See what happens ****
At midnight tonight, the following players are free to sign with any team they choose. What follows is simply a list of a guesses and/or recommendations, and is not based on any "inside information" whatsoever.On the odd chance that I get one of them right and do not go 0-for-10, I just wanted to have it on record.
Albert Haynesworth:
Washington Redskins. It seems like it's been a while since the Redskins paid an insane amount of money to someone. But if there was ever a guy who was worth it, I think it's Haynesworth.
Or maybe: Tennessee Titans. I think the Titans realize how much he means to them, but I just don't think they'll be able to compete when Dan Snyder breaks out the checkbook.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh:
New York Giants. I think they'd love to have him whether Plaxico Burress returns or not.
Or maybe: Philadelphia Eagles. I know that on paper, it makes all the sense in the world, and I think the Eagles should do it, but I'm just not convinced that they'll spend a ton of money of a free agent wideout.
Ray Lewis:
Baltimore Ravens. Say what you want about Ray-Ray, but he's one of those guys who should just never end up in a different uniform. He is Mr. Raven.
Or maybe: Dallas Cowboys. He's also in very high demand. I could see the Cowboys paying an aging linebacker way too much money becausethey think he'll straighten out their locker room problems.
Bart Scott:
New York Jets. The Jets are going to end up giving someone a lot of money to play linebacker. If the Ravens keep Ray, they may not be able to afford to match a massive offer to Bart Scott.
Or maybe: Baltimore Ravens. I think Scott vs. Lewis is a matter of head vs. heart for the Ravens. The head says it's better to keep Scott, but the heart says it's better to keep Lewis.
Laveranues Coles:
Philadelphia Eagles. He'll be a better economical option if they lose out on Housmandzadeh, and they can still go to McNabb and say, "Hey, look what we got you!"
Or maybe: Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins need receiver help, and you know Laveranues would like to get back together with Chad Pennington.
Byron Leftwich:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They've got a ton of cap room, Jeff Garcia isn't coming back, and I think Leftwich is the best option out there.
Or maybe: Tennessee Titans. If they can't work things out with Kerry Collins, it seems like Leftwich could give them at least that level of production, and at a fraction of the money that Collins wants.
Fred Taylor:
New England Patriots. Signing Fred Taylor just seems like a very Patriot thing to do.
Or maybe: Pittsburgh Steelers. I know they were very happy with Mewelde Moore as a backup last year, but I could see Moore being moved into more of a third-down role, and Taylor sharing carries with primary back Willie Parker.
(Edit: Forgot about the existence of Rashard Mendenhall Woopsie daisy.)
Jeff Garcia:
Kansas City Chiefs. If it was up to me, I'd give Tyler Thigpen every chance to win the job himself, but if he can't, it might be nice to have Jeff Garcia around.
Or maybe: Nowhere. Garcia wants to be a starter somewhere, and I don't see a lot of teams who'd want to make that happen. I could see him waiting into the season for someone to get injured, and then signing somewhere as a free agent.
Jonathan Vilma:
New Orleans Saints. The Saints can't part with one of the few decent defenders on their team, can they?
Or maybe: New York Jets. If they do, and the Jets whiff on both of the Ravens linebackers, Vilma's the next best option.
Pacman Jones:
Cleveland Browns. They're perpetually in need of secondary help. Pacman could start there immediately.
Or maybe: Denver Broncos. They let go of Dre Bly, opening up a hole opposite of corner Champ Bailey. Just a thought.
