Greatest Handcuffs of All Time (1 Viewer)

[kaa]

Someone asked if handcuffs were worth it. So I thought a thread look looking at some of the greatest handcuffs in fantasy history was in order. I'll start with...

2001 Dominic Rhodes:

Edgerrin James was a complete stud RB back then. But as fate would have it, he injures his knee in week 6. I still remember some posters on fantasy boards early in the next week laughing at the thought that it could be a blown ACL and to pick up some backup named Dominic Rhodes. A couple of days later, reports came in that he really DID blow out his ACL. Rhodes started the final 10 games and was a fantasy beast, totaling 1100 yards and 9 TDs in what was essentially a partial season.

 

[fantasysharkctb]

Larry Johnson to the Priest.

This isn't even close.

 

[awesomeness]

Ryan Grant was pretty studly back when he first came on the scene, not so much anymore.

956 rushing yards, 25 receptions, 119 receiving yards, 8 TDs from weeks 8-17.

 

[Bluesbomber]

Kurt Warner to Trent Green in St Louis was pretty nice. If you were fortunate to have him handcuffed to Trent Green that was gold. But not sure many did.

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

 

[One]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

+1

 

[kaa]

Olandis Gary to TD in 1999.

Mike Anderson to TD in 2000.

 

[teamramrod]

Kurt Warner to Trent Green in St Louis was pretty nice. If you were fortunate to have him handcuffed to Trent Green that was gold. But not sure many did.

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Warner is the best ever. I got him as my last pick in the draft since i read in a magazine about the "handcuff" thing. It was my first year in FF.I had to endure people taunting me about starting an Arena League QB...well only for a game or two.Straight up money.Peace

 

[jon_mx]

Someone asked if handcuffs were worth it. So I thought a thread look looking at some of the greatest handcuffs in fantasy history was in order. I'll start with...2001 Dominic Rhodes:Edgerrin James was a complete stud RB back then. But as fate would have it, he injures his knee in week 6. I still remember some posters on fantasy boards early in the next week laughing at the thought that it could be a blown ACL and to pick up some backup named Dominic Rhodes. A couple of days later, reports came in that he really DID blow out his ACL. Rhodes started the final 10 games and was a fantasy beast, totaling 1100 yards and 9 TDs in what was essentially a partial season.

LADELL BETTS....Look what he did in the last 6 games after Portis went down...week, Rushing years12 104 yards13 155 yards14 171 yards15 119 yards16 129 yards17 92 yardsPlus he caught 18 balls and was in the endzone 4 times.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

1991...Thurman Thomas to Kenneth Davis.

Week 10-Davis filled in for Thomas and had 25/98 plus 3/20

Week 15-Buffalo had the division wrapped up so they gave it to Davis a lot more the final weeks of the season. Davis posted 22/90/TD plus 3/33/TD to post 27 that week.

Week 16-Davis puts up 25/118 plus 5/31 in receptions...about 19 in most PPR leagues.

In 1992 week 11 Davis posted 180 and 2 TD...the point that makes this thread interesting is not just a guy that came in for an injury and explodes, but an actual handcuff that made it even easier to select the player who was being handcuffed. The Thomad/Davis combo for a few years was pretty darn good.

To me the handcuff is a guy that didn't go on to HoF status but more about guys that you could simply plug in when your starter was out for a week or two.

 

[Anon]

James Stewart for Fred Taylor, the fragile years.

 

[acme]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

you do have to consider though, Priest Holmes to Errict Rhett in 1998, when the Priest took over the reigns after game 3 (and the rest was priest-ory)

 

[JohnnyU]

Chester Taylor is a pretty good handcuff to ADP.

 

[Sarnoff]

Matt Schaub for Tom Brady might be the single season record.

 

[Steelfan7]

Matt Schaub for Tom Brady might be the single season record.

 

[jadensdad]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Agreed 100%

 

[pollardsvision]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Yeah, that was quite special.Nothing like drafting a clear-cut back-up (to a guy who was still being draft very high) in the 4th or 5th round and watching him run for 1750 yards, while only starting 9 games.That was the perfect storm that would hard to replicate. It wasn't just the production. It was that we all saw it coming. Even though Priest was still being drafted in the 1st/2nd round that year, we all knew he'd go down at some point and that LJ would tear the league apart when it happened.To be a good handcuff it all needs to be predictable. It was never more predictable than 2005 Larry Johnson.

 

[ichris]

Chester Taylor is a pretty good handcuff to ADP.

That handcuff is "pretty good," and imma let you finish, BUT THIS IS THE GREATEST HANDCUFF OF ALL TIME THREAD. /kanye

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Shaun Alexander handcuffed to Ricky Watters in the Seattle backfield in 2001.

Watters kept Alexander pretty much on the bench his rookie season. The next year ('01), Watters gets injured around game 4 or 5. Alexander finished the season with 1318 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs, 343 receiving yards and 2 receiving TDs.

Goldmine.

 

[JohnnyU]

Chester Taylor is a pretty good handcuff to ADP.

That handcuff is "pretty good," and imma let you finish, BUT THIS IS THE GREATEST HANDCUFF OF ALL TIME THREAD. /kanye

In that case there's two from the same team. I will take either Mercury Morris for Larry Csonka, or Larry Csonka for Mercury Morris.How about Rocky Bleier for Franco Harris?

 

[Young 8]

Roethlinsberger ------> Maddox

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Yeah, that was quite special.Nothing like drafting a clear-cut back-up (to a guy who was still being draft very high) in the 4th or 5th round and watching him run for 1750 yards, while only starting 9 games.That was the perfect storm that would hard to replicate. It wasn't just the production. It was that we all saw it coming. Even though Priest was still being drafted in the 1st/2nd round that year, we all knew he'd go down at some point and that LJ would tear the league apart when it happened.To be a good handcuff it all needs to be predictable. It was never more predictable than 2005 Larry Johnson.

Some fool in our league drafted Larry Johnson in the third round.We all laughed until Priest went down and that team creamed everyone.

 

[Steelfan7]

Roethlinsberger ------> Maddox

Real football yes. Fantasy football no.

 

[Resident A]

Larry Johnson to the Priest.

This isn't even close.

Oh yes it is...I drafted Brad Johnson as my QB in 1998. With my very last pick, I grabbed his backup, Randall Cunningham. Randall took over Week 2 & the season was historic. 3,704 yards & 35 TDs, starting only 14 games.

That's at least equal to LJ.

 

[tomarken]

Matt Schaub for Tom Brady might be the single season record.

lolwut

 

[ManningissGod]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Right.... Not even Close. I drafted Priest when my dynasty first started. Then i traded some dud WR who doesnt even play anymore for Larry Johnson. I now have 3 championships out of the 5. Going for 4 this year with a SOLID team.

 

[rick6668]

Shaun Alexander handcuffed to Ricky Watters in the Seattle backfield in 2001.Watters kept Alexander pretty much on the bench his rookie season. The next year ('01), Watters gets injured around game 4 or 5. Alexander finished the season with 1318 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs, 343 receiving yards and 2 receiving TDs.Goldmine.

I was set on LJ until this post. Not sure which one is better.

 

[Sea Bass]

Earl Morrall

 

[JohnnyU]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Right.... Not even Close. I drafted Priest when my dynasty first started. Then i traded some dud WR who doesnt even play anymore for Larry Johnson. I now have 3 championships out of the 5. Going for 4 this year with a SOLID team.

Bunch of young Whipper Snappers.ldmantalking:

 

[thatguy]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

This.

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

he wasn't the greatest handcuff but he wasn't terrible either. u could count on trading him to the Fred Taylor owner year in year out for about 5years.............Stacey Mack

 

[thatguy]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Yeah, that was quite special.Nothing like drafting a clear-cut back-up (to a guy who was still being draft very high) in the 4th or 5th round and watching him run for 1750 yards, while only starting 9 games.That was the perfect storm that would hard to replicate. It wasn't just the production. It was that we all saw it coming. Even though Priest was still being drafted in the 1st/2nd round that year, we all knew he'd go down at some point and that LJ would tear the league apart when it happened.To be a good handcuff it all needs to be predictable. It was never more predictable than 2005 Larry Johnson.

LJ was also beastly after Priest went down in '04 (once the Chiefs realized he was better than Derrick Blaylock).

 

[GregR_2]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Yeah, that was quite special.Nothing like drafting a clear-cut back-up (to a guy who was still being draft very high) in the 4th or 5th round and watching him run for 1750 yards, while only starting 9 games.That was the perfect storm that would hard to replicate. It wasn't just the production. It was that we all saw it coming. Even though Priest was still being drafted in the 1st/2nd round that year, we all knew he'd go down at some point and that LJ would tear the league apart when it happened.To be a good handcuff it all needs to be predictable. It was never more predictable than 2005 Larry Johnson.

Some fool in our league drafted Larry Johnson in the third round.We all laughed until Priest went down and that team creamed everyone.

We had an owner who wasn't going to be able to make the early part of our draft and was having problems finding someone to fill in. I got Marc Levin from the boards here to fill in, assuring the owner he'd do a good job. The owner already had Priest as a keeper and Marc took LJ in the 5th as I recall. Owner came back and was unsure about the pick, would never have made it themself, but I reassured them it was a good play. Sure enough, Marc's pick probably saved that team's season. And if Marc hadn't of taken LJ at the pick he did, I'd have taken him before it got back around to that team again.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

winner

 

[Voice Of Reason]

James Stewart for Fred Taylor, the fragile years.

:(

 

[Sarnoff]

Matt Schaub for Tom Brady might be the single season record.

lolwut

Guy available for nothing worked out pretty well that year. To get value out of Larry Johnson, you had to draft him in the 5th and bench him for 7 weeks until he finally played.

 

[5Rings]

Chester Taylor is a pretty good handcuff to ADP.

That handcuff is "pretty good," and imma let you finish, BUT THIS IS THE GREATEST HANDCUFF OF ALL TIME THREAD. /kanye

In that case there's two from the same team. I will take either Mercury Morris for Larry Csonka, or Larry Csonka for Mercury Morris.How about Rocky Bleier for Franco Harris?

...or McIlhenny for Perry? or Perry or Johnson? Or Johnson for McIlhenny?

 

[tomarken]

Matt Schaub for Tom Brady might be the single season record.

lolwut

Guy available for nothing worked out pretty well that year. To get value out of Larry Johnson, you had to draft him in the 5th and bench him for 7 weeks until he finally played.

wat

 

[Sultans]

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[taz]

Steve Young, for when he finally took over for Montana.

 

[Clinton]

Bo Jackson to Marcus Allen

 

[VaTerp]

Larry Johnson to the Priest.

This isn't even close.

Oh yes it is...I drafted Brad Johnson as my QB in 1998. With my very last pick, I grabbed his backup, Randall Cunningham. Randall took over Week 2 & the season was historic. 3,704 yards & 35 TDs, starting only 14 games.

That's at least equal to LJ.

That was my first year of FF and the eventual league champ did the exact same thing. My first introduction to the concept of handcuffing. He also happened to draft a rookie WR named Moss that year.Id say Cunningham, LJ, and Shaun Alexander are the top 3 handcuffs of all time.

Warner had an unbelievable year in 99' but I dont know ANYONE that drafted him. He was a waiver pickup in every league that I know of. If someone drafted him then good for them but not sure I believe it.

 

[lyon812]

Matt Schaub for Tom Brady might be the single season record.

lolwut

Guy available for nothing worked out pretty well that year. To get value out of Larry Johnson, you had to draft him in the 5th and bench him for 7 weeks until he finally played.

Everyone is confused because the thread is about players who play for the same team. Did you mean Cassel instead of Schaub?

 

[lyon812]

Larry Johnson to the Priest.

This isn't even close.

Oh yes it is...I drafted Brad Johnson as my QB in 1998. With my very last pick, I grabbed his backup, Randall Cunningham. Randall took over Week 2 & the season was historic. 3,704 yards & 35 TDs, starting only 14 games.

That's at least equal to LJ.

That was my first year of FF and the eventual league champ did the exact same thing. My first introduction to the concept of handcuffing. He also happened to draft a rookie WR named Moss that year.Id say Cunningham, LJ, and Shaun Alexander are the top 3 handcuffs of all time.

Warner had an unbelievable year in 99' but I dont know ANYONE that drafted him. He was a waiver pickup in every league that I know of. If someone drafted him then good for them but not sure I believe it.

Green tore his ACL in the third preseason game. It's entirely possible that people in late-drafting leagues picked him up in the draft.

 

[Judge Smails]

Larry Johnson to the Priest.

This isn't even close.

Oh yes it is...I drafted Brad Johnson as my QB in 1998. With my very last pick, I grabbed his backup, Randall Cunningham. Randall took over Week 2 & the season was historic. 3,704 yards & 35 TDs, starting only 14 games.

That's at least equal to LJ.

These were my 2, and I had them both. LJ was phenomenal, and I'll never forget that special Thanksgiving where Cunningham was just throwing bombs in the end zone to Moss. Good times..

 

[Anon]

That's one of the problems, to be a handcuff you really need to have drafted him as such. Most don't draft QB, WR, or TE handcuffs. Maybe a QB every once in ahwile if you have deep rosters. WR are usually just drafted, and not specifically as a handcuff.

Though had someone drafted Mushin Muhammand as a Handcuff to Steve Smith in 2004, Steve Smith was out for year after 1 game, Muhammad went on to a 93 catch 1404 yards and 16 TD season.

I am not sure, was the 2006 Betts Handcuff to Portis mentioned? that one worked out. My favoite is still the LJ / Priest handcuff.

 

[VaTerp]

Larry Johnson to the Priest.

This isn't even close.

Oh yes it is...I drafted Brad Johnson as my QB in 1998. With my very last pick, I grabbed his backup, Randall Cunningham. Randall took over Week 2 & the season was historic. 3,704 yards & 35 TDs, starting only 14 games.

That's at least equal to LJ.

That was my first year of FF and the eventual league champ did the exact same thing. My first introduction to the concept of handcuffing. He also happened to draft a rookie WR named Moss that year.Id say Cunningham, LJ, and Shaun Alexander are the top 3 handcuffs of all time.

Warner had an unbelievable year in 99' but I dont know ANYONE that drafted him. He was a waiver pickup in every league that I know of. If someone drafted him then good for them but not sure I believe it.

Green tore his ACL in the third preseason game. It's entirely possible that people in late-drafting leagues picked him up in the draft.

Of course its possible, but I still have a hard time believing that Warner was drafted in the vast majority of leagues.Like you said, it would have to have been a late draft AND even still. Green had a great pre-season before he got hurt but its not like the Rams were expected to be good at all. They were coming off a 4-12 season in which they threw 12 TDs vs 18 Ints.

I HIGHLY doubt Warner was drafted in more than 1% of all FF leagues.

 

[lynx4ben]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this yet. But for me it is Ricky Williams this year. He's done it all with no injury to help out.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Perhaps some debate on the definition of "handcuff".

I tend to think of a handcuff as "Player B" who clearly backs up "Player A". He's a "handcuff" because he only has value if/when Player A falters (most often due to injury).

In today's world of RBBC, there are lots of players (like the Ricky Williams and Ahmad Bradshaws and Chester Taylors of the NFL) who have some degree of value as fantasy players in their own right (regardless of whether "Player A" ever goes down), but I'm not sure that necessarily qualifies them as a "handcuff".

LJ backing up Priest, Alexander backing up Watters and Cunningham backing up Johnson are all three excellent examples of handcuffs. None of these guys were starting on the fantasy rosters of the world on their own. They were drafted strictly as insurance (as a handcuff) to the Player A studs in front of them on the depth chart.

Tough call on Warner since - though he backed up Green - it was highly unlikely he was drafted by virtually anyone as a true handcuff. Odds are he was only drafted (or picked up via waiver) following Green's injury. Though I'm sure it happened in a few advanced leagues (just not for most of us).

(BTW - not quite the same class as the LJ/Alexander/Cunningham handcuffs - but Jeff George was a great handcuff in '99 when Cunningham went down to injury. George put up 2,816 passing yards and 23 TDs in 10 games that year. His last fantasy relevance. Very nice.)

 

[Marauder]

Someone asked if handcuffs were worth it. So I thought a thread look looking at some of the greatest handcuffs in fantasy history was in order. I'll start with...2001 Dominic Rhodes:Edgerrin James was a complete stud RB back then. But as fate would have it, he injures his knee in week 6. I still remember some posters on fantasy boards early in the next week laughing at the thought that it could be a blown ACL and to pick up some backup named Dominic Rhodes. A couple of days later, reports came in that he really DID blow out his ACL. Rhodes started the final 10 games and was a fantasy beast, totaling 1100 yards and 9 TDs in what was essentially a partial season.

This one gets my vote because I used my last round pick on Rhodes that season as a handcuff to Edge (my first round pick) and it saved my season.

 

[prosopis]

Kurt Warner to Trent Green in St Louis was pretty nice. If you were fortunate to have him handcuffed to Trent Green that was gold. But not sure many did.

Larry Johnson to the Priest. This isn't even close.

Trent Green went down in pre season before most drafts happened. Larry Johnson is the end of this thread.