Pencils come equipped with erasers for a reason.
In this fantasy world, we’re using the erasers to update myriad team abbreviations and player associations following a frenzied week of activity. For a couple of days, it seemed that my phone was buzzing every minute to announce a new deal. Many one-liners trumpeted the re-signing of players with their 2010 teams. But, then a message would come through to get you fired up and spawn a 15-minute conversation with those standing in your vicinity.
OK, it would prompt a 15-minute monologue from me to the poor souls in shouting distance about the reality and fantasy fallout from the move. I apologize to the folks I confused in airports, the coffee line and the supermarket. I apologize, but you’re wiser for the experience.
In the following piece, I’m offering an abbreviated take on some of the movement. I’ll leave the individual defensive players and kickers behind for another time (I’ll be updating my positional analysis in short order). I’ll start the roll call with a bit of a surprise, a signing that intrigues me immensely.
Vonta Leach, FB, BAL: Yeah, that’s right. I’m kicking this quick-hit, rapid-fire session with a fullback. Leach’s signing prompted Ray Rice to start singing “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters. Fantasy owners who have drafted Rice or were thinking of doing so joined the chorus. If you search for the song on “YouTube,” you’ll probably be tempted to click on the “Saved By The Bell” clip (classic Elizabeth Berkley). Vulture Willis McGahee is gone, and now there’s a bulldozer to rip things open for Rice at the goal line. Rice will bounce up a couple notches when I revisit my running back rankings.
Now that you’ve indulged me with my fascination about this fullback acquisition, I’ll turn back to the traditional skill position players. I’ll even put the tight ends at the back-end of the piece.
Kevin Kolb, QB, ARI: I appreciate the efficiency of the Eagles and Cardinals in consummating this deal. There was no drama to be had. Kolb was their guy, and the Cardinals wasted no time getting it done. After getting their man, the Cardinals added a pass-catching tight end in Todd Heap. Now, it’s just a question of whether Early Doucet or Andre Roberts rises up to claim a No. 2 slot or the team signs a free agent such as Edwards. I don’t anticipate moving Kolb much in the rankings (he’s in the 17-20 range), but the addition of an Edwards-type option does offer upside.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, TEN: Kerry Collins must have received one monster gift basket from the Hasselbeck family following his retirement. Hasselbeck is a low-end QB2 and stop-gap option. He’s got a burner in Kenny Britt, a solid receiver out of the backfield in Chris Johnson and veteran options such as Justin Gage and Nate Washington alongside an emerging tight end in Jared Cook.
Tarvaris Jackson, QB, SEA: Teammate Sidney Rice, who also came over from Minnesota, says that Jackson was held back in Minnesota. It was a nice parting shot at the Brad Childress regime. I’m moderately intrigued by the setup in Seattle. Jackson has several solid receiving options at his disposal in addition to Rice. Tight end John Carlson returns along with sophomore receiver Golden Tate, Ben Obomanu and 2010 comeback player Mike Williams. The Seahawks also added one of the top tight ends in the game when they snatched Zach Miller away from the Raiders on Tuesday.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that Jackson played under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell in Minnesota.
Bruce Gradkowski, QB, CIN: Are you excited? He became a useful fantasy option a couple of times during his Oakland tenure, but, uh, no. Carson Palmer’s self-imposed exile opens the door for a new starter in Cincinnati, allowing Gradkowski to serve as a stop-gap option while Andy Dalton learns the playbook. I love sophomore tight end Jermaine Gresham in this offense’s current set-up.
Derek Anderson, QB, CAR: I include him, well, just to include him. Feel free to add your own commentary of recent Anderson performances. He gives Ron Rivera a veteran option alongside Jimmy Clausen while the team waits for Cam Newton gets himself acclimated to NFL life.
Matt Moore, QB, MIA: Moore could challenge Chad Henne for the starting job, but I suspect that the Fins give Henne one more shot to prove himself as a long-term option. The possibility remains that the rumored Kyle Orton move occurs, but it’s looking like a longshot.
Donovan McNabb, QB, MIN: McNabb is certainly in a much better situation than he was during his brief visit to Washington. He’s got a top-notch playmaker in Percy Harvin, two strong tight ends, a returning deep threat in Bernard Berrian, a solid possession receiver in Michael Jenkins and 2010 bust Devin Aromashodu. McNabb is an upper-division QB2 and spot starter for Leslie Frazier this season.
Vince Young, QB, PHI: Andy Reid tries to set another talented quarterback back on the right path. Young represents a solid insurance card for Andy Reid given Michael Vick’s propensity to leave the pocket and expose himself to danger. If he ascends to the starting role, Young will creep into fantasy consideration given the myriad options available in the Philadelphia offense. Be ready to jump into the waiver frenzy while watching Vick sprint around on Sunday afternoons.
Marion Barber, RB, CHI: I heard a stat on Chicago radio the other day that frightened me. I forget the source cited, but it was noted that the Bears failed to convert their first 10 attempts at the goal line. If you watched the Bears with regularity last season, you witnessed the futility of Chester Taylor. But, I don’t believe that many would have gotten the count to 10.
Barber was brought in to help remedy that disaster and because of his aptitude as a pass-blocker. He’s not going to pilfer a huge workload from Matt Forte, but he may become an option around the goal line. I do believe that you’ll see Taylor released before long.
Willis McGahee, RB, DEN: McGahee offers the Broncos a power complement to shifty runner/receiver Knowshon Moreno. Clearly, John Fox will seek to implement the two-headed running game that served him well in Carolina while trying to quickly improve the team’s defense. Moreno will lead, but McGahee likely amasses 10-12 touches and vultures goal-line carries as he did in Baltimore.
Tim Hightower, RB, WAS: Hightower was the odd-man out following the selection of Ryan Williams in the draft. His ball-handling skills left Ken Whisenhunt wanting, thereby prompting a trade with the Redskins. And, well, he now enters the fifth ring of running back hell by joining the Shanahans. Fantasy owners need to wait for injuries to pile up and for a primary option to emerge from this crowded backfield.
Reggie Bush, RB, MIA: The oft-injured Heisman Trophy winner leaves the powerhouse New Orleans offense to become the complementary back to Daniel Thomas. He remains a strong pass-catching option on the edge when healthy, and I suspect that he’ll be busy given the quarterbacking situation in Miami. Dump-off passes and screens will figure prominently in the offensive set.
Chad Ochocinco, WR, NE: Ochocinco is ready to make his mark in New England and fall in line with the team’s culture (we’ll be monitoring that closely). He caught 67 passes for over 800 yards in his acrimonious final season in Cincinnati alongside Terrell Owens. Think about that for a second. Despite all of the off-field issues and bickering with Marvin Lewis, Ochocinco was still a productive option.
I look for more of the same in 2011 with additional red zone opportunities in this efficient New England attack (he had four touchdowns last season). Ochocinco has topped 1,000 receiving yards in seven of the past nine years. Make it eight of 10 alongside Wes Welker and the potent tight end combination. I like him as a high-end WR3 with upside.
Sidney Rice, WR, SEA: Rice was one of the top breakout stars of 2009 while working with Brett Favre. A hip injury limited his availability in 2010. Healthy and newly rich, Rice will look to forge a new start with Pete Carroll in Seattle. He’s reunited with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and coordinator Darrell Bevell and will run opposite Mike Williams. Jackson has the arm to put Rice back on the highlight shows. Will he have the touch to get Rice the ball, and will Rice’s hip hold? I’ll rate him as a mid-WR2 with upside.
Plaxico Burress, WR, NYJ: Following a ton of speculation and myriad team visits, Burress finally landed with the Jets. He’ll run alongside Santonio Holmes in place of the departed Braylon Edwards. I understand the fear about the long layoff, but this isn’t a speed option that we’re considering. Burress was not a speed merchant prior to his incarceration, and I’m certain that he didn’t shrink during his time away. Burress is still capable of going over the middle, reaching over defenders and dominating the red zone. He’ll fit in nicely for Mark Sanchez and becomes as a low-end WR2.
Steve Breaston, WR, KC: Breaston is a mighty intriguing addition to the Kansas City offense, a potent vertical threat for Todd Haley’s attack. Matt Cassel posted a fantastic season in 2010 despite having one real wide receiver (Dwayne Bowe). The Chiefs added a strong complement in Jonathan Baldwin during the April draft as well. I’m certainly not anticipating a replication of the Kurt Warner-led Arizona attack in which Breaston thrived for Haley, but he’ll offer some highlight-reel moments.
Jabar Gaffney, WR, WAS: Gaffney caught a career-high 65 passes in the wide-open Denver offense that played catch-up much of last season because of a terrible defense. He’s a decent complementary receiving option to Santana Moss who will vie for the attention of John Beck. That line said it all. He’s the fourth or fifth option in this attack behind Moss, Anthony Armstrong and Chris Cooley (not to mention Leonard Hankerson and other young options).
Donte’ Stallworth, WR, WAS: Stallworth was limited to two receptions in eight games with the Ravens last season. He’s part of a crowded run of receivers for the Washington offense. I don’t anticipate a dramatic impact from Stallworth in this field.
Mike Sims-Walker, WR, STL: I’m conflicted when considering Sims-Walker’s place in the fantasy realm under Sam Bradford. He flashed No. 1 potential in 2009 and amassed 106 receptions in his final two seasons in Jacksonville with 14 touchdowns. Still, there were times that Sims-Walker all but disappeared.
It’s hard to dismiss him and relegate him to the scrap heap. Sims-Walker was affected somewhat by an ankle injury last season, though that wasn’t the sole reason for his inconsistent play. Eighteen of his 43 receptions in 2010 came in two games and he caught three or more passes only seven times. In this crowded receiving corps (Donnie Avery, Danny Amendola, Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson, Austin Pettis, Mardy Gilyard), Sims-Walker will have a chance to assume a sizable role. Draft him as a late-WR3 or early-WR4 with upside.
Roy Williams, WR, CHI: Williams reunites with Mike Martz to try and recreate his gaudy 2006 numbers. He’s caught fewer than 40 passes in each of the past three seasons, so I’m not anticipating fireworks. However, there is definitely room to improve on these recent efforts in Martz’s attack alongside Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett. Williams offers the Bears a solid red zone option that has been lacking. I’ll stick him on the “Watch” list, but it’s hard to get too excited about his arrival.
Michael Jenkins, WR, MIN: Jenkins caught 41 or more passes in his final four seasons in Atlanta (50 or more in three seasons). I suspect that he fills a similar role in Minnesota. Wide receiver depth is lacking, but that doesn’t portend to a huge role. Donovan McNabb will be working with two tight ends, Percy Harvin and a split between Bernard Berrian, Jenkins and would-be 2010 hero Devin Aromashodu (remember that?).
Zach Miller, TE, SEA: This is one of the more shocking updates from fantasyland. Miller left Oakland to ink a deal with the Seahawks. I’m positively floored. Miller caught 60 passes with five touchdowns last season for the Raiders and went to the Pro Bowl. It was a foregone conclusion that he’d re-sign with Oakland and remains the team’s top receiving threat. Instead, he goes to a better offense in a weak division and reunites with Tom Cable. There’s potential to eclipse last year’s numbers.
Todd Heap, TE, ARI: As noted above, you can get a little more excited about Kevin Kolb’s arrival in Arizona following Heap’s signing. He’s the first pass-catching tight end in Arizona in recent memory (2010 draft choice Rob Housler was a non-factor) and affords a strong presence over the middle if healthy. Heap amassed 93 receptions, including 11 touchdowns, in his final two seasons in Baltimore.
Matt Spaeth, TE, CHI: Spaeth is a perfect fit for the Chicago offense. He’s not a big pass-catcher like Olsen, so the whole “Martz doesn’t use tight ends” thing is a non-issue. Spaeth adds to pass protection, helping prospective Jay Cutler owners breathe a tad bit easier.
Daniel Graham, TE, TEN: Jared Cook is the pass-catching tight end (a solid deep sleeper option, as I’ve noted in the past) on this squad. Graham offers support to the running game, meaning Chris Johnson owners should just give a nod of appreciation in his general direction.
Greg Olsen, TE, CAR: The Bears didn’t know how to or didn’t want to use him in the Martz system. As a result, Olsen got dealt to Carolina for a third-round pick (a pretty good price, actually). He’ll be a prime target along re-signed top option Steve Smith while the secondary receivers get their legs. And let’s face it. The tight end is a young quarterback’s best friend (I expect Newton to be under center by the quarter-pole). I’m intrigued by the pairing of Olsen and Shockey. They could be brought in as co-stars for “Thor 2.”
