Consistency kudos
All we really want in our fantasy football heroes is a little consistency: 100 yards per week, plus a touchdown. Is that too much to ask for? Nearly everyone falls short of this ideal, of course, but two players who have come close are Clinton Portis and Steve Smith.
Smith is the anti-Chad Johnson. His value before the season got knocked because of his off-season, but he's picked up right where he left off with Jake Delhomme. Smith is averaging 94 yards-per-game, and hasn't fallen below 96 in the last three. The touchdowns will come, but the consistency is why Smith is a top-five receiver moving forward.
I was coming up with a list of players I'd trade LaDainian Tomlinson for with a co-worker. Would Clinton Portis be on your list? He's currently the number one standard fantasy back, but you don't get his old stats when you trade for him. He leads the NFL in rushes and rushing yards. He's scored six times. About the only negative thing about Portis is that he's suddenly not catching passes and he's on pace for almost 362 carries. That may catch up to him, but perhaps not until next year.
Portis has been a model of consistency, with at least 21 carries in every game. The worst fantasy day he's had since a quiet Week 1 was a 135 total yard effort in in Week 4. So will Portis maintain his spot atop the charts? My guess is no, but who do you think passes him?
Comments
To answer your questions, I would trade Portis straight up to get LT, and in my PPR league Portis is the #5 back (behind Barber, Bush, Gore, Forte).
Speaking of "Smith Smith", I was offered Chris Johnson and T.O. for Forte and Steve Smith, and was mighty tempted to take it, but ultimately turned it down in part because of the man-crush I have on Smith.
Posted by: GP | October 17, 2008 12:58 PM
I traded LT and Bobby Engram for M. Colston, Willie Parker and K Curtis. (have M Moore also)
Posted by: Scott L. | October 17, 2008 01:26 PM
You were very smart to turn it down - fair offer - but you were getting the lesser RB and lesser WR in the deal. Especially if it is PPR - no way do you deal Forte. he can run for 40 yards and still get a 20!
Posted by: Scott L | October 17, 2008 01:28 PM
Hey Scott L,
Thanks for backing the notion of turning down a Forte trade. Gregg has made me itchy to move the guy, but he does nothing but produce.
Lay off Forte, Gregg. I think you're just jealous he's not on more of your teams. And I'm not a Bears homer.
Posted by: Forteification | October 17, 2008 01:52 PM
Im a Forte homer - Tulane alum and he's the key part of my two main teams - dynasty and office league. I wouldnt trade him in a dynasty and less likely in a PPR, but I don't think his value will get higher than it is today. In standard leagues, its a good time to move him.
As for the offers above GP - that wasnt a good offer regardless so I wouldn't have made that trade. Forte and Johnson are close, and I'd rather have Smith.
Posted by: Gregg | October 17, 2008 06:50 PM
standard league i got lt2 for forte and r moss. i need a wr3 though, because i don't trust edwards. what kind of receiver could i expect to get if I offerred up favre rothy or schaub? id assume keep schaub as he might be the best and have the lowest trade value.
Posted by: Mike Spranger | October 17, 2008 08:30 PM