Both Super Bowl teams are represented by key players in msnbc.com's top 15 free agents for the 2008 season. Randy Moss had 23 touchdown catches this season and gave the Patriots offense the explosive qualities it did not have last season. Asante Samuel is one of the best cover men in the league and losing him could be disastrous for New England. Giants linebacker Kawika Mitchell is not a superstar, but he is a fine tackler and a key role player.
(In this list we rank unrestricted free agents or players under contract who can void out the final seasons of their contract. Julius Jones of the Cowboys is among the players who fit that category. We do not include restricted free agents, because current teams have the ability to match any offers that come a player’s way.)";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Randy Moss","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Scott Audette", "AP", "273", "397", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 98 receptions, 1,493 yards, 23 touchdowns
He’s been a dominant receiver for the Patriots this season after a couple of years in a funk while in Oakland. The Patriots have ridden him through an undefeated season and are on the verge of a Super Bowl victory. However, the Patriots have not made a financial commitment to Moss and they may not, even though he deserves it based on his production. The Patriots have a slew of talented receivers, but none are as explosive as Moss. However, Asante Samuel is their lone stud in the secondary. Owner Bob Kraft and player personnel chief Scott Pioli will do what coach Bill Belichick asks. The coach will prioritize which player means more to the team. The answer he’ll come up with is Samuel.";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Michael Turner","Boss is tackled by Tampa Bay's Tanard Jackson.","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Doug Benc", "Getty Images", "273", "397", "", "", "", "", "");
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Key 2007 stat: 71 carries, 316 yards, 1 touchdown
He has been the best No. 2 running back in the game for the last three seasons and now Turner will get a chance to show what he is worth on the open market. Before the postseason, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner had come to the conclusion that Turner would be wearing a new uniform next season. That’s probably still the case, but after LaDainian Tomlinson sat out the majority of the playoff win over the Colts and the AFC championship game against the Pats, they may want to rethink their position. Turner is a winner who can carry the load when asked.";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Bob Sanders","","","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Bill Kostroun", "AP", "260", "198", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 96 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions
Indy needs to keep its strong safety and reigning NFL defensive player of the year under contract because he is the signature personality on the defense. A healthy Dwight Freeney can be more of an impact player than Sanders, but nobody in the secondary hits as consistently hard as Sanders. That’s particularly important for a team that didn’t have enough of those kind of players before the last two seasons. Sanders is a leader and enjoys causing mayhem on the field.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Asante Samuel","Pierce tackles Lions receiver Shaun McDonald.","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Paul Sancya", "AP", "273", "390", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 6 interceptions, 1 returned for a touchdown
New England has two players whom they can’t live without. One of them is quarterback Tom Brady and the other is Samuel. One can even make the case that Samuel means even more than Brady because the Patriots don’t have the talent in the secondary than they do at the skill positions. The Patriots don’t like to give in to their players’ salary demands, but if they don’t with Samuel they will be making a big mistake.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Lance Briggs","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Doug Benc", "Getty Images", "290", "198", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 102 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
While there is no doubt that Briggs is one of the best tacklers in a league that badly needs players who can handle the basics of the game, any team that signs the middle linebacker will have to deal with his baggage. He threatened to sit out last season when the Bears franchised him and after he reported, he crashed his new car while driving on a major Chicago highway and then left the scene of the accident. Briggs is a fine player who often lacks judgment.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Dallas Clark","Faulk tries to break a tackle from Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips.","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Winslow Townson", "AP", "273", "400", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 58 receptions, 616 yards, 11 touchdowns
One of the top tight ends in the league and there is a reasonable chance that the Colts will not be able to retain his services. The Colts are loaded with skill-position talent and can’t let Sanders get away. Clark is one of Peyton Manning’s favorite receivers, but general manager Bill Polian understands the big picture with regards to the salary cap and may have no choice but to say goodbye.";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Julius Jones","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Julie Jacobson", "AP", "273", "386", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 164 carries, 588 yards, 2 touchdowns
Jones is not technically a free agent but he has a clause in his contract that allows him to void the last year if he so chooses. With Marion Barber sitting in the No. 1 running back position — even if Jones is the starter — Jones will almost certainly look to move on. The Cowboys probably won’t even feel the loss as they can go after another free-agent running back or draft a No. 2 running back without feeling much pain from Jones’ loss.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Terrell Suggs","Hobbs guards Jets receiver Laveranues Coles.","","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Brian Snyder", "Reuters", "298", "192", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 80 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
A big-time pass rusher who has been a good player for the Ravens but he has not delivered on the superstar potential they thought he had when he was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft from Arizona State. Suggs has excellent athleticism when it comes to shedding blockers but his lack of consistency is a bit troubling.";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Albert Haynesworth","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Stephan Savoia", "AP", "273", "410", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 40 tackles, 6 sacks
Some scouts have the Titans defensive tackle as the No. 2 free agent on their list right behind Moss since he was a dominant player who improved significantly last season. But one season does not a career make, and it will be difficult for some teams to overlook his dastardly behavior when he stomped the helmetless face of Dallas offensive lineman Andre Gurode in 2006. Will Haynesworth continue his ascent up the NFL ladder or will he turn back to his violent side in the next season or two?
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Alan Faneca","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Scott Halleran", "Getty Images", "246", "368", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: Steelers ranked 3rd in rushing yards per game
He certainly has some mileage as he prepares for his 11th season, but Faneca should be able to cash a very nice pay check. Faneca understands the ins and outs of line play and might be best suited for a young team with a solid offensive line that needs a leader. Few offensive linemen in the league have the savvy to deal with dirty play the way Faneca does.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Bernard Berrian","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 71 receptions, 951 yards, 5 touchdowns
The Bears' speed man may be the No. 2 free-agent wide receiver available this season, but he’s a long way from reminding anyone of Moss. Still, Berrian has some value because he has excellent speed. Berrian is not an All-Pro because he will drop short- and medium-range passes more often than he should. Berrian does not pass the eyeball test because he is so thin, but he can bounce up from a big hit.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Jared Allen","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: League-best 15.5 sacks
When push comes to shove, it seems likely the Chiefs will get down to business and re-sign their outstanding pass rusher. Team president Carl Peterson does not necessarily enjoy throwing money around, but he will pay big money to game-changing players. Allen was suspended at the start of the 2007 season because he had two DUI incidents in 2006.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Nnamdi Asomugha","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 34 tackles, 1 interception
A very good — but not great — cover corner who is probably thrilled to think of life outside Oakland. Asomugha looks like the ideal player for a contending team that wants to shore up its coverage. He seems like the kind of player that the Patriots would be interested in having line up in their secondary.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Jamal Lewis","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 298 carries, 1,304 yards, 9 touchdowns
A bounce-back season for Lewis and it would appear to be in the Browns interest to bring him back in 2008 even though the running back will be getting ready for his ninth season in the league. Lewis has had injuries and clearly has a lot of miles, but he made a place for himself with the up-and-coming Browns this season.
";
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i++] = new Array("","Kawika Mitchell","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_NFL_free_agents[i-1].body = "
Key 2007 stat: 76 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception
A role player with the Super Bowl team, but he does his job extremely well. Mitchell is a conscientious tackler who has the speed and aggressiveness to make big plays on a consistent basis.
"; // END editorial data