Since the arrival of free agency in the early 1990s, several marginal players have parlayed memorable performances on Super Sunday into big paydays.
Today, another guy or two could join the ranks of Larry Brown (pictured), Desmond Howard, and Dexter Jackson.
Both teams have several players headed for the open market, barring new deals. For Denver, receiver Eric Decker (who could have a big game if the Seahawks take away Demaryius Thomas), running back Knowshon Moreno (who could have a big game if the Seahawks load up against the pass), cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, safety Mike Adams, linebacker Wesley Woodyard, defensive lineman Robert Ayers, linebacker Paris Lenon, and safety Duke Ihenacho are headed to the open market. Defensive back Tony Carter will be a restricted free agent, and kick returner Trindon Holliday will be an exclusive-rights free agent (i.e., not a free agent).
For the Seahawks, defensive end Michael Bennett, tackle Breno Giacomini, receiver Golden Tate, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, linebacker O’Brien Schofield, kicker Steven Hauschka, defensive lineman Tony McDaniel, defensive lineman Clinton McDonald, and cornerback Walter Thurmond will become unrestricted free agents next month. Receiver Doug Baldwin will be a restricted free agent.
Curtis Crabtree, who moonlights for PFT while primarily covering the Seahawks for KJR radio, says that McDonald could get a solid offer elsewhere. He had 5.5 sacks in 2013 despite getting only one start.
Any of the names listed above could get solid offers -- or better -- somewhere, if they do something special today.