Fantasy Football News 2/6/07

[Hache Man]

Free Agency Preview: QBs
With the Super Bowl hangover wearing off, the NFL can safely start preparations for the 2007 season. The next month will be used to evaluate personnel, re-work contracts, and start clearing room for the 2007 salary cap. Occasional trade talks will spring up, but the most popular way to create roster flexibility is to cut dead weight.

That's why our free agency preview includes my rankings of unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents, trade candidates, and possible salary cap casualties. I'll rank every worthwhile player who could be available this off-season, and what teams are particularly needy at each position.

Today our series starts with the signal callers. While the list of unrestricted free agents is uninspiring, there are a number of intriguing names that I expect to be on the trade block or released. All of these veterans will enter a market where most NFL teams have young starters or entrenched veterans in place. For once, there is a buyer's market at quarterback. Teams that need to add talent like Minnesota, Oakland, and Houston won't have much competition for the biggest names available.

Unrestricted Free Agents

1. Damon Huard, Chiefs – Huard was having a Pro Bowl-quality season until Trent Green got healthy. The Chiefs offense fared much better with Huard in the lineup. He showed great touch on his passes. Huard will turn 34 next season, so he's not a long-term solution. He played under Al Saunders in Kansas City, so he's a natural fit in Washington.

2. Jeff Garcia, Eagles - Garcia barely got a job last off-season, but there should be more interest this time around. He showed surprising arm strength in 2006 as Andy Reid rehabbed his career. Garcia is a quality backup who could compete to start with an untested young player. Tampa Bay and Minnesota are natural fits because of their use of the West Coast offense.

3. Marques Tuiasosopo, Raiders - He never fit in Oakland's vertical attack after Jon Gruden left town. Tui hasn't looked great in limited work as a pro (two touchdowns, seven interceptions), but he's young enough to get another job. Reuniting with Gruden in Tampa makes sense.

4. Tim Rattay, Bucs - Rattay rehabbed his image in the league with three solid efforts in December, including a great three touchdown comeback in Chicago. Coaches never seem to warm to Rattay, but he's been consistently productive enough to get a backup job. Denver is a logical fit.

5. Anthony Wright, Bengals - Carson Palmer's backup could be back next season to perform the same duties.

6. Kerry Collins, Titans - Tennessee reportedly wants him back behind Vince Young. He may retire.

7. Todd Bouman, Saints - Couldn't win the backup job in New Orleans. Probably done.

Restricted Free Agents

1. Matt Schaub, Falcons - Schaub will be the subject of intense trade speculation again this off-season. The Falcons are committed to Michael Vick as their franchise quarterback and finances indicate they don't have a choice. Atlanta should be very tempted to deal Schaub in the last year of his contract, no matter what they've said publicly. Schaub's West Coast offense experience may not fit with Bobby Petrino's new offense anyhow.

Minnesota and Houston have the motivation to make a run at Schaub, who should get a high tender. One note of caution: Schaub has six touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 6.4 YPA in 161 career attempts.

2. Quinn Gray, Jaguars – Was a revelation in Jacksonville's regular season finale. Look for the Jaguars to retain Gray while cutting ties with Byron Leftwich or David Garrard. Gray would be the backup in that scenario.

3. Cleo Lemon, Dolphins – Lemon was a favorite of Marty Schottenheimer in San Diego, and showed plenty of natural skill in Miami's season finale. The Dolphins should make sure they retain Lemon and let him compete with Daunte Culpepper.

4. Jim Sorgi, Colts – Sorgi has looked great in limited work for the Colts. A long-term extension would make sense for the team if he's happy being a backup.

5. John Navarre, Cardinals – Will always be remembered as part of the Shaun King-Josh McCown-Navarre triangle of Dennis Green destruction in 2004.

6. Brian St. Pierre, Steelers

Trade Candidates

1. Byron Leftwich/David Garrard, Jaguars – I would take Leftwich over Garrard, but either player will be highly coveted on the trade market. Jacksonville has to make a decision here because Quinn Gray looks like a solid backup.

One of these guys should get dealt. New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter favors a vertical approach and Jack Del Rio drafted Leftwich, both of which could help Leftwich's chances of staying. Either player can be a decent starter in the NFL, but Garrard probably has less trade value. Washington and Cleveland look like fits.

2. Jake Plummer, Broncos – Plummer collapsed in 2006 under the weight of a poor offense and a lack of confidence. Plummer is only 32 and just a year removed from back-to-back solid seasons. He will probably get a chance to start again and Houston is the most likely option. If the Broncos can't trade Plummer, they will probably cut him.

3. David Carr – It was a bad sign for Carr that he regressed under QB-friendly coach Gary Kubiak. He may need a fresh start, and there's a good chance Houston will oblige. Oakland seems like a fit.

Cap Casualty Candidates

1. Aaron Brooks, Raiders – Being better than Andrew Walter isn't good enough. A.B. would make a fine backup somewhere.

2. Joey Harrington, Dolphins – Won in Miami, but was a disaster by December. Harrington could possibly stay and compete with Daunte Culpepper and Cleo Lemon for snaps.

3. Drew Bledsoe, Cowboys – Just about done. Bledsoe could get a backup job if he wants, but we suspect he is looking for a chance to start. He may be out of those.

4. Billy Volek, Chargers – Due a roster bonus in March. Volek may be considered superfluous with Charlie Whitehurst around.

5. Patrick Ramsey, Jets – Kellen Clemens is the future in New York, and Chad Pennington is the present.

6. Brad Johnson, Vikings – Almost certain to be released. Less certain that he'll find a job.

7. Chris Weinke, Panthers – Carolina wants to upgrade at backup quarterback after Weinke tanked in December this season.

8. Mark Brunell, Redskins – Will be tough to return from shoulder surgery at his age.

Teams Looking for Quarterbacks

Notice I call this list teams looking for quarterback. Some teams, like the Lions and Bills, could probably use another quality arm. But they aren't expected to be looking, especially for a veteran.

1. Minnesota Vikings - Tarvaris Jackson is an intriguing talent, but he's a question mark. His two late season starts didn't settle the team's long-term plans. Brooks Bollinger has a chance to start. He's better than his reputation, but Brad Childress will look to upgrade. Familiarity with the West Coast offense will be a plus, so names like Jeff Garcia, Matt Schaub, Jake Plummer, Tim Rattay, and Marques Tuiasosopo make sense.

2. Oakland Raiders - The organization still appears to have some faith in Andrew Walter, although we're not sure why. Aaron Brooks is unlikely to be back. Oakland may not be patient enough to draft a quarterback with the first pick in April. It wouldn't be a surprise if they went after Jake Plummer, Byron Leftwich, or David Carr, then take Calvin Johnson with the first pick.

3. Washington Redskins - I've watched a lot of tape on Jason Campbell. There is plenty of talent, but he was highly inconsistent throw-to-throw. With the Redskins in perpetual win-now mode, I'd be surprised if the Redskins don't go after one of the Jaguars quarterbacks or Damon Huard.

4. Houston Texans - David Carr seems likely to be traded. Houston is high on Sage Rosenfels, but they will want to bring in competition. This is the most likely destination for Jake Plummer because Gary Kubiak coached him in Denver. Houston could also choose to draft a quarterback to develop under Rosenfels.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - After Chris Simms' signing, Jon Gruden admitted that, "There's a good chance someone else will be in town competing."

He wasn't talking about Bruce Gradkowski. Gruden was a fan of Marques Tuiasosopo, so the former Raider is a viable option. Gruden never met a veteran he didn't like, so look for the Bucs could also sniff around Jeff Garcia and Jeff Plummer. Someone will compete with Simms.

6. Cleveland Browns - GM Phil Savage is in a tough spot. Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson are both young players, so drafting another quarterback seems redundant. Neither Frye or Anderson is proven, so I suspect the Browns will look around. If they don't find anything they like, they can pass.

7. Kansas City Chiefs - Trent Green started showing his age last season. Damon Huard is a free agent and likely to leave. The Chiefs ostensibly have their "quarterback of the future" in second-year player Brodie Croyle, but he had a bad training camp last season. The Chiefs should be looking for a quarterback, but we're not sure they will.

8. Detroit Lions - Jon Kitna isn't going to win you a Super Bowl. Detroit says they are content to stand pat at the quarterback position, but it wouldn't shock us if they drafted Brady Quinn in April.

9. Dallas Cowboys - If Drew Bledsoe retires; the Cowboys could use an experienced backup.

10. Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens already have to think about life after Steve McNair and Kyle Boller. Boller is a free agent at the end of the 2007 season.

11. Carolina Panthers - They would like a backup to replace Chris Weinke. A draft pick is possible.

12. Miami Dolphins - They have invested so much in Daunte Culpepper, there is probably no looking back. Cleo Lemon is more likely to compete for a job than a free agent.

13. Denver Broncos - If Jake Plummer is traded, Denver will want to get a veteran backup.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - Even if Jeff Garcia leaves, A.J. Feeley probably works as a backup.

[Hache Man]

	Colts might release Brandon Stokley
	Brandon Stokley - WR - IND - Feb. 6 - 10:13 a.m. ET
	The Colts may release Brandon Stokley this offseason. Stokley tore his Achilles' tendon in 2006 and is due a $2.1 million base salary to go with a $500,000 roster bonus in March. Indianapolis might use a first-day pick on a receiver if Stokley doesn't get healthy soon.Feb. 6 - 10:13 a.m. ET Source: Indianapolis Star