buccaneers worked him out
earlier this week.
5) Ricky Proehl - Surprisingly, he still wants to play at least another
season and his agent talked to the Giants a few months ago but that's been about
it for interest in him. Proehl would be a solid option for a team looking for a
fourth receiver.
TIGHT END
1) Boo Williams - At one point in his career, Williams looked like he was on
the rise but his played started to wane two years ago then he suffered a serious
knee injury last season. He could still find a job once training camps are
underway but he has a long road back.
2) Lamont Hall - He's an above average blocker so he could find his way on to
a team as a third tight end.
3) Cam Cleeland - He's bounced around over the past few years but he could
find a team that's looking for a receiving threat at the position as a third
tight end.
GUARD
1) Ron Stone - If a team needs a veteran guard as a starter or backup, he
likely will be the first one they call. Stone should have a few decent years
left in him.
2) Kendyl Jacox - He has plenty of starting experience so he could start of
backup if a team is in need of either role. Still, Jacox is probably better off
as a backup.
3) Victor Riley (OT) - He can play inside or outside but he's a marginal
starting type of lineman.
4) Tom Nutten - He's said to be close to retiring.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
1) Brad Hopkins (LT) - The perennial All-Pro is likely to retire as there
hasn't been much interest in him in free agency. There is an outside shot that
the team brings him back as a backup but that possibility remains remote.
2) Orlando Brown (RT) - The veteran tackle could latch on as a backup for a
team but clearly is near the end of this career.
CENTER
1) Jeff Mitchell - The former Raven and Panther could still start for a team
if needed but he hasn't received a lot of interest. In fact, he could opt to
retire.
2) Cory Raymer - He's a pretty solid backup center but he hasn't received any
real interest in free agency because there are a lof of backup types at his
position still out there.
KICKER
1) Todd Peterson - The journeyman kicker hasn't received much interest in
free agency but the team has told him they could bring him back if their
potential young replacements don't work out.
2) Paul Edinger - His problem is that he's poor on kickoffs and teams don't
like having two kickers on their roster. Still, he should get in to a camp at
some point before the regular season starts.