peppers

Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers is the premier player in what is an unspectacular class of NFL free agents.

Peppers, who just turned 30, is expected to break the bank as the NFL begins its free-agent shopping season. Free agency began at 12:01 a.m. today. Peppers is a five-time Pro Bowler who has made 25 sacks the past two years. Bidding is expected to be intense for him.

However, the fact the NFL is in the final year of its collective bargaining agreement with the players union has dramatically changed the free-agent landscape. Because there is no salary cap this year, players must have six years of NFL experience to become free agents instead of the usual four. That has turned roughly 200 players who would have been unrestricted free agents into restricted free agents. In most cases, a team has to pay draft-pick compensation to sign a restricted free agent.

"In the past, we would have seen a lot more numbers out there," Atlanta General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said at last week's NFL Scouting Combine. "We would have been contemplating, when March 5th came around, if we were going to jump in there and we'd be really busy during that time. I sense that we are a lot more focused, seemingly this year on draft preparation."

About 240 players are unrestricted free agents, but at least two-thirds of them are 30 or older. Players over 30 tend to linger on the market longer.

There is likely to be a flurry of activity in the first days of free agency but then a lot of waiting around for many veteran players.

After Peppers, some of the top players available include Houston cornerback Dunta Robinson, who is 28; Arizona linebacker Karlos Dansby, 28; Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett, 29; and Green Bay defensive end Aaron Kampman, 30.

Older stars who are available include Chargers back LaDainian Tomlinson, ex-Bills receiver Terrell Owens, Saints safety Darren Sharper and defensive end Charles Grant, and Jets back Thomas Jones. Miami linebacker Joey Porter, 32, is expected to be cut by the weekend.

More intriguing are the players on the restricted list. No one is quite sure how much bidding there will be on those players, given the fact teams covet their draft choices. The top restricted free agents include Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, Broncos linebacker Elvis Dumervil and Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson.

In another uncapped-year rule change, the teams that advanced to the final four in the playoffs can't sign a free-agent unless they lose a player. The other four teams that made the final eight have significant limitations on their signing ability, as well.

Here is a look at the top unrestricted free agents by position:

Quarterbacks: David Carr (Giants), Chris Redman (Falcons), Jake Delhomme (Panthers).

Running backs: Thomas Jones (Jets), Chester Taylor (Vikings), LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers).

Receivers: Terrell Owens (Bills), Antonio Bryant (Bucs), Derrick Mason (Ravens), Nate Burleson (Seahawks), Chris Chambers (Chiefs), Kevin Walter (Texans), Kassim Osgood (Chargers).

Tight ends: Benjamin Watson (Pats), Alge Crumpler (Titans).

Tackles: Chad Clifton (Packers), Mark Tauscher (Packers), Levi Jones (Redskins).

Guards: Chester Pitts (Texans), Bobbie Williams (Bengals).

Center: Kevin Mawae (Titans), Casey Rabach (Redskins).

Defensive end: Julius Peppers (Panthers), Aaron Kampman (Packers), Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans), Dwan Edwards (Ravens), Jarvis Green (Patriots), Charles Grant (Saints).

Defensive tackle: Jamal Williams (Chargers), Damione Lewis (Panthers), Bryan Robinson (Cards), Fred Robbins (Giants), Jason Ferguson (Dolphins).

Outside linebacker: Scott Fujita (Saints), Keith Bulluck (Titans), Tully Banta-Cain (Pats), Chike Okeafor (Cards), Derrick Burgess (Pats).

Inside linebacker: Karlos Dansby (Cards), Gary Brackett (Colts), Larry Foote (Lions), Jeremiah Trotter (Eagles).

Cornerback: Dunta Robinson (Texans), Leigh Bodden (Pats), Lito Sheppard (Eagles), Nathan Jones (Dolphins), Ken Lucas (Seahawks).