Warrick Dunn released..., ...where will he sign in 2008? Options

[Jason Wood]

It's been a matter of time, but Warrick Dunn has officially been released by the Atlanta Falcons.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3274708

Regardless of his woeful 2007 numbers, I don't think Dunn will have trouble landing a job this year. In fact, I can see any number of teams interested in Dunn as a backup; and at this stage of his career I think Dunn will be realistic about his role in a new city.

Curious to see where people think Dunn will land and whether you could see him having any fantasy value (in redraft or PPR leagues).

I wrote a blog post about this today and threw out five teams I think make some sense, love to hear where you agree or disagree.

Warrick Dunn: "Dunn" in Atlanta

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Warrick Dunn: “Dunn” in Atlanta…now where does he sign?
Filed under: Footballguys, News, NFC South, NFL, Warrick Dunn, Fantasy, RB, Cowboys, Titans, Lions, Falcons, Buccaneers, Colts — Jason Wood @ 5:36 pm Edit This

That didn’t take long…

…just a day after signing Michael “The Burner” Turner to a monster free agent contract, the Falcons released Warrick Dunn.

The 33-year old tailback will have little trouble finding work elsewhere; particularly if he’s willing to accept a role as a backup and situational contributor on a contending team.

Possible Landing Spots?

It’s never too early to handicap where Dunn might land, here are five teams that make imminent sense in our minds:

1. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts don’t have a reliable backup on the roster, and Dunn would be a perfect complement to Joseph Addai. He likely would accept a lesser role on the Colts because they are among a handful of Super Bowl contenders. Given his prior relationship with Tony Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay; this situation almost seems too logical to be true.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jon Gruden is no stranger to veteran contributors and Dunn has strong ties to the Tampa area from his days as a Buc. The Bucs would probably have to make a bigger financial commitment to Dunn than the Colts would, simply because of the less certain playoff outlook.
3. Detroit Lions – Kevin Jones may not be ready for the start of the season, and the Lions have virtually no one ready to step in and play. This is one of the few places Dunn could conceivably earn big playing time; and HC Rod Marinelli is a Dunn fan from their days in Tampa.
4. Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys never seem to shy away from aging veterans and Jerry Jones could easily view Dunn as a solid backup and complement to Marion Barber; who is slated for a heavier workload in 2008 with the departure of Julius Jones.
5. Tennessee Titans — Pairing Dunn with LenDale White could be an interesting one-two punch. Dunn’s veteran presence, work ethic and his commitment to blocking would serve as great examples for White and fellow youngster Chris Henry. It’s unclear whether the Titans are open to adding someone 11 years into the league; but if they are, Dunn could be a nice two-year answer.

[Weiner Dog]

There's talk that TEX is interested.

[Whiplash Inc.]

Oakland would not surprise me at all.

[Max Power]

Indy would be perfect. Its hard to picture Dunn playing in a smashmouth style O or in a cold weather city. That list looks solid. The only other places I can think of are Houston and Miami as both could use another back.

I hope he finds work somewhere. Dunn truely seems to be one of the best people in sports today.

[Guinis72]

If I had to guess, I'd have to go with a return to TB. As you stated in the original post, he loves Tampa and has a lot of ties there. He'd also be a nice short-term sub for Caddy until he can get back to 100% I can't see a bidding war happening for him though.

[Jeff Pasquino]

Dunn goes back to Tampa.

[The Man with the...]

1. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts don’t have a reliable backup on the roster, and Dunn would be a perfect complement to Joseph Addai. He likely would accept a lesser role on the Colts because they are among a handful of Super Bowl contenders. Given his prior relationship with Tony Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay; this situation almost seems too logical to be true.

Did something happen to Kenton Keith? He's better than Warrick Dunn right now. I don't think he has much, if any fantasy value really. Maybe you start him against a bad defense for a week or two. Other than that not really.

[Jason Wood]

1. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts don’t have a reliable backup on the roster, and Dunn would be a perfect complement to Joseph Addai. He likely would accept a lesser role on the Colts because they are among a handful of Super Bowl contenders. Given his prior relationship with Tony Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay; this situation almost seems too logical to be true.

Did something happen to Kenton Keith? He's better than Warrick Dunn right now. I don't think he has much, if any fantasy value really. Maybe you start him against a bad defense for a week or two. Other than that not really.

Keith had a better year than I remembered...good point.

[ffball-novice]

1. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts don’t have a reliable backup on the roster, and Dunn would be a perfect complement to Joseph Addai. He likely would accept a lesser role on the Colts because they are among a handful of Super Bowl contenders. Given his prior relationship with Tony Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay; this situation almost seems too logical to be true.

Did something happen to Kenton Keith? He's better than Warrick Dunn right now. I don't think he has much, if any fantasy value really. Maybe you start him against a bad defense for a week or two. Other than that not really.

We now know Dunn is headed elsewhere, but Keith lacks both reliable blocking and good hands, both of which are nice things in the Indy offense. I assumed that was the basis of the comments.

[Jason Wood]

1. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts don’t have a reliable backup on the roster, and Dunn would be a perfect complement to Joseph Addai. He likely would accept a lesser role on the Colts because they are among a handful of Super Bowl contenders. Given his prior relationship with Tony Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay; this situation almost seems too logical to be true.

Did something happen to Kenton Keith? He's better than Warrick Dunn right now. I don't think he has much, if any fantasy value really. Maybe you start him against a bad defense for a week or two. Other than that not really.

We now know Dunn is headed elsewhere, but Keith lacks both reliable blocking and good hands, both of which are nice things in the Indy offense. I assumed that was the basis of the comments.

We know he's headed elsewhere? Did he sign somewhere?

[Ron_Mexico]

Tampa makes the most sense, imo.

[Max Power]

Immediately after being released by the Falcons, free agent Warrick Dunn set up a visit with his former team, the Buccaneers.

He's in Tampa currently. The Texans also want to meet him and could offer him a chance at more playing time. Dunn's agent also has contacted Dallas.

[WampusCat43]

"Cat Fancy nearly ended my career"

GL to one of the good guys.

[trader jake]

1. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts don’t have a reliable backup on the roster, and Dunn would be a perfect complement to Joseph Addai. He likely would accept a lesser role on the Colts because they are among a handful of Super Bowl contenders. Given his prior relationship with Tony Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay; this situation almost seems too logical to be true.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jon Gruden is no stranger to veteran contributors and Dunn has strong ties to the Tampa area from his days as a Buc. The Bucs would probably have to make a bigger financial commitment to Dunn than the Colts would, simply because of the less certain playoff outlook.
3. Detroit Lions – Kevin Jones may not be ready for the start of the season, and the Lions have virtually no one ready to step in and play. This is one of the few places Dunn could conceivably earn big playing time; and HC Rod Marinelli is a Dunn fan from their days in Tampa.
4. Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys never seem to shy away from aging veterans and Jerry Jones could easily view Dunn as a solid backup and complement to Marion Barber; who is slated for a heavier workload in 2008 with the departure of Julius Jones.
5. Tennessee Titans — Pairing Dunn with LenDale White could be an interesting one-two punch. Dunn’s veteran presence, work ethic and his commitment to blocking would serve as great examples for White and fellow youngster Chris Henry. It’s unclear whether the Titans are open to adding someone 11 years into the league; but if they are, Dunn could be a nice two-year answer.

Solid list. Tampa seems like the most logical choice and Indy gives him the best chance at a ring.

Another team that makes sense (maybe only to me) is Denver. Warrick has experience in the zone blocking scheme and Denver could use a high character guy to balance out his risk assosciated with Travis Henry. Dunn could play the "Tatum Bell" role in the Broncos backfield. Signing a vet out of the Dungy Bucs days worked for Shanahan once already when he plucked John Lynch from the scrapheap.

[kevinray]

I'll throw Cinnci out there as an option, even though it probably won’t happen. Dunn’s the best character guy out there and if there’s any wonder about what to do with Johnson Dunn might not be a bad addition to help Irons and any other additions along. He could help on and off the felid to help turn the franchise back in the right direction.

[pizzatyme]

I'd love to see Dunn in a Colts uni. Kenton Keith can go! Dude can't block or catch a cold. Gimme some WD and give the fella a chance at a ring.

Tampa? Goes home to retire? I guess, if that's what he wants.

Dallas? Maybe.

[Mustang Man]

Dallas would be a good fit. Dunn could get 10-12 carries a game and Barber would be able to log the other 15-18. Dunn would be a upgrade from J.Jones.

[A win again ov]

New England = the next Kevin Faulk

[BigTex]

RB Dunn has interest in Dallas Cowboys

07:53 PM CST on Monday, March 3, 2008

By ALBERT BREER / The Dallas Morning News
abreer@dallasnews.com

Warrick Dunn is interested in the Dallas Cowboys, and the veteran running back is waiting to see if the feeling is mutual.

Dunn's agent, Jim Steiner, reached out to Dallas on Monday to gauge interest in his client, who was released by the Falcons earlier in the day. The Cowboys are taking a wait-and-see approach, preferring to see where the market for Dunn goes before making a serious move.
Dunn, 33, was released in large part because the Falcons signed free agent Michael Turner to a six-year, $34.5 million deal on Sunday.

Dunn is one of 22 backs in NFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards, but he gained only 702 yards on a 3.2-yard average in 2007 after three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Atlanta.

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was with Dunn in Atlanta in 2002 and '03, when Phillips served as the Falcons' defensive coordinator.

Warrick Dunn ran for 702 yards in 2007 for the Falcons after three straight 1,000-yard seasons.

The situation at tailback is unsettled in Dallas, with Marion Barber a restricted free agent and Julius Jones an unrestricted free agent. Tyson Thompson, the third-string back in 2007, was not tendered as a restricted free agent.

The Cowboys placed the high tender of $2.562 million on Barber, retaining matching rights and forcing any team trying to sign him to pay a compensation package of first- and third-round draft picks.

New home for Hoyte: Fullback Oliver Hoyte, released by the Cowboys last week, was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs.

[djcolts]

1. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts don’t have a reliable backup on the roster, and Dunn would be a perfect complement to Joseph Addai. He likely would accept a lesser role on the Colts because they are among a handful of Super Bowl contenders. Given his prior relationship with Tony Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay; this situation almost seems too logical to be true.

Did something happen to Kenton Keith? He's better than Warrick Dunn right now. I don't think he has much, if any fantasy value really. Maybe you start him against a bad defense for a week or two. Other than that not really.

Keith had a better year than I remembered...good point.

Keith's hands of stone cost the Colts in the playoffs.