Here's PFW's list of '09 FAs, by position:
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My take on some of the names on the list:
QB: a new backup will be needed after Cassel leaves. How about Chris Simms? There's the BB-Phil Simms connection, and he was playing fairly decently until his spleen injury. Other possibilities incl. Fitzpatrick, Leftwich, Garcia and McCown.
FB: I've always wanted Neal & Richardson, but they're really old now. Evans is probably the best choice, though I don't know some of the others very well. Glass Morris has also played FB, in case the Pats want to go w/o a true FB. Cecil Sapp is another RB/FB, but is he a better blocker than Evans?
RB: not much room here if LaMa, BJGE & Faulk all return, though I could find room for Darren Sproles, who would be our 3rd-down Back of the Future & Returner Extrordinaire.
TE: Non-Blockers Need Not Apply; Watson & Thomas already fill that bill. I'm thinking more along the lines of Kleinsasser, Tony Stewart, Mark Campbell & Joel Dreessen, though DT's UT teammate, Bo Scaife, is having an excellent season for Tennessee.
WR: if Gaffney re-signs (which might be the best move anyway), then there's not much room here, either. I would rather see the FO draft a WR in the mid/late rounds, and pray that he develops better than the last 3 drafted WRs. TJH will be too expensive for our tastes.
C: I have not considered this position in the past, but Koppen's performance so far has been troubling. The FO should at least consider Matt Birk, Jake Grove & Jeff Saturday. And I wouln't mind seeing old friend Grey Ruegamer return in place of Hochstein/Yates.
G: not much here; a draft choice should def. be invested in this position. Elton Brown might be the most interesting name on this list as a possible Steven Neal backup/replacement. Jason Fabini could be a RG/RT backup; he & BB were w/ the jesters in '98 & 99. Adrian Jones could be a LG/LT backup. And what does Pete Kendall have left in his tank?
T: quite a few very interesting names here, though most of them play RT exc. for Khalif Barnes, Tra Thomas & maybe Jordan Gross. The FO should keep its eyes open in case somebody can be signed if The Price is Right.
DE: Chris Canty, CJ Mosley & Igor Olshansky would be upgrades over LK Smith & Wright, but would also be more expensive, esp. Olshansky. A mid-round draft choice might be the way to go here.
DT: Haynesworth will be too expensive. Older Grady Jackson & younger Jimmy Kennedy would be viable vet backups. A late-round/UDFA-type is a possibility.
ILB: Dansby is my best-case signing, but that ain't happening. Eric Barton & Channing Crowder would be weakening division foes at the same time. Andra Davis has played for RAC the past 3 seasons. Mike Peterson could be on the outs in Jax. Bart Scott is an a-hole, and Ray Lewis is a murderer (allegedly). And look, Adam Seward is now Unrestricted.
OLB: IDK if the FO will invest heavily - either in cash or in draft picks - at this position; AT is signed for big bucks, and Crable is the future at the other side, but will he be ready next season? A vet to serve as a bridge from Vrabel to Crable should be a high priority. Suggs will be too expensive. Darryl Blackstock played for Al Groh at UVA. Bert Berry may have injury issues. Michael Boley may be the best overall fit. Woods, Redd & Darrell Robertson can vie for the #4 OLB spot.
CB: the first thing the FO needs to do is stop chasing after injury-prone midgets. Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's see who's available. Forget about Asomugha; more realistic expectations might be Chris Gamble, Corey Webster, Bryant McFadden, Eric Green, Travis Daniels, DeAngelo Hall, D.Foxworth, Ron Bartell, Jabari Greer and Dunta Robinson. In addition, a high draft choice also needs to be invested in the position. Before the start of next season, the FO must find at least 2 quality CBs to replace O'Neal & Webster, and to supplement Hobbs & Wheatley. I would prefer 4, but would be OK w/ 3. 2 is the no-brainer minimum; otherwise, meaningful snaps would be given to the drek that is Wilhite & Richardson.
S: A play-making SS to replace Rodney should be one of the FO's highest off-season priorities. Lil' Jimmy Sanders is not the answer. He is, at best, a #3 S on a PO team. A high draft choice should be used, plus at least one quality FA SS. The most visible name is Brian Dawkins, who by now must be sick of the Reid/McNabb fiasco. But what does Dawkins have left in the tank? Other, younger possibilities incl. James Butler, Jermaine Phillips, Gerald Sensabaugh, Sean Considine, Michael Boulware, Josh Bullocks, Sean Jones and Darren Sharper.
Finally, Shane Lechler is a UFA; so is Craig Hentrich. Both would be upgrades over the inconsistent Chris Hanson.
