A bad year for running backs? (1 Viewer)

[wickster33]

Just did a quick review of the top 20 scorers in our fantasy league. We're a modified TD league that gives 1 pt for 25 rush'rec yds, 1 pt for every 4 catches. Baltimore Def is #1, with Gore, LT, and Rudi in the next 3 spots. However, overall, there are only 4 RBs in the top 20!!! 5 QBs, 10 WR/TEs and the Bears defense get the other spots.

Last year, the top 5 scorers (by a lot) were RBs, and 8 RBs found their way into the top 20. Only 2 QBs and 9 WRs.

So, with all the disappointing rushing numbers, have we turned a page in NFL evolution? The strict rules against hitting qbs and interfering with receivers have more teams turning to the pass, while defenses have evolved to be able to keep all but the elite rbs from gaining yardage. Unless there is a correction coming up, l;ooks like you'd be better off drafting number 1 receivers and putting them in the flex position rather than running backs from most NFL teams.

 

[comfortably numb]

Just did a quick review of the top 20 scorers in our fantasy league. We're a modified TD league that gives 1 pt for 25 rush'rec yds, 1 pt for every 4 catches. Baltimore Def is #1, with Gore, LT, and Rudi in the next 3 spots. However, overall, there are only 4 RBs in the top 20!!! 5 QBs, 10 WR/TEs and the Bears defense get the other spots.Last year, the top 5 scorers (by a lot) were RBs, and 8 RBs found their way into the top 20. Only 2 QBs and 9 WRs.So, with all the disappointing rushing numbers, have we turned a page in NFL evolution? The strict rules against hitting qbs and interfering with receivers have more teams turning to the pass, while defenses have evolved to be able to keep all but the elite rbs from gaining yardage. Unless there is a correction coming up, l;ooks like you'd be better off drafting number 1 receivers and putting them in the flex position rather than running backs from most NFL teams.

I was thinking the same thing.In my top 25Here is the breakdown in my leagueQB 12RB 5WR 5D 3RB's seem to be scoring abit low this year, coupled with all the RBBC.Seem to me this year is more than normal.It may be a new trend, instead of all the RB's getting 25-30 carries they have situational backs that steal several carries each game.

 

[BigRed]

What disappointment? I have LT, Rudi, and Dunn. GB stud RBs.

 

[David Yudkin]

After two weeks . . .

Week 1 saw generally low scoring overall

Week 2 saw 5 QB go over 350 passing yards

For now, there also have been fewer rushing TD (as far as I can tell, so don't take that to the bank).

There have also been very good defenses feasting on very bad teams, and IMO that also leads to more passing.

I'm not ready to announce that RB scoing is dead and other positions have fully caught up or passed RBs.

In standard scoring leagues, there are only 5 RB in the Top 25. I suspect that that will change going forward.

 

[nygiants56]

John Madden was saying that the offenses start slowly in the first few reg. season games, while defenses are usually ready for opening day..

teams usually rest offensive veterans in preseason..

give it a week or two, things will come around!

 

[comfortably numb]

John Madden was saying that the offenses start slowly in the first few reg. season games, while defenses are usually ready for opening day..teams usually rest offensive veterans in preseason..give it a week or two, things will come around!

HOLY SH#TI found it!!!!The person who listens to John Madden.Nice to meet you, I can die in peace

 

[Todem]

It's been 2 weeks. After week 4 everything comes into order for the most part. Not every RB will live up to their respective ADP it happens every year.

 

[comfortably numb]

I agree for the most part that things will change.

But, I am starting to notice teams using 2 RB's alot more

 

[Todem]

I agree for the most part that things will change.But, I am starting to notice teams using 2 RB's alot more

That seems to be the trend, hence why LT SA and LJ are still so valuable. And that will make Ronnie Brown, Clinton Portis (when he returns), Jackson, Edge and Dunn even more valuable this year. Finding a dependable RB2 is becoming an art all of a sudden.

 

[David Yudkin]

I agree for the most part that things will change.But, I am starting to notice teams using 2 RB's alot more

That seems to be the trend, hence why LT SA and LJ are still so valuable. And that will make Ronnie Brown, Clinton Portis (when he returns), Jackson, Edge and Dunn even more valuable this year. Finding a dependable RB2 is becoming an art all of a sudden.

IMO, teams using two RB is not necessarily a bad thing. Here are teams that in a standard scoring league have used two backs with decent results.Team, ranking of the two RBsSD 2, 14NE 15, 20DEN 21, 27NO 12, 24NYG 9, 32IND 17, 22DAL 13, 29There are also some I left off that haven't been as successful yet (BAL, CHI, CAR).Fantasy wise, I think it gives owners more options than in year's past. There are more options for bye weeks, potential injuries, and flex spots. I think it makes RB management easier than harder. When there really were only 20 or so good options, you really needed two solid RBs or you could be left with very limited production. Now there are a lot more options that will give ok production instead of a major fall off like in years past.

 

[cormanman]

What disappointment? I have LT, Rudi, and Dunn. GB stud RBs.

What a great contribution to this discussion.

 

[LHUCKS]

As the RBBC takes over this could be the beginning of a trend...which is good from a FF perspective IMHO.

 

[wannabee]

I think this happens a lot. And, I suspect that teams will run more as the season goes along. Weather has some to do with it, and conservative play, also.

 

[DeCleater]

All of the defenses are healthy at the beginning of the season. As the season wears down the defenders the good RB's usually do better. look for an increase in production about mid-season.

 

[tombonneau]

I agree for the most part that things will change.But, I am starting to notice teams using 2 RB's alot more

That seems to be the trend, hence why LT SA and LJ are still so valuable. And that will make Ronnie Brown, Clinton Portis (when he returns), Jackson, Edge and Dunn even more valuable this year. Finding a dependable RB2 is becoming an art all of a sudden.

IMO, teams using two RB is not necessarily a bad thing. Here are teams that in a standard scoring league have used two backs with decent results.Team, ranking of the two RBsSD 2, 14NE 15, 20DEN 21, 27NO 12, 24NYG 9, 32IND 17, 22DAL 13, 29There are also some I left off that haven't been as successful yet (BAL, CHI, CAR).Fantasy wise, I think it gives owners more options than in year's past. There are more options for bye weeks, potential injuries, and flex spots. I think it makes RB management easier than harder. When there really were only 20 or so good options, you really needed two solid RBs or you could be left with very limited production. Now there are a lot more options that will give ok production instead of a major fall off like in years past.

This is an excellent point. I think it puts you in a great position, if you got a "stub" RB in r1, to grab a few wrs, then, if you are good about it, grab a couple of the rbbc guys in the mid-rounds. Cats like Maroney, Deuce, Barber, Rhodes-Addai could all be had in the 4-6 range (depending on your leagues), which looks pretty good if you paired LT with 2 of those guys, and then had a pair of WRs like Boldin & Wayne to go with them.IMO, the great benefit is you dont have the need to go RB-RB out of the gate, which I love.

 

[DoubleG]

...if you got a "stub" RB in r1

Stub? Do you mean short guys? I GET IT! LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY!!

Cats like Maroney, Deuce, Barber, Rhodes-Addai...

That would explain why they're so hard to tackle! Ever try to throw a cat onto it's back. Little ###### always lands on it's feet. Good luck bringing that #### down defensive playahs!

 

[LordHusker]

What disappointment? I have LT, Rudi, and Dunn. GB stud RBs.

What a great contribution to this discussion.

No shat. Why do people always think we care at ALL about their fantasy teams?

 

[nxmehta]

What disappointment? I have LT, Rudi, and Dunn. GB stud RBs.

And I'm sure that's going well for you in your TWO TEAM LEAGUE!?

 

[a_f13nd]

I agree for the most part that things will change.But, I am starting to notice teams using 2 RB's alot more

That seems to be the trend, hence why LT SA and LJ are still so valuable. And that will make Ronnie Brown, Clinton Portis (when he returns), Jackson, Edge and Dunn even more valuable this year. Finding a dependable RB2 is becoming an art all of a sudden.

IMO, teams using two RB is not necessarily a bad thing. Here are teams that in a standard scoring league have used two backs with decent results.Team, ranking of the two RBsSD 2, 14NE 15, 20DEN 21, 27NO 12, 24NYG 9, 32IND 17, 22DAL 13, 29There are also some I left off that haven't been as successful yet (BAL, CHI, CAR).Fantasy wise, I think it gives owners more options than in year's past. There are more options for bye weeks, potential injuries, and flex spots. I think it makes RB management easier than harder. When there really were only 20 or so good options, you really needed two solid RBs or you could be left with very limited production. Now there are a lot more options that will give ok production instead of a major fall off like in years past.

This is an excellent point. I think it puts you in a great position, if you got a "stub" RB in r1, to grab a few wrs, then, if you are good about it, grab a couple of the rbbc guys in the mid-rounds. Cats like Maroney, Deuce, Barber, Rhodes-Addai could all be had in the 4-6 range (depending on your leagues), which looks pretty good if you paired LT with 2 of those guys, and then had a pair of WRs like Boldin & Wayne to go with them.IMO, the great benefit is you dont have the need to go RB-RB out of the gate, which I love.

No question having one running back who is as good as two will make it easier for you to go after studs at other positions. But that makes draft position even more important than ever beyond those first picks.I can see how it opens up some for the RB2 slot, but you aren't saying not to go after an RB for a few rounds just because there will be good-not great-options later.It does make the 3 RB in 3 rounds strategy quite ineffective, though maybe we've known that for some time.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

The stud RBs almost always shine through in the 2nd half of the season.

Don't get discouraged by some slow starts.

 

[fornov]

No question having one running back who is as good as two will make it easier for you to go after studs at other positions. But that makes draft position even more important than ever beyond those first picks.I can see how it opens up some for the RB2 slot, but you aren't saying not to go after an RB for a few rounds just because there will be good-not great-options later.It does make the 3 RB in 3 rounds strategy quite ineffective, though maybe we've known that for some time.

This is also why an auction is a much fairer way of distributing players than a draft. If you want a top 3 guy, you have to pay for it, not just get lucky by having one of the top draft picks. Your team is then handcuffed to the point that you'll have the equivalent of a bunch of 4th-6th round picks. The teams who didn't go after these guys don't get a top of the line RB, but they will be well-stocked with players who would have been drafted in the 2nd-4th rounds.Talent becomes a lot more evenly distributed, and the skill/strategy is emphasized much more.

 

[cormanman]

IMO, draft position was critical this year, more than any in recent memory. Getting a top pick was HUGE.

 

[zoonation]

LJ will be making a quick leap into the top 25 after the bye week. I believe it is SF and Ari that he plays.

 

[a_f13nd]

LJ will be making a quick leap into the top 25 after the bye week. I believe it is SF and Ari that he plays.

Any word on if Green will be back any time in the vague future. Though I guess any professional football player should be able to have his way with those defenses...

 

[BassNBrew]

4 in our top 30...

1. 1. Ravens, Baltimore BAL Def 71.0 37.0 34.0 Huntersville SteelHeads 7 2. 2. McNabb, Donovan PHI QB 69.0 35.0 34.0 Huntersville SteelHeads 9 3. 3. Grossman, Rex CHI QB 57.5 16.5 41.0 Damn Yankees 7 4. 4. Manning, Eli NYG QB 55.0 16.0 39.0 Mazamaniac 4 5. 5. Pennington, Chad NYJ QB 53.0 21.0 32.0 Red Wings (P) 9 6. 6. Manning, Peyton IND QB 51.0 12.0 39.0 Red Wings 6 7. 7. Gore, Frank SFO RB 45.0 26.0 19.0 Mazamaniac 7 8. 8. Bears, Chicago CHI Def 44.0 21.0 23.0 Mazamaniac 7 9. 9. Stallworth, Donte' PHI WR 42.5 25.0 17.5 Huntersville SteelHeads (P) 9 10. 10. Tomlinson, Ladainian SDC RB 41.0 17.5 23.5 Silver Bullets 3 11. 11. Warner, Kurt ARI QB 41.0 27.0 14.0 Yankeegrey 9 12. 12. Vick, Michael ATL QB 40.0 17.0 23.0 Damn Yankees 5 13. 13. Chargers, San Diego SDC Def 39.0 25.0 14.0 The Wakkos 3 14. 14. Coles, Laveranues NYJ WR 39.0 16.0 23.0 Behind the 8 Ball (Q) 9 15. 15. Johnson, Rudi CIN RB 38.5 15.5 23.0 Huntersville SteelHeads 5 16. 16. Toomer, Amani NYG WR 38.5 4.5 34.0 Shameless Hussies 4 17. 17. Westbrook, Brian PHI RB 38.5 22.0 16.5 Shameless Hussies (Q) 9 18. 18. Wilkins, Jeff STL PK 38.0 26.0 12.0 Behind the 8 Ball 7 19. 19. Burress, Plaxico NYG WR 37.0 17.0 20.0 Shameless Hussies 4 20. 20. Bills, Buffalo BUF Def 36.0 17.0 19.0 Mazamaniac 8 21. 21. Cotchery, Jerricho NYJ WR 36.0 13.0 23.0 Damn Yankees 9 22. 22. Falcons, Atlanta ATL Def 36.0 19.0 17.0 Yankeegrey 5 23. 23. Carr, David HOU QB 35.0 13.0 22.0 Free Agent - Add 5 24. 24. Jaguars, Jacksonville JAC Def 35.0 13.0 22.0 The Wakkos 6 25. 25. Berrian, Bernard CHI WR 34.0 14.5 19.5 Free Agent - Add 7 26. 26. Bryant, Antonio SFO WR 34.0 10.0 24.0 Behind the 8 Ball 7 27. 27. Seahawks, Seattle SEA Def 34.0 16.0 18.0 Silver Bullets 5 28. 28. Smith, Alex SFO QB 33.0 17.0 16.0 Mazamaniac 7 29. 29. Vinatieri, Adam IND PK 33.0 17.0 16.0 Shameless Hussies (Q) 6 30. 30. Bengals, Cincinnati CIN Def 32.0 20.0 12.0 Bubbleheads

 

[thatguy]

RBBC really does seem to be changing the face of fantasy football. I think instead of going balls out with RBs early, we will see a shift to grab a stud RB in the first round, grab stud WRs, or a stud QB, in rounds 2 and 3 (and even 4), then start gobbling up the RBBC guys (the Bells, the NE backs, the Chicago backs, etc.), stud backups (Turner, Jacobs, etc.), and guys like Fred Taylor and Jamal Lewis.

Also makes it more worthwhile to take an early round flier on a guy like Chester or Gore, who you know will get the lions share of his team's carries. Those who did that did that this season are certainly pleased.

I know this is similar to what others have already posted, but it's something I've been discussing with fellow fantasy footballers for a while, so just my two cents. As Yudkin said, it really is not a bad thing, especially if some of your leaguemates are behind the curve and stick to the grab RBs early and often strategy.

 

[None_More_Black]

RBBC really does seem to be changing the face of fantasy football. I think instead of going balls out with RBs early, we will see a shift to grab a stud RB in the first round, grab stud WRs, or a stud QB, in rounds 2 and 3 (and even 4), then start gobbling up the RBBC guys (the Bells, the NE backs, the Chicago backs, etc.), stud backups (Turner, Jacobs, etc.), and guys like Fred Taylor and Jamal Lewis. Also makes it more worthwhile to take an early round flier on a guy like Chester or Gore, who you know will get the lions share of his team's carries. Those who did that did that this season are certainly pleased.I know this is similar to what others have already posted, but it's something I've been discussing with fellow fantasy footballers for a while, so just my two cents. As Yudkin said, it really is not a bad thing, especially if some of your leaguemates are behind the curve and stick to the grab RBs early and often strategy.

Agreed. I kind of like the trend (although I don't like that a top three draft spot got such a huge advantage). You are free to draft the best player available instead of having to go rb-rb.) More rbbc means more rbs available. I have maroney and Addia and feel comfortable with them as decent rb3 options with depth. I was able to draft three good wrs in the first four rounds. If some qbs can distance themselves from the pack, a 10 team league with start three wr and six point passing will make for some interesting draft strategy next year.

 

[delusional]

Top 20 in pts in my league

1pt 10yd rush recieving

1pt 20yd pass

6pt TDs

1 McNabb

2 Eli

3 Peyton

4 Grossman

5 Pennington

6 Vick

7 Warner

8 Carr

9 Gore

10 LT

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Top 20 in pts in my league1pt 10yd rush recieving1pt 20yd pass6pt TDs1 McNabb2 Eli3 Peyton4 Grossman5 Pennington6 Vick7 Warner8 Carr 9 Gore10 LT

Yuck to 6 pt passing TD's.

 

[wickster33]

No problem with 6 pt passing TDS. You still only get to start 1 QB. Value is always in separation.

There is no question that RBBC has certainly changed the ff game, but thats not the only new trend. Caddy, KJ, Lamont, Droughns are getting all of their teams' carries. They've just been overmatched by the defenses. It would be interesting to do an analysis on the run/pass percentage over the past 5 years. Third and 2 seems like a passing down for most NFL teams, and the restrictive rules about bumps encourage teams to take deep shots more often. I don't even think they're looking for the reception as much as for the pass interference penalty. Is it now easier to pass for 2 yards than run for them against NFL defenses?

With the exception of rbs who are guaranteed 25 touches a game, I think you are better off grabbing number one receivers who are guaranteed at least 10 targets a game.

 

[bjabrad]

Good Topic.

RBBC has been getting bigger each year for at least 5 years now (as long as I've played FF). Much of he reasoning has got to be that RB's get injured frequently but I also wonder if it's another way to keep the costs down by reducing playing time to players that would be appear to be superstars if they got 100% of a teams carries. Remember when KC drafted LJ when Preist Holmes was the best in the league or BUF drafting Willis McGahee on top of a very good performing Travis Henry? It happens all the time and it's not just in football, you see specialization happening in baseball with starters, middle relief, middle relief and closer, closer.

 

[wannabee]

I think this RBBC talk will change some when the injuries start setting in. Some of the situations we see now as RBBC (Indy, Carolina, Chicago, etc) will change if/when one of the RBBC RBs is injured. On the converse, we will see some additional RBBCs when RBs are injured that get the vast majority of the carries (Droughns, Leiws, CTaylor, FTayor, etc).

 

[Assani Fisher]

2 weeks is way too small of a sample size here