Fantasy Football Impact: Marvin Harrison's Release

In a perfect world, Johnny Unitas never dons the San Diego Chargers' colors, Joe Montana retires as No. 16 of the San Francisco 49ers, and Brett Favre ends his career in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. But, as much as we'd like for football careers to have that "fairy tale" ending, that's not the nature of the beast.

Football is a business, and more often than not, that leads to the parting of ways between stars and the franchises with which they are identified. The Indianapolis Colts' release of wide receiver Marvin Harrison is yet another example of this.

After 13 years and 190 games in the blue and white, Harrison's colors will change in 2009, and what every fantasy football owner would like to know is what impact this will have in their world.

First and foremost, let's discuss Harrison. Following an injury-filled 2007 campaign in which he managed to get on the field for just 5 games, many fantasy owners were willing to give the seemingly always-productive Harrison another chance in 2008. After all, this was a receiver that had a streak of eight 1,000+ yard seasons prior to that dismal 2007.

But Harrison struggled again in 2008. He was on the field this time, but he just didn't produce, as he finished the year with 636 receiving yards and 5 TD in 15 games played. The poor production is a big part as to why the Colts were willing to give Harrison the release he requested, and it's a big part of why fantasy owners should not look at Harrison as anything more than a third WR come 2009.

If Harrison was unable to produce in the Colts' high-powered passing attack, it's a safe bet he won't be much better on whichever team he lands on following this offseason.

As for the Colts, don't expect Harrison's release to impact Peyton Manning or Reggie Wayne all that much. Both Manning and Wayne proved in 2007 that they can function just fine without Harrison on the field.

What Marvin's departure does do is cause a spike in the fantasy values of both wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez and tight end Dallas Clark.

Gonzalez, who is entering his third year (typically a year in which wide outs break out) will now slide into the second WR slot for the Colts. That move will definitely result in more looks and receptions; in fact, predicting a low-ball figure of just 80 receptions for Gonzalez would result in an 1,000-yard year if he maintains the 13.2 yards per catch average he's posted in his career.

Add to that a conservative 5 or 6 TD, and Gonzalez makes for a strong second WR play in 2009.

Clark will also see an increase in his workload with Harrison out of the picture. Not only will there be more balls to go around, but with the athletic ability he possesses, Clark will more than likely be the one to line up in the slot position in three wide receiver sets.

Following a year in which the tight end position lacked any real depth for fantasy purposes, Clark's services should be highly coveted come 2009 fantasy drafts.

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