Hit the Road Jack-son. And don’t come back

by | Mar 15, 2008 | 2008 NFL Free Agency, Fantasy Football

A day after the San Francisco 49ers inked their second free agent wide receiver the team has severed ties with Darrell Jackson, the former Seattle Seahawk acquired last off-season for a fourth round pick.

After seven seasons in Seattle, Jackson’s year in the gold country was disappointing. He caught just 46 passes and didn’t eclipse 500 yards.

While Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson aren’t going to erase memories of Stallworth and Swann, Moss and Carter or Bruce in his younger days when he teamed with Torry Holt, the duo is an upgrade over the swill the Niners used to impersonate an offense last year.

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Utecht signs Bengals offer sheet

by | Mar 15, 2008 | 2008 NFL Free Agency, Fantasy Football

Indianapolis Colts backup tight end Ben “Ouch My” Utecht has signed a three-year offer sheet with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Colts have the option of matching the offer for Utecht, who has never played a full 16 game schedule, missing seven games in his three NFL seasons.

This seemed like a yawner at first, and I still don’t expect it to warrant front-page attention anywhere. But Utecht can contribute to a good team and the move might give him some sleeper fantasy potential. He can catch the ball. He’s amassed 71 catches for 800 yards and three touchdowns playing behind Dallas Clark, and he won a Super Bowl ring after the 2006 season.

He’s not someone I’d draft or buy in an auction but during bye weeks or if injuries hit a starter, Utecht could make a decent match-up play. It’s not like defenders are going to take their focus away from TJ Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson or Chris Henry to stop Utecht, so he could get some solid looks.

Utecht would complement Reggie Kelly, who is considered more of a blocker. He led Bengals tight ends with 20 catches in 2007. Their other tight ends are Deniel Coats, Nate Lawrie and Brad St. Louis, who is a long snapper.

Raiders add another mediocre, injury-prone player

by | Mar 15, 2008 | 2008 NFL Free Agency

The Oakland Raiders added defensive tackle William Joseph, a former New York Giants first-round pick. The 300-pounder missed 2007 and has contributed just 72 tackles and seven sacks in five seasons.

He joins a collection of free agents signed by the Raiders this season, most of whom are talented, but injury-prone and/or underachieving. They include tackle Kwame Harris, safety Gibril Wilson, and wide receiver Javon Walker.

The team also shelled out $18 million in guarantees to keep defensive tackle Tommy Kelly.

Detroit cuts Jones

by | Mar 13, 2008 | 2008 NFL Free Agency, Fantasy Football

The Detroit Lions cut running back Kevin Jones, according to ProFootballTalk.com

They must feel they don’t need the injury-prone running back anymore what with Tatum Bell on the roster.

Snicker. What are they doing now?

In all seriousness the team has nobody on the roster proven capable of carrying the full-time load at running back. Bell has had one good year and a bunch of mediocre to crappy ones.

For the time being, for fantasy purposes either assume there is another move coming or pretend there are only 31 teams in the league when you make your RB cheat sheets for next season.

Gray, err, Grey Cup tickets on sale, ay

by | Mar 12, 2008 | CFL

Analysis of Zoneblitz readership thus far indicates a small Canadian interest. To make our northern neighbors feel welcome here we uncovered this piece of news.

Tickets for the 96th Grey Cup went on sale this week. Tickets range from $274 (Canadian) for top notch seats to $84 (Canadian) for general admission. The game will be held in Montreal at Olympic Stadium on Nov. 23, 2008.

Last year the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 in the 95th Grey Cup, which was held in Toronto.

No word on how the Canadian Football League plans to honor Brett Favre at its version of the Super Bowl. Zoneblitz has not heard anything about a movement to re-name the trophy the Favre Cup.