The Football Diner Big Top 5
Offensive Free Agents On The Move In 2008
by Jody Jamieson
11/12/2007
 
As more and more teams start to look towards 2008 with their push for the playoffs over, the big things on the agenda for the sub .500 teams are the draft and free agency. Next week we will have a look at five defensive players who will probably be on the move, but in this week's Top Fives we look at those offensive free agents who will probably be looking for a new home in 2008.
 
5. Daunte Culpepper - Oakland Raiders
 
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Quite what has happened to Culpepper over the last few years remains a bit of a mystery. His first full season in the league was a major success, as in 2000 he led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game where they would come up short against the Giants. After finding it a little tougher over the next couple of years he came back to prominence in 2004, where he out-yarded Peyton Manning during Manning's 49 TD season. Hoiwever, he never seemed to recover from the knee injury he picked up in 2005 (although he wasn't playing too great that year before it) against the Panthers. After being traded to Miami and again struggling, Culpepper has ended up in Oakland, where he has made a few starts, but realistically he - along with Josh McCown - is just a stop gap till JaMarcus Russell takes over the reins.
 
He hasn't played too badly in Oakland, most notably his return to face the hapless Dolphins (despite only passing for 75 yards, he rushed for three TDs), but there is no chance of him ousting Russell for the starter job in 08.
 
As for where he could end up? It's hard to say as a lot of it depends on how he sees himself. If he thinks he should be starting somewhere he may be in for a shock, but if he's willing to pretty much start again, he could be brought in as a backup somewhere that there is no true recognised starter. Kansas City and Atlanta are two teams that could be a good shout, but Atlanta will draft a quarterback in the 1st round, so we'll have to wait and see.
 
4. Bryant Johnson - Arizona Cardinals
 
Johnson would be at the very least a number 2 reciever in almost every other offense in the league, but sitting behind Fitzgerald and Boldin limits time for this talented receiver. But with Boldin and Fitzgerald struggling these past couple of weeks due to injuries, this could be a great time for Johnson to put himself in the shop window and make himself a little bit of money in the off season. A first round pick in 2003, Johnson has done a good job as a slot reciever in Arizona, but it's time for him to step up and be a big time player in the NFL.
 
Where will he be in 2008? I'll be surprised if he stays with the Cardinals, and I would also be surprised to see him become the number one reciever anywhere else. He would be a tremendous compliment to an out and out number one guy. If Patrick Crayton leaves Dallas (he is also a free agent) he may be a decent fit in that offense. But really a lot will depend on who feels that a number 2 wide-out is a need. Perhaps Tampa Bay?
 
3. Julius Jones - Dallas Cowboys
 
Jones started the 07 season slow and was being completly outplayed by Marion Barber. As the season has worn on Jones has performed better and better. The reason Jones is likely to move is that the Cowboys see the future of their backfield being shared by Marion Barber and Arkansas prodigy Darren McFadden. It seems to be the world's worst kept secret that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will do anything in his power to trade up for McFadden, although one rumour that they will trade for New England's pick and offer Marion Barber as bait has been doing the rounds. Barber himself is a free agent also but I'd be very surprised to see him go.
 
Jones could be a great pick up in free agency. Good speed and much more of a finesse runner than the tough Barber, there will be a few teams who are interested. One team who are almost definitely needing to pick up something on offense is the Bears.
 
2. Michael Turner - San Diego Chargers
 
LaDanian Tomlinson's trusty backup will be coveted by teams with needs at running back. Despite seeing limited action in San Diego, Turner has averaged 5.7 yards per carry since he came into the league. "The Burner" will be well in demand this year, as a lot of teams will be looking at him as a guy who can carry the load. I wonder if he would be the type to carry the ball 25 times a game, but we will have to wait and see. The talk is that being the feature back won't be a problem, and with tremendous speed, Turner will be top of the wish lists of teams looking for a running back in the off season.
 
Again, Chicago may look at picking him up, but there will be other teams who will most likely have a look at him. There could also be interest from Cleveland depending on what happens with Jamal Lewis. People have mentioned the Broncos, but I doubt they'll spend big money on a back as just about everyone who plays behind their offensive line can run the ball effectively. Also with Travis Henry escaping suspension, the need to go out and spend money on someone like Turner is no longer there.
 
1. Alan Faneca - Pittsburgh Steelers
 
The six time Pro Bowler is likely to be one of the most sought out players in free agency on the offensive side of the ball. All the talk is that Faneca will not be returning to Pittsburgh. There have also been rumours that the Steelers tried to get the lineman to take a "home town pay cut" which has not exactly gone down well. The amount of money that offensive linemen can make has gone up big time and can you blame Faneca for trying to cash in? He has spent his whole career in Pittsburgh and I think considering how good he has been, it's a bit of a slap in the face for the franchise to try and take a short cut and pay him less than he is worth after 10 years of loyal service.
 
In terms of where he will end up that will be found out in time. He could really end up anywhere as a lot of teams will be interested, and it may come down to who offers the best deal. In truth, it'd probablly take less time to name the teams that won't at least sneak a peak this off season.
 
Questionable Call of the Week
 
It always happens when Sunday Night Football is a blowout. I love Al Michaels and John Madden, but when the game is over as a contest they really struggle to hide the fact that they have lost interest. Madden talking about crabcakes and food in general is nothing new, but there were plays going on that they weren't even bothering to call. I found it very unproffesional. They only regained their interest when 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith was brought into the game late on and looked impressive, albeit in garbage time. Smith went 3/5 for 33 yards and scrambled for a 6 yard touchdown.
 
Interesting Facts I got Brett Favre's career pass yards completely wrong last week, which I apologise for, and this week should see him eclipse Dan Marino. He is 183 yards behind and will more than likely set the record in the dome in St Louis.
 
Adrian Peterson was worth the same amount of NFL fantasy points as me this week. His 14 carries for THREE YARDS was a minor miracle considering how deadly he has been this year. Almost certainly rules him out of the running to beat Eric Dickerson's rookie rushing record (try saying that fast).
 
St Louis became the 6th team to start a 3rd string quarterback this season when Brock Berlin got the nod against Cincinnati. The other 5 are Luke McCown (Tampa Bay), John Beck (Miami), Brooks Bollinger (Minnesota), Tim Rattay (Arizona) and Vinny Testaverde (Carolina).
 
And Finally...
 
Two rookie quarterbacks squared off in Buffalo with very differing results. Trent Edwards is looking more and more like the guy the Bills can rely on, while poor old John Beck continues to struggle in Miami. Edwards threw 4 touchdown passes, while Beck was hooked in the first half in favour of the uninspiring Cleo Lemon. I have always thought that while no team would be good enough to go 16-0, there would be even less chance of someone going 0-16. The Dolphins have had their troubles in terms of injuries, but what is happening with the players on the field is nothing short of embarrasing. The Jets last week represented a great chance to finally put a win on the board and they got murdered. This week they play Baltimore, who are most definitely on the ropes after losing 7 straight, including being walloped by the Colts on Sunday night. The trouble is, can you really see the Dolphins troubling the Ravens? I can't see it. Miami are heading for the bad kind of perfect season, and it's sad to see a once proud franchise in such a mess.