What about Bob?

Every year in free agency, there are some mind-numbing contracts that make you wonder why teams are willing to overpay for players. And we're not talking the Albert Haynesworths, Bart Scotts and Ray Lewises of the world, three guys who figure to make a ton on the open market - or with their respective teams, if they choose to re-sign.

It's the lesser-known guys who fall into that category. And this year, don't be surprised to see the cornerback class get some crazy contracts. Guys like Dominique Foxworth of the Atlanta Falcons and Andre Goodman of the Miami Dolphins. With very few top-flight cornerbacks on the open market - especially after the Raiders re-signed Nnamdi Asomugah and the Texans franchised Dunta Robinson - the thin class of corners will certainly benefit.

DeAngelo Hall could therefore making a killing, although teams might beware of the Redskins free agent based on his falling-out with the Falcons and his mid-season release from the Raiders. But with teams always looking for quality cornerbacks, Hall figures to attract plenty of attention once the signing period begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

It's probably a good thing the defensive backs came last in our position-by-position review of 2009 NFL free agency, because plenty has happened in recent days to change the available pool of players.

For starters, Raiders All Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was re-signed, and Texans star cornerback Dunta Robinson was designated as the team's franchise player, effectively taking him off the market. The Raiders released former Giants safety Gibril Wilson, and the Colts re-signed cornerback Kelvin Hayden. There's still a decent supply of safeties left over, but it's perilously thin at cornerback.

With free agency set to kick off at 12:01 a.m. Friday, here's our look at quarterbacks ... and running backs ... and offensive linemen ... and wide receivers/tight ends ... and defensive linemen ... and linebackers.

Here are your defensive backs:

1. DeAngelo Hall, CB, Washington Redskins. Traded to the Raiders last year, Oakland released the mercurial cornerback midway through the season. He was quickly snapped up by the Redskins, who hope to re-sign him to a long-term deal. No assurances once free agency hits, though.

2. Gibril Wilson, S, Raiders. Went from winning a Super Bowl with the Giants to cashing in on a free agent deal with the Raiders, only to be kicked to the curb late last week. Still a quality player, although the Giants have since moved on with the drafting of Kenny Phillips last year and Michael Johnson two years ago. Then again, if the price is right, a return to Big Blue isn't out of the question.

3. Darren Sharper, S, Minnesota Vikings. The former Packers star has anchored Minnesota's pass defense since 2005. He does turn 33 this season, but remains a ball hawking safety who can be an immediate upgrade for a team in contention.

4. Dominique Foxworth, CB, Atlanta Falcons. A late addition here, Foxworth will take advantage of a lack of free agent corners. Foxworth could be destined for Baltimore or Miami. Could be Washington if the Redskins can't sign DeAngelo Hall.

5. Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A broken arm shortened his 2008 season, but Phillips is a terrific safety with exceptional range.

6. Andre Goodman, CB, Miami Dolphins. He turns 31 this season, but with the dearth of cornerbacks on the open market, will definitely benefit in free agency.

7. Brian Dawkins, S, Philadelphia Eagles. He hopes to return to the Eagles, where he has been a stud for most of his 13 seasons in Philly. Age working against him, though. Dawkins turns 36 this season.

8. Jim Leonhard, S, Baltimore Ravens. A solid run support safety with excellent tackling ability and decent speed. He might be on the Jets' radar, where he'd re-join Rex Ryan, the former Ravens defensive coordinator.

9. James Butler, S, Giants. Has had two solid seasons for the Giants, and could be back next season if he doesn't get a deal he likes on the open market.

10. Rodney Harrison, S, New England Patriots. A leg injury kept him on the shelf last year, and he turns 36 this season. Probably best suited for a return to New England.

11. Sean Jones, S, Cleveland Browns. Not a bad player from an underachieving defense. Jones had four interceptions last year, and will be only 27 this season.

12. Eugene Wilson, S, Houston Texans. The former Patriots safety started 10 games last season and had 63 tackles and two interceptions. A solid veteran presence.

(Photo from NFL.com)

Not a bad group here, with some big names - starting with Ravens All Pro inside linebacker Ray Lewis - to spice things up.

The class of linebackers would have been even stronger had Terrell Suggs of the Ravens and Karlos Dansby of the Cardinals made it to the open market. But their respective teams slapped the franchise tag on both players, effectively taking them out of consideration.

Here's what's left over:

1. Ray Lewis, ILB, Baltimore Ravens. A future Hall of Fame inside linebacker, Lewis will hit the open market unless he agrees to remain in Baltimore before the signing period begins. We're told that won' t happen, so Lewis will explore his options. The only downside: at 33, you don't know how much longer he'll be playing at an elite level. The upside: if you're ready to win now, he's tailor-made for your defense.

2. Bart Scott, ILB/OLB, Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are interested in retaining both Lewis and Scott, but it's difficult to see them being able to afford all three. In some ways, Scott is a better investment than Lewis because he's only 28 and still has plenty of good years left. He's not quite the leader that Lewis is, but he's capable of creating havoc. Will he follow Rex Ryan to the Jets???

3. Channing Crowder, ILB, Miami Dolphins. This guy has turned into a tackling machine, and the Dolphins don't want to lose him. Crowder is only 25, and can be a difference maker wherever he plays.

4. Jonathan Vilma, ILB, New Orleans Saints. Traded from the Jets last off-season, Vilma recovered from knee problems and helped anchor the Saints' run defense. (Their pass defense still is horrendous, but through no fault of Vilma's.) Vilma is expected to re-sign with the Saints, but if a team makes a big push to get him, you never know.

5. Leroy Hill, OLB, Seattle Seahawks: A late addition here, although he isn't going anywhere, because the Seahawks slapped the franchise tag on the former third-round pick.

6. Mike Peterson, ILB, Jacksonville Jaguars. Peterson had a falling-out with the Jaguars' coaching staff last season, and will not be asked back. He is a very good tackler, although he's not youngster; at 32, he already has 10 NFL seasons in the books.

7. Keith Brooking, ILB/OLB, Atlanta Falcons. The former first-round pick is not part of the Falcons' future, but if you're looking for a veteran leader, the 33-year-old Brooking is your guy. One of the most versatile linebackers around, Brooking can play either inside or outside.

8. Eric Barton, ILB/OLB, New York Jets. It's unlikely the Jets will retain Barton, who has been a reasonably productive player since joining the team in 2004 as a Raiders' free agent. Barton played inside in the 3-4 alignment, but can also play the outside in a 4-3. A decent value for a team in need of a quality 'backer.

9. Zach Thomas, ILB, Dallas Cowboys. Thomas' better days are behind the 35-year-old Thomas, but he remains one of the smartest players anywhere. He is a very sure tackler, and excels in short-range pass coverage. Concussions have been a problem, although he remained healthy last season.

10. Takeo Spikes, ILB, San Francisco 49ers. Injuries and age have slowed Spikes, who once was a dominant player. But he did have a solid year in 2008, finishing with 96 tackles and three INTs.

11. Andra Davis, ILB, Cleveland Browns. Is most definitely a descending player, and was not particularly effective last season, when the Browns' defense tanked. But he did have 90 tackles in 2008, and can add reasonable depth on the inside in a 3-4 defense.

Here's our look at free agent quarterbacks ... and running backs ... and offensive linemen ... and wide receivers/tight ends ... and defensive linemen.

Up next: defensive backs.

(Baltimore Sun photo)

As is the case with just about every position this year, there's a major shortage of quality defensive linemen on the open market. In fact, with free agency not starting until Feb. 27, a few of these names might even be off the list.

Here's a look at our free agent rankings for quarterbacks ... and running backs ... and receivers/tight ends ... and offensive linemen.

1. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans. Haynesworth is arguably the best defensive lineman in football, and the Titans are desperate to make sure he remains in Tennessee. But Haynesworth plans to test the free agent market, where he'll draw plenty of interest. The Titans still plan on making a major push to keep him, but the price tag could be astronomical if they get into a bidding war over his services.

2. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers. He's coming off a career year, although we think there's a bit too much inconsistency with Peppers, the former first-round pick. That said, there is no better pass rusher out there on the open market, and unless the Panthers franchise him by tomorrow's deadline, he'll draw heavy attention. Even if Carolina does slap him with the franchise tag, he'll be looking for a trade. Peppers has been adamant in saying he doesn't want to play in Carolina any more.

(UPDATE: The Panthers have placed the franchise tag on Peppers, although it's expected he will demand a trade.)

3. Rocky Bernard, DT, Seattle Seahawks. A bit of an under-the-radar performer, but Bernard has been a solid veteran presence for Seattle. He's 29, is heading into his eighth season, and is a decent run stopper as well as a solid pass rusher (19 1/2 combined sacks over his last four seasons).

4. Chris Canty, DE, Dallas Cowboys. Still plenty of upside left in the 6-foot-7 Canty, who has been somewhat limited playing in the 3-4 defense, in which the outside linebackers do the bulk of the pass rushing. At 26, he could get significant action on the open market.

5. Jonathan Babineaux, DT, Atlanta Falcons. Not a big-name player, but certainly a reliable inside presence. A 16-game starter in 2008, Babineaux was a big reason for the Falcons' improved defense last season.

6. Tank Johnson, DT, Dallas Cowboys. Released two years ago by the Bears in the wake of a gun-related arrest, Johnson resurrected his career in Dallas. He hasn't misbehaved since returning from an eight-game suspension, and has no plans to return to the Cowboys.

7. Kevin Carter, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Well past his prime as a pass rusher, Carter will has some play-making ability and his veteran presence makes him a worthwhile addition for a team ready to contend for a playoff spot.

8. La'Roi Glover, DT, St. Louis Rams. Ok, we're starting to scrape the bottom here, but that's an indication of just how thin this group is. Glover is 34 and not the force he once was. He's had knee problems and is contemplating retirement. But, like Carter, might be worth taking a peek at by a team in contention if his injury situation clears up.

(Associated Press photo)

We're going to be redundant here by saying this, but it's a very, very thin class of top-flight receivers available in unrestricted free agency. Like, paper thin.

Then again, you can say that about nearly every position, because teams have increasingly done a better job at retaining their top players before they hit the open market. That's why we'll include tight ends in this group, too.

Here's our look look at free agent quarterbacks ... and running backs ... and offensive linemen.

1. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have expressed mild interest in keeping Houshmandzadeh, who has been extremely productive playing opposite Chad Johnson. But the Bengals are cheap and Housh knows he can get big bucks on the open market, so it would be something of a stunner to see him stay in Cincy.

UPDATE: The Bengals have slapped the franchise tag on kicker Shayne Graham, prompting Houshmandzadeh to say the chances of him leaving Cincy are now 99.2 percent. (I think he's being kind toward the Bengals, actually.)

2. Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bryant is an intriguing prospect here, because there is plenty of talent. But he has bounced around in recent years, and was famously involved in an altercation with Bill Parcells during their days together with the Cowboys. Bryant was so frustrated at Parcells in practice that he threw his jersey at the coach. The Bucs are very interested in keeping Bryant, and there is talk that they'll slap the franchise tag on him if they can't reach agreement on a long-term deal.

(UPDATE: The Buccaneers have designated Bryant as their franchise player, meaning he is almost certain to remain with the team in 2009.)

3. Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans Saints. Even though Marques Colston is the team's top receiving threat, there's something about Henderson will probably appeal to teams looking a complementary receiver. A former LSU standout, Henderson is still young (turns 27 in March) and can be a highly productive receiver in a passing offense.

4. Jim Kleinsasser, TE/HB, Vikings. The veteran H-back is one of the most powerful blockers in the game, and is quite valuable in an offense that can properly employ his versatility.

5. Bo Scaife, TE, Tennessee Titans. Comes off a career year with 58 catches, but the Titans aren't letting him go anywhere, as they've designated him their franchise player. It's a relatively modest deal at $4.46 million for 2009.

6. Jabar Gafney, WR, New England Patriots. Has been productive in the Patriots' offense, but what receiver hasn't been? With Tom Brady or Matt Cassel throwing passes, and with Randy Moss and Wes Welker drawing plenty of coverage, being a No. 3 like Gafney has paid some dividends. But it's still not good enough to command big bucks on the open market.

7. Dane Looker, WR, St. Louis Rams. A solid possession receiver, the former second-round pick is still a viable option if you're looking for a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver.

8. L.J. Smith, TE, Philadelphia Eagles. Never quite lived up to his status as a second-round pick in Philadelphia due to a combination of injuries and weak performances in big games. Good blocker, though, and does get open on many of his patterns.

9. Bobby Engram, WR, Seattle Seahawks. Engram has been frustrated the last two years with his contract situation in Seattle after turning into the Seahawks' go-to receiver. Engram's only problem is age - he's 36. Not much of a market out there for 14-year veterans.

10. Amani Toomer, WR, Giants. It ended badly for Toomer, the Giants' all-time leading receiver. He'd been phased out of the offense the second half of last season, complained about it when the playoffs were over, and is no longer a part of the team's plans. At 34, he thinks he still has something left.

11. Jerramy Stevens, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Off-field problems have been as much the story with Stevens as his ability. Still a quality receiving tight end, but personal issues will no doubt scare some teams off.

12. Shaun McDonald, WR, Detroit Lions. Enjoyed a productive run when Mike Martz was the offensive coordinator, but like the rest of his team in last year's 0-16 season, it wasn't his best effort. Still, at 27, he'll land somewhere. The big knock on McDonald: too many drops.

(Baltimore Sun photo)

A very, very thin group here, which makes it all the more imperative for the Giants that the top-ranked runner is taken off this list by the time free agency begins on Feb. 27.

1. Brandon Jacobs, Giants. Is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and has every intention of re-signing with the Giants. The Giants do not plan to let him get to free agency, so chances are he'll be off the market very shortly.

(UPDATE: To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Giants did their part to insure Jacobs goes nowhere by designating him as their "franchise" player this afternoon. It's a precursor to a long-term deal that will keep Jacobs in a Giants' uniform for several more years.)

2. Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers. Did a very nice job in place of the injured LaDainian Tomlinson, and the Chargers would like to retain him. But Sproles plans to hit the open market, and he'll certainly get some action. The one downside: At only 5-6, 181 pounds, Sproles is considered too small to be an every-down back on a long-term basis. Has tremendous return skills.

(UPDATE: The Chargers have placed the franchise tag on Sproles, which means he'll almost certainly be in a Chargers uniform for at least the 2009 season.)

3. Derrick Ward, Giants. The "Wind" in "Earth, Wind & Fire," Ward had an exceptional season in 2008, getting over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. The Giants want to re-sign him, but it won't be easy with Jacobs also needing a new contract. A very shifty runner who will be attractive to several teams if he hits the market.

4. Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks. A former backup to Shaun Alexander, Morris has been a generally solid player, although the Seahawks didn't see him as a No. 1 tailback, having brought in Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett last season. Not a bad value as a backup with the ability to fill in as a starter when necessary.

5. Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts. Rhodes is viewed mostly as a complementary running back, and probably won't draw any attention as a starter. But he has performed well for the Colts, and might want to return as Joseph Addai's understudy.

6. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins. It's been a long, strange trip for the former first-round pick. A bust in New Orleans, he has managed to resurrect his career despite repeated violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy. He'll be 32 in May, but doesn't have much wear-and-tear because of his infrequent use in recent seasons.

7. J.J. Arrington, Arizona Cardinals. Mostly viewed as a third-down back and solid kick returner.

8. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals signed him on the cheap after Benson was kicked out of Chicago for repeated alcohol-related problems. A bit of a risk, but still has plenty of talent.

9. Correll Buckhalter, Philadelphia Eagles. Has been a steady backup to Brian Westbrook, but isn't a guy to carry the load full-time.

Yesterday, we began our position-by-position look at free agency with quarterbacks, the glory position, as LTmeansLawrenceTaylor likes to say.

He challenged us to pay more attention to the men who try and keep the pretty-boy quarterbacks upright, and we've accepted. Thus, a look at the top offensive linemen available:

1. Jordan Gross, T, Carolina Panthers. Easily the top name of the group, although it's uncertain whether he'll actually get to free agency. The Panthers are doing everything in their power to lock the former first-round pick up before the signing period begins. There's a chance they'll designate him their franchise player, effectively retaining his rights in 2009. If not, then Gross will get snapped up in a heartbeat.

(UPDATE: Scratch Gross from the open market. The Panthers have signed him to a multi-year contract.)

2. Stacy Andrews, T, Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals said goodbye last year to veteran tackle Willie Anderson, but they'd like to retain their most promising young linemen in Andrews. Negotiations are ongoing, but it's the Bengals, so there's no telling whether they'll be able to keep the steady right tackle. Andrews is recovering from off-season knee surgery, but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2009 regular season.

3. Vernon Carey, T, Miami Dolphins. Former first-round pick enjoyed a very good year on the Dolphins' revamped line. Good physical stature (6-5, 335) and still upside left in him at age 27. Dolphins remain interested in re-signing him.

4. Jeff Saturday, C, Indianapolis Colts. The veteran center is one of the best around, although he turns 34 this season. Centers can generally last a couple more years than other linemen, and a team looking for a veteran presence in the middle can't do much better. The Colts appear ready to get younger at the position.

5. Matt Birk, C, Minnesota Vikings. Like Saturday, one of the steadiest veteran centers you'll find. And like the Colts, the Vikings are set to move on after 11 seasons with the former Harvard lineman. Certainly a worthy player, even at 32.

6. Mark Tauscher, T, Green Bay Packers. The veteran right tackle has played his entire nine-year career in Green Bay, and is a solid, if unheralded talent.

7. Max Starks, T, Pittsburgh Steelers. No, the Steelers were not a great pass protecting team, and Starks has had his share of problems at either tackle position (left tackle this season). But there's a shortage of tackles on the open market, and he'll likely get plenty of action.

(UPDATE: The Stillers slapped the franchise tag on Starks, meaning he's theirs for 2009.)

8. Tra Thomas, T, Philadelphia Eagles. Philly might be ready to move on at left tackle, but it's not entirely out of the question that Thomas returns for another season.

9. Mike Goff, G, San Diego Chargers. Getting up there in age (32), but has been with the Chargers - a very good running team - since 2004.

10. Jon Runyan, T, Philadelphia Eagles. Never missed a start since 1997 (with Tennessee), although at 35 and with knee problems, it's uncertain about his status moving forward. He hopes that microfracture surgery will do the trick for the knee problems, but he may not be able to play until the summer. So don't expect him to get any free agent sniffs until June at the earliest. And who knows? He might decide to pack it in before then.

(Photo from Panthers.com)

As promised, we begin our position-by-position look at NFL free agency in 2009. We begin - where else? - at quarterback.

1. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals. He's 37, he's still undecided on whether he wants to play next season, and there are conflicting signals coming out of the Warner camp about where he'd want to play in 2009. Warner says it's only the Cardinals. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, says that's not necessarily the case. (We really do think it's Cardinals another 1-2 years or retirement.)

2. Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans. Like Warner, Collins has said his preference is to remain in Tennessee or retire. The Titans have given every indication they intend to keep him as the starter over Vince Young. Gut feeling: He signs a two- or three-year deal to remain in Tennessee.

3. Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh Steelers. Played only sparingly this season when Ben Roehlisberger was dinged, but did lead a nice victory over the Redskins in a Nov. 3 Monday night game on the road. There are two schools of thought about Leftwich in the NFL personnel community. 1. He's not what the scouts had envisioned when he came out of Marshall and is not considered a franchise caliber QB. 2. By showing a willingness to resurrect his career as a backup in Pittsburgh, and by continuing to do whatever it takes to play at a reasonably high level, he's worth a shot at either being a starter or at least competing for a starting job elsewhere. Very intriguing player at this point.

4. Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears. Good Rex or Bad Rex? Or both? That's what a team has to decide when it takes a shot at Grossman, who is unlikely to land a position as a starter. But Grossman is a highly competitive individual, and looks like the kind of player who will hang around until he gets another shot at a starting role. A decent investment as a backup.

5. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His best years are way, way behind him, and he turns 39 later this month. Garcia still thinks he can start, but there won't be many alternatives. If he still wants to play, he'll find work as a backup.

6. Kyle Boller, Baltimore Ravens. Missed the 2008 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Never panned out as a first-round pick, but had good arm strength before the surgery. His physical condition will be a major factor moving forward, and the best he can hope for is a backup role.

7. David Carr, Giants. Another former first-round pick who never made good on the investment. Enjoyed a year behind Eli Manning in hopes of settling things down, but is not viewed as anything more than a backup at this point.

UPDATE: Carr today re-signed with the Giants.

8. J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills. The Bills will part ways with the former first-round pick, whose propensity to hold the ball too long and throw too many interceptions will not give him an opportunity as a starter.

(AP photo)