Category — Free Agency

The Ravens and Ray Lewis apart? Not if team owner Steve Bisciotti can help it. “If he becomes a free agent next year, I think the Ravens would probably outbid other teams,” Bisciotti said. “We know Ray’s value more than the other teams. We know the leadership he brings to the team. We know the commitment and the effort he gives to winning.” The Ravens and Lewis have had disputes about extensions in the past, but with the defense’s collapses growing more frequent during the season and the offense’s continued apathetic play, it makes sense to keep an icon and leader like Lewis around.

When the NFL season comes to a close, another begins. It may be called the offseason, but as any fan knows, the NFL is a year-round sport that doesn’t end when the games cease to be played.

Among the notable attractions of the offseason is free agency. It’s where teams will rebuild before the draft and some can become almost instant winners by acquiring the right set of playmakers on offense and defense or else fill needs with veteran players.

Whatever your team needs, it starts with free agency. With that in mind, here are the top running backs who will be either unrestricted free agents (UFA) or restricted free agents (RFA) following the 2007 season.

The Top 5

When the NFL season comes to a close, another begins. It may be called the offseason, but as any fan knows, the NFL is a year-round sport that doesn’t end when the games cease to be played.

Among the notable attractions of the offseason is free agency. It’s where teams will rebuild before the draft and some can become almost instant winners by acquiring the right set of playmakers on offense and defense or else fill needs with veteran players.

Whatever your team needs, it starts with free agency. With that in mind, here are the top quarterbacks who will be either unrestricted free agents (UFA) or restricted free agents (RFA) following the 2007 season. (Edit: Philip Rivers is also an unrestricted free agent, but because there is an almost 0% chance he leaves the Chargers, he has been left off the list.)

Simeon Rice isn’t afraid to tell anyone who tops his list of candidates to sign him before the regular season begins.

“The Broncos are better than 50-50,” Rice said. “They’re like 55-45, maybe 60-40. Things are leaning their way. They’re classy, man. All class. I want to knock on wood, but I feel like this is the place. I feel like this is a team that will challenge for the Super Bowl and create a Camelot type of experience.”

Without a doubt, Rice is a playmaker and a leader, someone who, with former teammate John Lynch, could rally Denver’s defense throughout 2007. Last season the team fell apart during the second half of the season after having a great first half. The team’s greatest weakness was a strong pass rush, thanks (or no thanks) to a group of Cleveland Brown-rejects.

Denver made some noise this offseason, signing three key veterans to add some much-needed experience to the offense. The result? Three starters who could make the difference between a Super Bowl and missing the playoffs entirely.

But can any make the difference between a fantasy title and competing in your league’s “toilet bowl?”

Absolutely.

All three are projected to be drafted post-first round, including Travis Henry. Expected to go in the second round of most drafts, Henry poses a threat to opposing defenses. Not only is he now a part of The System, but he’s the most talented back to enter the system since Clinton Portis.

Apparently Culpepper impressed enough Raiders’ personnel during his workout with the team on Monday. Enough, that is, to earn himself a one-year contract to compete for the team’s starting position.

Will he earn it?

Not according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter who reported that starting spot is Josh McCown’s to lose. But you have to figure that Al Davis will make his case for Culpepper. After all, the Raiders’ owners loves big quarterbacks with strong arms. It might be the first test that dictates who is in charge of the Silver and Black: Davis or the (very) young Lane Kiffin.

Fantasy Tip: For now, leave Oakland’s quarterback carousel off your draft board. The uncertainty surrounding the situation is too great, and the eventual starter(s) will be playing behind a shaky offensive line.

The Oakland Raiders have gone out this offseason and worked hard to remedy their quarterback situation. Both the acquisition of Josh McCown and drafting of JaMarcus Russell have gone a long way in building up the position.

But Russell’s prolonged holdout has the team scrambling for another quarterback to fit the bill. And that person just might be Daunte Culpepper.

“Daunte’s something we’ve been looking into for a little bit,” Kiffin said. “This is kind of the climax of that, working him out.”

It was originally rumored Oakland was interested in trading for Culpepper prior to the draft. One scenario had the Raiders drafting phenom wide receiver Calvin Johnson with the first pick and making a trade to acquire Culpepper as the starting quarterback.

With news headlines dominated by a certain recently indicted quarterback, it’s refreshing to see another in search of a team willing to give him a fresh start.

That quarterback of course is Daunte Culpepper, previously released by the Miami Dolphins, who has spent some time contacting interested teams and working out. The most recent of these is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though they already have a pair of highly paid quarterbacks on their roster — Chris Simms and Jeff Garcia — making it doubtful he’ll end up there.

But, then again, with Jon Gruden (a.k.a. Chucky) still steering the ship, you never know what will happen.

Other teams rumored to be interested in the 30 year old quarterback include the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

It appears Vinny Testaverde will be lacing up his cleats for at least one more season, resigning with the New England Patriots. The two time Pro Bowl quarterback turns 44 this year (that’s about 112 in NFL years) and 2007 will be his 21st season in the NFL.

That kind of longevity is rare in a league where the average is around three and a half years. But a guy like Testaverde has grown wise over the years.

“After two-a-days are over [in training camp], I’ll go back and sign my contract,” said Testaverde.

NFL Draft analysis from Keyshawn? You ain’t seen nothing yet.