Michael Turner vs. Jamal Lewis
Another great job with the Grant vs. Barber debate. With some precincts still hanging, Grant holds a one vote lead. Let's stick with running backs, moving into the RB2 territory.
Fantasy owners have been waiting for Michael Turner to become a primary back for years; then he got stuck in Atlanta. He's good, but he's never topped 100 carries before and he's going to have to carry a bad offense. Lewis turned around a severe decline last year, and he certainly plays on a great offense. But the schedule gets harder this year and he will be ranked higher than any back with more than 2,000 career carries except LT2. So let me know your pick: Do you hope for one more good year from Lewis or chase the upside of Turner?
Comments
I don't think this is even close. I think this is Lewis by a very long shot. He came back strong last year and there is no reason to think he won't again this year, Turner on the other hand is an unknown. I think lewis is a good ways in front of Turner.
Posted by: J | May 6, 2008 04:56 PM
I agree with J and I think we will see an overwhelming vote for Jamal Lewis over Michael Turner in this debate.
Usually in a tie I go with the upside, which would be Michael Turner in this case, but that's if I had them ranked as a tie.
I'd expect Lewis to duplicate his 2007 season and those numbers of 1300 yards and 11 TD's would be the tip top projection of Michael Turner if everything went right in Atlanta. And with a rookie head coach, rookie QB, and a suspect O-Line, those are big IFS.
Posted by: endzoneview | May 6, 2008 05:09 PM
I like the upside of Turner over the looming career-ending injury of Lewis.
Keep hating on Turner, though. I'll be able to grab him anywhere I want in round 3.
Posted by: KB | May 6, 2008 05:17 PM
This year, Lewis should be better, but he will decline. Turner will be solid, but the offense will limit him.
Next year is when Turner should make his big turn around imo and obviously in keeper or dynasty leagues Turner is the better pick.
Lewis is on the good side of the top 15, Turner on the other side this year.
Posted by: Matt | May 6, 2008 05:20 PM
I will have to go with Turner, I think he will surprise some people. I will also greatly enjoy grabbing him in the 3rd round.
Browns are in for a downfall this year. I don't trust them.
Posted by: Scott | May 6, 2008 05:30 PM
Didn't like 4 of Lewis' 11 TD's come in a game when he only had like 40 yards? His "comeback" season was a mirage. I think Lewis has had so many more carries in his career that the risk of injury is way too high. Norwood's presence still scares me a little bit with Turner, but Lewis is a Lis Franc injury waiting to happen.
Posted by: John | May 6, 2008 05:58 PM
I love the potential for Turner, but then again I loved the potential for LaMont Jordan too, coming out of New York.
Overall, I've learned that it's best to trust what you know, and I know Jamal Lewis is still young (despite his high carry count). I'll taken a proven RB (even one good year as a starter after a slump is better than a big question mark) over a RB who may have his entire upside related to the fact that defenses took a breather when LT2 wasn't in the game.
And on the subject of high amount of carries, Jamal Lewis will be ranked higher than the rest of the backs over 2000 carries like Greg stated, however the rest of the backs with 2000 carriers are also much older than Lewis. Age causes decline, and maybe a heavy carry season can cause the following season to decline, but Lewis really didn't get a TON of touches last year.
Posted by: Lawrence M | May 6, 2008 05:58 PM