Fantasy Football Player Rankings: Running Backs

Posts: 4543 · Posted: Aug 19, 2005 5:56 pm

Fantasy Football Player Rankings: Running Backs

Prior to the weekly rankings, here is the second in a series of pre-season rankings for the 2005 season. The...

Posts: 7864 · AiNoKeA Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Location: All Ova Posts: 7864

Not your best work Sir Jeff, but it's ok. Of course with RB's being my specialty, there will be disagreements. But I'll only do what I think is the top 10.

LT and Alexander going 1-2 was easy. Edge and Priest could gp either way on 3-4, but I personally would rank Priest ahead of James. Deuce at 5? I agree he is a safe pick, but I have a couple of guys I would rank ahead of Deuce. Like your next two, McGahee and K. Jones. Both of these guys are without a doubt in my mind ahead of Deuce. But now you're really reaching with D. Davis and Portis at 8, 9. Ahead of those two, I have J. Jones and Rudi Johnson. And at 10, it would be a toss up between J. Lewis and Dillon, but I personally would give the edge to Lewis. So my top 10 rounds off like this..........

1. LT
2. Alexander
3. Holmes
4. Edge
5. McGahee
6. K. Jones
7. Deuce
8. J. Jones
9. R. Johnson
10. J. Lewis

TRD -

Posts: 1419 · Posted: Aug 20, 2005 9:07 pm

I am putting deuce in the top 5 this year....I don't know why, but I always value contract year players a little higher. That and I think Deuce IS a top 5 back regardless. I like to play off of player's greed! And most of the time it pays off. I hope the same can be said for Shockey as well.

Posts: 6137 · Zen master Joined: 15 Apr 2002 Location: Tulsa Posts: 6137

Rankings updated.

There are several small tics up and down, but here are the bigger ones:

UP:

Tiki Barber, NYG -- The development of Brandon Jacobs takes some of the heavy workload off of Barber, which only makes him better; he even thinks that Jacobs can extend his career by not taking the goal line beatings.
Thomas Jones, CHI -- Benson still holding out; the longer Benson holds out, the longer Jones holds onto the starting job into the season and the more entrenched he is.
Mike Anderson, DEN -- Anderson is the starter, for now, and it's his job to lose; ran the ball five times for 39 yards against the Niners, including a 22-yard run, and caught a two-yard TD pass.
Marcel Shipp, ARI -- In his first game more than a year, Shipp had seven carries for 56 yards, including a 26-yard run, in the Cards' last game to secure the top backup role.
Ryan Moats, PHI -- Buckhalter is out for the year, so Moats gets a big boost in value; continues to impress in camp with good speed and deceptive power; against Baltimore, Moats gained 35 yards on four carries and caught a 16-yard pass.
Vernon Haynes, PIT -- Competing for time with Willie Parker as both the third-down back and as Bettis' early-season backup; carried nine times for 24 yards and had a one-yard TD run
Willie Parker, PIT -- Gaining on Haynes as the No. 2 guy going into the season; got most of the work against the Dolphins, gaining 58 yards on six carries, including a 38-yard run, and 20 yards on one reception; his speed gives the Steelers something none of the other backs do.

DOWN:

Tatum Bell, DEN -- Lost starting job, but still pusing hard; ran for 62 yards on 11 carries, including an 18-yarder, with a two-yard TD run against the Niners.
Michael Bennett, MIN -- Getting closer and closer to losing his starting job permanently; for now, he has a neck injury and will miss the season opener.
Cedric Benson, CHI -- Still holding out; with each passing day, his early-season worth is getting less and less.
Justin Fargas, OAK -- Was one of three players pointed out by Norv Turner for making questionable plays, namely, three failed blocking assignments; ran the ball 11 times for just 35 yards; bumped FB Zack Crockett ahead of Fargas.
Maurice Morris, SEA -- Kerry Carter is battling Morris for time; Morris just got one carry in the last game.
Maurice Clarett, DEN -- Might end up not making the team; he's dogging it, either because of his contract, or that he's not high on the depth charts, or has to play on special teams; whatever the reason, the Broncos aren't impressed.

Posts: 14619 · Posted: Aug 25, 2005 10:42 pm

Jeff Brown wrote:

Maurice Morris, SEA -- Kerry Carter is battling Morris for time; Morris just got one carry in the last game..

Morris always looked good to me when I have seen him play. Is this Carter guy out of no where amazing or what? If anyone knows the story please tell, because Alexander is due for a knee injury soon.

Jeff Brown wrote:

Maurice Clarett, DEN -- Might end up not making the team; he's dogging it, either because of his contract, or that he's not high on the depth charts, or has to play on special teams; whatever the reason, the Broncos aren't impressed.

Jeff I know you did not make this up, but I am not buying this for a second. I think this is a tactic. I don't see Shanahan swallowing his pride and dropping him.

Posts: 6137 · Zen master Joined: 15 Apr 2002 Location: Tulsa Posts: 6137

hessshaun wrote:

Jeff Brown wrote:

Maurice Morris, SEA -- Kerry Carter is battling Morris for time; Morris just got one carry in the last game..

Morris always looked good to me when I have seen him play. Is this Carter guy out of no where amazing or what? If anyone knows the story please tell, because Alexander is due for a knee injury soon.

I had never heard of him before this week. I went looking to find out why Morris only got one carry and it didn't seem to be (publically) that it was due to injury/precaution/week off. Just a couple of references to Carter battling for time.

I just now looked a little harder on Carter instead of Morris and found this from the Seattle Times a few days ago:

Quote:

Running back

>Number that will make the team: Five.

>On the team: Shaun Alexander, Mack Strong, Maurice Morris, Kerry Carter.

>On the bubble: Leonard Weaver, Marquis Weeks.

>Outside looking in: Dante Brown, Tony Jackson, Jesse Lumsden.

>The lowdown: Weaver is leading the competition to be Strong's backup at fullback. Carter is versatile enough to be the featured runner, a fullback and a special-teams contributor.

So I guess it's his versatility that's earning him some time.

hessshaun wrote:

Jeff Brown wrote:

Maurice Clarett, DEN -- Might end up not making the team; he's dogging it, either because of his contract, or that he's not high on the depth charts, or has to play on special teams; whatever the reason, the Broncos aren't impressed.

Jeff I know you did not make this up, but I am not buying this for a second. I think this is a tactic. I don't see Shanahan swallowing his pride and dropping him.

Nope, didn't make it up.

It does seem that it would be quite the embarrassment to make such a ballyhooed pick and then drop him. But, publically, the Broncos are either ignoring him or blasting him.

I read a long quote from Plummer where he spoke glowingly about Anderson and Bell, and I've seen some good words about Ron Dayne occasionally. Things on Griffin haven't been great, but no one seems to talk bad about him.

But I found this on a web site. They don't credit where it's from, but I would expect that it's from one of the Denver papers -- quotes from Champ Bailey and Shanahan on Clarett:

Quote:

“It is all about performance. Can he help us win games? That's all I care about. And I don't know if he can. I haven't seen enough to know. He's got to get on the field and show it. There is a wide range of feelings about him around here. Some people think he's loafing”, CB Champ Bailey said.

“If I get cut it won't be my first setback,” Clarett said, almost making it sound as if that’s his intention.

"Obviously, people get hurt, and once they miss their reps it hurts their chances of not only making the team, but getting any playing time," Shanahan said. "That's just the nature of this business. Hopefully he can get back here soon, if he does, then he's got a chance to compete. You can't compete, obviously, if you're not on the practice field."

The highlighted part is where I get that he may not make the team. Maybe it's a ploy to make him show up and work harder, but I don't think that's going to work with Clarett.

Posts: 6137 · Zen master Joined: 15 Apr 2002 Location: Tulsa Posts: 6137

Whoa, just found this on Morris from the AP:

Quote:

Holmgren added that reserve running back Maurice Morris would sit the remainder of the preseason to give a lingering hamstring problem some rest.

There ya go -- making a little more sense now.

Posts: 14619 · Posted: Aug 26, 2005 8:24 pm

Jeff Brown wrote:

Whoa, just found this on Morris from the AP:

Quote:

Holmgren added that reserve running back Maurice Morris would sit the remainder of the preseason to give a lingering hamstring problem some rest.

There ya go -- making a little more sense now.

Thanks Jeff. Yeah this should be the man if Alexander goes down. If any RB in the league is due to have an injury, Alexander is that man. He has had a pretty good run thus far. Morris is a smaller guy, but he is also faster than Shaun. If you have an extra bench spot, own Alexander, and dont know who to pick up this is the guy. Or if you see Alexander go down on Sunday, jump on him ASAP. Solid back that might start elsewhere.

Posts: 6137 · Zen master Joined: 15 Apr 2002 Location: Tulsa Posts: 6137

Rankings updated.

There are several small tics up and down, but here are the bigger ones:

UP:

Steven Jackson, STL -- Jackson continues to impress in the preseason; gained 108 yards on 14 carries, including a three-yard TD run last week.
Fred Taylor, JAX -- Looked good in limited action upon his return from his knee injury; four carries for 18 yards.
Mike Anderson, DEN -- Anderson has not only taken the starting job, he's flourishing; gained 159 yards on 13 carries with two TDs against an overmatched Colt defense.
Mewelde Moore, MIN -- Moore suffered a mildly sprained ankle, but it isn't considered serious at all -- maybe misses a couple of days of practice; still the starter for Week One; carried the ball six times for 21 yards and one catch for 11 yards in his last game before leaving with the injury.
Stephen Davis, CAR -- Returned to practice for the first time in 10 months; worked with the first team to rush his conditioning; looks fine so far.
William Green, CLE -- With Suggs out with an ankle injury and Droughns having just returned from a hamstring strain, Green is making a bid for the opening day starting job; it's not a done deal, though; ran seven times for 30 yards including a four-yard TD run while catching two passes for 5 yards against Carolina.
Ryan Moats, PHI -- Moats continues to impress and climb the list; ran eight times for 44 yards and caught two passes for 10 yards against Cincy.
Willie Parker, PIT -- With Bettis and Staley out for Week One and probably Week Two, Parker has beaten out Verron Haynes for the early starting job and is roaring up the list; he is the Steelers' leading rusher during the preseason with 112 yards on 11 carries; will continue to split carries with Haynes, though.
Ciatrick Fason, MIN -- Even though he hasn't seen a lot of time the last couple of weeks, the nick to Moore means he may get a bit more extra work during the year.

DOWN:

Jamal Lewis, BAL -- Has a bone spur in his left foot, to go with the recovery of his surgically-repaired right ankle; missed this week's game.
Michael Bennett, MIN -- Expected to miss Week One, Bennett continues his slide; Tice confirmed that Bennett will remain the starting running back when he’s able to return to action.
Tatum Bell, DEN -- Bell is flying down the list after he lost the starting job for the early games; still this high due expectations of improved playing time at mid-season.
Eric Shelton, CAR -- The coaches are excited with Shelton's play, but with Davis back, he will obviously see fewer touches.
Anthony Thomas, DAL -- The emergence of Tyson Thompson threatens the idea that Thomas will be the No. 2 RB in Dallas.

DROPPED OUT:

Charlie Garner, TB -- Garner hasn't returned to the playing field; may be put on the PUP list or possibly released.

Posts: 6137 · Zen master Joined: 15 Apr 2002 Location: Tulsa Posts: 6137

Rankings updated -- FINAL.

There are several small tics up and down, but here are the bigger ones:

UP:

Mike Anderson, DEN -- Continues stronghold on starting job.
Stephen Davis, CAR -- With the loss of Eric Shelton for the season, Davis has little threat breathing down his neck; his biggest foe -- his health.
William Green, CLE -- Green is still listed behind Reuben Droughns, and Droughns looked very good in the last preseason game; Green started, but was limited to five carries for nine yards; Green should still see a lot of work.
Willie Parker, PIT -- Verron Haynes continues to look tenative in preseason, leaving the door open for Parker in the early-season starting bid.
Vernand Morency, HOU -- Morency has taken the backup job for the Texans; has averaged well over four yards a carry in preseason.

DOWN:

Vernon Haynes, PIT -- Has looked like he's running without confidence and continues to drop.

DROPPED OUT:

Eric Shelton, CAR -- Placed on IR, out for the season with a broken foot.