Week 1 Free Agent Signings

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

With the first week of Free Agency coming to an end there has already been some very interesting signings. While some players will see their stock rise others may soon wish they would have waited for a better situation to come along.

DERRICK MASON (signed with Ravens): Mason was a marquee receiver that would have helped any number of teams. Mason brings toughness and durability and will surely have an impact with the Ravens. Masons’ numbers won’t approach the usual production and this move will slide him down on most draft boards. Expect numbers in the range of 65-70 receptions for 800 yards and 4-7 touchdowns. Mason should be considered as your #2 receiver with a 4th-6th round selection.

MUHSIN MUHAMMAD (signed with Bears): Needless to say this did nothing but hurt any fantasy value that Muhsin had earned with his outstanding ’04 season. The Bears have never been a passing team and with a defensive minded head coach it doesn’t look like the philosophy will change. The Bears have a starting QB coming off an injury and a running game that lacks any explosiveness. This is not an ideal match for any fantasy expectations and Muhsin’s numbers will see a significant reduction. Expect numbers in the range of 60-65 receptions for 750 yards and 3-6 touchdown receptions.

CORRELL BUCKHALTER (re-signed with Eagles): Buckhalter brings the tough between the tackles running to complement the speed of Westbrook. The Eagles did the wise thing to re-sign him. The problem has always been health with Buckhalter and without him the Eagles do not have a reliable short yardage back. His return may mean plenty on short goal line scores. Far from an elite back but he does have some value in the middle of any draft.

TJ HOUSHMANDZADEH (re-signed with Bengals): This was a wise move for both TJ and the organization. Both seem to have an understanding of where they fit in the plans. TJ has seen his stock rise tremendously with the way he closed out the ’04 season. The Bengals offense will now stay intact and expect only better things in ’05. TJ should be considered a solid #2 receiver and should be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round. TJ was not a starter at the beginning of last season but this year he will be in the lineup from game one only increasing his numbers.

LAMONT JORDAN (signed with Raiders): Without a question the Raiders improved their offense with the three key off season moves. The re-signing of Jerry Porter, the trade for Randy Moss and now the signing of Jordan will give the offense the final piece it needed .The offense now has the ability to move up and down the field at will and besides the Colts may have the 3 best skill position players in the league. Jordan should still be able to average 4.5 – 5 yards a carry and should score 10+ touchdowns. This signing is sure to make Jordan’s name move up many draft boards and he may now be a top 10 back. He would be a solid second back for any team and should be given looked at as a late second early 3rd round selection.

DAVID PATTEN (signed with Redskins): David has always been a solid NFL receiver and he has had some value in the world of fantasy. Age may begin to creep up on him and his most productive years are now behind him. Patten won’t have much of an impact in Washington until Patrick Ramsey can prove he is an NFL quarterback. Patten should only be considered as a 4th or 5th option on your team and a player that will see his position fall in the 7th -9th round range.

DERRICK BLAYLOCK (signed with Jets): It will be interesting to see how this match will work. Blaylock replaces Lamont Jordan as Curtis Martin’s backup so he will have some value. Any team that takes Martin would be wise to grab Blaylock because of Martins age one never knows when the signs of him breaking down will occur. Blaylock will see plenty of playing time and will be used much in the same way that Brian Westbrook is used in Philly. With the amount of playing time he will receive he is a backup that does have some significant value.

KELLY HOLCOMB (signed with Bills): The Bills bring in a career backup QB as an insurance policy in the event that Losman stumbles out of the block. Losman will be the starting QB but don’t be surprised if he is under a quick hook. Holcomb has shown in the past that he can be a quality player for short periods of time and will be able to provide a spark to the offense if need be. As a fantasy owner stay away from this situation is Buffalo as neither one of these 2 QBs’s will be able to be counted on for any consistent performances.

DOMINIC RHODES (re-signed with Colts): As it is being reported Edgerrin James is not a happy man and by keeping Rhodes who was more than a competent back this may pave the way for a trade out of town for James. This is a situation to keep an eye on and if James is indeed moved Rhodes’ stock will surely rise on many draft boards.

TODD PETERSON (signed with Falcons): The Falcons were looking for a cheaper alternative at the kicker position and found it in Peterson. A career almost 80% field goal kicker will now be spending most of his time indoors.

TCFS STAFF

Posted by joe at March 6, 2005 5:45 PM