Top Available Free Agents for 2009 NFL Training Camps

Though his actions caused the Giants’ 2008 season to go awry there is no doubt that Burress 6’6 frame gives smaller defensive backs fits.  In limited action, Plaxico had 35 catches for 454 yards and 4 touchdowns. But this big and athletic playmaker will need to show that he has growm up on and off the field. 

There have been rumors that the Giants kept quiet on a lot of the problems that Burress caused, so I know teams looking to sign him will be doing their homework. Even though there has been an adjournement eventually Burress will have to face the legal process in a trial or plea deal and then there is the little matter of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell possibly suspending him. 

There is no doubt if Burress can get his legal issues straight that he will be at the top of the free agent receiver list..

 

QB Michael Vick, formerly of Atlanta Falcons 

After the Falcons recently released Vick, he could officially sign with any NFL team.  Of course no team is probably going to sign Vick until Goodell reinstates him from his indefinite suspension stemming from his federal dogfighting case. Vick will leave federal custody on July 20th and he will then have to meet with Goodell. 

Let’s say that Goodell reinstates Vick with a 4-game or less suspension, at that time I believe there will be at least four teams (Rams, Cowboys, Raiders, and Jaguars) entering the race for the former Falcons star quarterback. 

I know there are issues around protests, but I believe this man has been persecuted enough, so let him be.  As for those who believe that the 29-year old is done in the NFL…C’mon also-rans like SF 49ers Damon Huard, Bears Brett Basanez, Bengals JT O’Sullivan, Chargers Charlie Whitehurst, and others have jobs in the NFL. 

Even after not throwing an NFL pass since December 2006, Vick is still a much better player  than those quarterbacks and others too—career passing numbers of 930-1730, 11505 yards, 71 TDs, 52 INTs, and a 75.7 rating in six years w/ the Falcons. 

I know some NFL offensive coordinators cannot wait to get their hands on a player with Vick’s mobility in multiple offensive sets including the Wildcat—established quarterback records of 1039 rushing yards and an 8.4 ypr average in 2006. 

After his release expect Vick to work with his former high school coach Tommy Reamon and his son Tommy Reamon Jr (Old Dominion QB) to get back into NFL shape.

 

DE Travis LaBoy, formerly of Arizona Cardinals 

It is only a matter of time before this 27-year old pass rusher is picked up. LaBoy can play as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a hand-in-the-dirt 4-3 defensive end. When healthy, this former 2nd round pick by the Titans in 2004 from Hawaii terrorizes quarterbacks playing with get speed. 

Right now the former Cardinals high-motor end is recovering from torn biceps surgery earlier this offseason. 

Laboy (6-4, 250) was released on April 2009 by Cardinals, but his ability to rush the passer—23.5 career sacks with four sacks in ’08—will find him a new home. Even if there are not any injuries in camp, expect the Packers, Patriots, and possibly the Niners to take a look at Laboy.

 

Other Free Agents

QB Cleo Lemon, Jacksonville Jaguars

QB J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills

QB Marques Tuiasosopo, Oakland Raiders

RB J.J. Arrington, Denver Broncos 

RB Ron Dayne, Houston Texans

RB Reuben Droughns, NY Giants

RB Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB DeShaun Foster, San Francisco 49ers

RB Ahmad Green, Houston Texans

RB Rudi Johnson, Detroit

RB Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints

RB Chris Perry, Cincinnati Bengals

WR Drew Bennett, St. Louis Rams

WR Marty Booker, Chicago Bears

WR Joe Jurevicius, Cleveland Browns

WR Justin McCareins, Tennessee Titans

WR Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions

WR Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Amani Toomer, New York Giants

WR Reggie Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars

WR/TE/H-Back Mike Williams, Tennessee Titans

TE Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions

OL Derrick Dockery, Buffalo Bills

OT Wayne Gandy, Baltimore Ravens

OL Kwame Harris, Oakland Raiders

OT Fred Miller, Chicago Bears

OL Edwin Mulitalo, Detroit Lions

OT John St. Clair, Chicago Bears

DL DeWayne Robertson, Denver Broncos

DL Kenny Peterson, Denver Broncos

LB Donnie Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs

LB Kalimba Edwards, Oakland Raiders

LB Morlon Greenwood, Houston Texans

LB Willie McGinest, Cleveland Browns

LB/ST Gary Stills, St. Louis Rams

DB Dre’ Bly, Denver Broncos

DB Adam “Pacman” Jones, Dallas Cowboys

DB Sammy Knight, NY Giants

DB Ty Law, New York Jets

DB Sam Madison, NY Giants

DB Ricky Manning, Tennessee Titans

DB Chris McAlister, Baltimore Ravens

DB Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta Falcons

DB Dwight Smith, Detroit Lions

CB Patrick Surtain, Kansas City Chiefs

DB Jimmy Williams, Houston Texans

PK Justin Medlock, St. Louis Rams

PK Matt Stover, Baltimore Ravens

 

 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

Posted in 2009 NFL Available Free Agents, 2009 NFL Free Agency, 2009 NFL Season, 2009 NFL Training Camps, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Michael Vick Tagged: 2009 NFL Available Free Agents, 2009 NFL Free Agency, 2009 NFL Season, 2009 NFL Training Camps, Edgerrin James, Football, Marvin Harrison, Michael Vick, NFL, Sports

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