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Truth be told, the NFL is a young man’s game. It seems that each year we continue to see more teams dump their veteran players in favor of younger, leaner versions. In fact, in many instances, teams have become increasingly more willing to go the route of the undrafted free agent, rather than sign an established veteran.
The trickle down effect has resulted in some high profile, name-brand players becoming teamless. Some of these players have seen their skills deteriorate, others can’t seem to stay healthy, and in some cases, players just flat out fizzle.
It’s also worth noting the culture of today’s modern-day athlete; where the power of social networking (Facebook) and self-promotion (Twitter) on the internet has reached an all-time high. Expanded media coverage puts players under the microscope constantly and the over-exposure leaves them very little privacy, often resulting in bad publicity.
This year, for veterans who are shut out of the big show, there is another alternative…the UFL. Those three dreaded letters spell doom to veteran players who once enjoyed great success at the elite stage. One NFL player described a journey to the upstart league as “death to your career”.
But for those who wish to continue playing and are looking for a platform to showcase their skills, the new start-up league may be a viable option when no one is knocking on your door.
Here’s a look some of the remaining high profile free agents on the market and their current stock analysis.
Rex Grossman, Age: 29
Highlights of Accomplishments: 36 games; 31 games started; 6,164 career passing yards; 33 career touchdowns; 35 career interceptions; 70.2 career passer rating.
The Skinny: Grossman sports a 19-12 record as a starting quarterback but skeptics are quick to point to his shaky leadership skills and attitude. Despite the winning resume, teams are hesitant to buy into the fact that he is the man best suited to lead their franchise, or even serve as a back-up. While Grossman’s agent maintains that his client will play in the NFL this upcoming season, taking a look at the quarterback situations around the league, his chances seem remote.
Stock Analysis: Grossman isn’t good enough to warrant his behavior, which is why pro teams have elected to pass on “UnSexy Rexy” up to this point.
2008 Stats: 32-62 completions-attempts; 51.6 completion percentage; 257 passing yards; two touchdowns; two interceptions; 74.8 passer rating (Bears)
J.P. Losman, Age: 28
Highlights of Accomplishments: 42 games; 33 games started; 59.3 career completion percentage; 6,211 career passing yards; 33 career touchdowns; 34 career interceptions; 75.6 career passer rating
The Skinny: Once dubbed by the NFL Draft Bible as having a “cannon arm but a two cent head” entering the 2004 Draft, Losman finds himself front and center on the unemployment line. After flashing glimpses of potential early on in his career, the man of Tulane fame failed to show any consistency and has been a major disappointment. He has not progressed as expected and after losing his starting gig in Buffalo to Trent Edwards, Losman is facing the reality that the door back into the NFL could be shut after five seasons of mediocrity.
Stock Analysis: You would think that Losman is still young enough for a team to provide the former first round pick with another opportunity, but he currently has the same market value as a condo in Las Vegas.
2008 Stats: 63-104 completions-attempts; 60.6 completion percentage; 584 passing yards; two touchdowns; five interceptions; 39.2 passer rating (Bills)
Warrick Dunn, Age: 34
Highlights of Accomplishments: Three Pro Bowls, 15,664 career total yards, 64 career touchdowns.
The Skinny: Despite modest success, Dunn’s reunion tour in Tampa lasted just one season. He now finds himself looking for answers as to why there has been slim interest in his services. Last season, Dunn actually accumulated a higher rushing average (4.2) than his career average (4.1), on his way to leading the Buccaneers in rushing. The fact that Dunn has earned a reputation as a strong, positive locker-room presence still makes him a valuable commodity at this point in his career.
Stock Analysis: Considering that a majority of teams use a running back by committee approach and the fact that Dunn showed he can still tote the rock, even starting in six games, he should be able to find a landing spot before the start of training camp.
2008 Stats: 186 attempts, 786 yards, 4.2 rushing average, 47 receptions, 330 yards, two touchdowns (Buccaneers)
Edgerrin James, Age: 31
Highlights of Accomplishments: Four Pro Bowls, 12,121 career rushing yards (11th all-time), 91 career touchdowns, one Super Bowl ring.
The NFL has not been kind to the man they once called the “Edge”. Thought to be on the downside of his career after their 2005 Super Bowl run, Colts GM Bill Polian discarded James, who responded with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Cardinals. However, he has shown a gradual decline the past few years and this time, he seems to have lost a step or two. After seeing the way Shaun Alexander was shunned a year ago, the future seems dim for Edge.
Stock Analysis: Will probably be stuck sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. It likely won’t, unless a team loses a key running back due to injury.
2008 Stats: 133 attempts, 514 yards, 3.9 rushing average, three touchdowns (Cardinals)
Plaxico Burress, Age: 32
Highlights of Accomplishments: 7,845 career receiving yards, 15.5 career receiving average, 55 career touchdowns, 12 playoff games started, one Super Bowl ring,
The Skinny: It didn’t take Burress long to go from hero to zero in the eyes of Giants fans. After helping lead the G-Men to a championship in 2007 with clutch performances in the playoffs, “Plexiglass” was having a pedestrian season in ’08 before a self-inflicted gunshot wound ended his season prematurely. After an outstanding 133-yard performance in week one, Burress went on to average a measly 36 yards per game for the remainder of the nine games he participated in. Despite all that, expect several suitors to be vying for his services once he gets his legal issues taken care of.
Stock Analysis: Too talented not to be given a second chance, even if he serves jail-time, there will be some owners intrigued by the possibility of bringing a potential difference-maker.
2008 Stats: 35 receptions, 454 receiving yards, four touchdowns (Giants)
Marvin Harrison, Age: 37
Highlights of Accomplishments: Eight Pro Bowls, 14,580 receiving yards (4th all-time), 128 receiving touchdowns (5th all-time), one Super Bowl ring.
The Skinny: For the second consecutive year, it’s been a peculiar off-season for Harrison. Last year involved a bizarre gun incident. This season, there were reports that Harrison had been considering retirement. Those rumors were quickly denied in a statement issued by his agent. The future Hall of Famer looked to be a shell of his former self in ’08 and the question as to whether he still exhibits the same explosiveness he once had continues to be a major concern.
Stock Analysis: No one has kicked the tread on his tires as of yet and it doesn’t appear likely either. We may have seen the end of one of the true all-time greats.
2008 Stats: 60 receptions, 636 receiving yards, five touchdowns (Colts)
Derrick Brooks, Age: 36
Highlights of Accomplishments: 11 Pro Bowls, 1,301 career tackles, one Super Bowl ring.
The Skinny: A victim of the Bucs’ recent youth movement, Brooks was shown the door along with fellow veterans Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, Cato June and the previously mentioned Dunn. The 36-year-old was released after making his 11th Pro Bowl last season. Remarkably, Brooks missed three games during his rookie season in 1995 and has not missed a game since. In fact, he has started every game for the past 13-plus seasons, evidence that he can still withstand the mental and physical pounding of a sixteen-game season.
Stock Analysis: After his release, 32-year old head coach Raheem Morris predicted Brooks would retire, but linebacker coach Joe Barry believes that Brooks can and will play in ’09. Odds are 50/50; if he opts to play, he’ll find an organization willing to take a flier.
2008 Stats: 16 GS, 58 tackles, seven pass deflections (Buccaneers)
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Noted Impact: It will be interesting to watch how the aforementioned UFL proceeds with the impending free agents…the youth movement in the NFL could play to their advantage.
Other Names You May Recognize (age in parenthesis): QB-Gus Frerotte (38), RB-Deuce McAllister (30), RB-Rudi Johnson (29), RB-DeShaun Foster (28), WR-Amani Toomer (35), WR-Marty Booker (33), WR-Ike Hilliard (33), WR-Jerry Porter (31), WR-D.J. Hackett (28), OG-Pete Kendall (36), OT-Jon Runyan (36), OT-Levi Jones (30), DE-Kevin Carter (35), DT-Dewayne Robertson (27), LB-Donnie Edwards (36), CB-Dunta Robinson (27), SS-Lawyer Milloy (35), SS-Rodney Harrison (36)
* Age indication equals how old player will be when 2009 NFL season starts
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