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2005 Free Agency Primer: QB, RB, FB
By James Merilatt
Broncos Gameday Editor
The new NFL season doesn't kick off with the draft, the start of training camp, the first preseason game or opening weekend. It begins on March 2 -- the first day of the 2005 free agent signing period. Starting that Wednesday, teams around the league can begin making offers to unrestricted free agents, adding pieces to their championship puzzle.
As that all-important date approaches, we'll provide a position-by-position preview of the notable players that will be available to the highest bidder. Today, we begin with a look at the players lined up in the offensive backfield -- quarterbacks, running backs and fullbacks:
QUARTERBACKS
Gus Frerotte, Minnesota (unrestricted): While he's still best known for his infamous head-butting of the wall at FedEx Field, Frerotte also holds an important place in Broncos history. Prior to Jake Plummer's 499-yard effort this season against Atlanta, Frerotte held the franchise's all-time record for passing yards in a single game, chucking for 462 in a 2000 game against the Chargers. On that same day, he also established a team mark for touchdown passes in one game, throwing five scores. He's spent the last couple of seasons in Minnesota backing up Daunte Culpepper, but remains a viable option as an occasional starter.
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle (unrestricted): "We'll take the ball and we're going to score." While those words didn't come to fruition, you have to love the moxie exhibited by the signal caller that uttered them. Headed to overtime in a playoff game at Lambeau Field 11 months ago, Hasselbeck wanted the football in his hands and he was confident in his team's ability to get the job done. That kind of bravado and leadership has endeared him to teammates in Seattle, where he has come of age during the past two seasons under Mike Holmgren, culminated by the fact that he led the Seahawks to the NFC West title in 2004.
Kelly Holcomb, Cleveland (unrestricted): The Cleveland Browns used the No. 1 overall pick in 1999 to select Tim Couch, a heralded quarterback with all of the physical tools needed to excel at the position. But in the end, the golden boy with the rocket arm couldn't outplay Holcomb, a scrappy playmaker that somehow always managed to move the Browns up and down the field. Last year, Couch was sent packing, but Cleveland gave a mega-contract to former 49er Jeff Garcia, making for a crowded situation under center. As a result, Holcomb is on the open market, and he's a quality backup option.
Josh McCown, Arizona (restricted): When Dennis Green took over the Arizona Cardinals prior to the 2004 season, he anointed the young McCown as his starting quarterback, deciding to forgo the opportunity to pursue any of the free agents that were on the market at the time. In part, his decision was based on talent and upside, but it was also swayed by the playmaking ability McCown exhibited -- particularly with his last-play touchdown pass in the final regular-season game of 2003 that eliminated the Minnesota Vikings from the postseason. But at various points in 2004, Green sat McCown in favor of Shaun King and John Navarre, so this young quarterback is potentially available to the highest bidder.
Mike McMahon, Detroit (unrestricted): In order to evaluate McMahon, you have to call upon your holiday memories, thinking back to Thanksgiving Day in 2001. While the rest of the nation was enjoying their turkey, stuffing and cranberries, the young quarterback was leading the underdog and then-winless Lions to a near-upset of the Green Bay Packers, almost turning a 16-point, final-period deficit into a win. Ultimately, his performance went for naught, but McMahon showed flashes of talent. He has the mobility to elude would-be sackers, makes plays with his feet in a pinch, and possesses the arm strength to fire passes down field and through zone defenses. For the past three years, he's been relegated to the bench, backing up former first-round pick Joey Harrington. But those lingering abilities still yearn for a chance to once again shine.
Others to Consider: Jeff Blake, Quincy Carter, Jeff George, Brock Huard, Sage Rosenfels.
RUNNING BACKS:
Shaun Alexander, Seattle (unrestricted): One yard. That's all that separated Alexander from Curtis Martin at season's end, preventing the fifth-year running back from capturing his first NFL rushing title. In a way, however, this conclusion seemed fitting for Alexander, a talented player that has languished in relative anonymity in the Pacific Northwest throughout his career. He's rushed for 5,937 career yards, but is unknown outside of most fantasy football circles. As a result, he's looking for the opportunity to shine -- be it in a big market or on a team that consistently garners national attention -- putting one of the game's premier running backs on the free-agent market.
Derrick Blaylock, Kansas City (unrestricted): At the beginning of the season, the Chiefs' running game was all about Priest Holmes. And by year's end, it was turning into Larry Johnson's gig. But wedged in between the present and the future was Blaylock, a speedy running back that shined for a few weeks in Kansas City's explosive offense. For evidence of his abilities, look no further than the Chiefs game against New Orleans, where Blaylock exploded for 186 yards. Or take his effort against the Atlanta Falcons, when he found pay dirt four times. Given the opportunity, this young runner has ability. He's just caught up in a numbers game in K.C.
Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati (unrestricted): Broncos fans remember Johnson, and not in a good way. His 24-carry, 119-yard performance against Denver on Monday night this past season is still etched in the minds of orange-and-blue diehards. But all rooting interests aside, that came provides a glimpse of Johnson's ability to carry the football. Over the past two seasons, he's rushed for 3,511 yards and 21 touchdowns, a performance that made the Bengals confident enough in his abilities to ship Corey Dillon to New England prior to the 2004 season. Now, Cincinnati is hoping to retain Johnson's services, as he joins quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Johnson as the team's young nucleus, but there are plenty of other teams that would also like a powerful back with the speed to take it the distance.
Lamont Jordan, N.Y. Jets (unrestricted): Despite having the NFL's leading rusher on the field, Jets fans were calling for Jordan to get more carries throughout this past season. And it was in no way meant as a sign of disrespect for Curtis Martin. Rather, it was a testament to Jordan's innate playmaking abilities. Every time he touched the ball, his workmanlike efforts seemed to turn into a positive for New York, something that connected him with the blue-collard fans in the Big Apple. Now, Jordan is looking for the opportunity to shine on a more consistent basis, searching for a home where he can become the featured back.
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia (restricted): During Philadelphia's run to the Super Bowl, quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Terrell Owens received most of the credit for the team's ability to become the best team in the NFC. But plenty of accolades should also have been bestowed upon Westbrook, a player that blossomed into one of the game's most versatile running backs in 2004. With injuries to the rest of the Eagles runners occurring during the preseason, the burden of not only being the team's third-down specialist but also the featured back fell upon Westbrook. And he seized the opportunity, rushing for 812 yards, catching passes for another 703 and getting in the end zone on nine occasions. Philly will do their best to keep him in the City of Brotherly Love, but there will also be plenty of other suitors in the chase.
Others to Consider: Correll Buckhalter, Mike Cloud, Dominic Rhodes, Rod Smart, Anthony Thomas, Amos Zereoue.
FULLBACKS
Jim Finn, N.Y. Giants (unrestricted): It's hard to get too excited about a fullback. After all, they don't have any stats to quantify their abilities. Case in point, Finn. This past season, he only rushed for 7 yards, caught passes for another 112 and didn't score a touchdow. All in all, that's pretty difficult to get too fired up about. Thus, an onlooker has to look deeper in order to evaluate their talents. In the case of Finn, look no further than Tiki Barber. This season, the Giants running back burst onto the scene, posting huge rushing and receiving totals. While Barber deserves a lot of the credit for his emergence as a premier feature back, some praise has to go to the guy that was helping to open up the holes he ran through. Thus, kudos are in store for Finn, one of the game's unsung heroes.
James Mungro, Indianapolis (restricted): Remember the second touchdown the Colts scored in the playoff game against the Broncos? It was the little floater Peyton Manning through to the fullback that had snuck out to the right side on a play-action play going left. The guy that caught that pass was Mungro, an unheralded player that got lost in the shuffle of offensive firepower in Indianapolis. Not a prototypical blocking fullback, Mungro is a little bit more of a 'tweener -- a guy that can carry the football, catch passes and throw a block when needed. He's the football equivalent of a utility infielder, a guy that can line up in the backfield and do a number of different things. As a result of these well-rounded talents, Mungro has some value on the open market. But the inability to easily plug him into one role may allow some team to land a great deal in their free-agent shopping.
Jon Ritchie, Philadelphia (unrestricted): Playing a relatively anonymous position, Ritchie became a star of sorts during his tenure with the Oakland Raiders. Under Jon Gruden, he opened holes for a long list of undistinguished backs that were able to find success (see Tyrone Wheatley, et al), which made him a well-respected blocker within NFL circles. But the fact that his helmet didn't fit properly and caused his forehead to bleed every game made him a favorite of the cameras, creating a warrior-like image that resonated with the fans. Since leaving the Bay Area, Ritchie has been plagued by injuries. But if he's able to fully recover, he remains one of the best in the business at performing a thankless job.
Others to consider: Greg Comella, Jameel Cook, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala.
By James Merilatt
Broncos Gameday Editor
The new NFL season doesn't kick off with the draft, the start of training camp, the first preseason game or opening weekend. It begins on March 2 -- the first day of the 2005 free agent signing period. Starting that Wednesday, teams around the league can begin making offers to unrestricted free agents, adding pieces to their championship puzzle.
As that all-important date approaches, we'll provide a position-by-position preview of the notable players that will be available to the highest bidder. Today, we begin with a look at the players lined up in the offensive backfield -- quarterbacks, running backs and fullbacks:
QUARTERBACKS
Gus Frerotte, Minnesota (unrestricted): While he's still best known for his infamous head-butting of the wall at FedEx Field, Frerotte also holds an important place in Broncos history. Prior to Jake Plummer's 499-yard effort this season against Atlanta, Frerotte held the franchise's all-time record for passing yards in a single game, chucking for 462 in a 2000 game against the Chargers. On that same day, he also established a team mark for touchdown passes in one game, throwing five scores. He's spent the last couple of seasons in Minnesota backing up Daunte Culpepper, but remains a viable option as an occasional starter.
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle (unrestricted): "We'll take the ball and we're going to score." While those words didn't come to fruition, you have to love the moxie exhibited by the signal caller that uttered them. Headed to overtime in a playoff game at Lambeau Field 11 months ago, Hasselbeck wanted the football in his hands and he was confident in his team's ability to get the job done. That kind of bravado and leadership has endeared him to teammates in Seattle, where he has come of age during the past two seasons under Mike Holmgren, culminated by the fact that he led the Seahawks to the NFC West title in 2004.
Kelly Holcomb, Cleveland (unrestricted): The Cleveland Browns used the No. 1 overall pick in 1999 to select Tim Couch, a heralded quarterback with all of the physical tools needed to excel at the position. But in the end, the golden boy with the rocket arm couldn't outplay Holcomb, a scrappy playmaker that somehow always managed to move the Browns up and down the field. Last year, Couch was sent packing, but Cleveland gave a mega-contract to former 49er Jeff Garcia, making for a crowded situation under center. As a result, Holcomb is on the open market, and he's a quality backup option.
Josh McCown, Arizona (restricted): When Dennis Green took over the Arizona Cardinals prior to the 2004 season, he anointed the young McCown as his starting quarterback, deciding to forgo the opportunity to pursue any of the free agents that were on the market at the time. In part, his decision was based on talent and upside, but it was also swayed by the playmaking ability McCown exhibited -- particularly with his last-play touchdown pass in the final regular-season game of 2003 that eliminated the Minnesota Vikings from the postseason. But at various points in 2004, Green sat McCown in favor of Shaun King and John Navarre, so this young quarterback is potentially available to the highest bidder.
Mike McMahon, Detroit (unrestricted): In order to evaluate McMahon, you have to call upon your holiday memories, thinking back to Thanksgiving Day in 2001. While the rest of the nation was enjoying their turkey, stuffing and cranberries, the young quarterback was leading the underdog and then-winless Lions to a near-upset of the Green Bay Packers, almost turning a 16-point, final-period deficit into a win. Ultimately, his performance went for naught, but McMahon showed flashes of talent. He has the mobility to elude would-be sackers, makes plays with his feet in a pinch, and possesses the arm strength to fire passes down field and through zone defenses. For the past three years, he's been relegated to the bench, backing up former first-round pick Joey Harrington. But those lingering abilities still yearn for a chance to once again shine.
Others to Consider: Jeff Blake, Quincy Carter, Jeff George, Brock Huard, Sage Rosenfels.
RUNNING BACKS:
Shaun Alexander, Seattle (unrestricted): One yard. That's all that separated Alexander from Curtis Martin at season's end, preventing the fifth-year running back from capturing his first NFL rushing title. In a way, however, this conclusion seemed fitting for Alexander, a talented player that has languished in relative anonymity in the Pacific Northwest throughout his career. He's rushed for 5,937 career yards, but is unknown outside of most fantasy football circles. As a result, he's looking for the opportunity to shine -- be it in a big market or on a team that consistently garners national attention -- putting one of the game's premier running backs on the free-agent market.
Derrick Blaylock, Kansas City (unrestricted): At the beginning of the season, the Chiefs' running game was all about Priest Holmes. And by year's end, it was turning into Larry Johnson's gig. But wedged in between the present and the future was Blaylock, a speedy running back that shined for a few weeks in Kansas City's explosive offense. For evidence of his abilities, look no further than the Chiefs game against New Orleans, where Blaylock exploded for 186 yards. Or take his effort against the Atlanta Falcons, when he found pay dirt four times. Given the opportunity, this young runner has ability. He's just caught up in a numbers game in K.C.
Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati (unrestricted): Broncos fans remember Johnson, and not in a good way. His 24-carry, 119-yard performance against Denver on Monday night this past season is still etched in the minds of orange-and-blue diehards. But all rooting interests aside, that came provides a glimpse of Johnson's ability to carry the football. Over the past two seasons, he's rushed for 3,511 yards and 21 touchdowns, a performance that made the Bengals confident enough in his abilities to ship Corey Dillon to New England prior to the 2004 season. Now, Cincinnati is hoping to retain Johnson's services, as he joins quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Johnson as the team's young nucleus, but there are plenty of other teams that would also like a powerful back with the speed to take it the distance.
Lamont Jordan, N.Y. Jets (unrestricted): Despite having the NFL's leading rusher on the field, Jets fans were calling for Jordan to get more carries throughout this past season. And it was in no way meant as a sign of disrespect for Curtis Martin. Rather, it was a testament to Jordan's innate playmaking abilities. Every time he touched the ball, his workmanlike efforts seemed to turn into a positive for New York, something that connected him with the blue-collard fans in the Big Apple. Now, Jordan is looking for the opportunity to shine on a more consistent basis, searching for a home where he can become the featured back.
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia (restricted): During Philadelphia's run to the Super Bowl, quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Terrell Owens received most of the credit for the team's ability to become the best team in the NFC. But plenty of accolades should also have been bestowed upon Westbrook, a player that blossomed into one of the game's most versatile running backs in 2004. With injuries to the rest of the Eagles runners occurring during the preseason, the burden of not only being the team's third-down specialist but also the featured back fell upon Westbrook. And he seized the opportunity, rushing for 812 yards, catching passes for another 703 and getting in the end zone on nine occasions. Philly will do their best to keep him in the City of Brotherly Love, but there will also be plenty of other suitors in the chase.
Others to Consider: Correll Buckhalter, Mike Cloud, Dominic Rhodes, Rod Smart, Anthony Thomas, Amos Zereoue.
FULLBACKS
Jim Finn, N.Y. Giants (unrestricted): It's hard to get too excited about a fullback. After all, they don't have any stats to quantify their abilities. Case in point, Finn. This past season, he only rushed for 7 yards, caught passes for another 112 and didn't score a touchdow. All in all, that's pretty difficult to get too fired up about. Thus, an onlooker has to look deeper in order to evaluate their talents. In the case of Finn, look no further than Tiki Barber. This season, the Giants running back burst onto the scene, posting huge rushing and receiving totals. While Barber deserves a lot of the credit for his emergence as a premier feature back, some praise has to go to the guy that was helping to open up the holes he ran through. Thus, kudos are in store for Finn, one of the game's unsung heroes.
James Mungro, Indianapolis (restricted): Remember the second touchdown the Colts scored in the playoff game against the Broncos? It was the little floater Peyton Manning through to the fullback that had snuck out to the right side on a play-action play going left. The guy that caught that pass was Mungro, an unheralded player that got lost in the shuffle of offensive firepower in Indianapolis. Not a prototypical blocking fullback, Mungro is a little bit more of a 'tweener -- a guy that can carry the football, catch passes and throw a block when needed. He's the football equivalent of a utility infielder, a guy that can line up in the backfield and do a number of different things. As a result of these well-rounded talents, Mungro has some value on the open market. But the inability to easily plug him into one role may allow some team to land a great deal in their free-agent shopping.
Jon Ritchie, Philadelphia (unrestricted): Playing a relatively anonymous position, Ritchie became a star of sorts during his tenure with the Oakland Raiders. Under Jon Gruden, he opened holes for a long list of undistinguished backs that were able to find success (see Tyrone Wheatley, et al), which made him a well-respected blocker within NFL circles. But the fact that his helmet didn't fit properly and caused his forehead to bleed every game made him a favorite of the cameras, creating a warrior-like image that resonated with the fans. Since leaving the Bay Area, Ritchie has been plagued by injuries. But if he's able to fully recover, he remains one of the best in the business at performing a thankless job.
Others to consider: Greg Comella, Jameel Cook, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala.
