It's only been what?...a month or so since the NFL season officially ended? AND I miss it already. Well, the NBA and MLB spring training just kicked off so there are other things to garner my attention.

A ton of players have gotten released by their respective teams and some became untested free agents. There are so many speculations as to what big name player will go where and a ton of trade scenarios are being tossed around as we approach the 2010 NFL draft next month. Here are just a few of the big names that have been released with no home to go to...yet:

Brian Westbrook(former Philadelphia Eagles)

Courtesy of AP

It wouldn't surprise me if he gets picked up by a team for the veteran minimum salary.

• Best option: Retire and become a coach of some sort. I'm serious...that's all I have on Westbrook. Numerous concussions and numerous injuries have slowed down this guy, and you can't expect him to be real effective anywhere else.

Courtesy of AP

LaDainian Tomlinson(former SD Chargers)

• Best option:
  
  • Initially I thought was the Houston Texans simply because of the talent they have on both sides of the ball, they are in need of a solid running back with some leadership, and the fact that LT is from Texas. I was thinking though...what the hell does being from a certain area have to do with a player wanting towards the end of his career have to do with him wanting to play there? It's simply rhetorical or just a question I ask myself.
  • Minnesota Vikings are an inch away from the Super Bowl...that is if Brett Favre returns and is as effective as last year. Chester Taylor is gone so a #2 running back is needed. Even at 31 years old LT is light years better than Chester Taylor. LT and AP could very well = Lombardi Trophy!
  • NY Jets are an excellent option but could be very farfetched. They released Thomas Jones but not sure they would want another 30+yr old vet running back to replace another. If you see the Jets' offensive line, you would think anyone could run behind it. Hell, bring back 47 year-old Herschel Walker and he could put up at least 500+yds rushing.
  • New Orleans Saints aren't my choice but the option has come up simply for the reunion possibilitiy of LT and Drew Brees. I don't think it will happen because there are too many at that position already. They wouldn't pay LT the money he'd want with Thomas and Bush already there. Anyways, the Saints' chance of repeating are probably unlikely.

Courtesy of AP

Larry Johnson(former Cincinnati Bengals)

This comes to nobody's surprise does it? I mean he had those couple good seasons in KC but he's always been a cry baby with something always to complain about. Problems with Johnny Law and a bad attitude makes it a difficult fit anywhere. Now that he's 30 and fighting for a position somewhere, will all things foul change?

• Best Option:
  
  • Oakland Raiders as a 2nd option to Darren McFadden. Haha, Oakland picks up most talented yet troubled players...right? Well, they usually do once they are at 'bust' status and I think LJ is done.
  • San Francisco 49ers is a surprise option in my opinion. Frank Gore is always banged up but he's the heart of that offense. A solid alternative to Gore especially a short yardage and 3rd down back will help the running game and give Gore needed rest.  A hard nosed coach like Singletary can keep LJ in line or they'll just dump him once signs of the old LJ resurface.

Courtesy of AP

Derek Anderson(former Cleveland Browns)

Not sure DA deserves a starting job anywhere but there are plenty of voids that need filling. Buffalo, San Francisco, Arizona, and Oakland are the main teams that need an experienced starting quarterback.

• Best Option: Although I'd like to see Donovan McNabb go to Arizona, Derek Anderson could be pretty effective there as well. He doesn't have to do too much and there are plenty of weapons to make him look good. Matt Leinart is NOT a NFL starting quarterback and never should be. Anderson has the ability to throw the deep ball and could possibly revive his career with guys like Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston as targets. Anderson's completion percentage is pretty low to be considered a top quarterback and would be replacing a guy in Kurt Warner who rarely missed his targets. Then again Anderson did have butterfinger guys like Braylon Edwards and several ineffective route runners to throw to...at least that's how I saw it.

Courtesy of AP

Jake Delhomme(former Carolina Panthers)

There are talks Delhomme could go to Cleveland and it wouldn't surprise me. Holmgren has been cleaning house and could be releasing or trading Brady Quinn soon leaving him with only a newly acquired Seneca Wallace. Delhomme has a ton of experience, but he's looked terrible the last couple years. It'd be interesting to see who would actually pick him up and if he'd be made a starter or not. Like I said above, there are needs for a starting quarterback for several teams so he could get a chance.

• Best Option: I really don't see him starting anywhere this coming year but could very well be a mentor of some sorts to a rookie quarterback on a 'rebuilding' team. Cleveland could very well sign him where he'd be labeled the starter but act as a mentor to a quarterback Holmgren takes in the draft. Could they possibly get Colt McCoy in the later rounds?

Notables who's first to get a new home?

Thomas Jones got the boot from the NY Jets, but it didn't take long for him to find a new 2yr contract with the KC Chiefs. Age seems to be the downfall for the running back position with the magic number being 30+. Jones is a physical speciment and will be 32 at the start of the 2010 season. Out of the available running backs he's probably the most conditioned and seemingly less prone to injury like the others.

Julius Peppers signing with the Chicago Bears is probably the biggest move so far of the offseason. He's in the second phase of his career and probably has another 3-4 peak years left in him. The Bears defense is aging but can still be the top 5 in the league with a healthy Urlacher leading the charge.

This could be the difference maker for the NY Jets. Antonio Cromartie leaving the San Diego Chargers and getting picked up by the Jets in a trade was a shock to me. I thought Cromartie was/is an outstanding cover corner who hit a slide the past couple seasons. Why is that we wonder? Do you think personal issues carry over to the field? Well in his case, I'd say so. Sounds like another Travis Henry kids debacle...

NY Daily News had an article that said: Cromartie, 25, confirmed yesterday that he has fathered seven children with six women, living in five different states. He also has been named in at least five paternity suits. He got hit with the "dead-beat dad" rap after reportedly missing a Feb. 1 child-support payment, but he vowed to resolve the issues before reporting to the Jets. The rest of the article is here: Cromartie article

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