2011 Free Agent Fits

With a less than a handful of meaningful games in the N.F.L. in Week 17, many off-season-bound teams are looking past their regular season finales and towards their 2011 kickoff. 


Aside from filling gaps in the N.F.L. Draft, teams need to address their glaring needs via free agency. Of the list of the top potential free agents and trade targets on the market this off-season, here are my thoughts on which players could fit in well wearing a different uniform next season.




1. Carolina Panthers: Donovan McNabb


Reports have surfaced that the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the N.F.L. Draft Andrew Luck will remain at Stanford for his senior season, which means the Panthers may not get their guy. Instead of reaching for another quarterback in Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker, why not go  with a proven vet?


Since 2003 when the Panthers made it to the Super Bowl, they have basically toggled winning and losing seasons regularly. They have kept a core nucleus of players though, which would allow for their main problem, the quarterback position, to solve many of their offensive issues. Wouldn't it be nice to see someone get the ball to Steve Smith?


If reports are true that the Skins will release Donovan McNabb at season's end to avoid paying him that disastrous contract they generated after he was benched, why not pair McNabb and Smith to create a formidable threesome with Jonathon Stewart?


2. Cincinnati Bengals: Jeff Fisher


It is not even close. Since 2007 the Cincinnati Bengals lead the N.F.L. in players arrested. To add insult to injury, the team named Cedric 'The Entertainer' Benson the Ed Block Courage Award winner for demonstrating commitment to values and sportsmanship this week. Yeah, the same dude who got pulled over for drunk driving just a few years ago.


Factor in Jeff Fisher, a no-nonsense head coach, who is rumored to be fired by Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams. Think he would let players get blasted and drive home -- fuh-gedda-bout it!


The team needs to be disciplined, and he would be the figure to decide the futures of Terrell Owens (free agent) and Chad Ochocinco (team would owe $3.5M not to pick up his 2011 option) in Cincy.


3. Buffalo Bills: DeAngelo Williams



Since Week 3, when Ryan Fitzpatrick was anointed the starter for the Buffalo Bills, the gunslinger from Harvard has 441 attempts. That's like a 30 per game. Did I mention the dude is from Harvard?


So it's not like Peyton Manning's 639 attempts or Drew Brees' 620, but you're asking Fitzpatrick to carry the Bills offense each week. The team drafted the talents of C.J. Spiller out of Clemson with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 N.F.L. Draft; what's he done?


Clearly you cannot think Fred Jackson is the solution at the running back position for the next few years. With The Daily Show showing he is more than capable of being a primary back in the Tar Heel State, DeAngelo Williams may not get resigned in the off-season. Add him to the backfield and suddenly there is balance in the offense, whether Fitzpatrick is the starter in 2011 or not.

4. Denver Broncos: Santonio Holmes


If Tim Tebow is the future at the quarterback positions for Broncos, then the team needs to surround him with as many offensive talents around him, similar to what he was accustomed to with the Gators.


Of the potential free agents -- Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards, Vincent Jackson -- maybe no other wide-out could fit Tebow's skill set more than Santonio Holmes. While playing with Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, Holmes was able to adjust his route on the run to complement a quarterback who throws outside the pocket. Sound familiar?


Holmes has provided a big-play threat for Mark Sanchez in his first season with the Jets, and could fit a similar mold at Mile High. Given that playmaker Brandon Marshall was ousted under the Josh McDaniels regime, one of the many poor decisions to send off talent for nothing. The team could use some star power. I don't know if Brandon Lloyd is enough. 


5. Cleveland Browns: Shawne Merriman


After leaving San Diego where he earned his reputation, and a short-lived stint with the Buffalo Bills spent on I.R., many wonder if Shawne Merriman has enough left in his system to resurrect his career.


After being busted for breaking the N.F.L.'s substance-abuse policy, season-ending injuries have plagued the linebacker's career. It has been awhile since we saw this edge-rushing talent play like he did in his first few seasons in the league, so clearly Cleveland would be taking a risk signing him to a multi-year contract.


If there is somebody who can help Merriman rediscover his previous form, Rob Ryan could be the guy. The defensive guru and son of Hall of Fame great Buddy Rice, not to mention the twin brother of infamous Rex Ryan -- he's got a resume. When healthy, Merriman can bring a pass-rushing ability that the Browns definitely lack.


And a big name like Merriman in a win-hungry city like Cleveland can certainly help fill up the Dog Pound. After all, with the talents of LeBron James having fled to South Beach, the biggest name is town is Peyton Hillis.


6. Dallas Cowboys: Champ Bailey


Maybe no collection of talent in the N.F.L. failed to live up to the heavy expectations entering to the 2010 season more than the Cowboys of Dallas (well, San Diego fits the bill, too). 


It is difficult to pinpoint one main flaw on the team. Tony Romo was injured, yet Jon Kitna filled in admirably in his place and maintained an ample offense. The passing game features some of the tops at their positions -- Stone Cold Miles Austin, Jason Witten and rookie sensation Dez Bryant. And running backs Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and Marion Barber are all capable runners.


Defensively, the Boys have talented front seven, featuring probably the best pass-rushing linebacker in DeMarcus Ware. In the secondary, however, there is a heavy dose of youth, which bodes well for the future -- not so good for the present.


What if the Cowboys were snare a veteran cornerback in Champ Bailey, whose play has barely declined with the age. Bailey's 13 passes defended ranks 18th in the league this season, tied with perennial Pro Bowler Ed Reed and ahead of Asante Samuel.


This season, Dallas has allowed the likes of Shaun Hill and Rex Grossman to pass for huge numbers against them. Adding Bailey to complement the secondary's youth movement could pay huge dividends. 


7. Arizona Cardinals: Ochocinco


With Chad Ochocinco making a case to get out of Cincy, especially with Carson Palmer having his best passing performances on the season without him and Terrell Owens in the lineup, paying the man $3.5 may be the best option for the Bengals.


For Ochocinco, Zona could be the ultimate catch for the diva wide-out. When Anquan Boldin was traded to Baltimore, the team expected Steve Breaston to emerge as the No. 2 receiver opposite Larry Fitzgerald, but that move never seemed to pan out.


Having John Skelton at quarterback may not suit Ochocinco well, but if the team decides to draft a rookie or sign a veteran, Ochocinco could provide that reliable threat in the Cards' passing game.


8. San Francisco 49ers:  Kevin Kolb


Michael Vick is a free agent, but if Philly should choose to keep the most dynamic scoring threat in the N.F.L. in Eagles green, then they may elect to put their former quarterback of the future on the trading block.


Neither one of the Smiths -- Alex or Troy -- should have a future as a starting quarterback for San Fran. And in continuing the trend of young offensive talent by the Bay, Kolb could be perfect match.


Kolb didn't turn too many heads this season, but he did fill in adequately when Vick was hurt, and was outstanding when he started two games for Donovan McNabb in 2009.


Giving Kolb a change of scenery and the right offensive mind at coach, and pairing him up with the likes of Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore, and all of a sudden the 49ers have a dangerous, balanced offense that could immediately contend in the division of mediocrity that is the NFC West.


9. Minnesota Vikings: Carson Palmer


Depending on what Bengals ownership decides to do with the current coaching staff and players in The Queen City, Carson Palmer is a potential refugee. Maybe no player in the black and orange needs to head towards greener pastures more than Palmer.


Possible destinations for Palmer could include San Fran, Miami and Arizona, but perhaps no better fit would be Minnesota, who has a Super Bowl-caliber team that simply failed to perform to their abilities under the coaching of Brad Childress.

Adding Palmer to an offensive loaded with weapons like Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice and Visanthe Shiancoe, with a consistent rushing attack led by Adrian Peterson, could allow the Vikes to return to contention in the N.F.C. right away.


10. Houston Texans: Jon Gruden


After finally conquering the rival Colts early on in the season, the Texans seemed destined to earn the A.F.C. South crown after what felt like a yearly go at it that would almost inevitably result in a .500 record. To their dismay, they took another trip down that road.


Now Texans fans are making their feelings known and are calling for the job of head coach Gary Kubiak. And while he has put together a competitive group each and every year, the collapse of the Texans in 2010 should spell the end of his run.


One candidate to replace Kubiak is ESPN's Jon Gruden, who seems to be on every team's wish list, college or N.F.L, every team from Miami to San Francisco. 


Gruden's extensive offensive experience would work wonders in Houston, and his knowledge of personnel and coaching assistants would allow him to easily put together a top-notch staff on the defensive side of the ball as well. If the Texans fans want a change at head coach, Gruden should be their guy.