Fantasy Football: Bucking The Trend

[ThomasTomasz]

Fantasy football experts all say the same thing. The order of their advice might be different, and granted, some experts have different takes on players.

There is one constant from all experts of the fantasy football realm, and that is the value of running backs. Each year, fantasy gurus shove running backs down our throats, saying any successful team needs two top-tier rushers, and that they should be drafted with your first two picks, or at worst, your first three.

[myshkingfh]

Thanks - that was fun to read and you did some things I always try to do. I'll be looking forward to following your season!

[ThomasTomasz]

Thanks - that was fun to read and you did some things I always try to do. I'll be looking forward to following your season!

Thanks for the comments. I actually tried a different writing style this time, more like how Tony Kornheiser has wrote, adding in italics with "alter ego" comments.

I'll be going weekly for the season, and will be including a section on this team in that column, so be sure to check it out.

[Blackmallard]

I had your article in mind as I went to my live draft........and I wound up taking Portis and Caddy in rounds one and two anyway. I felt like they were both steals, I got Portis at 7 and Caddy at 18 in a twelve man league and there was a big dropoff in RB quality left after I nabbed Caddy.

[DWalker24]

Loved it, now I'm going undefeated and winnin it all!

[StevenSD]

Something I have to say, if I have a choice between LT and Steve Smith, I'm going with LT. To me consistency proves over last years stats. I go with consistent players, granted I'm going into like my third fantasy league, I've made the finals twice with this strategy.

[Wolverine]

Thomas i've been trying to say that RBs are not as important as people make them out to be. The only reason people put such a premium on them is because really there are only 32 of them that start, and not all of them have the position all to themselves. As you proved you can get decent RBs in the 4th round, even if you have the #1 pick..

I think the thing that needs to be taken from your article, is not to take Peyton Manning instead of LT, but if you are in the first few rounds. And your trying to build a ballanced team, take a Chad Johnson in the 2nd round, because you can probably get a Frank Gore or a Reuben Droughns in the 4th-5th.

[Blackmallard]

I'm just curious, who did you start in week one, and did you pick guys up off waivers to replace Davis and Vanderjact, or do some trading?

[Wolverine]

I've got something to support this..

I dominated this week.. with LaMont Jordan still needing to play tonight, it's safe to say I won the game.

And its not at all because of my Running Backs.

Willie Parker had a fine week, 12 points. But Shaun Alexander laid an egg. 3 points.

It was the Quarterback and Receiver that drove my team.. McNabb 28, Fitzgerald 14, Burress 12. A good defensive performance, and not to mention Super Wilkins.

No thanks to you Shaun!

[YoHoChecko]

I had a couple leagues where I went WR-WR early and then grabbed boom or bust RBs for a few rounds in a row, figuring I needed only 2 booms to have success. Guys like Ahman Green, Fred Taylor, Frank Gore and Mike Bell... based on week one, it looks like those moves could serve me well.

[Blackmallard]

I dominated this week.. with LaMont Jordan still needing to play tonight, it's safe to say I won the game.

Hehe, I had Jordan in one of my leagues also as the last guy to play for either team and was hoping he'd erase my deficit.

The worst part is that Gore is my third back, so he put up 18.5 points to Jordan's -1. I didn't look at everyone else, but I'm fairly certain that move is going to win me the Oops award for week one.:o (its given to the player who made the worst start/sit call)

[Wolverine]

Hehe, I had Jordan in one of my leagues also as the last guy to play for either team and was hoping he'd erase my deficit.

The worst part is that Gore is my third back, so he put up 18.5 points to Jordan's -1. I didn't look at everyone else, but I'm fairly certain that move is going to win me the Oops award for week one.:o (its given to the player who made the worst start/sit call)


Yeah.. Gore is my third back too. But I don't think you can say that was a bad call. Lamont Jordan was highly ranked, who knew gore would put up an absolute monster game like that?

Not like I woulda started Gore over Shaun Alexander. So hey. Im just glad it didn't cost me.

[Blackmallard]

Yeah.. Gore is my third back too. But I don't think you can say that was a bad call. Lamont Jordan was highly ranked, who knew gore would put up an absolute monster game like that?

Not like I woulda started Gore over Shaun Alexander. So hey. Im just glad it didn't cost me.

Yeah, I had no idea Gore was going for 160 and 2 TDs, you can bet I'm starting Gore over Jordan this week though after that performance by the Raiders. They have to go play in Baltimore's home opener, Nostradamus predicts that that game could be UGLY. In the meantime I expect the Rams to leave Gore room to run and go after Alex Smith the way they did Jake Plummer.

[YoHoChecko]

Guys, Jordan was a highly-ranked back, but only had just an above-average year and he was facing last year's #1 rushing defense. Gore was facing the Cardinals' defense so even if you thought of him as lower-ranked, Jordan definately doesn't waarent the status of being played regardless of the match-up... and also, it wouldn't have been surprising to see the Raiders fall behind big and have to abandon the run game... AND Art Shell has never had RBs put up big numbers.

So I definately can say it was a bad call to start Jordan over Gore d-:

[Blackmallard]

When are you going to tell us what happened Thomas? So far it looks like Taylor is your main guy at RB. Who did you manage to get in order to replace Davis?

[Blackmallard]

When are you going to tell us what happened Thomas? So far it looks like Taylor is your main guy at RB. Who did you manage to get in order to replace Davis?

[Wolverine]

I dont know about Thomas. But the backs are not carrying my team. infact they are hurting it lol

McNabb is consistently putting up 20 point games, and the WRs are making a difference. TJ's big week was huge for me last week.

I actually made a blunder in week 2 that cost me a game. Frank Gore had another good game, but i didnt realize that playing willie parker against the jags over him was a good idea. oh well. just supporting thomas' arguement