This is from a forum post I made on tbo.com:
I did a bit of research (yeah, I’m a little nutty like that) to determine who is available this off-season. The focus is on positions of need, but there are some compelling and interesting names at other positions as well.
At QB, the guy who stands out is Derek Anderson, however, I’m not sure he would be a fit here and the more likely scenario for Cleveland is that they re-sign him and ship Brady Quinn off in a trade. My favorite option at QB is to keep Garcia and draft Flynn. Let Flynn learn from Garcia until his time comes (I’d give it two years, which is probably the most Garcia has left in him, IMHO). Anderson is also a Restricted Free Agent, which further complicates things here.
At RB, Michael Turner is going to raise eyebrows everywhere. I think Graham is and should be our every down back going forward, but we might benefit from a tandem that includes the home-run hitter. I don’t think Cadillac is dependable enough to rely on and Turner could be that guy. Only down side is that he will likely want to be a one-man backfield wherever he goes.
Wide Receiver is where we really need to be looking to improve and take defenses away from our running game. There are quite a few names out there that are quite intriguing, starting with Randy Moss. I’ll say this about Moss….he is working VERY effectively in New England, but I DO NOT see him seeing eye to eye with Jon Gruden. At all. He’s also on the plus side of 30. I say let New England or someone else overpay for him. The rest of the pack:
Bernard Berrian
Patrick Crayton
Bryant Johnson
Andre Davis
Justin Gage
Devery Henderson
The name on THAT list that stands out in my mind is Andre Davis and here’s why…..Davis was HIGHLY productive as the go-to guy when Johnson was out this year. He made big plays with very little talent around him in the running game and playing opposite. He’s young and Houston will have difficulty justifying a pay day for him as the number 2. We almost HAVE to make a run at this guy. Of the rest, I think I like Bryant Johnson and Patrick Crayton best. Gage and Henderson have been relatively productive, but have had some problems this year. In fairness to Henderson, the entire Saints offense was inconsistent this year. Gage has a problem with the dropsies….definitely not something we need here right now. Bryant Johnson seems to be one of the most talented number three receivers in the league….he has the misfortune of playing behind Boldin and Fitzgerald in Arizona. The only issue I have with Crayton is the dropsie problem he had in last Sunday’s game. One could hope it was an anomaly? Not sure and not sure you can’t count on him to be a number one, which is why I really like Davis. He’s already proven it.
The only offensive lineman who could fit the bill at Left Tackle is Max Starks, but there’s some weirdness there. He was the man in Pittsburgh until this year when he lost his starting job. He’s had some injury issues (RE: Pettitgout) and, though his size and ability to play both sides is tempting, you can’t throw money at that kind of risk.
Defensive line. I can’t say it enough: MAKE A RUN AT JARED ALLEN. Allen plays the right side and if you put that kind of talent opposite Gaines Adams…..YEAH!!! Haynesworth is available as well, but I think Tennessee locks him up and I’d much rather find a well-rounded under tackle in the draft. Haynesworth plays the nose, IIRC. Seriously though, you have to at least bring Allen in for a workout. This guy plays under Herm and you would have to think that with the re-signing of Kiffen, a young and talented defensive star in this league would have to entertain the idea of playing for him. One has to wonder what incentive he might have for staying in KC.
At Linebacker, the major concern we have is the future of Derrick Brooks. My instinct says you draft the future and let a guy learn from 55 while he’s still here. Certainly, Lance Briggs would send a bad message to one of the best players to play here. The only other available guy would be Karlos Dansby in Arizona. Would Dansby be willing to come in and wait? That’s the question here.
Last, we also need to address our future at the Corners. Kelly and Barber have limited time and we need to look at the future here. Again, we’d have to bring in guys who would be willing to wait. The only two names that stick out for me in FA are Asante Samuel and Marcus Trufant. Something tells me those guys don’t want to ride the pine. Again, you have to draft the future here. You CAN’T cut Barber and, really, given the history of this coaching staff, cutting Kelly would be a bad PR move as well, though Kelly has had injury problems the past couple of years.
Overall, I think these guys are no-brainers in free agency:
WR Andre Davis
WR Bryant Johnson
WR Patrick Crayton
DE Jared Allen
Perhaps someone outbids, but with the money we have to spend, you HAVE to make a run at these guys. Improve the passing game and improve the pass rush. If I thought Turner would be okay with a tandem role, I’d put his name on the list as well.
Would love thoughts on this from my fellow Buc fans…..