Word to the Winners: Fantasy Football Advice

2006 NFL Free Agent Quarterbacks (compiled 2-28-06) -- By Russ Bliss

Unless there are some cuts made, this won't be a banner year for any teams looking to acquire a good signal caller in free agency. There are some serviceable names, but with the exception of a couple, most are going to be tagged only to compete for a backup spot, or signed as a veteran backup to a team looking for insurance against a young or inexperienced current starter. That said, there are always other players who end up on the free agent wire, and depending on who they are, this might not be so bad a free agent quarterback class.

Some names of quarterbacks who are currently under contracts, but could be released include Kerry Collins ( Oakland), Aaron Brooks ( New Orleans), Chad Pennington (New York Jets), and Daunte Culpepper ( Minnesota). There may be others too, but those are the names of guys that stand out as either the likeliest to be released, or have popped up most frequently in the rumor mill. And although there is rampant speculation going on about these quarterbacks, the following list is comprised only of quarterbacks who are scheduled to become free agents because their contracts are up or have already been released by their teams as of this writing.

1) Drew Brees (unrestricted; San Diego): Brees had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in early January. The anticipated recovery time was initially pegged at 4 months, but it is something that some are concerned could take longer. Given that Brees was never known for having a big-time arm in the first place, it will be interesting to see if some team will step up and pay him the money he would have likely gotten if he hadn't injured his throwing shoulder.

2) Chris Simms (restricted; Tampa Bay): Simms took over when Brian Griese (one of the aforementioned quarterbacks who is under contract but may be released) got injured and performed very well. As a restricted free agent, Simms is not able to just go sign somewhere else as the Buccaneers will have the right to match any offer he receives from another team. Additionally, the Buccaneers will likely make him a high enough qualifying contract offer so if they decided to let him sign elsewhere, they would get a first and third round pick as compensation.

3) Jon Kitna (unrestricted; Cincinnati): In 2003, Kitna put together a solid fantasy season. But the Bengals drafted Carson Palmer and although Palmer suffered that nasty knee injury in the playoffs, the Bengals have appeared lukewarm to resigning him. Soon to be 34, Kitna is the type of veteran quarterback that could come in and help a team groom a young player to take over. He doesn't have a big arm, but is a better overall quarterback than several starting in the league and could help a team win now while grooming for their future. Kitna would like to be a starter but I haven't heard what he's asking for in terms of money. If he's not to get a chance to compete for starting job, I assume something with the Bengals would eventually get worked out.

4) Josh McCown (unrestricted; Arizona): Whether McCown ever really got a legitimate shot at being a starter for the Cardinals is debatable. But the results of his chances have drawn mixed reviews. Some think he could be a decent NFL starting quarterback while others see him as just a good backup. He's most likely to go somewhere where he'll get a chance to compete for a starting job with an unspectacular incumbent quarterback, but could also sign on with a team looking for a quality backup to a guy with injury concerns.

5) Jeff Garcia (unrestricted, Detroit): Garcia struggled in 2005 after returning from a broken leg injury suffered in preseason. At 36, it's unlikely anyone will want to bring him to start, but as a backup he offers a lot of leadership and previous starting experience.

6) Tim Rattay (unrestricted, Tampa Bay): Rattay was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers during the season after Brian Griese went down with an injury. It was thought that Rattay would compete for the starting job with Chris Simms but Simms outperformed expectations and Rattay never saw the field for Tampa Bay. While not a polished starting quarterback, Rattay could find himself in a competition for a starting job.

7) Anthony Wright (unrestricted, Baltimore): Wright just doesn't seem to get the recognition he should. Wright has filled in admirably for the Baltimore Ravens when called upon and although he lacks the skills to be the total package, he is certainly worthy of being the top backup on some team.

8) Jamie Martin (unrestricted; St. Louis): About the only reason I list Martin this high is that it's highly likely that he will go to the Lions and be reunited with ex-Rams head coach and new Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Martin knows Martz's system and since the Lions are likely to be looking for an inexpensive, capable backup to Joe Harrington, Martin is more likely to have some fantasy value than other's higher on this list (if he goes to Detroit) as he has proven to be capable of putting up decent numbers in Martz's system.

The rest worth mentioning: Sage Rosenfels (unrestricted; Miami), Jay Fiedler (unrestricted; NY Jets), Charlie Batch (unrestricted, Pittsburgh), Ken Dorsey (restricted; San Francisco), Seneca Wallace (restricted; Seattle), Chris Weinke (unrestricted; Carolina).

Now that we've looked at the players, let's look at every NFL team's quarterback position.

Arizona Cardinals: Re-signed Kurt Warner before free agency started and may be looking for a backup since they'll be letting free agent Josh McCown go, leaving just John Navarre behind Warner. Could also look to the draft for a young QB they can possibly groom.

Atlanta Falcons: Have Michael Vick and Matt Schaub. They're not looking.

Baltimore Ravens: Very likely to be looking for someone to come in and compete right away with Kyle Boller. While they haven't given up completely on Boller, they clearly should be concerned and will be a player for one of the better free agent QB's.

Buffalo Bills: J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb are in an open competition for the starting job going into 2006. While they probably aren't going to bring in another QB to compete, they should as I'm not sold on either being capable top flight NFL QB's.

Carolina Panthers: Jake Delhomme is firmly entrenched as the starter and is a good one. They may be looking for a backup QB, but that's it.

Chicago Bears: Rex Grossman is their starter, but he's far from a proven commodity and needs to show he isn't injury prone. Kyle Orton won games for them, but wasn't impressive doing it. They could be looking for a capable veteran to come in and give them experience.

Cincinnati Bengals: Palmer's their guy, but the question is whether he'll really be ready for the start of the season. Even if he is, he'll likely have missed all of training camp rehabbing the knee he tore up in the playoff game against Pittsburgh. Their best move is to make a concerted effort to re-sign unrestricted free agent Jon Kitna as he knows their system and has started for them in the past. However, if Kitna opts to go elsewhere to compete for a starting job, the Bengals will be looking to bring in a free agent with experience.

Cleveland Browns: Charlie Frye and Trent Dilfer appear to be in an open competition for the starting job. Dilfer has experience, but Frye is more dynamic. It's not likely the Browns will look to bring in anyone to compete with either.

Dallas Cowboys: Drew Bledsoe is their starter, with Tony Romo and Drew Henson also there. It's unlikely the Cowboys are looking to add a QB.

Denver Broncos: Between Jake Plummer and Brad Van Pelt, the Broncos will not be looking to acquire a free agent QB.

Detroit Lions: The new coaching staff is standing behind Joe Harrington, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't like to add a veteran to push him, or help mentor him. Given the addition of Mike Martz as offensive coordinator, the possible acquisition of free agent Jamie Martin (who has plenty of experience in Martz's offense) makes a whole lot of sense.

Green Bay Packers: This could go either way depending on whether Brett Favre returns for another season or retires. If Favre returns, the Packers have no pressing need to get a free agent QB. If Favre retires, then look for the Packers to be a player in free agency at the QB position. Likely they'd look for a veteran with prior starting experience to compete with last year's first round pick, Aaron Rodgers.

Houston Texans: Now that they've exercised the option on David Carr's contract for the next 3 seasons, the Texans do not appear to become major players for a free agent QB. Whether or not they should be looking for one is debatable, but it would be nice to see what Carr could do if he didn't spend so much time on his back because of the poor offensive line's he's had in front of him.

Indianapolis Colts: Two words: Peyton Manning. 'Nuff said.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Between Byron Leftwich and David Garrard, the Jags have no need to look for a free agent QB.

Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Green is 35 years old and it's time the Chiefs thought about getting someone behind him. They will either try to re-sign free agent backup Todd Collins or look to free agency for one. They should also start thinking about drafting a good one.

Miami Dolphins: Gus Frerotte is there, but the Dolphins would like to upgrade the position and will likely be a major player for a top of the line free agent QB.

Minnesota Vikings: The speculation continues about the Vikings plans with Daunte Culpepper, but realistically, they're not likely to let him go. And while Brad Johnson would prefer to go elsewhere if he isn't the starter, it's a safe bet that the Vikings won't be looking to add a free agent QB.

New England Patriots: Tom Brady's hernia surgery is nothing to be concerned about, and while they might look to add a backup with some experience, they really like last year's 7 th round pick, Matt Cassel and might be comfortable going into the season with him as their #2.

New Orleans Saints: It's a foregone conclusion that Aaron Brooks is out in New Orleans, meaning the Saints will be looking both in free agency and the draft for a QB. Given the uncertain status of the Superdome, new head coach Sean Payton will probably be looking for a stopgap veteran with prior starting experience who is not going to cost a lot nor be signed long term. Why do I think Jon Kitna fits the bill here?

New York Giants: Eli Manning is the real deal and will eventually become one of the elite QB's in the league. They might have some nominal interest in a backup, but only one willing to sit in the shadows.

New York Jets: Will Chad Pennington be back? Even if he is the Jets should know by now they can't trust him to stay healthy. The Jets will be looking to add someone who will either compete with Pennington for the starting job, or be looking for someone to be their starter while they draft a QB and groom him. Either way, they will be players in the free agent quarterback market.

Oakland Raiders: Will they bring back Kerry Collins? They should and at least have the stability of knowing they have a better QB than any they'd likely find available. But if they don't, they're going to need to find someone and that means they'll be a major player in the market. Just like my unexplainable feeling about Jon Kitna in New Orleans, why do I get a strange feeling that Oakland could be where Aaron Brooks ends up?

Philadelphia Eagles: They have Donovan McNabb, and while some adhere to the thought that McNabb isn't as good as hyped, I am not one of them. McNabb is a top tier NFL quarterback. But as was shown in 2005, if he gets injured, they've got junk on the bench behind him. They may think Mike McMahon is a quality backup, but I think they should be looking for someone else. But since I don't run the team, I think it unlikely they go after anyone in free agency.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Not looking for a starter, or even anyone to compete with Ben Roethlisberger. What they are looking for is a backup. There's a good chance they'll re-sign free agent Charlie Batch to be his primary backup and let Tommy Maddox go.

San Diego Chargers: While they are attempting to re-sign Drew Brees, they likely won't pay as much as he'll get offered elsewhere and therefore I think he'll be gone. If Brees leaves, they are likely to stay with Phillip Rivers as their anointed starter with A.J. Feely as his primary backup. They might look for someone else, but I just doubt it.

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith is their QB of the future and quite likely of the present as well. His primary backup is Ken Dorsey and they also have Cody Pickett as well. While Dorsey is a restricted free agent, I don't envision him going anywhere else as his best chance to compete for a starting job is right there in San Francisco. The 49ers could surprise me by going after a more proven veteran free agent QB, but I doubt it.

Seattle Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck has a firm grasp on the job and the Seahawks only concern could be is for a backup. Seneca Wallace is their backup, but he's a restricted free agent. That said, I don't think Wallace is going anywhere so the Seahawks aren't going to be looking at free agent quarterbacks.

St. Louis Rams: Marc Bulger's in place as the starter, but it's likely they'll let backup Jamie Martin go in free agency so new head coach Scott Linehan can bring in someone he feels more comfortable with. Last year's one game wonder (Ryan Fitzpatrick) got some starting experience, but quickly looked confused and out of his league. Look for the Rams to go after a young free agent quarterback who is willing to know he's going to only be a backup.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Unless Brain Griese is willing to both restructure his contract, and compete with Chris Simms for the starting job, it's likely Tampa Bay will look to add a free agent quarterback. I expect Griese won't be open to this and therefore the Bucs will probably entertain some free agent quarterbacks. But it seems doubtful they'll be major players for one.

Tennessee Titans: I just can't believe they won't get something worked out with Steve McNair. McNair is due a considerable bonus soon and both sides are actively trying to find a compromise that keeps him in Tennessee. I think they'll do it, and while they'd prefer to keep backup Billy Volek, it's speculated that they would trade him if McNair does re-sign. If an agreement isn't made between the Titans and McNair, then they have Volek as their starter. Either way, the Titans aren't likely to make any noise at QB in free agency, and with the 3rd pick in the draft, they probably will get their quarterback of the future early on draft day.

Washington Redskins: They're working on restructuring Mark Brunell's contract and will get it done. They are likely to trade disgruntled backup Patrick Ramsey, and that leaves them with last years first round pick, Jason Campbell, as the backup. They'll probably go after a capable free agent backup quarterback, but not one that will press Brunell for the start, or one that has delusions about being their QB of the future.

• 2006 Free Agent Running Backs
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Russ Bliss - fantasy football expert and radio host of "The Red Zone with Russ Bliss" on KDUS-AM - went head-to-head with the Line-Up Analyzer last year, and still wishes he had worn a helmet. Russ was so impressed with our predictive analysis engine, he joined the team at FantasyFootballStarters.com.

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