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Free-agent overview: Wide receivers, Part 2

Curtis Conway has 16 TDs the past three seasons. AP

By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com

Here you have it kiddies. ... Part four of my ongoing position-by-position breakdown of this year's top free-agent prospects from a Fantasy perspective covers the latest movement among the league's wide receivers in addition to offering a few notes on a handful of the more interesting prospects still looking for work.

So, let's get busy, eh? The following players are listed alphabetically followed by their current status and current (or previous) team:

Cris Carter (Unrestricted), Miami Dolphins: According to St. Paul Pioneer Press staffer Bill Williamson, the Vikings are ready to talk to Carter about re-signing so he can retire as a Viking. Carter retired again last week from Miami. He signed with the Dolphins in October, five months after he retired from the Vikings. Head coach Mike Tice said the two haven't talked about it since Carter retired from the Dolphins, but they spoke about it last year.

"If that's what Cris wants to do, I'm sure we will do that," Tice said.

Sources close to Carter have told reporters the 37-year-old is satisfied with his achievements, adding that his three-year contract with HBO, for which he serves as an analyst alongside former Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino, precludes him from returning to football.

Curtis Conway, (Signed) New York Jets: As reported by Associated Press football writer Barry Wilner, hours after losing top wide receiver Laveranues Coles to Washington, the Jets reached a contract agreement with his replacement, Conway.

Team officials in New York decided on Wednesday not to match the Redskins' offer sheet to Coles of $35 million for seven years, including a $13 million signing bonus. They already were heavily pursuing Conway, a 10-year veteran who comes off an injury-shortened season with San Diego. Wilner suggested that even though the 32-year old Conway won’t provide the breakaway threat -- or the long-term potential production -- of Coles, he should be a solid addition to the receiving corps. He might even be a starter, although holdovers Wayne Chrebet and Santana Moss are listed as starters for now.

"I have known Curtis for a while," head coach Herman Edwards said Wednesday. "He's a tough guy who can still run fast. He's caught over 500 balls, and that is a lot of passes. He plays every down, is not afraid to block or go across the middle. He's a very good football player we obviously are interested in."

Conway is 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, bigger than any of the team's regular receivers. With San Diego, he made 57 catches for 852 yards and scored five times, but he missed three games with a shoulder injury.

It's worth noting that Conway's arrival doesn't necessarily mean the Jets are through seeking help at the position. They own two first-round draft choices, No. 13 from Washington as compensation for Coles, who was a restricted free agent, and their own 22nd pick. General manager Terry Bradway said the team might use a high draft choice on a wideout, as well as going after veteran help.

"I could see us doing both, we could have the flexibility of doing both," he said. "We will not be locked in; we can go into the draft and do some things."

I'll go ahead and note that even though the general consensus among league observers says the 10-year veteran has clearly lost a step, he still had four receptions of 40-plus yards in 2002, his best total since 1995.

Kevin Dyson (Signed), Carolina Panthers: Dyson left Tennessee after five seasons by agreeing to a one-year contract with the Panthers on Wednesday. The former first-round draft pick will join Ricky Proehl in a revamped Carolina receiving corps. Proehl, a former St. Louis Ram, signed a three-year deal Monday.

"Kevin improves our speed on offense and is a proven receiver who has been productive," Panthers head coach John Fox told reporters in announcing the acquisition. "He has made big plays in critical situations and knows how to win."

According to those who follow the team closely, Panthers officials view Dyson -- a legitimate deep threat when healthy -- as a starter. They went after him hard even after adding Proehl, and there is a chance, given their recent acquisitions, that the Panthers could attempt to restructure veteran receiver Muhsin Muhammad's contract. Muhammad has a high cap charge and a diminishing impact in Carolina's offense.

Dyson, the Titans' first-round choice in the 1998 draft, was actually selected ahead of Randy Moss. He has started 54 of 58 games and has 176 receptions for 2,310 yards and 28 touchdowns. He had 41 catches for 460 yards and four touchdowns last season.

His best season was 2001 when he had 54 receptions for 825 yards and seven touchdowns, one year after a devastating knee injury.

Dyson is best known for scoring on the "Music City Miracle" kickoff return to win the 2000 AFC wild-card playoff game over Buffalo. Later that postseason, he came up one yard short of the end zone at the end of the 2000 Super Bowl.

Antonio Freeman (Unrestricted), Philadelphia Eagles: According to ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli, Freeman has an opportunity to return to the Eagles but wants to consider his options first. Because he is an unrestricted free agent, he could cut a much "cleaner" deal with the Jets, one that would not include an offer sheet and would have finality to it. While he is not the player he was a few years ago, Freeman has received high grades from Mike Giddings, an independent talent evaluator whose rating services are subscribed to by many NFL teams.

The eight-year veteran, who spent last season with Philadelphia after playing his first seven years with Green Bay, had 46 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns in 2002. Freeman's receptions total has decreased every season since 1998, but he still has a career average of one touchdown every 7.6 catches, one of the highest marks in that area in the last 10 years.

Oronde Gadsden (Unrestricted), Miami Dolphins: In an article published last Sunday, Palm Beach Post staff writer Todd Archer noted that Jay Fiedler has developed terrific on-field chemistry with Gadsden the past three years, and the Dolphins' quarterback would like to see his sure-handed receiver return.

"He's been my guy for the last three years," Fiedler explained. "He's been great with me. He's been a great teammate. He's a great locker-room guy. He makes those clutch catches whenever you throw to him. But that situation is beyond my control."

Unfortunately, Gadsden has not had productive talks with the club about returning. The Dolphins signed Derrius Thompson to a three-year deal last week. The Dolphins have offered Gadsden a one-year deal at the veteran minimum that includes a number of incentives. Fiedler met Thompson, who has similar skills to Gadsden's, briefly on Thompson's tour of the Dolphins' facility, but he has not seen him play on tape yet.

Gadsden started 55 games over the past five seasons for the Dolphins until suffering a season-ending wrist injury last October. At the time, his agent said Gadsden wouldn't play with the injury unless the Dolphins signed him to an extension. The two sides couldn't reach agreement, and Gadsden underwent surgery.

The Dolphins have said they are prepared to go into camp with Thompson and James McKnight competing for the starting position opposite Chris Chambers.

In the meantime, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported earlier this week that Gadsden will visit the Vikings, who are looking for a big receiver who can challenge for a starting position, sometime this week.

Qadry Ismail (Unrestricted), Indianapolis Colts: In an article published Mar. 13, ESPN's John Clayton advised readers that Ismail, who missed the final two games of the 2002 season with a bulging disk in his neck and a concussion, has been cleared by two independent physicians to play this season and that he visited with team officials in Tennessee on Mar. 12.

The Colts released Ismail less than a year after he signed a three-year deal. Ismail's Agent Tony Agnone said the release was ''a money issue.''

Ismail caught 44 passes for 462 yards and three touchdowns in 2002. He has in the past, however, been a big playmaker against the Titans. As a member of the Ravens, Ismail caught 21 passes for 416 yards in his last five games against the Titans. With Dyson no longer in the picture, the Titans certainly have a need for a speed receiver like Ismail.

Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (Unrestricted), Dallas Cowboys: The Redskins' official acquisition of Coles apparently will not conclude their upgrade at receiver. Owner Dan Snyder told Pasquarelli on Tuesday night that the team also will sign Ismail, a 10-year veteran, within the next few days.

"That will finish us off [at receiver]," said Snyder, who plans to sign Ismail to a two-year contract. "It would give us a lot more speed than we had last year. And getting The Rocket will add a great character presence to our locker room."

Ismail, 33, missed the entire 2002 season after suffering a neck injury in Dallas' training camp last summer but has passed all of the physical exams administered by the Redskins.

The former Notre Dame, who has 363 career catches for 5,295 yards and 28 touchdowns in his pro career, was close to signing with the Redskins two weeks ago, then considered retiring before deciding to play at least one more season.

Darrell Jackson (Restricted), Seattle Seahawks: Although the Jets, who considered Jackson as a potential replacement for Coles, went in another direction, the Sports Xchange reported on Monday that team officials in Seattle are still sweating out potential offers for Jackson.

Jackson was tendered a one-year, $1.318 million qualifying offer as an RFA and the Seahawks have the opportunity to match any other club's offer and retain him.

Jackson is viewed as a precise route-runner with a knack for finding creases in coverage and fits head coach Mike Holmgren's West Coast offense nicely. He's also been a very popular -- and productive -- player in Seattle, racking up more yards and more touchdowns than any of the 19 receivers drafted in 2000.

MarTay Jenkins (Unrestricted), Arizona Cardinals: A sixth-round draft pick by Dallas in 1999, Jenkins spent the last three years in Arizona. While his role as a receiver expanded the past two seasons (he caught 32 passes for 518 yards in 2001), returning kickoffs is his forte.

One of the fastest players in the NFL, Jenkins set league records with 82 kickoff returns and 2,186 yards in 2000. His 26.7-yard career average is second on the Cardinals' all-time list behind Hall of Famer Ollie Matson (28.5).

Jenkins averaged a league-high 28 yards on 20 returns and had 21 catches for 250 yards in 2002 before a broken shoulder blade ended his season after eight games.

"I've done both throughout my career," Jenkins said. "Special teams is definitely where I made a name for myself. I've progressed as a receiver the last couple of years under the coaching of [Arizona former receivers coach and new offensive coordinator] Jerry Sullivan. It's kind of a bonus that I can do both."

Jacksonville, Chicago and Carolina reportedly have expressed interest in Jenkins, though he said no trips to those places are set.

Of course, the Cardinals have already let Jake Plummer and David Boston leave via free agency this offseason and I'm not sure team officials can afford to simply let a talented youngster with Jenkins' speed and upside join the exodus without making a serious effort to keep him.

Jermaine Lewis (Signed), Jacksonville Jaguars: According to Florida Times Union staffer Bart Hubbuch, the Jaguars and Lewis agreed to terms on a three three-year contract worth nearly $3 million Wednesday night. Lewis, who chose Jacksonville over Cincinnati, is a familiar face to new Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio and personnel chief James Harris. Del Rio and Harris were with the Ravens when Lewis made the Pro Bowl as a punt returner in 2001.

"We're excited, because Jermaine gives us a playmaker from the return position," Harris said. "He can change the field position of a game very quickly. He has tremendous pure speed."

Lewis, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, is the sixth veteran free agent signed by the Jaguars since March 10. Lewis' contract will increase the amount of bonus money spent by the club in that two-week span to more than $12 million.

An eighth-year pro, Lewis is one of the fastest players in the league. He led the NFL in punt-return yards two years ago. He also topped the league with a 16.1-yard average on punt returns in 2000 and went to his first Pro Bowl in 1998.

"We had a lot of respect for Jermaine and the things he did for us in Baltimore, and he's still a young guy," Harris said of Lewis, who turns 29 in October.

Lewis cut by Houston on Feb. 20 because the Texans didn't want to pay him a $500,000 roster bonus. Lewis spent last season in Houston after Baltimore left him unprotected in the expansion draft.

Ricky Proehl (Signed), Carolina Panthers: In an article published Mar. 15, St. Louis Post Dispatch beat man Jim Thomas noted that Proehl and his agent were disappointed that the Rams allowed the veteran wideout to twist in the wind at the start of the free agency period. Rams head coach Mike Martz couldn't give a definitive answer as to whether the team wanted Proehl back during a press conference on February 28, the first day of free agency.

It was only on Tuesday, when Carolina finalized plans to bring Proehl in for a visit, that the Rams made a one-year offer to Proehl for the veteran's minimum of $755,000.

All along, Proehl wanted a two- or three-year deal from the Rams with a modest signing bonus.

"Ricky had five great years in St. Louis," his agent, Alan Herman, said. "He loved his time in St. Louis. The fans adored him and he loved the fans, and it was a great match. But in terms of being able to put together a financial package, we were unable to do that. For whatever reason."

According to those who follow the Panthers closely, team officials have Proehl pegged as a slot receiver, meaning he’ll play mostly on passing downs. A Wake Forest graduate, Proehl has played the last five seasons for the St. Louis Rams and averaged 41 receptions a season during that span.

Bobby Shaw (Signed), Buffalo Bills: Shaw spent last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars and caught a career-high 44 passes for 525 yards and one touchdown. He also averaged 12.4 yards on 25 punt returns.

Shaw was drafted by Seattle in the sixth round of the 1998 draft and spent the next three years with Pittsburgh, catching 92 passes 1,468 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Bills have actively pursued a wide receiver since they traded Peerless Price to the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month. Eric Moulds remains No. 1 and second-year man Josh Reed, No. 3 last year, is expected to be the other starter. Team officials reportedly expect Shaw to serve as their new No. 3 man behind Moulds and Reed this year.

Tai Streets (Restricted), San Francisco: In an article published Wednesday, Santa Rosa Press Democrat beat writer Matt Maiocco, citing Niners GM Terry Donahue, reported that a possible trade that would have sent Streets to the Jets died because of Streets' lofty contract demands.

Streets visited the Jets early this week while the teams discussed trade scenarios. But Donahue said everything was called off Tuesday when the Jets determined they would not be able to meet the contract request of Streets' agent, Ralph Cindrich.

"The Jets called and asked if we'd be interested in a possible trade," Donahue said. "We said yes and sent them three different options. They wanted to know if we'd consider a third-round pick for Tai.

"But the agent asked for a $9 million signing bonus from the Jets, so they went away. That's what happened. I don't think we'd take a third-round pick for Tai anyway."

Not surprisingly, Cindrich claims otherwise. In fact, the agent said his client and the Jets were close to a contract agreement, but the 49ers were adamant about receiving a first-round draft pick as compensation.

Streets received a qualifying offer of $1.318 million from the 49ers at the start of free agency, which means they have the right to match any offer sheet. If the 49ers declined to match, they would receive a first-round pick as compensation.

Although Streets caught 72 passes for 756 yards and five touchdowns last season, a first-round selection is seen as exorbitant for his services. Streets has been reluctant to sign a long-term contract with the 49ers, which means he most likely will leave the organization a year from now as a free agent.

Detroit and New England are also believed to be interested in Streets.

"I believe Tai will be here [this season] and he'll be happy," Donahue told Maiocco.

That's all for now. ... Check back next week when I’ll review this year’s free agent tight ends.

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

 

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