Kurt Warner is going back to the Cardinals. No matter what you think of Matt Leinart, this qualifies as fantastic news for Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston. Not that there was ever much doubt. Check out my post on Warner's return at NBCSports.com, where I continue to blog about "reality football" during free agency.
Warner wasn't the only signing Wednesday afternoon. Devery Henderson returned to the Saints, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter. Henderson's presence is an awful sign for Robert Meachem. There are just too many targets for Drew Brees to throw to. It's hard to imagine Henderson or Meachem rising above the pack to consistently produce.
Okay, time to work on a long overdue column on free agency impact thus far. After defenses dominating the transaction wire early, there are enough offensive players to write about now.
Denver's confusing backfield just got a little stranger. The team has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with LaMont Jordan. After J.J. Arrington's contract fell apart, Denver felt it was necessary to add another veteran to the mix with Correll Buckhalter, Ryan Torain, Peyton Hillis, and Selvin Young.
All of their roles remain to be seen, but a few conclusions can be made.
1. The old interesting Shanny pieces - Hillis, Young, and Torain - have an uphill battle for relevance. Hillis probably won't play tailback much. Perhaps he'll be a younger, better Heath Evans. But that's not too exciting.
2. A committee is not likely - it's a certainty.
3. With few long-term solutions on the roster, I still expect a draft pick to be made at running back.
4. Nothing is guaranteed for any back on the roster.
Continue reading "Throw LaMont Jordan into the Denver morass" »
Before the 2008 season, many fantasy owners wondered if Marion Barber could hold up to the pounding of a starting running back. He didn't.
Through seven weeks, Barber was the second-highest scoring fantasy back, on pace for 293 carries. For the final nine weeks, he wasn't in the top-40 because of a toe injury that limited him to 23 carries after Week 12. He showed signs of wearing down even before the injury, averaging 3.4 yards--per-carry in his five last appearances before Thanksgiving.
Continue reading "Barber could head back to bench" »
March 03, 2009
I spent a post yesterday bitching and moaning that my prize dynasty league possession Derrick Ward wasn't getting enough love. And then he signed an hour later for big money. Of course.
After sleeping on it for a night, I'm convinced Derrick Ward Nation should be thrilled. Ward in Tampa has a lot going for it.
1. Ward is making $9.25 million over the next two years. Earnest Graham is making less than six. I wrote about this more here, but follow the money if you are looking for the starter. This should be a committee, with the most explosive option (Ward) leading the way.
Continue reading "Earnest goes to the bench?" »
March 02, 2009
Signing with Seattle for huge dollars is great news for the Houshmandzadeh family. The same isn't true for his fantasy owners.
Housh will be going from an ideal fantasy situation in Cincy: Playing on a pass-first offense with a great quarterback and number one receiver who helps deflect attention.
The new Seahawk regime looks very different. Matt Hasselbeck is a good quarterback, but he's turning 34 and has major back problems. The new coaching staff plans to install an offense that leans heavily on the run. The rest of the receiver group is mediocre, so Housh may see a lot of double coverage.
Houshmandzadeh also has to learn a new offense. That didn't go smoothly for Deion Branch in Seattle, although Housh does seem like a natural flanker in a West Coast scheme. He can line up outside and in the slot and will take many of the same routes that Bobby Engram used to run.
Add it all up, and it's fair to expect Houshmandzadeh's fantasy numbers to underwhelm. He was a top-15 wideout option between 2005-2007, but fell to 31st in standard leagues when the Ryan Fitzpatrick plague hit Cincinnati. Look for his numbers in Seattle to be closer to his year with Fitzpatrick rather than his peak with Carson Palmer.
As a dynasty league owner of Derrick Ward, I entered the weekend hoping for him to land a Michael-Turner like role somewhere. Anywhere. That's looking less likely by the day.
Teams are interested in Ward, but they aren't making him a priority. He could wind up the starter in Denver, but there will be a committee there. Cincinnati would be an awesome fit, but the Bengals would rather re-sign Cedric Benson.(Benson has visited Houston.) He's continued to keep talking to the Giants, but that would be more of the same - a backup role. Tampa will host Ward Tuesday, but he would split carries there with Earnest Graham.
I'm crossing my fingers for Cincinnati, where the depth chart is barren. No matter where he lands, though, Ward's case shows how tough it can be for free agent running backs to strike it rich. NFL decision makers know that a deep class of talented rookies are just waiting to be drafted in April. Like many veteran backs, Ward's fantasy value could take another hit then.
For the fourth time in his NFL career, Brandon Marshall was arrested Sunday. This time it was for disorderly conduct, apparently for being part of a fight. He was let go on bond for $300.
Marshall came up during a conversation at a bar on Friday night while I was at a birthday party. As often happens once I mention my job, I was knee deep into an impassioned conversation about keepers with someone I just met. He desperately wanted to keep Marshall, and was thinking of trading away LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook.
"I just think he's got it all to take next step. Be one of the top-10 fantasy players overall in the league," he said. "But he's kind of a head case."
Bingo. We read articles about Marshall turning his personal life around, but we still haven't made it through an off-season without trouble. Marshall was suspended last year for three games (reduced to one.)
Commissioner Roger Goodell's stance on repeat offenders to the conduct policy has been clear. Their punishment multiplies quickly. No matter what happens with Marshall's legal case, he's in deep trouble. The suspension will be more than a game this time - PFT speculates eight games. I wonder how many owners will keep him now.
March 01, 2009
Laveranues Coles' agent made a gamble when he allowed his client to pass up $6 million guaranteed from the Jets for 2009 to enter free agency. He might not be Coles' agent for long.
The Dolphins have made it known they are not interested in Coles. It speaks very badly for Coles' market value when the man who drafted him, Bill Parcells, decides to stay away despite a glaring receiver need. It also might indicate that the Miami triumverate doesn't like seeing their name connected to players they aren't interested in.
Coles could be a fallback plan for the Bengals if the don't get T.J. Houshmandzadeh. If not, the Bills have no one to bid against. Unless Coles starts examining what his old team would give him.
Perhaps Coles will get his $6 million back, but he's learning that the free agent market isn't always what you expect, especially if you are an over-30 receiver. Just ask Houshmandzadeh.
Fear not, Jay Cutler keeper league owners.
The Broncos may have been willing to deal Jay Cutler for Matt Cassel, but that doesn't mean they want to start over at quarterback. NFL Network's Adam Schefter confirmed on Total Access Sunday night that Cutler is not on the trading block.
The reason seems pretty obvious: it's not like there are many young Pro Bowl quality quarterbacks available. The Broncos began the process of mending fences by scheduling a sit-down talk with Cutler, according to CBS4 in Denver.
The near-trade of Cutler is sure to be a talking point for a long time in Denver. Ultimately, though, it seems like a big problem in the winter that could blow over once football games start again. At least until Cutler's contract is up.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh may not get the signing bonus he was hoping for, but he's getting plenty of limo rides.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Houshmandzadeh hopped in a limo after spending five and a half hours at the Vikings' Winter Park facility Sunday. He left with team executives for another undisclosed destination nearby. Housh also had dinner with the team Saturday night.
Houshmandzadeh does not appear to be leaving town, which can't be bad news for Minnesota's chances of landing the one-time Pro Bowler. Houshmandzadeh was expected to decide on a team tonight, but Bengals.com reports the decision may not come until Monday.
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