Free Agency Focus- Regular Season 2009 Week 1
At the start of each season I like to take a look at the free agents. I do this for a couple of reasons including to ask myself are there any guys (whom I can afford) that would make my team better and to just see how the affects of a single of regression can change players.
This season we at least five players who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2008 who are still without teams. I thought it would only be fair to look at these guys first:
Aveion Cason- 2008 NFC Pro Bowl KR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=947&skin=lp
Cason played for the Seattlle Seahawks last year where he had an amazing season at KR. He returned 84 kicks for 2090 yards, 1 TD and an avg of 24.88 yards per return. He added 19 PR for 82 yards, good enough for an avg of 4.32 yards per PR. Aveion led the SFL in KR and KR yards in 2008. Aveion also is the SFL’s single season record holder for most KR’s in 2005 with 97 and single season KR yards with 2485 in 2005 as well. Cason is also 3rd in SFL history with 400 KR’s and 9819 KR yards. Someone should sign this guy.
Tony Boselli- 2008 NFC Pro Bowl OT
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2966&skin=lp
Boselli had an amazing season for a Rams team who earned a playoff berth last season. He totaled 98 pancakes vs just 3 sacks allowed from the hardest position on the OL to play; RT.
Grant Wistrom- 2008 NFC Pro Bowl DE
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1258&skin=lp
Another Pro Bowler key to the 2008 Rams success is sitting in free agency in Grant Wistrom. Wistrom totaled 36 tackles, 5 tackles for losses, 7 sacks and 1 forced fumble last year. Wistrom is an SFL icon who could still play a big role at the RE position for a team as he has 73 SPD, 81 STR, 74 AGI, 75 ACC and 95 TAK to go with 94 AWR.
Aaron Smith- 2008 AFC Pro Bowl DE
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1512&skin=lp
This one might be a mit of a head scratcher. Smith was traded from the New York Jets to the Atlanta Falcons recently for I believe to ba a 4th round pick. Smith though was soon released by the Falcons. Smith has great size at 6’5” and 300 # but I would imagine Grant Wistrom would be signed before Smith so it could be a while before Smith signs with a team, if at all. I believe he can still prodice with his 87 STR, 91 AWR and 89 TAK.
Dwayne Rudd- 2008 NFC Pro Bowl OLB
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=243&skin=lp
Rudd was a huge factor for the 2008 Tampa Bay Bucs who kept GM Bill Ryan’s job safe going into 2009. Rudd totaled 69 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 int and an amazing 18 tackles for losses. There is no real reason to think Rudd wouldn’t be a key piece to just about any team’s LB corp. If he isn’t seen as a starter by most GM’s he would be a great back who boasts 78 SPD, 72 STR, 77 AGI, 76 ACC, 96 TAK and 87 AWR.
Here are my thoughts at top free agents at each position as we head into week 1 of the 2009 regular season:
QB
Matt Cassel- 27 years old, 76 OVR, 96 THP, 89 THA & 53 AWR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2816&skin=lp
Cassell is only 76 OVR so he won’t cost much. He’s a pocket passes which is nice and separates him from the others on my list. Sure his AWR is low but I think he would be a very suitable backup QB.
Kyler Boller- 28 years old, 86 OVR, 89 THP, 90 THA & 78 AWR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2309&skin=lp
Boller is only a free agent due to his scrambler tendency. He has experience at QB1 and I would imagine he will find his way on a team at some point in 2009.
Jason Campberll- 27 years old, 84 OVR, 92 THP, 88 THA & 71 AWR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2813&skin=lp
Campbell is also on this list for the simple fact that he is a scrambler. Campbell has a career QB rating of 66 which isn’t horrible considering he is still a free agent. I’m not saying he would bet a 100 QB rating guy but with 70+ AWR, 90+ THP and 88 THA one could prob do worse at a QB2/QB3 spot.
RB
Maurice Jones Drew- 24 years old, 74 OVR, 78 STR, 93 AGI, 89 ACC & 85 KR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=3084&skin=lp
I may be alone in this, but I think Jones Drew could make for a capable RB3 who could perform well at PR.
FB
Ovie Mughelli- 29 years old, 92 OVR, 87 STR, 60 PBK & 67 RBK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2310&skin=lp
Mughelli blocks like an OL and has good size at 6’0” and 255 #.
TE
Anthony Beht- 32 years old, 88 OVR, 78 STR, 76 AWR, 85 CTH
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=895&skin=lp
Becht is a veteran who would add good depth at the position for just about any SFL team.
WR
Dez White- 30 years old, 85 OVR, 6’1”, 215 #, 90 SPD, 89 ACC, 97 CTH
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=53&skin=lp
White is respectful across the board and should be in the top 5 WR’s in many SFL teams.
Brandon Jones- 27 year old, 76 OVR, 91 SPD, 96 ACC, 91 AGI
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2772&skin=lp
Jones is a young guy with 90’s in the SPD, AGI & ACC areas. This usually equals being on a SFL roster.
Scotty Anderson- 30 years old, 74 OVR, 6’2”, 191 #, 92 SPD, 90 AGI, 90 ACC
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=940&skin=lp
Anderson may be 30 but he’s 6’2” with 90 SPD, AGI & ACC. He should be signed by a GM fighting for his job.
OG
Willie Anderson- 34 years old, 94 OVR, 91 STR, 94 AWR, 96 PBK & 96 RBK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=56&skin=lp
Anderson is slow and not agile but I think he could still be serviceable for some GM out there.
Chris Rogers- 26 years old, 6’6”, 360 #, 77 OVR, 97 STR, 81 PBK & 85 RBK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=3164&skin=lp
Rogers is the lowest rated OG in free agency so that might be one reason he’s here but take a look at that size! This dude is huge and I can’t help but think he will find his way onto a roster for cost reasons at some point this season.
OT
Tony Boselli- 37 years old, 6’7”, 324 #, 98 OVR, 99 AWR, 99 RBK & 99 PBK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2966&skin=lp
As mentioned earlier in this article, Boselli was a 2008 pro bowler who even at 37 years old could still be serviceable for some GM, especially one fighting for his job.
Marvel Smith- 31 years old, 6’5”, 321 #, 91 OVR, 85 AWR, 94 PBK & 94 RBK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1513&skin=lp
Smith has totaled 145 pancakes and only 4 sacks allowed over the last two seasons? Why is he still a free agent?
C
Matt Birk- 33 years old, 99 OVR, 60 SPd, 99 AWR, 65 AGI, 70 CC, 99 PBK & 99 RBK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1634&skin=lp
Birk has 60 SPD, 65 AGI, 70 ACC, 99 AWR, 99 PBK & 99 RBK. Tell me why he is still looking for work as he enters into his 12th pro season?
K
Jeff Wilkins- 37 years old, 99 OVR, 96 AWR, 89 KPW & 99 KAC
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1254&skin=lp
Look for Wilkins to be signed if a young kicker fails to impress during the season.
P
John Baker- 32 years old, 89 KPW & 99 KAC
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1706&skin=lp
Baker is 32 years old which is young for a punter. He will still be successful for a few more seasons.
LE
David McMillan- 26 years old, 84 OVR, 72 STR, 77 AGI, 79 ACC & 86 TAK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2841&skin=lp
I think McMillan could provide good depth for a GM especially if filling in for an injured player.
Michael Strahan- 38 years olf, 94 OVR, 76 STR, 99 AWR & 99 TAK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=833&skin=lp
Sure, he is old but he still managed 9 sacks last year for the Cowboys. He also has 76 career sacks. Let’s see someone sign him so he can end his SFL career with 80+ sacks. He is currently 4th in career SFL sacks with 76 (tied with Julius Peppers).
RE
Grant Winstrom- 33 years old, 97 OVR
Aaron Smith- 33 years old, 92 OVR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1258&skin=lp
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1512&skin=lp
I discussed both Winstrom and Smith above as they both enjoyed great 2008 pro bowl seasons.
DT
Cornelius Griggin- 33 years old, 91 OVR, 66 SPD, 88 STR, 84 AWR, 75 AGI, 75 ACC & 84 TAK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=806&skin=lp
I think Griffin would be a nice fit for someone needing or looking for a veteran DT.
Junior Siavii- 29 years old, 6’4”, 340 #, 99 STR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2616&skin=lp
If you are looking for a NT then Siavii could be your guy. He is only 68 OVR so he will be cheap, very cheap at an expensive position. He is slow, dumb, not athletic at all but he is what some GM’s look for in a NT, he is huge.
MLB
Zach Thomas- 36 years old, 97 OVR, 84 STR, 93 AWR & 99 TAK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=620&skin=lp
Another aging veteran who is looking at his last potential SFL season Thomas, in my opinion could still help most teams. I’m surprised he made it through veteran free agency after the 2008 season he had for the Denver Broncos. He won’t see 130 tackles again but at 94 STR there’s no reason to think he will stop making players fumble. I suspect Thomas will be signed as soon as a GM has an injury at MLB.
Tedy Bruschi- 36 years old, 92 OVR, 96 AWR & 94 TAK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1108&skin=lp
I would think Thomas will be the first veteran MLB signed during the regular season but I would not be surprised if Bruschi is the 2nd. He still has good STR, can tackle and you can’t under estimate that 96 AWR.
OLB
Shawn Barber- 34 years old, 84 OVR, 86 AWR, 85 TAK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=628&skin=lp
I think Barber has life left in him and will be signed at some point during the season.
Joe Mays- 22 years old, 80 OVR, 81 STR, 80 ACC, 88 TAK
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=4165&skin=lp
Mays might be outside normal starter range but I think he could be a very valuable backup. I personally almost signed him last year. He’s short at 5’11” but he is respectful at just about every important area.
CB
Ty Law- 35 years old, 97 OVR, 99 AWR & 92 CTH
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=1134&skin=lp
Law is old and slow but if we’ve learned anything over the years it’s the fact that old slow veteran CB’s who have high AWR are still tough to deal with. I looked at signing him in the preseason but his contract called for a lot of money and I did not want to blow my veteran minimum prior to the season. He will be signed by someone early this season, maybe even by me.
FS
Keiion Carpenter- 32 years old, 94 OVR, 97 AWR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=684&skin=lp
Carpenter is not the greatest but a team could benefit from his 97 AWR.
SS
Pat Tillman- 33 years old, 90 OVR & 93 AWR
https://sfl-football.com/player.php?id=2082&skin=lp
Why? Because he’s Pat freakin’ Tillman and it’s Independence Day in the USA.
Well there’s my thoughts on who would be the best free agent signings out of those available. Good luck to those not in the SFL’s NFC Eastern Division. For those whom are in my division (Will & the Dallas Cowboys, Romeo & the New York Giants and Breck and the Philadelphia Eagles, I hope you have to dig deep, very deep into our current free agents as we go through the season!
