Fantasy Football Midseason Running Back Review 2011

There are those in the fantasy football realm that preach that running backs don’t matter anymore since the NFL is a passing league and every NFL team is using an RBBC (running back by committee approach). They are heretics! Don’t believe them. If you follow the passing prophets, you may find yourself starting Roy Helu and Ryan Grant … and getting annihilated. Passing may be the key to winning in the NFL, but not in fantasy football. Fantasy football is still a running back driven game. Running backs need to be hoarded like gold bars in this recession.

Most fantasy football leagues have hit the midseason mark, so let’s take a snapshot look at the running backs, team by team.

Arizona Cardinals

When Beanie Wells has played, he has performed admirably. Don’t count on him playing until week 8, and it may possibly take him longer to get back in the line-up. Look for Alfonso Smith to get the lion’s share of carries in Beanie’s week or 2 absence. He may be a good waiver wire add for Beanie owners as well as any team owner facing running back bye week problems the next 2 weeks. The Ravens present a troublesome run defense in week 8, but the Cardinals host the generous Rams at home in week 9.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons running game is all Michael Turner. He’s been solid this year. If you are a Turner owner, you should start thinking about adding Jason Snelling as a handcuff, just in case. The schedule is favorable for the Falcons to continue running the ball the second half of the season, especially while Matt Ryan struggles passing the ball. Jacquizz Rogers will continue to steal some carries as a change of pace option to Turner, but Turner will carry the load between the twenties and at the goal line.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens cook with Ray Rice handling the ball, on the ground and through the air. Rice is a top performer in PPR scoring leagues. Ray Rice owners should handcuff Rice with Ricky Williams who has played solidly in relief of Rice and can be considered a flex play on some rare weeks like during the fantasy playoffs in week 14 at home against the Colts.

Buffalo Bills

Fred Jackson is the main man running the rock for the Bills, and a “must start” every week. Jackson owners should own CJ Spiller as a handcuff, and Spiller’s value has recently risen as he is getting some work now at wide receiver. Spiller may now be interesting as a flex play when the match-ups are good, especially in PPR scoring leagues.

Carolina Panthers

Is there any backfield in fantasy more frustrating? Cam Newton will get the goal line carries. The Panthers have played behind a lot this season, and that has translated to a lot of passing and running yards for Newton. When the Panthers do run the ball, good luck figuring out if it will be Jonathan Stewart or DeAngelo Williams. Stay away from this backfield mess.

Chicago Bears

Matt Forte is a “must start” every week, and if the Bears offense continues to move the ball, Marian Barber may also get the starting nod as a flex since he is successfully vulturing touchdown plunges from Forte. Forte owners must certainly look at Barber as a value handcuff in the second half.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cedric Benson is having another very unspectacular, but respectable season. He is a solid RB2 in most leagues, except for week 8 this season when he will be serving a one game suspension. Bernard Scott should carry the load in his stead. Scott doesn’t have the greatest match-up in week 8 on the road against a stingy Seattle run defense, but if you are in dire need for a RB3 or flex, try Scott. Don’t be surprised if Brian Leonard gets the goal line work. After serving the suspension, Benson will carry the load again for a tough second half schedule that loosens up a bit for the fantasy playoffs.

Cleveland Browns

Yikes, what a mess! Peyton Hillis will be back when? Nobody knows for sure. Replacing him is Montario Hardesty who is proving to be a very average back. Despite that, Hillis is involved in contract negotiations, and if they turn sour, Hardesty may be the starter once Hillis returns regardless of his average ability. Lotsa’ luck if you are invested in the Browns running back situation. There is nothing to do but stash them for use in weeks 10 & 11 when favorable match-ups against the Rams & Jags present themselves.

Dallas Cowboys

Here we have another RB mess, but with a positive upside. In week 7, DeMarco Murray almost outrushed injured starter Felix Jones for the whole season. Smart Murray owners shouldn’t get too excited as the rushing yards in week 7 were compiled at the hands of the Rams. Wait and see how Murray does against a real team (although another porous run defense) as he faces the Eagles in week 8. Jones owners should stash him while he is injured and see if Murray can consistently produce. Tashard Choice owners should swap him on the waiver wire for Phillip Tanner, as Choice appears to have fallen behind Tanner on the depth chart. Tanner could be the #2 back for the Cowboys in week 8 and a possible flex play.

Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow is now the most valuable running back that Denver has, and should get the goal line plunges. Leading rusher Willis McGahee now has a broken hand that could cause him to miss significant time. That thrusts Knowshon Moreno back into the starter’s role, but don’t count on Moreno for anything better than RB3 or flex performances, especially with Tebow taking the ball at the goal line. Lance Ball may become fantasy-relevant if he outperforms Moreno when he relieves him. Keep Ball on your watch list, but don’t make any Denver RB a priority.

Detroit Lions

Will Jahvid Best play in week 8 or even at all this season? The problem is that nobody knows at the moment as Best recovers from his concussion. The Lions weren’t much of a running team with Best in the line-up, so they certainly won’t get better without him. It is likely that Best will not return until week #10 after their bye, so keep him reserved for now. In the meantime, Maurice Morris will be the unspectacular starter for now, worthy of a fantasy flex start. Keiland Williams will handle the short-yardage and goal line work and may also be worthy of a flex start for the desperate in deeper leagues.

Green Bay Packers

Ever so slowly, James Starks is claiming the #1 back role for the Pack, regardless of whether or not Ryan Grant still starts. Grant is not having a bad season, but Starks is showing a bit more of a burst and is being used as an end-of-game finisher. Starks should get more work as the season progresses while Grant slips further into the background. Rookie Alex Green is done for the season with a knee injury, so he’s no threat to steal carries. John Kuhn continues to steal touchdowns on the ground and through the air, rendering Starks and Grant less valuable. Consider Starks a RB2/RB3 for the second half of the season and Grant a desperation flex play.

Houston Texans

Although Ben Tate is the leading rusher for the Texans, Arian Foster is the undisputed main Houston running back. He has really rounded into form after his early season injury woes, but Foster owners should make sure to handcuff with Tate. Tate is a solid back in his own right, and can be used as a RB3 or flex against weaker opponents. Make sure Foster is always in your starting line-up and consider Tate when the Texans face the run-friendly Bucs in week 10. Tate’s emergence has pushed Derrick Ward back in the shadows and he should only be rostered when he’s healthy and if Foster or Tate are injured. Steve Slaton is a complete non-factor.

Indianapolis Colts

Joseph Addai has hamstring troubles which has provided the opportunity to Delone Carter to lead the Colts in rushing. Hammy injuries can linger, as they have for Addai this season, so consider Carter a RB3 or flex starter for the rest of the season while Addai recovers. Donald Brown will share carries with Carter, but should be considered no more than a flex play. The biggest problem is that the Colts are continually playing from behind, so the running game is largely ignored in favor of passing in order to score quickly.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Deji Karim appeared to have a role in the offense early in the season, but Maurice Jones-Drew put an end to that with some RB1-type play. Regardless of lack of carries, it is wise to grab Karim as a handcuff to MJD down the stretch. MJD is a “must start” RB1 every week regardless of the match-up, and the best news for MJD owners is that he has some favorable match-ups in the second half and in the fantasy playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs

It appears that Jackie Battle has emerged from week 7 as the clear #1 RB for the Chiefs, a team on the rise after a terrible start. If for some reason Battle is still available, grab him if you can. Thomas Jones is old and done. Dexter McCluster is not an every-down back. Battle proved in weeks 5 & 7 that he can grind the yards at a decent clip for the Chiefs. McCluster could be worthy of a roster spot in PPR leagues, and has some value in leagues where he is considered a wide receiver. It is always nice to have a WR in your line-up that is averaging 10 touches a game.

Miami Dolphins

Daniel Thomas has emerged as the top back in Miami, although his yards per carry have dropped every week he has played. Reggie Bush is not an every-down back and has never run effectively between the tackles. Thomas and Bush are good running backs on a very bad team that may be getting worse with Matt Moore at quarterback. The match-ups are poor until fantasy playoffs start. You may want to acquire Thomas on the cheap for use as a sneaky play during the playoffs, assuming you can afford to sit him on your bench for weeks and still make the playoffs.

Minnesota Vikings

Not much news here. Adrian Peterson is fantastic and must be in your line-up every week, regardless of match-ups. Smart Peterson owners have Toby Gerhart on their roster as a handcuff, although Peterson has proven to be very durable through his career.

New England Patriots

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the safest bet here in this muddled mess. He won’t pile up a ton of yards, but he is a reliable goal line back and should be used as a RB2. Steven Ridley shows promise, but is unreliable to use in your line-up regularly. Danny Woodhead splits a handful of carries and pass targets with Ridley, so is also unreliable to use. Muddying the waters even more is the possible reactivation of Kevin Faulk off the PUP list. Stick with BJGE and ignore the rest.

New Orleans Saints

In PPR leagues, Darren Sproles is a clear RB 1. In standard scoring formats, Sproles is still a good back to own as a RB2. Mark Ingram is the other back to own as a RB2. Pierre Thomas has faded a bit into the background and is a risky flex play. In another muddy water situation, Chris Ivory, who led the Saints in rushing last season, could possibly come off the PUP list soon. Own Sproles and Ingram, but ignore the rest.

New York Giants

Even when Brandon Jacobs was healthy, and especially since Jacobs has been injured, Ahmad Bradshaw has emerged as the lead back for the Giants. Start Bradshaw as a RB1 each week. Keep Jacobs rostered while he recovers from his injury and see if he can contribute as a RB3 or flex once he returns to the NY line-up.

New York Jets

In the last three games before their week 8 bye, Shonn Greene has established himself as a solid RB1/RB2 moving forward. Ladanian Tomlinson is nothing more than a support back, giving Greene a breather when needed. Use LT as a risky flex play if the match-up is promising like at Buffalo in week 9 after the bye.

Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden has been fantastic all season, but all Run DMC owners have been wondering if he could hold-up for a full season. The answer is “no” as he exited week 7 with a sprained foot, but with week 8 a bye week, he has a good chance to return week 9. He is a “must start” every week he’s healthy. After McFadden exited week 7’s game, Michael Bush made the most of his opportunity and put up RB1/RB2 numbers. He can reliably be used most weeks as a flex even when McFadden is healthy.

Philadelphia Eagles

This is the LeSean McCoy show and he is a solid RB1 each and every week. Ronnie Brown is the handcuff here, but he has been ineffective when he has gotten the chance to run the ball. Always start McCoy and never start Brown.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Rashard Mendenhall has simply not played like the RB1 he is supposed to be, but as a RB3 most weeks. He has delivered 1 solid game so far this season. If he is on your team, his trade value is low so you may as well hold him in the hope that the Steelers run game turns around. Isaac Redman is the clear handcuff for Mendy, but is a handcuff on a poor running team of any value? Very little, sorry.

San Diego Chargers

Just when it looked like Ryan Matthews has wrested firm control of the top running back spot for the Chargers, Mike Tolbert shows up healthy for week 7 and outplays him. You can fully expect Matthews to be the top back for the Chargers the rest of the season, but expect Tolbert to share carries and handle the goal line work. Matthews can be started as a RB2, while Tolbert is a reliable RB3. If either gets injured, Jacob Hester becomes fantasy relevant as a possible flex starter.

San Francisco 49ers

After a slow start in the first 3 games of the season, Frank Gore has just exploded all over the fantasy stat sheet the next 3 games. He is a solid RB1 to start every week. Talk of Kendall Hunter supplanting him has all but disappeared. Hunter is a solid back, and the clear Gore handcuff to own. He can even be considered as a flex play when the match-ups are promising, like to start the fantasy playoffs in week 13 against the Rams.

Seattle Seahawks

Although Marshawn Lynch is hardly a dominating rusher this year, he is the Seattle back to own, if you must own one. He was showing signs of life when he pulled up lame with back spasms right before week 7 kickoff, leaving many Lynch owners with no option but to live with a zero as a score from one of the starters. Lynch is a solid RB3, and there is no need to own a handcuff like Justin Forsett or Leon Washington.

St. Louis Rams

Steven Jackson is just good, when he’s healthy. He appears to be healthy now, and should be used as a RB1 every week. Even when the Rams are playing from behind, Jackson gets his touches. Cadillac Williams proved a reliable handcuff when Jackson was ailing early this season, but has faded into the background now that Jackson is healthy. He is still a worthwhile handcuff to Jackson.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Earnest Graham is done for the season with a torn Achilles as he filled-in admirably for an injured LeGarrette Blount. Fortunately for the Bucs, Blount should be back for week 9 after their week 8 bye, and should be used as a reliable RB2. Kregg Lumpkin will be Blount’s handcuff now that Graham is gone, but the Bucs may sign a new back.

Tennessee Titans

What’s wrong with Chris Johnson? Nobody knows for sure, but for sure he is performing like a RB3 or flex rather than the RB1 we all know him as. If he doesn’t bust loose in week 8 against the Colts, he may never this season. Javon Ringer is his handcuff, but there’s no reason to handcuff a RB3.

Washington Redskins

Just when all signs pointed to Ryan Torain bursting to fantasy prominence in weeks 6 & 7, he failed miserably. Tim Hoghtower re-emerged in week 7 only to end his season with a torn ACL. Torain and Roy Helu now have a chance against a generous Buffalo Bills defense in week 8 to grab the top RB spot for the Redskins. Of course, with Mike Shanahan is your coach, being the starting RB is a part-time job.


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