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Ranking the top free agents
 
By Len Pasquarelli - SportsLine Senior Writer

Here's how SportsLine senior writer Len Pasquarelli rated the top 65 unrestricted veterans available when the free-agent signing period began at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.
The list does not include players who were designated as "franchise" or "transition" free agents. Also excluded are several players who SportsLine learned were close to agreements with their current teams late Thursday night.
A look at what most personnel men agree is a very shallow talent pool:
                 
Rk Player Position Current team Experience
1 Jon Runyan OT Tennessee 4 yrs.
  Monster right-side power blocker who could become league's highest paid offensive lineman.
2 Bruce Smith DE Buffalo 15 yrs.
  Sure he's 36 years old, but he's also hacked off now and might get 10-12 sacks for someone in 2000. (Signed with Redskins)
3 Jeff George QB Minnesota 10 yrs.
  Resurrected his career in '99 but still has doubters who worry about his past excess baggage.
4 Ashley Ambrose CB New Orleans 8 yrs.
  Isn't as good as the money he'll merit, but best of a bad corner crop and played better in 1999. (Signed with Falcons)
5 Ruben Brown OG Buffalo 5 yrs.
  Another guy who isn't as good as his reputation, but he'll maul defensive tackles in close quarters. 
6 Chuck Smith DE Atlanta 8 yrs.
  Won't ever be a 15-sack end, especially at age 30, but he's got one of the biggest motors in the league. 
7 Phillip Daniels DE Seattle 4 yrs.
  Has never had more than nine sacks in a season, but he's young (26) and has improved every season. (Signed with Bears)
8 James Stewart RB Jacksonville 5 yrs.
  Runs too straight-up at times and absorbs a lot of punishment, but he'll be a rich man by this weekend. 
9 Roman Oben OT New York Giants  4 yrs.
  Extremely inconsistent in '99, but it's hard to find a starting left tackle who is only 27 years old. 
10 Thomas Smith CB Buffalo  7 yrs.
  Has only six interceptions in his career, but several teams feel he is better coverage player than Ambrose.
11 Jeff Christy C Minnesota  7 yrs.
  Tough, hard-nosed and a self-made player whose departure will cause significant problems for Vikings.
12 Sam Adams DT Seattle 6 yrs.
  Lazy and usually out of shape, but he gets motivated every so often and there simply aren't any tackles available. 
13 Jay Riemersma TE Buffalo 4 yrs.
  Not a glamorous player but a willing blocker and especially effective as receiver in the red zone. (Re-signed with Bills)
14 Trent Dilfer QB Tampa Bay 6 yrs.
  Change of scenery will be best thing for career; needs to get into system that allows him to throw upfield. 
15 Randall McDaniel  OG Minnesota 12 yrs.
  Coming off two poor seasons but some contender will take chance 11-time Pro Bowl player can put them over top. 
16 Randall Godfrey LB Dallas 4 yrs.
  Didn't look as comfortable playing inside in '99 as people felt he would but physical and still developing. 
17 Curtis Conway WR Chicago 7 yrs.
  One-time deep threat is going to have to prove to many skeptics he isn't as fragile as last year indicated. 
18 Jeff Blake QB Cincinnati 8 yrs.
  Hardly a prototype pocket passer; at his best on the move and when he's gunning the ball deep downfield. (Signed with Saints)
19 Alonzo Spellman DT Dallas 7 yrs.
  Impressive transition from end to tackle in '99 but, given his many past problems, buyers had better beware. 
20 Shawn Jefferson WR New England 9 yrs.
  Getting a little long in the tooth and never really has been a consistently solid pass-catcher. (Signed with Falcons) 
21 Orpheus Roye DE Pittsburgh 4 yrs.
  Consistent choice of personnel men for this year's free agent diamond in the rough. (Signed with Browns) 
22 Reggie Tongue SS Kansas City 4 yrs.
  Not particularly solid in pass coverage, but he's young (26) and relishes contact against the running game.
23 Rob Burnett DE Baltimore 10 yrs.
  Nice comeback year in '99 after a couple injury-ravaged seasons; still might have 2-3 good seasons left. (Re-signed with Ravens)
24 Shannon Sharpe TE Denver 10 yrs.
  Coming off collarbone injury and not a pure tight end, will have to get into system similar to Denver offense. 
25 Joe Bowden LB Tennessee 8 yrs.
  Annual knock is his lack of height, but he can stack and play over the tight end at times; savvy performer. 
26 Bruce Armstrong OT New England 13 yrs.
  Clearly in decline but, like Randall McDaniel, he might catch on with contender seeking cagey old veteran. 
27 Marco Coleman DE Washington 8 yrs.
  Has finally learned he'll never be great pass rusher and plays within himself; 'Skins loved his leadership. 
28 Bobby Engram WR Chicago 4 yrs.
  Doesn't run well but good hands; the consummate No. 2 possession receiver every offense needs. 
29 Keith McKenzie DE Green Bay 4 yrs.
  Notched 16 sacks in two seasons as situational rusher; most people feel he'll wear down physically as full-time player. 
30 Percy Ellsworth FS New York Giants 4 yrs.
  Career-best six interceptions this season; nice size and flows pretty well to the football. 
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