NFL Free Agency Rumors: 10 Rumors That Won't Materialize

Since we can't break down any more games, we're left to ponder what takes place in the offseason. Between the NFL Labor talks, the NFL Draft and free agency, there is a lot to discuss in the professional football world. 

Free agency is a time to find and sign veteran players to bolster your team's roster. This year will be really interesting because once the collective bargaining agreement expires, no team can make a trade or sign a player.

Teams can trade draft picks for other draft picks, but no player can be moved until there is a new CBA. There probably won't be a new deal until well into the summer, but for now we will pretend (and hope) that a deal is made.  

In no particular order, here are 10 free agent talks that you won't see happening this offseason. 

10. Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes to Both Remain Jets

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 and Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrate on their way to defeating the New England Patriots 28 to 21 victory over the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillet

The New York Jets' top two wideouts of 2010 won't be teammates in 2011. The Jets are likely to keep one and let the other go. 

I believe the Jets will keep Santonio Holmes, who was very clutch for them this past season. Edwards led the team in receiving with 904 yards and seven touchdowns. With his big head, he'll be asking for too much money.

The Jets will part ways with Edwards and re-sign Holmes.  

9. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown to Both Remain Dolphins

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MIAMI - AUGUST 23: Running backs Ricky Williams #34 and Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins chat prior to a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on August 23, 2008 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Williams and Brown have been teammates since 2005, when Brown was drafted No. 2 overall. They have teamed up to make one of, if not the, best running back duos in the past decade.

However, their days as a tandem will soon be over. Miami will only re-sign one of these guys, if even that. There is a chance they don't re-sign either, draft a running back and sign a veteran like Fred Taylor for cheap.

Their days in sunny Miami are numbered. If they chose to re-sign one, it will probably the elder, Williams. He won't cost them as much money. All signs are pointing to the Dolphins drafting Mark Ingram with the No. 15 pick in the draft.    

8. Tarvaris Jackson Will Remain a Viking

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 2: Tarvaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball during an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, on September 2, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Tarvaris Jackson won't be wearing the purple and gold next season. It's no secret Minnesota has a big question mark at quarterback. Brett Favre is gone and new head coach Leslie Frazier has some decisions to make. 

The Vikings like what they saw from Joe Webb at the end of the season. They also have the option of drafting a quarterback with the No. 12 pick. This doesn't sit well for Jackson. He will be out the door and on another team, as a backup, of course. 

7. Plaxico Burress Will Return to New York Giants

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: Wide receiver Plaxico Burress #17 of the New York Giants warms up for the game with the Arizona Cardinals on November 23, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants won 37-29. (Photo by Stephen Dun

Plaxico Burress is set to be released in June. Hopefully by then we will have a new collective bargaining agreement. If we don't, then Burress will have to wait another year until he can play football. 

But for argument's sake, let's say we do have a new deal. Burress will not be returning to New York to play for the Giants. The Giants have said it's a possibility they would welcome him back, but I believe that's just talk. 

It's too risky to bring him back. Before he shot himself in the foot, literally, Burress was suspended for violating team rules and fined over $100,000. He may have learned his lesson and be a changed man, but he needs to go to another team. A change of scenery, not his old stomping grounds, will be the best fit for Burress. 

6. Randy Moss Won’t Play Anywhere

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Randy Moss was tossed around like a rag doll in 2010. He bounced around the league and barely played. Moss was on three different teams last season and put up career low stats. 

Some people believe he is done and others say he still has it. For the doubters out there, Randy Moss can still play football. And if there is a 2011 season, he will have a home. He's too good for any team not to sign him. 

Moss is big risk because he is such a diva. If he doesn't get things his way, then he pouts and doesn't play hard.

He knows how horrible of a year 2010 was and he doesn't want to be remembered that way. He will be back in 2011 and have one of his best years, as long as he goes to a team with a quarterback that can get the ball to him.  

He is a "country boy" and wouldn't mind returning to Tennessee. 

5. Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco to Stay in Cincinnati

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 and Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watch from the sideline during the final minutes of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The T.Ocho show didn't work out like they thought it would. Ochocinco believed he had found his Batman in T.O., but he what he got was Poison Ivy. 

The addition of the Terrell Owens poisoned Cincinnati. They were AFC North division champs last year with a record of 10-6. They brought in T.O. and it exploded in their faces, as they finished 4-12 and in last place in the AFC North.

One, if not both, of these guys have to go. There are rumors that these two would play for Rex Ryan and the Jets. It's very unlikely for that to happen, as is the two returning to Cincinnati. "Batman and Robin" will go their separate ways in 2011. 

4. Cadillac Williams to Stay with Tampa Bay

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 29: Cadillac Williams #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 29, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Williams saw his carries diminish in 2010 with the emergence of young star LeGarrette Blount. Williams has been with the team since they drafted him in 2005, but he won't be around much longer. 

Blount's 1,000 yard season is bad news for Williams. He knew once the season was over his return to Tampa Bay wasn't likely. In December, he already had plans to explore free agency. Williams said he would like to return though.

Some believe it's still a possibility, but the truth is it's time for a change in Tampa. 

3. Alex Smith Will Find a New Home

Harry How/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Smith hasn't been getting the job done in San Francisco. It was very likely that the 49ers would let him go, until they hired Jim Harbaugh as their coach. Harbaugh could perhaps develop Smith into a better quarterback. 

Even with the hire of Harbaugh, some thought Smith would still be out the door and that the 49ers would draft or trade for a new quarterback. However, since it is believed that there won't be a new CBA for quite some time, it would be smart for the 49ers to keep Smith. 

If Harbaugh doesn't feel comfortable drafting a quarterback with the seventh overall pick, then keeping Smith is a safe bet. Harbaugh can draft one in the later round and Smith can be used as insurance. Besides, if the 49ers are still bad next season, then they can try and get Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft.  

2. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw to Both Remain Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants talks with Ahmad Bradshaw #44 against the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

One of them has to go. Jacobs inked a new deal a few years back and is set to make $4.65 million in 2011 and $4.9 million in 2012. Bradshaw wants a similar deal, which means the Giants have to pick which back they want because they can't afford both. 

Bradshaw did just have surgery on his ankle, but he tweeted that everything is fine now. The Giants might be worried about that, but Bradshaw was the more productive back in 2010. He ran for over 1,200 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Jacobs scored nine touchdowns, but only rushed for 823 yards. Bradshaw did, however, carry the ball 129 more times than Jacobs. 

I believe the Giants will re-sign Bradshaw and dump the excessive weight that is Brandon Jacobs. Once Jacobs signed that large deal before the 2009 season, his production has decreased. The Giants can only hope the same won't happen to Bradshaw.   

1. Nnamdi Asomugha to Stay with Oakland

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during the closing minutes of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra S

The Raiders may have just hired Hall of Fame cornerback Rod Woodson to help coach the cornerbacks, but Asomugha won't be one of the guys he's coaching in 2011. 

A number of teams, including New England, Green Bay and Miami, are interested in Asomugha. He's the top prize among this year's free agents. Asomugha is a true shut down corner and will want the money that comes along with it. He is due to get paid big. 

Al Davis may have a ton of money and Rod Woodson may be his new coach, but Nnamdi Asomugha will not return to Oakland. Asomugha wants to play for a contender. He's seen the Raiders try to improve their team for eight years now.

It's time for Asomugha to look out for himself.