Am I Missing Something? (1 Viewer)

[thatguy]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction.

Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?

This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

 

[thatguy]

Sounds like somebody believes that the Cedric Benson train is coming thru Chitown this year...

I guess. But Benson is ranked even lower. What it seems like to me is that they are very low on the Chicago running game, and I just don't understand this. The Jets backup RB is ranked ahead of Chicago's starter and backup. I just don't get it.

 

[Marc Levin]

That is a viable question you pose - I recommend you PM David on that one.

Of course, the "going forward" thing has something to do with it - I would imagine Dodds sees Barlow winning the job outright and doing something with the Jets running game, and he sees Benson, at some point later in the year, either taking over full time for Jones or eating into his numbers enough that Jones' value erodes.

It's a viable question.

 

[thatguy]

That is a viable question you pose - I recommend you PM David on that one.Of course, the "going forward" thing has something to do with it - I would imagine Dodds sees Barlow winning the job outright and doing something with the Jets running game, and he sees Benson, at some point later in the year, either taking over full time for Jones or eating into his numbers enough that Jones' value erodes.It's a viable question.

Makes sense, Marc. Thanks for the response.I have to assume that, as you said, he sees Barlow taking over and getting the bulk of the carries, and sees the Chicago backfield becoming RBBC. This is the only scenario I can imagine that would justify the ordering of the rankings (especially with Blaylock as low as he is).

 

[Raider Nation]

That is a viable question you pose - I recommend you PM David on that one.Of course, the "going forward" thing has something to do with it - I would imagine Dodds sees Barlow winning the job outright and doing something with the Jets running game, and he sees Benson, at some point later in the year, either taking over full time for Jones or eating into his numbers enough that Jones' value erodes.It's a viable question.

Makes sense, Marc. Thanks for the response.I have to assume that, as you said, he sees Barlow taking over and getting the bulk of the carries, and sees the Chicago backfield becoming RBBC. This is the only scenario I can imagine that would justify the ordering of the rankings (especially with Blaylock as low as he is).

Either that, or it's only week 2 and nobody knows nuthin'...

 

[David Dodds]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

 

[thatguy]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

Thanks for the clarification David. That's the conclusion I came to after Marc's post. Makes sense--I still think Jones will have a few more chances to prove himself before they move to RBBC, but your reasoning is sound.Sorry if I came off as overly critical of the top 250--I consider it a valuable tool and eagerly await its arrival every Tuesday.

 

[buccosfan]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

I don't see how you can say Jones has failed to steal the job away. How many of Benson's carries last week came before midway through the 3rd quarter?I think Jones proved enough last year that he gets to keep the job for a while this year. The veterans want him to have the job and especially the defense.As for Barlow, my friend has season tickets to the Jets and has owned Barlow in FF for years. He finally cut him this year. Why? 'Because the Jets line isn't any better than the 49ers and Barlow has had years to prove what he could do. He hasn't.' Plus Barlow isn't nearly as good as Curtis Martin and Martin didn't do a whole lot last year behind that line.At least Jones has had success the past couple of years ... it's not like Barlow is LaDanian Tomlinson.

 

[cr8f]

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

I believe in that game it was so easy they got away from the running game. It looks like they will have an open competition in games from now on.

 

[jon_mx]

With the emergence of Rex Grossman as the top fantasy QB, the Bears will not run the ball this year.

 

[barndog]

With the emergence of Rex Grossman as the top fantasy QB, the Bears will not run the ball this year.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Thomas Jones isn't going to lose his job, in my opinion, because he is one of the best pass protection RB in the league. If Benson were playing half the game last weekend, Grossman would be probably be out for the year again from all the hits he would have taken. Benson will probably get worked in a little more than last year and collect garbage carries in blowout games but Jones is going to be the guy there.

 

[Raiders Fan]

Thomas Jones isn't going to lose his job, in my opinion, because he is one of the best pass protection RB in the league. If Benson were playing half the game last weekend, Grossman would be probably be out for the year again from all the hits he would have taken. Benson will probably get worked in a little more than last year and collect garbage carries in blowout games but Jones is going to be the guy there.

I agree.. Benson has yet to take it away and I don't see that happening in the near future without an injury to Jones..

 

[cybergourmet]

Thomas Jones isn't going to lose his job, in my opinion, because he is one of the best pass protection RB in the league. If Benson were playing half the game last weekend, Grossman would be probably be out for the year again from all the hits he would have taken. Benson will probably get worked in a little more than last year and collect garbage carries in blowout games but Jones is going to be the guy there.

I agree.. Benson has yet to take it away and I don't see that happening in the near future without an injury to Jones..

exactly- it's not TJ's to lose. It's Benson's to win. Until he breaks off some eye-poppers or averages some high yards-per it's a non-issue.I'd bump TJ back up. --As far as Barlow, isn't Blaylock a threat?

 

[Raider Nation]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

I don't see how you can say Jones has failed to steal the job away. How many of Benson's carries last week came before midway through the 3rd quarter?I think Jones proved enough last year that he gets to keep the job for a while this year. The veterans want him to have the job and especially the defense.As for Barlow, my friend has season tickets to the Jets and has owned Barlow in FF for years. He finally cut him this year. Why? 'Because the Jets line isn't any better than the 49ers and Barlow has had years to prove what he could do. He hasn't.' Plus Barlow isn't nearly as good as Curtis Martin and Martin didn't do a whole lot last year behind that line.

To be fair, I don't think Dodds realized that your friend just cut Barlow.

 

[Seehawk]

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

David,I understand the logic here but it appears to be based on a faulty starting premise.You start from the position that Jones needs to steal the job away, then point out that he's failed, and then proceed to the RBBC conclusion. Problem is...Jones DOESN'T have to steal the job away. He already has the job. Benson is the one who needs to steal the job away and if you think Jones' has under-performed you've also got to believe that Benson has. Untill/unless Benson begins outperforming Jones I don't see how the Bears can make a change.It's not so much that I have confidence in Jones'....its that I have a complete lack of confidence in Benson.

 

[Team Legacy]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

I don't see how you can say Jones has failed to steal the job away. How many of Benson's carries last week came before midway through the 3rd quarter?I think Jones proved enough last year that he gets to keep the job for a while this year. The veterans want him to have the job and especially the defense.As for Barlow, my friend has season tickets to the Jets and has owned Barlow in FF for years. He finally cut him this year. Why? 'Because the Jets line isn't any better than the 49ers and Barlow has had years to prove what he could do. He hasn't.' Plus Barlow isn't nearly as good as Curtis Martin and Martin didn't do a whole lot last year behind that line.

To be fair, I don't think Dodds realized that your friend just cut Barlow.

 

[imeimex]

My question about the 250 Forward is why is it so reliant on the previous week. Having been a subscriber for 3 years I have always wondered why everytime a player has big week, they see a significant raise in their standings. Shouldn't the 250 Forward be more about future success, than past success? Take Frank Gore for instance, he was a RB ranked in the 18-22 range before week 1, and jumped to around the 10 spot after week 1, and I would assume if he goes out and gets shutdown this week he would be moved down to the 18-22 range again. While I do like Gore more now than I did before the season started, I don't think players should jump so far unless you actually predict Gore to be a 10 from here on out. (Disclaimer: I did not relook up exactly where you have Gore rated this week, but I am using him as an example of a trend I have seen in the past.)

 

[Raider Nation]

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

David,I understand the logic here but it appears to be based on a faulty starting premise.

You start from the position that Jones needs to steal the job away, then point out that he's failed, and then proceed to the RBBC conclusion. Problem is...Jones DOESN'T have to steal the job away. He already has the job.

I could not be more exhausted discussing this topic, but here goes again:I think that salary plays a bigger part in who starts this year than most others do. If Jones is ripping it up, I agree that you can't keep him on the pine no matter WHAT Benson earns. But it comes into play if Jones' performance is merely average. Then, Benson will certainly get his shot to start within a game or two.

And I'm not so sure that Jones "already has the job" as much as he was the healthier of the two backs when opening day rolled around. I'm so tired of this situation, thank God I have more RB depth this year so that I don't have to count on either of them.

 

[Da Guru]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

Who do you prefer?? That is all that matters.I had Jeff Wilkins and Ackers as my kickers last week. Wilkins was ranked #30 for the week but I liked him at home. 21 points later I am glad I went with my choice.

 

[davearm]

I dunno about Barlow being better, but IMO Jones definitely deserved a downgrade this week. He didn't do much with the carries he got, and Benson got a fair chunk of action. RBBC isn't that hard to imagine IMO.

 

[AIKENS BACON]

Thomas Jones week #2 Prediction

110 yards rushing & 2 TD's

 

[buccosfan]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

I don't see how you can say Jones has failed to steal the job away. How many of Benson's carries last week came before midway through the 3rd quarter?I think Jones proved enough last year that he gets to keep the job for a while this year. The veterans want him to have the job and especially the defense.As for Barlow, my friend has season tickets to the Jets and has owned Barlow in FF for years. He finally cut him this year. Why? 'Because the Jets line isn't any better than the 49ers and Barlow has had years to prove what he could do. He hasn't.' Plus Barlow isn't nearly as good as Curtis Martin and Martin didn't do a whole lot last year behind that line.

To be fair, I don't think Dodds realized that your friend just cut Barlow.

No offense meant to Dodds, but ... my friend knows more about the Jets and more about Kevan Barlow. I'll go with his feelings on this situation.

 

[Marc Levin]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

I don't see how you can say Jones has failed to steal the job away. How many of Benson's carries last week came before midway through the 3rd quarter?I think Jones proved enough last year that he gets to keep the job for a while this year. The veterans want him to have the job and especially the defense.As for Barlow, my friend has season tickets to the Jets and has owned Barlow in FF for years. He finally cut him this year. Why? 'Because the Jets line isn't any better than the 49ers and Barlow has had years to prove what he could do. He hasn't.' Plus Barlow isn't nearly as good as Curtis Martin and Martin didn't do a whole lot last year behind that line.

To be fair, I don't think Dodds realized that your friend just cut Barlow.

 

[Marc Levin]

No offense meant to Dodds, but ... my friend knows more about the Jets and more about Kevan Barlow. I'll go with his feelings on this situation.

Double for either not getting his joke or for deliberately playing the straight man.

 

[barndog]

No offense meant to Dodds, but ... my friend knows more about the Jets and more about Kevan Barlow. I'll go with his feelings on this situation.

Double for either not getting his joke or for deliberately playing the straight man.

No offense to Levin, but ...my sister knows more about straight men. I'm gonna go with her feelings on this matter.

 

[pizzatyme]

I realize he didn't exactly light the world on fire against Green Bay (who actually has a decent run defense despite common misconception), and Benson is nipping at his heels, but why the big drop? This seems like a very drastic knee jerk reaction. Do you actually prefer Kevan Barlow to TJ? (Barlow is just one of several RBs ranked ahead of TJ that make little sense to me.) As far as I know, TJ is still RB1 in Chicago and Barlow is still RB2 in New York. Is this not right?This is a guy who finished as a top 10 RB a year ago (and Benson was "nipping at his heels" for much of last season, too). His team has one of the best defenses in football. His job security is questionable, sure, but Kevan ####### Barlow??? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

I see Barlow as the fulltime starter almost immediately. And I see the Chicago Bears going to a full-blown RBBC soon. Jones has had multiple chances (two preseason games and now week 1) to steal this job away and has failed in every attempt.

What exactly did Benson do last week to light the world on fire?IIRC he looked as bad or worse than TJ.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Just to throw my in the discussion, I mentioned how Chicago (and Denver, for that matter) like the RBBC here.

Chicago actually gives the #1 RB 20 carries or more 20 out of 32 games in the last two seasons (and 11 of 16 last year). That tells me what I need to know - TJones should do just fine this season in his current position. Lovie Smith favors a one-back offense, so I personally prefer TJones over Barlow.

But to the OP's point, if Dodds feels that Chicago is going RBBC, I completely understand why Barlow may be listed higher. This is a similar argument many use against Denver - they have a great running game, yet they usually don't have a Top 10 RB. They had two Top 25 guys last season due to the committee approach.

Good debate.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

My question about the 250 Forward is why is it so reliant on the previous week. Having been a subscriber for 3 years I have always wondered why everytime a player has big week, they see a significant raise in their standings. Shouldn't the 250 Forward be more about future success, than past success? Take Frank Gore for instance, he was a RB ranked in the 18-22 range before week 1, and jumped to around the 10 spot after week 1, and I would assume if he goes out and gets shutdown this week he would be moved down to the 18-22 range again. While I do like Gore more now than I did before the season started, I don't think players should jump so far unless you actually predict Gore to be a 10 from here on out. (Disclaimer: I did not relook up exactly where you have Gore rated this week, but I am using him as an example of a trend I have seen in the past.)

Ooh Ooh!!! I know this one! Seriously, read this:

Drinen - Predictions Based on Week 1

This doesn't explain everything, but it does explain why you should (and shouldn't) care about Week 1 as predictors of future results.

 

[bizkliz]

Thomas Jones week #2 Prediction110 yards rushing & 2 TD's

if you dont mind me asking, what leads you to predict such a good day? id like some insight only b/c im on the fence after he screwed me last week.-biz-

 

[Parkers99]

You made a very good point. I think we chalk this one up to just being wrong. The only thing that would have justified that big a drop would have been some type of injury. Even people that are debating this would trade Barlow for TJ in a heartbeat.

 

[mojorizin]

This one could go either way. Hasnt our concern been that TJ has the faith of his team, and Benson is loved by....well, Lovie?

I have seen each guy getting strung out and hit in the backfield. Looks like blocking isnt what it was last year more than Jones/Benson.