The 2010 NFL Free Agency Period Arrives by Lloyd Vance

The 2010 NFL Free Agency period arrived at 12 AM on March 5th and one of th biggest names available is Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers

Remember “Albert Haynesworth”, all you fans out there with dreams of signing a free agent and moving instantly into Super Bowl contention.  Haynesworth was “the” biggest free agent during the 2009 free agency period.  The former  Pro Bowl defensive tackle signed a deal of a lifetime (7 year, $100 Million Contract w/ $41 Million guarantee with the Washington Redskins.  The move made him the highest paid defensive at the time to leave the frugal Tennessee Titans to sign with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder’s “deep pocketed” team. 

The moves of bringing in Haynesworth and fellow free agency pickup corner DeAngelo Hall (six year, $55 million deal with $23 million guaranteed) were supposed to instantly put Washington in the thick of the 2009 NFC East race.  Well, now we know that the Redskins, despite a massive off-season spending spree, did not reach the postseason and  finished with a disappointing 6-10 record with head coach Jim Zorn being swiftly fired at the end of the season.  For all the dollars that Snyder paid Haynesworth (4 sacks) and Hall (4 INTs), he didn’t receive anywhere near the return expected on his large investment

I am sure during the 2009 season, NFL team general managers and owners paid particular attention to the Redskins’ fortunes to see the affect of extravagant free agency spending on a team.  The Redskins and the equally luxurious spending Denver Broncos expected to win after shopping at Neiman Marcus in the offseason for players.  But not so fast…. as both teams didn’t even make the playoffs and it was the New Orleans Saints  fueled by home grown talent cultivated through the draft (Reggie Bush, Jahri Evans, Marques Colston, Tracy Porter  and others) who were hoisting the Super Bowl XLIV Lombardi trophy. 

The Saints proved that building a solid nucleus through the draft with a sprinkling of long term veteran free agents like quarterback Drew Brees is the greatest key to winning in the NFL rather than trying to buy a championship.  The Saints confirmed the same successful formula that the Colts, Steelers, and Giants have subscribed to for years by looking to the draft first to build their teams — did you notice all of these teams have recently won a Super Bowl.  Over the years I have always told disgruntled spend-happy fans, “Good teams fill weaknesses on their roster with solid veteran players and draft picks and bad ones try to make a splash by over spending for ‘Big Name’ free agents and usually fall apart due to non-cohesiveness”.

We will see in an uncapped year whether NFL owners will be more conscious when spending during the 2010 Free Agency period.

Timeframe: Begins at 12:01 a.m. EST on Friday, March 5th and runs to April 21st at 4 PM EST for restricted free agents (last chance for teams to match offers from other teams)

Salary Cap Information:  With no new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) extension or deal between the NFL and the NFLPA in place as of March 5^, 2010 , the NFL will experience their first uncapped year ever in 2010 – the current CBA expires in March 2011.  The cap has been in place since 1994 and has helped regulate professional sports most level playfield where small market teams like the Green Bay Packers can compete with the New York Giants of the world. In addition to there being no salary cap, there will also be no salary minimum for the first time too — last year the cap was $123 million and the minimum $107.7 million. So even though everyone is worried that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder will be football’s version of George Steinbrenner, there is a chance some team could try an be like the “frugal” Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Remember TV revenue and profit sharing has dictated that most NFL teams should have similar money to sign or not sign free agents.  Even without the cap as a guideline, most teams are in good shape going into the free agency signing period due to good management decisions.   Solid teams usually made good cap decisions over the years (Cutting of high priced veterans, extending young ascending players, and signing value veterans at the league minimum: $750,000). 

Special Rules for an Uncapped Year:

A) More restricted free agents – This free agency period, players can only be unrestricted free agents if they have accrued six years of service in the NFL (instead of four years in 2010 and five years in 2011). At last count 212 players will be considered restricted free agents — instead of unrestricted — because there is no salary cap in 2010. A restricted free agent’s old team has a chance to offer the player a one-year contract at different levels of pay which determines what level of draft-choice compensation the old club would receive if they lost that particular player. The old team also has the right to match any offer another club makes to a restricted free agent.  During 2009 NFL Free Agency period, not a single restricted free agent changed teams. The tender levels for players with three accrued seasons are $1.101 million for the original round the player was drafted, $1.684 million for a second-round pick, $2.396 million for a first-round pick and $3.043 million for first- and third-round picks.  Tender levels for four-year players are $1.176m, $1.759m, $2.521m and $3.168m. Tender levels for five-year players are $1.226m, $1.809m, $2.571m and $3.218m.

B)  More tags to retain players were available — This year teams were allowed to use one franchise tag and two transition tags (average of Top 10 position salaries and first refusal for a player’s designating team) before the start of the Free Agency signing period (March 5th). There were six players designated as “franchise players” by the February 25^th deadline, but there were no transition players named.  Last year a record 14 players were designated as a franchise player.

C) The Final Eight Plan — Article XXI of the current NFL collective bargaining agreement limits the free-agent activity of the last eight teams from the 2009 NFL playoffs.  These rules were put in place, so no NFL team could fatten up on free agents in an uncapped year.  So the four teams from the conference championship games – Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts and the N.Y. Jets – can’t sign any unrestricted free agents from other teams unless they lose one and they can’t pay a player they sign more than the one they lost receives from a new team.  The four teams that lost in the previous round – Dallas, Arizona, Baltimore and San Diego – also can’t sign unrestricted free agents unless they lose one. They also can only sign one free agent for $5.5 million or more in the first year of the contract, while other signings can’t be more than $3.7 million in the first year.

All of the rules were explained recently in an NFL media Q &A document.

Number of Free Agents: The National Football League announced that there are over 400 players who are free agents of some kind including the aforementioned 212 unrestricted free agents. That number also includes the 6 free agents that were designated as “franchise” players.

Possible 2011 lockout lurking – At the 2008 Annual NFL Spring Meeting, NFL owners while crying broke over salaries that now encompass 60% of yearly revenues according to them, exercised a clause (had until November 8, 2008 to do so) by a unanimous vote (32-0) to shorten the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). The vote meant that the CBA that was originally signed in 1993 (Extended several times including the last time in 2006) would expire in 2011 instead of 2013. There have been murmurs of a possible lockout in 2011 – would be first work stoppage since the very ugly 1987 Strike season — if the owners and players cannot come together on a new CBA.  A few key items that will need to be discussed in any new CBA are player revenue sharing, a potential rookie salary cap, NFL retiree benefits, medical benefits,.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said when making the announcement at the ‘08 meeting of opting out of the current CBA, “We don’t need further time to analyze whether this is working or not working. It’s not working”.   The Commish added, “It was the ownership’s view that it’s not a failure of the negotiations, it’s a failure of the deal”. It will be real interesting to see how the whole potential CBA mess is handled now that noted corporate attorney DeMaurice Smith is now the head of the NFLPA instead of the late Gene Upshaw.

Key Terms:

Restricted Free Agent – A player that has accrued six seasons of playing time and their contract has expired.  The player’s team must submit a “qualifying” offer (a salary level predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players). The player can negotiate with any team through April 21st. If the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new team, his old team can match the offer and retain him because it has the “right of first refusal.” If the old team does not match the offer, it can possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed, the player’s rights revert to his old team after April 21st.

 Some of the bigger name restricted free agents:

DL Victor Adeyanju, RFA, St. Louis Rams 

DE Mark Anderson, RFA, Chicago Bears

S OJ Atogwe, RFA ,St. Louis Rams

WR Miles Austin, RFA, Dallas Cowboys 

WR Jason Avant, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

DT David Ball, RFA, Tennessee Titans

OT Khalif Barnes, RFA, Oakland Raiders

OT Alex Barron, RFA, St. Louis Rams

Safety Antoine Bethea, RFA ,Indianapolis Colts

RB Mike Bell, RFA, New Orleans Saints

SS Atari Bigby, RFA, Green Bay Packers 

CB Will Blackmon, RFA ,Green Bay Packers

WR Steve Breaston, RFA, Arizona Cardinals

OT Jamaal Brown, RFA, New Orleans Saints

RB Ronnie Brown, RFA, Miami Dolphins

DT Tony Brown, RFA, Tennessee Titans

S Melvin Bullitt, RFA, Indianapolis Colts

OT Jermon Bushrod, RFA, New Orleans Saints

QB Jason Campbell, RFA, Washington Redskins

OG Chris Chester, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

WR Mark Clayton, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

C Ryan Cook, RFA, Minnesota Vikings

TE Owen Daniels, RFA, Houston Texans

OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil, RFA, Denver Broncos

WR Braylon Edwards, RFA, New York Jets

DE Ray Edwards, RFA, Minnesota Vikings

OG Jahri Evans, RFA, New Orleans Saints 

TE Anthony Fasano, RFA, Miami Dolphins

WR Malcom Floyd, RFA, San Diego Chargers

OT Jared Gaither, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

OT Mike Gandy, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

K Stephen Gostkowski, RFA, New England Patriots

RB Jerome Harrison, RFA, Cleveland Browns

OG Richie Incognito, RFA, Buffalo Bills

QB Tarvaris Jackson, RFA, Minnesota Vikings

LB D’Qwell Jackson, RFA ,Cleveland Browns

CB Marlin Jackson, RFA ,Indianapolis Colts

WR Vincent Jackson, RFA, San Diego Chargers

WR Michael Jenkins, UFA, Atlanta Falcons

LB Derrick Johnson, RFA ,Kansas City Chiefs

TE Jeff King, RFA, Carolina Panthers

P Sam Koch, RFA, Baltimore Ravens 

OG Deuce Lutui, RFA, Arizona Cardinals

OL Logan Mankins, RFA, New England Patriots

S Danieal Manning, RFA ,Chicago Bears

WR Brandon Marshall, RFA, Denver Broncos

CB Richard Marshall, RFA, Carolina Panthers

FB Le’Ron McClain, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

OT Marcus McNeill, RFA, San Diego Chargers

OLB Shawne Merriman, RFA, San Diego Chargers

WR Lance Moore, RFA, New Orleans Saints

QB Matt Moore, RFA, Carolina Panthers

WR Sinorice Moss, RFA, New York Giants

RB Jerious Norwood, RFA, Atlanta Falcons

QB Kyle Orton, RFA, Denver Broncos

OT Donald Penn, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

S Bernard Pollard, RFA, Houston Texans

** K Jeff Reed, RFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

DB Carlos Rodgers, RFA, Washington Redskins

LB Barrett Ruud, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LB DeMeco Ryans, RFA, Houston Texans

TE Bo Scaife, RFA, Tennessee Titans

TE Tony Scheffler, RFA, Denver Broncos

S Ko Simpson, RFA ,Detroit Lions

OG Rob Sims, RFA, Seattle Seahawks

QB Brad Smith, RFA, New York Jets

QB Troy Smith, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

C Chris Spencer, RFA, Seattle Seahawks

RB Darren Sproles, RFA, San Diego Chargers

WR Maurice Stovall, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DE Darryl Tapp, RFA, Seattle Seahawks

TE David Thomas, RFA, New Orleans Saints

RB Pierre Thomas, RFA, New Orleans Saints

WR Jerheme Urban, RFA, Arizona Cardinals

CB Fabian Washington, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

RB Leon Washington, RFA, New York Jets

DL Gabe Watson, RFA Arizona Cardinals 

FB Leonard Weaver, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

RB LenDale White, RFA, Tennessee Titans

WR Demetrius Williams, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

CB Ashton Youboty, RFA, Buffalo Bills

Unrestricted Free Agent – A player with six or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any team, with no compensation owed to their former team.  These are the guys that should be thanking Reggie White, a key marquee player who fought hard for free agency and eventually was able to sign a huge deal with the Green Bay Packers back in 1993. Over 300 players have this designation. 

Some Bigger Name Unrestricted Free Agents:

QB Kyle Boller, UFA, St. Louis Rams

QB Daunte Culpepper, UFA, Detroit Lions

QB Chad Pennington, UFA, Miami Dolphins

RB Kevin Faulk, UFA, New England Patriots

RB Larry Johnson, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

RB Thomas Jones, UFA, New York Jets

RB Willie Parker, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

RB Chester Taylor, UFA, Minnesota Vikings

WR Antonio Bryant, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR Lee Evans, UFA, Buffalo Bills

WR Muhsin Muhammad, UFA, Carolina Panthers

WR Terrell Owens, UFA, Buffalo Bills

WR  Josh Reed, UFA, Buffalo Bills

WR Kevin Walter UFA, Houston Texans

TE  Alge Crumpler, UFA, Tennessee Titans

TE  Benjamin Watson, UFA, New England Patriots

**K Olindo Mare, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

P  Jeff Feagles, UFA, New York Giants

Craig Hentrich, UFA, Tennessee Titans

OG  Stephen Neal, UFA, New England Patriots

OG  Bobbie Williams, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

C Kevin Mawae, UFA, Tennessee Titans

NT  Jason Ferguson, UFA, Miami Dolphins

DT  Tank Johnson, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

DE   Derrick Burgess, UFA, New England Patriots

DE  Ryan Denney, UFA, Buffalo Bills

DE/OLB  Aaron Kampman, UFA, Green Bay Packers

DE  Leonard Little, UFA, St. Louis Rams

DE Adewale Ogunleye, UFA, Chicago Bears

DE  Julius Peppers, UFA, Carolina Panthers

DE  Will Smith, UFA, New Orleans Saints

DE  Jason Taylor, UFA, Miami Dolphins

DE  Kyle Vanden Bosch, UFA, Tennessee Titans

LB Gary Brackett, UFA, Indianapolis Colts

LB  Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

LB Larry Foote, UFA, Detroit Lions

LB Scott Fujita, UFA, New Orleans Saints

LB D.J. Williams, UFA, Denver Broncos

CB/S  Dre’ Bly, UFA ,San Francisco 49ers

CB Walt Harris, UFA ,San Francisco 49ers

CB Ellis Hobbs RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

CB Adam “Pacman” Jones, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

CB Terence Newman, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

CB Dunta Robinson, UFA, Houston Texans

CB Deshea Townsend, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

S Ryan Clark, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

S Sean Jones UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

S Darren Sharper, UFA, New Orleans Saints

Transition Player – A team can designate one transition player (or one franchise player) in any given year. The player’s team must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the team a first-refusal right to match within seven days any offer sheet given to the player by another team after his contract expires. If the team matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.

• No players were designated as a “Transition Player” this year.

Non-Exclusive Franchise Player – A team can designate one franchise player in any given year as a “Non-Exclusive Franchise” player. The salary level offered by the designating team determines whether the player is an Exclusive or Non-Exclusive franchise player. A “Non-Exclusive” franchise player is free to sign with other teams, but his team has the right to match the offer after 7 days. These types of free agents are offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position as of April.  A Non-Exclusive Franchised Player can solicit deals from other teams, but his current team has first-refusal rights to match within seven days any offer sheet. If the player does sign and his team matches, the old team retains the player. If old team does not match, the old team receives compensation in the form of draft picks (usually first rounders) from the new team depending on the level they were tendered at originally.  The deadline for making these designations for 2010 was Feb. 25th. Here are the anticipated salaries for players tagged with either a franchise or transition tag.  Quarterbacks: $16.405 million (franchise), $14.546 million (transition); Defensive Ends: $12.398m, $10.193m; Offensive Lineman: $10.731m, $9.142m; Linebackers: $9.680m, $8.373m; Cornerbacks: $9.566m, $8.056m; Wide Receivers: $9.521m, $8.651m; Running Backs: $8.156m, $7.151m; Defensive Tackles: $7.003m, $6.353m; Safeties: $6.455m, $6.011m; Tight Ends: $5.908m, $5.248m; and Kickers/Punters: $2.814m, $2.629m

2010 “Non-Exclusive” Franchise Designated Players

San Francisco 49ers NT Aubrayo Franklin

Seattle Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed

Green Bay Packers DT Ryan Pickett

New England Patriots NT Vince Wilfork

Exclusive Franchise Player – A team can designate one franchise player in any given year as an “Exclusive Franchise” player. The salary level offered by the designating team determines whether the player is an Exclusive or Non-Exclusive franchise player. An “exclusive” franchise player is not free to sign with another team.  These type of players are offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position as of April.  Some teams use the tag as a way to initiate talks for a long-term contract, but usually players and their agents that are designated as exclusive franchise players are extremely unhappy and can cause distractions.  Their angst is due to the loss of an “upfront” signing bonus (guaranteed $$$).  Though they will be paid at the highest level of their position, players typically want the big payday that comes with being a free agent.  In the past we have seen franchised players miss all non-mandatory off season training activities and report late or holdout of training camp (ex. Seattle Seahawks Offensive Tackle Walter Jones in 2004 & 2005). The deadline for making these designations for 2010 was Feb. 25th.

2010 “Exclusive” Franchise Designated Players

Oakland Raiders DE Richard Seymour

Veteran Released players – This type of released players used to be labeled a “cap casualty”, but with no cap that term can’t apply.  These players are usually let go before Free Agency or before their contract bonuses incentives kick-in usually around March.  Veteran “street” free agents are eligible to sign with any team as soon as they are released, thus bypassing free agency period dates.

Some Bigger Name 2010 Veteran Released Players

WR Laverneus Coles, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

QB Jake Delhomme, UFA, Carolina Panthers

C Hank Fraley, UFA, Cleveland Browns

WR Torry Holt, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars

RB Thomas Jones, UFA, New York Jets

OT Orlando Pace, UFA, Chicago Bears

ILB Antonio Pierce, UFA, NY Giants

OLB Joey Porter, UFA, Miami Dolphins

WR Antwaan Randle El, UFA, Washington Redskins

S Antrel Rolle, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

OT Tra Thomas, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, UFA, San Diego Chargers

RB Brian Westbrook, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

NT Jamal Williams, UFA, San Diego Chargers

Notable players that signed new deals with their old team, thus avoiding free agency

Pittsburgh Steelers NT Casey Hampton

Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski

Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel

Atlanta Falcons WR Brian Williams

 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

2010 Top NFL Free Agents by Lloyd Vance

Tennessee Titans veteran center Kevin Mawae should be one of the more sought after free agents when the 2010 NFL Free Agency period begins on March 5th

With the 2010 NFL Free Agency period fast approaching (March 5th), I thought that I would put together my top free agents by position. 

Of course a lot of the players list could be affected by a last minute CBA deal, but don’t expect that so the 2010 season will be an uncapped one with over 200 restricted free agents.  Wonder if deep-pocketed owners like Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder will be try and become football’s version of George Steinbrenner in an uncapped year.

** Indicates a player that has been “franchised” by their team

Quarterbacks

Kyle Boller, UFA, St. Louis Rams

Jason Campbell, RFA, Washington Redskins

Daunte Culpepper, UFA, Detroit Lions

Bruce Gradkowski, RFA, Oakland Raiders

Rex Grossman, UFA, Houston Texans

Tarvaris Jackson, RFA, Minnesota Vikings

J.P. Losman, UFA, Oakland Raiders

Matt Moore, RFA, Carolina Panthers

Kyle Orton, RFA, Denver Broncos

Chad Pennington, UFA, Miami Dolphins

Troy Smith, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

Running backs

Mike Bell, RFA, New Orleans Saints

Ronnie Brown, RFA, Miami Dolphins

Kevin Faulk, UFA, New England Patriots

Jerome Harrison, RFA, Cleveland Browns

Larry Johnson, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

Thomas Jones, UFA, New York Jets (cut)

Jammal Lewis, UFA, Cleveland Browns

Ryan Moats, RFA, Houston Texans

Jerious Norwood, RFA, Atlanta Falcons

Willie Parker, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

Darren Sproles, UFA, San Diego Chargers

Chester Taylor, UFA, Minnesota Vikings

Pierre Thomas, RFA, New Orleans Saints

LaDainian Tomlinson, UFA, San Diego Chargers (cut)

Leon Washington, RFA, New York Jets

Brian Westbrook, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles (cut)

LenDale White, RFA, Tennessee Titans

Fullbacks

Justin Griffith, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

 Dan Kreider, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

 Le’Ron McClain, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Tony Richardson, UFA, New York Jets

 Naufahu Tahi, RFA, Minnesota Vikings

 Leonard Weaver, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Wide Receivers

Miles Austin, RFA, Dallas Cowboys

Jason Avant, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Arnaz Battle, UFA, San Francisco 49ers

Davone Bess, RFA, Miami Dolphins

Mark Bradley, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Steve Breaston, RFA, Arizona Cardinals

Isaac Bruce, UFA, San Francisco 49ers

Antonio Bryant, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Chambers, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Mark Clayton, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

David Clowney, UFA, New York Jets

Braylon Edwards, RFA, New York Jets

 Lee Evans, UFA, Buffalo Bills

Brian Finneran, UFA, Atlanta Falcons

Malcom Floyd, RFA, San Diego Chargers

Domenik Hixon, UFA, New York Giants

Torry Holt, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars (cut)

Vincent Jackson, RFA, San Diego Chargers

Michael Jenkins, UFA, Atlanta Falcons

Brandon Marshall, RFA, Denver Broncos

Derrick Mason, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

Lance Moore, RFA, New Orleans Saints

Sean Morey, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Sinorice Moss, RFA, New York Giants

Muhsin Muhammad, UFA, Carolina Panthers

 Kassim Osgood, UFA, San Diego Chargers

 Terrell Owens, UFA, Buffalo Bills

 Josh Reed, UFA, Buffalo Bills

 Brad Smith, RFA, New York Jets

 Maurice Stovall, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 Jerheme Urban, RFA, Arizona Cardinals

 Bobby Wade, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Kevin Walter UFA, Houston Texans

Kelley Washington, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

Demetrius Williams, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

Tight Ends

 Anthony Becht, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

 Alge Crumpler, UFA, Tennessee Titans

 Owen Daniels, RFA, Houston Texans

 Anthony Fasano, RFA, Miami Dolphins

 Jeff King, RFA, Carolina Panthers

 Joe Klopfenstein, RFA, Buffalo Bills

 Brandon Manumaleuna, UFA, San Diego Chargers

 Randy McMichael, UFA, St. Louis Rams

 Billy Miller, UFA, New England Patriots

 Leonard Pope, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

 Bo Scaife, RFA, Tennessee Titans

 Tony Scheffler, RFA, Denver Broncos

 L.J. Smith, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

 David Thomas, RFA, New Orleans Saints

 Benjamin Watson, UFA, New England Patriots

 Kris Wilson, UFA, San Diego Chargers

Kickers

 Billy Cundiff, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Jay Feely, UFA, New York Jets

 Stephen Gostkowski, RFA, New England Patriots

 Shayne Graham, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

**Olindo Mare, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

 Mike Nugent, RFA, Tampa Bay Bucs

 Neil Rackers, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

**Jeff Reed, RFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

 Shaun Suisham, RFA, Dallas Cowboys

Punters

 Jeff Feagles, UFA, New York Giants

Craig Hentrich, UFA, Tennessee Titans

Sam Koch, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

Michael Koenen, RFA, Atlanta Falcons

Sav Rocca, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Daniel Sepulveda, RFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

Hunter Smith, UFA, Washington Redskins

Matt Turk, UFA, Houston Texans

Long Snappers

Chris Massey, UFA, St. Louis Rams

Offensive Guards

 Chris Chester, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Nick Cole RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

 Jahri Evans, RFA, New Orleans Saints

 Ben Hamilton, UFA, Denver Broncos

 Artis Hicks, UFA, Minnesota Vikings

 Montrae Holland, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

 Richie Incognito, RFA, Buffalo Bills

 Max Jean-Giles, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

 Deuce Lutui, RFA, Arizona Cardinals

 Logan Mankins, RFA, New England Patriots

 Stephen Neal, UFA, New England Patriots

 Benji Olson, UFA, Tennessee Titans

 Chester Pitts UFA, Houston Texans

 Rich Seubert, UFA, New York Giants

 Rob Sims, RFA, Seattle Seahawks

 Chris Snee, UFA, New York Giants

 Darnell Stapleton, RFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

 Randy Thomas UFA, Washington Redskins

 Bobbie Williams, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

Offensive Tackles

 Khalif Barnes, RFA, Oakland Raiders

 Alex Barron, RFA, St. Louis Rams

 Jamaal Brown, RFA, New Orleans Saints

 Jermon Bushrod, RFA, New Orleans Saints

 Chad Clifton, UFA, Green Bay Packers

 Willie Colon, RFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

 Jared Gaither, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Mike Gandy, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

 Charlie Johnson, RFA, Indianapolis Colts

Marcus McNeill, RFA, San Diego Chargers

 Pat McQuistan, RFA, Dallas Cowboys

 Ryan O’Callaghan, RFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Orlando Pace, UFA, Chicago Bears (cut)

 Donald Penn, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 Zach Strief, RFA, New Orleans Saints

 John Tait, UFA, Chicago Bears

 Mark Tauscher, UFA, Green Bay Packers

 Adam Terry, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Tra Thomas, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars (cut)

 Ryan Tucker, UFA, Cleveland Browns

 Eric Winston UFA, Houston Texans

Centers

 Ryan Cook, RFA, Minnesota Vikings

 Eric Ghiaciuc, RFA, San Diego Chargers

 Justin Hartwig, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

 Kevin Mawae, UFA, Tennessee Titans

 Rudy Niswanger, RFA, Kansas City Chiefs

 Duke Preston, RFA, Dallas Cowboys

 Chris Spencer, RFA, Seattle Seahawks

 Adam Treu, UFA, Oakland Raiders

Casey Wiegmann, UFA, Denver Broncos

Defensive Tackles

 David Ball, RFA, Tennessee Titans

Tony Brown, RFA, Tennessee Titans 

Kendrick Clancy, UFA, New Orleans Saints

 Barry Cofield, RFA, New York Giants

 Jason Ferguson, UFA, Miami Dolphins

**Aubrayo Franklin, UFA, San Francisco 49ers

 Antonio Gray, RFA, San Diego Chargers

 Jason Hatcher, RFA, Dallas Cowboys

 Tank Johnson, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

 Travis Johnson, RFA, San Diego Chargers

 Jimmy Kennedy, UFA, Minnesota Vikings

 Domata Peko, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

** Ryan Pickett, UFA, Green Bay Packers

 Fred Robbins, UFA, New York Giants

 Hollis Thomas, UFA, Carolina Panthers

 Gabe Watson, RFA, Arizona Cardinals

** Vince Wilfork, UFA, New England Patriots

Defensive Ends

 Victor Adeyanju, RFA, St. Louis Rams

 Mark Anderson, RFA, Chicago Bears

 Justin Bannan, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Tyler Brayton, RFA, Carolina Panthers

 Derrick Burgess, UFA, New England Patriots

 Phillip Daniels UFA, Washington Redskins

 Ryan Denney, UFA, Buffalo Bills

 Ray Edwards, RFA, Minnesota Vikings

 Kedric Golston, RFA, Washington Redskins

 Jarvis Green, UFA, New England Patriots

 Reggie Hayward, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars

 Aaron Kampman, UFA, Green Bay Packers

 Jevon Kearse, UFA, Tennessee Titans

 Brett Keisel, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

 Leonard Little, UFA, St. Louis Rams

 Adewale Ogunleye, UFA, Chicago Bears

 Julius Peppers, UFA, Carolina Panthers

 Frostee Rucker, RFA, Cincinnati Bengals

** Richard Seymour, UFA, Oakland Raiders

 Will Smith, UFA, New Orleans Saints

 Montavious Stanley, RFA, Jacksonville Jaguars

 Darryl Tapp, RFA, Seattle Seahawks

 Jason Taylor, UFA, Miami Dolphins

 Dave Tollefson, RFA, New York Giants

 Kyle Vanden Bosch, UFA, Tennessee Titans

 Jimmy Wilkerson, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Linebackers

Jon Alston, RFA, Oakland Raiders

Tully Banta-Cain, UFA, New England Patriots

 Antwan Barnes, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Bertrand Berry, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

 Chase Blackburn, RFA, New York Giants

Gary Brackett, UFA, Indianapolis Colts

Ahmad Brooks, RFA, San Francisco 49ers

Derrick Brooks, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Keith Bulluck, UFA, Tennessee Titans

Danny Clark, UFA, New York Giants

 Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

 Thomas Davis, RFA, Carolina Panthers

Elvis Dumervil, RFA, Denver Broncos

Keith Ellison, RFA, Buffalo Bills

Larry Foote, UFA, Detroit Lions

Scott Fujita, UFA, New Orleans Saints

Chris Gocong, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

 Tyjuan Hagler, RFA, Indianapolis Colts

 Abdul Hodge, RFA, Cincinnati Bengals

 Thomas Howard, RFA, Oakland Raiders

 D’Qwell Jackson, RFA ,Cleveland Browns

 Derrick Johnson, RFA ,Kansas City Chiefs

 Akeem Jordan RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Cato June, UFA ,Chicago Bears

 Freddy Keiaho, RFA ,Indianapolis Colts

Rocky McIntosh, RFA, Washington Redskins

 Jameel McClain, ERFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Shawne Merriman, RFA, San Diego Chargers

 Kirk Morrison, RFA, Oakland Raiders

 Chike Okeafor, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Antonio Pierce, UFA, NY Giants (cut)

 Joey Porter, UFA, Miami Dolphins (cut)

 Matt Roth, RFA, Cleveland Browns

Barrett Ruud, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DeMeco Ryans, RFA, Houston Texans

Bryan Scott, UFA, Buffalo Bills

Odell Thurman, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

Stephen Tulloch, RFA ,Tennessee Titans

Mike Vrabel, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Marcus Washington, UFA, Washington Redskins

D.J. Williams, UFA, Denver Broncos

Pierre Woods, RFA, New England Patriots

Cornerbacks

 Will Blackmon, RFA ,Green Bay Packers

 Dre’ Bly, UFA ,San Francisco 49ers

 Leigh Bodden, UFA ,New England Patriots

 William Gay, RFA ,Pittsburgh Steelers

 Charles Gordon, UFA ,Minnesota Vikings

 Nick Harper, UFA ,Tennessee Titans

 Walt Harris, UFA ,San Francisco 49ers

 Ellis Hobbs RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

 Marlin Jackson, RFA ,Indianapolis Colts

 Tim Jennings, RFA, Indianapolis Colts

 Adam “Pacman” Jones, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

 Richard Marshall, RFA, Carolina Panthers

 Terrence McGee, UFA, Buffalo Bills

 Terence Newman, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

 Dunta Robinson, UFA, Houston Texans

Carlos Rodgers, RFA, Washington Redskins

 Deshea Townsend, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

 Fabian Washington, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Corey Webster, UFA, New York Giants

Ashton Youboty, RFA, Buffalo Bills

Strong Safeties

Will Allen, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 Atari Bigby, RFA, Green Bay Packers

 Melvin Bullitt, RFA, Indianapolis Colts

 Tyrone Carter, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

Abram Elam, RFA, Cleveland Browns

 Roman Harper, RFA, New Orleans Saints

 Kenoy Kennedy, UFA, Detroit Lions

 Dawan Landry, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

 Jarrad Page, RFA, Kansas City Chiefs

 Bernard Pollard, RFA, Houston Texans

 Brodney Pool, RFA, Cleveland Browns

 Pierson Prioleau, UFA, New Orleans Saints

 Gerald Sensabaugh, RFA ,Dallas Cowboys

 Pat Watkins, RFA ,Dallas Cowboys

Free Safeties

 Antoine Bethea, RFA ,Indianapolis Colts

 C.C. Brown, RFA ,New York Giants

 Daniel Bullocks, RFA ,Detroit Lions

 Josh Bullocks, RFA ,Chicago Bears

 Jon Busing, RFA ,Houston Texans

 Ryan Clark, UFA ,Pittsburgh Steelers

 Nick Collins, RFA ,Green Bay Packers

 Vincent Fuller, UFA ,Tennessee Titans

 Antoine Harris, RFA ,Atlanta Falcons

 Sean Jones UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

 Danieal Manning, RFA ,Chicago Bears

OJ Atogwe, RFA ,St. Louis Rams

Antrelle Rolle, UFA, Cardinals (cut)

Darren Sharper, UFA ,New Orleans Saints

Ko Simpson, RFA ,Detroit Lions

Eric Smith, RFA ,New York Jets

Usama Young, RFA ,New Orleans Saints 

 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)