Upcoming Free Agents for 2009

[MDSteel15]

So who would be good signings???

WR
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
We all know him!
Devery Henderson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Henderson’s career high in receptions may be 32, but he’s a deep threat and can make big plays down the field when things are clicking for the offensive unit. He’s had at least three scores in each season of his four-year career and set a new career-high in yards with 793, averaging almost 25 yards per catch.

Other Wide Receivers
Hank Baskett, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Jabar Gaffney, UFA, New England Patriots

Offensive Linemen
Jordan Gross, UFA, Carolina Panthers
A first round pick in 2003, Gross earned a starting role in his rookie season and held that role as a tackle for the entire season. His ability to step in and play well right away paid off for the Panthers, as the team put together a run to an NFC Championship that season. He’s continued being a starter since that rookie season and is a solid player. Carolina slapped the franchise tag on him for this season, and chances are he will be another team come ’09.
Jeff Saturday, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Saturday entered the league with little fanfare as an undrafted free agent. Now, he has become one of the league’s best centers and will command a decent contract for his experience and performance. Having already earned three Pro Bowl and All Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring, Saturday is crucial to the Colts offensive line and winning ways. While a handful of teams could make a run at Saturday, expect the Colts to do everything in their power to retain the veteran center.

Defensive Backs
Nnamdi Asomugha, UFA, Oakland Raiders
Asomugha’s numbers don’t overwhelm other than his eight interceptions in ’06, but the big reason that he has only 257 career tackles and 10 interceptions in his six seasons is because opponents attack the side of the field that Asomugha isn’t on. He has 49 passes defended over his last four seasons and he’s one of the NFL’s best in coverage. He’s held some of the game’s best receivers in check in single coverage and if he becomes a free agent, he may command the most attention of the lot. He also missed only four games in his career. With the release of DeAngelo Hall earlier this season, Oakland may now look to pay Asomugha, considering how talented he is.
Dunta Robinson, UFA, Houston Texans
Robinson missed nearly half the season last year, but before he was injured he was being mentioned alongside the top corners in the league, even though he played for a struggling Texans team. He also missed the first five games of this season, but played in the final eleven, making 38 tackles and two picks. He made a name for himself in his rookie season when he had six interceptions, three sacks, and 88 tackles. Any team would like to have his services in their defensive backfield if he can stay healthy, and if Houston doesn’t start winning, Robinson could look for a change of scenery with a more successful franchise.
Brian Dawkins, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Dawkins has been one of the best safeties in the league for some time now. He’s in his mid-thirties, but he will still be of interest to several teams because of his track record. He has had at least one interception in each of his thirteen seasons. As recently as two seasons ago, he had five forced fumbles, four picks, and 98 tackles. While he may not be quite the same player he once was, he’s still one of the games best. He’s played in Philadelphia his entire career and chances are it’ll stay that way.


Just some of the FAs out there this year. :popcorn:

[devilsdancefloor]

the only FA i see us trying (HOPING we try) to get is Jordon Gross But he will demand $$$$

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I see nobody on the list above that the Steelers would spend money on in Free Agency.

Dawkins and Saturday are old men nearing retirement. Asomgua, Robinson, Gross, Housyourmama are all high priced and we wont pay. Baskett, Gaffney, Henderson are average WR's that will cost too much as a #3 or 4 WR.

I think maybe Vernon Carey, Jon Stinchcomb, Tra Thomas or John St. Clair if we cant sign either Smith or Starks. Chris Canty on the D line. I think Mike Furrey is a free agent WR too, but I think we will go with Ward, Holmes, Sweed, Baker and a rookie draft pick.

[MasterOfPuppets]

i'd like to see canty come to the burgh....i think he'd be just as good as keisel, and is a few years younger. vernon carey would be nice, if the price was right. don't know if he'd be a "huge" upgrade to starks or smith, but he'd definetly be better than colon.

I think maybe Vernon Carey, Jon Stinchcomb, Tra Thomas or John St. Clair
st claire gave up the 3rd most sacks this year.....no thanks.

[XxKnightxX]

I see nobody on the list above that the Steelers would spend money on in Free Agency.

Dawkins and Saturday are old men nearing retirement. Asomgua, Robinson, Gross, Housyourmama are all high priced and we wont pay. Baskett, Gaffney, Henderson are average WR's that will cost too much as a #3 or 4 WR.

I think maybe Vernon Carey, Jon Stinchcomb, Tra Thomas or John St. Clair if we cant sign either Smith or Starks. Chris Canty on the D line. I think Mike Furrey is a free agent WR too, but I think we will go with Ward, Holmes, Sweed, Baker and a rookie draft pick.

Baker got the Pink slip after the colts game for his effort he showed on that last play.:banging:

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Baker got the Pink slip after the colts game for his effort he showed on that last play.:banging:

Baker was released so they could add Roy Lewis to the active roster.....because McFadden went down. Baker is on the Steelers practice squad and will get a Super Bowl Ring. I expect him to be a Steeler come training camp.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

i'd like to see canty come to the burgh....i think he'd be just as good as keisel, and is a few years younger. vernon carey would be nice, if the price was right. don't know if he'd be a "huge" upgrade to starks or smith, but he'd definetly be better than colon.

st claire gave up the 3rd most sacks this year.....no thanks.

Both Carey and St. Clair are guys that are better suited to play RT, but can play LT if needed. IF we draft a LT in the 1st round, these guys can keep the spot warm for a season or less and then move to the other side or backup if necessary.

St. Clair gave up 9.75 sacks and 5 were against Jared Allen, while he kept Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers and John Abraham in check. I'm not a huge fan of his technique, but throwing out names of guys that have NFL starting experience and will not be expensive............because the Steelers dont pay high priced free agents.

The more I think of it, the more I see Marvel Smith being given a contract, a rookie drafted like Beatty or Britton and the OT's being Smith, Rookie, Hills, Colon.

[SunshineMan21]

I think it's more likely that we resign Starks than Smith--at this point it isn't clear that Smith is the better player even when he's healthy, and he's certainly not worth the extra money.

The only FA up there that (IMO) would be a good fit for us is Gross. Not that I wouldn't love nabbing Housh or Nnamdi, but there are other teams that need their elite talents (and will pay them) much more than us.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I think it's more likely that we resign Starks than Smith--at this point it isn't clear that Smith is the better player even when he's healthy, and he's certainly not worth the extra money.

The only FA up there that (IMO) would be a good fit for us is Gross. Not that I wouldn't love nabbing Housh or Nnamdi, but there are other teams that need their elite talents (and will pay them) much more than us.

I think Starks will get some higher offers from other teams. Arizona, Atlanta, Philly, Detroit, SanFrancisco all have more cap room than the Steelers and could use a young LT. He has 2 Super Bowl rings and now is gonna want to get paid.

I can see Detroit winning the Jordan Gross sweepstakes. Gross as LT and Cherilus as RT could keep Matt Stafford upright for several seasons to come.

[SunshineMan21]

I'm not so sure--Colbert certainly overestimated Starks' value/perceived value last season, and we apparently had no problem paying him $7 Mil.

We can pretty easily afford to keep Starks if Smith is gone, and unless we draft a stud LT (probably not going to fall to us) or sign Gross we really need to keep him, because Smith might be done.

[MasterOfPuppets]

how about ........
Ray Willis, Seahawks. Age: 27.
Ray Willis started 10 games and gave up 1.5 sacks. He showed enough promise this season to be a solid right tackle down the road.

[MDSteel15]

how about ........

Is he a free agent?

[MasterOfPuppets]

Is he a free agent?
yep....:popcorn: