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2008 NFL contract year players -- follow the money
by Herbie Teope on July 15 2008
Sponsored by: Fantasy Huddle
Stay on top of NFL player analysis, rankings and feature articles with Fantasy Huddle, brought to you by Time Warner Cable & Metro Sports. Content republished with permission from original publishing company.
Money has a way of motivating people, and knowing who`s playing for a payday is a draft day consideration for many.
If you incorporate this strategy, below is a list of notable players in the final year of their contract.
QB Kurt Warner, ARZ
Team currently in extension negotiations with Warner, who proved his worth last season with 27 touchdown passes. Third-year pro Matt Leinart still has much to prove, but it`s difficult seeing the Cardinals commit a ton of cash to a 37-year-old signal caller.
QB Kyle Boller, BAL
Should open the season as the starter provided he holds off rookie Joe Flacco and second-year pro Troy Smith, but Boller will be on a short leash.
QB Jeff Garcia, TB
He`s made noise this offseason about his current deal, but the 38-year-old is well beyond his prime.
QB Rex Grossman, CHI
Signed a one-year deal in February and will need to have a special season for the Bears to commit to the erratic signal caller. Unfortunately for Grossman, Chicago`s offense appears anemic.
QB J.P. Losman, BUF
From a starting job to holding the clipboard for second-year pro Trent Edwards. Keep an eye on Losman, however, as he`ll be motivated to produce if afforded a second chance. It doesn`t hurt that the team`s top receiver, Lee Evans, is also in a contract year.
RB Steven Jackson, STL
The elite RB is easily the biggest name on this list, and Jackson is a stud with 5,835 total yards (4,249 rushing) rushing and 36 total touchdowns (30 rushing) since St. Louis drafted him in 2004. It wouldn`t surprise to see the Rams sign Jackson to an extension before the season started because there`s no way they let this franchise back hit the free agent market.
RB Brandon Jacobs, NYG
The Giants are thin behind Jacobs with backup Ahmad Bradshaw potentially facing league action for off-field issues. Signing Jacobs to an extension is on the team`s radar.
RB Maurice Morris, SEA
He`s in a crowded backfield and the Seahawks told you all you needed to know when they signed Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett this offseason.
RB Ricky Williams, MIA
Williams, 31, recently indicated he wants to play four more years, but he`s no longer the 2002-2003 elite option when he went on a two-season tear of 3,225 yards rushing and 27 total touchdowns (25 rushing).
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
You have to admire Houshmandzadeh for not making his contract situation a distraction considering the circus surrounding teammate Chad Johnson. It would be a shock if the Bengals don`t reward Houshmandzadeh, who broke through in 2007 with 112 catches for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR Marques Colston, NO
He`s a restricted free agent (RFA) after the 2008 season and not an unrestricted free agent (UFA) like the others. As a RFA, the Saints have an opportunity within seven days to match any potential offer Colston signs during the free agency period. If the Saints decide not to match, the signing team owes the Saints compensation in the form of draft picks.
WR Lee Evans, BUF
Buffalo approached the Evans camp this offseason and will attempt to lock down one of the league`s best deep threats before the start of the season.
WR Roy Williams, DET
The fifth-year receiver is clearly unhappy with his contract and Williams, who has one 1,000-yard season to his credit, was the subject of numerous offseason trade rumors.
WR Bobby Engram, SEA
The 35-year-old pro is coming off a monster 2007 campaign where he posted career-highs with 94 receptions and 1,147 yards. With no contract extension entering July, Engram is threatening to hold out of training camp, and he has leverage -- Deion Branch (knee) may not be ready and the Seahawks lack experience outside of Nate Burleson.
WR Amani Toomer, NYG
The Giants drafted Steve Smith in 2007 and Mario Manningham this year with a view to the future. Toomer`s best days are behind him.
WR Shaun McDonald, DET
As Detroit`s No. 3 receiver, McDonald led the team in receiving last season with 79 catches for 943 yards and six touchdowns in the Mike Martz pass-happy offense, but the team will run more this season under new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto.
WR Devery Henderson, NO
Henderson, who signed a one-year deal in March, lacks consistency and drops too many passes. Moreover, he`ll have second-year pro Robert Meachem breathing down his neck.
WRs Mike Williams and Roydell Williams, TEN
Not the best options because there`s no clear pecking order with Tennessee`s wide receivers outside of Justin Gage. Still, someone not named tight end Alge Crumpler needs to be motivated to produce in the receiving game.
TE Eric Johnson, NO
Like teammate Devery Henderson, Johnson re-signed with the Saints for a one-year deal. The problem with this solid pass catcher is durability. He played for a contract in 2007 and came up small by missing four games and averaging 7.9 yards per catch in one of the league`s best passing attacks.
Money has a way of motivating people, and knowing who`s playing for a payday is a draft day consideration for many.
If you incorporate this strategy, below is a list of notable players in the final year of their contract.
QB Kurt Warner, ARZ
Team currently in extension negotiations with Warner, who proved his worth last season with 27 touchdown passes. Third-year pro Matt Leinart still has much to prove, but it`s difficult seeing the Cardinals commit a ton of cash to a 37-year-old signal caller.
QB Kyle Boller, BAL
Should open the season as the starter provided he holds off rookie Joe Flacco and second-year pro Troy Smith, but Boller will be on a short leash.
QB Jeff Garcia, TB
He`s made noise this offseason about his current deal, but the 38-year-old is well beyond his prime.
QB Rex Grossman, CHI
Signed a one-year deal in February and will need to have a special season for the Bears to commit to the erratic signal caller. Unfortunately for Grossman, Chicago`s offense appears anemic.
QB J.P. Losman, BUF
From a starting job to holding the clipboard for second-year pro Trent Edwards. Keep an eye on Losman, however, as he`ll be motivated to produce if afforded a second chance. It doesn`t hurt that the team`s top receiver, Lee Evans, is also in a contract year.
RB Steven Jackson, STL
The elite RB is easily the biggest name on this list, and Jackson is a stud with 5,835 total yards (4,249 rushing) rushing and 36 total touchdowns (30 rushing) since St. Louis drafted him in 2004. It wouldn`t surprise to see the Rams sign Jackson to an extension before the season started because there`s no way they let this franchise back hit the free agent market.
RB Brandon Jacobs, NYG
The Giants are thin behind Jacobs with backup Ahmad Bradshaw potentially facing league action for off-field issues. Signing Jacobs to an extension is on the team`s radar.
RB Maurice Morris, SEA
He`s in a crowded backfield and the Seahawks told you all you needed to know when they signed Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett this offseason.
RB Ricky Williams, MIA
Williams, 31, recently indicated he wants to play four more years, but he`s no longer the 2002-2003 elite option when he went on a two-season tear of 3,225 yards rushing and 27 total touchdowns (25 rushing).
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
You have to admire Houshmandzadeh for not making his contract situation a distraction considering the circus surrounding teammate Chad Johnson. It would be a shock if the Bengals don`t reward Houshmandzadeh, who broke through in 2007 with 112 catches for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR Marques Colston, NO
He`s a restricted free agent (RFA) after the 2008 season and not an unrestricted free agent (UFA) like the others. As a RFA, the Saints have an opportunity within seven days to match any potential offer Colston signs during the free agency period. If the Saints decide not to match, the signing team owes the Saints compensation in the form of draft picks.
WR Lee Evans, BUF
Buffalo approached the Evans camp this offseason and will attempt to lock down one of the league`s best deep threats before the start of the season.
WR Roy Williams, DET
The fifth-year receiver is clearly unhappy with his contract and Williams, who has one 1,000-yard season to his credit, was the subject of numerous offseason trade rumors.
WR Bobby Engram, SEA
The 35-year-old pro is coming off a monster 2007 campaign where he posted career-highs with 94 receptions and 1,147 yards. With no contract extension entering July, Engram is threatening to hold out of training camp, and he has leverage -- Deion Branch (knee) may not be ready and the Seahawks lack experience outside of Nate Burleson.
WR Amani Toomer, NYG
The Giants drafted Steve Smith in 2007 and Mario Manningham this year with a view to the future. Toomer`s best days are behind him.
WR Shaun McDonald, DET
As Detroit`s No. 3 receiver, McDonald led the team in receiving last season with 79 catches for 943 yards and six touchdowns in the Mike Martz pass-happy offense, but the team will run more this season under new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto.
WR Devery Henderson, NO
Henderson, who signed a one-year deal in March, lacks consistency and drops too many passes. Moreover, he`ll have second-year pro Robert Meachem breathing down his neck.
WRs Mike Williams and Roydell Williams, TEN
Not the best options because there`s no clear pecking order with Tennessee`s wide receivers outside of Justin Gage. Still, someone not named tight end Alge Crumpler needs to be motivated to produce in the receiving game.
TE Eric Johnson, NO
Like teammate Devery Henderson, Johnson re-signed with the Saints for a one-year deal. The problem with this solid pass catcher is durability. He played for a contract in 2007 and came up small by missing four games and averaging 7.9 yards per catch in one of the league`s best passing attacks.
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