Realistic Free Agency Acquisitions

[Tupac Shakur]

It's fun to imagine who we could acquire with an unlimited budget and no competition. However, we all know that is not the case.

I see free agency shaking out as such:

1 Very Expensive Player

I think this slot will be filled by either:

• Karlos Dansby, LB (Cardinals)
• Bart Scott, LB (Ravens)

(I prefer Dansby)

2 Moderately Expensive Players

I think this would be filled by 2 (maybe) of the following:

• Jason Brown, C (Ravens)
• Michael Jenkins, WR (Falcons)
• Kevin Burnett, LB (Cowboys)
• James Sanders, S (Patriots)

I obviously would like Brown and Jenkins. Brown would allow Satele to shift to guard and Jenkins would be a much better version of Wilford (plus he's an OSU guy and might form nice chemistry with Ginn). Burnett would apply only if we lose out to Dansby & Scott. Sanders would be a good replacement for Hill if we don't resign him, but he has poor size and we should be able to find a cheaper option.

2-3 Value Ascending Players

• Chris Johnson, CB (Raiders)
• Colin Cole, NT (Packers)
• James Butler, S (Giants)
• Ray Willis, T (Seahawks)

I would prefer Johnson and Cole. Johnson showed me excellent coverage skills, especially towards the end of the year. He started for Oakland after DeAngelo Hall was whacked. He was thrown on a lot because of Asomugha, but played well. Cole, I believe , is a much more solid option as a backup NT than Soliai. Not to say that we wouldn't keep both, but we will need to rotate in a backup to Ferguson more frequently next year to prevent him from breaking down.

In all, if we walked away with Dansby, Brown, Jenkins, Johnson, and Cole as our free agent class of '09, I would be thrilled and confident that we could challenge for the playoffs again.