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Fantasy Football Tip Sheet - Sep. 5
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Published: September 5, 2008
No more preview guides. No more cheat sheets. No more late hours weighing draft strategies. The drafts are over, and it's Week 1. It's time to let your team leave the nest and test its wings on this faux field we call the fantasy gridiron. Will your team sink or swim this week? Only time (and multiple televisions) will tell, but as you set your lineups for this week, keep these tips in mind.
BACKFIELD BANTER
In fantasy football, a running back's role and projected workload can be as important as his talent level. Here's a rundown of some backfield situations to remember as you choose your starters this week, as well as a look ahead to later weeks when waiver pickups become more vital to your team's success.
LEARNING TO SHARE
Here are some by-committee backfields that will see two or more backs sharing carries for the foreseeable future.
•Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, Dolphins: Williams has the upper hand at the moment regarding the starting job, but both will be given every chance to beat out the other for more touches.
•LenDale White/Chris Johnson, Titans: White rushed for more than 1,000 yards and seven scores last season, but the Titans didn't spend a first-round pick in April's draft on Johnson to keep him on the bench. Look for a thunder-and-lightning, complementary backfield from the start.
•Willie Parker/Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: Similar to the Titans' situation, Parker is the productive incumbent, but he will be challenged for touches by first-rounder Mendenhall, whose penchant for fumbling during the preseason seems to be his only drawback.
•DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart, Panthers: Williams has plenty to prove after underachieving and battling injuries throughout his young NFL career. Stewart is a dynamic rookie who will be given every opportunity to steal the starting job.
•Brandon Jacobs/Ahmad Bradshaw/Derrick Ward, Giants: Jacobs will start, but Bradshaw and Ward will see plenty of action and they would split the carries if Jacobs were to re-injure the knee he hurt last season.
HANDCUFF HAPPY
These are teams that have one back entrenched as the starter, making his backup a valuable fantasy benchwarmer and a necessity for anyone who owns the starter.
•Adrian Peterson/Chester Taylor, Vikings: Even with Peterson's incredible performance last year, Taylor still managed 1,125 total yards in 2007 (844 rushing, 281 receiving), including seven scores on the ground. With those numbers, Taylor is a decent flex play whose value would skyrocket if anything happened to Peterson.
•Brian Westbrook/Correll Buckhalter, Eagles: Westbrook touches the ball more than any player in the league, and he has held up pretty well recently for someone of his smaller size. Should Westbrook sustain an injury, Buckhalter would take over as the full-time starter.
•Clinton Portis/Ladell Betts, Redskins: Portis is the unquestioned starter, but should he have health issues (which wouldn't be out of the ordinary considering his history and high-volume workload), Betts would pick up all his touches.
•Willis McGahee/Ray Rice, Ravens: McGahee's knee problems already have surfaced this year, and it would be foolish to assume he'll play the whole year without any issues. Rice had an impressive camp and is a tough, physical runner who could excel in the starting role should McGahee suffer an injury.
•Frank Gore/DeShaun Foster, 49ers: Gore is another runner whose history of knee injuries should concern fantasy owners. While Foster has his own injury history, he's still a talented runner who would be first in line to start in Gore's place in the event of an injury.
WAIVER-WIRE WONDERS
Your draft should never be the end of your personnel activity, even heading into the first week of the season. Here are some guys who likely went undrafted in your league, who could make a splash not only in Week 1, but throughout the season.
•Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers: Morgan has been impressive during the preseason, and he might have the inside track to beat out career underachievers Bryant Johnson and Arnaz Battle for the No. 2 starting spot.
•Chris Taylor, RB, Texans: While Ahman Green will get first crack at the starting job, his age and injury history don't bode well for him holding onto the reigns. While rookie Steve Slaton is the favorite to usurp Green, Taylor is a tough runner who excels between the tackles.
•Antonio Bryant, WR, Bucs: Bryant likely will start opposite Joey Galloway this week, and he could benefit from the Saints rolling coverage in Galloway's direction. Bryant has always had the physical gifts to be a big-time playmaker, but he needs to prove he is mentally ready to be a consistent producer.
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