Washed Up And Dreaming : Breaking Down the 2010 NFL Free Agents

Every year an NFL team has hard decisions to make with personnel. The fine line of loyalty and positive production is a gamble that has most fans wondering if general managers just roll the dice before deciding the future path of their team.

This isn't exactly a banner year for free agents, as most teams are preparing for the seemingly inevitable players' strike at the conclusion of the season. If the players do win their new contract, the 2011 season could be historic for just the available players alone.

As the draft approaches, some players in the twilight of their careers are desperate to prove they have at least one more season in them. Some others have hit the wall but continue to hang on to a childhood dream of still playing in the NFL.

Here is a small list of some of the more well known players available for hire.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Running Back

His tires are bald and flat, but his heart is still in it. Coming off the worse year of his career, it appears evident that his days are over, but he will possibly hang on for one more year.

Some experts think he has something left, while others say it was clear that he lost it in 2008. He did suffer behind a Chargers line that didn't do a good job run blocking last season, so there is a thought he could be effective behind a top notch line.

Tomlinson might not decide on a team to join until after the draft, but he could help a team like Minnesota now that Chester Taylor has bolted to the Chicago Bears. The New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and possibly even the New Orleans Saints could also inquire about his services.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently called for his team to hire Tomlinson, as they were once teammates in San Diego.

Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver

Owens is no longer the type of player who can rip teammates and coaches while crying to the press on how underutilized he is. Still, he is not quite yet just a reality TV star on a lowly cable channel wearing shoulder pads, because he can still make the occasional big play.

Owens still drops far too many passes, and he refused to practice on Fridays for the Buffalo Bills in 2009. He will want to get on a good team in order to attain his elusive championship ring, but no top notch team in their right mind would take a chance on this headcase on his own terms. Unless of course they are desperate for a possession receiver with unreliable hands and an even more unreliable mental state.

Orlando Pace, Offensive Tackle

Pace will probably retire, but there is a good chance some teams will put feelers out for him sometime this year, especially a team ravaged by injuries at left tackle. Though he is a shell of the player he once was, his experience could earn him another paycheck in 2010.

Joey Porter, Linebacker

Porter is a one dimensional outside linebacker who has lost his speed off the edge, and his antics make him more annoying than is worth dealing with. He can be effective in the right scheme at times, but it appears his days of being a constant force are long behind him.

Brian Westbrook, Running Back

Westbrook was no more than a third round back when the Eagles gave him a huge contract a few years ago. Philadelphia failed to see that the days of the oft-injured Westbrook being a featured back were long gone, and got nothing in return.

If he were used only on third downs, he might be able to help a team. That is until he goes down with his annual injury. Worth a gamble for a small price, if he accepts the pay cut.

Charles Grant, Defensive End

Grant hasn't been excellent since 2004, and he hasn't been healthy an entire season since 2006. He works best in a 4-3 scheme, but it appears he has lost that burst that got him 20.5 sacks from 2003 to 2004. He could provide depth at this point, but not for the salary he may demand.

Jamaal Lewis, Running Back

Lewis has yet to officially retire, but was last seen suffering from post-concussion syndrome. If he does return, he might be serviceable as a short yardage specialist. His days of being the featured back are most likely over.

Lamont Jordan, Running Back

He is only 31 years old and has carried the ball over 100 times just three times in his nine years. His problem has always been staying healthy an entire season, but his soft hands as a receiver are desirable to many teams. He may not be more than a third stringer at this stage of his career, but he could help someone somewhere for 2010.

On The Verge

Then there are the players who seem they might actually have something left to contribute to a team.

A "gamble" may be the best word to describe this group.

Thomas Jones, Running Back

What can you say to the Jets for recently cutting a locker room leader coming off his career best totals in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns while leading a team to the AFC Championship with an erratic rookie quarterback?

He might be the best free agent still on the board, but he's at an age where running backs start to decline, especially after toting the ball 331 times at the age of 31 years last season.

The Jets made a move that has most sitting on the fence right now, and Jones could sway them in his favor by having a big year on the right team.

New England?

Shawne Merriman, Linebacker

Merriman is a very intriguing prospect. His type of injury usually takes two years to recover, so a big season could be on the horizon for him. He is also just 26 years old. There is the fear he will never fully recover, which may scare teams off from investing big in him long term.

He is the type of player who will make a GM look either brilliant or inadequate.

Derrick Mason, Wide Receiver

Mason is 36 and entering his 14th year. He has almost retired a few times, but continues to return. He is often banged up, but still returns to football because his heart is immeasurable, and he can still get open by running great routes.

Expect him to make one last run in Baltimore as a complement to the newly acquired Anquan Boldin, giving the Ravens perhaps their best receiving duo ever.

Justin Fargas, Running Back

Oakland finally realized that carrying three good backs who need a lot of carries wasn't working. It is too bad they didn't trade Fargas for at least a low pick instead of subsequently cutting him. He will have offers soon to choose from, and is a solid back who is most likely on the downside of his career.

Willie Parker, Running Back

Willie is just not all that fast anymore. The treads on his tires are gone, but he could conceivably be a third string-type back at this stage with a big play or two left in him.

Kevin Mawae, Center

He is 39, so that is why he makes this list. He probably has another solid year under his belt, and his experience is like no other at his position. At the least, he is quality depth.

Derrick Burgess, Defensive End

Burgess had a sack in each of the last few games for New England last year, but that was about it. The undersized defensive end has lost a step, but pass rushing veterans always seem to be able to find a roster spot somewhere.

Antonio Pierce, Linebacker

He is no longer a versatile guy who can help on special teams, even if he is given a clean bill of health. He is basically a reserve if 100%, but the fiery self-made man is a leader who can help unite a locker room. He is the type you invite into camp, if he passes the physical, but sign for a minimum salary.

Lito Sheppard, Cornerback

He may no longer be the Pro Bowl player he once was, but he is going to be only 29 years old come opening kickoff of the 2010 season. He has been unable to stay healthy the past two years, but he could help someone as a nickel back at the least.

Moron Moves?

There have been a few questionable moves by teams already, as they scramble to fill slots on their rosters.

Here are a few pricey moves that could backfire.

Dunta Robinson, Cornerback, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta just dumped a fortune into "just a guy." That is what Robinson has been since he blew out his knees several years ago after a strong start to his career in 2004.

Still, he will provide nice run support, and should finally quit crying now that he has gotten paid.

This move could very well remind fans of the time the Oakland Raiders dumped a boatload of cash on ex-Falcon DeAngelo Hall and got nothing in return.

At his best, Robinson represents a slight yet experienced upgrade over the current Falcon CB's. He is now being paid to be a lock-down defender, something he hasn't been in years.

Nate Burleson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions

This move can only be called a head-scratcher. Burleson gave Seattle very little beyond serving as a possession receiver in two years, while being injured in another. His 2009 stats are deceiving because Seattle was often behind and passing with a lousy receiver corp. His numbers are almost by default.

He is basically an oft-injured guy with inconsistent hands, and he could very well have Detroit regret signing him, especially for way too much money, considering there is a plethora of mediocre WR's like him still available for less.

Artis Hicks, OL, Washington Redskins

Let me get this straight. The Redskins fired Vinny Cerrato to put an end to bad personnel decisions, yet the new regime is dumping over $3 million a year into a scrub? How is this exactly a change for the better?

Hicks has long been labeled a stiff, which is why he has just 14 career starts in eight years. He represents only versatile veteran depth, though the Redskins may plug him into the starting lineup to justify his signing.

If Washington signs the aging Chad Clifton to replace retired left tackle Chris Samuels, it will be interesting to see if they draft anymore offensive line help.