Lamont Jordan (1 Viewer)

[satch]

After a nice season a couple years ago, Jordan was a huge bust last year on possibly the worst offensive team I've ever seen. This year, he and the team seem to have a renewed attitude, with Jordan having a good preseason and a very good first game.

15/70/1 (4.7) rushing

9/89 receiving

All of a sudden Jordan looks like a solid RB2 again, potentially RB1. In my opinion, this is not a week one overreaction, but rather a confirmation of what some of us thought all along, with last year being a fluke.

However, every time I see a write up on Jordan it includes a caution of Dominic Rhodes' eventual return. Copied from CBSSportsline, 9/9/07:

"Raiders RB LaMont Jordan started for the first time Week 1 against the Lions since a knee injury ended his 2006 season on Nov. 19. Jordan rumbled for 70 yards on 15 carries. He scored from 12 yards out. He was also a threat in the passing game, catching nine passes for 89 yards.

Jordan was arguably one of the biggest Fantasy busts of the 2006 season, but injuries curtailed his season. He is out to prove he belongs among the elite NFL runners and got off to a great start Week 1. Jordan remains the top back in Oakland until Dominic Rhodes returns from his four-game suspension. Consider Jordan a No. 2 Fantasy RB for Week 2 against the Broncos, who allowed 90 yards and a touchdown to Bills rookie Marshawn Lynch in Week 1."

What are we supposed to make of the bolded part? Is Rhodes assumed to be the #1 RB when he returns? That would certainly baffle me. I could see someone making the case that Rhodes will take some carries here or there, but only in a normal backup RB capacity. There isn't really even an argument for Rhodes being a 3rd down back as Jordan excels in the receiving game.

I would think that Oakland would be excited about Jordan's apparent re-commitment to being an elite NFL RB and team leader and give Rhodes nothing more than spot duty to give Jordan a breather from time to time. Under that scenario, Rhodes' return would only serve to increase Jordan's fantasy value.

Does CBSSportsline have a legitimate reason for raining or Jordan owners collective parades?

 

[JHuber77]

He had a good game against DETROIT. Don't look too much into it. The Raiders O-line is still terrible

 

[Jason Wood]

One Week does not a season make...that said, Jordan has every chance to make Rhodes a tried and true backup. He's 1-for-1 in that quest, and has three more games to go.

 

[zamboni]

One Week does not a season make...that said, Jordan has every chance to make Rhodes a tried and true backup. He's 1-for-1 in that quest, and has three more games to go.

Agreed - if Jordan performs well the next three weeks, Rhodes will be a part-time player. To be sure, it's not like Jordan is holding off potential starters in the realm of MJD or Michael Turner here - Rhodes is mediocre at best.

 

[bmack13]

as a jordan owner in 3 point per reception leagues, i'm not scared of rhodes.........could i bite my tongue after he comes back? sure...but there's nothing anyone can do about it other than mr. kiffin and/or mr. al davis. being as i don't have pictures of either them screwing a goat to blackmail them into keep the ball in jordan's hands, i'm not going to worry about it. i'm just going to ride the Monty Train as long as it lasts....and i did start him in the 3 leagues i own him in yesterday. started him over TJ Houshmandzadeh in one of them.

loved that article about Greg "the running man" Knapp.

 

[satch]

One Week does not a season make...that said, Jordan has every chance to make Rhodes a tried and true backup. He's 1-for-1 in that quest, and has three more games to go.

Agreed - if Jordan performs well the next three weeks, Rhodes will be a part-time player. To be sure, it's not like Jordan is holding off potential starters in the realm of MJD or Michael Turner here - Rhodes is mediocre at best.

Again, I don't see this as a one week overreaction. For those who don't remember, Jordan had a very productive year in 2005:Rushing: 1025/9Receiving: 563/2Combined: 1588/11For comparisons sake, Rudi Johnsons 2006 stats: Combined: 1432/12Considering that Rudi Johnson was a consensus 1st round pick in this years fantasy drafts, if Jordan can regain his 2005 form he will be performing like a 1st round pick.

 

[Whiplash Inc.]

Jordan will be a top 10 back and I doubt Rhodes will be much of a factor this year.

 

[CalBear]

There is almost zero chance that Rhodes comes back and takes the starting job. I think it's more likely that Rhodes will be cut and never play a down for the Raiders, than that he takes the starting job from Jordan.

The most likely scenario is that Rhodes takes over the Fargas role, probably a couple weeks after his suspension is over.

 

[zamboni]

One Week does not a season make...that said, Jordan has every chance to make Rhodes a tried and true backup. He's 1-for-1 in that quest, and has three more games to go.

Agreed - if Jordan performs well the next three weeks, Rhodes will be a part-time player. To be sure, it's not like Jordan is holding off potential starters in the realm of MJD or Michael Turner here - Rhodes is mediocre at best.

Again, I don't see this as a one week overreaction. For those who don't remember, Jordan had a very productive year in 2005:Rushing: 1025/9Receiving: 563/2Combined: 1588/11

Fantasy wise he did very well, but you're omitting his 3.8 YPC, which he also put up last year. Davis was not happy with either year, and resulted in Jordan almost being cut.To be sure, yesterday was a step in the right direction for Lamont, but he's still got a ways to go to get back in the organization's good graces.

 

[Bristol]

This performance was an aberration. I do not look for it to continue going forward. Enjoy it for this week!

 

[North]

There is almost zero chance that Rhodes comes back and takes the starting job. I think it's more likely that Rhodes will be cut and never play a down for the Raiders, than that he takes the starting job from Jordan.The most likely scenario is that Rhodes takes over the Fargas role, probably a couple weeks after his suspension is over.

I guess I'm speaking with a couple of Jordan owners here so I will try to be impartial.I think this statement is ridiculous"I think it's more likely that Rhodes will be cut and never play a down for the Raiders, than that he takes the starting job from Jordan."Jordan had 1 good game against a weak Detriot D, don't get carried away.Oakland didn't give up a ton of money to bring in Rhodes, let him sit out his suspension and then cut him.Jordan needs 3 more games like yesterday and Rhodes becomes a 5 carry a game guy. If Oaklands offense stinks up the joint and Jordan has a couple of bad games it's a LOCK they put Rhodes in when he gets back to see what he can do.I'm guessing it's going to be a true RBBC with Rhodes getting goalline carries. I know thats not what you want to hear but it's what I think. Again, coming from someone with no vested interest in either player.

 

[zamboni]

I'm guessing it's going to be a true RBBC with Rhodes getting goalline carries.

Why would Rhodes get the goal line carries? Jordan is a bigger, more physical runner.

 

[massraider]

One Week does not a season make...that said, Jordan has every chance to make Rhodes a tried and true backup. He's 1-for-1 in that quest, and has three more games to go.

Agreed - if Jordan performs well the next three weeks, Rhodes will be a part-time player. To be sure, it's not like Jordan is holding off potential starters in the realm of MJD or Michael Turner here - Rhodes is mediocre at best.

Again, I don't see this as a one week overreaction. For those who don't remember, Jordan had a very productive year in 2005:Rushing: 1025/9Receiving: 563/2Combined: 1588/11For comparisons sake, Rudi Johnsons 2006 stats: Combined: 1432/12Considering that Rudi Johnson was a consensus 1st round pick in this years fantasy drafts, if Jordan can regain his 2005 form he will be performing like a 1st round pick.

He was a good fantasy player in 2005, but he wasn't a great football player. He caught a lot of balls. He also, I think, led the league in drops. Please don't make the mistake of thinking the Raiders were happy with that performance.In fairness, Lamont looked OK yesterday, and didn't drop a single catch that I saw. And the Raiders offense seems favor short passes, which certainly would seem to favor Lamont (and Curry, obviously).I think when Rhodes returns, the Raiders will go with a RBBC, with even Fargas getting some carries. Fargas in the only back with breakaway speed, I think he can count on 2-5 carries a week. I think Lamont will be the #1 guy, but 1st round pick numbers? That's a bit optimistic.

 

[428143]

Dominic Rhodes can do the little things, but as a runner, well, he is below average. He will not steal any goal-line carries from the tank-like Jordan. I'm still trying to figure out why Oakland signed him, but I think Al Davis' pride gets in the way and Jordan's value takes a hit. Trade him while you can.

 

[Rounders]

What I'm having a hard time figuring out is why Rhodes deserves carries? I didn't follow him in pre-season, was it good? Are you guys saying that because he got piad in FA that he deserves to touch the ball?

I think that it will be a 70/30 split, but I'm trying to find out where the Rhodes love is coming from.

 

[TheFanatic]

This performance was an aberration. I do not look for it to continue going forward. Enjoy it for this week!

I'm not so sure. They have Denver, Cleveland and Miami in the next 3 weeks. All 3 of those teams were run on yesterday.

 

[CalBear]

There is almost zero chance that Rhodes comes back and takes the starting job. I think it's more likely that Rhodes will be cut and never play a down for the Raiders, than that he takes the starting job from Jordan.The most likely scenario is that Rhodes takes over the Fargas role, probably a couple weeks after his suspension is over.

I guess I'm speaking with a couple of Jordan owners here so I will try to be impartial.I think this statement is ridiculous"I think it's more likely that Rhodes will be cut and never play a down for the Raiders, than that he takes the starting job from Jordan."Jordan had 1 good game against a weak Detriot D, don't get carried away.Oakland didn't give up a ton of money to bring in Rhodes, let him sit out his suspension and then cut him.Jordan needs 3 more games like yesterday and Rhodes becomes a 5 carry a game guy. If Oaklands offense stinks up the joint and Jordan has a couple of bad games it's a LOCK they put Rhodes in when he gets back to see what he can do.I'm guessing it's going to be a true RBBC with Rhodes getting goalline carries. I know thats not what you want to hear but it's what I think. Again, coming from someone with no vested interest in either player.

I don't own either Jordan or Rhodes in my main league. I own Jordan in the Staff vs. MB auction league and Rhodes in Anarchy 2. My real interest in this scenario is that I've been pulling for Adimchinobe Echemandu and wondering how the situation would play out. I live in Oakland and hear about the situation a lot.Rhodes was not very good last year. He was even worse in the pre-season. I don't think there's any evidence that he's better than Fargas/Echemandu (both of whom outplayed him in the pre-season), and they had him running with the scout team for two weeks before his suspension, and now he can't practice with the team for four weeks. Jordan looked solid in the preseason and in game 1; I really don't see any reason why a mediocre back who's been not practicing with the first team for 6 weeks (by the time he returns) will be a serious threat to his carries.

 

[Diamond]

What's the word on Michael Bush? I know he's on the PUP, but will he be activated after week 6 or be moved to the IR?

 

[Pocket Joker]

I traded Jordan in preseason, and now feel stupid. He did look like his former self yesterday....

 

[corpcow]

I guess I'm speaking with a couple of Jordan owners here so I will try to be impartial.

I just want to clarify the cause-and-effect here. Most of us who own him do so because we think he can regain that 2005 form, not the other way around. In other words, it's not just hopeful bias. I'm an owner of him in a few leagues because I'm impartial - despite seeing him burn people last year, I think it was more a matter of how the Oakland offense was as a whole, and I think they'll be better off in the passing game regardless of who wins the job.

I think this statement is ridiculous

"I think it's more likely that Rhodes will be cut and never play a down for the Raiders, than that he takes the starting job from Jordan."

Jordan had 1 good game against a weak Detriot D, don't get carried away.

Oakland didn't give up a ton of money to bring in Rhodes, let him sit out his suspension and then cut him.

While I don't expect him to get cut, it's also plausible that they wanted to see how Jordan fared in the first 4 games. It's not entirely inconceivable that he COULD get cut if Jordan tears it up, but I don't expect it. Rhodes is a great backup RBEven last year as a "starter", Rhodes numbers were nothing special. He is a solid, experienced veteran who runs hard. If Jordan goes down, he could be serviceable as a starter, but I still feel like Jordan is the more talented back and will be the starter and get the majority of the carries. (Don't forget they gave him a lot of money a few years ago). I still think letting Jordan go was the biggest mistake my Jets made in awhile... I've always been a big fan of Lamont. I feel like Jordan's major concern is whether the Oakland rushing game can be productive (which is what killed him last year), not the threat of Rhodes taking the job.

I'm guessing it's going to be a true RBBC with Rhodes getting goalline carries. I know thats not what you want to hear but it's what I think. Again, coming from someone with no vested interest in either player.

Whether or not it's an RBBC, I'm not sure why you would expect Rhodes to get the goal line carries at this point. Rhodes is 5'9 / 208, while Jordan is 5'10 / 235. In 2005, Jordan got 16 carries within the 5 yard line and scored on 6 of them (1 for 2 last year). This was with the Raiders and their terrible QB play and a poor offensive line. By contrast, Rhodes was 5 for 15 last year - about the same success but on a team with much more offensive talent on the line and with other threats to worry about.

I'm just struggling to see why you think it's a foregone conclusion that Rhodes would win that job. I see no evidence either way to support that claim.

 

[corpcow]

What's the word on Michael Bush? I know he's on the PUP, but will he be activated after week 6 or be moved to the IR?

There was a lot of talk in the pre-season that Bush would end up on the IR at that point. They chose only to put him on the PUP for now, but I would strongly suspect that he is moved to the IR if Jordan and/or Rhodes are doing well. No reason to rush him back early and hurt his long-term prospects.