Notebook
Free agency isn't what it used to be.
Back in the day, we'd see a lot more marquee names making it to the market, and then watch as teams fought to sign them, paying way over market price.
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| Terrell Owens shows some style at the NBA All-Star Game as he waits to go free. (Getty Images) |
A handful of guys, maybe seven or eight, will still bring on a bidding frenzy. For the most part, front-office personnel have realized that these guys are on the market for a reason.
Would the Colts like to keep running back Edgerrin James? You bet. But they have cap issues and he isn't worth a big-money deal. He also doesn't produce the big play. He's a grinder. There are a lot of grinders in the draft.
Seattle would love to keep Shaun Alexander, but at what price? He's the MVP, but don't you think there's some reason he isn't re-signed? For one, he wants too much money for a player on the down-slope side of his career.
Terrell Owens? Enough said.
Drew Brees? Shoulder surgery.
On and on it goes. Every free agent has a reason why they are available. That isn't to say they aren't good players or still can't play at an elite level. It's just that signing them brings risks.
That's why free agency isn't the wild free-for-all it was a few years back.
So when the period begins, don't expect the mega deals for many of these players.
With that, here's my annual list of the top 50 free agents. It does not include players with franchise labels -- such as Bills corner Nate Clements -- or restricted free agents. It's just unrestricted free agents and transition free agents.
