September 7TH, 2011 Wednesday
FANTASY FOOTBALL NOTES
We are less than one day away from the official start of the 2011 NFL season. Even though most fantasy drafts should be complete by this point, it’s still worth taking a look and quick peek into most backfields to see what ball carriers will rise, fall, and emerge this season. Here’s my run on this year’s running backs.
Let’s just put the argument to rest, when you start at the top, you have to start with Adrian Peterson. He seems to be the consensus number one is most every league I have seen. He’s a feature back, has no serious injury concerns heading into the season, and has scored 54 touchdowns in four seasons. AP will lead the pack, but running backs Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Arian Foster, and Ray Rice are not far behind.
From there you will get into the MJD’s, LeSean McCoy’s and Peyton Hillis’ who will round out the top 20 to 25. Once we get into the third and fourth tier of running backs , the talent pool will shallow out, and that’s when you have to start doing some digging.
DEEP IN THE BACKFIELD
It’s been what seems like a very short and very quick preseason, but in the four weeks of action one running back in a crowded backfield in Washington has really caught my eye; Tim Hightower. He’s certainly not the cream of the crop, but he has been impressive thus far and in a Shanahan “run-system” he could really fare well. Hightower averaged nearly seven yards per carry facing mostly first string defenses and his versatility as a pass catcher (63 receptions in 2009) could find him spending quite of bit of time on the field. He’s not going to be a feature back, but he looks like a good call to see the lion’s share of work; at least early in the season.
Another ball carrier that has turned my head is the Bronco’s third year running back Knowshon Moreno. Now most folks figure with the arrival of John Fox, the Bronco’s offense is going to become more of a ground attack, but the addition of Willis McGahee does not necessarily mean a time-share. In Carolina Fox had two relative young backs to feed the rock, but in Denver McGahee enters his 9th season and does not figure to step into an expanded role. Moreno has been impressive this preseason and has a well balanced skill-set in the run and pass game. He may lose a few short-yardage and goal line carries to McGahee, but he still figures to see plenty of work. If he can stay healthy, he’s easily a top 15 back this season.
The Packers have the luxury of healing in the offseason, but for running back Ryan Grant that may not be enough. Last season 2nd year back James Starks stepped up and played well for the Pack in the post season and could very well figure into the team’s plans this season. From what I have read, heard, and seen I would not be surprised to see Starks starting at some point this season and more likely sooner than later.
Along with these potential diamonds in the rough, a couple of kids I would watch heavily leading into week one, Bernard Scott of the Bengals and rookie Stevan Ridley of the Patriots. Both teams don’t have a clear cut dominant runner that they will lean on heavily and both these kids could just be hungry enough to work their way into the spotlight.
If Benson can’t keep his name out of the paper in non-related football news, Scott’s time could come much sooner than expected. The team sounds like they are very high on Ridley; the power back just needs to keep “doing the right things” and his time will come.
There aren’t too many names that I am necessarily down on this year, but as good as Saints running back Mark Ingram is, I am not buying all that cool-aid that is being sold. Ingram is going to be productive this season, but I am just not so sure that Pierre Thomas is done. As long as Thomas is healthy, he’ll remain an integral part of the offense as well. That’s just my thoughts on that subject and these are my takes in the backfield.
By David Ortega
Let’s just put the argument to rest, when you start at the top, you have to start with Adrian Peterson. He seems to be the consensus number one is most every league I have seen. He’s a feature back, has no serious injury concerns heading into the season, and has scored 54 touchdowns in four seasons. AP will lead the pack, but running backs Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Arian Foster, and Ray Rice are not far behind.
From there you will get into the MJD’s, LeSean McCoy’s and Peyton Hillis’ who will round out the top 20 to 25. Once we get into the third and fourth tier of running backs , the talent pool will shallow out, and that’s when you have to start doing some digging.
DEEP IN THE BACKFIELD
It’s been what seems like a very short and very quick preseason, but in the four weeks of action one running back in a crowded backfield in Washington has really caught my eye; Tim Hightower. He’s certainly not the cream of the crop, but he has been impressive thus far and in a Shanahan “run-system” he could really fare well. Hightower averaged nearly seven yards per carry facing mostly first string defenses and his versatility as a pass catcher (63 receptions in 2009) could find him spending quite of bit of time on the field. He’s not going to be a feature back, but he looks like a good call to see the lion’s share of work; at least early in the season.
Another ball carrier that has turned my head is the Bronco’s third year running back Knowshon Moreno. Now most folks figure with the arrival of John Fox, the Bronco’s offense is going to become more of a ground attack, but the addition of Willis McGahee does not necessarily mean a time-share. In Carolina Fox had two relative young backs to feed the rock, but in Denver McGahee enters his 9th season and does not figure to step into an expanded role. Moreno has been impressive this preseason and has a well balanced skill-set in the run and pass game. He may lose a few short-yardage and goal line carries to McGahee, but he still figures to see plenty of work. If he can stay healthy, he’s easily a top 15 back this season.
The Packers have the luxury of healing in the offseason, but for running back Ryan Grant that may not be enough. Last season 2nd year back James Starks stepped up and played well for the Pack in the post season and could very well figure into the team’s plans this season. From what I have read, heard, and seen I would not be surprised to see Starks starting at some point this season and more likely sooner than later.
Along with these potential diamonds in the rough, a couple of kids I would watch heavily leading into week one, Bernard Scott of the Bengals and rookie Stevan Ridley of the Patriots. Both teams don’t have a clear cut dominant runner that they will lean on heavily and both these kids could just be hungry enough to work their way into the spotlight.
If Benson can’t keep his name out of the paper in non-related football news, Scott’s time could come much sooner than expected. The team sounds like they are very high on Ridley; the power back just needs to keep “doing the right things” and his time will come.
There aren’t too many names that I am necessarily down on this year, but as good as Saints running back Mark Ingram is, I am not buying all that cool-aid that is being sold. Ingram is going to be productive this season, but I am just not so sure that Pierre Thomas is done. As long as Thomas is healthy, he’ll remain an integral part of the offense as well. That’s just my thoughts on that subject and these are my takes in the backfield.
By David Ortega
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