I took a crack at ranking the rookie running backs for dynasty leagues in May. I thought I'd revisit those rankings, and then set out how I'd rank them today. This looks like one of the best rookie running back classes of all-time, on the heels of an excellent '06 group. Here is how my list looked in May. Here is how I'd rank them today for dynasty leagues, with their May rank in paranthesis.

Continue reading "Rookie Running Backs Revisted " »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (31)

For one game, Darren McFadden owners thought they had the next Adrian Peterson. Then turf toe happened. Since Sept 14, has carried the ball 37 times for 131 yards in four games. He's added 73 yards receiving. That's a little less fantasy production than Fred Jackson, and a little more than Leon Washington. Turf toe has turned one of the most dynamic running back prospects of the last decade into a third-down back that only desperate fantasy owners would turn to in a bye week.

It's too early to give up on McFadden for the season. He had his two best plays in a month against the Jets: a 15-yard run and a 25-yard catch. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Oakland Tribune suggests that his toe could be getting worse, not better. Justin Fargas is clearly Oakland's lead back, at least until he gets hurt again. The Raiders schedule looks favorable down the stretch, but it's fair for McFadden owners to wonder if we are going to see the real DMac in 2008. During a season where every rookie running back from Forte to Slaton to Benjarvus looks great, the most heralded one of them all is quickly being forgotten.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

I love the name BenJarvus. If you can't decide between two names, you may as well pick both. I hope my wife is cool with naming our first kid MeweldeLance Rosenthal.

I like BenJarvus Ellis as a fantasy pickup in 12-team leagues, but he's not a must get. He's more like a guy you grab if you still have Chris Perry or Arnaz Battle rattling around on the end of your bench. My guess is that he'll lead the Patriots in carries this week, and for as long as Jordan and Sammy Morris are out. Adam Schefter says Jordan is likely out this week, and Morris is out 2-3 weeks. The Patriots can't exactly put the entire gameplan on Matt Cassell. At least I don't think they can. They found a little something with their run blocking Monday night and Green-Ellis looked competent enough. You grab him because you never know. You grab him because fantasy football is crazy.

Green-Ellis will be ranked around 30th on tomorrow's rankings. Kevin Faulk figures to split work with him almost evenly. Faulk is an equally good pickup in PPR leagues, but he doesn't have the you-never-know upside of Green-Ellis. Maybe Green-Ellis turns out to be Mike Cloud, but there's that 2% chance he's this year's Earnest Graham. I'll take the lottery ticket at the end of my bench over the steady veteran anytime.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)

1. Terrible news for Terrell Owens and Roy Williams owners: Tony Romo is out another week. Maybe two. Against a primed Bucs defense, the Dallas wide receivers turn mediocre.

2. We may remember that 41-7 Patriots win over Denver as the day the Broncos bubble burst. Boss Bailey is out for the year, Champ Bailey is out for 4-6 weeks, they lost their backup right tackle, and their backup quarterback. 9-7 could win the AFC West. How easy are the Broncos going to be to pass on now?

3. Instead of embedding my waiver video and 100K pics this week, I'm going to send you to NBC's fancy new Fantasy Fix homepage. Check it out because someone went to the trouble of making it.

4. News on Ryan Torain's recovery. He should play after the Broncos bye, but he'll only grow into a fantasy-worthy role by proving he can do it on the field. Andre Hall may have blown his last chance to make an impact.

Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Hanging Brad" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

As speculation swirls of a possible divorce between Kellen Winslow and the Browns, I couldn't help but think that another newsmaker of recent days is headed for a breakup. Larry Johnson has worn out his welcome in Kansas City; in the locker room, on the field, and apparently in the clubs.

It sounds like L.J. will be on the bench this weekend if he's not suspended by the league. My guess is we won't see him for a few weeks, but that's just irresponsible speculation.

I was asked today if I thought Johnson would even put on a Chiefs uniform again, which is a fair question. I fully expect him to be back at some point in November and fantasy owners should hang on, but the Chiefs will have to explore options next off-season to get rid of him. Unfortunately for them, his $4.55 salary in 2009 is guaranteed. That will make any trade impossible, and that's a lot of money for the Chiefs to swallow. GM Carl Peterson has made a lot of similarly costly decisions with the Hunt family's money, and he's testing their unbending loyalty. My guess is that L.J. will become another administration's problem.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

After last night's game, decided to update my waiver picks.

Running Backs

1. Cedric Benson: Starters, even crappy ones, are worth owning
2. Ahman Green
3. Fred Jackson: On Pace for nearly 1,000 total yards
4. LaMont Jordan: More likely than Green-Ellis to start for a long stretch
5. Pierre Thomas: Stecker could also get work with Deuce
6. Maurice Morris
7. Kenny Watson
8. Antonio Pittman: On his way back
9. Benjarvus Green-Ellis

Continue reading "Updated Waiver Picks" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (35)

A few random thoughts as I watch a shockingly thorough thrashing by the Patriots over their usual nemesis Denver Broncos.

1. It looked like we finally had clarity in the Patriots backfield - then Sammy Morris got hurt after racking up a career high 138 yards in the first half. Maybe Morris is back next week, maybe not. Benjarvus Green-Ellis looks like a find, but I'd still pick up LaMont Jordan over the rookie if you were looking for a possible fill-in. Jordan is hurt, but is more likely to carry the load for a stretch this season.

2. Nice fantasy night for Matt Cassel, but his usual problems with holding the ball too long are still apparent, even on his career-best night. I can't imagine ever using him in fantasy leagues except in the choicest matchups. Like this one. Also good to see Josh McDaniels scheming plays that Cassel can handle.

3. It didn't make a true difference in this game, but the return of G Stephen Neal could be a huge boost for the Patriots running game down the stretch. The Patriots figure to transition into a run-first team as the weather gets colder.

4. Jay Cutler hurt his hand at a good time - going into the bye week.

5. I doubt they get ESPN in London, but the Chargers should be smiling somewhere watching this. Its hard to imagine a defense this bad making the playoffs, much less running away from the rest of the division.

6. It might not be a bad time to trade Randy Moss. He's not going to have many two score games.

7. Great job by Wes Welker. My wife needed 18 points in a PPR league to win. He got 6 catches, 63 yards, and a hard-earned score, making the Rosenthal household a happy one this Monday. Good night.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Some waiver possibilities. The usual caveat applies: There are a million different league settings, but these players should be available in many leagues. Let me know who I missed.

Running Backs

1. Cedric Benson
2. Ahman Green
3. Fred Jackson
4. Travis Minor (Moves up if Steven Jackson is out)
5. Pierre Thomas
6. Maurice Morris

Wide Receivers

1. Kevin Curtis
2. Greg Camarillo (why is he still available)
3. Josh Morgan
4. Donnie Avery
5. Donte Stallworth
6. Mike Furrey
7. Antwaan Randle El (For this week against Detroit)
8. Malcolm Floyd
9. Javon Walker

Quarterbacks

1. Gus Frerotte
2. Chad Pennington
3. Jeff Garcia
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick
5. Dan Orlovsky
6. Shaun Hill
99. Tyler Thigpen

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Rankings have been updated. Tony Romo is ranked as if he'll start. Brad Johnson is too. You don't need me to tell you to bench them if they are not starting.

Larry Johnson is off the list, with Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith having similar value. Mewelde Moore went way up because he'll start. Sammy Morris jumped quite a bit with the news that Laurence Maroney and LaMont Jordan are doubtful. I adjusted Calvin Johnson down a bit after watching tape on Orlovsky. Vincent Jackson moved up with Chris Chambers now off the list. Brandon Jones and Sidney Rice have been added. Donte Stallworth moved up because of the banged-up Redskins. Jeremy Shockey is up and should play.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

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?

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)