Happy Days Lois & Clark Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2002543 Here are a dozen unrestricted free agents who probably won't break the bank with new contracts, but who are serviceable middle-level players who figure to draw interest: • FS/SS Idrees Bashir (Indianapolis) -- 4 years experience -- Never quite lived up to expectations with the Colts but, despite a string of injuries, averaged 13 starts per season. Has some range but lacks instincts, still worth looking at in nickel role. • RB Derrick Blaylock (Kansas City) -- 4 -- Superb all-around special teams player who got a chance to start when Priest Holmes was injured in 2004, averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns. Could be a nifty No. 2 tailback. • RB Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia) -- 4 -- Star-crossed runner, and part-time starter who has suffered two major knee injuries in four seasons. Given his injury history, he might be a medical risk, but his pure running skills make him worth a gamble. • DT Leonardo Carson (Dallas) -- 5 -- Never going to make a lot of plays, but a 305-pounder who will take up space inside and push people around enough to make impact. Bill Parcells would like to keep him around. • OG Roberto Garza (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Moved into the starting lineup because of injury in 2004 and became integral part of a unit that helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing. A little stiff, but can be a powerful in-line force in stretches. • WR Kevin Johnson (Baltimore) -- 6 -- Has bounced around a lot the last few years and voided his contract to become a free agent. Still has deceptive speed and some teams feel he has the best hands in the league. • FS Bhawoh Jue (Green Bay) -- 4 -- Has played every position in the secondary and, while he doesn't run well on the stopwatch, has pretty good competitive speed. Should help some team as a regular in nickel packages. • QB Mike McMahon (Detroit) -- 4 -- With all the veteran quarterbacks being released and then recycled, he sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. Athletic and competitive guy, and good enough to win some games in a pinch. • LB Ike Reese (Philadelphia) -- 7 -- Consummate role player with the Eagles, combination blitz-cover guy who excels in nickel packages but would like to be a starter. A terrific performer on special teams units. • OT Oliver Ross (Pittsburgh) -- 7 -- Has played a lot of positions but settled in at right tackle the past two seasons and, while not a pure road-grader, played well. A decent pass blocker and could also move inside and play guard. • KR Allen Rossum (Atlanta) -- 7 -- One of the top two-way (kickoffs and punts) return men in the game, earned a Pro Bowl spot for the 2004 season. Can also play the nickel or dime cornerback spot in a pinch. • LB Matt Stewart (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Only 25 years old and a three-year starter. Falcons feel they can upgrade, but might be hard pressed to do so, and Stewart could move on and be a starter with a new club. Decent two-way blitz-cover guy on third down. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP-era Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2002543Here are a dozen unrestricted free agents who probably won't break the bank with new contracts, but who are serviceable middle-level players who figure to draw interest: • FS/SS Idrees Bashir (Indianapolis) -- 4 years experience -- Never quite lived up to expectations with the Colts but, despite a string of injuries, averaged 13 starts per season. Has some range but lacks instincts, still worth looking at in nickel role. • RB Derrick Blaylock (Kansas City) -- 4 -- Superb all-around special teams player who got a chance to start when Priest Holmes was injured in 2004, averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns. Could be a nifty No. 2 tailback. • RB Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia) -- 4 -- Star-crossed runner, and part-time starter who has suffered two major knee injuries in four seasons. Given his injury history, he might be a medical risk, but his pure running skills make him worth a gamble. • DT Leonardo Carson (Dallas) -- 5 -- Never going to make a lot of plays, but a 305-pounder who will take up space inside and push people around enough to make impact. Bill Parcells would like to keep him around. • OG Roberto Garza (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Moved into the starting lineup because of injury in 2004 and became integral part of a unit that helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing. A little stiff, but can be a powerful in-line force in stretches. • WR Kevin Johnson (Baltimore) -- 6 -- Has bounced around a lot the last few years and voided his contract to become a free agent. Still has deceptive speed and some teams feel he has the best hands in the league. • FS Bhawoh Jue (Green Bay) -- 4 -- Has played every position in the secondary and, while he doesn't run well on the stopwatch, has pretty good competitive speed. Should help some team as a regular in nickel packages. • QB Mike McMahon (Detroit) -- 4 -- With all the veteran quarterbacks being released and then recycled, he sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. Athletic and competitive guy, and good enough to win some games in a pinch. • LB Ike Reese (Philadelphia) -- 7 -- Consummate role player with the Eagles, combination blitz-cover guy who excels in nickel packages but would like to be a starter. A terrific performer on special teams units. • OT Oliver Ross (Pittsburgh) -- 7 -- Has played a lot of positions but settled in at right tackle the past two seasons and, while not a pure road-grader, played well. A decent pass blocker and could also move inside and play guard. • KR Allen Rossum (Atlanta) -- 7 -- One of the top two-way (kickoffs and punts) return men in the game, earned a Pro Bowl spot for the 2004 season. Can also play the nickel or dime cornerback spot in a pinch. • LB Matt Stewart (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Only 25 years old and a three-year starter. Falcons feel they can upgrade, but might be hard pressed to do so, and Stewart could move on and be a starter with a new club. Decent two-way blitz-cover guy on third down. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com 259640[/snapback] Bargain should be looked at AFTER our bigtime upgrades at LT, LG, and TE are filled. Then fine, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffBills#1 Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 • OG Roberto Garza (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Moved into the starting lineup because of injury in 2004 and became integral part of a unit that helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing. A little stiff, but can be a powerful in-line force in stretches. • OT Oliver Ross (Pittsburgh) -- 7 -- Has played a lot of positions but settled in at right tackle the past two seasons and, while not a pure road-grader, played well. A decent pass blocker and could also move inside and play guard. Grab either one of these guys, then go after another O-lineman with our 2nd round pick. No need to spend big money this year, we have to make sure we have money for Clements, then in 2 years alot of our guys are FA's. It's going to take Losman a year or 2 anyway so no need to break the bank this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 • OG Roberto Garza (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Moved into the starting lineup because of injury in 2004 and became integral part of a unit that helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing. A little stiff, but can be a powerful in-line force in stretches. • OT Oliver Ross (Pittsburgh) -- 7 -- Has played a lot of positions but settled in at right tackle the past two seasons and, while not a pure road-grader, played well. A decent pass blocker and could also move inside and play guard. Grab either one of these guys, then go after another O-lineman with our 2nd round pick. No need to spend big money this year, we have to make sure we have money for Clements, then in 2 years alot of our guys are FA's. It's going to take Losman a year or 2 anyway so no need to break the bank this year. 259716[/snapback] Garza is a smaller finesse type blocker that seems to excel with Denver, not sure how well he'd fit here. I think a bigger reason the Falcons finished first in rushing is three guys named Duckett, Dunn and Vick. Ross is vastly overated in my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP-era Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 • OG Roberto Garza (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Moved into the starting lineup because of injury in 2004 and became integral part of a unit that helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing. A little stiff, but can be a powerful in-line force in stretches. • OT Oliver Ross (Pittsburgh) -- 7 -- Has played a lot of positions but settled in at right tackle the past two seasons and, while not a pure road-grader, played well. A decent pass blocker and could also move inside and play guard. Grab either one of these guys, then go after another O-lineman with our 2nd round pick. No need to spend big money this year, we have to make sure we have money for Clements, then in 2 years alot of our guys are FA's. It's going to take Losman a year or 2 anyway so no need to break the bank this year. 259716[/snapback] Sorry, I dont agree. o-line is the single greatest position that can make or break Losman in the next year. We have NO starting LT which is the most important of all of those positions, and you want to go the cheap route? To me thats a sure fire way to rattle Losman which will make him make mistakes and cost us games. I think we can get into the playoffs next year with very good upgrades, your route sets us way back and most likely into the losing column next year., IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2003 Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 • DT Leonardo Carson (Dallas) -- 5 -- Never going to make a lot of plays, but a 305-pounder who will take up space inside and push people around enough to make impact. Bill Parcells would like to keep him around. • RB Derrick Blaylock (Kansas City) -- 4 -- Superb all-around special teams player who got a chance to start when Priest Holmes was injured in 2004, averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns. Could be a nifty No. 2 tailback. • OG Roberto Garza (Atlanta) -- 4 -- Moved into the starting lineup because of injury in 2004 and became integral part of a unit that helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing. A little stiff, but can be a powerful in-line force in stretches any of those blue light specials, and I'll be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkady Renko Posted March 3, 2005 Share Posted March 3, 2005 Where's Mike Pucillo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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