Quick hits: Toby Gerhart is looking very average while Albert Young is looking very capable. Javon Ringer is going to be a player at some point andLeGarrette Blount will be the target of every defensive player on game day - he's a liability that TEN cannot afford to have. Most are underestimating Tim Hightower. Barnard Scott could be a starting RB today!
Matt Forte' is looking very, very motivated. And he's my comeback player of the year.
My favorite running back situation is in Green Bay, where there are more moving parts than a Swiss watch. Another limb - Brandon Jackson is going to be a featured back 2011. Jackson continues to get stronger and his body language is such that he's playing confidently. His blitz pick-ups are where they need to be and his hands have always been very good. Notice I didn't say that he's be starting as a Packer in 2011. It appears as though James Starks was drafted to be Grant's eventual replacement but the coaching staff remains disappointed in Starks' inability to get on the field. Should Starks end up on IR, that would then be two missed years of competition. RB4 Quinn Porter looks to be a practice squad player but could end up as the RB3 if Starks is unable to return.
In Oakland, cheap Darren McFadden jersey continues to disappoint. For those of you that love impressive collegiate RBs, McFadden may be the perfect example for the situation when you want to trade away that #1 pick for a known NFL producer. McFadden had me fooled as well. I'm in a constant state of amazement that DMc hasn't been able to put it together in the NFL as of yet. I liked him as much as I did Peterson and thought he was a a sure thing. Instead, Michael Bushseems to have taken the lead and will likely handle a majority of the work in Oakland. Good thing for both DMc and Bush in that owner Al Davis hasn't compared either of them to Bo Jackson - the season is still young.
Bonus points to Detroit's Kevin Smith jersey for working hard to get back prior to week 1. Smith is a kid that everyone can like, but can't eclipse the raw talent ofJahvid Best. I do believe that fans and media are too quick in anointing Best as a clear RB1, but he sure looks the part. His injury history is still a concern and Smith is still a better between the tackles runner. I also believe Smith is very underrated in the passing game, just not dynamic. This is likely a 60-40 RBBC with Best getting the majority of touches.
Sorry, but I'm not on the Forsett train in SEA. Nor am I on Julius Jones orLeon Washington. This is a clear RBBC and Forsett will certainly give you a game that forces him into your lineup the following week, but he'll break your heart. Flame on if I'm wrong. SEA needs to trade Washington and Jones and bring in Marshawn Lynch to pair with Forsett in 2011.
In Jacksonville, RB2 Rashad Jennings has apparently held off intriguing camp prospect Deji Karim. I've liked Jennings from day one and believe he can be a starter in this league if he can learn how to run with a lower pad level. It doesn't help that he's running behind MJD, but he does have potential should Jones-Drew go down.
Don't look now, but owners of one Jamaal Charles may be getting nervous. Coach Haley continues to heap praise onto Thomas Jones, likely in an attempt to motivate Charles. Haley is a tough coach to read but is usually true to his comments. Jones has too much power and value to not get a significant number of carries, but Charles is far too dynamic of a play-maker to not match or exceed the touches Jones gets. In the preaseason, Charles continues to chew up big chunks of yardage, while Jones has been underwhelming. That said, Jones is the tougher runner and has the body type that Haley prefers. It's best to have both of these backs on your roster if you have one.
The Cleveland Browns jersey are steaming to a well balanced RBBC. I remain doubtful that Montario Hardesty will get enough meaningful touches to warrant a starting spot on any fantasy roster in 2010 and Jerome Harrison is too risky week in and week out. RB3 James Davis would seem to have the talent to be a starter in the NFL, but doesn't appear to have the eyes of the coaching staff. If Hardesty can stay healthy, he's a kid to keep an eye on for 2011.
In Washington, the carousel of backs continues to spin. I simply don't see howPortis doesn't end up as the RB1, but with Shanahan at the wheel, I have about as good a chance to start as does Portis, Parker, Johnson or Torain. Take your pick. Either way, I don't believe it matters.
As expected, Ahmad Bradshaw's value continues to climb as it now appears that he'll be taking over the lead back role from Brandon Jacobs. Bradshaw is a tough runner with a nose for the end zone and should get at least 15-18 carries per game. Jacobs will still garner short yardage carries but is simply too big of a target at the goal line. Look for the Giants to go with Bradshaw at the stripe unless they are up against an undersized defensive line.
The Steelers are intrigued with bigger back Isaac Redman, who is making the most of his opportunities at the expense of the underwhelming Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer hasn't been able to stay on the field, hasn't shown any urgency and may be running out of time. Dwyer won't find himself out of football any time soon, but he may be missing a great situation in PIT. Redman on the other hand has been running hard and turning heads. Don't get too excited, he''ll be 26 in early November and only short yardage carries are up for grabs.
In New England, Fred Taylor looks 29 again and is running with good power and young legs. Many have forgotten that Taylor used to be known as "Fraud Taylor," a back not without significant talent, but the inability to stay on the field due to injury. BenJarvus Green-Ellis has run hot and cold but has done enough to stick. Perennial sleeper Laurence Maroney curiously didn't see a touch during their week 2 game vs. Atlanta, leaving many to wonder whether they are simply protecting him until he can get hurt in week 1, or if perhaps he's in the doghouse. With Belichick, you never know.
It's been a while since we've had a true sleeper alert, but Kareem Huggins in TB qualifies as just that. Running onto the scene, literally, Huggins has caught the eye of everyone in Tampa and may have done enough to even land the RB2 role behind incumbent starter Cadillac Williams. At 5'9" and 198 lbs., Huggins isn't your prototypical every-down RB, but he has shown plenty of ball skills to be given another opportunity in the future. He should be rostered now! Previous RB2, Derrick Ward, may be flying the Jolly Roger no more.
In Buffalo, Marshawn Lynch jersey is now assured of being a Bill in 2010 (something that no doubt can't please him). It's not because of his stellar performance, but due to Fred Jackson's fractured hand. Lynch, himself, went down with an ankle injury, but should be returning by week one of the regular season. Jackson won't be out long but likely won't be ready once the regular season starts. C.J. Spiller gets a big boost in value as he will likely be the primary ball carrier on opening day. Unless you play in a PPR format, he's best left on your bench until we see what he can do running behind that far-from-stellar offensive line.
The biggest news of the week was in the shocking announcement from Glenn Coffee that he was retiring from football. While Coffee hadn't been lighting it up in camp, he had added weight and better focus. He'll be serving the church, has formally filed his retirement paperwork ,and will not be coming back. RB3Anthony Dixon gets an immediate upgrade. Additionally, the 9'ers have now signed Brian Westbrook to compete with Dixon. Don't be fooled by Michael Robinson or the coach speak here, Dixon is the clear #2 and has been impressive in his last two outings. I have been very impressed at his lateral mobility and vision for a back of his size. I think the odds are good that Gore doesn't finish the season healthy in 2010 and Dixon would be the primary benefactor.
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