Free agency: Running back impact
Play Bracket Challenge!
Cleo Lemon going to Jacksonville doesn't really qualify, does it?
What do you say we just skip straight to the guys who carry the rock? Here are the notable running backs who will have new addresses in 2008.
Warrick Dunn signs with Tampa Bay
Dunn actually began his career in Tampa, and it seems like he's been in Atlanta for such a lone time (he only signed with the Falcons in 2002).Fantasy impact: Dunn had a total of 11 rushing touchdowns in his last three seasons, which doesn't come out to a very productive average fantasy-wise. Also, 2007 was the first time he played in all 16 games in a season without topping 1,000 yards on the ground since 1997.
'97 was his rookie season, and 11 full years of football is an awful lot of pounding to endure. Father Time may be Dunn's biggest enemy here, and even though Cadillac Williams has been a huge disappointment in the last two seasons, the Bucs aren't ready to give up on him just yet. Look for Dunn to split a few carries here and there, but not enough to make much of an impact in a standard scoring league.
DeShaun Foster signs with San Francisco
Foster was a second-round draft pick out of UCLA in 2002. This will be his first year outside of Carolina. The big knock on him is he's injury-prone, but he was absent for a total of three games in the last three years.
Fantasy impact: Foster has never reached 900 yards or four touchdowns on the ground in one season during his career, yet some still considered him to be a decent fantasy back. He'd put up a 100-yard game here and there, but by the time everyone rushed to claim him off the waiver wire straight after, he'd follow that up with three straight games under 40 yards.
Foster has shared carries for his entire career, and that was with backs who were not nearly as good as Frank Gore. The 49ers starter did not have a good year last season, but Foster's average stats are probably the best you can hope for. His role with the 49ers will be almost identical to the one he had in Carolina.
Mewelde Moore signs with Pittsburgh
Moore will try his luck in Pittsburgh after four poor seasons with the Vikings.Fantasy impact: Moore's best year came in 2005 when he rushed for 662 yards and the only touchdown of his career.
You read that correctly: Moore has credit for only one rushing touchdown in the NFL record books. He has three touchdown receptions, but do you really want a guy on your team who may or may not score at all in a given season? Moore will back up Parker the same way Verron Haynes and Jerome Bettis did; three or four carries per game, tops, whenever Willie Parker needs a rest. Move along, nothing to see here.
Michael Turner signs with Atlanta
Ah, yes. The big one everyone had anticipated for years. Considering he was sharing a backfield with LaDainian Tomlinson and wanted a crack at a starting gig, it was only a matter of time before he left. Really, is there anyone on this planet who would start ahead of L.T.?Nonetheless, new head coach Mike Smith wants a power running game.
Fantasy impact: There's a lot of excitement and curiosity over this signing, but we really can't be sure what to expect here. He's only had 71, 80 and 57 carries in each of his last three seasons, respectively. He'll share carries with Jerious Norwood to start, but may earn the lion's share of carries soon into the season. Here's the main problem though: Atlanta's offensive line isn't that good, and they have no talent at quarterback. Won't defenses simply stack the box and dare the Falcons to beat them on the ground?
It's too early to tell exactly what percentage of carries Turner will get, and we probably won't know until camps begin in the summer.
Julius Jones signs with Seattle
At first glance, Jones will go to another crowded backfield with one of the NFL's best running backs in recent years. However, he may eventually become the featured back in this offense. Believe it or not, Shaun Alexander may be released within the next few days.Fantasy impact: The Seahawks will have two new running backs in Jones and T.J. Duckett. If Alexander is indeed let go, that will help Jones' potential value quite a bit. Duckett was never the featured back in any offense he's been in, and Maurice Morris hasn't proven he can be the featured back. No matter what, Mike Holmgren will find a way to give all three backs some carries, but as of now, you have to imagine Jones will get the most. Stay tuned.
I'll cover the wideouts next week.
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