$hop $mart: the 2002 free-agent class isn't bursting with stars, but teams seeking to fill specific roles can find what they need

Sporting News, The, March 4, 2002

Call it the Patriot Plan.

A year ago, New England made some ripples, but no real splashes, in the free-agent market: Antowain Smith, Mike Vrabel, David Patten, Marc Edwards, Terrell Buckley, Terrance Shaw, Larry Izzo. Bill Belichick and his staff then gave each signee a role he could perform and coached the beck out 'em. You know how it turned out.

When the free-agent market opens Friday, many NFL teams will look to duplicate the Patriots' offseason blueprint by signing mid-level free agents who can fill a specific role without breaking the bank. This is a good year to use that strategy. This class of unrestricted free agents has few impact players, but it does feature quality depth and some excellent role players.

Here's a breakdown of some of the most notable unrestricted free-agent options at each position:

Quarterbacks

Best value: Trent Dilfer, Seattle. Offers toughness, maturity, confidence, a deceivingly strong arm--and a 15-game winning streak.

Biggest risk: Tony Banks, Washington. Inconsistency and a lack of leadership skills continue to hurt him.

Most accurate: Jim Miller, Chicago. Rarely misses on a short-to-intermediate throw and hardly ever forces a receiver to break stride. But he has limited ability to get the ball downfield.

Best athlete: Jonathan Quinn, Jacksonville. At 6-6, 239, he can throw on the move and still outrun most linebackers.

Running backs

On the rise: Skip Hicks, Tennessee. Has good athleticism and impressive size and speed.

On the decline: Lamar Smith, Miami. Workhorse role in the 2000 season must have taken a toll on his body because he wasn't the same player in 2001.

Best values: Antowain Smith, New England, and Garrison Hearst, San Francisco. Hearst is the better receiver, and Smith is the more powerful runner. Both do a nice job of picking up blitzing linebackers.

Most versatile: Ricky Watters, Seattle. Catches the ball away from his body, runs with power and blocks effectively.

Best outside runner. Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay. As elusive as any back in the league when he attacks the perimeter.

Tight ends

On the rise: Stephen Alexander, Washington. Hands and feel for the passing game should make him a great fit for a team that will use him more as a receiver.

On the decline: Cam Cleeland, New Orleans. Rare combination of size and speed has been offset by his inability to stay healthy.

Biggest risk: David Sloan, Detroit. Suspect durability overshadows his versatility and natural tools.

Best blocker: Christian Fauria, Seattle. Gets into excellent position to make blocks and then uses his overall strength to finish it off.

Best receiver: Byron Chamberlain, Minnesota. Adjusts well to the ball, uses his reliable hands to bring it down and has the speed to stretch the seam.

Fullbacks

Best value: Greg Comella, N.Y. Giants. Can make the tough catch and is an outstanding run blocker.

Biggest risk: William Henderson, Green Bay. Age and fading quickness make him a gamble.

Best blocker: Mack Strong, Seattle. One of the main reasons Ricky Watters and Shaun Alexander have had success the past two seasons.

Most versatile: Fred Beasley, San Francisco. A dominant blocker, bullish runner and soft-handed receiver.

Wide receivers

Most dangerous after the catch: Az-Zahir Hakim, St. Louis. His success as a No. 3 receiver has teams wondering what he could do in a featured role.

On the decline: Jacquez Green, Tampa Bay. His inability to produce against single coverage since Keyshawn Johnson's arrival proves he's simply average.

Best value: Tim Dwight, San Diego. A fearless receiver and game-breaking return specialist with blazing speed--when he's healthy.

Biggest risk: Michael Westbrook, Washington. Has tools to dominate, but his career has been marked by poor effort and inconsistency.

Best hands: Cris Carter, Minnesota. Virtually without peer in the red zone and along the sideline.

Best vertical threat: Jerome Pathon, Indianapolis. Has excellent burst off the line, the speed to stretch a secondary and a second gear that enables him to get separation after the catch.

Offensive tackles

On the decline: Earl Dotson, Green Bay. Chronic injuries and age have made this once-solid starter a backup.

Biggest risk: Spencer Folau, Miami. Became the starting left tackle last season because of a rash of injuries but lacks the overall skill to be a starter.

Best in space: Trey Teague, Denver. Has great quickness and feet.

Centers

On the rise: Olin Kreutz, Chicago. Intelligence, quickness, range and athletic ability make him one of the league's top centers and likely to receive a big offer the Bears can't match.

Biggest risk: Cory Raymer, Washington. Lacks the speed and overall athletic ability to excel at center.

Best run blocker: Jeremy Newberry, San Francisco. A mauler who locks on to his opponent and can dominate with power. Young linchpin of 49ers' improving line.

Defensive ends

On the rise: Keith McKenzie, Cleveland. Undersized but has an explosive first step and can get off blocks, making him better against the run than his size (6-3, 273) would indicate.