Content provided in partnership with

2005 Ad

Sporting News, The, March 4, 2005

HOUSTON TEXANS

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

MOVING ON: Only three starters are free agents--NT Seth Payne, WR Corey Bradford and FB Moran Norris--and Payne's hamstring injury in the season finale could hurt his marketability, so the Texans likely will re-sign him. Bradford is a burner who has split No. 2 receiver duties with Jabar Gaffney the past two seasons. The Texans would like to have him back, perhaps as a No. 3 receiver, if the price is right, but they are looking to upgrade the position. Norris is unheralded but is becoming one of the NFL's best lead blockers. But the team has a lot of formations that don't include a fullback, and it likes Norris' backup, Jarred Baxter, who also is an above-average blocker. So Norris could sign elsewhere. ACTION PLAN: In keeping with its strategy of previous years, the team will not be a major player in the free-agent market. The biggest items on the to-do list are improving the pass protection and adding a pass-rushing outside linebacker. But the team plans to find solutions within the organization or fill those needs in the draft. The Texans also need a receiver to take pressure off WR Andre Johnson. The talent pool is deep in this year's draft, and there also are attractive free-agent options. Raiders WR Jerry Porter is a proven deep threat with top speed. He would be a perfect fit in the Texans' vertical scheme. The Steelers' Plaxico Burress would make sense, as would Kevin Johnson, who is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Ravens. Coordinator Chris Palmer drafted Johnson in 1999, when Palmer was the Browns' head coach.--Carlton Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

MOVING ON: Historically, the team has made retaining its own players a priority over dipping into the free-agent market. But 13 players are eligible to be free agents, so the team figures to lose more than it re-signs. The most likely prominent departures are LG Rick DeMulling, MLB Rob Morris, FS Idrees Bashir, CB Nick Harper and perhaps backup RB Dominic Rhodes. DeMulling might be too expensive to re-sign. Morris no longer is reliable. FS Bob Sanders is ready to start and could replace Bashir. Harper's departure would leave the cornerback position in the hands of Donald Strickland, Jason David, Von Hutchins and Joseph Jefferson. A veteran presence would be required. If RB Edgerrin James returns, Rhodes likely will want to see whether he can land a starting job elsewhere. ACTION PLAN: The first step for the Colts will be to re-sign their own players. The first domino to fall must be James, who likely will get the franchise tag. Next is RT Ryan Diem. The team needs to use the free-agent market to fill a few defensive holes. Morris' departure probably will require the team to bring in a free agent--the Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter would be a nice addition--or a draft pick. Regardless of Morris' fate, the team needs a big-time playmaker at linebacker. Also, the team needs to find a No. 1 corner. Strickland, David, Hutchins and Jefferson have potential, but none has shown he can be a top-flight corner. Bringing in a true No. 1 at the position would give the others more time to develop. The defense continued to struggle against the run last season and could use a tackle with size.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

MOVING ON: The team figures to suffer few, if any, significant losses in the free-agent market unless SS Donovin Darius is allowed to walk. But even losing Darius wouldn't be a huge setback because Deke Cooper is ready to step in. RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, OT Bob Whitfield and DE Jason Gildon also likely will return only if they are willing to accept minimum salaries. Fuamatu-Ma'afala is a bruising runner but hasn't been able to shake a reputation for being injury-prone. Whitfield is close to retirement, and Gildon--although still serviceable--isn't nearly the player he was for the Steelers in the late 1990s. ACTION PLAN: Don't expect the Jaguars to be major players in the free-agent market right off the bat. The club's top two priorities are adding a pass-rushing defensive end and an offensive left tackle capable of taking over if Mike Pearson can't make it all the way back from a knee injury suffered last October. Broncos DE Trevor Pryce isn't a free agent but is on the trading block, and the Jaguars likely will be interested in discussing a deal for Pryce if the Broncos are willing to move him for a middle-round draft pick. A veteran receiver who can complement Jimmy Smith is another possible target, and a replacement for CB Dewayne Washington, who was picked on regularly last season, could be in the offing. Adding a young quarterback, such as the Lions' Mike McMahon, also will be a consideration. Among the in-house signing priorities are WR Trey Edwards, who has emerged as a reliable third-down threat from the slot position and a favorite target of QB Byron Leftwich, and LS Joe Zelenka. Both are expected to return.--Bart Hubbuch

TENNESSEE TITANS

MOVING ON: Andre Dyson and Samari Rolle have been the starting cornerback duo since 2001, but that soon will change. Dyson will be a free agent, and Rolle might get cut because of his high salary cap figure. Both will be hard to replace because the team doesn't have a lot of proven depth in the secondary. WR Derrick Mason also could be released because of his high cap number. That would put pressure on WR Tyrone Calico, who is talented but inexperienced, to become a capable complement to Drew Bennett. The late-season emergence of FB Trey Fleming and TE Ben Troupe, both rookies, will make it easier for the team to release FB Robert Holcombe and TE Shad Meier. K Joe Nedney and RT Fred Miller also could be among the team's cap casualties, though the Titans lack a proven replacement for Miller at tackle. ACTION PLAN: The team hasn't been a big free-agent player in the past, and that won't change this season. The Titans have little cap room and might even have to allow some of their own free agents to test the market and hope they can bring them back later for a lower price. Also, look for the team to make a late offseason attempt to add some low-priced veterans who still can contribute, as it did with RB Antowain Smith last offseason and S Scott McGarrahan two years ago. The team will attempt to add depth in the secondary, on the offensive line and at receiver. A No. 3 quarterback, a backup running back and a return man also are needed. After trying to groom someone to return punts and kicks, the team likely will bring an experienced player into the mix this offseason.--Jim Wyatt

2005 Ad

Sporting News, The, March 4, 2005

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Reference

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports