Fantasy Football articles - Sports Grumblings.com

SMALL HYPE, BIG HOPES

Some notable recent movements...

When free agency kicked off at the end of February, most of the big names were off the board quickly. But while the Randy Moss and Michael Turner-level signings got all the hype, other less-publicized, lower-profile deals may be just as important. Who highlights these less-hyped signings or trades?

   DeAngelo Hall, CB
Traded to: Raiders
Likely impact for 2008: Hall's potential move this offseason wasn't as exciting or as anticipated as many others only because of the controversy that surrounds his behavior from last season in Atlanta. If he can stay focused on football and not become an off-field distraction (as was the case too often with the Falcons), then Hall can help a talented Oakland secondary get the Raiders back to respectability.

   D.J. Hackett, WR
Signed with: Panthers
Likely impact for 2008: A phenomenal athlete, Hackett showed flashes of brilliance last season when he wasn't struggling with an ankle injury. At 26 he's just entering his prime as a receiver, and Hackett has the goods to be one of the NFL's best. His addition to the Panthers is a huge boost to their passing game, especially since Hackett can take the pressure off Steve Smith and whomever is the QB in Carolina (which may be Jake Delhomme, if his elbow heals up soon enough to play early this season).

   Zach Thomas, LB
Signed with: Cowboys
Likely impact for 2008: As long as his concussion issues are behind him, Thomas can still be a very productive leader in the middle of the Dallas defense. The team is already well-stocked with talent at linebacker, so Thomas at age 35 this season is likely to be less active than he was in Miami. That said, he can help the Cowboys win and was a great add for on the field and in the locker room.

   Chris Brown, RB
Signed with: Texans
Likely impact for 2008: He has been injury-prone and somewhat inconsistent in his NFL career so far, but Brown is still a very talented running back with a lot of big-play potential. His signing suggests unrestricted free agent Ron Dayne won't be back, and with aging and injury-prone Ahman Green looking unlikely to turn back the clock, Brown may become the featured guy in Houston.

   Tatum Bell, RB
Signed with: Lions
Likely impact for 2008: After getting little playing time last season behind Kevin Jones, Bell has re-upped with Detroit. The signing comes hand-in-hand with the Lions releasing the fragile Jones, making Bell the seeming No. 1 back in Detroit. He has the talent to be an above-average NFL ball-carrier, and it looks like Jones will get the chance to prove it this season in a new-look Lions offense.

   Jevon Kearse, DE
Signed with: Titans
Likely impact for 2008: Can The Freak get freaky again now that he's back with the Titans? No one knows for sure, but the fact is he wasn't really as bad as advertized during his final couple of seasons in Philly. Injuries played a role, but Kearse still showed great sack talent and if he stays healthy, he may be a great add for the team he left back in 2004.

   Bryant Johnson, WR
Signed with: 49ers Likely impact for 2008: While he has never been terribly productive in his five NFL seasons, Johnson could change that this year for several reasons. First, he is no longer the third option behind stars Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Second, he joins an offense that has hired Mike Martz as coordinator, which means they will pass, pass, pass. Johnson is a former first-round draft pick (No.17 overall in 2003) so he has the potential to become a starter in 2008.

   Bubba Franks, TE
Signed with: Jets
Likely impact for 2008: A three-time Pro Bowler, Franks is still just 30 years old. Injuries have slowed him down in recent seasons but if he stays on the field Franks has the goods to put up better numbers than incumbent starter Chris Baker. Regardless of who starts, Franks brings needed depth to a passing game in need of a jump-start.

   David Carr, QB
Signed with: Giants
Likely impact for 2008: Tough to say, but it is certainly an interesting pickup by the defending Super Bowl champs. Carr was the No.1 overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft, just two years before Eli Manning was the No.1 pick. Carr is not nearly the bust he is often portrayed to be and if Eli falters, Carr's quick release could help him be very successful in New York.

   Antonio Bryant, WR
Signed with: Buccaneers
Likely impact for 2008: After spending a year out of football following a 2006 DUI arrest and a failed drug test, Bryant appears ready to return to the NFL. He is still only 27 years old and had a 1009-yard receiving season for the Browns in 2005, so the talent is there. If he stays healthy he has the goods to become a starter for the Bucs.