Ilov80s
Footballguy
These RBs are currently undervalued and will likely see their stock rise in the coming weeks. All numbers are based on standard scoring, and passing TD=6.
RB:
1. Chester Taylor
Taylor is averaging 13 ppg. Good enough to make him 16th among backs. He has has racked up plenty of yards, but has struggled to find the endzone. I expect that to change. The Vikings run blockers are likely to get better as the season goes on. So do Chester's matchups. According to strength of remaining schedule (based on average points given up at RB position vs. NFL average), Taylor only has 2 difficult matchups for the remainder of the year. He has 3 neutral mactchups and a spectacular 5 positive matchups. His week 15,16, and 17 are arguably the best out there as the Vikes takes on the Jets, Packers, and hosts the Rams. I expect Chester to emerge as the Lamont Jordan of 06.
2. Tatum Bell
There is always hype surrounding Tatum Bell. Some owners buy in, other owners laugh at it. There are likely Bell owners who are viewing this as a sell high situation. I will ignore all the Shanny BS that consumes threads and accept TBell as the feature back. The detractors will say: Bell is only averaging 9.5 ppg. I say: since officially taking over as the feature back, Tatum has moved his average up to 11. That includes a hard fought 9 against the Ravens. Bell's schedule softens up as he has 5 good matchups, including a cakewalk playoff run: Zona, Cinci, and San Fran. The Cards are giving up 24% over the league average to RBs. The Bengals are at a pathetic 43%. The 49ers are getting lambasted with 53% more then average!
3. Fred Taylor
4.Maurice Jones Drew
It seems crystal clear that Fred will get 20 carries a game when healthy. Its not clear what Mojo will get, but he has shown he can make the most of his touches. Fredy is averaging 11 ppg, Drew is averaging 10. This a very potent RB tandem that is getting very little credit right now. Way undervalued. This won't last long with the soft schedule Jax has down the stretch. Only 2 touch matchups. 6 cupcakes! Thats 6 safe-play matchups. Also, if either one is to get injured, we could be talking a top 5 back.
4. Julius Jones
5. MB3
Another undervalued RB tandem. JJ is putting up 13 a game and living up to his 05 hype. Barber is averaging 10. Dallas' schedule reveals Carolina in week 8 is likely the only bump in the smooth road that remains for this dyanmic duo. Again, if we see either RB miss time, then the potential exists for an explosive finish.
6. Kevin Jones
KJ is also living up to the 05 hype as he is averaging 13 ppg. KJ's playoff schedule isn't particularly good, but if you need some production over the next few weeks then KJ is a good option. Although he does have a week 8 bye, KJ faces off against the Jets, 49ers and Cards in 3 of the next 5 weeks. He is a must start against those soft run D's. He also has a neutral matchup against the Falcons sandwiched in there. If you can ride him the next few weeks, then you might have yourself a fine piece of deadline tradebait.
7. Benson
I don't think too highly of him, but with the pace the Bears are at Cedric might see a lot of playing time down the stretch. The Bears could be resting TJones for the playoffs and taking the oppurtunity to test Benson. The final 4 matchups are soft and I would not be surprised to see Benson get a combined 90 touches through those final 4 games. Don't scoff at Benson. Championships are often won by some obscure players. There is also the dreaded injury factor which looms over every RB.
Opinions? Questions?
RB:
1. Chester Taylor
Taylor is averaging 13 ppg. Good enough to make him 16th among backs. He has has racked up plenty of yards, but has struggled to find the endzone. I expect that to change. The Vikings run blockers are likely to get better as the season goes on. So do Chester's matchups. According to strength of remaining schedule (based on average points given up at RB position vs. NFL average), Taylor only has 2 difficult matchups for the remainder of the year. He has 3 neutral mactchups and a spectacular 5 positive matchups. His week 15,16, and 17 are arguably the best out there as the Vikes takes on the Jets, Packers, and hosts the Rams. I expect Chester to emerge as the Lamont Jordan of 06.
2. Tatum Bell
There is always hype surrounding Tatum Bell. Some owners buy in, other owners laugh at it. There are likely Bell owners who are viewing this as a sell high situation. I will ignore all the Shanny BS that consumes threads and accept TBell as the feature back. The detractors will say: Bell is only averaging 9.5 ppg. I say: since officially taking over as the feature back, Tatum has moved his average up to 11. That includes a hard fought 9 against the Ravens. Bell's schedule softens up as he has 5 good matchups, including a cakewalk playoff run: Zona, Cinci, and San Fran. The Cards are giving up 24% over the league average to RBs. The Bengals are at a pathetic 43%. The 49ers are getting lambasted with 53% more then average!
3. Fred Taylor
4.Maurice Jones Drew
It seems crystal clear that Fred will get 20 carries a game when healthy. Its not clear what Mojo will get, but he has shown he can make the most of his touches. Fredy is averaging 11 ppg, Drew is averaging 10. This a very potent RB tandem that is getting very little credit right now. Way undervalued. This won't last long with the soft schedule Jax has down the stretch. Only 2 touch matchups. 6 cupcakes! Thats 6 safe-play matchups. Also, if either one is to get injured, we could be talking a top 5 back.
4. Julius Jones
5. MB3
Another undervalued RB tandem. JJ is putting up 13 a game and living up to his 05 hype. Barber is averaging 10. Dallas' schedule reveals Carolina in week 8 is likely the only bump in the smooth road that remains for this dyanmic duo. Again, if we see either RB miss time, then the potential exists for an explosive finish.
6. Kevin Jones
KJ is also living up to the 05 hype as he is averaging 13 ppg. KJ's playoff schedule isn't particularly good, but if you need some production over the next few weeks then KJ is a good option. Although he does have a week 8 bye, KJ faces off against the Jets, 49ers and Cards in 3 of the next 5 weeks. He is a must start against those soft run D's. He also has a neutral matchup against the Falcons sandwiched in there. If you can ride him the next few weeks, then you might have yourself a fine piece of deadline tradebait.
7. Benson
I don't think too highly of him, but with the pace the Bears are at Cedric might see a lot of playing time down the stretch. The Bears could be resting TJones for the playoffs and taking the oppurtunity to test Benson. The final 4 matchups are soft and I would not be surprised to see Benson get a combined 90 touches through those final 4 games. Don't scoff at Benson. Championships are often won by some obscure players. There is also the dreaded injury factor which looms over every RB.
Opinions? Questions?
to Saban for letting MM, who makes Art Shell look like Lombardi, make even one play call per game.
