FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 8/19/2009 4:53pm et

ESPNChicago.com reports former NFL head coach Tony Dungy said during a radio interview that he would encourage Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith to sign unrestricted free-agent WR Marvin Harrison if the team needed another receiver. "I think he definitely can play, and I would encourage Lovie to sign him if they had an opening," Dungy said.

The Huddle Take: Dungy helped Michael Vick land an NFL gig, and he has plenty of history with Harrison after coaching him in Indianapolis. The league respects Dungy, so if any teams were shying away from Marv given his knee problems or recent off-field issues this might help re-open those doors.

Posted: 7/14/2009 11:35am et

ESPN.com reports the Baltimore Ravens could now show interest in free-agent WR Marvin Harrison (Colts), with WR Derrick Mason expected to retire. Harrison would serve the role of a possession receiver, similar to what Mason's role with the team was.

The Huddle Take: Despite the fact he's lost two or three steps, Harrison could be a very effective security blanket for second-year QB Joe Flacco. At the very least, Harrison's professionalism would serve as an excellent example for the Ravens' young players to emulate. Just don't expect any real Fantasy impact from him.

Posted: 6/25/2009 11:29pm et

The St. Paul Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings are apparently interested in signing unrestricted free-agent WR Marvin Harrison (Colts) to a one-year contract in order to compete with WR Sidney Rice.

The Huddle Take: This would certainly be an interesting acquisition and one that could pay dividends if veteran quarterback Brett Favre joins Minnesota this season. With the future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison looking for a new team this figures to be a good fit as the Vikings have a stable of young receivers but not a veteran playmaker that can help develop this talent. If Harrison lands with Minnesota he should be considered a nice No. 3 wideout with decent potential as long as he can stay on the field.

Posted: 5/6/2009 11:45pm et

USAToday.com, reports Sports Illustrated's Peter King said on his Twitter page that he has been told by reliable sources unrestricted free-agent WR Marvin Harrison (Colts) will not play anymore because his knee is still bothering him.

The Huddle Take: Definitely not a surprise here as the former Colts star has battled knee injuries for much of the last few seasons. Harrison has been spectacular during his NFL career and been one of the most consistent scorers for fantasy owners for many seasons. However, don't expect him to be worthy of fantasy consideration unless it becomes clear that his knee problems are behind him and he lands with another team in the very near future.

Posted: 3/27/2009 10:29pm et

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports free-agent WR Marvin Harrison has received a sparse number of inquiries from other NFL teams since being released by the Indianapolis Colts. While it may be hard to see him without a team in 2009, it is a real possibility.

The Huddle Take: Harrison is a 36-year-old wideout coming off back-to-back seasons marred by knee injuries, and the fact that he wasn't willing to rework his contract to stay with the Colts suggests he still has an overinflated sense of his own value. Yeah, it makes sense why he's having trouble finding a new gig.

Posted: 2/24/2009 11:30pm et

ESPNews reports the Indianapolis Colts have released WR Marvin Harrison.

The Huddle Take: The veteran wideout Marvin Harrison has been hampered by injuries the past few seasons which almost assuredly has played an integral part in this unfolding saga. Expect the Colts to utilize Anthony Gonzalez opposite of Reggie Wayne in the Indy offense which will likely not miss a beat as a result of this move. It is likely that Harrison will land with another team sometime in the near future.

Posted: 2/23/2009 2:58pm et

Updating a previous item, NFL.com, reports Indianapolis Colts WR Marvin Harrison has asked the team to release him after both sides could not agree on a restructured contract, a league source said late Sunday, Feb. 22.

The Huddle Take: Releasing Harrison saves the Colts in the neighborhood of $7 million in cap space, but it's a little surprising the two sides couldn't find a common ground that would satisfy both parties. The hot rumored landing spot for Harrison is his hometown of Philly, which would also reunite him with former Syracuse teammate Donovan McNabb.

Posted: 2/20/2009 2:00pm et

During his press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine Thursday, Feb. 19, Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell said he hoped WR Marvin Harrison would return to the team. Caldwell added, "That's what we anticipate. Free agency in itself is an event this time of year. We're not quite certain what's going to happen, but we'd certainly love to have him back."

The Huddle Take: Releasing Harrison saved Indy about $7 million in cap space. While he's no longer playing at the elite level he once did, Marv would still be a vital cog in the Indianapolis offense; the Colts would simply prefer that he cost $2 million instead of the $9 million he was due to make in 2009.

Posted: 2/18/2009 11:39pm et

The NFL Network, reports the Indianapolis Colts are expected to let WR Marvin Harrison go soon. Releasing Harrison would free up $7 million in salary cap space.

The Huddle Take: The veteran wideout Harrison has been a mainstay for the Colts for many seasons but it finally appears the team may be turning away from the former Pro-Bowl receiver. Expect the Colts to utilize more of its younger receivers if it does indeed cut loose Harrison during the offseason. Wayne and Gonzalez figure to get the bulk of the opportunities if that happens.

Posted: 2/13/2009 10:02pm et

The Indianapolis Star reports Colts president Bill Polian said it is possible for WR Marvin Harrison to play for the Colts next season but would not put odds on the situation.

The Huddle Take: Those odds are directly tied to Marv's willingness to take a pay cut for the 2009 season, as it's unlikely the Colts will bring him back at his current price given that his productivity is on the decline.