Over the years, Bubba Franks was a favorite red zone target for Brett Favre in Green Bay. Now Favre is retired and Franks no longer calls Green Bay home. Franks signed a free agent contract to become a member of the New York Jets.
Franks struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2007. The Packers let him go, largely due to the improved play of Donald Lee. Now Franks is in the mix to become the starting tight end for the Jets in 2008.
However, don’t count on it. Franks will likely be used in a backup role and while he could be …read more

The Cincinnati Bengals took their first step in trying to replace the waived Chris Henry by signing Doug Gabriel to a one-year deal. Gabriel, who was out of football in 2007 after being cut in training camp by the Oakland Raiders, will vie for the third wide receiver job in Cincinnati.
Image details: Oakland Raiders v San Francisco 49ers served by picapp.com
In his four years in the NFL, Gabriel has eight touchdowns. He’s known as a speed receiver who can beat most defenders up the field, however his lack of good hands has hurt him since being drafted in 2003 in …read more

After spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, Ben Utecht has signed a contract to become a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Utecht never had a hugely productive season with the Colts, however Peyton Manning trusted him in most situations.
Although Utecht will now have to leave Manning’s side, he’s stepping into a good situation in Cincinnati. The Bengals have a high-powered offense that can really move the ball through the air. These days, the Bengals are probably going to be even more pass oriented than the Colts.
The Bengals could really use Utecht to open …read more

Ben Troupe has long been a fantasy football tease. He has an athletic body and all the tools necessary to be star tight end – however it just never translated to the football field. Many an owner has wasted a pick on Troupe over the years.
Ending his disappointing four year run as a member of the Tennessee Titans, Troupe signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Troupe, a 6-foot-4 former second round pick by the Titans, should fit nicely into what the Bucs are going to try to do in 2008.
Troupe will battle with incumbent Alex Smith for the starting tight …read more

After letting Josh Brown go, the Seattle Seahawks have inked kicker Olindo Mare to a contract. The final two teams fighting over Mare’s services were the Seahawks and the Denver Broncos.
Although Mare struggled in 2007 with the New Orleans Saints, Mare is expected to be the Seahawks’ kicker in 2008. Brown had a successful career with the Seahawks and Mare will have big shoes to fill.
Due to Mare’s struggles last season, he’d be a dangerous draft pick in 2008. If he doesn’t get back on track, he’d be a wasted pick. However, Mare will be joining a very field goal …read more

Although Keary Colbert has been disappointing in his last three seasons in the NFL, the Denver Broncos acted early and signed the former Carolina Panther early on in free agency. Giving him a three year contract, Colbert will enter the 2008 campaign with a decent shot at becoming a starter.
With Javon Walker gone to the Oakland Raiders, Brandon Stokley and Colbert will battle for the number two wide receiving job next to Brandon Marshall. If Colbert is named the starter, he could be in line for a very solid 2008 fantasy season.
Colbert is an interesting case because he played very …read more

After beginning his career with the Carolina Panthers, Drew Carter has signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. Carter is a vertical passing threat, which fits in perfectly with the offense the Raiders like to use.
While Carter never had a breakout year with the Panthers, he’ll go into the 2008 season with the possibility of being a starter. While Javon Walker and Ronald Curry have the inside track to secure starting jobs, both of those players are fragile and Carter could conceivably find himself in the starting lineup.
How Carter plays will depend largely on who the Raiders start at …read more

Kevin Jones promising career with the Detroit Lions has come to an end. The Lions released the running back earlier in the week, citing injury concerns.
Jones, who played quite well last year when healthy, tore his ACL late in the year. In 2006, Jones suffered a season-ending foot injury late in the season. The Lions apparently thought that two season-ending injuries was one too many.
Jones is now a free agent and will likely be courted by a lot of teams. He’s looked like a superstar talent at different points in the last few seasons. He’s a strong runner who has …read more

The San Francisco 49ers added to their wide receiving corps by signing Bryant Johnson, who formerly played for the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson, who has recently backed up Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in Arizona, was brought on to add another weapon to the Niners’ passing attack.
Johnson has shown flashes of being a really good receiver. While he’s been overshadowed in recent years, his potential is still quite good. When given an opportunity to play an expanded well, he’s usually reacted well.
In San Francisco, it’s too early to tell how many snaps he’ll play per game. He’s joining Darrell Jackson and …read more

Brandon Lloyd is an example of an immensely talented player who has yet to figure it all out. In terms of making acrobatic catches, there are few wide receivers in Lloyd’s league. However, Lloyd struggles with routine plays and his work ethic has oftentimes been questioned.
The Chicago Bears recently signed Lloyd after losing both Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berian to free agency. Lloyd, along with Marty Booker, will be asked to pick up the slack at wide receiver. The Bears are taking a bit of a gamble with Lloyd because he’s been more of a tease than a productive football …read more