T.O. to Cowboys

Terrell Owens will provide more entertainment for the crowd in Dallas, but this time he'll be a member of the home team. The Cowboys signed Owens today to a 3-year, $25 million contract, starting a new chapter in the life story of the controversial receiver.

There is no doubt that Owens can still produce; he was on pace for more than 1700 yards and 14 touchdowns last season before suspensions and a deactivation ended his season with the Eagles. The question will be whether or not he'll abide by the rules of head coach Bill Parcells, and shut his mouth long enough to lead the Cowboys back to the playoffs after a miserable 6-10 season.

Owens will have to become friends with Drew Bledsoe, because the rest of the QB situation in Dallas looks bleak. Bledsoe has never had a WR of Owens' caliber on his side, and he should continue to improve his hall of fame credentials. If the Cowboys can improve their line, and Julius Jones provides a stable backfield presence, the offense in Dallas could carry them a long way.

Bennett to Saints

The New Orleans Saints bought an insurance policy for RB Deuce McAllister today by signing free agent RB Michael Bennett to a 2-year, $3 million contract. This is a great acquisition for the Saints, as the elusive Bennett is still young enough to do quite a bit of damage, should he get playing time. He becomes one of the more valuable reserves in the fantasy world, and with the signing of QB Drew Brees, the Saints offense looks much improved from a horrid 2005 season.

This signing adds more steam to the theory that the Colts, who lost Edgerrin James to the Cardinals and have not re-signed Dominic Rhodes, will look to fill the RB hole in the draft. Joseph Addai from LSU and DeAngelo Williams from Memphis look to be the best options from the RB that will be available with the Colts' late first round pick. Both are good receivers and both have elusiveness out of the backfield. Look for more information on these and other prospects in my upcoming NFL Draft preview, ETA mid-April 2006.

anonymous posters

For those who are posting comments on my articles, I appreciate it. I'd love it if you'd leave your names, so I know who is reading this. You can do that by clicking on the "other" button and leaving your name. You don't have to leave a website address if you don't have a site.

Of course, if you choose to remain anonymous, that's your right...

FA signings analysis/grades

More thoughts on the signings referenced in the previous post --

1. Corey Bradford -- I'm not sure what Detroit was thinking, by paying Bradford this much money. If the Lions' "big three" WR of Charles Rogers, Mike Williams and Roy Williams stay healthy, then Bradford will be the highest paid 4th WR in NFL history. GRADE = D

2. Jabar Gaffney -- This could turn out to be a very good signing for the Eagles. We don't know yet what they paid, but I can't imagine it's much. Gaffney set a career high last year with 55TD, but he has only 7TD in 64 career games. He's a durable, good-sized receiver who could start the season as the #2 or #3 WR in Philly. GRADE = B

3. David Givens -- This is a lot of money for an oft-injured, average WR. Givens is a jack of all trades, master of none type receiver, who is a good #3 for a good team. The problem is that the Titans are not good, and Givens was paid like a #1. With Drew Bennett as their top option, Givens is a huge risk at #2. GRADE = C-

4. Koren Robinson -- The upside: if he has good guidance, he can return to the player who caught 78 passes in 2002. He was a pro bowl kick returner last year after never returning a kick in his life prior to the season, so we know he can adapt to new things. The downside: $12.7 million can buy a lot of liquor... GRADE = C

5. Jeff Garcia -- The Eagles wanted to protect Donovan McNabb, and Garcia wasn't in the Lions' plans. He'll be playing for his fourth team in as many years, but this is a good fit for his talent. Assuming McNabb is healthy after sports hernia surgery, Garcia shouldn't see a lot of time on the field. If he does, he'll be ready. GRADE = B

6. Jon Kitna -- My thought is that Kitna will begin the season with the starting job. He's proven that he can win games, and his numbers in the 5 full seasons that he's played are respectable. That being said, he will be 34 during the season, and could be pushed by Josh McCown... but the pieces are there. GRADE = B

7. Josh McCown -- Oh, what a great pair of receivers will do for a guy... In six starts last season, McCown cleared 290 yards four times. He's going to Detroit, the only team with arguably a better three receiver set than Arizona. If he can move Jon Kitna out of the way, and his WR corps stays healthy, he could be a top-10 fantasy QB. GRADE = A

8. Sage Rosenfels -- Besides having a funny name, Rosenfels only has 6 career TD passes. What he did to deserve a 4-year contract, I don't know. Sage is a big kid with good vision, but he's never had a chance to show his stuff. If one of the 144 times that David Carr will be sacked knocks him out, Rosenfels could surprise. I still think this is ridiculous, though... GRADE = D

9. Todd Collins -- He's thrown 27 passes in the last 8 years. Somehow, that was enough to earn a multi-year contract. He'll be 35 during the season, and is currently stuck behind Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey. If the Redskins trade Ramsey, Collins moves up the list. If he ever gets in a game, don't waste your time watching. GRADE = D

FA signings 3/16

It seems like the majority of free agent signings over the last 48 hours have been wide receivers and quarterbacks. Here are a few of the key names who inked new deals --

1. Corey Bradford to the Lions for 4 years, $7.4 million
2. Jabar Gaffney to the Eagles for 1 year, money undisclosed
3. David Givens to the Titans for 5 years, $24 million
4. Koren Robinson to the Vikings for 3 years, $12.7 million
5. Jeff Garcia to the Eagles for 1 year, money undisclosed
6. Jon Kitna to the Lions for 4 years, $11 million
7. Josh McCown to the Lions for 2 years, $6 million
8. Sage Rosenfels to the Texans for 4 years, $6.4 million
9. Todd Collins to the Redskins for 2 years, $2.5 million

Brees to Saints

Free agent QB Drew Brees has signed a 6-year, $60 million deal with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, reacting to the trade between the Miami Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings that included QB Daunte Culpepper moving to the AFC. Brees joins a talented, but much maligned offense that features Deuce McAllister, who is coming off a severe injury, and WR Donte Stallworth and Joe Horn.

The Saints have the #2 pick in the NFL draft in May, and were expected to select USC QB Matt Leinart, but this signing could mean the Saints will look in a different direction with the pick, and still have the option to trade it. Their offensive line could use bolstering, and if McAllister doesn't return to 100%, they might look to a younger RB.

Culpepper to Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins acquired QB Daunte Culpepper from the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday in exchange for a second-round draft pick. Culpepper had long been rumored to be leaving Minnesota, and it has been said here for many weeks that Miami would be a great fit for his talent. With RB Ronnie Brown and WR Chris Chambers, the Dolphin offense could rebound into a nice unit for head coach Nick Saban.

This will turn out to be a great trade for the Dolphins, who picked up a franchise QB at a time when his trade value is the lowest it will ever be. Between sex scandals, emails with ownership and a falling out in the community, a change of scenery is what Culpepper needed. He should return to top-3 QB status and remain an elite option for many years.

Who's left for the Colts?

As the big name free agents at RB are signed, the Colts need to make a move soon. With Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, Jamal Lewis, and Chester Taylor off the board, many Colts fans are wondering who will run the show.

There are still several good RB prospects available that fit with the Colts offense. Among those are Michael Bennett, Travis Henry and LaBrandon Toefield. Look for the Colts to sign two or three RB to make up for the loss of James. I believe they'll give Bennett a strong look, and possibly try to back him up with Henry, Dominic Rhodes, Toefield or former Seahawks backup Maurice Morris.

FA signings analysis/grades

Here are my thoughts on the FA signings in the last three days --

1. Edgerrin James -- I can see why the Cardinals did this, but it leaves JJ Arrington without a job. I thought they might invest money in a QB, but they decided to pay for a top RB to go with their excellent WR corps. A 4-year contract for a 28-year-old RB with a lot of mileage is risky... GRADE = B+

2. Jamal Lewis -- I'm not too sure about this deal... the Ravens made Lewis the highest paid RB in the NFL based on yearly average. Yes, this means higher than Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson. He's coming off his worst season, but he'll only be 27 on opening day. Too much dough for a whack job though... GRADE = B-

3. Antwaan Randle El -- Another head-scratcher... the Bears offered Randle El a 6-year, $18 million dollar contract, so Daniel Snyder decided to give an extra year for $13 million more. Randle El's career best in receptions is 47 in his rookie year. He is a threat in many facets of the game, but he's never scored more than 3 touchdowns in any season. GRADE = D

4. DeShaun Foster -- After seeing the deals that Jamal Lewis and Edgerrin James got, this seems like a steal for the Panthers. Foster is just 26, and has only 377 NFL carries on his legs. He should be a stud fantasy RB for several years. He wanted to stay in Carolina, and the Panthers took advantage of that. GRADE = A

5. Mike Anderson -- He will be 33 in September, but would you bet against Anderson rushing for 1000yds and 10TD if Jamal Lewis goes down? He's only carried the ball 865 times in the NFL, and he puts up numbers, including 41 career TD. That being said, would you sign a 33-year-old RB to a 4-year contract? GRADE = C

6. Chester Taylor -- He will be the frontrunner for the starting job, but the Vikings needed help in other areas. They have several RB under contract, including the versatile Mewelde Moore. It's hard to see why Taylor wouldn't want to go to a team where he would be the unchallenged #1... GRADE = C

7. Ryan Longwell -- Green Bay will miss Longwell, who had only two seasons below 80% accuracy in nine years on the frozen tundra. The Vikings think he has several good years left, and it solves a kicking problem that has plagued them since Gary Anderson left. GRADE = B

8. Ron Dayne -- Why not? If Mike Shanahan ran himself, he'd probably rack up 1200 yards. He says that Dayne might be the starter going into camp, but don't believe it. Tatum Bell is the real deal. Dayne will contribute, but he needs to keep his weight down to be effective. GRADE = B-

9. Antonio Bryant -- He obviously chased the money, because I don't see the 49ers offense turning around for a few years. Bryant is a tremendous young talent who averages 15 yards per catch for his career. He went over 1000 yards last year for a terrible Browns offense. If Alex Smith matures, he has a good #1 receiver to build rapport with. GRADE = A-

10. Joe Jurevicius -- He turned a career year into a nice free agent deal. Jurevicius only had 13 career TD before exploding for 10 last year. He will start for the Browns next year, but unless Charlie Frye decides to make a 31-year-old journeyman his #1 receiver, fantasy owners should proceed with caution. GRADE = C

FA signings 3/13

Here are the 10 biggest FA signings in the last three days, in order of fantasy importance:

1. Edgerrin James to the Cardinals for 4 years, $30 million
2. Jamal Lewis to the Ravens for 3 years, $26 million
3. Antwaan Randle El to the Redskins for 7 years, $31 million
4. DeShaun Foster to the Panthers for 3 years, $14 million
5. Mike Anderson to the Ravens for 4 years, $8 million
6. Chester Taylor to the Vikings for 4 years, $14.1 million
7. Ryan Longwell to the Vikings -- terms undisclosed
8. Ron Dayne to the Broncos for 3 years, money undisclosed
9. Antonio Bryant to the 49ers for 4 years, $15 million
10. Joe Jurevicius to the Browns for 4 years, money undisclosed