Fantasy Football

The Arizona Cardinals have cut ties with running back Edgerrin James, finally granting his request to be released.  James' agent sounds confident that he will sign with another team soon.  A couple possibilities have been reported over the past 24 hours, including the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints.

James is now 30 years old, the presumptive age of decline for NFL running backs.  He is going into his 11th pro season and he has been heavily used since entering the league.  Still, he carried the ball just 133 times last season.  That is a fairly light load for a running back.  Perhaps, in the right situation, he could enjoy a one-season revival.  The best role for him may be as a 3rd down back, but it doesn't sound like he would be satisfied with that.

We'll see where Edge lands.  Right now, I don't think he will be much of a factor in fantasy football in 2009.

Tight end is a frustrating position for fantasy owners, especially in leagues that require owners to start at least one every week.  After the handful of elite performers, it can really start to get ugly.  Fortunately, more rookies are coming into the league and making an immediate impact.  Last season, Seattle's John Carlson established himself as one of the most reliable, if unspectacular, tight ends in fantasy football.  In New York, Dustin Keller emerged late in the season and showed that he could do some great things in the 2009.

The clear-cut choice for the head of the draft class in 2009 is Brandon Pettigrew.  He should put up decent fantasy numbers in Detroit if he gets enough passes thrown his way, but he's not the only rookie tight end who could be a great pick in 2009.  Here are three other rookie tight ends who could make an impact.  They just had to wait until Day 2 to hear their names called.

Shawn Nelson, Buffalo - Nelson should step right into a starting role with the Bills, who don't have much quality depth at the position.  He was expected to go much earlier than the 4th round, which is where he was taken with the 121st overall pick.  The only real question is how many passes will he see with Terrell Owens and Lee Evans on the outside?

Chase Coffman, Cincinnati - A pass-catching specialist (he set the NCAA record for career receptions by a tight end with 247) with eye-popping measurables (6'6", 244 lbs.).  His father was an All-Pro tight end with the Green Bay Packers, so the genes are there at the very least.  The Bengals will be thinner at wide receiver, which could give Coffman the opportunity to shine with Carson Palmer throwing him the ball.

Cornelius Ingram, Philadelphia - An ACL injury caused him to miss the entire 2008 college season.  As a result, he slid all the way down to the 5th round, but he reportedly was well on his way to recovery at the NFL Combine.  Former starter L.J. Smith left the Eagles in the offseason.  Philadelphia still has Brent Celek, who showed some flashes last season.  We know the Eagles like to use multiple tight ends.  That could provide Ingram with the opportunities that would give him some fantasy value.

The first day of the NFL Draft is in the books.  There were some surprises, but not many selections look to provide much sizzle for fantasy owners.  Here are how I see the impact of the skill position players taken in the first two rounds (graded on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most promising).

Knowshon Moreno (RB, Denver) - This pick is sure to get fantasy owners drooling.  Running back is the one position that allows rookies to make an almost immediate impact.  There is no guarantee Moreno will be treated as a feature back by the staff in Denver, but the opportunity is there.  Fantasy Impact: 8

Michael Crabtree (WR, San Francisco) - He instantly becomes the 49ers' best wide receiver, but the options at quarterback in San Francisco are not pretty.  Still, I feel he has enough polish and will see enough passes to have some fantasy value in 2009.  Fantasy Impact: 7

Chris Wells (RB, Arizona) - He is being touted as a better version of Tim Hightower.  If Wells can come close to duplicating Hightower's fantasy productivity last season, owners will be scrambling to get their hands on him.  Fantasy Impact: 7

Percy Harvin (WR, Minnesota) - He has explosive ability.  All the Vikings have to do is find a way to harness it.  Fantasy Impact: 7

Brian Robiskie (WR, Cleveland) - The Browns are desperate for depth at wide receiver, and there is a chance Robiskie could be their best option left by the start of the 2009 season.  He has the pedigree and the polish to succeed.  Fantasy Impact: 6

Jeremy Maclin (WR, Philadelphia) - Maclin is probably just as NFL-ready as Robiskie.  The only problem for fantasy owners is that the Eagles have some position depth ahead of him.  Fantasy Impact: 6

Brandon Pettigrew (TE, Detroit) - He has a world of potential, but will the Lions be able to get him the ball?  I'm hopeful their coaches will find a way.  Projections along the lines of Oakland's Zach Miller in his rookie season seem reasonable.  Fantasy Impact: 6

Kenny Britt (WR, Tennessee) - The Titans needed some help at wide receiver going into this year's draft.  Britt got lost in the shuffle a bit during the week's leading up to the draft, but he obviously has talent.  With enough throws going his way, he could put up useful numbers.  Fantasy Impact: 6

Donald Brown (RB, Indianapolis) - This selection makes me wonder what the Colts' long-term plans are for Joseph Addai.  Is he the franchise back, or was Brown drafted to become his replacement?  Fantasy Impact: 5

Hakeem Nicks (WR, N.Y. Giants) - The Giants have a huge hole at wide receiver, but it seems unlikely that Nicks can be a #1 target for them as a rookie.  One thing is certain.  He will get the chance.  Fantasy Impact: 5

LeSean McCoy (RB, Philadelphia) - The heir apparent to Brian Westbrook, McCoy will have to wait at least a little bit before he gets a real chance to carry the load in Philadelphia.  Fantasy Impact: 5

Pat White (QB, Miami) - The Dolphins success with the Wildcat formation makes White an interesting fantasy prospect.  It seems obvious that they see him as a non-traditional weapon for their offense and that could make him useful to fantasy owners.  Fantasy Impact: 5

Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Oakland) - His selection was one of the more memorable moments of this year's draft.  He has incredible speed, but JaMarcus Russell has yet to prove that he can deliver the ball downfield.  Fantasy Impact: 4

Mohamed Massaquoi (WR, Cleveland) - While not quite as NFL-ready as Robiskie, Massaquoi still brings a lot of experience from college.  Depending on how much playing time he receives, he could also be productive for fantasy owners in 2009.  Fantasy Impact: 4

Mark Sanchez (QB, N.Y. Jets) - I would grade him slightly higher than Stafford as far as fantasy value goes, if only because he is more likely to see more snaps in 2009.  Fantasy Impact: 4

Matthew Stafford (QB, Detroit) - If he's lucky, he will spend most of 2009 on the sidelines while Daunte Culpepper takes the majority of the lumps with the Lions.  When Stafford does arrive, he will have a few weapons at his disposal, most notably wide receiver Calvin Johnson.  Fantasy Impact: 2

Josh Freeman (QB, Tampa Bay) - A long-term project for coaches in Tampa, I wouldn't expect Freeman to see any meaningful playing time in 2009.  Fantasy Impact: 1

Richard Quinn (TE, Denver) - Quinn is regarded as primarily a blocker, and with two veteran tight ends already ahead of him in Denver, I can't see him being of much help to fantasy owners.  Fantasy Impact: 0

 

It took a bit longer than expected, but quarterback Byron Leftwich has finally found a home for the 2009 NFL season.  He signed on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the weekend.  It's essentially a one-year deal with a team option for a second, but the important part for Leftwich is the fact that he will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job in Tampa.

Leftwich leaves Pittsburgh with mostly fond memories of his one year with the Steelers.  He performed well when called on, most notably against the Washington Redskins on November 3, 2008, when he went 7-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown in relief of Ben Roethlisberger.  He even showed some brief glimpses of mobility, something that has always been missing from his game.

Leftwich gets a bad rep for the way things ended for him in Jacksonville, but he was 24-20 as the Jaguars starter.  After two seasons of light playing time, he is certainly healthy again and he will have plenty of weapons to work with if he wins the starting quarterback job in Tampa.  The Buccaneers locked up wide receiver Antonio Bryant over the offseason and also added tight end Kellen Winslow and running back Derrick Ward. 

Add in a new offensive coordinator and you start to think that the Buccaneers offense could finally be a viable fantasy option in 2009.  If Leftwich wins the starting job, I think he is a solid #2 quarterback for fantasy owners.

While we continue to ponder the Jay Cutler trade and its impact on the Bears, Broncos and fantasy football in general, it seemed like a good time to update the list of free agents.  The big flurry of activity has long since past, but there are still some intriguing names out there.  In fact, a top wide receiver seems to get cut loose every few weeks or so.  Now, it's Plaxico Burress, whose troubled tenured with the Giants recently came to an end.  If Burress can stay out of prison, he will obviously be an attractive options for teams, both real and fantasy.

Quarterback - The wheels are finally beginning to turn on quarterback carousel.  Boller signed with the Rams.  Garcia hooked up with the Raiders.  Both will be penciled in as back-ups and won't be of much value of fantasy owners in the near future.  All that's really left to do now is figure out where Byron Leftwich will land.

1. Kurt Warner (Arizona) UPDATE: Re-signed with Arizona
2. Kerry Collins (Tennessee) UPDATE: Re-signed with Tennessee
3. Jeff Garcia (Tampa Bay) UPDATE: Signed with Oakland
4. Byron Leftwich (Pittsburgh) UPDATE: Signed with Tampa Bay
5. Kyle Boller (Baltimore) UPDATE: Signed with St. Louis
6. Damon Huard (Kansas City) UPDATE: Signed with San Francisco
7. Ryan Fitzpatrick (Cincinnati) UPDATE: Signed with Buffalo
8. J.P. Losman (Buffalo)
8B. Quinn Gray (Kansas City)
9. Rex Grossman (Chicago)
10. Trent Green (St. Louis)

Running Back - I'm really surprised there hasn't been any action on Aaron Stecker.  That's just another chapter in a free agent class at running back that won't deliver much impact for fantasy owners outside of Ward, Taylor and Benson.

1. Derrick Ward (N.Y. Giants) UPDATE: Signed with Tampa Bay
2. Fred Taylor (Jacksonville) UPDATE: Signed with New England
3. Maurice Morris (Seattle) UPDATE: Signed with Detroit
4. Aaron Stecker (New Orleans)
5. Cedric Benson (Cincinnati) UPDATE: Re-signed with Cincinnati
6. Deuce McAllister (New Orleans)
7. Rudi Johnson (Detroit)
8. Dominic Rhodes (Indianapolis)
9. Kevin Jones (Chicago) UPDATE: Re-signed with Chicago
10. J.J. Arrington (Arizona) UPDATE: Signed with Denver

Wide Receiver - What looked like a decent class of free agent wide receivers adds new members every few weeks, some with more baggage then others.  It seems unlikely Burress will be signed anytime soon, but I feel obligated to include him on this list.  I think Holt and Toomer still have some value if they connect with the right team.
 
1A. Terrell Owens (Dallas) UPDATE: Signed with Buffalo
1B. Plaxico Burress (N.Y. Giants)
1C. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Cincinnati) UPDATE: Signed with Seattle
1D. Torry Holt (St. Louis) UPDATE: Signed with Jacksonville
2. Lavarenues Coles (N.Y. Jets) UPDATE: Signed with Cincinnati
3. Amani Toomer (N.Y. Giants)
4. Lance Moore (New Orleans, restricted free agent) UPDATE: Re-signed with New Orleans
5. Bryant Johnson (San Francisco) UPDATE: Signed with Detroit
6. Mark Clayton (Baltimore, restricted free agent)
7. Joey Galloway (Tampa Bay) UPDATE: Signed with New England
8. Marvin Harrison (Indianapolis)
9. Devery Henderson (New Orleans) UPDATE: Re-signed with New Orleans
10A. Nate Washington (Pittsburgh) UPDATE: Signed with Tennessee
10B. Matt Jones (Jacksonville)

Tight End

1. Owen Daniels (Houston, restricted free agent)
2. L.J. Smith (Philadelphia) UPDATE: Signed with Baltimore
3. Jerramy Stevens (Tampa Bay) UPDATE: Re-signed with Tampa Bay
4. Leonard Pope (Arizona, restricted free agent)
5. Chris Baker (N.Y. Jets) UPDATE: Signed with New England

Almost lost in the hysteria of the Jay Cutler/Broncos divorce were two interesting news items.

The Jacksonville Jaguars released wide receiver Matt Jones on Monday.  Jones was back in trouble with the law after being jailed in Arkansas for violating his plea agreement.  Jones told the judge he had been drinking beer while playing golf with some friends.  Certainly not the worst offense ever committed, but it was enough to violate the conditions of Jones' plea deal that he agreed to after being charged with cocaine possession last July.

Matt Jones was suspended for the last three games of the 2008 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, but before his season came to an early end, he was playing well.  His 65 receptions and 761 receiving yards were both career highs.

Matt Jones is certainly a younger option than other free agent wide receivers such as Torry Holt and Amani Toomer, and his personal baggage could make him a bargain for a team looking to add a talented, young wide receiver.

Also this morning, CBSSports.com's Clark Judge is reporting that Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is set to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell about his offseason arrest.

Lynch pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge earlier this month.  He was sentenced to three years probation and 80 hours community service.  Still, that may not be enough for the league which is reportedly considering a one- or two-game suspension for Lynch to start the 2009 season.

 

UPDATE: It appears the worst-case scenario for the Broncos is now playing itself out.  ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that Jay Cutler has formally asked the team to trade him.

The drama surrounding quarterback Jay Cutler's strained relationship with his new head coach in Denver only grows more intriguing by the day.  The Denver Post reports that a face-to-face meeting between Cutler and Josh McDaniels did little to mend fences.  Now, there is word that Cutler could skip McDaniels' first team meeting as Broncos coach on Monday.

Clearly, Cutler still has not gotten over the reports that Denver tried to use him as the ignition for a three-team trade that would have brought former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel to Denver.  Cassel ended up being traded to Kansas City.  The word going around the league at the time was that both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions were interested in Cutler.

The problem now: neither of those teams has a quarterback to deal that could replace Cutler's production in Denver (4,526 yards passing, 25 touchdowns).  If this escalates into a situation where Cutler is refusing to play for Denver and demanding a trade, the Broncos have a huge problem.  Don't dismiss this notion.  Cutler just put his house in the Denver area up for sale.

The Broncos insist they are not interested in trading Cutler, and it's easy to see why that's the case now.  A couple weeks ago, they had options to replace Cutler.  Now, they have none.  No matter who you blame for starting this whole mess, there is no denying the Broncos botched this entire situation badly, and are probably stuck with either a disgruntled quarterback or a less-talented player under center in 2009.

The list of teams that could be interested in trading for Jay Cutler is short.  Detroit and Tampa Bay would appear to be the most likely destinations if a trade happens.  Other teams known to be interested in adding a quarterback are the 49ers, Jets and Jaguars.  The team that makes the most sense is probably the Lions.  They hold the 20th overall pick in the upcoming draft to along with the #1 pick.  That may be a bargaining chip Denver could live with.  They could use it to trade ahead of the Jets and select a young quarterback such as Mark Sanchez, or perhaps even Josh Freeman.

The Broncos could then turn to free agency for a quarterback to start in 2009 while their new quarterback develops, such as Jeff Garcia or Byron Leftwich.  In the end, it sounds like an outlandish scenario, but who imagined Terrell Owens would be playing for the Buffalo Bills a few weeks ago?