Where Will LaMont Land?
From looking at the bottom half of the league for rushing yards in
2004, here is my step-through of teams at the bottom of the barrel and
my analysis of their need for Jordan. From looking at the teams, you
might be suprised who will bid for his services.
Jacksonville - No needs here, Fred Taylor is locked up for next year. Jacksonville does not need an heir apparent this year.
LaMont Landing Potential = Slim to none
Cincinnati -
The Bengals are a team that have an embarassment of riches in the
backfield. With Chris Perry in the wings and Rudi Johnson receiving the
franchise tag, there are no needs for Running Backs in Cinci.
LaMont Landing Potential = Not gonna happen
Minnesota -
Another team that has more talent in the backfield than they know what
to do with. Although they are looking for one feature back, they have
three able backs locked up for this year. Michael Bennett, Moe Williams
and Onterrio Smith have been in and out of the rotation for health and
disciplinary needs. The one thing that interests me is that they have
the most cap room of any team at present.
LaMont Landing Potential = Unlikely
Detroit -
Young burner Kevin Jones is just starting to get his legs under him in
the NFL, so Detriot will not be looking to replace their young starter.
LaMont Landing Potential = Unlikely
Dallas -
Julius Jones showed last year that he could carry the load for
“America's Team.” Dallas is not in the market for a Running Back this
year.
LaMont Landing Potential = Slim
Washington - Two words: Clinton Portis
LaMont Landing Potential = Nope
Arizona -
Although this was a possibility just a few days ago, it is now less
likely because Arizona is orchestrating a trade for Buffalo castoff
Travis Henry.
LaMont Landing Potential = Only if the Henry deal falls apart
Cleveland -
What about the Browns? Mix in a new head coach, plenty of cap room ($19
Mil or so), and some underacheiving Running Backs and you might have
the right location for Jordan.
LaMont Landing Potential = Medium
Philadelphia -
Another team with plenty of cap space and consistent injuries for their
Running Backs. With Levens, Buckhalter and Westbrook facing free agency
this year it is a possibility. Although, the way the media was falling
over themselves for Brian Westbrook at the end of the season, I don't
think that the Iggs will be looking for Jordan, but it is a possibility.
LaMont Landing Potential = Slight
Chicago -
With two free agents in their backfield (Adrian Peterson & Anthony
Thomas) a poor running game last year and a good amount of cap space,
Chicago provides one of LaMont's best options. With Defensive minded
Lovie Smith as the Head Coach, there could be plenty of chances for him
to kill clock by grinding at Soldier Field.
LaMont Landing Potential = High
St. Louis - With Marshall Faulk as a backup in St. Louis, there is no reason to consider this a viable option.
LaMont Landing Potential = Impossible
New Orleans - Deuce doesn't need a backup and the Saints are already in cap trouble.
LaMont Landing Potential = Slim to none
Carolina -
Carolina's two competent runners got injured last year, and even the
third stringer stepped in and did fine. John Fox is not looking for
depth in the backfield.
LaMont Landing Potential = Slim
Tampa Bay -
Already in salary cap hell, the Bucs could make a run after LaMont, if
they do some cleaning of their roster. With many free agents this year,
the Bucs could be the sleeper to pull off a deal with Jordan
LaMont Landing Potential = Medium
San Francisco -
Although there are no free agents coming off the stingy Niners in the
backfield, the team has the money ($13 Mil in space) and the motive
(90.3 YPG Rushing). The new look Niners are a team that rubs pennies
together, so who knows whether they will make a run or not at LaMont,
but the environment for San Francisco is right. With the recent
addition of Bishop Harris, could he help lure LaMont to the west coast?
LaMont Landing Potential = More and more intriguing as I think about it
Miami -
Reeling from the woes of recent years and no cap room, the Dolphins
have cleaned house and freed up some space on their team, though they
are still underwater ($2 Mil over the cap). Miami seems an unlikely
spot for Jordan due to all the flux, but the question is, what will
Saban look to build the team around, and what does he need to get
moving in the right direction? If anyone would know Jordan's potential,
it would be the Dolphins, who have seen him often enough in the past
few years even seeing him go off for 136 total yards in Week 7 this
past year.
LaMont Landing Potential = Intriguing
Oakland -
With the worst rushing attack last year, it doesn't look like Oakland
cares about running the ball with the recent re-signing of Jerry Porter
and now the trade for Randy Moss. Honestly I have no idea how Oakland
could stay in the picture for the LaMont Jordan sweepstakes. But if
anyone can figure it out, it has got to be the man in the jumpsuit,
though out of the 32 teams in the NFL, the Raiders rank 30th in cap
space with more than $11 million over the cap.
LaMont Landing Potential = Cap space is the killer
