LATE BLOOMERS: FREE AGENCY UPDATES
Free agency changes everything. No, that’s not the title of T.O.’s upcoming book. That title is probably more along the lines of “God told America’s Team to Cut Me”. Free agency alters the fortunes of unsuspecting players all over the league. By extension, it also alters the fortunes of fantasy players everywhere, especially if you play in a keeper or dynasty league...
More (self?) importantly, it changes the perspectives of us fantasy writers rather quickly as well. Therefore, I felt compelled to do some revisionist history on my Late Bloomers series from a couple weeks ago.
Antonio Bryant (WR-Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
I ain’t gonna front. I still loves me some Bryant for 2009.
Okay, even in writing white men should not attempt urban language. It just looks wrong. I apologize for even attempting it.
I do like Bryant; however, I’m not as high on him as I was previously. Two things have occurred since I first wrote about him that temper my judgment. First, the Buccaneers acquired former Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr. Second, it was reported that Bryant was not pleased with being franchise tagged by the Bucs. There were even reports that he was going to refuse to sign the tag contract — although he did eventually.
If Winslow stays healthy (always a big if), he presents a much better pass catching complement to Bryant than Ike Hilliard or Joey Galloway ever did—both of whom were recently released. I could easily see Winslow taking away a certain amount of (infected?) balls that would ordinarily go to Bryant. Seeing as Bryant hasn’t strung together two good seasons in a row, and is already expressing disgruntlement with his contract status, I could also see him being a little “less focused” than he should.
Bryant should still have a good season in 2009. There’s just are a few more red flags to watch.
(Side Note: You didn’t really think I was going to mention Winslow, Jr. without taking a crack at the infected testicles story he was involved in last season, did you? I won an award for that column, people!)
Tyler Thigpen (QB-Kansas City Chiefs): In the third installment of this Late Bloomers series, I wrote this about Thigpen:
You heard it here first: Thigpen is going to look more like Pigpen in 2009.
That thud you now hear is me patting myself on the back. Since free agency began, there might not be another player in the National Football League whose value has been shredded worse than Thigpen’s. To be honest, even though I wasn’t thrilled about Thigpen’s prospects in the new offense that Coach Todd Haley will be installing, even I didn’t think he would lose his job completely. But that’s exactly what has transpired.
In February, the Chiefs traded for former Patriots quarterback, Matt Cassell. Cassell also brings along his huge franchise tag salary that was bestowed on him by the Patriots. Although Haley has said publicly that the starting quarterback job is an open competition, and that Pigpen-err, I mean Thigpen-will get his chance, it’s a sham. The Chiefs didn’t bring over Cassell, along with his monstrous franchise tag salary, to ride pine. I don’t care what Haley says.
Thiggy went from throwing 25 touchdown passes last year, to holding the clipboard again this year, in the blink of any eye. That’s life in the fast lane, people.
Darren Sproles (RB-San Diego Chargers): I also included Sproles in the third installment of this series—bloomers I wasn’t high on. I still am not high on Sproles, but it’s looking like the main reason for my discontent—a healthy Ladanian Tomlinson returning next season—is inching closer to not happening.
Reports out of San Diego on Friday were that the Chargers had made their “final offer” to L.T. regarding the restructuring of his contract. In other words, it’s the NFL equivalent of an ultimatum. In addition, ProFootballTalk reported on Sunday that Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, has already been in contact with L.T. about a reunion in New Orleans. This is starting to have the feel of a bad relationship breakup, with Drew Brees as the “other woman” and Chargers GM A.J. Smith as the pissed-off-turned-apathetic wife. Yep, you read that right. I just equated A.J. Smith to a woman, and I meant it.
My gut is now telling me that L.T. has had enough of being treated like dogmeat by the Chargers organization; after all he’s done for them. Once he walks, that leaves only Sproles in the backfield, along with Jacob Hester (though he’s mainly a fullback right now). My guess is that if L.T. does walk away, the Chargers draft a running back, along with bringing in a retread veteran. I still don’t like Sproles as an every down back, but I can’t deny that his value would change if L.T. leaves and he enters training camp as the number one guy.
Jeremy Fischer recently won the 2008 Fantasy Sports Writers Association award for Best Humor Article of the Year. His special brand of humor can be found not only on F.F.T., but daily on his blog, Biting Rump, at http://bitingrump.wordpress.com/