Contract-Year Players
QUARTERBACKS
1. Jason Campbell -Washington Redskins
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 231 | Age: 27
The Redskins have yet to give Campbell a contract extension and they recently tried to get a deal done for Jay Cutler. Campbell could secure a long term deal with a breakthrough year.
2. Kyle Orton -Denver Broncos
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 217 | Age: 26
With the move to Denver, Orton will be playing with the best supporting cast he’s ever had. I would expect the best numbers of Orton’s young career throwing to Eddie Royal, Brandon Marshall, and Daniel Graham.
3. Tarvaris Jackson -Minnesota Vikings
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225 | Age: 25
The VIkings are still fooling themselves with this experiment and it will continue to hamstring them until they get a legit option in at QB. Let somebody else draft this bantha fodder.
4. Jeff Garcia -Oakland Raiders
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 | Age: 39
I could see Garcia stepping in for an incompetent Russel mid-season and providing some serviceable stats for a fantasy owner in need of injury help.
5. Troy Smith -Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 215 | Age: 24
Troy Smith would have been the starter for the Ravens had he not come down with a bad case of strep throat during training camp. This kid can play but it’s all a matter of getting his shot.
6. Kellen Clemens -NewYork Jets
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 223 | Age: 25
Clemens is NOT the answer for the Jets but he could potentially win a QB competition with the likes of Brett Ratliff & Erik Ainge being his best competition.
7. Jon Kitna -Dallas Cowboys
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220 | Age: 36
The only value here is in the event of a Tony Romo injury but Kitna has proven to be a serviceable starter in deeper fantasy leagues and he would be playing with an excellent supporting cast. He’s a quality handcuff to Romo.
8. Josh McCown -Carolina Panthers
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215 | Age: 29
Mostly a backup throughout his career but could be a decent option if there were an injury to Delhomme and does have some experience as a starter. Nothing to see here.
9. Patrick Ramsey -Tennessee Titans
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225 | Age: 30
Were Kerry Collins to sustain an injury, I think the Titans could look to Patrick Ramsey since he’s not as big a moron as Vince Young.
RUNNINGBACKS
1. Ronnie Brown -Miami Dolphins
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 230 | Age: 27
Brown has ALL the skillz needed to be a complete back but he just hasn’t put it all together yet. The Dolphins seem more willing to ease Ricky Williams out of the roatation but their offensive line continues to make improvement. Brown should be in store for a solid ‘09 campaign.
2. Willie Parker -Pittsburgh Steelers
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 209 | Age: 28
This former undrafted free-agent is looking for a long term deal, as he’s not yet 30 years old and has proven to have ability when healthy. Fast Willie will need an exceptional year to get the deal he wants.
3. Pierre Thomas -New Orleans Saints
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 215 | Age: 24
The Saints are crazy if they don’t get Pierre signed to a deal before this season because the guy scored 9 total TDs in the last 6 games that he’s played. Prorate that for the entire ‘09 season and Pierre might be in store for a subsantial payday.
4. LenDale White -Tennessee Titans
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 235 | Age: 24
Reports out of Tennessee are saying that White has already shown up to camp weighing 20lbs less than his playing weight last year. LenDale is the type of player that is well aware of his money and I would expect him to turn in one of his finest seasons.
5. Edgerrin James -Arizona Cardinals
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 219 | Age: 30
It’s possible that Edge will move teams soon but he remains an employee of the Cradinals and his contract is up after this coming season. A change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered.
6. Chester Taylor -Minnesota Vikings
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 213 | Age: 29
Talk about somebody that needs to change teams! Chester is locked behind the best running back in the legaue right now but is one of the most talented backups in the league.
7. Ricky Williams -Miami Dolphins
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 230 | Age: 31
This might not be the last stop for ole pretty Ricky. His only value is coming via the injury bug but he could still be effective if given the chance.
8. Leon Washington -New York Jets
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 202 | Age: 26
Leon wants the ball more and who can blame him? The kid went out and averaged almost 6 yards a carry last year and proved to be a mulit-dimensional threat with the ball in his hands.
9. Le’Ron McClain -Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 260 | Age: 24
This Fullback gained 900 yards rushing last year and threw in 11 total TDs to boot. He is a VERY physical player and showed last season that he can be counted on when given the carries.
10. Jerious Norwood -Atlanta Falcons
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 202 | Age: 25
He’s a great handcuff to Michael Turner but he’ll never get the carries he deserves in Atlanta unless the lnjury bug bites. Norwood does have a career average of 5.8 yards per carry.
11. Antonio Pittman -St.Louis Rams
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 207 | Age: 23
Pittman has hung in there with the Rams and is waiting in the wings should something happen to Steven Jackson. Pittman has the ability but may not be ready yet.
12. Michael Robinson -SanFrancisco 49ers
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 223 | Age: 26
Stuck behind a great running back in Frank Gore, Robinson will continue to be a non-factor. He could be good if given the opportunity but only time will tell here.
13. Jerome Harrison -Cleveland Browns
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 205 | Age: 26
If the Browns don’t pickup anybody in the draft, then Harrison could be a really nice handcuff candidate for Jamal Lewis owners. This kid has some nice 3rd down ability but needs to continue to bulk up.
14. Kolby Smith -Kansas City Chiefs
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 219 | Age: 24
Dependant on what is going on with Larry Johnson, Smith remains in the sweepstakes to compete for some Chiefs rushing yards.
WIDERECEIVERS
1. Roddy White -Atlanta Falcons
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 208 | Age: 27
I would be shocked if the Falcons didn’t resign Roddy White to a long term deal. I’m already surprised to see that they didn’t already but this should be a done deal before the season starts.
2. Greg Jennings -Green Bay Packers
Height: 5-11 | Weight:Â 197 | Age: 25
The Packers are in talks with Jennings’ agent but nothing has materialized as of yet. The Packers must get something done because it’s obvious that Aaron Rodgers loves throwing the ball Jennings’ way.
3. Brandon Marshall -Denver Broncos
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 230 | Age: 25
The Broncos have a decision to make here with Marshall. On the field he’s a dominant player that can create with the ball in his hands but off of it, he consistently makes poor decisions. I expect Marshall to improve his play, a year removed from his arm and now hip surgeries.
4. Braylon Edwards -Cleveland Browns
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215 | Age: 26
Braylon Edwards and his agent want a contract extension but the Browns actually counted how many passes Edwards dropped last year. As of this writing, the Browns had made attempts to trade the former top-10 pick to the Giants. Though Edwards could end up with a different team in 2009, I expect him to have a rebound season if he remains under his current contract.
5. Terrell Owens -Buffalo Bills
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 218 | Age: 35
Owens is only inked to a one-year deal and is no stranger to free angency. No player takes better care of himself than Owens and I expect him to continue to perform at a high level as he looks to play for a few more years.
6. Chris Chambers -SanDiego Chargers
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 210 | Age: 30
It’s kind of funny look at Chris Chambers and realize he’s 30.(Makes me feel old) Chambers is now NFL old but he can still play at a high level. What is strange is that San Diego has a tone of widereceiver options on their roster and it’s a league-wide mistery as to who they want to feature.
7. Steve Breaston -Arizona Cardinals
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 189 | Age: 25
Breaston’s coming out party was last year but his contract does expire after this season. If Arizona parts ways with star WR Anquan Boldin, I look for Breaston to play his way into a modest payday.
8. Vincent Jackson -SanDiego Chargers
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230 | Age: 26
Yet another SanDiego widereceiver who’s contract will expire after the season, Vincent Jackson has shown flashes of brilliance but continues to disappear for stretches of games. Regardless of getting signed or not, I look for an improved season from Vincent Jackson.
9. Kevin Walter -Houston Texans
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215 | Age: 27
Walter had another solid season as the compliment to Andre Johnson in Houston but he’s the kind of player that Houston continues to have the idea of replacing. While Walter has been solid, I don’t see him in Houston’s long term plans. He should be on top of his game as he looks to strike a deal with another team for the 2010 season.
10. Domenik Hixon -NewYork Giants
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 182 | Age: 24
This kid has a golden opportunity if he’d just bulk up for crying out loud. Hixon has tremendous speed for a 6′2″ player but his frame can’t handle some of the jams he’s getting from top corners and his hands are totally suspect, as he had two huge drops last season that would have been sure Touchdowns.
11. Chris Henry -Cincinnati Bengals
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 200 | Age: 25
Talk about golden opportunities! If Henry can grow up REALLY quick, he has a chance to cash out on a new contract. The Bengals have finally parted ways with Houshmandzedah, Chris Henry still has good chemistry with Carson Palmer, and he’s still got a lot of years of football left in him. Will he figure it out?
12. Joey Galloway -NewEngland Patriots
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 197 | Age: 37
The former Ohio State Buckeye just keeps on plugging away. He signed a one-yea deal with the Patriots and claims to “have another two years left in him”. I doubt Galloway has more than another year left but he could have improved numbers playing in New England.
13. Jason Avant -Philadelphia Eagles
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 212 | Age: 25
Jason Avant has had his moments but they’ve been few and far between. He’s got good size and skill but he’s not a real difference maker. The Eagles are still considering an upgrade at the WR position, so it’s possible that Avant could end up with another team in 2010.
14. Derrick Mason -Baltimore Ravens
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 192 | Age: 35
This veteran has been aging like a fine wine. Mason continues to be a textbook example of how to play widereceiver and his play has not fallen off as most expected it would. The Ravens were in talks with Mason’s agent but I doubt Mason will play more than one additional year.
15. Isaac Bruce -SanFrancisco 49ers
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 188 | Age: 36
Ike has decided to come back and give it one more go and I doubt he plays after this season but we list him here out of respect and admiration. Ike is another veteran who still gets it done.
16. Sinorice Moss -NewYork Giants
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 185 | Age: 25
I’m still puzzled as to what value this kid brings other than pure speed. He’s failed to get into any rotation in Giants camp and doesn’t seem to have a decent shot at getting on the field this season. Yet again, I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea.
17. Kassim Osgood -San Diego Chargers
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 220 | Age: 28
That Chargers need to get this kid on the field or trade him because he has some skills, he just needs to get some reps. The were some trade talks earlier in the off-season but they’ve died off since. I wish the Chargers would figure something out because they’ve got a great quarterback.
18. Brad Smith -New York Jets
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210 | Age: 25
Another failed Jets’ experiment. Smith hasn’t had many opportunities to get on the field but he hasn’t shown much when given the chance. I don’t see him making the roster next year unless it’s for the league minimum.
19. Maurice Stovall -Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 220 | Age: 25
This is an interesting player because he’s another widereceiver that has been in the “Gruden Dog House”. Clayton and Stovall both frustrated John Gruden so much that he started 35+ year-old players like Ike Hilliard & Joey Galloway. Stovall could have a breakout year if he can secure the #2 position behind Antonio Bryant.
20. Troy Williamson -Jacksonville Jaguars
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 203 | Age: 25
The ultimate bust doesn’t have much of a shot to get a better deal than he’s currently got because he stinks at football. I’m sorry to be mean but it’s the truth.
TIGHTENDS
1. Heath Miller -Pittsburgh Steelers
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 256 | Age: 26
I think Heath Miller is going to continue to be an excellent TE but he’s crucial to what Pittsburgh wants to do and that’s run the ball. I expect Miller to be re-signed before the start of the ‘09 season. If he’s not, I would not be surprised to see Miller turn in a career year.
2. Tony Scheffler -Denver Broncos
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250 | Age: 26
As of this writing, Denver was attempting to trade “The Chef” but no deal has happened. It’s a mystery as to why Denver would want to trade him but Scheffler will look to get a long term deal in place, so look for him to be ready to work in ‘09.
3. Alge Crumpler -Tennessee Titans
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 262 | Age: 31
Crumpler may have made a bit of a mistake going to such a run-heavy team but he continues to play at a high level. Crumpler’s stats will continue to be hamstrung by the offense that he’s in.
4. Anthony Fasano -Miami Dolphins
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 255 | Age: 24
Fasano was a good fit in Miami and he’s taken advantage of his situation after finally getting out of Jason Witten’s shadow in Dallas. I expect Fasano to continue to improve as the starter in Miami.
5. Randy McMichael -St.Louis Rams
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 255 | Age: 29
The Rams are still a misfit-island for fantasy TEs. I don’t care who the coach is, they just can’t manage to get their TEs involved into the offense. McMichael could use a change of scenery.
6. Alex Smith -Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 258 | Age: 26
Alex Smith is another in the long line of Gruden Dog House players. Smith would look to have a break out year but there’s one problem. Kellen Winslow. I look for Smith to have little impact unless Winslow’s trick knee pops on him.
7. Ben Watson -NewEngland Patriots
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 255 | Age: 28
Will NewEngland ever realize that they have an amazing physical specimen playing tight end for them? They certainly don’t seem concerned with getting him the ball, so I can’t say if they’re sold on him returning to the team in 2010. Watson is a special athlete when given the chance.
8. Desmond Clark -Chicago Bears
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 24 | Age: 31
Clark’s tenure in Chicago is almost at an end but the veteran can still play. I look for improved numbers with Cutler now in town. Clark will likely be with a different team next year, so he’s playing for 2010 money.
9. L.J. Smith -Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 258 | Age: 28
LJ Smith tricked the Ravens into signing him to a contract so he’ll look to pretend to be a football player for one more year, as he looks for a long-term deal with another team.
10. Matt Spaeth -Pittsburgh Steelers
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 270 | Age: 24
Spaeth is a solid run blocker but not much else. He has great size but his hands are suspect and his speed isn’t much better than most lineman.
11. David Thomas -NewEngland Patriots
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 248 | Age: 25
At one time this kid was a quality prospect but has since disappeared on the Patriots roster. It’s easy to understand since they already have so many weapons but Thomas might have a chance to shine if he could sign on with another team.
12. David Martin -Miami Dolphins
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265 | Age: 30
David Martin has had an up and down career but still has a few more years left in his legs. I expect him to have even less states than last year, as Fasano continues to grow as a player.
13. Joe Klopfenstein -St. Louis Rams
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 262 | Age: 25
I think I just like saying Klopfenstein more than anything else. This kid is looking like a monumental bust but it’s very possible that he could catch on with another team and tuen his career around.
