June swoon

McCardell will lead flood of WRs on free agent market

There won't be a lot of players released after June 1, but there will be a few very good players made available. Personnel people I spoke with said only a few players will receive significant money, and only a few clubs have the salary cap space to be aggressive.

Wide receiver Keenan McCardell seems to be the lead candidate to have a big payday after the Jaguars release him. Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Kansas City among others all seem to be interested enough to get into a bidding war for his services. McCardell won't break the bank, but it will take a few million in signing bonus to secure his talents.

Hardy Nickerson also will be released by the Jaguars but the people I have spoken with don't feel the middle linebacker will command big money.

If Jamal Anderson comes free as expected, he won't get big money either, but a year from now if he's healthy for all 16 games he will be back at the bargaining table. If all goes well, Anderson could easily turn into this year's Antowain Smith.

Wide receiver Derrick Alexander will be an ex-Chief shortly and all indications are that he's headed for the Vikings. They have lots of cap space but may not have to pay dearly for Alexander since the WR market will be a little flooded.

Which begs the question how much should a team pay for McCardell with the economics of the deal clearly favoring the club?

Favorite offseason moves

1. QB Drew Bledsoe -- He gives the Bills instant credibility and puts Buffalo in a position to be this year's Patriots story. For the first time in many years Drew has to compete to save his career and most insiders I spoke with feel he's up to the challenge. He could easily have the kind of effect that Rich Gannon had on the Raiders when he moved west to Oakland back in 1999, and Bills offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is at his best when coaching smart QBs like Bledsoe.

2. RB Michael Pittman -- The Bucs have needed a back like Pittman for years. New head coach Jon Gruden will get a lot of production from Pittman, who has a very good chance to be this year's Priest Holmes.

3. DE Joe Johnson -- The Packers get a franchise defensive end; the last time they did that was when they persuaded Reggie White to come to Titletown. Packers defensive coordinator Ed Donatell knows how to use Johnson, and when the Pack gets to third-down defense the combination of Vonnie Holliday, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Jamal Reynolds will bring out the best Johnson has to offer.

4. LB Jeremiah Trotter -- The Redskins get a guy with a great field presence, and defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis is a big factor in putting a middle linebacker this high up. It's going to just kill Ray Lewis to watch Trotter play his position in Lewis' defense.

5. QB Trent Dilfer -- Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren made the right move in re-signing Dilfer. He will be the difference between the Seahawks making the playoffs and missing the postseason. Plus, I believe Holmgren will bring Dilfer's game to the next level. They need each other at this point and it's a good marriage.

6. LB Kevin Hardy -- His play has slipped from Pro Bowl level and a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered. Cowboys head coach Dave Campo is a very positive, upbeat type and Hardy will respond to the Campo style.

7. TE Ken Dilger -- His best days are probably behind him but coming to the Bucs with Gruden coaching him is enough to convince me Dilger's career could have a revival. Gruden loves coaching older veterans and he has a history of extending careers. He'll do it again with Dilger.

8. TE Freddie Jones -- He is a fine athlete and the Cardinals are very excited about what Jones brings to the table. Dave McGinnis is a big time motivator and he will get everything out of Jones that he has to offer. Look for Freddie to become a favorite target of Jake Plummer. The Cardinals enter the very tough NFC West and should be playing from behind more often than not and that spells production for Freddie.

9. QB Chad Hutchinson -- The Cowboys may have found the next Troy Aikman. Almost every personnel man I spoke with feels he's the real deal; not one person believes Quincy Carter can hold the starting job very long. Bruce Coslet takes over as the offensive coordinator and he's at his best when dealing with just the offense.

10. CB Aaron Glenn -- He has excellent man coverage skills, and will fit in well with Dom Capers' schemes. Glenn wants to retire as a Texan in his hometown and will eventually renegotiate his contract down to a more reasonable level. His leadership and character will shine as the Texans find their way through the expansion process.

Outside of Hutchinson, the rest of this group is poised to play up to a Pro Bowl level this season, and if they do then they will be considered the great signings this spring. Time will tell, but I really like where they went and who's coaching them now.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNNSI.com.

 

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