DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Ranking of Top 10 AFC North Free Agents (Plus Sean Jones news)

Ranking AFC North free agents
February 10, 2009 11:00 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Coaches and general managers around the division have a lot of tough decisions to make this offseason, and it starts in house with their own free agents.

Here is my ranking of the top 10 unrestricted free agents who could be available by the end of this month:


Suggs
1. Terrell Suggs, OLB/DE, Baltimore Ravens

Why: Suggs is a must-have for the Ravens and one of the top free agents on the market overall. His versatility and dynamic pass-rushing ability allows Baltimore's defense to do a lot of things most teams couldn't. The Ravens tried to lock him up long term last year. They came very close but couldn't. Baltimore needs to close the deal with Suggs this year.

2. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Why: After catching 204 passes the last two seasons, Houshmandzadeh is the top free-agent available at his position. He is a Pro Bowl caliber talent that should cash in this season unless Cincinnati chooses to use the franchise tag. Houshmandzadeh is a crafty and tough receiver who is not afraid to go over the middle. He also has the quickness to get open and great hands to make tough catches in traffic.


Lewis
3. Ray Lewis, MLB, Baltimore Ravens

Why: After playing in his 10th Pro Bowl, it's apparent that Lewis can still bring it. Even at the age of 33, Lewis' leadership and ability was key in bringing the Baltimore Ravens back to prominence and within one quarter of the Super Bowl during an AFC title game loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although a franchise tag is a possibility for Lewis, our guess is that it will only be used to provide an extension to negotiate a long-term deal.

4. Jason Brown, C, Baltimore Ravens

Why: Brown, 25, has quietly developed into one of the top, young centers in the NFL. He started all 16 games the past two years to become Baltimore's most consistent offensive lineman. Center is rarely a huge priority in free agency, but rest assured Baltimore knows how important Brown is to the offensive line. Expect him to be a target for the Ravens once they address players such as Suggs and Lewis.


Scott
5. Bart Scott, OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Why: It's scary to think that three of the top five players on this list are Ravens linebackers, but this unit is that good. Scott was the most underrated of the group. He is a fearless, hard-nosed player that can bang heads with the best of them. Scott is strong at the point of attack and arguably the team's hardest hitter. He is perfect for Baltimore's system. But due to the aforementioned Ravens on this list, he could be the odd man out.

6. Bryant McFadden, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Why: McFadden is the only free-agent starter from the NFL's top-rated defense and the team's biggest priority in terms of players currently not under contract. At 27, he blossomed into a starter this year and is just entering the prime of his career. McFadden is athletic, a solid tackler, and a good No. 2 corner opposite Ike Taylor. McFadden has stated that he would love to be back, and the Steelers likely want him back.


Jones
7. Sean Jones, S, Cleveland Browns

Why: Despite one of the worst years of his career, Jones should get some interest on the market because starting safeties are making a lot of money of late. Jones was inconsistent all year following in-season knee surgery but should be a better player once he is completely healed in the offseason. Jones' best years were in 2006 and 2007 when he combined for 207 tackles and 10 interceptions. If he can return to form, he could be a good free-agent signing for someone. It doesn't appear the Browns are interested.

8. Jim Leonhard, S, Baltimore Ravens

Why: Leonhard is an interesting case. Mostly a career backup, Leonhard filled in well for the injured Dawan Landry and could receive some interest on the open market. Now Baltimore has to decide if Leonhard or Landry, a restricted free agent, is the starter. Conceivably, the Ravens could bring back both but it will cost them. Leonhard's representation likely will ask for starter-type money or something close to it after his solid performance this season and in the playoffs.


Benson
9. Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Why: There's still a lot of questions surrounding Benson, but he deserves to be on this list. The former first-round pick signed with the Bengals during the season and finished with 747 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the year with back-to-back 100-yard games, including a 171-yard performance against the Browns. Benson played hard, but was he playing hard just to earn a bigger contract? Could he stay focus once he gets a long-term extension? The Bengals will have to ponder these questions before they throw a lot of money his way.

10. Nate Washington, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Why: Despite being the only non-starter on this list, Washington has developed into an important cog in Pittsburgh's offense. The No. 3 receiver has a penchant for making big plays and is a great compliment to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. If rookie Limas Sweed isn't ready, the Steelers should work to keep Washington.

Honorable mentions: Byron Leftwich, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers, Stacy Andrews, OT, Cincinnati Bengals; Shayne Graham, K, Cincinnati Bengals, Sam Koch, P, Baltimore Ravens.

Link

I thought Sean has played well throughout his career in Cleveland. Hopefully the Browns can resign him as long as he doesn't want more than he's worth.

It's just me thinking this, but I tend to think he was one of the guys who appeared to not give his all at times. Maybe Mangini is actually thinking of trying Cribbs at safety, not that I think that would be as easy as it sounds. IMO Pool played better when he was at Jones position. Maybe they are going to make a move for Leonard from the Ravens. He would probably come cheaper.

The more I think about this, it could just be the money he is going to ask for. He's good, but not at the top of the list of safeties IMO. His coverage skills are lacking .

1) I'll believe it when I see it that the Browns "aren't interested."
2) I thought Jones has done well, but he hasn't proven to me that he's just an absolute stud S. Maybe it does come down to him and his agent wanting top dollar and the team just not thinking he's worth it.

We shall see, I guess.

I agree with Pool looking better than Jones this past year (definitely not compared to the Jones of the 2 years prior).

The question is whether he wasn't trying hard enough or if injuries really slowed him down that much...and if he can regain his health. If it was his injuries and he will be healthy next year, I could see us paying an average starting SS salary to him to get him back, but not much more.

I've liked Jones a lot in his time here...so I'm hoping he regains his form and accepts a reasonable deal to stay.

Easy man you're going to blow a gasket...

the guy you're thinking of is nick sorenson.

regarding russell, it was mentioned after the firings that RAC wanted russell back but savage didn't want to resign him. who knows why. russell was more of a smart player than anyone with special physical talent. i remember an int that pool made in...05 or 06 where pool and russell were talking about how they were communicating and russell recognized the play and made the right call, allowing pool to capitalize.

I've read that Russell could be out in Seattle. Would he be worth coming back here?

Some very nice talent on that list....

Guys that I would be interested in are: in no partiular order

Andrews

Bart Scott or Suggs (probably unreasonable to get both unless they resign with the ravens.

TJ Housmanzada (sp)

Jones and if not, a Draft pick or Leonhard. (I could be convinced to change that order)

Daman,Stacey Andrews was a severe disappointment for the Bengals.
In spot duty for Willie Anderson,he did held up his own in 2007.
The Bengals gave up a franchise low 16 sacks.
Everyone thought he was going to help with the absence of Anderson.
But between him and Eric Ghiacuc on the right side,Carson Palmer was constantly under duress and never had a constant pocket to work out of,
The running game suffered as the ypc fell below 4.0.
Theres talk of moving Andrew Whitworth to RT if the Bengals draft a LT in the upcoming draft.
I wouldn't overpay for Stacey Andrews.
He's big and atheletic. But his footwork needs work on and for someone so big,lacks a big intital "punch" coming out of his stance.

RAC wanted to keep Russell, Savage didn't.

if we let Jones go, anyone think Gary Baxter might be invited to camp to see if hes healed from his injury?

No.

Sean Jones is a Cleveland Brown, he is about to enter the prime of his career, and if they ever want to win, they need to keep guys like him on the roster. I don't beleive players play with as much pride when they move around from team to team as they do if they wear one teams colors all the time. I think it means more for the team to win, if they are always with that team, but every situation is different.
This is why I wouldn't prefer to see them sign Anyone on that list except Sean Jones and see what happens in the future. AN arguement that Jones is just not cutting it is wrong in my opinion, besides the above stats of 10 ints in two years, I have memoreis of Jones being an agressive presence in the Browns secondary. When the Bengals weren't giving the team any respect, he was instrumental in making one of them leave the field early in 2006.

To say Jones won't improve, or he isn't a hall of famer is premature, if he doesn't return to the team we will never know, but many would argue that Ray Lewis in Baltimore is a hall of famer, and I remember he wasn't given alot of publicity his first 3 years, he just made plays. Jones to this point reminds me alot of him in that he doesn't get alot of respect yet, he just makes plays. I recognize the Browns haven't stuck with anybody, at any position for 4+ years since 94, with a few exceptions.
If they never keep the team together, they will never play like a team thats been together. I know very little, absolutely nothing about the particular situation or even if either side wants to remain, but I hope he returns.

Baltimore is the team we need to watch...And Koke knows those guys...

I can't see Newsome letting that FRANCHISE get away in Ray Lewis...When they lost Siragusa...Lewis's production slipped...Even said so himself because he no longer had CLEAN SPACE to work in constantly...Enter Ngata...Up goes Lewis's production again...

If they Franchise him at just over 8M...Gotta think they'll still settle on a 3-4 year deal...Problem there is u can only Franchise ONE player...And the deadline is the 19th...FA starts the 27th...Once he's "Tagged" that figure goes on the Cap...8 days later Suggs hits the market...And they need to either get Suggs and Lewis signed QUICK...Or 1 will go...And QUICK...So I see one getting the "Tag" and the other inked longer-term...Then the "Tagged" player gets signed and tag's removed...

Problem is...Bart Scott sits there waiting...All 3 of these guys are gonna get decent money...Suggs the biggest...Lewis right behind him...Can they put that much CAP into the LB's???...I don't think they will and will let Scott go via FA...Brown's also gonna get decent bucks...That's FOUR high dollar FA's...IN HOUSE...U never see this kinda thing happen...That many IN-HOUSE players being kept at those figures...Someone's gonna go...And I think it'll be Scott...

Now then...Koke knows Scott...MY question regarding Scott is this...HOW GOOD WOULD HE BE WHEN TAKEN OUTSIDE OF THAT ATMOSPHERE????????...You're talking a LB Core of Suggs/Lewis/Thomas until he went to NE...And he's been sitting between Suggs and Lewis for several years...How good exactly is this dude???

Having said that...IF we look for an ILB in FA...I think it will be Barton of the Jets (31)...Or Scott (28)...And we just so happen to have Mangini (Jets) and Koke (Raves) in fold...And IMO we will look at ILB HARD...Forget about Suggs...

With roughly 17mill to work with , forget any big name FA..second tier players is what we'll see for this year..

Anderson---5M---We know
Corey Williams---6M
Lewis---4M
Stallworth---4.75M


DA/Stallworthless I can see going..but I doubt if they let Williams go..wouldn't we still take the hit on him?
How many of these guys would we take a cap hit on if they're released?

I don't know how you can call Stallworth worthless. I mean, how can you diminish those 17 catches for 170 yards and 1 TD, and his one rushing attempt for -4 yards?

Be kinda hard won't it?
Maybe one of the stat luvers can chart how many offensive plays he's missed since he pulled up his panty hose too tight

I will sincerly disagree with your assessment of the Bengals of not being able to develop talent.
There was a stat maybe 1-2 years ago in regards to teams draft history dating back 5 years and how those players turned out.
The Bengals were in the Top 5 NFL of the players they drafted who were still in the NFL and starting,etc.
No the Bengals have done commendable job drafting mid to late RD draft picks.
T.J Houshmanzedah was a 7th RD choice.
DT Domata Peko was a 4th RD pick out of MSU,was only second behind Shaun Rogers in tackles for DT's in 2008.
Rudi Johnson was a 4th RD pick and had some very productive years.
Looks at the Bengals draft history under Marvin Lewis and you'll see alot of his picks are still in the NFL......and obviously there are some high picks who didn't pan out due to injury, character, etc...

Thats too low a figure..

TJ and Rudi were from the previous regime (2001 draft), so we have to leave them out.

Marvin got there in 2003, though I have no idea how much he is involved in the draft process, it is his job to coach them up, which was my point of contention...

and actually, I have thought Cincy has done a decent job in the first 3 rounds except when they pick character-problems...it is after that where their lack of scouting has hurt them.


2003
1 - Carson Palmer QB USC
2 - Eric Steinbach G Iowa
3 - Kelley Washington WR Tennessee
4 - Dennis Weathersby DB Oregon State
4 - Jeremi Johnson RB Western Kentucky
5 - Khalid Abdullah LB Mars Hill
6 - Langston Moore DT South Carolina
7 - Scott Kooistra T North Carolina State
7 - Elton Patterson DE Central Florida

Great first 3 rounds, which made this a great draft. Palmer, Steinbach and Washington have all made impacts in their careers. Outside of those first 3 rounds though, noone worth even mentioning.

2004
1 - Chris Perry RB Michigan
2 - Keiwan Ratliff DB Florida
2 - Madieu Williams DB Maryland
3 - Caleb Miller LB Arkansas
3 - Landon Johnson LB Purdue
4 - Matthias Askew DT Michigan State
4 - Robert Geathers DE Georgia
4 - Stacy Andrews T Mississippi
5 - Maurice Mann WR Nevada
6 - Greg Brooks DB Southern Mississippi
7 - Casey Bramlet QB Wyoming

Chris Perry was a bit of a disappointment from being a first round pick, but he has had some good games, so not a complete bust. Madeiu Williams was a good pick as was Landon Johnson. Geathers and Stacy Andrews have done about as good as a team could hope coming from 4th round picks.

2005
1 - David Pollack DE Georgia
2 - Odell Thurman LB Georgia
3 - Chris Henry WR West Virginia
4 - Eric Ghiaciuc C Central Michigan
5 - Adam Kieft T Central Michigan
6 - Tab Perry WR UCLA
7 - Jonathan Fanene DE Utah

Pollack wasn't probably worth a 1st rounder, but he was solid...very sad that his career had to end with the spine injury. Thurman and Henry have been good when they were not in trouble, but are more part of the problem than solution in Cincy. Nothing in the later rounds again.

2006
1 - Johnathan Joseph DB South Carolina
2 - Andrew Whitworth T Louisiana State
3 - Frostee Rucker DE USC
4 - Domata Peko DT Michigan State
5 - A. J. Nicholson LB Florida State
6 - Reggie McNeal QB Texas A&M
7 - Ethan Kilmer WR Penn State
7 - Bennie Brazell WR Louisiana State

Joseph is talented but another of the arrested members. Peko is good for a mid round pick, but at least in our games, he was out of position several times. Nothing after him though I would hold out hope for Rucker who could become a solid special team guy.

2006 (supplemental)
3 - Ahmad Brooks LB Virginia

Brooks has possibly the most dispicable act of any recently arrested NFL player if the allegations are true. He is the one that reportedly hauled off and sucker-punched a women who tried to get him and someone that were about to fight to take it somewhere else. She was reportedly knocked unconscious.

2007
1 - Leon Hall DB Michigan
2 - Kenny Irons RB Auburn
4 - Marvin White DB Texas Christian
5 - Jeff Rowe QB Nevada
6 - Matt Toeaina DT Oregon
7 - Dan Santucci G Notre Dame
7 - Nedu Ndukwe DB Notre Dame

I like Leon Hall a bunch...hated him when he was at UM and hate him now (but out of respect since he is a rival). Irons obviously was a bust. White, for a 4th rounder, was a good pick. Ndukwe obviously was a great pick...getting contributions out of a 7th rounder is always good.

2008
1 - Keith Rivers LB USC
2 - Jerome Simpson WR Coastal Carolina
3 - Pat Sims DT Auburn
3 - Andre Caldwell WR Florida
4 - Anthony Collins T Kansas
5 - Jason Shirley DT Fresno State
6 - Corey Lynch DB Appalachian State
6 - Matt Sherry TE Villanova
7 - Angelo Craig LB Cincinnati
7 - Mario Urrutia WR Louisville

Probably too early to judge this one....Rivers is a beast, but noone else made any significant impact. But, they were all rookies. We'll see.



So, in the 5 drafts we can look at (2003 - 2007), you had a total of 5 guys drafted in rounds 4-7 that have made an impact and 4/5 were in the 4th round(out of 26 guys). Not saying our numbers are much better, but my point was that the Bengals have not done a great job at getting guys that late and coaching them up so you should not have "expected" more out of Stacy Andrews other than a decent contributor.

Perhaps I was mistaken about Andrews,, I thought he was a decent guard that got thrown into playing Tackle.. didn't do well at tackle..

What did I miss?

No logo thats a impressive post. I'll add some more imput...
In 2003 Jeremi Johnson before his weight problems kicked in,was a pivotal player in the Bengals offensive success.
He got injuried and then got out of shape in 2008 and Lewis cut him.
Scott Kooistra is still on the roster as a backup OT and started for the Bengals when Cedric Benson ran for 171 vs the Browns this year.
Dennis Weathersby was injuried in a car accident and retired a month after being drafted..

2004. Robert Geathers has been up and down..He had a career hight 10.5 sacks in 2006 and then had to move to LB in 2007 with the LB being decimated. He needs to produce in 2009 or find a new home.
I think Marvin Lewis made a mistake in cutting Keiwan Ratliff..he's the nickelback for the Colts now...

2005. David Pollack was a projected 1st RD pick on 100% of the draft boards.
So the Bengals didn't draft him too early...they had to get young at LB,cause Kevin Hardy wasn't cutting it no more.
Eric Ghiacuc is small for AFC North play. Good bye.
Tab Perry was a versatile 3-way threat for the Bengals. He blew his hip out vs the Browns in 2006 and never recovered.
Funny that day,changed the Bengals for years to come.....Richie Braham was hurt that day and was forced to retire and David Pollack hit Reuban Droughns and you that story.
John Fanene has proved to be a important piece of the d-line cause he can play 2 spots.

2006. Johnathon Josepth I would not consider a "bad" character....yes he was caught with marijunana. So have alot of sports atheletes.
He's great when he's healthy..but he's had chronic foot problems 2 year going now.
Andrew Whitworth is the Bengals best o-lineman..he's borderline All-Pro..he's alot more physical than Eric Steinbach at the point of attack.
Frostee Rucker finally made contributions this year...he's in the 2009 plans.

2007
Kenny Irons blew a ACL and MCL in the 2008 preseason. I wouldn't call him a bust.He's retired.

2008....This could be the draft to set the Bengals back on course.
Rivers has potential to be a All-Pro
Jerome Simpson has the Bengals fans spilt..DeShaun Jackson was on the board when JS was picked.
Patrick Sims came on STRONG in his 5 starts late last year.....he outplayed the following 1st RD DT's...Sedrick Ellis and Glenn Dorsey. I think he finished with 35 tackles,1 sack.....
OT Anthony Collins filled in decently for Levi Jones. He shutout James Harrison in his 1st start at Heinz Field......
He might be moved to RT in 2009.....
I'm tired,phew.

great info on some of the players that I don't know enough about since I only see the Bengals 2 times a year.

"I wonder what sources he has for such a statement. "

If any it probably would be Jones' agent. ???

But I see Leonhard is a FA - in all those threads about FA I was questioning cause when it was pretty certain that Kokinis was going to be our GM, writers started saying that Leonhard would probably soon follow him to Cleveland.

But I was confused cause he was not on any of those FA lists and they listed just about everbody???

Well now that I know he is...there is no doubt in my mind that he's going to come here and be our FS moving Pool to SS - until we draft his replacement.

JMHO

LOL Brownsfansince! Yeah, let's be fair. If we paid him twice as much he could double that easy. If he stays, sheeesh!

Quote:

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Watch this too...Several BIG Roster Bonuses coming due quick...

Anderson---5M---We know
Corey Williams---6M
Lewis---4M
Stallworth---4.75M

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Donte should be the first to go and that would be a very good move ... I expect this to happen ... if they keep him I will wonder why ...

after that ... NO WAY I see any of the others getting cut .... NO WAY ...

and I am very cusious as to why Williams is on your list .... he played hurt all year ... I do not understand all the negativity surronding this guy ..... it baffles me ...

I really hope we resign Sean Jones.

Roster bonuses also are amortised for the remaining term of the contract, just as any performance bonus would be. The entire bonus won;t count against this year's cap .... jist a pro-rated portion of it.