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**OnTheWarpath15** · 02-07-2007, 08:49 AM

From Football's Future:

Top FA Linebackers - 2007

Lance Briggs, UFA, Chicago Bears
Briggs benefits from having Brian Urlacher as a teammate, but thats no reason to doubt that Briggs is a really good linebacker in his own right. He may be the most sought after linebacker in this free agent class, and the Bears will have difficulty in retaining all of the defensive talent they have in the next few seasons if they wish to spend more money on offensive help and re-sign other current players. The Bears could slap the franchise tag on Briggs to keep him around, but if they dont, expect him to be leaving the Windy City and taking up residence for a new team that will try and feature him on defense. Teams needing a tough linebacker to plug holes and make tackles will put Briggs high on their list. His 134 total tackles and four sacks during the 2006 season suggest large offers coming his way. Given the Bears history in this type of matter, its likely that Briggs will find a new place to punish offensesbut it will be very hard to let him go, so dont be surprised to see him hang around in Chicago.

Na'il Diggs, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Diggs has been a steady linebacker for the Green Bay Packers since his second season in the league. Injuries forced him to miss seven games last season and he now has just a single season to prove to the Panthers that he deserves a larger contract. Diggs, while steady, isnt necessity for Carolina, so expect to see him hit the market in the hopes that someone appreciates what he does on the field, maybe even over-appreciates what he does on the field. When Carolina lost Dan Morgan for the season, and perhaps longer, Diggs had a real chance to step up; he tallied just 61 total tackles and failed to register a sack or interception in fifteen games. A handful of teams should still be interested in bringing Diggs into the fold. Anyone looking for a veteran linebacker to make some tackles and hold his own will show an interest.

Cato June, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Recent legal trouble could hurt his stock, but June was a first time starter in the Pro Bowl for the 2005 season. Hes relatively young and a tackling machinehis 142 total tackles were good for fifth best in the NFLso its likely that the Colts will do what they can to retain his talents. Theres good chance that June hits the market, though, to see what other organizations have to offer him financially; if the Colts are unable to reach the Super Bowl, it may also factor into a decision to leave. Junes not an overpowering player, so a team interested in him will be looking at utilizing his speed as a top priority, in the same way that the Colts have done. June will be the most sought after linebacker on the market, and perhaps the most sought after defensive player.

Adalius Thomas, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
It could be difficult to keep Thomas around because of his emerging status as one of the better linebackers in the NFL. In 2005with Ray Lewis lost to an injury for ten gamesThomas shined for the Ravens defensive unit and was credited with 86 total tackles, nine sacks, and two interceptions. This seasoneven with Lewis back from injuryThomas continued upon his success with 83 total tackles, eleven sacks, and an interception. His free agent potential is enormous, and he could be one of the top two or three pursued players. Someone will throw big dollars his way, which means he could be lured away from Baltimore.

London Fletcher-Baker, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Fletcher is good, plain and simple. Hell be 32 heading into next season, but hes still producing as one of the top linebackers, with 146 total tackles, two sacks, and four interceptions credited to him during the 2006 season. Fletcher hasnt missed a game in his career, and hes also tallied 119 total tackles or more in every season since 2000. If the Bills dont get him to sign an extension, expect Fletcher to garner attention from several teams looking for a veteran presence that can make things happen on the field. Wherever Fletcher ends up, hell be brought in to act as a defensive leader and to make big plays. Ultimately, he could be the cream of the crop in terms of available linebackers.

Other Free Agent Linebackers
Chase Blackburn, ERFA, New York Giants
Chad Brown, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
James Darling, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Randall Godfrey, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Kawika Mitchell, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Rob Morris, UFA, Indianapolis Colts

02-07-2007, 08:49 AM	#15
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4971115	From Football's Future: Top FA Linebackers - 2007 Lance Briggs, UFA, Chicago Bears Briggs benefits from having Brian Urlacher as a teammate, but thats no reason to doubt that Briggs is a really good linebacker in his own right. He may be the most sought after linebacker in this free agent class, and the Bears will have difficulty in retaining all of the defensive talent they have in the next few seasons if they wish to spend more money on offensive help and re-sign other current players. The Bears could slap the franchise tag on Briggs to keep him around, but if they dont, expect him to be leaving the Windy City and taking up residence for a new team that will try and feature him on defense. Teams needing a tough linebacker to plug holes and make tackles will put Briggs high on their list. His 134 total tackles and four sacks during the 2006 season suggest large offers coming his way. Given the Bears history in this type of matter, its likely that Briggs will find a new place to punish offensesbut it will be very hard to let him go, so dont be surprised to see him hang around in Chicago. Na'il Diggs, UFA, Carolina Panthers Diggs has been a steady linebacker for the Green Bay Packers since his second season in the league. Injuries forced him to miss seven games last season and he now has just a single season to prove to the Panthers that he deserves a larger contract. Diggs, while steady, isnt necessity for Carolina, so expect to see him hit the market in the hopes that someone appreciates what he does on the field, maybe even over-appreciates what he does on the field. When Carolina lost Dan Morgan for the season, and perhaps longer, Diggs had a real chance to step up; he tallied just 61 total tackles and failed to register a sack or interception in fifteen games. A handful of teams should still be interested in bringing Diggs into the fold. Anyone looking for a veteran linebacker to make some tackles and hold his own will show an interest. Cato June, UFA, Indianapolis Colts Recent legal trouble could hurt his stock, but June was a first time starter in the Pro Bowl for the 2005 season. Hes relatively young and a tackling machinehis 142 total tackles were good for fifth best in the NFLso its likely that the Colts will do what they can to retain his talents. Theres good chance that June hits the market, though, to see what other organizations have to offer him financially; if the Colts are unable to reach the Super Bowl, it may also factor into a decision to leave. Junes not an overpowering player, so a team interested in him will be looking at utilizing his speed as a top priority, in the same way that the Colts have done. June will be the most sought after linebacker on the market, and perhaps the most sought after defensive player. Adalius Thomas, UFA, Baltimore Ravens It could be difficult to keep Thomas around because of his emerging status as one of the better linebackers in the NFL. In 2005with Ray Lewis lost to an injury for ten gamesThomas shined for the Ravens defensive unit and was credited with 86 total tackles, nine sacks, and two interceptions. This seasoneven with Lewis back from injuryThomas continued upon his success with 83 total tackles, eleven sacks, and an interception. His free agent potential is enormous, and he could be one of the top two or three pursued players. Someone will throw big dollars his way, which means he could be lured away from Baltimore. London Fletcher-Baker, UFA, Buffalo Bills Fletcher is good, plain and simple. Hell be 32 heading into next season, but hes still producing as one of the top linebackers, with 146 total tackles, two sacks, and four interceptions credited to him during the 2006 season. Fletcher hasnt missed a game in his career, and hes also tallied 119 total tackles or more in every season since 2000. If the Bills dont get him to sign an extension, expect Fletcher to garner attention from several teams looking for a veteran presence that can make things happen on the field. Wherever Fletcher ends up, hell be brought in to act as a defensive leader and to make big plays. Ultimately, he could be the cream of the crop in terms of available linebackers. Other Free Agent Linebackers Chase Blackburn, ERFA, New York Giants Chad Brown, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers James Darling, UFA, Arizona Cardinals Randall Godfrey, UFA, San Diego Chargers Kawika Mitchell, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs Rob Morris, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
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