NFL training camps are in full swing. This means teams will be working to trim their rosters down to the mandated 53-man count in the upcoming weeks.
Hoping for a chance to be one of those 53 players on any roster this fall are the following free agents, who are not quite ready to throw in the towel.
One of the men we had on this list when it published was Dwight Freeney, who is now reportedly heading south to play for the Atlanta Falcons.
Will any of these guys be given another chance by a team in need?
Michael Vick, quarterback, 36
Vick remains ever-so-determined to keep his 13-year NFL career active.
. “I still feel like I could play and there is a lot left in the tank. … I don’t want it to end the way it ended the last couple years.”
Vick last served as a backup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. He played in a total of five games and completed an average of 60.6 percent of his passes, scored two touchdowns and threw one pick.
Unfortunately, an injury sent him to the bench, and Landry Jones took over during Ben Roethlisberger’s absence.
Taking into account Vick’s performance and injury history, any team in possible pursuit should temper expectations. Though, considering some of the suspect quarterbacks who manage to remain employed in the NFL, Vick might just have a chance.
Leon Hall, cornerback, 31
Returning from back surgery, Hall has visited with multiple clubs but has yet to find a new team to call home.
A first-round pick from 2007, Hall was a productive contributor to the Cincinnati Bengals for nine years. To date, he has recorded 26 interceptions and 472 combined tackles.
Unfortunately, his production dropped off in 2015 when Hall started in only four games. Though, he still managed to tally two interceptions and return one for a touchdown.
It was last rumored that Hall may have been on the New York Giants’ radar, but clearly, that did not play out. With the regular season inching closer, perhaps a team still in need of beefing up its secondary will reach out.
Nick Foles, quarterback, 27
Will any team reach out to Foles after his disastrous 2015 season with the Rams?
In the course of 11 game starts, Foles completed only 56.4 percent of his passes for 2,052 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was finally benched in favor of Case Keenum.
Eventually after the Rams traded up to draft Jared Goff, Foles was placed on the trade block. Not surprisingly, he requested a release when nothing happened on that front.
Rather than any teams showing interest in Foles, a couple of teams have already said they are not interested.
Due to his young age (27), Foles could attract some attention. But it would have to come from a team that believes he still has potential. Foles turned heads back in 2013 with the Philadelphia Eagles when he went he passed for 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
If any team is willing to take the dare, it could obtain Foles on the cheap for a one-year trial period.
Donte Whitner, safety, 31
Whitner remains one of the viable free agents at his position and has drawn some interest from a few clubs over the past months.
However, it would appear his asking price could be the sticking point.
Some have asked about Rams and S Donte Whitner. Team is hoping for deal but nothing done yet. Team not yet comfortable with price tag.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) April 28, 2016
The former first-round pick from the Buffalo Bills would be playing on his fourth NFL team should a deal be struck. Over the course of Whitner’s 10-year career, he has recorded 11 interceptions, two touchdowns, six fumble recoveries and 855 combined tackles.
In June, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Karlos Dansby campaigned for his team to sign Whitner so it could win a Super Bowl. We shall see if anything results from his efforts.
Roddy White, wide receiver, 34
After 11 devoted years with the Falcons, White found himself a free agent following a dramatic decrease in his workload in 2015.
Despite the fact he will turn 35 in November, White still feels like he could add value to an offense. Recently, it was reported that the Tennessee Titans were interested in him, but they opted to sign veteran Andre Johnson instead.
White had previously stated he would consider playing, but only for a contender. More recently, it was reported that White had been “in contact with a few teams.”
The former first-round pick from 2005 has recorded a total of 10,863 yards and 63 touchdowns. A one-year deal would likely be the best that might come floating White’s way.
Chris Culliver, cornerback, 27
Culliver is on the mend after injuring both his ACL and MCL last November while playing for the Washington Redskins.
It is reported that he is on schedule to visit with the Arizona Cardinals later in August when they will evaluate his health status.
Culliver was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. He produced his best season in 2014 when he recorded four interceptions. He also scored a touchdown from a fumble recovery that season and managed 45 combined tackles.
Being that Culliver is one of the younger free agents at his position, it would be surprising if he remained without a team once the regular season starts.
Devin Hester, wide receiver, 33
After two seasons as a receiver, punt and kick returner with the Falcons, Hester was released.
The likely future Hall of Famer has intentions to play but reportedly wants to be completely healthy before signing on with a new club. Currently, Hester is recovering from surgery to repair of couple of broken bones in his right big toe.
One of the special teams players in NFL history, Hester recorded 1,128 yards in 2014. However, he admitted retirement is his plan if he cannot get back to 100 percent, in the next couple of months.
“If I’m not healthy enough to play by October, I’m going to retire,” Hester said, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN, adding there’s “no question.”
To date, the three-time Pro Bowler has recorded a combined total of 10,382 kick and punt return yards and 19 total touchdowns.
Antonio Cromartie, cornerback, 32
Due to his inflated salary and mediocre performance, Cromartie was released by the New York Jets just one year after he was re-signed by the team in 2015.
Cromartie’s performance plummeted last season when he managed zero interceptions and recorded only 29 combined tackles. “Lingering hip concerns” could be the reason Cromartie has not attracted much interest since his February release.
Though, Cro vehemently denied that his hip is of any concern and said he has no plans to retire.
If he proves to be healthy, Cromartie could certainly scour up a one-year deal. Though, he would have to be willing to take a lesser paycheck, considering his poor 2015 campaign.