2012 Free Agents: Biggest Reasons Why Top Remaining Players Haven't Signed

With the 2012 NFL Draft now in the past and training camp right around the corner free agency is winding down. However, while any number of players have found new homes there are still several pros looking for work, including some surprisingly familiar names.

Given their past production and resume it may seem puzzling why some of these players are still waiting for the phone to ring, but for each of the names on this list there's also a reason why front offices aren't racing towards their desks to make that call.

Marcus McNeill, Offensive Tackle

With a pair of Pro Bowl appearances under his belt and a solid resume as a starting left tackle in the National Football League, one would think that Marcus McNeill would have been among the first players snatched up in free agency, especially given that he's only 28 years old.

Why he hasn't signed: McNeill has missed 12 games due to injury over the past two seasons, and the neck injury that ended his 2011 season also led to his release by the San Diego Chargers in March.

A number of teams have been linked to McNeill, but apparently the neck is still an issue, and until the seventh-year pro gets a team to sign off medically his career is effectively in limbo.

Plaxico Burress, Wide Receiver

It was plainly evident that more than two years away from the National Football League had taken its' toll on wide receiver Plaxico Burress in 2011, but the 6'5" wideout did manage to reel in eight touchdown passes for the New York Jets a season ago.

Why he hasn't signed: Interest in the 34 year-old has been nearly non-existent, as outside his red-zone prowess Burress' skill set has eroded badly. Burress recently shilled for work on ESPN Radio, naming the Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and Oakland Raiders as teams he'd be interested in playing for.

The Dolphins and Raiders could both badly use wide receiver help. However, if they wanted an over-the-hill, headcase wide receiver they could just go pull Terrell Owens out of the Arena League, as Owens appears to have more left in the tank than Burress at this point.

Matt Roth, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

Defensive end Matt Roth has never produced a huge statistical season or made a trip to the Pro Bowl. However, the 6'4" 275-pounder has carved out a solid career as a rotational player capable of playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses, including amassing 23.5 career sacks.

Why he hasn't signed: A concussion suffered last November ended Roth's season and led to his release by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and concerns about Roth's durability may have cooled the market for his services.

Roth visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week, however, and if he's cleared to return to action Roth should latch on with a team looking for some depth soon enough.

Ryan Grant, Running Back

It appeared that free agent running back Ryan Grant was potentially headed to the Detroit Lions after the team reportedly made a contract offer, and the sixth-year veteran was scheduled to visit the Motor City.

However, Pro Football Talk reported recently that both the visit and deal are now off.

Why he hasn't signed: According to the PFT report, ESPN's John Clayton said on Sportscenter that not only was the Lions' contract offer unsatisfactory, but Grant also wants a chance to start.

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“To Ryan, it’s not a matter of just the money. Ryan wants to make sure it’s the right situation, as far as, if he has the chance to compete for the starting job, if he does have a chance to compete if he can make the right type of money with that.

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This late in free agency that sort of offer isn't likely to come along, especially since Grant hasn't topped 1,000 rushing yards since 2009 and may have lost a step after a serious ankle injury a year later.

Braylon Edwards, Wide Receiver

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards single season with the San Francisco 49ers was an unmitigated disaster. The eighth-year pro played in only 9 games, made a paltry 15 catches for 181 yards, and not surprisingly was not invited back for an encore.

Why he hasn't signed: Edwards is still rehabbing the knee injury that ended his 2011 season, so it may be a while before he latches on with a new squad.

However, Edwards has shown the ability to be a productive receiver in the past and has drawn interest from the New York Jets (where he played in 2009 and 2010) and Cincinnati Bengals, so once the 29 year-old's knee checks out he should sign a deal in short order.

Andre Carter, Defensive End

Defensive end Andre Carter resurrected his career last year with the New England Patriots, following up an atrocious 2010 season with 52 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 14 games a year ago.

Why he hasn't signed: The 33 year-old Carter suffered a quadriceps injury last December that required surgery, and given the veteran's age and inability to work out for teams it's not surprising that the market for his services has been slow.

However, if Carter can successfully rehabilitate the leg and show NFL teams that he has at least one more productive season left, then some squad is almost surely going to roll the dice on a player who has amassed double digit sacks twice in the last three seasons.

Cedric Benson, Running Back

Former Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson might seem to be the most surprising name on this list, as the eighth year pro topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his past three seasons in the Queen City.

Why he hasn't signed: Benson is also a plodder who hasn't topped four yards a carry since 2009, and whether it's due to his lack of explosiveness, history of legal troubles, or contract demands the market for Benson has been virtually non-existent.

Benson recently expressed interest in joining the Oakland Raiders as Darren McFadden's backup. However, it's unknown whether that interest is mutual, and given the lack of interest in Benson to this point it may take a training camp injury for Cedric Benson to get an offer.

Dallas Clark, Tight End

For many years during the heyday of the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark was a vital part of the offense, and as recently as 2009 the 10th-year veteran caught 100 passes for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Why he hasn't signed: The 32 year-old has missed 15 games over the past two seasons, and injury and age concerns led to Clark being one of the many Colts' veterans jettisoned this offseason.

Those concerns extend to other NFL teams as well apparently. Although the Kansas City Chiefs recently hosted the 2009 Pro Bowler for a visit Clark left town without an offer, and some NFL teams reportedly believe that Clark's skills have eroded to the point that his career may be over.