As we enter the Free Agent signing period in the NFL, ITH offers the following synopsis of the AFC North teams:
Baltimore Ravens
Unrestricted Free Agents:
—DT Aubrayo Franklin is a solid backup who is expected to be retained.
—DE Jarret Johnson is an underrated backup who could be a less expensive replacement if Adalius Thomas goes elsewhere as expected.
—FB Ovie Mughelli developed into a productive player in the second half of the season but isn’t a priority to be re-signed.
—OT Tony Pashos proved to be a capable starter and could land a sizable contract elsewhere.
—FS Gerome Sapp is a solid special team player who is expected to be retained.
—RB Musa Smith has yet to prove he can stay healthy; could return less expensively.
—OLB Adalius Thomas will become a free agent after the Ravens decided not to designate Thomas their franchise player.
Restricted Free Agents:
—WR Devard Darling will receive low tender because he has yet to develop since being a 2004 third-round pick.
—WR Clarence Moore will receive low tender because he has not followed up a promising rookie season in 2004.
—PR-KR B.J. Sams missed the final month of the season with a broken ankle; team hopes he will be healthy enough to play next season.
Cincinnati Bengals
Unrestricted Free Agents:
—CB Rashad Bauman is unlikely to return because of injuries and the move toward younger players; not on team’s radar.
—CB Tory James got old and slow fast and would be way too expensive.
—S Kevin Kaesviharn is someone the team would like to bring back, but he’s not against going somewhere else for a bigger contract. He makes big plays.
—TE Reggie Kelly is another unselfish player the team would like to re-sign, but he might be too expensive, and a rookie might be drafted to add a receiving threat.
—S Anthony Mitchell won’t return because the team is not interested.
—DE Justin Smith has been tendered as franchise player.
—G Eric Steinbach won’t be back because he’s too expensive and wants tackle money; team would have paid top guard money. Word has it that the Vikings are looking for a new skipper to handle the navigation of their party boat.
—TE Tony Stewart probably will be back because price will be right for backup money.
—WR Kelley Washington doesn’t get along with teammates and won’t return.
—RB Kenny Watson is a solid third-down back and will be a priority because of Chris Perry’s iffy health status.
—LB Marcus Wilkins is appreciated and respected as primary special teams force.
—QB Anthony Wright is someone the team would like to have back as No. 2 behind Carson Palmer.
Restricted Free Agents:
—OL Stacy Andrews is likely to receive draft-status tender of $850,000 but could be signed for a higher amount by another team and the Bengals would subsequently receive a fourth round pick if they choose not to match the RFA offer.
—CB Greg Brooks is likely to receive draft-status tender, though he is injury-prone.
—LB Landon Johnson is leading tackler and player the team would like to extend.
—P Kyle Larson is likely to get second-round tender of $1.3 million.
—LB Caleb Miller is likely to get draft-status tender as spot defender and excellent special teams cover man.
—DT Shaun Smith is likely to get draft-status tender because he works well in DT rotation.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents:
—RB Terrence Whitehead will be back because he is inexpensive.
Players Re-Signed:
—DE Robert Geathers: Potential RFA; $33.7M/6 yrs, SB unknown.
—QB Doug Johnson: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
—OL Scott Kooistra: Potential UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
Cleveland Browns
Unrestricted Free Agents:
—CB Ralph Brown got playing time because the secondary was decimated by injuries. Re-signing him is unlikely.
—G Cosey Coleman won’t be resigned unless the Browns can get him for backup wages.
—DL Nick Eason is a versatile backup but the Browns could use an upgrade.
—C/G Hank Fraley settled down the center position after LeCharles Bentley was injured. Re-signing him is a priority. Bentley is expected back in 2008, so signing a high-priced center to a long-term deal doesn’t make sense.
—C/G Lennie Friedman is a valuable backup at both guard spots plus center. The Browns would like him back.
—DE Alvin McKinley was ineffective in 2006 and unlikely to be re-signed unless the Browns can get him at a bargain price.
—PR/WR Dennis Northcutt drops too many passes and Travis Wilson is ready to step in as the third receiver. The Browns can find a punt returner, so Northcutt won’t be re-signed.
—FS Brian Russell is the leader of the secondary, but with young safeties Sean Jones, Brodney Pool and Justin Hamilton fighting for playing time, Russell will be allowed to walk.
Restricted Free Agents:
—OT Nat Dorsey is too slow to even be a backup. He will not be re-signed unless the Browns are very desperate for training camp bodies.
—LB Mason Unck is consistently one of the best special team players on the roster and will likely be re-signed.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Unrestricted Free Agents
—LB Chad Brown ended last season with a knee injury and it appears that his career is over.
—OT Barrett Brooks spent the year on IR after a knee injury just before he would have been released. He won’t be back.
—S Mike Logan was valuable when he was healthy but that occurred all too infrequently and he too likely will not be back.
—WR Sean Morey’s value is on special teams; a favorite of Bill Cowher’s, the new staff also would like to have him back.
—S Tyrone Carter is versatile and made important contributions in their nickel and dime defenses.
—DE Rodney Bailey did not play a big role as a backup and would only return as a minimum-wage veteran.
—CB Chidi Iwuoma has been a special team co-captain and could be given an opportunity to fill that role again if he will play for the minimum.
—RB Najeh Davenport signed after the first game and became the backup to Willie Parker. There’s interest to re-sign him but not as the big back they need.
—S Andre Lott was strictly a fill-in late in the season because of injuries and probably will not return.
—WR Lee Mays has been on and off the roster for several years. If he’s interested in fighting for a roster spot, they could sign him for the minimum.
Restricted Free Agents:
—RT Max Starks did not have a good season in his second as a starter and will be challenged for his job in 2007 by Willie Colon.
—QB Brian St. Pierre held down the No. 3 job but did not play and likely will not receiver a tender to stay, although a minimum salary offer later would not be out of the question.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents:
—OLB Arnold Harrison was No. 4 on the depth chart until a season-ending knee injury midway through 2006.
—LS Greg Warren has been the team’s long snapper the past two seasons and done a good job at it.
—WR Nate Washington moved into the No. 3 spot in his second season in the league and should be among the top four again in 2007.
