OFF-SEASON PREVIEWS
AFC NORTH
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Free Agents (thanks to BigBenCan7 for the input)
BigBenCan7 comments:
Here's the list of Steelers whose contracts will be up at the end of this year:
QB - Charlie Batch UFA
RB - Verron Haynes UFA
WR - Antwaan Randle El UFA
WR - Quincy Morgan UFA
WR - Sean Morey UFA
DE - Kimo von Oelhoffen UFA
TE - Jerame Tuman UFA
OT - Barrett Brooks UFA
LB - Clint Kriewaldt UFA
LB - Brett Keisel UFA
LB - Chris Hope UFA
CB - DeShea Townsend UFA
CB - Ike Taylor RFA
The Steelers are not a team that does much picking up of free agents, they build their teams out of drafts more than anything. They usually make one or two pick-ups, but not any big names.
Aging Players (34 or older next season):
Jerome Bettis, Barrett Brooks, Chris Gardocki, Jeff Hartings, Tommy Maddox, Kimo VonOelhoffen, Willie Williams
BBC comment: I'm almost positive that the Bus is going to be hanging them up at the end of the season. I don't want to see it, but I think its coming
Potential First Round Selection
Possibly a cornerback but they will have to see who is available at their pick.
BBC comment: I've heard LenDale White is under the Steelers radar, but with the performance he had in the Rose Bowl I have a feeling he'll be moving up in the draft. I wouldn't mind getting WR Martin Nance from Miami of Ohio to come play with his former college QB Ben Roethlisberger
Salary Cap Situation
The Steelers show they are $4 Million over but their cap condition is not as bad as it appears. For example, all indications are that Jerome Bettis will be calling it quits at the end of this season. The Bus is scheduled to make a little over $5.35 M in base salary alone in 2006.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Free Agents
Rashad Bauman CB UFA
Anthony Mitchell S UFA
Carl Powell DE UFA
Hannibal Navies LB UFA
Ifeanyi Ohalete S UFA
Jeremi Johnson FB RFA
Jon Kitna QB UFA
Kelley Washington WR RFA
Kenny Watson RB UFA
Kevin Walter WR RFA
Marcus Wilkins LB UFA
Matt Schobel TE UFA
Nate Webster LB UFA
Nick Luchey FB UFA
Reggie Myles CB UFA
Scott Kooistra OG RFA
Tony Stewart TE UFA
Aging Players (34 or older next season)
Rich Braham
Potential First Round Pick
Probably a Tight End but they could go for a DT to help stop the run.
Salary Cap Situation
The Cincinnati Bengals look good at $16 M under the cap. This number includes Carson Palmer's contract extension, which paid out $15 M in guaranteed, up-front money and will pay him a base of $6.75 M in 2006. Clearly the Bengals, who made the playoffs this year for the first time in 15 years, have done a nice job bringing along their young talent -- and they appear to be financially strong enough to contend for a number of years.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Free Agents
Aaron Shea TE UFA
Andra Davis LB UFA
Antonio Bryant WR UFA
Antwan Harris. S UFA
Ben Taylor LB UFA
Ethan Kelley DT RFA
Kyle Richardson P UFA
L.J. Shelton OT UFA
Leigh Bodden CB RFA
Mike Pucillo C UFA
Orlando Ruff LB UFA
Orpheus Roye DE UFA
Ray Mickens CB UFA
Aging Players (34 or older next season)
Trent Dilfer, Jason Fisk
Potential First Round Pick
Probably Chad Greenway at LB—a great talent.
Salary Cap Situation
Cleveland Browns are $31 M under the cap. Considering the lack of star power in Cleveland it should come as no surprise that they are in excellent cap shape. With the well publicized front office discord that occurred at the conclusion of the season, it will be interesting to see if the team is willing to spend some money this off-season -- and if so, how will they spend it?
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Free Agents
Aaron Elling PK RFA
Anthony Weaver DE UFA
Anthony Wright QB UFA
Aubrayo Franklin DT RFA
Bart Scott LB UFA
Chad Williams S UFA
Chester Taylor RB UFA
Dale Carter CB UFA
Daniel Wilcox TE RFA
Darnell Dinkins TE UFA
Dave Zastudil P UFA
Deion Sanders CB UFA
Jamal Lewis RB UFA
Jarret Johnson DE RFA
Ma'ake Kemoeatu DT UFA
Musa Smith RB RFA
Ovie Mughelli FB RFA
Patrick Johnson WR UFA
Randy Hymes TE UFA
Terry Jones TE UFA
Tommy Polley LB UFA
Tony Pashos OT RFA
Will Demps S UFA
Aging Players (34 or older next season)
Orlando Brown, Dale Carter, Deion Sanders, Matt Stover
Potential First Round Pick
They need to start re-building that O-line and Marcus McNeil is the most common name coming up.
Salary Cap Situation
The Baltimore Ravens are $15 M under the cap but this is somewhat misleading since they only have a little over half of a team signed for next year.
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