Free Agency – Fantasy Impact Part 2

As everyone knows this year is functioning without a CBA. As a result a lot of impending unrestricted free agents have instead become restricted free agents, so the “free agency” part of the free agency period hasn’t really offered the fantasy football impact we were hoping for an “uncapped” season. The trades side of the business however have been a force impacting fantasy in a huge way but we will get that is a moment. Let’s look at free agents first.

Signings
Real Story, Terrell Owens, still unsigned!

Arizona Cardinals – The only signings to note for the Cardinals are QB Derek Anderson and LB Joey Porter. Both of these players have had success in the past and have the possible of a resurgence and big upside. However, Porter is getting really long in the tooth and always a head ache from an attitude standpoint and Anderson has only ever had one good fantasy football season. Anderson is intriguing because he had success on an awful Browns team, it will be interesting to see what he can do with protection and weapons. Keep in mind though that he does have really big feet, I mean really huge.

Atlanta Falcons- Dunta Robinson…that’s it. Is he enough to make a difference in the Atlanta from a fantasy football perspective? Probably not.

Cleveland Browns – Jake Delhomme, yes the same one that has been ineffective for several years in Carolina. He signed a big contract with the Browns after looking awful for a few years in Carolina, no idea why, oh ya it is the Browns, they are ridiculous. Seriously, if he does not hit Steve Smith for the 80 yard TD in the NFC championship game in overtime against the Rams, he is a valet attendant by now. If he is named the starter, that is a hit to the fantasy value of any skill players on the Browns. If you don’t believe me see Steve Smith’s numbers fantasy numbers for the last couple seasons. (although if you have Browns skill players on your fantasy team you are probably in trouble anyway).
Ben Watson – K2 (Kellen Winslow Jr. for the uninformed) was able to put up good fantasy numbers in Cleveland . . . Watson isn’t Winslow, I am just saying.

Houston Texans – Neil Rackers – Wait, isn’t he a kicker? Never mind

New England Patriots – Torry Holt – Holt seems like he has been around forever. He is the oldest 33 year in history and isn’t even close to the form he was in St. Louis but he may get some looks in New England. He is probably a non-factor, but with Randy Moss taking away all of the coverage, Holt has a chance to make some noise. He has amazing hands, he is one of the greatest route runners in history (thanks to tutelage by Isaac Bruce) and unlike Moss, he goes hard every play. If Welker show signs of linger effects of his surgery look for Holt go catch a lot of balls.

NY Jets – Jason Taylor – The Jets defense which was the best in football last season, just got better. These guys are going to be good on both sides of the ball. With Sanchez having Edwards, Cotchery and now Santonio Holmes to throw to will be a top 10 fantasy QB. No I am not joking.

Seattle Seahawks – Charlie Whitehurst – Heir apparent to Matt Hasselbeck?? Will it be this year? Maybe.

St Louis Rams – A.J. Feeley – Only on here because the Rams need a veteran to take some licks while Bradford gets used to the NFL game. Feeley is a perfect 2nd string guy to sit on the bench with a clipboard when Bradford take the field in about week 5.

Washington Redskins – The skins have been soooo busy this offseason. Signed Larry Johnson, Willie Parker and Ryan Torain (2 effective runners with a lot of wear on their tires and a full back the Shanahan once got production out of). With Shanahan in town you can be sure there will be a stock pile of horses in the stable with enough inconsistency to be pulling your hair out if you have anyone of these guys on your team.

Now let’s get to where the real action has been

Trades
Donovan McNabb to the Redskins I know, this sounds crazy for the Eagles, trading the best QB in franchise history to a division rival. Deon Sanders actually invented a word to describe it “Shibacle” ( I think he is just not that sharp and meant to say debacle). For Washington this trade is spectacular, finally they have someone that can run an offense and make good decisions, McNabb has never thrown more than 13 interceptions in a season. Now all they need to do is get him some weapons. To aid in that quest, rumors have McNabb suggesting to management that they sign free agent Terrell Owens. Yes the same one who was McNabb’s BFF and then they hated each other and then T.O. was doing sit ups in his driveway. That might work, it would give Santana Moss room to fly which is what he does best. Except for the fact that TERRELL OWENS IS A TURD! He is a cancer on ever team he gets near and his hands suck so he cannot be the possession guy they would need him to be. Even without the T.O. factor McNabb was able to get Philly to the NFC Championship 3 time with no one around him so this may work out after all. I am not sure if this trade will affect McNabb’s fantasy value but it definitely improves Santana Moss.

Tony Scheffler to the Lions, Ernie Sims to the Eagles – So I am not sure what or why the Eagles were in this trade. Why would a team that has terrible defense trade their most talented defensive player ? Especially for yet another tight end. Hey Lions, going all offense hasn’t worked for the last 10 years, try a different philosophy!!!!

Santonio Holmes To the Jets – Holmes is suspended for the first 4 games but when he comes back he should help Mark Sanchez become a top 10 fantasy QB (see above).

Brandon Marshall – So we have a T.O. type talent with a T.O. type head on a Bill Parcells run team . . . can anyone else hear “the player” being referenced. Marshall should help Chad Henne for years to come and make it so Ronnie Brown doesn’t have to take all the snaps. Look for this trade to upgrade the fantasy football value all of the offensive players on the Fins.

Jason Campbell to the Raiders – This will upgrade the value of the Raider WRs slightly but they don’t really have a player on the team, so it won’t matter. Jason Campbell fantasy value will drop greatly. Remember, Campbell had more fantasy points last year than Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco (don’t believe me, look it up). Oakland it an abyss for QBs, the last fantasy football quarterback to have any impact in Oakland was Rich Gannon (yes the commentator from NFL Blitz, same guy)