NFC East focus: Free-agent targets
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL team. Here's a look at the free-agent targets of teams in the NFC East.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys would like to find a third cornerback like Randall Gay (Patriots) or Drayton Florence (Chargers) in free agency. The team is not expected to re-sign Jacques Reeves, who filled in capably last season when Terence Newman and Anthony Henry suffered injuries. Still, the Cowboys want to find a better player even if they have to pay a little more. Dallas is also looking to challenge ILB Akin Ayodele, which is why they made Zach Thomas their first offseason acquisition of note. Thomas signed a one-year deal worth as much as $3 million, if he achieves certain incentives. At 228 pounds, he's undersized in the 3-4 scheme, but coach Wade Phillips love his tenacity and intensity, and he's convinced the Cowboys could use stunts and other creative measures to keep offensive linemen off of Thomas, which would allow him to flow to the ball and make plays.
New York Giants
The Giants likely won't pursue many top-tier free agents. The lure of signing someone such as CB Asante Samuel has waned with the emergence of Corey Webster. But the team might look for another corner who will not cost nearly as much as Samuel. A player who fits that profile is Drayton Florence of the Chargers. If Gibril Wilson leaves, the team will have difficulty finding a starting-quality replacement. Available candidates -- Sammy Knight (Jaguars), Deke Cooper (Panthers), Chris Crocker (Falcons) -- would be drop-offs. At receiver, the Giants are looking for a speedy bargain such as Devery Henderson (Saints).
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles could be among those in pursuit of Patriots CB Asante Samuel. He's the top free agent on the market and will likely command more than the guaranteed $22 million that 49ers CB Nate Clements pulled in last year, but Samuel is a lockdown corner and turnover producer. He would immediately upgrade a defense that finished with the league's fewest takeaways last season. The club also might look at Bears WR Bernard Berrian, a deep threat who could team with QB Donovan McNabb to revive an offense that struggled to make plays downfield. The only problem is WRs Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are signed to long-term deals. Muhsin Muhammad, released by the Bears, is also an option given the offense's red-zone problems. With few marquee defensive ends available, don't be surprised if the Eagles look to upgrade through trade. Panthers DE Julius Peppers' uncertain contract status headed into the final year of his contract with Carolina makes him a logical target for the Eagles. Same with Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald.
Washington Redskins
It will be an absolute shock if the team does not pursue Lance Briggs as a solution to its outside linebacker dilemma. The club almost made a deal to acquire Briggs last season when it would have required a draft pick and McIntosh to get him from the Bears. CB Asante Samuel (Patriots) is another player the team could be interested in making a multi-millionaire. The Redskins need to solidify the position because Carlos Rogers is not expected to return from his knee injury until September or October. The decision the Redskins must make is whether to keep Shawn Springs on the roster for another season or replace him on the salary cap with Samuel. Their skills are similar, but Samuel is six years younger. The classic free-agent acquisition for the Redskins would be Randy Moss. He's a controversial, yet enormously talented player, and the Redskins need a big receiver. Moss would instantly make the Redskins' offense more potent. If Moss indicates a willingness to leave New England, the Redskins will be hard-pressed not to make a run at him. On the surface, Alan Faneca (Steelers) is the solution to the team's questions at guard. Faneca is a durable, talented, experienced player who would immediately upgrade the line. His negative is his age, 31. The Redskins need to get younger in the offensive line.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys would like to find a third cornerback like Randall Gay (Patriots) or Drayton Florence (Chargers) in free agency. The team is not expected to re-sign Jacques Reeves, who filled in capably last season when Terence Newman and Anthony Henry suffered injuries. Still, the Cowboys want to find a better player even if they have to pay a little more. Dallas is also looking to challenge ILB Akin Ayodele, which is why they made Zach Thomas their first offseason acquisition of note. Thomas signed a one-year deal worth as much as $3 million, if he achieves certain incentives. At 228 pounds, he's undersized in the 3-4 scheme, but coach Wade Phillips love his tenacity and intensity, and he's convinced the Cowboys could use stunts and other creative measures to keep offensive linemen off of Thomas, which would allow him to flow to the ball and make plays.
New York Giants
The Giants likely won't pursue many top-tier free agents. The lure of signing someone such as CB Asante Samuel has waned with the emergence of Corey Webster. But the team might look for another corner who will not cost nearly as much as Samuel. A player who fits that profile is Drayton Florence of the Chargers. If Gibril Wilson leaves, the team will have difficulty finding a starting-quality replacement. Available candidates -- Sammy Knight (Jaguars), Deke Cooper (Panthers), Chris Crocker (Falcons) -- would be drop-offs. At receiver, the Giants are looking for a speedy bargain such as Devery Henderson (Saints).
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles could be among those in pursuit of Patriots CB Asante Samuel. He's the top free agent on the market and will likely command more than the guaranteed $22 million that 49ers CB Nate Clements pulled in last year, but Samuel is a lockdown corner and turnover producer. He would immediately upgrade a defense that finished with the league's fewest takeaways last season. The club also might look at Bears WR Bernard Berrian, a deep threat who could team with QB Donovan McNabb to revive an offense that struggled to make plays downfield. The only problem is WRs Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are signed to long-term deals. Muhsin Muhammad, released by the Bears, is also an option given the offense's red-zone problems. With few marquee defensive ends available, don't be surprised if the Eagles look to upgrade through trade. Panthers DE Julius Peppers' uncertain contract status headed into the final year of his contract with Carolina makes him a logical target for the Eagles. Same with Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald.
Washington Redskins
It will be an absolute shock if the team does not pursue Lance Briggs as a solution to its outside linebacker dilemma. The club almost made a deal to acquire Briggs last season when it would have required a draft pick and McIntosh to get him from the Bears. CB Asante Samuel (Patriots) is another player the team could be interested in making a multi-millionaire. The Redskins need to solidify the position because Carlos Rogers is not expected to return from his knee injury until September or October. The decision the Redskins must make is whether to keep Shawn Springs on the roster for another season or replace him on the salary cap with Samuel. Their skills are similar, but Samuel is six years younger. The classic free-agent acquisition for the Redskins would be Randy Moss. He's a controversial, yet enormously talented player, and the Redskins need a big receiver. Moss would instantly make the Redskins' offense more potent. If Moss indicates a willingness to leave New England, the Redskins will be hard-pressed not to make a run at him. On the surface, Alan Faneca (Steelers) is the solution to the team's questions at guard. Faneca is a durable, talented, experienced player who would immediately upgrade the line. His negative is his age, 31. The Redskins need to get younger in the offensive line.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:54 PM
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