Notes From Lombardi: Top Free Agent QBs

FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

With the first day of free agency right around the corner, today’s Tavern features a breakdown of the top quarterbacks in this year’s free agent class.

TOP QUARTERBACKS IN FREE AGENCY…

NAME, TEAM, AGE, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, SPEED, YEAR ENTERED NFL, DRAFT POS., AGENT

1. Matt Cassel, New England, 26; 6-4, 222 pounds; 5.05; 2005; 7^th round (230^th overall); David Dunn -- Will be the top prize of any team seeking a young, up-and-coming quarterback. Will restore the credibility of a franchise. Any team signing him might have to consider trading down out of the top five. It will be very expensive to sign Cassel and may also cost a high draft choice. Once the tag comes on him, all bets are off. His value is a first round pick above 15 along with a second rounder.

2. Kurt Warner, Arizona, 37; 6-2, 200; 4.99; 1994; undrafted free agent; Mark Bartelstein -- Warner will take time to make his decision, and I’m confident he will give the Cardinals every chance to re-sign him. I doubt he will play anywhere else.

3. Kerry Collins, Tennessee, 35; 6-5, 248; 4.98; 1995; 1^st round (5^th overall); Mark Humenik -- The Titans have cap room and will have to make a huge financial commitment to Collins. But doing so ensures that Vince Young will never be back in a game for them. Tennessee has the right system for Collins to achieve and play well.

4. Chris Simms, Tennessee, 28; 6-4, 220; 4.89; 2003; 3^rd round (97^th overall); Thomas Condon -- Finally healthy and ready to be a leader in the locker room. He will not cost a fortune, but he might be the right guy to bridge a team as it drafts a young player, and he can still be competitive. Simms is willing to make all the sacrifices needed to be good again. One of the league’s new coaches will get a boost by bringing in a veteran like Simms, who will assist the coach in laying down the right foundation and attitude in the locker room.

5. Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh, 28; 6-5, 245; 5.03; 2003; 1^st round (7^th overall); Thomas Condon -- He wants to go to Washington and compete for a starting position with his hometown Redskins. Not sure that will happen since the ‘Skins have indicated they will not be active in the free-agent market. Leftwich has a dominating presence in the locker room and might be a perfect fit for the new offense Scott Linehan is designing in Detroit. Leftwich has some Dante Culpepper-like qualities in his play, and when his weight was down, he was more athletic and had better foot movement.

6. Luke McCown, Tampa Bay, 27; 6-3, 212; 4.75; 2004; 4^th round (106^th overall); Michael McCartney -- Could never get a commitment from Jon “Love You Bro” Gruden while in Tampa, but he is accurate and athletic and has more leadership skills than his brother Josh. Given a chance, he might surprise, and in this weak marker, I suspect he will get some serious consideration.

7. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cincinnati, 26; 6-2, 232; 4.9; 2005; 7^th round (250^th overall); Kyle Rote -- Has gotten better with more reps and might have a chance as a valuable No. 2.

8. Patrick Ramsey, Denver, 29; 6-2, 217; 4.94; 2002; 1^st round (32^nd overall); James Sexton -- Was playing well under offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and then with Jeremy Bates. He needs to go to the right place.

9. Rex Grossman, Chicago, 28; 6-1, 218; 5.13; 2003; 1^st round (22^nd overall); Eugene Parker.

10. Jeff GARCIA, Tampa Bay, 38; 6-1, 200; 5.38; 1999; free agent; Steve Baker.

TOP FIVE CAP ROOM TEAMS

1. ARIZONA
2. TAMPA BAY
3. KANSAS CITY
4. TENNESSEE
5. CINCINNATI

BOTTOM FIVE CAP ROOM TEAMS

1. JETS
2. NEW ORLEANS
3. INDY
4. WASHINGTON
5. DALLAS

Food for thought: Here are the career stats for Warner, Manning and Brady. Makes a compelling case for Warner being in the Hall of Fame when his career ends.

PA/PC Pct. Yards TDs INTs Super Bowls

WARNER

2327/3557 65.4 28,598 182 114 3

MANNING

3839/5960 64.4 45,628 333 165 1

BRADY

2301/3653 63.0 26,446 197 86 4

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