Leverage meter on big-name free agents

<em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky </em> <p>Here is an AFC South leverage meter on big-name free agents as Friday, the day free agency begins, fast approaches. Which players in the division have the most leverage, and why?</p> <p><strong><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=hou" target="_new">Houston Texans</a></strong></p> <p>The team ensured it will retain its top free-agent-to-be by slapping the $9.975 million<br /> franchise tag on cornerback <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5535" target="_new">Dunta Robinson</a>.</p> <p>The team has no other major players heading toward free agency.</p> <hr /> <table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" align="right"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://assets.espn.go.com/i/headshots/nfl/players/65/2055.jpg" alt="" hspace="1" vspace="1" width="65" height="90" align="left" /></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <font face="Arial" size="1" style="line-height: 1.5em">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#808080">Saturday</font> </font></td> </tr> </table> <p><strong><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind" target="_new">Indianapolis Colts</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Center <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2055" target="_new">Jeff Saturday</a></strong> -- He's heading to the market, but it seems logical the Colts are hoping he finds that the numbers he's looking for aren't there and he winds up back in Indy. (See the case for Saturday in <a href="/blogs/afcsouth/0-7-583/How-one-agent-s-trying-to-help-sell-a-veteran-client.html">this post</a> from Monday.)</p> <p>The Ravens' <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8538" target="_new">Jason Brown</a> and the Vikings' <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1562" target="_new">Matt Birk</a> are also heading toward free agency, and there are seven more veterans coming free that Scouts Inc. <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?positionId=4" target="_blank">grades</a> at a 60 or better.</p> <p>It also helps the Colts that there are other top veterans available and that the draft includes three centers who could be worthy of first-day picks: Cal's Alex Mack, Oregon's Max Unger and Arkansas' Jonathan Luigs.</p> <p><strong>Leverage meter: </strong>Strong for Colts.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" align="right"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://assets.espn.go.com/i/headshots/nfl/players/65/2893.jpg" alt="" hspace="1" vspace="1" width="65" height="90" align="left" /></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <font face="Arial" size="1" style="line-height: 1.5em">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#808080">Rhodes</font> </font></td> </tr> </table> <p><strong>Running back <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2893" target="_new">Dominic Rhodes</a></strong> -- It's hard to imagine he stirs up much interest and the Colts have made it clear they'd really like to hold on to him. Among older guys, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1430" target="_new">Fred Taylor</a> will rank ahead of him for several teams hunting for a very experienced running back. Yes, Taylor is older, but he's got more shake and Rhodes just turned 30.</p> <p>While the speed in this draft doesn't match last year's, as many as seven guys could be worthy of first- or second-round selections.</p> <p><strong>Leverage meter: </strong>Somewhat strong for Colts.</p> <hr /> <p><strong><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=jac" target="_new">Jacksonville Jaguars</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Safety <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8571" target="_new">Gerald Sensabaugh</a></strong> -- The team is expecting him to find a good deal elsewhere and is unwilling to participate in that level of talks.</p> <p><strong>Center <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2191" target="_new">Brad Meester</a></strong> -- See the Saturday/Colts section above. The Jaguars would like him back at a reasonable price and with the knowledge he might start, but he might not depending on what happens with other players. He'd fit in a locker room they are hoping will have improved chemistry. I don't see a big market for him.</p> <p><strong>Leverage meter: </strong>Strong for Jaguars.</p> <hr /> <p><strong><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten" target="_new">Tennessee Titans</a></strong></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" align="right"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://assets.espn.go.com/i/headshots/nfl/players/65/3543.jpg" alt="" hspace="1" vspace="1" width="65" height="90" align="left" /></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <font face="Arial" size="1" style="line-height: 1.5em">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#808080">Haynesworth</font> </font></td> </tr> </table> <p><strong>Defensive tackle <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3543" target="_new">Albert Haynesworth</a></strong> -- Some reports say there won't be major interest, but ESPN's John Clayton says there could be a six-year deal dressed up to be worth $100 million out there. The Titans want him back and believe he'd much prefer to stay, which is true. But I can't see them closing the gulf enough and showing enough love for him not to sign early for mega-millions.</p> <p><strong>Leverage meter: </strong>Strong for Haynesworth.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" align="right"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://assets.espn.go.com/i/headshots/nfl/players/65/734.jpg" alt="" hspace="1" vspace="1" width="65" height="90" align="left" /></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <font face="Arial" size="1" style="line-height: 1.5em">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#808080">Collins</font> </font></td> </tr> </table> <p><strong>Quarterback <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=734" target="_new">Kerry Collins</a></strong> -- Who knows if someone will step forward and offer him decent dollars? Not me. I could see the Jets emerging. But even if no one does, Collins has said he'll be content to retire if things don't feel right. The Titans have said they believe they'd pay whatever anybody else will pay;&nbsp; it will be interesting to see if they follow though. If <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4555" target="_new">Chris Simms</a> signs somewhere with more opportunity early, it helps Collins even more.</p> <p>It sure seems like Collins has multiple approaches he can use to take the wheel here.</p> <p><strong>Leverage meter: </strong>Strong for Collins.</p>

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