2009 Free Agents: Outside Linebackers

MISSING

2009 Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2009.

Terrell Suggs, Ravens. Age: 26.
Franchised by Ravens

Save for the 2007 campaign, Terrell Suggs has recorded at least eight sacks in every season in his career. He also managed a pair of sacks in the AFC Championship. At 26, he’s one of the premier free agents available this offseason.
LeRoy Hill, Seahawks. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Seahawks

Not the brightest bulb in the haystack. Emmitt-ism. Anyway, I find it really difficult to comprehend how LeRoy Hill could get arrested for marijuana possession a month and a half before free agency. If you’re going to do drugs, buy them AFTER YOU SIGN YOUR CONTRACT!

At any rate, Hill is one of the elite weakside linebackers in the NFL, He could be slapped with Seattle’s franchise tag. Some believe Hill is the best linebacker on the Seahawks roster, despite the presence of Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson.
Cato June, Bears. Age: 29.
The Buccaneers released Cato June because they’re transitioning away from the Tampa-2. June is still a very good Tampa-2 linebacker. The Bills could use his services.
Michael Boley, Falcons. Age: 27.
Signed with Giants (5 years, $25 million; $11 million guaranteed)

What happened!? A year ago, Michael Boley was one of the most promising young linebackers in the NFL, and was consequently listed as a 4-star player on this chart. In 2008, Boley was benched. I’m listing him this high because he’s just too talented not to rebound.
Freddie Keiaho, Colts. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Colts

A very effective cover-2 weakside linebacker. Shouldn’t play in another system.
Angelo Crowell, Bills. Age: 28.
Signed with Buccaneers

Angelo Crowell is a talented linebacker, who unfortunately may not be able to recover from his chronic knee injuries. If Crowell can get healthy, he’ll be dominant for Buffalo once again. That’s a huge if, however.
Rashad Jeanty (RFA), Bengals. Age: 26.
Tendered by Bengals (2nd round)

Rashad Jeanty had 96 tackles at strongside linebacker this season. The Bengals could use an upgrade at the position, but they shouldn’t be desperate.
D.D. Lewis, Seahawks. Age: 30.
Re-signed with Seahawks

One of the top reserve linebackers in the NFL, D.D. Lewis can play multiple positions and is very valuable to Seattle.
Pisa Tinoisamoa, Rams. Age: 28.
Signed with Bears (1 year)

Led the Rams in tackles last year. A 4-3 weakside linebacker.
Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers. Age: 36.
No longer an every-down player, but at 36, Derrick Brooks still has some ability.
Marcus Washington, Redskins. Age: 31.
Should be a great backup and a decent spot starter for his new team. However, Marcus Washington turns 32 in October and has suffered some recent injuries.
Heath Farwell, Vikings. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Vikings (3 years, $7.75 million)

One of the NFL’s elite special-teams players until he tore his ACL in the summer. He should be ready by training camp.
Keith Ellison (RFA), Bills. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Bills (1 year, $1.01 million)

A pretty marginal linebacker who has been thrust into the starting lineup the past few years because of injuries.
Khary Campbell, Texans. Age: 30.
Re-signed with Texans

Not much of a factor on defense, but a very good special-teamer.
Morlon Greenwood, Raiders. Age: 31.
Signed with Raiders

A reliable, versatile reserve linebacker, but not much else.
Brandon Johnson (RFA), Bengals. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Bengals (1 year, $1.545 million)

Brandon Johnson did a solid job in relief of Keith Rivers, who was debacled by Hines Ward in the middle of the season.
Keith Brooking, Falcons. Age: 33.
Signed with Cowboys (3 years)

Once a great player, Keith Brooking’s skills have diminished; he’s nothing more than a veteran leader in the locker room.
Marques Harris, 49ers. Age: 27.
Signed with Chargers

A solid reserve in the 3-4, Marques Harris managed 2.5 sacks in just a handful of starts.
Coy Wire, Falcons. Age: 30.
Re-signed with Falcons (2 years)

Stepped in for a struggling Michael Boley and did well against the run. Still, a reserve linebacker at best.
Pierre Woods (RFA), Patriots. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Patriots (1 year, $1.545 million)

A very good player on special teams, but nothing more than a depth 3-4 rush linebacker.
Tyjuan Hagler, Colts. Age: 27. – Re-signed with Colts
Ricky Brown (RFA), Raiders. Age: 25. – Re-signed with Raiders
Boss Bailey, Broncos. Age: 29.
Chris Draft, Rams. Age: 33. – Signed with Bills
Roderick Green, 49ers. Age: 27.
Ryan Nece, Lions. Age: 30.
Clark Haggans, Cardinals. Age: 32. – Re-signed with Cardinals (3 years)
Antwan Peek, Browns. Age: 29.
Darryl Blackstock, Bengals. Age: 26.
Victor Hobson, Cardinals. Age: 29.
Marcus Freeman, Bears. Age: 23.
Louis Green, Broncos. Age: 29.
Jamie Winborn, Texans. Age: 30. – Signed with Titans
Rocky Boiman, Titans. Age: 29. – Signed with Steelers
Jon Alston (RFA), Raiders. Age: 26. – Re-signed with Raiders
Lance Laury (RFA), Seahawks. Age: 27. – Re-signed with Seahawks
Tully Banta-Cain, Patriots. Age: 29. – Re-signed with Patriots
Andre Frazier, Steelers. Age: 27. – Re-signed with Steelers
Alex Lewis, Lions. Age: 28.
Kenneth Pettway, Packers. Age: 26.
Willie McGinest, Browns. Age: 37.
Shantee Orr, Browns. Age: 28.
Troy Evans, Saints. Age: 31. – Re-signed with Saints
Donnie Edwards, Chiefs. Age: 36.
Carlos Polk, Cowboys. Age: 32.
James Anderson (RFA), Panthers. Age: 25. – Re-signed with Panthers (1 year, $1.01 million)
Alfred Fincher, Redskins. Age: 26.
Brian Iwuh (RFA), Jaguars. Age: 25. – Re-signed with Jaguars
Joey LaRocque, Bears. Age: 23.
Darrell McClover, Redskins. Age: 28. – Signed with Bears
Donte’ Curry, Panthers. Age: 31.
Darrell Robertson, Chiefs. Age: 23.
Vinny Ciurciu, Patriots. Age: 29. – Signed with Lions
Wesly Mallard, Seahawks. Age: 30.
Rosevelt Colvin, Patriots. Age: 31.
Blake Costanzo, Bills. Age: 25. – Signed with Browns
Sam Williams, Raiders. Age: 29. – Re-signed with Raiders
Robert Thomas, Raiders. Age: 29. – Signed with Redskins (1 year, $1.3 million)
Rufus Alexander, Colts. Age: 26. – Signed with Lions
Angelo Craig, Patriots. Age: 23.