Sports Publications

It's only a matter of time until a team comes calling

Sporting News, The, July 22, 2002 by Gary Horton

Some pretty well-known players remain unemployed as training camps are about to open. These free-agent veterans have significant experience as productive players, but no place to apply their talents. Why not?

The simple answer is the teams that could benefit from adding these players don't have the salary-cap space to use on such high-profile talent.

Left tackle John Fina is a perfect example of how the system works against these guys. Released on June 3 after 10 solid seasons with the Bills, Fina got calls from several interested teams. But none could afford to pay the market price for a player who has started 131 games over the last nine years. Though Fina is prepared to retire, he may find a job when a team with a friendlier salary-cap situation suffers an injury at left tackle.

Several other high-profile free agents could sign after camps open and before the regular season starts:

RB Ricky Watters. With the emergence of Shaun Alexander in Seattle, Watters became expendable. If he is healthy, Watters still could help a team with his powerful running style and ability to pick up tough yards after contact. He no longer is dominant, but he can bring quality and experience to a backup role. The Cardinals and Saints are looking for a No. 2 running back, but neither is willing to pay Watters' price. For now, Watters will wait to see if a starting back gets injured during camp.

DT Sam Adams. Released by the Ravens, Adams has trouble staying healthy and keeping his weight down. If he is in shape and healthy, he remains an excellent fit in a two-gap scheme, where he can use his size and strength to take up space and occupy blockers. He is more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher and wears down late in games. His skills seem to fit well with the defensive plans in Buffalo, Tennessee and Minnesota, where he could continue to dominate against the run and rest on passing downs. The only problem--you guessed it--Adams is asking for a lot more money than those teams are willing to pay.

RB Jamal Anderson. Dumped by the Falcons, Anderson is coming off his second major knee injury in the last three years. It's impossible for him to return to top form. But even at 80 percent of his old self, Anderson is better than some projected starters going into 2002. As with Watters, the Cardinals and Saints make the most sense for Anderson but can't afford his price. Like Watters, Anderson will wait for a call after somebody goes down.

WR Antonio Freeman. He has lost a step and no longer is the threat he was in the late '90s--either in the vertical game or after the catch. He is 30 and his reception numbers keep declining, but he did average 15.7 yards per catch last season and could contribute as a No. 2 receiver. San Diego and Jacksonville are in dire need of a veteran receiver. As training camps heat up, other teams are bound to be interested in Freeman after realizing their young receivers are not ready.

Eventually, all five of these players will find a home because they still can contribute and teams will see them as a way to win in 2002.

INSIDE DISH

Second-year WR Justin McCareins could have a lot to say about Kevin Dyson's future with the Titans. McCareins (6-2, 218) has the best size-speed combination in the Titans' receiving unit and was dominant in minicamp workouts. He is poised to push for significant playing time this season. Dyson is in the last year of his original five-year contract, and the team has done little to sign him to an extension. Dyson is coming off his best season, but if McCareins stays healthy (he missed almost all of his 2001 rookie season with a fractured ankle) and Dyson's price gets too high, the Titans may let Dyson go.... The Vikings are trusting that first-round pick Bryant McKinnie is working himself into shape in Miami. McKinnie, projected to be the team's starting left tackle, struggled with his conditioning in the offseason program, though he improved toward the end. Yet, per his agent's request, he returned to Miami to train in the weeks leading to training camp. The Vikings' coaching staff will be watching McKinnie closely in the first days of camp.... The Patriots have been pleased with the commitment and sacrifice shown by DE/OLB Willie McGinest this offseason. Not only did he take a pay cut of nearly $2 million to return in 2002, but he has worked diligently in the offseason program. McGinest, who struggled through the offseason last year after having back surgery and then started only five regular-season games (a career low), is back to 100 percent and poised for a big season.--TSN correspondents

The War Room, a team of football scouts headed by Gary Horton, analyzes NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for THE SPORTING NEWS.

With training camps about to open, the best online resource for NFL news and analysis is TSN's Ultimate Preseason Countdown. Shape up for the 2002 season at www.sportingnews.com/nfl/preseason.>