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It wasn’t about wining and dining for Peyton Manning. It was about meetings and more meetings. To say Peyton Manning was thorough in his process of picking the next chapter of his NFL life would be a major understatement. His decision does not come as a surprise.
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Peyton Manning chose to stay in the AFC. He is more familiar with the conference, plus it keeps the dream alive for a Manning Brother Super Bowl.
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Peyton does not inherit a great surrounding cast offensively, but he has been known to make those around him better. He does have a promising young receiver in Damaryius Thomas.
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The Broncos also offer a firm commitment to provide an adequate running game. The Broncos led the league last year with 2632 rushing yards.
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Obviously a lot of the running was due to the fact that they had Tim Tebow at quarterback. Not only is that a strength of Tebow’s game, but it also helped hide the serious flaw in his game, which was his passing ability.
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If Peyton is healthy, that will not be a problem.
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The Broncos also offer Peyton a rock solid defense and play in a very winnable division.
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A Peyton Manning signing will give John Elway the out he was looking for to get rid of Tim Tebow, if he so chooses to. If it were any other available QB there would have been backlash, but how can you be upset with your team for going after a future first ballot Hall of Famer.
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If they choose not to trade Tebow, he has one heckuva quarterback to learn from. Tebow and Peyton both have a tremendous work ethic. There isn’t likely a better QB for Tebow to work with.
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It will be interesting to see if San Francisco is able to bring back Alex Smith after courting Peyton or if they burned that bridge.
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Also check out:

• NFL Free Agent Flurry 2012: Fantasy Perspective Day 1
• NFL Free Agent Flurry 2012: Fantasy Perspective Day 2
• 2012 NFL Mock Draft
• Sportsguy 250′s 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-15

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Calvin Johnson showed the Megatron gets paid Megabucks as he landed the biggest contract in NFL history. He should continue to be a premier receiver for years, and Stafford gets some nice security.
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The Eagles also took care of their own by signing DeSean Jackson to a five-year deal. A little late as he helped the Eagles’ implosion last year, but they secured one of the game’s best playmakers.
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The Chiefs solidified their backfield by adding Peyton Hillis to the mix. His value takes a hit, but I’m not sure his style is suited for lead back carries. Jamaal Charles takes a hit too, but the same probably holds true for the speedster.
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Laurent Robinson turned his breakout 11-touchdown season into a long-term deal with the Jaguars. I’m not saying he’ll never be heard from again, but you can consider the days of using him as a WR1 or WR2 over. Sorry, but Blaine Gabbert is awful. Chad Henne was brought on board, but he isn’t much better.
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Tampa continued its overhaul by adding guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Eric Wright. They certainly aren’t sitting idle, but they are spending in Daniel Snyder mode.
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The Cowboys gave Brandon Carr $100K more than the monster deal that Finnegan signed yesterday. He should improve their secondary. They also added Kyle Orton to back up Romo. Dez, Miles, and Witten owners have to like that news.
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The Vikings wasted $11 million in guaranteed money in a five-year, $25 deal with tight end John Carlson, who missed last season. They used a second round pick on Kyle Rudolph so either that pick or this move is a mistake. Better yet, maybe they both are.
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Also check out:

• NFL Free Agent Flurry 2012: Fantasy Perspective Day 1
• 2012 NFL Mock Draft
• Sportsguy 250′s 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-15

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Assuming NFL free agency eventually begins, there will be be some frantic player movement. Teams are already behind the eight ball considering the NFL Draft has come and gone. The teams that failed to address their holes in the draft will be looking do so in free agency. A lot of the movement will depend on the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The assumption is that the league will operate under last year’s system. If you are interested in free agency in greater detail, KFFL did a great job breaking it down.
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Quarterbacks
Matt Hassellbeck is the cream of the crop, though Marc Bulger could get some run depending on where he lands. Both of those veterans have some potential in two-quarterback leagues, but probably aren’t even worth roster spots in standard leagues.
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Running Backs
DeAngelo Williams could be the top prize, if he is available. The Panthers will look to bring him back. It will depend on whether he is a restricted free agent or not. Wherever he lands, D-Will will be a solid fantasy asset, though he will likely be part of a committee like in Carolina. That said, he’s been quite effective in that role.
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Cedric Benson is even more likely to stay put. The Bengals’ draft clearly indicates that they are committed to having him in their rebuilding plans. Benson is a strong option wherever he lands, which will most like be in Cincy.
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Ahmad Bradshaw will be an attractive free agent option if he is granted unrestricted free agency. If he gets the restricted tag, he’s likely to remain a Giant. Like D-Will, Bradshaw is a solid fantasy option that will operate out of a RBBC once again wherever he lands.
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Mike Tolbert tentatively has a second round tender as a restricted free agent. Given the injuries and ineffectiveness of Ryan Mathews, Tolbert won’t make the free agency splash that Michael Turner did a few years back. My guess is that Tolbert will be overdrafted this year as Mathews plays a larger role.
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Ronnie Brown has likely played his last game in South Beach. He will draw plenty of interest, but his days of being a primary back are over. At best he is the lead back in an RBBC.
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Ricky Williams will be 34 when and if the season begins. He may have some value to an NFL team, but his days of fantasy glory are over.
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Wide Receiver
Perhaps the biggest prize in the free agent market is Vincent Jackson. The Chargers could try to bring him back, but wherever he lands he should have a much more productive season.
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Sidney Rice is another big prize.  If he is an unrestricted free agent, he’s as good as gone. Rice has dealt with injuries during his career, most notably the hip injury that cost him most of last season, but he had a huge 2009 campaign. When healthy he can both separate from cornerbacks and jump over safeties.
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Santonio Holmes is a curious case. He has already stated that he won’t sign a restricted free agent tender. He wants a long-term deal. If he’s unrestricted, he will go the highest bidder, making him hard to quantify as a fantasy prospect. That said, he will be a WR2 or a WR3 regardless of where he lands. If he is restricted and the Jets don’t want to offer a long-term deal, he will holdout.
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Braylon Edwards is also a potential free agent. He would like to return to the Jets, but could make a healthy payday if he tests the waters. His hands keep him from being a WR2, but he does have value wherever he lands.
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James Jones is one to keep an eye on. If he is an unrestricted free agent he is gone. Depending on where he lands he could be a nice WR3. If he stays in Green Bay, I’d pencil him in as a WR4.
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Then you have the old divas Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. Who knows where they will land? They are a risk in the locker room and on your fantasy team.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Brian Westbrook finally has a new home. After spending his first eight seasons with Philadelphia, Westy is headed West to San Francisco to join Frank Gore in the Niners’ backfield. Westy is an electric playmaker when healthy. He has dealt with an assortment of injuries in the past, but it is his string of concussions that have his career in jeopardy. Even when he was limited to eight games last year, he managed 25 catches as well as a 4.5 ypc on 61 carries. One more concussion could end his career so don’t expect him to be much more than an insurance policy should Frank Gore go down. Anthony Dixon had a strong showing in the Niners’ preseason opener, and will challenge Westbrook for the backup spot.

Westbrook wasn’t he only former NFC East runner moving westward. Ladell Betts also spent eight years with his first team, in his case the Washington Redskins. Betts only topped 100 carries once in his career, and isn’t expected to do so with his new club. Betts will essentially replace Lynell Hamilton as RB depth for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. While Westbrook has limited fantasy value, Betts has even less. Even if Pierre Thomas were to go down, I would not expect Betts to even match the production Mike Bell had last year.

A couple of running backs are in the news for completely different reasons. Former Raider RB Justin Fargas signed a deal with Denver. He doesn’t really have any fantasy value unless Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Correll Buckhalter (back) remain sidelined. The Broncos also signed LenDale White last week, but he is also sidelined with leg cramps. Fargas, who isn’t exactly a durable runner, could struggle to make the team. If he looks good during the preseason, perhaps he could catch on since LenDale White will be out the first four games due to a suspension. Stay tuned to see how the Broncs RB situation plays out.

Meanwhile, Saints RB Lynell Hamilton, who was expected to be the short yardage back for the Saints, suffered an apparent knee injury that could put his season (and career) in jeopardy. Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush should see additional carries, while P.J. Hill and Chris Ivory could work their way into the mix.

A couple of big name NFL players have new homes. LaDainian Tomlinson left sunny San Diego for the Big Apple as he signed on to backup Shonn Greene of the New York Jets. I thought he would be a good fit with the Vikings, where he could justify to himself that he’s backing up an elite running back. Clearly LT knows where he’s at in his career. Otherwise he could not have accepted being second fiddle to a back with Greene’s credentials. 

Personally I think he misjudged the ability of the Jets. They made a great run last year, but I think will be hard-pressed to return to the playoffs in 2010. You can basically pencil in New England, Indianapolis, and San Diego. Baltimore, Pittsburgh (depending on Big Ben’s availability), Cincinnati, Houston, and Tennessee will be challenging the Jets for the remaining playoff spots. Assuming Brett Favre returns, I think the Vikings are in a better position to win it all. LT will likely have a bigger role with the Jets. Perhaps that swayed his decision.  

LT’s fantasy value clearly takes a hit. Barring injury, he won’t get as many touches in New York. Shonn Greene’s value shouldn’t change. He was getting the touches down the stretch when Thomas Jones was still with the team. Personally, I think Jones is better than LT at this stage of their careers.

In other news, the Broncos acquired Brady Quinn from the Browns for Peyton Hillis and some draft picks. Hillis is not a fantasy option in Cleveland. It appears his brief run two years ago will just be a blip on his fantasy radar. The real piece in this deal is Quinn. I’m not sure he could have found a better home. While Jay Cutler had to deal with John Elway comparisons, Quinn doesn’t come with the same expectations. The bar is set much lower. Besides, he’ll be happy to escape Cleveland where he was looked at as a hometown hero prior to his stint with the Browns.

It’s hard to say if you can count on Quinn this year. He’ll at least have the opportunity to beat out Kyle Orton. If he wins the starting gig, his value will be tied to the whereabouts of Brandon Marshall. If Marshall is dealt, his options could be limited. Thankfully you don’t have to make any decision on Quinn right now.

Big names have new homes, but nothing for fantasy players to get excited about.

Larry Johnson signed a three-year deal with the Washington Redskins. He basically serves as Clinton Portis insurance. Honestely, with their aging line and age (LJ) and mileage (Portis) working against them, I don’t see either back being all that productive in 2010.

LJ’s character issues remain while his burst and ability have dried up. The signing truly makes no sense. That’s Washington for ya. You may want to take a flier on LJ at the end of your fantasy drafts. I’d probably just pass on him though.

In other news, Ben Watson signed with the Browns. Though a more low-profile signing, it has significantly more fantasy relevance. Watson is a gifted tight end that often got lost in the Patriots’ arsenal. In Cleveland there are fewer mouths to feed. Don’t be surprised if Watson becomes a top ten fantasy tight end for the Browns.