Squish (252)
e-roc (119)
Jeff (53)
Mal (45)
Tommy (45)
Ken (42)
Amir (37)
Tj (29)
While Saints running back Mike Bell’s 143-yard performance this weekend had no impact on any of my match-ups, I felt the need to complain on behalf of all those who were negatively affected by his existence in week one. Doesn’t it just grind your gears to think that a waiver wire, injury fill-in scored more fantasy points than potential first round draft picks Michael Turner, Matt Forte, Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs and Chris Johnson? Let’s just hope that Pierre Thomas takes back over when he returns and the fantasy football world can right itself.
Latest Updates: running back RSS
-
Brandon
-
Matt
This running back handcuff sheet which looks at each stud RB’s bye week and the lower-tier RBs who have good matchups that week could definitely come in handy on draft day. (Hat tip to the Hazean.)
-
Running Back Handcuff Index
Brandon
After participating in a few mock drafts to date, it became apparent that certain backup running backs are held to a higher standard than others. I figured it might be helpful to provide a list of all the starting running backs in the league, along with their primary backup. Also, I wanted to include how important it is to get their backup as a handcuff in your draft, or if you need to draft them at all. Below you can find my “Running back Handcuff Index”, where I’ve grouped running backs into different levels (Very High to Very Low) of importance, in terms of making sure you draft their backup as an insurance policy. Please note that when I say “starter”, I mean the player that is getting drafted earlier and should have the most fantasy impact on the season, not the player who has earned the ceremonial title. So here you go…
Very High
Oakland Raiders
Starter: Darren McFadden
Handcuff: Justin Fargas
Concern(s): Rookie / Committee
Notes: While Fargas might be the starter going into the season (similar to how Chester Taylor was last year), DMC is the guy going early in the draft and should get most of the carries in Oakland before long. However, he IS a rookie and who knows if he’ll live up to his hype. If possible, this is a definite handcuff situation.Miami Dolphins
Starter: Ronnie Brown
Handcuff: Ricky Williams
Concern(s): Injury
Notes: Apparently Ricky Williams has looked great in practice so far and with Brown’s durability questions, this is a “must have” hand-cuff (although if Williams relapses into dope-smoking, you might need a handcuff for your handcuff). -
2008 Running Back Power Rankings
Brandon
Power rankings for other positions
We all know the big question this season is LT or A-Pete, but while constructing this list I realized that after the top 5, the question is “Who the heck do I take?!” How can you justify taking someone like Frank Gore over Tom Brady or Randy Moss? Without falling back on the old “RB first” argument, you’re going to struggle to argue that Gore will have more of an impact on your fantasy team than either of those two. Same goes for Larry Johnson, who last preseason was a top three running back, but is now the Albert Pujols of the draft (i.e. someone you’re so scared to draft because of injury worries, but who could be a monster if he plays to his potential). While this list won’t answer all your questions, hopefully it at least gives you some direction when it comes to deciding what running back to draft!
-
Cedric Benson waived by Chicago Bears
Brandon
After his second alcohol related incident in a month, the Chicago Bears have parted ways with their “supposed to be a superstar” running back:
“Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement. “As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions.”
It probably didn’t help that the Bears were probably already looking for alternatives at the position as Benson has been a massive disappointment since entering the league in 2005, averaging under four yards a carry and fifty yards a game throughout his career at this point. Note to players: If you’re sucking, don’t go and start screwing up off the field, or you’re likely to be canned…
