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I picked him up Thursday morning on a hunch. I think he and/or Brandon Saine could be big down the stretch.
'Gopher State said:
Bell might serve for a flex option -- esp. in PPR leagues. 5 rec., 57 all purpose yards so far against a fairly stout D, which is not bad at all.But Barber is the main back without question.
Wow, totally did not see that coming. From what I saw of the game, CHI totally allowed Bell to have a fair share of the opportunity. Rather than use the two backs situationally or as change of pace for each other, Bell seemed to be in for the entire series, and seemed to me to be the guy Chicago was using as the primary carrier through the first half after Barber didn't do squat with his first few carries.Early on, Bell was running hard but wasn't exactly tearing it up -- he looked quick but is not the straight-line runner that Barber can be. Where he did excel -- aside form his pass catching -- was in pass protection. Was really impressed by Bell's effective cut blocks and quickness to pick up the blitz.Barber was simply Barber -- picking up hard short yards but otherwise not as explosive as Bell.So with GB coming up, what do we expect? GB has playmakers at LB and in the secondary, but overall is a middle of the road run D, and their main weakness is against the pass. I can see the time being split once again between Bell and Barber, with Bell a more effective fantasy option (esp in PPR), and Barber better in TD only.For those of us lucky enough to make the Championship game relying on having either Barber or Bell (or both) when Forte went down, are you going to rely on either? Someone mentioned Hillis vs BAL -- I may actually lean that way, seeing as how Hillis had 27 carries. BAL is fierce and are likely out for revenge at home against a divisional foe, but Hillis got all the carries, looked healthy, and the team was way more successful with him being the sole primary back.I'm not sure I want to play the guessing game between whether Barber or Bell will be more effective. Would love more thoughts on Bell and Barber.
I think if you have the lineup to play a stretch in either flex or RB2, then do it. That team I have is very solid, outside of RB2. With Hillis, he produced 15 points vs an average defense...so to me, that is his ceiling vs a solid Baltimore defense. With Bell (especially in ppr), the ceiling is much higher vs GB IMO. I will take a shot with Bell in my championship, considering I know I will be getting solid points from the rest of my lineup. That said, I would play Bell over Hillis, but I wouldnt play Barber over HillisWow, totally did not see that coming. From what I saw of the game, CHI totally allowed Bell to have a fair share of the opportunity. Rather than use the two backs situationally or as change of pace for each other, Bell seemed to be in for the entire series, and seemed to me to be the guy Chicago was using as the primary carrier through the first half after Barber didn't do squat with his first few carries.Early on, Bell was running hard but wasn't exactly tearing it up -- he looked quick but is not the straight-line runner that Barber can be. Where he did excel -- aside form his pass catching -- was in pass protection. Was really impressed by Bell's effective cut blocks and quickness to pick up the blitz.Barber was simply Barber -- picking up hard short yards but otherwise not as explosive as Bell.So with GB coming up, what do we expect? GB has playmakers at LB and in the secondary, but overall is a middle of the road run D, and their main weakness is against the pass. I can see the time being split once again between Bell and Barber, with Bell a more effective fantasy option (esp in PPR), and Barber better in TD only.For those of us lucky enough to make the Championship game relying on having either Barber or Bell (or both) when Forte went down, are you going to rely on either? Someone mentioned Hillis vs BAL -- I may actually lean that way, seeing as how Hillis had 27 carries. BAL is fierce and are likely out for revenge at home against a divisional foe, but Hillis got all the carries, looked healthy, and the team was way more successful with him being the sole primary back.I'm not sure I want to play the guessing game between whether Barber or Bell will be more effective. Would love more thoughts on Bell and Barber.
I am pretty sure I am starting him in the championship round. His number of snaps, and as you mention, his ability to pass protect will keep him in on a lot of the action. He's nothing special, but the Packers can be run on. I think it's what the Bears want to do anyway attempting to shorten the game and play keepaway from A. Rodgers. I also love his involvement in the passing game and in PPR, that raises his ceiling significantly, and my comfort level a tad. I know the Bears and Packers don't like each other, so that being a grudge match and all...I expect the Bears to be fired up for this one. Bell's penciled in as my RB2 until convinced otherwise. (Honestly, my options aren't very good, over Ivory)
