David's Daily Digest
[My Take]
It's 10 o'clock on the west coast and do you know where your TV remote is? I haven't a clue where mine is at the moment, but it doesn't matter. Right now I am not interested in watching a re-broadcast of NFL Total Access or the water-downed retread of Sportscenter. These days I can go online and catch up with the what's happening in just minutes, well maybe a little longer than minutes. Over the past several days I have been noting some of the current action taking place in the NFL offseason. Sure the whole Culter-McDaniels Chronicles has everyone's attention, but just the same there has been movement by several teams that is worth noting. Here's my take on the latest...
My Take...
QB JAY CUTLER NOT GOING TO D.C.
Despite some loose rumors abound, quarterback Jay Cutler is not going to the Redskins. According to Redskins GM Vinny Cerrato the team is content with quarterback Jason Campbell. Currently the Broncos are not planning to entertain talks, but as the draft nears disinterested teams could change their minds quickly. Cutler in Denver is considered a possible top five quarterback pick in fantasy leagues, but could lose some value depending on where he lands if traded.
TE L.J. SMITH NOW A RAVEN
With Todd Heap falling off the map, the team needed to find another pass-receiving tight end, but I'm not so sure about the injury proned Smith. L.J. has never been an elite receiver, but has usually been a mid-level producer when healthy. His 2008 season was a bust with just 37 receptions and he's missed nine games the last two season. The Ravens haven't been getting much production at the tight end position anyway, so with the addition of Smith any little bit will help except for fantasy owners.
WR BOBBY ENGRAM FINDS WORK WITH THE CHIEFS
It's pretty evident that the Chiefs new head coach Todd Haley is planning to build another prolific passing game around his new quarterback. There's no question that in K.C. the go-to man is receiver Dwayne Bowe, but with the team adding Bobby Engram, he'll be a nice slot addition and give Cassel more weapons to utilize in the passing game. Engram is hardly going to light-up any draft boards, but in deeper leagues he could be a serviceable WR3 for the bye weeks.
RB PEYTON HILLIS REHAB AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
The Broncos running back Peyton Hillis, who is expected to start at full-back and possibly play a bit of a hybrid position is rehabbing very well. The Bronco's ball carrier is expecting to be full strength by mid-April. Don't be surprised if the new coaching genius in Denver takes advantage of Hillis' pass receiving skills. With Hillis likely to be designated for short-yardage situation, his versatility could earn him extra work on the field and create huge miss-matches for the Denver offense with formation changes, without changing personnel.
WR BRANDON MARSHALL ALREADY TUNING UP
Despite the looming distraction of a possible suspension, the Bronco's talented wideout is already preparing for the 2009 season. The Denver Post was reporting that Marshall is attending mini-camp, but with possible disciplinary action by the NFL likely no matter how ready he is, fantasy owners may have to re-think their drafts. Marshall is a bona fide top-10 wide receiver, but eight games is too many to risk with an early round pick.
RB MARSHAWN LYNCH VISITS GOODELL
The Bills running back met with the NFL commissioner and came away expecting to receive punishment for his recent off-the-field debacle. Lynch is likely to get hit with a two-to-four game suspension at the start of the 2009 season. If he only gets a two game hit, he may only see his fantasy value drop slightly, maybe a second round fantasy pick, but with as many as four games Lynch would likely fall to a RB3 draft position.
IDP Notes:
For those of us that can never get enough football, fantasy never stops on the offensive side of the ball. The past several days has been just as busy on the "Dark-side" of the ball. Here's my take this week on the recent moves and news...
STEELERS RE-SIGN DB FERNANDO BRYANT
The Steelers lost Bryant McFadden to free agency this offseason, so the signing of Bryant is more likely to add depth, insurance, and fill the nickel and dime packages. He'll have limited value in any IDP leagues and is not worth drafting barring any injuries to the team's secondary.
DL PAUL SPICER JOINS SAINTS
The Saints don't have a lot of cap space to play with, but they are managing to keep busy by making moves. The team added DL Paul Spicer to give the defense some inside support against the run. Spicer not known as a big pass rusher is more of a clogger. He'll have little value as a IDP starter, but could be a serviceable play coming off a 2008 season with 34 tackles and four sacks.
DL JASON TAYLOR POSSIBLY A PATRIOT?
There are rumors floating that the former Redskin, Jason Taylor could be a Patriot. At the age of 34, Taylor is running out of time and could be willing to take a pay cut and reduced role to win a championship. If Taylor lands in Foxboro, he'll likely become a pass-rush specialist and if healthy could still be a mid-level D-lineman in IDP leagues.
DL JULIUS PEPPERS LINKED WITH PATS
According to credible sources in the football community, there is no validity to the rumors circulating linking the Panthers defensive lineman Julius Peppers with the Patriots. While this rumor is not likely to lay to rest anytime soon, it appears very improbable with the amount of dollars that would be tied to Peppers in any deal. Peppers is considered a top defensive selection in IDP leagues, but if moved to OLB in a 3-4 system elsewhere than Carolina, he could be a risky early round selection. He's athletic and talented, but undisciplined at the position his numbers could suffer.
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