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I'd say this season in redraft, definitely Smith - but dynasty or even keeper (assuming you have other options), Rice by a long shot.
Totally agree: Rice in Dynasty by a lot and Smith over Rice in redraft by a little. I don't think Rudi will threaten Smith much unless he really doesn't get the job done. Both guys have to contend with offensive pieces around them that are not very good.
I actually just read tonight (after I started this thread) that McGahee is expected to start week 1. So it looks like Smith might be the guy to have.
KFFL via the Baltimore Sun speculated that practice = starting
(TheHuddle) The Baltimore Sun reports Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee (knee) practiced Monday, Sept. 1, and he is expected to start Week 1. Head coach John Harbaugh said McGahee's knee is still not at 100 percentAnalysis: As is usually the case, stars are 'banged up' in preseason, but have no problem starting opening day...imagine that. Many owners have gambled that they'll have an immediate star by drafting Ray Rice due to McGehee's bum knee. Bottom line, they'll likely lose that gamble, at least short term.
Barring a new injury to FWP, no way does Mendenhall carry the ball enough this year to be considered a fantasy starter.
I was more thinking along the lines of who's a better prospect. In one league I have rice/mendenhall, and would prolly have to dish one to get smith.
I understand what you're saying, and I don't disagree. But I was thinking more about redraft leagues.
None of these is the case. I just don't see how you could start a guy who was admittedly out of shape and didn't know the playbooks three weeks ago and who has only had one week of practice in pads (maybe) under his belt over a guy who was drafted by the current administration, who has practiced and played well all preseason, and who is ready to go. ??? I expect McGahee to get a chance to win the job back in week 2 or 3, but I just don't see why you would rush him under these circumstances.
Why? They aren't in comparable situations.McFadden is being handed the keys to the city in a run oriented offense. Jones, Hightower and Mendenhall aren't in line to start for their teams.The question is whether the Lions line will be able to run the ball at all vs. whether McGahee is going to be able to play (injury+coaches don't like him), I don't think the RB's themselves are actually the determining factors.That being said I only drafted Smith in one of my leagues and I just traded him and Plax away for Colston and S.Young (have Brees as QB)..Might as well add McFadden, Felix Jones, and Hightower to the list too.
Preseason rookie RB hype is always laughable.Why? They aren't in comparable situations.Might as well add McFadden, Felix Jones, and Hightower to the list too.
the # of amazingly productive rookie rbs in recent years is actually pretty high. Rookie WR's on the other hand...Preseason rookie RB hype is always laughable.Why? They aren't in comparable situations.
People are tossing backup RBs out there, some of these guys just aren't going to get the opportunity.the # of amazingly productive rookie rbs in recent years is actually pretty high. Rookie WR's on the other hand...Preseason rookie RB hype is always laughable.Why? They aren't in comparable situations.
I expected to win the lottery too. McGahee hasn't even practiced. Smith may be better week 1 but can McGahee last?
This would suggest that McGahee is voting for Rice here too.
in other words, WDID?!Rice
Neither had Portis at this point last year. And given that we had already SEEN how well Betts could do in his absence, he was probably stiffer competition than Rice is.
Because it's just all preseason mumbo jumbo that will all be forgotten shortly. We hear it every year about countless guys. Last year Portis was too hurt to practice and Lendale was too fat to get out of bed. How many people forgot about that by the end of week 1?
Portis didn't have yet another surgery on a knee that had been surgically restructured twice before during the preseason last year. The situations are not the same.Note: McGahee did practice yesterday
Don't under estimate Rudi's impact in Detroit. Less experienced fantasy owners are focusing on his performance the past two seasons as an indicator that he's done. Don't be one of those guys. Word out of the Natty prior to his release was he had been working extensively with the trainers there to drop weight and add muscle. He created a buzz during his work out in Detroit because he came in well conditioned and in great shape. Smith showed flashes in the preseason, but he averaged a pedestrian 3.9 YPC. The parallels to Jamal Lewis' departure from the Ravens to Cleveland are striking IMHO. I'd go Rice given that his main competition is coming back from a knee injury.
The situations are exactly the same. Surgery or not, leading up to last season people thought Portis' knee was just as likely to keep him sub 100% or out of the games altogether as Mcgahee's is now.Even in the weeks leading up to the season, some people speculated that Portis wouldn't play all SEASON. And instead of a question as to whether or not he'd play in week 1 (as is the case with Mcgahee), people said as a statement that Portis would not.And heaven forbid you alluded to Portis being a workhorse back again last season, lest you get ripped a new one by half the board.
The boards on this site are down on Rice and up on Smith. Over at FFtoday the articles have been pumping up Smith all offseason. I'm a big fan of that site and its's put me on the Smith bandwagon. The Rudi situation is brand new, but but they still have Kevin Smith as a top 15 back.Either way, Smith is the starter. Rice is a backup. Detroit has a respectable offense. Baltimore's offense is terrible. I like Smith's situation much better. But it all depends on what round you can pick up either player. ADP is 6 for Smith and 9 for Rice. I'd be extactic to get Smith in round 6. Rice in round 9 is pretty good too.
Might as well add McFadden, Felix Jones, and Hightower to the list too.
