Claim or Defame? RB Edition (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

It's time for a little fantasy exercise I'm calling CLAIM or DEFAME.

Two weeks into the season and some fantasy owners are pulling their hair out over the disappointing performance of some of their draft choices. This happens each and every year, but the trick is to figure out which early season duds are going to bounce back and become studs versus those who simply are going to fall well short of preseason expectations.

* If a player got off to a rough start but still looks likely to bounce back...you want to CLAIM him via some savvy trade talks with your league mates.

* If a player struggled early and no longer looks viable as a fantasy starter...you want to DEFAME him but not before you offload his services to an unsuspecting league owner who foolishly holds out hope said player will rebound.

Running Back Edition

The following fantasy RBs are currently well short of their preseason rankings and ADP. Which, if any, do you think are worth CLAIMING?

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24)

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31)

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32)

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35)

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36)

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39)

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40)

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45)

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48)

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51)

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56)

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)

 

[Blackjacks]

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24)

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32)

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40)

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45)

 

[Sam Quentin]

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) * Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) * Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) * Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) * Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)

 

[awesomeness]

It's time for a little fantasy exercise I'm calling CLAIM or DEFAME.

Two weeks into the season and some fantasy owners are pulling their hair out over the disappointing performance of some of their draft choices. This happens each and every year, but the trick is to figure out which early season duds are going to bounce back and become studs versus those who simply are going to fall well short of preseason expectations.

* If a player got off to a rough start but still looks likely to bounce back...you want to CLAIM him via some savvy trade talks with your league mates.

* If a player struggled early and no longer looks viable as a fantasy starter...you want to DEFAME him but not before you offload his services to an unsuspecting league owner who foolishly holds out hope said player will rebound.

Running Back Edition

The following fantasy RBs are currently well short of their preseason rankings and ADP. Which, if any, do you think are worth CLAIMING?

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) CLAIM (if owner wont sell, wait until week after week 8).

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) meh

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) CLAIM

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) DEFAME (rid of him if you got him)

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) meh

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) meh

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) CLAIM (get him while you can..)

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) CLAIM (get him while you can..)

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) DEFAME

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) DEFAME (i love the guy tho)

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) DEFAME (possible claim for later in the year)

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62) CLAIM (should come cheap, will be invaluable for when ADP goes down

 

[BobbyLayne]

Beyond the alliteration, CLAIM or DEFAME is illogical. But I'll play along.

When investing, if the fundamentals haven't changed, and the story hasn't changed, then hold or buy more.

So which RBs have unchanged fundamental elements, and nothing in the story has changed from preseason that would alter the original opinion.

Hold/CLAIM - always believed in these guys and still do

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) - great down the stretch, centerpiece of offense

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) - 7 awesome years and counting

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) - TD monster

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) - no competition, good o-line, lots of offensive weapons

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) - the Indy back is a lock for 1,000 and 12-15 TDs

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62) - instant stud if ADP is ever hurt, should still contribute regardless

Sell/DEFAME - never believed in these guys or the story changed

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) - on the downhill side, rookie will get the GL carries and maybe more

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) - not for another year after that kind of surgery

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) - did a lot with his opportunity last year, but overvalued, 1/2 season proves nothing

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) - bad line bad QB bad team lots of mileage YIKES no thanks

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) - nice he finally got his pro bowl last year, reduced role seems likely in MJDs 3rd season

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) - made of glass, doesn't fit the Smith/Dillon mold, will never be a 300 carry stud

Gimme a break...two weeks proves nothing. That said, I don't see any changes in the story that would make me switch on any of these guys, CLAIM or DEFAME. So far they are exactly what I thought they were, or they're off to a slow start - in the case of the latter, its a normal ebb, it will all even out over the course of the season.

FOR EXAMPLE - LT2 has 152 total yards and 0 TDs. Last year after 2 games he had 134 yards and 0 TDs. The toe is a concern, but how many regular season starts has he missed? Exactly...he'll be ready on Sundays whether he's 100% or not, and he'll get his IMO.

 

[Rovers]

Claim:

LT

Addai

Grant

LT and Grant have had injury issues, and that makes them worth betting a pound on a dollar for. Their team's situations haven't changed all that much from last year, and they got it done then. If healthy, CLAIM. Addai will get better when Indy's O line gets better... namely, Center J Saturday. That offense just does not work with the all pro center missing.

As for the others:

S Jackson: Fools gold. A good RB behind an awful O line that will not get any better, only worse this year, added to the fact that the Ram D is gawd awful, Bulger has to throw to play catchup, will get hurt, and things get worse from there.

Edge: This is not a Jamall Lewis second wind fairy tale, he's done. He's ridin on the rims. AZ is a passing team, and will remain so.

R Brown: Miami is at least a year away from being able to run block... Dickerson would look bad here. Add in the inevitable Pennington benching for Henning about week 7 or sooner, you have a disaster.

Jones-Drew: Will continue to be what he's been so far. 3 weeks of nothing, then a big game. No thanks.

Lewis: The only one of my "defame RB's" that might rebound, but that offense looks plain awful. So does the entire team. I see a lot of people talking about CLE being a good NFL team... I just don't see it.

LJ: KC is a mess.... check that, they didn't just puke on the plate, they are pukiong on the chef's shoes. No QB, no run D, no O line. Now, as could be expected. LJ is complaining. The Chiefs are a nightmare, and LJ is the headless horseman.

'Ol Freddie Taylor: Has a few good games left in him, but which ones? The tread is thin... and so is the ice he's walking on.

Maroney: Might see 15 carries 3 times this year... if he's lucky. Using any RB from NE has becoame as much of a crap shoot as the Denver RB's are. Then, even if Maroney has a good week, here comes Sammie Morris inside the ten....

Chester Taylor: Only worth snot if ADP goes down.

There are other RB's that are role players I'd rather have for flex-bye week guys:... Sammie Morris, Sproles, Leon Washington, Slaton, J Jones (with Morris hurt) Ward, etc... at least with these guys, one knows roughly what to expect. Nothing great, but some consistancy. Something of a changing of the guard going on with RB's this year and last.

 

[mario8723]

Beyond the alliteration, CLAIM or DEFAME is illogical. But I'll play along.When investing, if the fundamentals haven't changed, and the story hasn't changed, then hold or buy more.So which RBs have unchanged fundamental elements, and nothing in the story has changed from preseason that would alter the original opinion.Hold/CLAIM - always believed in these guys and still do* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) - great down the stretch, centerpiece of offense* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) - 7 awesome years and counting* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) - TD monster* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) - no competition, good o-line, lots of offensive weapons* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) - the Indy back is a lock for 1,000 and 12-15 TDs* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62) - instant stud if ADP is ever hurt, should still contribute regardlessSell/DEFAME - never believed in these guys or the story changed* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) - on the downhill side, rookie will get the GL carries and maybe more* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) - not for another year after that kind of surgery* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) - did a lot with his opportunity last year, but overvalued, 1/2 season proves nothing* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) - bad line bad QB bad team lots of mileage YIKES no thanks* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) - nice he finally got his pro bowl last year, reduced role seems likely in MJDs 3rd season* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) - made of glass, doesn't fit the Smith/Dillon mold, will never be a 300 carry studGimme a break...two weeks proves nothing. That said, I don't see any changes in the story that would make me switch on any of these guys, CLAIM or DEFAME. So far they are exactly what I thought they were, or they're off to a slow start - in the case of the latter, its a normal ebb, it will all even out over the course of the season.FOR EXAMPLE - LT2 has 152 total yards and 0 TDs. Last year after 2 games he had 134 yards and 0 TDs. The toe is a concern, but how many regular season starts has he missed? Exactly...he'll be ready on Sundays whether he's 100% or not, and he'll get his IMO.

While I agree with the Warren Buffet logic, I will disagree on MJD. The fundamentals in this case HAVE changed, in that his entire offensive line is hurt. I really don't see how he is going to score many TD's with the Jags in their current state. I own MJD, and am seriously contemplating cutting bait before it's too late. I don't see how he bounces back when he is running behind 2nd and 3rd stringers.

 

[Bri]

The Rams look terrible.

A big reason I think I won this week is because I sat Steven Jackson. I've watched him both weeks and Carson Palmer. I tell ya they are the same great players but wow does the team around them mess it up. Each are part of two of the most disorganized offenses I've ever seen. To put it in perspective, the Bengals are now saying how it's like week 3 of training camp since TJ and Ocho missed so much time this summer. No it's not. What I wanted was Marvin saying "no it's not!" and getting on them since so many guys took off the voluntary workouts etc. Instead he's singing the same tune. By the time they realize the games count, it'll be at a point where they have to win every game to make the playoffs. Well sorry back to Jackon, I would believe you if you told me there's no specific play call but instead "run right". It is entirely possible, even likely, that two Rams OL block the same DL and ignore another. There is often a hole right near where Jackson is running, but not where he's running.

The worst OL play I ever saw was when Tim Couch was with the Browns and they were not starting out, but maybe 2nd year or 3rd year and when Bledsoe was young and threw like 600 passes or somesuch. I warn you guys that the Bengals line and Rams line is right on par with those 2.

If you think it's reasonable in FF to fear for some players safety behind a line setting them up to take a big hit time and again- Bulger, Carson, Perry, and Jackson are locks to get hurt.

It's late and I've had a long day and may be exaggerating some...maybe not, well anyway those lines are real bad but the players look OK. I'm waiting figuring they either improve by signing some High School linemen who understand blocking assignments or they get it together.

 

[Bri]

The Rams look terrible.A big reason I think I won this week is because I sat Steven Jackson. I've watched him both weeks and Carson Palmer. I tell ya they are the same great players but wow does the team around them mess it up. Each are part of two of the most disorganized offenses I've ever seen. To put it in perspective, the Bengals are now saying how it's like week 3 of training camp since TJ and Ocho missed so much time this summer. No it's not. What I wanted was Marvin saying "no it's not!" and getting on them since so many guys took off the voluntary workouts etc. Instead he's singing the same tune. By the time they realize the games count, it'll be at a point where they have to win every game to make the playoffs. Well sorry back to Jackon, I would believe you if you told me there's no specific play call but instead "run right". It is entirely possible, even likely, that two Rams OL block the same DL and ignore another. There is often a hole right near where Jackson is running, but not where he's running. The worst OL play I ever saw was when Tim Couch was with the Browns and they were not starting out, but maybe 2nd year or 3rd year and when Bledsoe was young and threw like 600 passes or somesuch. I warn you guys that the Bengals line and Rams line is right on par with those 2. If you think it's reasonable in FF to fear for some players safety behind a line setting them up to take a big hit time and again- Bulger, Carson, Perry, and Jackson are locks to get hurt. It's late and I've had a long day and may be exaggerating some...maybe not, well anyway those lines are real bad but the players look OK. I'm waiting figuring they either improve by signing some High School linemen who understand blocking assignments or they get it together.

with this post I'm starting to be concerned I enjoy too many Cecil rants

 

[eBrian]

I own both MJD and Steven Jackson in one league. I benched MJD in favor of CJohnson last week and it totally paid off. FBG's cheatsheet ranking showed Steven Jackson in the top 10 amongst RBs for two straight weeks, so I really can't not start him, although I probably would've rolled the dice with Slaton if it weren't for the hurricane.

In terms of Claim and Defame between these two guys I like to hope Jackson will still get the yards and maybe not the TDs. There's too much talent on STL for them to continue to fail the way they have -- they haven't even reached the redzone yet. That's bound to change. But I think it's reasonable to say you've got to temper your expectations with him. He's not going to be the top 5 RB you drafted but there's an outside chance he could still be top 10. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

For MJD, like most people say the O-Line is what it's all about. It's not like it's going to get any better. I've been shopping Drew for a week -- the hard part is tricking someone to take him. No one in my league has any interest whatsoever -- and I can't blame them.

 

[kwille]

CLAIM* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36)

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40)

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45)

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)

 

[tomarken]

CLAIM

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24)

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32)

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35)

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36)

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40)

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45)

It's too early to do anything rash with SJax, Tomlinson, and Addai IMO. They were top-5 picks for a reason.

Brown is underrated IMO and he'll be productive. MJD will get his - don't forget how poorly he started last year. I'm on the fence about Grant, but it looks like that offense is clicking so when Grant is healthy he should be solid.

--------

DEFAME

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31)

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39)

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48)

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51)

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56)

Edge and Taylor have too much wear at this point IMO, I think it's all downhill from here. Lewis and LJ are stuck on sputtering offenses that probably won't give them enough opportunities to live up to their ADP. Maroney has shown flashes of talent, but at this point I'm convinced he won't ever be a worthy RB as long as he's stuck in NE.

--------

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)

I put Taylor in a separate category, because as long as ADP is healthy and productive (so basically, as long as ADP is healthy) Taylor's value is limited. But if anything happened to Peterson, Taylor's stock would skyrocket. I own Peterson in two different leagues, and I have Chester as a backup in both of them. I don't own Chester in any of my other leagues. I think his claim/defame status depends on how you feel about Peterson the rest of the year.

Basically if you own Peterson you have to buy/hold Taylor. If you don't own Peterson, but you have roster room, it's probably not a bad idea to stash Taylor. If you don't own Peterson and you have shallow rosters, there may be better options.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The Rams look terrible.A big reason I think I won this week is because I sat Steven Jackson. I've watched him both weeks and Carson Palmer. I tell ya they are the same great players but wow does the team around them mess it up. Each are part of two of the most disorganized offenses I've ever seen. To put it in perspective, the Bengals are now saying how it's like week 3 of training camp since TJ and Ocho missed so much time this summer. No it's not. What I wanted was Marvin saying "no it's not!" and getting on them since so many guys took off the voluntary workouts etc. Instead he's singing the same tune. By the time they realize the games count, it'll be at a point where they have to win every game to make the playoffs. Well sorry back to Jackon, I would believe you if you told me there's no specific play call but instead "run right". It is entirely possible, even likely, that two Rams OL block the same DL and ignore another. There is often a hole right near where Jackson is running, but not where he's running. The worst OL play I ever saw was when Tim Couch was with the Browns and they were not starting out, but maybe 2nd year or 3rd year and when Bledsoe was young and threw like 600 passes or somesuch. I warn you guys that the Bengals line and Rams line is right on par with those 2. If you think it's reasonable in FF to fear for some players safety behind a line setting them up to take a big hit time and again- Bulger, Carson, Perry, and Jackson are locks to get hurt. It's late and I've had a long day and may be exaggerating some...maybe not, well anyway those lines are real bad but the players look OK. I'm waiting figuring they either improve by signing some High School linemen who understand blocking assignments or they get it together.

Although I should point out, Sjax still produced behind a much worse line with Frerotte last year down the stretch, and he tripped over the imaginary defender or he would have had a 60+ yard TD in the first quarter Sunday. Poor Perry and Palmer are the only guys who are showing up on offense for the Bungles and I agree that they look like injuries waiting to happen, especially Palmer.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I'm really on the fence about Brown for this year. IN Dynasty, BUY BUY BUY, but for redraft, I don't know. Williams keeps fumbling, and yet they still keep him in there. He's running hard, and he's a vet. Parcells seemed to be very stubborn about the RBBC in Dallas. He was stubborn about Bledsoe. Im afraid that the Fins won't make the switch to Brown as a true feature back even though it's obviously the right move.

 

[ravnzfan]

Beyond the alliteration, CLAIM or DEFAME is illogical. But I'll play along.

When investing, if the fundamentals haven't changed, and the story hasn't changed, then hold or buy more.

So which RBs have unchanged fundamental elements, and nothing in the story has changed from preseason that would alter the original opinion.

Hold/CLAIM - always believed in these guys and still do

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) - great down the stretch, centerpiece of offense

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) - 7 awesome years and counting

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) - TD monster

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) - no competition, good o-line, lots of offensive weapons

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) - the Indy back is a lock for 1,000 and 12-15 TDs

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62) - instant stud if ADP is ever hurt, should still contribute regardless

Sell/DEFAME - never believed in these guys or the story changed

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) - on the downhill side, rookie will get the GL carries and maybe more

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) - not for another year after that kind of surgery

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) - did a lot with his opportunity last year, but overvalued, 1/2 season proves nothing

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) - bad line bad QB bad team lots of mileage YIKES no thanks

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) - nice he finally got his pro bowl last year, reduced role seems likely in MJDs 3rd season

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) - made of glass, doesn't fit the Smith/Dillon mold, will never be a 300 carry stud

Gimme a break...two weeks proves nothing. That said, I don't see any changes in the story that would make me switch on any of these guys, CLAIM or DEFAME. So far they are exactly what I thought they were, or they're off to a slow start - in the case of the latter, its a normal ebb, it will all even out over the course of the season.

FOR EXAMPLE - LT2 has 152 total yards and 0 TDs. Last year after 2 games he had 134 yards and 0 TDs. The toe is a concern, but how many regular season starts has he missed? Exactly...he'll be ready on Sundays whether he's 100% or not, and he'll get his IMO.

this one is close, w/the exception of both Jax-RB's being off limits to me after 2 weeks...that hole in the center of the O-line is too much to make up and I wouldn't pay the neccessary freight to get MJD on boardStL will settle down, and all those players will move toward their perceived value

LT's toe has the potential for a problem, but too early to bail

Lewis and Addai move back toward the norm for them as each offense gets untracked--I don't expect Anderson/Edwards to do as well, but Jamal will get 1400/10 some-how, some-way

do we really think ADP goes 16? CT will get his chance

in the 20-ish leagues I pay-to-play, I own Freddie twice and LJ once...and none of the rest

 

[switz]

The following fantasy RBs are currently well short of their preseason rankings and ADP. Which, if any, do you think are worth CLAIMING?

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24)

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31)

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32)

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35)

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36)

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39)

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40)

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45)

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48)

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51)

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56)

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)

LT and Grant are playing injured... and even then Grant has looked decent when playing. Addai's OL is a DISASTER... which I think will be fixed after the BYEEveryone else I'm pretty m'eh on... which sucks because I own a few of them in different leagues

 

[Jason Wood]

Great response so far y'all

 

[baconisgood]

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) - Defame AS FIRST ROUND PICK. Nothing doing on offense there, Claim as 2nd round pick value. Easy schedule coming up, caught 10 passes in 2 games. will probably end up as RB10-16 range

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31)- Defame. Value over the last few years come from toting the rock a million times, Hightower getting the high leverage carries and the team has enough weapons to never run the ball some games.

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32)- Claim. Pretty easy schedule coming up, looks better than Ricky, catch some balls.

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35)- Hardest one because of the toe uncertainty. 3 easy games coming up, coinflip as far as i can tell

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36)- Big, big claim. Indy, Denver, Det, Cle, Cin, Houston all coming up with one tough game against Pittsburgh. He could come out of these 7 games with 5+ TDs and 500 yards even with a decimated O-line, hes still hella talented, and Greg Jones still isn't getting carries.

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39)- Defame. Old, slow, hard run schedule. He'll probably get to 1000 yards 6 TDs.

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40)- Claim, I'll buy healthy Colts players until they prove me wrong Extensively.

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45)- Defame. Jackson and Lumpkin are looking good enough to run out the clock with (at the least) so he likely will lose garbage time to them, and ther ecould be a lot of that with this team. End up a solid RB worthy of a 3rd round pick.

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48)- Defame. O line. Won't go much further. Sell him after the Denver game if you get a chance.

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51)- Claim, see MJD.

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56)- Defame barring 2 injuries.

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)- Defame until Peterson goes down. Looks like RBBC is dead until further notice.

 

[Banger]

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) - defame - swiss cheese line

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) - defame - can see him losing touches to Hightower

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) - claim - he's gonna take over

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) - claim - he's banged up he'll be fine

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) - defame - the line is a mess

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) - defame - terrible schedule

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) - claim - tough start but they'll get their groove on

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) - claim - he's banged up but he's the workhorse

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) - defame - major line/qb issues

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) - claim - he'll be way cheaper than mjd although they have line problems

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) - defame - total RBBC and you never know what you'll get week to week

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62) - defame - it's ADP time

 

[scrumptrulescent]

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) - defame - the line is a mess * Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) - claim - tough start but they'll get their groove on

Please help me understand this. Addai has lost more starting linemen than MJD yet he's a "claim" because of a tough start?Honestly, I'm not sure how anyone could pick Addai and not pick MJD. MJD has actually outplayed Addai so far with fewer touches.

 

[AnonymousBob]

I enjoy these threads but can you please stop calling it Claim or Defame? It makes no sense whatsoever and it seems like it was forced together simply because it rhymes.

 

[switz]

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) - defame - the line is a mess * Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) - claim - tough start but they'll get their groove on

Please help me understand this. Addai has lost more starting linemen than MJD yet he's a "claim" because of a tough start?Honestly, I'm not sure how anyone could pick Addai and not pick MJD. MJD has actually outplayed Addai so far with fewer touches.

It's a tough call with both of these RBs...MJD so far - 12 att, 30 yds, 2.5YPC, 1 rush TD, 7 rec, 62 yards, 8.9 YPR, 0 rec TDAddai so far - 27 att, 64 yds, 2.4 YPC, 1 rush TD, 3 rec, 16 yards, 5.3 YPC, 0 rec TDTotal numbers favor MJD slightly....If you rank their opponents in YPC allowed1. TEN (2.7)2. MIN (3.7)3. CHI (3.7)4. BUF (3.8)So they've both faced some of the toughest run defenses, and both have players missing from the OL.I guess what differs to me is the workload... Addai has twice as many carries as MJD, and 50% more touches total. Given enough opportunity, even behind a bad OL, he'll put up numbers eventually. And I expect as Manning heals, it will open up things for the running game. So far, in JAX a healthy Garrard hasn't really helped out the JAX running game. Their situations are very similar... I guess it depends on which situation you feel will improve this year...

 

[AnonymousBob]

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) * Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) * Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) * LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) * Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) * Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) * Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) * Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) * Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) * Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) * Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) * Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)

Edge has lost the goal line touches but he should likely finish as a top 20ish rb. He won't be anything special (nor was he expected to be) so claim/defame if you want a few points per game.Jamal Lewis in my opinion never looked that great last season when he played a defense that wasn't terrible. MJD will probably do better once they get the new offensive line working together. Claim.Maroney is garbage. He won't have much value before NFL playoffs start.Chester Taylor is a guy people were taking just to gamble on in case ADP got hurt. I see no reason to give up on him now.

 

[Willie Mays Hayes]

CLAIM

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45)

This one is obviously linked to injury. I became a big Ryan Grant in my draft prep when I saw what he did with his 180 carries in the last half of the season. He's the real deal and will pick-up where he left off when he gets back to 100%. I'd prefer the guy just sit out until he gets healthy and give owners quality PT.

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56)

I wouldn't acquire him thinking he's going to be a #1 RB but I think he'll be solid as he shoulders more of the load for the Pats this year. The one thing that worries me is Lamont Jordan since I have always liked what Jordan brings to the table.

ON THE FENCE

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40)

It's easy to point to Jeff Saturday here and when he returns things should return to normal. However, I still have lots of questions about the Colts after 2 games that can't be answered simply by the loss of Jeff Saturday. The Colts offense used to strike fear in the hearts of opponents, but Manning's off-season surgery has had its impact in his rustiness, Marvin Harrison is no longer scary-good as he moves into a different phase of his career and Dallas Clark will flirt with injury all year long. All this spells trouble for Addai...he's certainly better than RB40...but he's not going to achieve levels of where he was drafted from as the 5th or 6th RB taken in most redrafts. I think he'll finish around 11-15 by year-end -- that's top-tier RB2 territory, not exactly what most had hoped for when drafts were done in August.

DEFAME

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24)

S-Jax is a good back on a bad team and that will make for a frustrating season year-long for fantasy owners. No doubt, Jackson will have a few good games but his body of work over the year will disappoint.

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31)

Edge will be a back with 1,200 yards rushing and 4 TD's this year. While the yards are nice, they won't win you championships. Hightower is vulturing and that is enough to look elsewhere when looking for a good #2 or #3 back to put on your team.

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32)

See S-Jax. Beyond the obvious fact that the Phins stink, Brown hasn't shown himself to be durable. I just don't see what would make me think "ok, this is the year Ronnie Brown puts it all together"

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35)

This is a "well it depends" kind of situation. While everyone points to the toe, Lorenzo Neal is the bigger factor with respect to LT's future value. I would definitely make a claim for LT if the trade was right but his name value alone usually conjures up ridiculous expectations on the trade circuit. If I could get him as a "buy low" I'd do it but the price may still be too high for most to get a deal done.

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) and * Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51)

Jags offensive line is going to give them fits all season long. MJD I believe to be a good back and would be the one I would target if there is an owner doing a fire sale. He has a chance if Jacksonville is struggling for offense and need a spark somewhere within the season to salvage a wildcard spot since their playoff picture appears to be murky.

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39)

He just doesn't look as good as last year. As long as Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards aren't stretching the field, Jamal Lewis is going to continue looking older and more tired since he's not going to really getting much in the way of production.

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48)

If owners thought 2007 was a fluke, then they didn't watch any games. That O-Line is really bad...LJ is going to be a frustration all season.

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62)

He's just a hand-cuff to ADP, albeit a good handcuff to have if you own Peterson. Peterson is the man in Minneapolis, as long as he's on the field, Taylor's value is low.

 

[JamesTheScot]

My freakng "eye" button just stopped workng!!!!!

t all depends on what t wll cost to get hm.

* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) CLAIM: He won't be worthy of hs draft spot, but thnk he'll rebound to give you RB2 production once he gets nto hs softer part of the schedule. I don't think he rebounds enough to justify RB1 status though. SL is bad!

* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) CLAIM: My league is pretty yardage heavy so even with TD vultures, he's still a good bye week/injury fill in as a RB3.

* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) CLAIM: By a very narrow margin. I like his talent and think he can put up RB2 numbers even on a crappy team.

* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) CLAIM: Easy choice. For RB35 value, I gamble on the toe. Healthy and he gives you RB1 numbers again. But I wouldn't pay his draft price though if it took that to get him. Hey! my "i" button started working again!

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) CLAIM: The team dynamic has changed but I think Del Rio will recognize that and find ways to compensate...eventually. I think he'll end up putting up RB2 numbers.

* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) DEFAME: not sure why the Browns are sucking but that makes it even worse...how do you fix what isn't broken but just sucks? JL depends on good blocking and holes to do his damage. I don't know that he's going to get better as the season goes along. Some of the other guys on this list ranked lower are going to rebound so JL's ranking may actually decline further. I might want him as a RB3, but not enough upside for me to be gung ho about claiming him.

* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) CLAIM: But by a very narrow margin. I think he was going to disappoint anyway for as high as he was drafted. But like him to produce better than RB40. I'd gamble that he ends up producing RB2 numbers.

* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) CLAIM: I think a healthy hammy puts him back into low RB1 numbers. Worth the gamble of grabbing him.

* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) DEFAME: It is what it is. What we are seeing is what it will be for most of the season I think. At some point he's going to climb in the "overall totals" rankings just because of his number of carries but I wouldn't want him as my RB1 or RB2 for that matter. Given the upside of other people on this list to produce RB1 or RB2 numbers, I'd gamble on someone else and pass on LJ.

* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) DEFAME: I think he's done as a fantasy stalwart and the team dynamic hurts him even more than MJD. Even if MJD gets hurt, I think others on this list have more upside.

* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) DEFAME: he'll end as better than RB56, but I don't think he'd even be useable as my RB3 for byes.

* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62) DEFAME: I think it's ADP all the way so I'd only add him as a gamble on ADP injury.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Beyond the alliteration, CLAIM or DEFAME is illogical. But I'll play along.When investing, if the fundamentals haven't changed, and the story hasn't changed, then hold or buy more.So which RBs have unchanged fundamental elements, and nothing in the story has changed from preseason that would alter the original opinion.Hold/CLAIM - always believed in these guys and still do* Steven Jackson, STL (RB24) - great down the stretch, centerpiece of offense* LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (RB35) - 7 awesome years and counting* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) - TD monster* Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB39) - no competition, good o-line, lots of offensive weapons* Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) - the Indy back is a lock for 1,000 and 12-15 TDs* Chester Taylor, MIN (RB62) - instant stud if ADP is ever hurt, should still contribute regardlessSell/DEFAME - never believed in these guys or the story changed* Edgerrin James, ARI (RB31) - on the downhill side, rookie will get the GL carries and maybe more* Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB32) - not for another year after that kind of surgery* Ryan Grant, GB (RB45) - did a lot with his opportunity last year, but overvalued, 1/2 season proves nothing* Larry Johnson, KC (RB48) - bad line bad QB bad team lots of mileage YIKES no thanks* Fred Taylor, JAX (RB51) - nice he finally got his pro bowl last year, reduced role seems likely in MJDs 3rd season* Laurence Maroney, NE (RB56) - made of glass, doesn't fit the Smith/Dillon mold, will never be a 300 carry studGimme a break...two weeks proves nothing. That said, I don't see any changes in the story that would make me switch on any of these guys, CLAIM or DEFAME. So far they are exactly what I thought they were, or they're off to a slow start - in the case of the latter, its a normal ebb, it will all even out over the course of the season.FOR EXAMPLE - LT2 has 152 total yards and 0 TDs. Last year after 2 games he had 134 yards and 0 TDs. The toe is a concern, but how many regular season starts has he missed? Exactly...he'll be ready on Sundays whether he's 100% or not, and he'll get his IMO.

While I agree with the Warren Buffet logic, I will disagree on MJD. The fundamentals in this case HAVE changed, in that his entire offensive line is hurt. I really don't see how he is going to score many TD's with the Jags in their current state. I own MJD, and am seriously contemplating cutting bait before it's too late. I don't see how he bounces back when he is running behind 2nd and 3rd stringers.

sickly enough that may be when MJD hasd value. Long third downs, and if they think fred to old/slow to make it behind such a line, where MJD may have a shot = mor workload.don't own either.

 

[switz]

* Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (RB36) CLAIM * Joseph Addai, IND (RB40) DEFAME

Earlier someone questioned the opposite responses... With Manning healing, and Saturday returning... why would you claim MJD and not Addai?

 

[smackdaddies]

The Rams look terrible.A big reason I think I won this week is because I sat Steven Jackson. I've watched him both weeks and Carson Palmer. I tell ya they are the same great players but wow does the team around them mess it up. Each are part of two of the most disorganized offenses I've ever seen. To put it in perspective, the Bengals are now saying how it's like week 3 of training camp since TJ and Ocho missed so much time this summer. No it's not. What I wanted was Marvin saying "no it's not!" and getting on them since so many guys took off the voluntary workouts etc. Instead he's singing the same tune. By the time they realize the games count, it'll be at a point where they have to win every game to make the playoffs. Well sorry back to Jackon, I would believe you if you told me there's no specific play call but instead "run right". It is entirely possible, even likely, that two Rams OL block the same DL and ignore another. There is often a hole right near where Jackson is running, but not where he's running. The worst OL play I ever saw was when Tim Couch was with the Browns and they were not starting out, but maybe 2nd year or 3rd year and when Bledsoe was young and threw like 600 passes or somesuch. I warn you guys that the Bengals line and Rams line is right on par with those 2. If you think it's reasonable in FF to fear for some players safety behind a line setting them up to take a big hit time and again- Bulger, Carson, Perry, and Jackson are locks to get hurt. It's late and I've had a long day and may be exaggerating some...maybe not, well anyway those lines are real bad but the players look OK. I'm waiting figuring they either improve by signing some High School linemen who understand blocking assignments or they get it together.

Rams have a nice end of the year schedule, so there is hope for end of the year productionIn addition, in PPR leagues, SJ gave a little hope with 7 ? receptions last week.If you own him, you probably can't get much value, so you might as well hold and use emIf you don't, I am not sure there is a lot of value worth trading for, unless you can pick em up nearer the end of the season before the schedule improves