2008 NFL Free Agency Preview: Centers and Guards
Fantasy owners may not draft offensive lineman, but the behemoth guys up front can make all the difference when it comes to a productive offense. Offensive lineman worth don’t come cheaply, and teams are constantly searching for ways to upgrade their lines, regardless of how good the current unit may be.
Today, let’s look at the interior lineman; the centers and offensive guards.
The Top Centers on the Market
Centers are the quarterbacks of the line. They make the line calls and shift adjustments; all while making sure they don’t botch the snap to the signal caller.
- Jeff Faine (6′3″, 291 pounds, 26 years old) — Faine was supposed to be an anchor of the rebuilt Cleveland Browns line, but after the team acquired LeCharles Bentley in 2006 [at the time considered the league’s top center], he was jettisoned and ended up landing in New Orleans. Over the last two seasons, Faine has played at a high level and proven himself among the better young centers in the league. Expect some team to throw big dollars Faine’s way; possibly making him the highest paid center in the league.
- Jason Brown (6′3″, 320 pounds, 24 years old) — Brown is a restricted free agent, and it would be surprising if the Ravens let him go considering the other changes on their aging offensive line. Only 24 years old, Brown worked his way into the starting lineup in 2006 and became a fixture in 2007; at guard. Brown has the rare ability to play at a high level at both guard and center and could, therefore, be signed to an offer sheet by any number of teams.
- Rex Hadnot (6′2″, 325 pounds, 26 years old) — Hadnot became a starter as a rookie and has never looked back. Through the Dolphins ups and downs, Hadnot has been a durable fixture; starting 55 straight games. Despite his reliability, the new regime appears intent on letting Hadnot move on. Given his age and experience, Hadnot should have little trouble landing a 4- or 5-year deal as a potential starter.
- Jeremy Newberry (6′5″, 315 pounds, 31 years old) — Newberry spent a decade in San Francisco before jumping across the bay to Oakland last season. When healthy, Newberry can anchor a line with a mean streak but the intelligence to manage a complex offensive line set. However, at 31 years old, Newberry is no longer at his peak and is no stranger to serious injuries.
The Top Guards on the Market
Guards used to be the forgotten men of the line, but in recent years guards have started earning enormous contracts in free agency. This year looks to be no different, with Alan Faneca being the most coveted offensive lineman at any position.
- Alan Faneca (6′5″, 307 pounds, 31 years old) – Alan Faneca is the cream of the free agent OL crop. A punishing blocker with the athleticism to pull out as a lead blocker. Faneca has a mean streak and is extremely durable, starting 153 of the Steelers last 158 games. After a tenuous holdout last offseason, Faneca returned to the Steelers under the promise that he wouldn’t be franchised again in 2008. Now he gets to test the free agent market and looks to land one of the largest contracts for a lineman in league history.
- Justin Smiley (6′3″, 311 pounds, 26 years old) – Smiley missed the second half of last season with a shoulder injury but should be 100% healthy and ready to work out for interested teams. A starter for most of his career in San Francisco, Smiley is a solid if not spectacular guard; particularly as a pass blocker. Given the projected salary cap and the amount of money teams have available, don’t be surprised if Smiley lands a big, multi-year deal.
- Mike Wahle (6′6″, 304 pounds, 30 years old) – Wahle is a 10-year veteran that’s been starting since his second year in the league. An anchor for years in Green Bay, Wahle signed with Carolina three seasons ago and started 45 of 48 regular season games. But Carolina released Wahle because of salary cap concerns. Don’t let his release fool you, Wahle remains a quality starter and will garner a multi-year deal on a playoff contending team.
- Jacob Bell (6′4″, 295 pounds, 26 years old) — Bell is a four-year veteran and 2-year starter; playing an important role in the Titans rebuilt offensive line. Given his age and demeanor (he’s considered a high character guy), it would be surprising if the Titans let him get away. The Titans have a boatload of money under the cap, and Bell is the kind of young, productive player who should be a priority.
- Jake Scott (6′5″, 295 pounds, 26 years old) — Jake Scott has been a starter since his rookie season, for arguably the team’s most consistent offensive line in Indianapolis. So why isn’t he higher on this list? For two reasons. One, Scott is technically sound but can be overpowered. Two, the Colts have proven that their blocking scheme is greater than the sum of its parts. Either way, with Ryan Lilja re-signed it’s possible the Colts would let Scott walk. Don’t be surprised if he lands a big contract from another team.
The (Near) Complete List of Guards and Centers
| Pos | Player | Name | Status | 2007 Team | 2008 Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Rob | Davis | UFA | GB | |
| C | Lennie | Friedman | UFA | CLE | |
| C | Jonathan | Goodwin | UFA | NO | |
| C | Nathan | Hodel | UFA | ARZ | |
| C | Ryan | Kuehl | UFA | NYG | |
| C | Nick | Leckey | UFA | STL | |
| C | Andy | McCollum | UFA | STL | |
| C | Jeremy | Newberry | UFA | OAK | |
| C | Mike | Pucillo | UFA | WAS | |
| C | Brett | Romberg | UFA | STL | |
| C | Wade | Smith | UFA | NYJ | |
| C | Alex | Stepanovich | UFA | CIN | |
| C | Tyson | Walter | UFA | GB | |
| C | Casey | Wiegmann | UFA | KC | |
| C | Ethan | Albright | UFA | WAS | |
| C | Jeff | Faine | Signed | NO | TB |
| C | Tim | Lindsey | Signed | ATL | SEA |
| C | Chukky | Okobi | Signed | ARZ | HOU |
| C | Lonie | Paxton | Signed | NE | NE |
| C | Chris | White | Signed | PHI | SEA |
| C | Jon | Condo | RFA | OAK | |
| C | Andrew | Economos | RFA | TB | |
| C | Geoff | Hangartner | RFA | CAR | |
| C | Scott | Mruczkowski | RFA | SD | |
| C | Rudy | Niswanger | RFA | KC | |
| C | Mike | Flanagan | Released | HOU | |
| C | Mike | Flynn | Released | BAL | |
| OG | Larry | Allen | UFA | SF | |
| OG | Jacob | Bell | UFA | TEN | |
| OG | Martin | Bibla | UFA | DEN | |
| OG | Milford | Brown | UFA | STL | |
| OG | Ruben | Brown | UFA | CHI | |
| OG | Rick | DeMulling | UFA | WAS | |
| OG | Jason | Fabini | UFA | WAS | |
| OG | Alan | Faneca | UFA | PIT | NYJ |
| OG | Rex | Hadnot | UFA | MIA | |
| OG | Matt | Lehr | UFA | TB | |
| OG | Chris | Liwienski | UFA | MIA | |
| OG | Seth | McKinney | UFA | CLE | |
| OG | Gene | Mruczkowski | UFA | MIA | |
| OG | Scott | Peters | UFA | ARZ | |
| OG | Tutan | Reyes | UFA | JAX | |
| OG | Jake | Scott | UFA | IND | |
| OG | Barry | Stokes | UFA | DET | |
| OG | Ross | Tucker | UFA | WAS | |
| OG | Keydrick | Vincent | UFA | ARZ | CAR |
| OG | Fred | Weary | UFA | HOU | |
| OG | Jason | Whittle | UFA | BUF | |
| OG | Floyd | Womack | UFA | SEA | |
| OG | Nick | Jones | Signed | NYG | SEA |
| OG | Pat | Murray | Signed | GB | SEA |
| OG | Ryan | Lilja | Signed | IND | IND |
| OG | Jamar | Nesbit | Signed | NO | NO |
| OG | Justin | Smiley | Signed | SF | MIA |
| OG | Mike | Wahle | Signed | CAR | SEA |
| OG | Joe | Berger | RFA | DAL | |
| OG | Elton | Brown | RFA | ARZ | |
| OG | Jason | Brown | RFA | BAL | |
| OG | Dylan | Gandy | RFA | IND | |
| OG | Chris | Kemoeatu | RFA | PIT | |
| OG | Evan | Mathis | RFA | CAR | |
| OG | Chris | Myers | RFA | DEN | |
| OG | Ike | Ndukwe | RFA | MIA | |
| OG | Adrien | Clarke | Released | NYJ | |
| OG | Drew | Hodgdon | Released | HOU | |
| OG | Shane | Olivea | Released | SD |
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