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February 16, 2007
No. 5 need: RBs
(Fifth in a series on free agency, the Patriots' needs, and who might be available on the open market)
MARKET ASSESSMENT: Not a lot of pure No. 1 backs, but certainly some players who could excel in a 1-2 combination, which seems to be a set-up that more teams are utilizing, including the Patriots.
PATS POSITION: Corey Dillon is scheduled to have a $4.4 million salary cap hit, which is a bit high for a player who was used more situationally by the end of the season. So his presence on the roster isn't a certainty. The team has rookie running back Laurence Maroney and third-down back Kevin Faulk under contract for 2007, with Heath Evans and Patrick Pass scheduled for unrestricted free agency.
A look at some of the players who are scheduled for unrestricted free agency:
Mike Alstott (Tampa Bay) -- The 6-1, 248-pound Alstott has spent his entire 11-year career with the Buccaneers. If he returns in 2007, it's likely to be with the Buccaneers. Otherwise, he might retire.
B.J. Askew (New York Jets) -- The 6-3, 232-pound fullback enters his fifth NFL season, and has played in 55 games, with six starts. A third-round pick in 2003 out of Michigan, he also contributes on special teams.
Chris Brown (Tennessee) -- At 6-3, 220 pounds, Brown is an attractive option in that he's entering his fifth NFL season and has shown extended flashes of excellence while not taking an overwhelming pounding. The former third-round pick had productive seasons in 2004 and 2005 (1,067 yards; 851 yards) before injuries slowed him in 2006.
Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia) -- The 6-0, 217-pound Buckhalter, who didn't play in 2004-2005 due to injuries, returned to action and didn't miss a game in 2006, playing mostly as a backup. Also a factor as a receiver (24 catches in 2006), Buckhalter falls in the risk-reward category due to his injury history and productiveness when healthy.
Najeh Davenport (Pittsburgh) -- The 6-1, 247-pound Davenport, who enters his sixth NFL season, was picked up by the Steelers after four years in Green Bay. Has primarily been a backup, and adds value on special teams (kick returner).
Stephen Davis (St. Louis) -- Longtime workhorse had 40 carries in a backup role with the Rams in 2006. Should he land with a new team in 2007, the 6-0, 230-pound Davis would enter his 12th NFL season.
Ron Dayne (Houston) -- The 5-10, 243-pound Dayne, a first-round pick of the Giants in 2000, has had a career revitalization of sorts. Started six games for the Texans in 2006 and finished with 612 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry while scoring five touchdowns. Could be a short-yardage option for some teams.
T.J. Duckett (Washington) -- The 6-0, 254-pound Duckett was traded to the Redskins in 2006 but never emerged. A first-round pick in 2002, he can void the final year of his contract. Could be an option as part of a combination set-up, and has the physical makeup to fill a short-yardage role.
Heath Evans (New England) -- Versatility plus, the 6-0, 250-pound Evans has carved out a nice niche with the Patriots in a variety of roles, from running back, to fullback, to special teams contributor. Has stated he hopes to return to New England, but he's likely to command more than the minimum salary he played for in 2006.
Ahman Green (Green Bay) -- The 6-0, 218-pound Green, who turns 30 today, is the most productive player available. In nine seasons (2 with Seattle, 7 with Green Bay), he has rushed for 8,491 yards on 1,871 carries (4.5 avg.) and 54 touchdowns. Also a threat as a receiver, as he had 46 catches in 2006.
Justin Griffith (Atlanta) -- The 5-11, 232-pound Griffith enters his fifth season in 2007, and has already played in 60 games, with 48 starts. Entered the league as a fourth-round pick in 2003 out of Mississippi State. Falls into the fullback category, with his primary value as a blocker.
Sammy Morris (Miami) -- Versatile Morris, who enters his eighth NFL season in 2007, had some feelers from the Patriots in 2004 when he was a free agent. At 6-0, 218 pounds, he is also a presence as a receiver (21 catches in 2006; 112 in career). Has played for Buffalo (2001-2003) and Miami (2004-2006), mostly as a backup, so he's no stranger to AFC East football.
Ovie Mughelli (Baltimore) -- Entering his fifth NFL season, the 6-1, 255-pound Mughelli started eight games in 2007, and was utilized mostly in a lead blocking role. Added 21 catches and two TDs as a receiver.
Moran Norris (San Francisco) -- The 6-1, 254-pound Norris has played in 76 games with 25 starts. He is one of several lead blockers scheduled to hit the market.
Patrick Pass (New England) -- Seventh-round pick in 2000 has shown staying power, contributing to the Patriots in a variety of roles over the last seven seasons, mostly on special teams. The 5-10, 217-pound Pass appears headed for the open market.
Dominic Rhodes (Indianapolis) -- Arguably the top player available as he enters his seventh NFL season but doesn't have as much wear and tear because he spent a lot of time playing behind Edgerrin James early in his career. The 5-9, 203-pound Rhodes has 550 career carries (4.1-yard avg.) and showed what a tough runner he is in the sloppy conditions of Super Bowl XLI.
Damion Shelton (Buffalo) -- The 6-2, 262-pound fullback enters his 10th NFL season in 2007. His lead blocking skills could be attractive for a team that runs a lot of two-back sets, although the Patriots have been more of a one-back team of late.
Marcel Shipp (Arizona) -- Former University of Massachusetts star has spent his entire career with the Cardinals (2001-2006), playing in 72 games with 28 starts. The 5-11, 232-pound Shipp has totaled 2,156 rushing yards on 590 carries (3.7 avg.).
Musa Smith (Baltimore) -- Might get a look from a team that rated him highly in the 2003 draft. The 6-0, 232-pound Smith, a third-round pick that year, has been limited by injuries, playing in only 33 games the last four years as a backup.
Anthony Thomas (Buffalo) -- One of the bigger backs available at 6-2, 225 pounds, Thomas has played for three teams over the last three seasons -- the Bears (2004), Saints (2005) and Bills (2006). Totaled 107 carries for 378 yards while playing behind Willis McGahee in 2006. Initially entered the league as a second-round pick in 2001, Thomas enters his seventh season in 2007.
Posted By: mreiss | Time: 05:35:21 AM | E-mail | Link
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