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Looking ahead -- Free agent tight ends

Tony Gonzalez has averaged 81 catches, 990 yards and 9 TDs the last three seasons. Doug Pensinger/Allsport

By Bob Harris, Special to CNNSI.com

It’s time for the fourth installment of our ongoing series of columns Fantasy owners with an early look at possible scenarios surrounding this year's crop of unrestricted free agents.

The focus this week is on the tight end position.

One more time before we get started: The following players will become unrestricted free agents unless they sign new deals with their current teams by Feb. 28. This year's free agent signing period begins March 1.

Terry Hardy and Trey Junkin, Arizona Cardinals
Noted Birmingham, Ala., orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews has performed multiple surgeries on Hardy this offseason, repairing two torn ligaments in the youngster's left knee in addition to cleaning debris out of his right knee and repairing his damaged right shoulder.

The bottom line here says the fact Hardy isn't likely to be ready for action when NFL teams open training camp in late July means he'll have a hard time finding a new employer before then.

Junkin is an aging long snapper whose value is likely to be tested on the open market.

Shannon Sharpe, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens recently informed Sharpe he'll be released before March 1. Even though the veteran All Pro claims any number of teams are interested in signing him this offseason, the general consensus among league insiders has the future Hall of Famer finishing his career in Denver.

Broughton Luther, Carolina Panthers
His return isn't a priority even if Wesley Walls isn't ready to return this summer.

Kaseem Sinceno, Chicago Bears
His future in Chicago probably depends on his recovery from the badly broken ankle he suffered last fall.

O.J. Santiago, Cleveland Browns
Santiago's future in Cleveland depends on his willingness to work cheap. That's especially true if Ricky Dudley can bounce back from Liz Franc surgery performed on his foot last year. Two players had the same injury in 2000 -- Errict Rhett and Duce Staley. Staley came back -- but the injury that tears a tendon away from the foot bone essentially ended Rhett's career. However, the fact that there's really no way of knowing how healthy Dudley is until he returns to the field will weigh in Santiago's favor.

David Sloan, Detroit Lions
Booth Newspapers beat writer Tom Kowalski reported this week that the possible loss of Sloan could have a far-reaching impact on Detroit's offense -- and not simply because he's the only veteran tight end on the roster. While the enormous (6-6, 260-pound) Sloan has been slowed in recent years by nagging injuries, he has the potential to emerge as a dangerous offensive weapon in Marty Mornhinweg's version of the West Coast offense.

According to Kowalski, unless the Lions plan on making a huge pitch for free agent Tony Gonzalez, the failure to re-sign Sloan could haunt the Lions for years.

Tyrone Davis, Green Bay Packers
David Martin's emergence as a legitimate No. 2 man as a rookie last season means Davis is likely to test his value on the open market this offseason.

Ken Dilger, Indianapolis Colts
Dilger's future remains uncertain after his release by the Colts last week. Despite rumors to the contrary, the Miami Dolphins say they have no interest in signing the steady veteran.

Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Designated as Kansas City's "Franchise" free agent last Thursday, with team president Carl Peterson telling reporters at the time: "We put the exclusive franchise player tag on Tony because we respect him and think he is an outstanding football player. I'm meeting with [Gonzalez's agent] Tom Condon today. This will be Tom’s opportunity to see if we can get a multi-year contract done. ..."

Gonzalez, a first-round draft pick out of California in 1997, could still sign a multiyear contract, however. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, teams can sign long-term deals with their designated franchise players from Feb. 22-March 15 without losing the franchise designation for the life of the contract.

Clubs may also retain their franchise designation by executing a multi-year agreement after July 15th.

At the end of the season, Peterson said he would not yield to the demand that Gonzalez be paid at the level of a wide receiver.

"He's a tight end," Peterson said.

But the 6-foot-4, 248-pound Gonzalez might be the best tight end in the game.

In 79 games, he's made 334 catches for 30 touchdowns and almost 4,000 yards. He's already seventh in receptions and sixth in receiving yards in team history. He has more catches and receiving yards than any other tight end in team history.

Gonzalez has repeatedly said he wants to finish his career with the Chiefs

Byron Chamberlain and Andrew Jordan, Minnesota Vikings
Re-signing Chamberlain, who gave the Vikings the production they needed from the tight end position, is considered a top priority this offseason. Team officials are convinced he'll continue to be a productive part of the offense as long as he stays in shape. Jordan's return isn’t as vital.

Rod Rutledge, New England Patriots
Nothing more than a glorified tackle; his return is of little interest from a Fantasy perspective.

Cameron Cleeland, New Orleans Saints
Team officials will let the talented-but-tender Cleeland ply his trade elsewhere this season and rely instead on up-and-comer Eddie "Boo" Williams to get the job done at tight end.

Mike Bartrum, Philadelphia Eagles; David Binn, San Diego Chargers
Veteran long-snappers whose returns aren't a priority.

Christian Fauria and Itula Mili, Seattle Seahawks
According to Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter Clare Farnsworth, the oft-injured Fauria has hinted that he might retire, while Mili cannot be counted on to carry the entire load because of his inconsistency -- especially as a blocker. The Seahawks passing game needs a tight end that can stretch the field and also take advantage of the opening created in the three-WR sets.

Seattle head coach and GM Mike Holmgren could fill this spot by drafting either Miami's Jeremy Shockey or Colorado's Daniel Graham with the 20th pick in the first round.

Stephen Alexander and Marco Battaglia, Washington Redskins
Alexander's future with the club is up in the air after injuries kept him from regaining his Pro Bowl form again in 2001.

I'm looking for the team to let Alexander test his value on the open market and due to the presence of Zeron Flemister, who has good size, good speed, decent hands and is improving as a blocker. In fact, those who follow the team closely say Flemister has the potential to be a 40-to-50-catch receiver under the right circumstances. Battaglia's return isn't among the team's priorities this offseason. ...

There you have it folks. One more time: This is an early look at just some of the possible scenarios surrounding the players in question and it's safe to assume things will change as the offseason progresses.

Check back next week for an early look at this year's crop of free agent place-kickers.

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications

 

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