BAMAPHIN 22
FinHeaven Elite
1. Drew Brees, San Diego, QB
Nobody but Chargers general manager A.J. Smith (and maybe Philip Rivers) seems to know why Brees is even available after posting the two finest seasons of his five-year career, but then again, the Chargers have stumped us on the quarterback front before. Brees, of course, faces a continued rehabilitation from surgery to his throwing shoulder, but he has been cleared to start working out at minicamp in May, and his injury isn't career threatening in any way.
2. Antwaan Randle El, Pittsburgh, WR
Unless you want to go shopping down the Terrell Owens aisle -- with all its inherent risks -- Randle El is the marquee name among free-agent receivers now that Reggie Wayne has re-signed with the Colts. Randle El is more than a young and improving No. 2 pass-catcher. He's a threat in the punt return game, and as versatile a talent as there is in the NFL. He went 4-of-5 as a passer last season, throwing for two touchdowns, including one pretty-as-a-picture scoring spiral in the Steelers' Super Bowl win. Randle El should be very busy this weekend, when teams such as Chicago, Arizona, Washington, Philadelphia, Denver, or even New England are expected to show interest.
3. Adam Vinatieri, New England, K
For the past 10 seasons, Vinatieri has been money in the bank for the Patriots. But they don't appear to be willing to put enough cash into his account this offseason, and so this idyllic marriage may be over. If so, there are teams out there ready and waiting with checkbook in hand. Green Bay would love to relocate Vinatieri from frosty Gillette Stadium to the frozen tundra of Lambeau. And don't discount kicking-needy Dallas, which is coached by the man who signed Vinatieri in 1996.
4. Josh McCown, Arizona, QB
I'm still not sure why Cardinals head coach Dennis Green was so hell-bent on giving up on the 26-year-old McCown in favor of the aging and immobile Kurt Warner, but I do know this: The 2002 third-round pick was 10-12 in the games he started in Arizona, and the Cardinals went 2-11 in the games in which he didn't appear the past two seasons. For not a ton of money, McCown could be had as a quality, young but still experienced second starting option. Are you listening Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Philadelphia, Giants?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/03/02/free.agency/index.html
Nobody but Chargers general manager A.J. Smith (and maybe Philip Rivers) seems to know why Brees is even available after posting the two finest seasons of his five-year career, but then again, the Chargers have stumped us on the quarterback front before. Brees, of course, faces a continued rehabilitation from surgery to his throwing shoulder, but he has been cleared to start working out at minicamp in May, and his injury isn't career threatening in any way.
2. Antwaan Randle El, Pittsburgh, WR
Unless you want to go shopping down the Terrell Owens aisle -- with all its inherent risks -- Randle El is the marquee name among free-agent receivers now that Reggie Wayne has re-signed with the Colts. Randle El is more than a young and improving No. 2 pass-catcher. He's a threat in the punt return game, and as versatile a talent as there is in the NFL. He went 4-of-5 as a passer last season, throwing for two touchdowns, including one pretty-as-a-picture scoring spiral in the Steelers' Super Bowl win. Randle El should be very busy this weekend, when teams such as Chicago, Arizona, Washington, Philadelphia, Denver, or even New England are expected to show interest.
3. Adam Vinatieri, New England, K
For the past 10 seasons, Vinatieri has been money in the bank for the Patriots. But they don't appear to be willing to put enough cash into his account this offseason, and so this idyllic marriage may be over. If so, there are teams out there ready and waiting with checkbook in hand. Green Bay would love to relocate Vinatieri from frosty Gillette Stadium to the frozen tundra of Lambeau. And don't discount kicking-needy Dallas, which is coached by the man who signed Vinatieri in 1996.
4. Josh McCown, Arizona, QB
I'm still not sure why Cardinals head coach Dennis Green was so hell-bent on giving up on the 26-year-old McCown in favor of the aging and immobile Kurt Warner, but I do know this: The 2002 third-round pick was 10-12 in the games he started in Arizona, and the Cardinals went 2-11 in the games in which he didn't appear the past two seasons. For not a ton of money, McCown could be had as a quality, young but still experienced second starting option. Are you listening Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Philadelphia, Giants?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/03/02/free.agency/index.html