Change The Game

The continued strife between the players and owners that threatens the upcoming 2011 NFL season has robbed fans from perhaps the best part of the NFL year: player movement. Sure, we all will enjoy the games when they eventually come back and, if you're lucky enough to have a team in the playoffs, you'll enjoy the postseason, too, but nothing gathers the masses around the water cooler quite like "hot stove season". We've been fortunate enough to have the NBA produce an entertaining Conference Finals(read: any postseason that doesn't involve the Spurs) to keep us occupied while pro football settles its differences but, at some point, basketball will be over and we'll all go back to asking questions about "Who's getting traded?", "Who's signing where?" and "Who's getting cut?".





In preparation for all of that, I scoured depth charts and lists of this year's free agents and picked out a few names that I think will find new teams and add some intrigue. Now, it's to be understood that, while most of these are notable names, there are going to be names available on the market that aren't included in what you are about to read. Instead, I chose a select few that I believe won't be back with their current teams and where I think they should go. Key words being "should go". This isn't a projection. So, with that said, here are some names available via free agency or trade that I think can be team-changers with their new ball clubs.





1. Kevin Kolb, QB, Eagles: Kolb entered last season as Donovan McNabb's heir apparent after the Eagles opted to send their long-time signal caller to Washington before the season. What happened next was Kolb getting his brains beat in by Clay Matthews and the Packers defense and former #1 overall pick Michael Vick rejuvenating his career while Kolb sat the sidelines nursing a concussion. With Vick now entrenched as the starter, Kolb is now in the McNabb role awaiting the next thing smoking out of Philly.





Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Arizona - All the speculation is that a deal is already in place to send Kolb to the Cardinals once teams get the green light to resume business. While I still have my doubts that Kolb will be the solid pro that some are projecting him to be, Arizona is the best place for him to land if he's ever going to get a legit shot at being a starter. They bolstered the run game with the drafting of former Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams and Kolb will already have Larry Fitzgerald to play pitch-and-catch with in a division that is lacking elite pass defenses.





2. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: After leading the Bengals to a division title in '09, Palmer spent last season running for his life behind a shaky offensive line as well as trying to lead a team that was as heavy on dysfunction as it was talent. The former Heisman winner and #1 overall pick finally decided that enough's enough and has threatened to retire if he isn't dealt elsewhere.





Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Miami - The destinations most frequently rumored for Palmer have been Seattle(with former college coach Pete Carroll), Washington(with QB guru Mike Shanahan) and Arizona(if they don't acquire Kevin Kolb). The problem with those scenarios is that they aren't exactly upgrades from Palmer's current situation. As much of a circus as life in the Charmed City may have been, the Bengals were still a division contender that's a decent offensive line away from doing some damage. The three aforementioned teams aren't exactly overflowing with talent, especially on the offensive line. Miami, meanwhile, improved their offensive line with Florida guard Mike Pouncey to go along with emerging left tackle Jake Long. The Dolphins also have two quality wideouts in headcase Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess. The running game is a bit iffy but only because we don't know whether the team will bring back RB Ronnie Brown and/or Ricky Williams, but the team did draft Kansas State's Daniel Thomas in the event that both backs skip town. With an improved offensive line and some weapons to throw to, Palmer could relive his glory days in South Beach as opposed to running for his life in D.C. or Arizona.





3. Vince Young, QB, Titans: Forced to choose between their former face of the franchise in Young or longtime head coach Jeff Fisher, the Titans decided to go with the easiest route and cut ties with both men. Young has been replaced by 9th overall pick Jake Locker, while offensive line coach Mike Munchak fills in for Fisher. Young will probably search the market for a starting job and there will definitely be teams that will want entrench the former Texas Longhorn as their prized passer but Young will be better served going into a situation where he could be mentored as well as compete for a starting job instead of it just being handed to him.





Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Philadelphia - Who better to teach Vince Young about getting a second chance on life after being given everything as a high first round pick than last year's comeback story Mike Vick? With Kevin Kolb on his way out, the Eagles are going to need a veteran backup besides current #3 Mike Kafka. Vick is a free agent next year, after signing a franchise tender this offseason, and he's also 31 with a style of play that leads to a lot of injuries. Young could sign a short-term deal with Philly, learn under Vick(whose skill set mirrors Young's) and then either supplant Vick in 2012 or test the waters with a better head on his shoulders. Teams are going to weary of signing Young this year given all his baggage much like teams were scared off from signing Vick after he left prison. If Vick is as committed to being a role model as he says, who better to start with than Vince Young?





4/5. QB Matt Leinart(Texans) and RB Reggie Bush(Saints): After the storied run together at USC, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart were supposed to be franchise cornerstones when both were drafted in the top 10 in 2007. Instead, Bush looks like he's leaving New Orleans after the team drafted fellow Heisman winner Mark Ingram and re-signed incumbent Pierre Thomas. Bush's career in N'awlins wasn't a complete wash but it was underwhelming. Bush was supposed to be a dynamic weapon the likes of which he haven't seen since Barry Sanders. He flashed some potential at times, most notably in the NFC Championship game against the Bears a few years back where he left the vaunted Bears defense in the dust and waved bye-bye as he flipped into the end zone. Those moments were few and far between, however, and it appears the former Mr. Kim Kardashian is at the end of his rope.





As for Leinart, his biggest contribution to the Cardinals was flaming out as a rookie and making room for Kurt Warner to revive his career. After Warner retired last season, it was believed that Leinart was finally ready to take the reins. Instead, Leinart got beat out by Derek Anderson for the starting job and was cut. He signed with Houston to be Matt Schaub's backup but couldn't even wrestle that job from former Lion Dan Orlovsky.





Where I'd Like To See Them Go: Seattle - I'm still willing to believe Leinart and Bush are salvageable in the right hands, and what better hands to put them in than the guy who made them famous in college: Pete Carroll. Carroll turned water into wine last season in his opening year with the Seahawks by turning left-for-dead former Trojan Mike Williams into a #1 receiver. Why couldn't he do the same with his two most-heralded former pupils? The Seahawks' biggest needs are at RB(although Marshawn Lynch might have bought himself more time by bowling over Bush's Saints in the playoffs) and QB(where Charlie Whitehurst is the starter). Much like former draft classmate Vince Young, Leinart and Bush shouldn't be signed with the intention of having a starting spot waiting for him. Bush could be a nice change-of-pace back for the bruising Lynch while Leinart could battle with Whitehurst for the starting job or, in a more ideal situation, the team re-signs Matt Hasselbeck and Leinart learns under him. Leinart's 28 and Bush's 26 and while both might be more playboys than playmakers, there's plenty of precedents to give a team confidence that they are worth another shot.





6. Noel Devine, RB, undrafted free agent: If the emergence of former Oregon Duck-turned-Bucs leading rusher LaGarrette Blount has taught us anything, it's that all you need is an opportunity. Heralded as the "the next Barry Sanders" when he was recruited to West Virginia, Noel Devine may be the most notable of the names not drafted in April. At 5'8, 180, Devine is hardly an every-down back, but he possesses the speed and quick feet to be, at the very least, a decent change-of-pace back/solid return man.





Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Miami - The uncertainty behind the Dolphins' backfield situation could open a door for Devine, a Florida native who starred at North Fort Myers High School, to perhaps split carries with fellow rookie Daniel Thomas while also getting some work in the punt return game. Devine's skills are similar to Chargers RB Darren Sproles, a jitterbug/change-of-pace type that will be given starter's money by some foolish team this offseason. By signing Devine, you get a Sproles clone at a third of the cost. Devine was underwhelming in his senior season at WVU, but there aren't many skill players with his kind of wheels. There's no question he'll get a flier from some team, but the best shot may come close to home.





7. Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: Ugh. It pains me as a Rutgers fan to write glowingly about not one, but TWO, Mountaineers but Steve Slaton is another name who could make things interesting with the right team. Slaton was once considered the answer to a Texans offense that had to rely heavily on the pass because of its lack of a running game. However, Slaton's butter hands found him coach Gary Kubiak's doghouse. Then, Arian Foster came out of nowhere to lead the league in rushing and now it looks like Slaton will have to look for carries elsewhere.





Where I'd Like To See Him Go: St. Louis - Given Slaton's fumblitis, it's going to be tough for a team to trust them as their lead back. With the Rams, however, he could be a speedy option to spell the powerful Steven Jackson. Years of shouldering the load on his shoulders are bound to take its toll eventually on S-Jax, which is why it would be perfect for a speedster like Slaton to come in to give him a breather. The Rams have ignored finding Jackson a suitable backup who could also start if the oft-injured bruiser gets shelved for years. With a guy like Slaton, who carried the load once upon a time in Houston, they would have their guy.





8. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: Williams didn't exactly have the best of contract years in 2010. A foot sprain, among many other injuries, cut his season short, limiting him to just eight games. Meanwhile, backup Mike Goodson stepped in and Wally Pip-ed the former Memphis star. The Panthers opted to not franchise D-Will in the offseason, instead decided to use a first-and-third round tender on him. With Goodson and "The Daily Show" Jonathan Stewart in the fold, it seems unlikely Williams will be coming back to Carolina.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Denver - Former Panthers pit boss John Fox is running the show in Denver and he just so happens to have a hole at running back with incumbant Knowshon Moreno not really doing much to distance himself from the pack. A 1st and 3rd may be a bit much for someone even with the talent of Williams given the fact that running back has become a committee position and every year seems to spawn a new breakout star who emerges from the woodwork. Still, a trade for Williams is something the Broncos should explore given Fox's love for the running game. At the very least, a Williams-Moreno tag team makes things easier on eventual starter Tim Tebow(if current starter Kyle Orton is indeed traded).

9.Michael Bush, RB, Raiders: Those that have followed Michael Bush's career from potential first-round pick as a junior at Louisville to late-round sleeper after breaking his leg as a senior to intriguing prospect in Oakland have wondered what the 6'1 245lb big man could do if given the opportunity to be the lead back. Despite dropping to the 4th round in 2007 while recovering from a broken leg, Bush has squashed any talk of being injury prone by missing just two games in three seasons. With Darren McFadden finally emerging as the home-run threat Al Davis imagined when he used the 4th overall pick on him a couple years ago, Bush is now faced with returning to Oakland as Run DMC's tag team partner or trying to find greener pastures elsewhere.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Washington - Stop me if you've heard this before but the Redskins are expected to very active in the free agent market once it actually begins. With Clinton Portis being read his last rights, there's a spot available for a 26-year old back with a career 4.4 yards per carry. With uncanny speed for his size, Bush is like a poor man's Michael Turner, who went from chief backup to L.T. in San Diego to workhorse in Atlanta. Bush could have the same impact in Washington where only former Shanahan pupil Ryan Torain would stand in Bush's way for carries. Given Washington's woeful offensive line, Bush will have to use every bit of that large frame to pound out tough yards but he still would worth a flier for a team in desperate need of a spark on the ground.

10. Randy Moss, WR, Titans: Randy Moss garnered all the wrong kinds of headlines last season. He publicly whined about the lack of love he was getting in New England, which led him getting shipped back to Minnesota.....for about three games before he was cut and inevitably picked up by Tennessee. While a Titan, Moss was rarely utilized despite top target Kenny Britt being injured and the team lacking a proven weapon beyond Chris Johnson. At 34, Moss is not the once-in-a-generation vertical threat he once was, but he still has something to offer to a team that likes to sling it.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Detroit - Let's look at Moss' career as a whole. He was most effective when paired with a strong-armed QB(Daunte Culpepper, Jeff George...even the stint with Brett Favre. Yes, his best season came with Tom Brady tossing to him but it's not like Brady is Chad Pennington.). In Detroit, he would have Matt Stafford, a young QB who may have the strongest arm in the NFL. On top of that, he'll have Calvin Johnson on the other side taking pressure off of him(as well as Nate Burleson and rookie Titus Young). Moss might have lost a step, but do you want to put your second-best corner on an island with him in single coverage when Moss throws that skinny tree-branch of an arm up as he zips down the sideline? Didn't think so. Moss' days as a #1 option may be over, either because of lack of interest or age, but he could add a few years to his career by being a mentor to younger wideouts and feasting on poor coverage as a #2. In a division filled with teams that want to go to the air, Detroit could use another body to stretch the field.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins: Santana Moss tried his best to salvage what turned out to be a disaster of an era with new QB Donovan McNabb. He made 93 catches for 1,115 yards and 6 TDs but, at 31, Moss might not be willing to re-up with a Redskins team that is years away from competing and finds themselves in even further disarray behind center.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Seattle - OK, Seattle is much of a prize either but they the defending champs in the worst division in football. Plus, this same offense made a #1 receiver out of Mike Williams. Imagine what it could do with someone with Moss' wheels? As mentioned earler, Seattle's best plan at QB would be to bring back Matt Hasselbeck. With improvements made to the offensive line, Hasselbeck will find himself in the best protection situation he's had since Walter Jones retired. Hasselbeck with time to throw means time to find Santana Moss open......and, well, you know the rest. Yes, New England may be a more interesting situation for Moss but Seattle wouldn't be a bad cons0lation prize.

11. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: You have to feel bad for poor Steve Smith. Once the game's best receiver, he's been relegated to irrelevant thanks to injuries and a group of terrible QB's. Now, he has to motivate himself for yet another season in Carolina, this time with #1 overall pick Cam Newton as the guy responsible for getting him the ball. Does coming back to a team that went 1-15 last year and is starting yet another rookie QB sound enticing to you? Of course not. Smith may have no demanded out of Carolina, but perhaps the team should do the right thing by their fiery leader and trade him while he still has value.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Chicago - Smith-to-San Diego has been rumored for weeks and, given their contentious contract situations with Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson, there's a good chance a deal may happen. However, the case can be made that Chicago has a bigger need for a #1 WR like Smith, given the fact they've tried to keep their head above water with guys like Johnny Knox and Devin Hester as their top wideouts. Knox and Hester are better suited as #2 and #3 guys. Smith, meanwhile, is gifted route runner with the type of nasty, feisty demeanor that would make him a perfect fit in the Windy City. A track meet offense of Smith, Knox and Hester with Jay Cutler throwing the ball? I think Mike Martz just jizzed his pants.

12. Plaxico Burress, WR, prison: By now, we all know the story of Plaxico Burress. Locked up for nearly two years after accidentally shooting himself in the leg at a club in NY, Burress is ready to return to the NFL as this season's Mike Vick. Burress is on the wrong side of 30, as he re-enters the league at 33 and having not played a down in two years, but it's hard to pass up a guy who goes 6'5, 235 and is itching to prove the world wrong.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Carolina - As the Panthers ready themselves to cut ties with one veteran receiver, now would be the time to bring in another. As we learned with Vick in Philadelphia, you can't put a price on a guy dying for a second chance at life in the sport he loves. If Burress wants to re-establish himself as a role model, what better person for him to take under his wing than the much-maligned Cam Newton. Remember, a few years back, Burress was the guy who made life easier for a young Eli Manning. Sure, there's going to be a considerable amount of rust on Plax, but Burress at 70% has to be as good or better than what they have now sans Steve Smith, right? Vick wants Burress in Philadelphia and the two together would make for a great story, but if Plax wants to be a mentor, he would find a nice place on a young team needing a veteran leader in Carolina.

13. James Jones, WR, Packers: Jones came up big in spots for the defending Super Bowl champs during their improbable title run as Aaron Rodgers' 3rd option. However, with fellow youngster Jordy Nelson flying up the depth chart, aging vet Donald Driver not quite ready to hang 'em up and tight end Jermichael Finley expected back from injury(not to mention rookie Randall Cobb in the fold as well), targets may be a bit hard to come by in Titletown for the former San Jose State standout.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: N.Y. Jets - Every year, free agents use their Super Bowl run to parlay that into a big contract, usually somewhere other than where they just hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at. With Jones' role in Green Bay diminished(or, most importantly, not expected to improve), it might be best if he takes his talents elsewhere. Jones has all the makings of a solid wideout but his shaky hands make him better suited to a #2 than a top receiver. Having just spent a year and a half with Braylon Edwards, the Jets could go a cheaper route with JaJo, who will benefit from Santonio Holmes on the other side. Sure, catching passes from Mark Sanchez isn't catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, but it's a step up on a contender looking for a discount....what's wrong with that?

14. Nmandi Asomugha, CB, Raiders: For some unexplained reason, the Raiders are opting to cut ties with arguably the best corner in the game just a couple years removed from paying him top dollar. As the only premier defensive free agent on the market, Nmandi figures to get yet another pay day as one of the few shutdown corners in an era of aerial attacks.

Where I'd Like To See Him Go: Baltimore - For all of their defensive acumen, the Ravens defense has lacked a true top-flight corner since Chris McAllister left. They tried to make due with guys like Fabian Washington and Ladarius Webb but injuries decimated the unit and the team's lack of secondary help was exploited in the playoff loss to Pittsburgh. The Ravens drafted infamous headcase Jimmy Smith out of Colorado and it is believed that tough love from guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will set him straight, but can a elite team like Baltimore really afford to take that risk? Enter Asomugha, who is in the middle of his prime and would jump at the chance of playing for a contender after years drowning in Oakland. Can the Ravens afford to pay him top dollar with guys like Haloti Ngata and Ray Rice needing a re-up in the near future? Maybe not, but it would be worth a shot.