Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008
RBBC means less injuries
This could be unwise, but I'm going to write it anyway: Where are all the major injuries to running backs?
Oh, sorry Denver.
But seriously, usually about this time there are a number of running backs either done for the season or out for significant time. This year many teams are having no problem keeping their backs healthy (sorry, New England, I forgot about you).
Of course there's been a few dinged up guys: Willie Parker, Brian Westbrook, Willis McGahee, Steven Jackson, Reggie Bush and Joseph Addai have all missed games because of injury. But none of these guys are done and all should be up to full speed by the fantasy playoffs.
In fact, just three teams -- the Patriots (Sammy Morris), Saints (Bush) and Broncos (Andre Hall) -- will not have their main ballcarrier from Week 1 available this Sunday due to health issues, and the RB for a fourth -- the Rams (Jackson) -- is questionable.
That's shocking. That means that the No. 1 running back -- a very injury prone position -- on 28 teams in the NFL are good to go for Week 11.
The reason, I think, and cover your eyes fantasy fans, is the dreaded running-back-by-committee. (Don't pay attention to the fact that two of the teams with RB problems are Denver and New England, two teams that employ the RBBC approach very liberally). More teams are spreading their carries out and taxing their running backs less than in the past, which leads to less injuries.
Will Tatum Bell make an impact in Denver?
The Broncos' backfield has been absolutely decimated by injuries. Running backs Hall, Michael Pittman and Ryan Torain, who I just encouraged owners to pick up in my last column, are all on injured reserve. Selvin Young has been battling injuries all season and now the team brought in the luggage burglar, Bell, this week. Bell was unceremoniously run out of Detroit after one disappointing season, but the Lions are the Lions so that's hard to hold against him. The thing with Bell is he fits Denver's style. He ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2006 and would have had more had he not been in the seventh circle of running back hell, or Mike Shanahan's backfield. My advice is to pick him up. With Young still battling a groin injury, Bell's going to get every opportunity to be the man. A Bronco running back isn't what it used to be, but he could be a nice guy to have down the stretch.
What can we expect from Cowboys' Tony Romo this Sunday?
To put it lightly, the Cowboys are an emotional team. When Romo got hurt, the big fat lower lips came out and the losses began to mount. Now that the star QB's pinkie is feeling better expect the team to feel a jolt. Romo may not be 100 percent, but he's good enough to play and that should give the team the needed boost to at least put up some points Sunday night in Washington. At least for this Sunday, I'd temper my expectation for Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Roy Williams. But the guy who may benefit the most is Marion Barber. With teams having to respect the pass again, Barber could find tons of running room against the Redskins and make owners happy once again.
Is Matt Cassel good?
Serviceable is more like it. He seems to be doing just enough to win and the Patriots aren't asking too much of him. Just look at the team's two main wideouts: Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Because he's become Cassel's dump-off guy, Welker is actually on pace to eclipse last year's catch totals (117 to 112), while Moss is simply not part of the attack. Last year, Moss had 924 yards and 12 TDs after nine games. This year? Just 589 yards and four scores. Ouch. The reason is because Cassel can't stretch the field with his arm, and Moss is being used mainly as a decoy. Don't expect things to change -- sorry Moss owners.
Contact Aaron Swaney at aswaney@heraldnet.com. For more fantasy news, links and more, check out www.heraldnet.com/realitybites.
Oh, sorry Denver.
But seriously, usually about this time there are a number of running backs either done for the season or out for significant time. This year many teams are having no problem keeping their backs healthy (sorry, New England, I forgot about you).
Of course there's been a few dinged up guys: Willie Parker, Brian Westbrook, Willis McGahee, Steven Jackson, Reggie Bush and Joseph Addai have all missed games because of injury. But none of these guys are done and all should be up to full speed by the fantasy playoffs.
In fact, just three teams -- the Patriots (Sammy Morris), Saints (Bush) and Broncos (Andre Hall) -- will not have their main ballcarrier from Week 1 available this Sunday due to health issues, and the RB for a fourth -- the Rams (Jackson) -- is questionable.
That's shocking. That means that the No. 1 running back -- a very injury prone position -- on 28 teams in the NFL are good to go for Week 11.
The reason, I think, and cover your eyes fantasy fans, is the dreaded running-back-by-committee. (Don't pay attention to the fact that two of the teams with RB problems are Denver and New England, two teams that employ the RBBC approach very liberally). More teams are spreading their carries out and taxing their running backs less than in the past, which leads to less injuries.
Will Tatum Bell make an impact in Denver?
The Broncos' backfield has been absolutely decimated by injuries. Running backs Hall, Michael Pittman and Ryan Torain, who I just encouraged owners to pick up in my last column, are all on injured reserve. Selvin Young has been battling injuries all season and now the team brought in the luggage burglar, Bell, this week. Bell was unceremoniously run out of Detroit after one disappointing season, but the Lions are the Lions so that's hard to hold against him. The thing with Bell is he fits Denver's style. He ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2006 and would have had more had he not been in the seventh circle of running back hell, or Mike Shanahan's backfield. My advice is to pick him up. With Young still battling a groin injury, Bell's going to get every opportunity to be the man. A Bronco running back isn't what it used to be, but he could be a nice guy to have down the stretch.
What can we expect from Cowboys' Tony Romo this Sunday?
To put it lightly, the Cowboys are an emotional team. When Romo got hurt, the big fat lower lips came out and the losses began to mount. Now that the star QB's pinkie is feeling better expect the team to feel a jolt. Romo may not be 100 percent, but he's good enough to play and that should give the team the needed boost to at least put up some points Sunday night in Washington. At least for this Sunday, I'd temper my expectation for Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Roy Williams. But the guy who may benefit the most is Marion Barber. With teams having to respect the pass again, Barber could find tons of running room against the Redskins and make owners happy once again.
Is Matt Cassel good?
Serviceable is more like it. He seems to be doing just enough to win and the Patriots aren't asking too much of him. Just look at the team's two main wideouts: Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Because he's become Cassel's dump-off guy, Welker is actually on pace to eclipse last year's catch totals (117 to 112), while Moss is simply not part of the attack. Last year, Moss had 924 yards and 12 TDs after nine games. This year? Just 589 yards and four scores. Ouch. The reason is because Cassel can't stretch the field with his arm, and Moss is being used mainly as a decoy. Don't expect things to change -- sorry Moss owners.
Contact Aaron Swaney at aswaney@heraldnet.com. For more fantasy news, links and more, check out www.heraldnet.com/realitybites.
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