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Lets start a RB handcuff tier list (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ponchsox
- Start date
chickensoup
Footballguy
I'll just list them how I see them in order:
1: Foster/Tate for obvious reasons
2: McCoy/Brown(Polk). I think all 3 should be rostered, Brown could be a flex play as is
3: Rice/Pierce. Pierce is a good runner and wound become the focal point of the offense if Rice went down
4: Morris/Helu. Helu is talented and its a Shanahan offense. I almost like this combo more than Rice/Pierce but Helu has had health issues
5: Lynch/Turbin(Michael). The only problem is that noone knows who the backup would end up being. My guess is Turbin but Michael looks pretty good
6: Lacy/Harris: Harris can be good but is dealing with injury. Lacy could have been a first rounder except for injury
7: Gore/Hunter(James): I think James is a better back but Hunter is in line to take the touches as of now I believe
Other ones I'm not even considering handcuffs and really the only one if realistically take is Tate/Brown as an actual handcuff
1: Foster/Tate for obvious reasons
2: McCoy/Brown(Polk). I think all 3 should be rostered, Brown could be a flex play as is
3: Rice/Pierce. Pierce is a good runner and wound become the focal point of the offense if Rice went down
4: Morris/Helu. Helu is talented and its a Shanahan offense. I almost like this combo more than Rice/Pierce but Helu has had health issues
5: Lynch/Turbin(Michael). The only problem is that noone knows who the backup would end up being. My guess is Turbin but Michael looks pretty good
6: Lacy/Harris: Harris can be good but is dealing with injury. Lacy could have been a first rounder except for injury
7: Gore/Hunter(James): I think James is a better back but Hunter is in line to take the touches as of now I believe
Other ones I'm not even considering handcuffs and really the only one if realistically take is Tate/Brown as an actual handcuff
Banger
Footballguy
I might put Christine Michael after Tate. He's looking like he could win your league if he got the shot as your 12th pick. For the potential impact and his ADP he's certainly the best potential value.
I'd add Knile Davis as well since he looks incredibly explosive and is very cheap.
I'd add Knile Davis as well since he looks incredibly explosive and is very cheap.
Short Corner
Footballguy
I like Tate but will have to pay too much in our league to get him. I think Brown (wilson), Polk (Shady), Helu (Morris), Jackson (Spiller), and Knowshon (not really a HC) as high upside plays at the back end of my draft. Only 7 bench spots, I want 5 of them to be RBs.
chickensoup
Footballguy
Good call, I forgot Bush/Bell
I like Helu as the ultra sleeper handcuff. Alfred Morris offers nothing in the passing game and may become just a two down back.. So far this preseason - my eyeball test - Helu looks like the superior back. Helu is finally healthy. And of course you have Shannahan who could always make a switch at any given time. Helu is probably virtually free in most leagues and could be a monster if Morris were to get hurt or lose his job.
Give Helu 250+ touches in this offense - and I believe he does more than Morris.
Give Helu 250+ touches in this offense - and I believe he does more than Morris.
chickensoup
Footballguy
I think we're talking about different things maybe? There's a laundry list of backup RB I would take, but few handcuffs that truly intrigue. Handcuffs to me are mostly guys you'll reach a little on as insurance for your starter. I won't reach for Tate if I don't have foster. But ill take Tate at around his ADP or after if it presents itself.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
babydemon90
Footballguy
Spiller/FJax?
soothsayer
Footballguy
Jedi Knight
Footballguy
How about Forte/M. Bush?
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Why? I mean, I hope so, I got him really late, but I don't have much hope that he is anything more than a reliable start I could throw in any week if #### hits the fan.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
You think wrong. It not even close.chickensoup said:
Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
Seattle is extremely lucky to be so deep in quality RBs. If Lynch goes down, I'm not convinced that either Turbin or Michael get the clear cut starting job as opposed to being played in an RBBC until one clearly shows reason to keep the other off the field.Banger said:
I think it's like the backup situation with the Raiders -- if (and I'm using this hopefully instead of "when") McFadden goes down, Jennings seems like the straight-forward backup play, but Reece has proven himself as a successful 3-down back and it would make sense to employ both talents in the starter's absence.
As a result, I think other pairings on the list should be rated higher if only because the backup's fantasy value is better "known."
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
You guys are killing me. No way can I handcuff all the backups.
McCoy - Brown+Polk
Lynch - Turbin+Michael
Even in a redraft with deep rosters Im not sure what I should even target.
McCoy - Brown+Polk
Lynch - Turbin+Michael
Even in a redraft with deep rosters Im not sure what I should even target.
TheGreatSpinks
Footballguy
1. Bryce Brown---Flex/RB3 with McCoy healthy.
2. Brandon Tate--- Although he’s a bit more dependent on Foster’s health. Upsdie is huge when it’s his show.
3. Roy Helu--- Especially in PPR. Helu is legit. If Morris goes down, Helu is a RB1.
4. Christine Michael--- I think he’s going to start cutting into carries sooner than later. 50/50 midway through 2014.
5. Bernard Pierce--- With a lack of options in Baltimore, if Rice were to go down, I think the Ravens offense sinks.
2. Brandon Tate--- Although he’s a bit more dependent on Foster’s health. Upsdie is huge when it’s his show.
3. Roy Helu--- Especially in PPR. Helu is legit. If Morris goes down, Helu is a RB1.
4. Christine Michael--- I think he’s going to start cutting into carries sooner than later. 50/50 midway through 2014.
5. Bernard Pierce--- With a lack of options in Baltimore, if Rice were to go down, I think the Ravens offense sinks.
zoonation
Footballguy
I think they use him way more than people think. They are going to be in shootouts all year. If sproles goes down this guy is a low end RB1. I got him in the 12th and think he will be a possible flex play with upside.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Obviously if Sproles or Ingram gets hurt, he has nice value. Beyond that, I'm not convinced there is room for him to do much. I took him as my RB5 because he is a guy you can plug in any week and expect some points. Anything beyond that and he is a great value. I hope you are right and he gets more opportunities.
SeanTaylor21
Footballguy
I agree 100%. Helu has the speed to break loose on any run and is far better in the passing game (more recs. against SF in '11 than Alf has in his career). To me, Helu has to be drafted by Alf owners considering we have yet to see how much Helu being in the lineup will affect Alf's numbers.jesseasi said:
I think Joique Bell is a must own handcuff in all formats. Reggie is no stranger to injuries and Joique turned in a 50 catch campaign last year. Dating back to his days in NO, this guy has always passed the eye test.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
As a Gore owner, I'm kicking myself for not getting James at the end of the draft. But like some said earlier, you can't have all the handcuffs. James is undervalued on this list in comparison to other handcuffs, if only because the coaching staff has already said they want to limit Gore's touches. James could have "what the heck" flex appeal. And If Gore gets dinged up, that's a great run first offense to have locked up at the end of your roster. I like the James upside more than most from what I'm reading here.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
I have Tate and am holding him ransom from the Foster owner. The payout for this lottery ticket will be huge.
Sweet Love
IBL Representative
Ivory/Powell - Just hear me out...Powell has looked decent this preseason and when you compare where you draft each, I think you almost have the same quality guy (when you factor in Ivory's penchant for getting dinged) at about 8 rounds later in Powell. I don't think the Jets' offensive line great, but I would put them in that 11-15 range, and we sure as heck know they can't pass. Teams will be happy to give them the run game when they are up by 14 in the 2nd quarter against the Jets (the Jets will take it, so they can keep the game close versus forcing pick after pick). Not sure if this is the spirit of the thread, but I was reading an FBG paid subscription article that had Powell as a top 3 handcuff for this reason.
It actually was pretty cool because it factored in offense, starter's typical health, etc. in determining which handcuffs you are not only likely to see, but which ones will be able to make an impact.
It actually was pretty cool because it factored in offense, starter's typical health, etc. in determining which handcuffs you are not only likely to see, but which ones will be able to make an impact.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
So let me get this straight. You're down 3 touchdowns and you kill the clock to prevent embarrasing pick sixes or butt fumbles? mmm. ok
Short Corner
Footballguy
I like Polk better than Brown. Brown had some juicy match ups late last season when he stepped in and then promptly disappeared. Polk can be taken in the lst round of most drafts.
Sweet Love
IBL Representative
Not to prevent it, but to stay in the game...Their D is not going to get lit up weekly, so their best strategy is to run it. You know, I know, THEY know what happens when they try to air it out.
socrates
Footballguy
You have to consider several factors when evaluating handcuffs: the starter's durability; the offense they play in; and the backup's level of talent.
I am not interested, however, in rostering mediocre backups who may emerge as flex-value players. I prefer to use those roster spots for dynamic players who could carry me to a championship if they hit.
In my evaluation, Ben Tate, Christine Michael, Bernard Pierce, Andre Brown, Shane Vereen, and perhaps Chris Polk and Roy Helu best fit that bill.
I think it was Bloom who pointed it out during a podcast, but last year, when Sproles went down, Thomas did not see an increase in workload. I remember sitting on him and thinking I'd just stumbled onto a fringe rb1, and he never got the work. In fact, just taking a quick glance, Thomas had his largest workload games while Sproles was healthy. I'd hold those expectations down just a tad, I think Thomas is locked into the workload he gets, and outside of an all out catastrophe in the NO backfield, I don't think it'll change much.
As far as the Handcuffs of worth, Joique Bell definitely needs to be up here. He performed really well last year as the pass catching back to Leshoure's plodding about. It's been all positive for him this offseason, through TC, and now into the preseason games. if Bush went down, Bell would flirt with RB1 #'s in a ppr, and RB2 in a standard. He's honestly a really good back.
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Bills_Fan11
Footballguy
Pretty shocked this wouldn't make anyone's top 7. Other than Tate & Bryce Brown, FJax is the only guy worth cuffing imo.
greggorymac
Footballguy
I don't own Foster or Morris, but I will overpay for both Tate and Helu. They are the clear cut #2 RB's on their team and if the starter goes down, they can step in and the offense won't miss a beat nor will the team try to employ a RBBC with them. They are lottery tickets, but well worth the price of admission.
GroveDiesel
Footballguy
I disagree. After last year's 2 knee injuries, Freddie looks totally washed up to me. He has shown no burst, no ability to push the pile and looks like he's running in mud out there. I love the guy, but no way would I waste a roster spot on him.
ThePittbully
Footballguy
silentcoach
Footballguy
Tate (foster)
A.Brown (wilson)
Pierce (rice)
A.Brown (wilson)
Pierce (rice)
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For me it's finding guys who are behind injury prone RB's who can be an RB1 or maybe RB2.
So who do I feel are the injury risk guys?
DeMarco Murray, Jamal Charles, DMC, Chris Ivory, Forte, Gore, Reggie Bush, Ryan Mathews, Foster.
Then from there weighing the quality of the backup, and if they are a clear handcuff. So who's left?
Lance Dunbar, Knile Davis, Michael Bush, Ben Tate.
Those are the guys I want.
So who do I feel are the injury risk guys?
DeMarco Murray, Jamal Charles, DMC, Chris Ivory, Forte, Gore, Reggie Bush, Ryan Mathews, Foster.
Then from there weighing the quality of the backup, and if they are a clear handcuff. So who's left?
Lance Dunbar, Knile Davis, Michael Bush, Ben Tate.
Those are the guys I want.
Are you sure it's not Kendall Hunter you want here? I wasn't sure about his health after last year's achilles injury, but he was the first off the bench in week 3 of the preseason. James got more touches afterward but also got dinged. Elbow, I think, not sure how / if serous.Raiderfan32904 said:
rjv
Footballguy
I ranked the backup RB situations on a combination of backup RB ceiling (which includes talent), #1 RB inj risk, clarity on who the backup is, and cost of the backup.
SameSongNDance
Footballguy
L. Moore historically got a bump when Bush got injured and will similarly get a bump if Sproles goes down.Mene said:
As for L. James, I was surprised to see Hunter rehab so quickly. He's a much more complete RB than James, and the one I'd want to own if Gore went down.
I've been extremely impressed by J. Bell in preseason action. His skill set also mirrors Bush's and would get a huge bump if Bush were to go down. Remember Bush was only able to say healthy once he left NO. One variable that could have lead to his injury laden seasons was the turf. MIA has a grass field, DET has turf.
