Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Offseason moves of note -- Tracking 'em as they happen

It's a long offseason, Fools. But at least the teams and players are tossing us a bone and moving around, giving us something to ponder while we await the 2012 season.

Once again, Fantasy Fools will keep a running tab of all the moves of note among offensive playmakers until Opening Weekend. We won't report the rumors, or the players that re-sign with their current teams. Just the confirmed trades and free agent signings.

Here are the moves as of August 28...


QBs
Peyton Manning, Broncos -- Set free by the Colts. Taking his talents to Denver.
Tim Tebow, Jets -- With Manning in the fold, Denver sends Tebow to New York at a major loss (in draft value).
Matt Flynn, Seahawks -- A-Rod's backup should now take over in Seattle.
David Garrard, Dolphins -- Former Jag heads to Miami. Hard to tell who's happier: Dolphins fans, or Broncos fans...
Kyle Orton, Cowboys -- Former Bronco gives Dallas a legit backup for Romo.
Jason Campbell, Bears -- Raiders' free agent signs with Chicago to backup Cutler.
Chad Henne, Jags -- Heads north from Miami to mess with Blaine Gabbert's head.
Trent Edwards, Eagles -- Former Bills starter now backs up Vick in Philly.
Charlie Whitehurst, Chargers -- Ex-Seahawk returns to San Diego to backup Rivers.
Caleb Hanie, Broncos -- Cutler's former backup now hopes Peyton's neck ain't all that...
John Beck -- Released by the Redskins after the team drafted RG3 and Kirk Cousins.
Matt Leinart, Raiders -- Signed to back up Carson Palmer after an injury kept him from backing up Schaub.
Vince Young, Bills -- Your new backup for Ryan Fitzpatrick.  My, how the mighty have fallen...

RBs
Peyton Hillis, Chiefs -- Will try to rebound in Kansas City after a miserable year in Cleveland.
Michael Bush, Bears -- Could weigh down Matt Forte's value after leaving Oakland in his dust. But RunDMC is looking better...
Joseph Addai -- The latest escapee from Indy joined a very crowded backfield in New England, and was subsequently released.
Mike Tolbert, Panthers -- Escapes from time-share with Ryan Mathews in San Diego to form three-headed monster in Carolina.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals -- The Law Firm has moved its practice from New England to Cincinnati.
LaDainian Tomlinson -- Allowed to walk by the Jets, then signs one-day contract with San Diego to retire as a Charger.  Farewell, future Fantasy Hall of Famer!
Ryan Grant -- Looking for a new home after Green Bay moves on without him.
Brandon Jacobs, 49ers -- Leaves Super Bowl champs to cast doubt on Frank Gore's first-round value. Ahmad Bradshaw's stock shoots up though, for now.
Justin Forsett, Texans -- Former Seahawk will be competing for the RB3 job in Houston.
Le'Ron McClain, Chargers -- Former Chief and Raven heads to San Diego to add another TD poacher to the mix.
Ronnie Brown, Chargers -- Former Dolphin and Eagle settles down, for a season, in San Diego.
Mike Goodson, Raiders -- Traded by Panthers to backup RunDMC in Oakland.
Lex Hilliard, Vikings -- Leaves Miami to backup AD.
Marion Barber III -- Former Cowboy and Bear announced his retirement.
Deji Karim, Colts -- Claimed by Indy off waivers after MJD's backup was released.

WRs
Brandon Marshall, Bears -- Traded by the Dolphins to the Bears, to be reunited with Jay Cutler -- assuming he can stay out of trouble.
Vincent Jackson, Bucs -- Left Chargers for a mongo 5-year contract with Tampa Bay.
Laurent Robinson, Jaguars -- Cashed in on his unexpected success in Dallas with a big deal from Jacksonville.
Pierre Garcon, Redskins -- Left Indy for Washington. Will instantly become RG3's top receiver.
Mario Manningham, 49ers -- No more #3 for the Giants. He could be the leading man in San Fran.
Robert Meachem, Chargers -- Left Saints for a 4-year deal with San Diego.
Josh Morgan, Redskins -- Former disappointing 49er will now disappoint as a Redskin.
Randy Moss, 49ers -- Will resume his chase for Jerry Rice's records in a 49er uniform, assuming he makes the team.
Eddie Royal, Chargers -- Heads west from Denver.
Brandon Lloyd, Patriots -- Leaves Bradford's Rams for Brady's Pats.  I'd say that's an upgrade.
Anthony Gonzalez, Patriots -- Joins the exodus from Indy, but will he ever see the field?  Answer: No.  Released by New England in late May.
Chaz Schilens, Jets -- Heads cross-country from Oakland. Will probably pull a hammy on the way.
Andre Caldwell, Broncos -- Busts out of Cinci and lands in Peyton's receiving corps.
Donte Stallworth, Patriots -- Did you know he was most recently a Redskin? What are the chances anyone will care he's a Pat?
Donnie Avery, Colts -- Injury-prone speedster leaves Titans for division rivals.
Steve Smith, Rams -- Not the Panthers' Smith, the perpetually injured version moves from his rental in Philly to St. Louis.
Lee Evans -- Blew his chance to put the Ravens in the Super Bowl and was banished to Jacksonville.  To add insult to injury, the Jags then bounced him.  This could be it.
Brandon Stokley, Broncos -- Former Giant will try to rekindle injury-plagued career with Peyton, the only QB to ever get anything out of him.
Jerome Simpson, Vikings -- Flipped out of Cincinnati after receiving 3-game suspension and landed on both feet in Minnesota.
Jabar Gaffney, Patriots -- Released by the Skins after they signed Garcon and Morgan.  Re-signed by the Patriots.
Jacoby Jones, Ravens -- Cut by the Texans.  Signed for 2 years by Baltimore.
Legedu Naanee, Dolphins -- Former Panther and Charger now will try to plant roots in Miami.
Plaxico Burress -- Shopping his services around the league; so far, finding no takers.
Mike Sims-Walker -- Released by the Jags, looking for work.
Chad Johnson -- Dumped by the Patriots. Signed with hometown club in Miami where he plans to underwhelm his way to retirement.  Domestic assault charges in August prompted his subsequent release.  So long, Ocho.
Roscoe Parrish, Raiders -- Transfers from Buffalo to San Diego.  Later picked up by Oakland.
Louis Murphy, Panthers -- Oft-injured player traded from Raiders.
Mike Williams -- Released by the Seahawks.
Braylon Edwards, Seahawks -- Once-elite receiver (for about 15 mins) lands in Seattle.  If he can't make it there, he can't make it anywhere.
Terrell Owens -- Cut by the Seahawks.  It could be all over now.
Derrick Mason -- Hanging up his cleats after perennially underrated 15-year career.

TEs
Kevin Boss, Chiefs -- Released by the Raiders and quickly signed by the Chiefs.
Martellus Bennett, Giants -- Underachieving Cowboy takes his big mouth and 2 catches-per-game to New York.
John Carlson, Vikings -- Former Seahawk will compete for scarce touches in Minnesota.
Kellen Winslow, Seahawks -- Traded by the Bucs to fellow expansion team (for the old-timers out there).
Dallas Clark, Bucs -- Released by the Colts. Looking for a landing spot.  Found it in Tampa Bay after Winslow was ejected.
Joel Dreessen, Broncos -- Ex-Texan might get a chance to shine in Denver.
Jacob Tamme, Broncos -- Joins former Indy teammate Manning in Denver. Interesting...
Leonard Pope, Steelers -- Moves on from Phoenix to backup Heath Miller. Nothing to see here...
Jack Ballard, Patriots -- Once-promising receiver cut by Giants after failing post-op physical. Claimed off waivers by New England, because they're obviously thin at the position.
Visanthe Shiancoe, Patriots -- Former Viking also moves to New England.  WTF???
Daniel Graham, Saints -- Signed by New Orleans to allow the team to unveil the vaunted two-Graham set.

Ks
Neil Rackers -- Moves from Houston to compete with Graham Gano, but lost out.  Now a F/A.
Josh Brown -- Released by the Rams after the team drafted Greg Zuerlein.  Competed with Nick Folk for the job, but came out on the losing end.
Shayne Graham, Texans -- Free agent won the competition in Houston by default after rookie Randy Bullock tore his groin (OUCH!) and went on IR.
Ryan Longwell -- Cut by the Vikings after Blair Walsh was drafted.  Will kick for food.