NFL Free Agents 2011: Where Terrell Owens and the Rest of the Best Could Land

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The shortened free agency period of 2011 has left many good players hanging high and dry.

It has been a buyer's market to say the least, and many veterans are in no hurry to accept one-year contracts for a minimal amount of money.

As injuries occur, these players will be picked up by squads that cannot be determined as of now.

However, the players in this slideshow could very well call these towns home soon.

Terrell Owens

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Owens has a few things going for him despite his knee injury.

Drew Rosenhaus is a great agent who can promote anyone, and the work ethic of Owens should allow him to heal faster than expected.

Contenders will be seeking his services, and teams will not view the 37-year-old as a No. 1 receiver (like Cincinnati did last season).

The Jets may have signed Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason, but it's unreasonable to believe that both veteran receivers will give New York exactly what they expect in return.

The Arizona Cardinals could be a viable option for both sides, because the team lost Steve Breaston to their old offensive coordinator Todd Haley in Kansas City.

Owens will be on his best behavior, because the deal will be only one year, and he'll most likely want to keep playing after the contract.

Randy Moss

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The obvious landing spot would seem to be the Patriots, because Moss's loyalty remains with Bellichick and Brady.

However, New England now has Chad Ochocinco for their deep threat and may not want Moss back.

The Baltimore Ravens are putting a priority on stretching the field. If their second-round pick Torrey Smith doesn't show early returns, the team could bring in the veteran receiver—even though the Ravens have rid themselves of veterans in the offseason.

Ricky Williams

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Ricky Williams has turned into a respected veteran and was valued so much that Bill Parcells gave him a multiple-year contract extension as a 30-plus-year-old running back.

Mikel Leshoure will miss the entire season for the Lions with a torn Achilles, and Williams could serve as the power back to Jahvid Best's scat-back style.

Expect more running backs to go down and for many teams to look at Williams over the next veteran running back listed, Tiki Barber.

Update: Ricky Williams has signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

Tiki Barber

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Tiki Barber has played his last game in the NFL as a New York Giant.

He has managed to get only one workout, and that was from the completely-desperate Miami Dolphins.

Many view Barber as a bad locker room presence.

While that may not be true, perception becomes reality.

Steve Smith

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Smith gave the Giants a great slot-receiving threat, but he had micro-fracture knee surgery in the offseason.

Teams that use three-wide sets will put Smith through a serious workout before giving him the chance to join their team.

Expect Smith to sign for one year with the Giants midseason because he won't have to learn a new playbook.

Update: Steve Smith has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Michael Bush

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Bush has had injuries throughout his career, and he had a DUI in the offseason that could be punishable by Roger Goodell.

At the very least, the DUI will not encourage teams to take a risk on him when the reward wouldn't validate doing so.

His age will be a plus for his chances of playing in 2011, and he'd be a nice complement to a speedy guy in the backfield.

As mentioned before, the Detroit Lions could give him a look with Leshoure going down. Or the Baltimore Ravens could try to have him replace Willis McGahee.

Darren Sharper

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Sharper cashed in on a nice deal with his defensive-player-of-the-year-worthy season in 2009.

He'll take a minimum deal to keep playing, and that deal will likely come from the New Orleans Saints.

He can't currently practice, and he's in no hurry to get back for that minimum contract.

The Dallas Cowboys could use someone to compete for a starting safety job.

What would be even worse for New Orleans is if the Falcons decided to sign the veteran for their secondary.

Lofa Tatupu

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Tatupu got his wish after he asked the Seahawks for his release when they requested he take a pay cut.

Tatupu will definitely be playing for less than what he would have earned in Seattle for 2011.

The Eagles have been active in free agency, and Casey Matthews is currently taking first-team snaps at middle linebacker for Philadelphia.

The Buccaneers would be an ideal fit for Tatupu in their 4-3 cover scheme, especially after the team lost Barrett Ruud to Tennessee.

It appears that the bridge is burned for Tatupu in Seattle with his former college coach Pete Carroll, so don't expect him to return to the Emerald City.

Bryant McKinnie

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The last straw with McKinnie for Minnesota was the lazy tackle coming into camp extremely out of shape.

Before any team picks McKinnie up, he'll have to lose weight and a team will have to lose their starting left tackle.

McKinnie has been known to blow a lot of money in night clubs, and he wouldn't be thrilled with a low offer.