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What a rush: Looking at the free-agent running back class

Carolina and Houston, two teams with poor rushing attacks in 2002, are the most interested in Stephen Davis. Al Bello/Getty Images

By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com

Here we go, gang. This is the second installment of an ongoing, position-by-position breakdown of this year's top free agent prospects from a Fantasy perspective.

A few reminders before I get started: Last week's QB overview included a brief description of three categories of free agency; feel free to review as necessary. I'd also advise you to keep an eye on SI.com's NFL page to keep up with all the latest signings.

With that out of the way, let's check out this year's top free agent running backs -- listed alphabetically along with their current free agent status and current/previous team:

James Allen (Unrestricted), Houston Texans: According to Houston Chronicle staffer Carlton Thompson, Allen, who started the first five games of the 2002 season before finishing the season as the team's third-down back, isn't likely to return to the Texans this season.

Shawn Bryson (Unrestricted), Buffalo Bills: The latest word out of team headquarters indicates that Bryson, who is coming off major knee surgery for the second time in his four-year career, isn't likely to remain with the Bills in 2003.

Aveion Cason (Exclusive Rights), Detroit Lions: As reported by the Sports Xchange, Cason, a speedy change-of-pace man who proved his mettle last season by racking up 62 yards on 10 carries against Tampa Bay last season, is likely to return to Detroit after receiving a tender offer of $375,000.

Mike Cloud (Unrestricted), Kansas City Chiefs: Recent reports out of Kansas City suggest that Cloud's failure to step up to the plate after Priest Holmes' injury late last year all but guaranteed the former Boston College star will be playing elsewhere next year.

According to Providence Journal sports writer Tom E. Curran, Cloud has drawn interest from teams in both conferences but not from the Patriots. That, according to Cloud's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, "is too bad, because he'd love to play there."

Stephen Davis (Unrestricted), Washington Redskins: While his punishing running style -- as well as his $11.4 million 2003 cap figure -- didn't make for a good fit in Washington, Davis probably shouldn't spend a whole lot of time filling out unemployment forms. The former Auburn star is clearly the cream of this year's crop of free-agent running backs.

According to Charlotte Observer reporter Pat Yasinskas, the Panthers spoke with Davis' agent Tuesday and he could visit this week. Davis arrived in Houston on Tuesday night visited with team officials Wednesday.

"We have evaluated him and he has the potential to be an impact back," Carolina head coach John Fox said. "He has great numbers in his career. I have faced him on more than one occasion when I was with the New York Giants and he is a big, strong, physical back.

"He is somebody that we would be interested in the free agent market."

Yasinskas added, however, that even though Davis is a Spartanburg native, the Panthers might not be able to compete with the Texans, who have plenty of salary-cap room.

While Houston and Carolina appear to be the early favorites, New England and Tampa Bay have also been mentioned as possible destinations for Davis.

Marc Edwards (Unrestricted), New England Patriots: Although the primary focus here is on free agent halfbacks, Edwards has the kind of receiving skills that could serve Fantasy owners well if he can find a team willing to exploit his abilities fully. The Patriots wouldn't mind bringing him back, but it currently sounds like Edwards is looking for more money than management is willing to pay. Robert Edwards (Exclusive Rights), Miami Dolphins: According to the Sports Xchange, the Dolphins say they won't part ways with Edwards, who had expressed his dissatisfaction late last season at being demoted to Miami's third-down running back. Edwards lost his spot because Dolphins coaches felt he was tiring and wanted to give Ricky Williams more playing time.

Team officials expect Edwards, who was tendered at $375,000, will be even better in 2003 than last season, his first since missing the previous three following a severe knee injury suffered during a pre-Pro Bowl flag-football game in Hawaii.

"I think he's got tremendous upside," Dolphins running backs coach Joel Collier said. "He was the 17th pick in the draft in 1998 and there was a reason for that. I thought he was a heck of a back coming out and I still think he's a heck of a back."

Edwards will be competing against Travis Minor and 2002 seventh-round pick Leonard Henry for playing time behind Williams.

"I think I will definitely have more speed and power going into this season seeing how my body is back in football shape," said Edwards, who finished second in balloting for NFL Comeback Player of the Year award behind Pittsburgh quarterback Tommy Maddox. "I should be more of a weapon. I feel like I will be a better player than last year, but it depends on how I'm used."

Of course, as long as he's running behind Williams in Miami, Edwards is going to have a heck of a time trying to realize his full potential.

Terrell Fletcher (Unrestricted), San Diego Chargers: Although I'm not particularly high on Fletcher's chances of emerging as a significant offensive contributor without LaDainian Tomlinson in his way, I'll remind you that his departure from San Diego -- in addition to the recent addition of Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal -- has to be considered good news for Tomlinson fans.

The former first-round draft pick managed to pull in 79 catches last season despite giving way to Fletcher in third-and-long situations. Look for Tomlinson to surpass last year's impressive 452-touch total as the Chargers' sole threat out of the backfield in 2003. Olandis Gary (Unrestricted), Denver Broncos: Gary became a free agent last Friday after the team decided against offering him a new contract. In an article published Jan. 20, Pro Football Weekly advised readers that Gary is certain to get a fresh start somewhere else after failing to be activated several Sundays down the stretch while watching Clinton Portis explode on the scene.

There is little doubt he will command attention on the open market. His agent, Frank Murtha, told PFW that Gary drew plenty of interest last summer as a restricted free agent coming off an ankle injury, and intends for his client to have a shot at a starting job wherever he ends up. “I certainly see Olandis, if he’s not at it, he’s certainly near the top of the [free-agent RB] class,” Murtha said. “I’d like to have somebody make an argument.”

Gary's best season was in 1999 when he rushed for 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns.

Troy Hambrick (Restricted), Dallas Cowboys: Hambrick, tendered at $375,000, isn't going anywhere. In fact, he's likely to be the Cowboys' 2003 opening day starter. While owner Jerry Jones insists he's keeping his options open with regard to free agency and the draft, the 6-1, 233-pound Hambrick has the size and speed new head coach Bill Parcells likes in his running backs. His production, albeit on a limited basis the past two seasons, intrigues Parcells.

Hambrick has rushed for 924 yards on 198 carries for an impressive 4.7 yards-per-carry average. Still, the Cowboys must look at other options, because with 11 career starts, Hambrick has never done it on a regular basis.

"This is the opportunity I've always looked for," said Hambrick, a three-year veteran who signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Division I-AA Savannah State.

"I am excited about it. I feel good. My legs are fresh. I don't think they have exploited my ability. I know I can do so much more," Hambrick said. "But I've still got to go to work. There is always going to be somebody to compete with. Some young punk like me coming is trying to take mine."

Leon Johnson (Unrestricted), Chicago Bears: Although Johnson has proven to be a talented return man, he isn't likely to return to Chicago next year. According to Chicago Tribune staffer John Mullen, team officials view Johnson as being too similar to Anthony Thomas in that both lack breakaway speed.

Dorsey Levens (Unrestricted), Philadelphia Eagles: Levens' future in Philadelphia remains uncertain. According to the Sports Xchange, the former Packer could return as a one-back alternative to Correll Buckhalter and Brian Westbrook if the Eagles decide to release Duce Staley.

Nicolas Luchey (Unrestricted), Cincinnati Bengals: Two things weighing heavily in favor of Luchey's (formerly Nick Williams') return to Cincinnati: Neal's defection to San Diego and a brief but dominant performance in last year's win over the Saints. "It's something we always wanted to get done," new head coach Marvin Lewis said when asked if re-signing Luchey has taken on more importance because of Neal's departure. Stacey Mack (Unrestricted), Jacksonville Jaguars: According to PFW, Mack proved he could be a force last season despite a limited role, scoring nine touchdowns and strengthening his bid for a lucrative contract with another team. The Jaguars would like to re-sign Mack at the right price but are not likely to meet his desire of being a featured back as long as Fred Taylor is healthy.

Mack’s bruising style likely will attract interested suitors, with Houston being tops among them.

However, those who follow the team closely say Mack is so unselfish that he may be lured to continue in a backup role considering he enjoys playing near his hometown of Orlando. Sammy Morris (Restricted), Buffalo Bills: Viewed as a valuable member of the club as a backup and special teams captain, Morris isn't going anywhere thanks to a $605,000 tender offer that carries a fifth-round draft pick with it as compensation. Chad Morton (Restricted), New York Jets: The Jets wouldn't mind keeping Morton, but it doesn't look likely after the Redskins offered the diminutive speedster a five-year, $8 million offer Thursday. Morton is a restricted free agent, so the Jets have one week to match the offer, which includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. If they don't, the Redskins will owe the Jets a fifth-round draft pick as compensation.

Morton finished second in the AFC in kickoff returns last season and ran back two for touchdowns in the season opener, but he wants more playing time at running back.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Spurrier told Morton he would get that chance with the Redskins, according to his agent, Leigh Steinberg.

"They outlined a future which had him playing some at running back and splitting out at wide receiver and returning punts as well as kickoffs," Steinberg said. "And that excited him."

Emmitt Smith (Unrestricted), Dallas Cowboys: As reported by Dallas Morning News staffer Chip Brown, Smith appears to be drawing serious interest from the Arizona Cardinals. Team spokesman Greg Gladysiewski confirmed Tuesday that Smith's agent, Eugene Parker, has had preliminary conversations with the Cardinals' Rod Graves, the assistant to Arizona president Bill Bidwell.

Brown further noted that a meeting between Smith and the Cardinals is tentatively scheduled for March 12 and 13. The Cardinals have expressed the most interest in Smith and might be willing to pay him more than the veteran minimum of $755,000 because they want to sell tickets and have no proven starter at running back.

The Cowboys often draw more fans to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., than the Cardinals do, and Arizona's running game right now rests with Marcel Shipp and Thomas Jones. Shipp, who just received a contract extension, had 834 yards rushing with an average of 4.4 yards per carry in 2002. Jones ran for 511 yards and averaged 3.7 yards per carry. Smith ran for 975 yards with an average of 3.8 yards per carry.

Carolina also might have an interest in Smith if the Panthers' first choice on the free-agent market, Stephen Davis, signs with the Houston Texans as the Panthers expect. The Panthers have a vacancy at running back with second-year back DeShaun Foster recovering from potentially career-ending "microfracture" knee surgery, but they have not contacted Smith.

Oakland, Tampa Bay and New England have also been mentioned as potential suitors. The Texans, however, won't be pursuing the league's all-time leading rusher unless he's willing to play for the veteran's minimum.

"Emmitt has been a great back in the NFL, but right now, we're addressing other positions in free agency," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said.

Lamar Smith (Unrestricted), Carolina Panthers: The Panthers released Smith on Wednesday, three months after he was placed on paid leave following a drunk driving arrest. Smith started 11 games for the Panthers in 2002 and led the team with 737 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on 209 carries.

Smith signed with Carolina last season after playing two seasons with Miami. He had a season-high 154 yards in the Panthers' 21-14 victory over Minnesota in Week 3. He was drafted in 1994 by Seattle in the third round and spent four years with the Seahawks. That year, he admitted drinking and driving in a 1994 accident that left teammate Mike Frier paralyzed.

It remains to be seen if Smith will draw much interest on the free agent market, but I'll go way out on a limb here and predict his days as a legitimate Fantasy prospect are behind him.

Aaron Stecker (Restricted), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He's not considered a top talent, but there's a chance Stecker, tendered at $605,000 with no draft pick compensation, might be able to get out from under Michael Pittman, Mike Alstott, Travis Stephens and whoever else the Bucs might or might not add to the mix in the coming weeks before all is said and done.

According to Gaston Gazette reporter Steve Reed, the Panthers' interest in Davis and Smith isn't so great they'll break the bank to sign either and team officials could easily wind up targeting a relative unknown like Stecker.

Stay tuned. Stecker could do some damage if he lands in the right situation.

Tyrone Wheatley (Unrestricted), Oakland Raiders: Wheatley is a powerful, experienced runner whose role has been reduced since Charlie Garner joined the team. According to Santa Rosa Press Democrat reporter Jill R. Dorson, the Raiders want him back, but Wheatley is reportedly interested in looking for more money.

I'll also note that the team's decision to re-sign short-yardage specialist Zack Crockett, to a seven-year, $12-million contract earlier this week doesn't bode well for Wheatley's future in Oakland. Crockett had only 40 carries for 118 yards in 2002, but his eight touchdowns were second only to wide receiver Jerry Porter's nine.

Jamel White (Restricted), Cleveland Browns: As reported by the Sports Xchange, White hoped for a low tender so he could market himself to other teams as an every-down back. Instead, the Browns tendered him an offer worth $1.318 million that will require any team that signs him to give up a first-round draft pick if the Browns don't match the offer. White was not happy. Head coach Butch Davis said the Browns want to sign White to a long-term deal.

"All [the tender] does is buy us 10 more months to negotiate a favorable deal for him," Davis said. "The worst-case scenario is last year he made $300,000 and this year he'll make $1.3 million. A million dollar raise is pretty good for most people."

Moe Williams (Unrestricted), Minnesota Vikings: According to those who follow the team closely, Williams is right at the top of this year's list of free agent priorities after setting a personal record with 11 rushing TDs in 2002. Williams could easily duplicate that touchdown total in 2003 if he remains with the Vikings.

That's all for now. Next week: Wide receivers.

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications.

 

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