Twenty-Four Eighty-Four
Footballguy
Activated from IR.
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Rex Burkhead RB - HOU (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mcintyre1
- Start date
themeistersinger
Footballguy
I'm not surprised he got activated this week, but I am shocked it happened today. Don't teams usually wait until late on Saturday to activate a player from IR, just in case anything happens in the intervening period. Have the rules changed so they have to be activated sooner or is Bellichick making this move to make some kind of statement (and if it is a statement, what's he saying)?
I'm kind of whining because as long as he wasn't activated he could sit in my IR spot, but now if I want to make any roster moves I have to drop him (or somebody else) first. And it will probably be Burkhead that gets the drop.
jtp1982
Footballguy
Every NE team action related to getting Burkhead on the field has occurred at the earliest possible moment allowed by the rules. This guy is going to contribute immediately, guaranteed.
Amazing how many experts are putting Burkhead behind Michel and White, my CBS league news feed even estimated he gets every third series. There’s just no way to know these things and there’s no reason to expect they remain consistent week to week.. Michel, White and Burkhead don’t know what their usage will look like next week.
The only thing we have on our side as fantasy owners is the reality that 2/3 of the NE backfield have been injury prone backs so far in their careers. The odds of all three of these guys being active for every game ROS is below 50% IMO.
themeistersinger
Footballguy
Yes, that's why I wanted him in my IR spot through this week's games. We only have 5 bench spots so I can't carry everybody. My other 5 RB's are Alvin Kamara, Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette, Austin Ekeler and Josh Adams. Because of all the caveats with "New England Backfield" I can't rely on Burkhead as much as the other guys, who at least have a starter role (at least for now for Ekeler with Gordon hurt). It wouldn't surprise me at all if Burkhead led the team in touches and fantasy points ROS, nor would it surprise me if he was third behind Michel and White. Just no way to know with the Patriots.
I think Bellichick found out I'm a Bills fan and that's why he hates me.
Twenty-Four Eighty-Four
Footballguy
I always tell myself I'm staying away from NE RBs because you just don't know what to do with them. But he was free and I could stash him on IR for a bit. Luckily I have one more regular season week, then a bye so I'll have two weeks to see how they all get used (or not) and see how comfortable I feel with him in my flex spot.
jtp1982
Footballguy
Meh stat line but Burkhead looked good. Michel and White both looked better though.
Scoring didn’t happen for any NE RBs today but Burlhead was in some red zone packages. He will be taking some TDs at some point.
About the only thing he looked better at than either other back was the amount of contact he can maneuver in YAC on short check down receptions. Really interesting mixture of hands, body control, and violence when he turns up field. Kind of Ingram-esque. Fun to watch.
Scoring didn’t happen for any NE RBs today but Burlhead was in some red zone packages. He will be taking some TDs at some point.
About the only thing he looked better at than either other back was the amount of contact he can maneuver in YAC on short check down receptions. Really interesting mixture of hands, body control, and violence when he turns up field. Kind of Ingram-esque. Fun to watch.
The Frankman
Footballguy
He's obviously not a fantasy asset, but he's remaining a factor in the offense and if Michel went down it feels like he would be in a committee with James white as the lead RBs.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I doubt White would become the lead RB. I think White's role would stay the same and Harris and Burkhead would split the carries (with White getting his usual handful of carries when plays are changed from passes to runs at the LOS).
Wow.
So not only is James White out, but J. Develin is out as well.
Rex was already leading the backfield in touches and now should grab all of White's touches. Would think he'd be in for garbage time as well (unless D. Harris is active).
All that said, Jets D-line is their strength and NE's offensive line has been battered with injuries. BB may just decide to air it out (although Rex would be involved there).
Debating sitting M. Sanders for Rex here.
So not only is James White out, but J. Develin is out as well.
Rex was already leading the backfield in touches and now should grab all of White's touches. Would think he'd be in for garbage time as well (unless D. Harris is active).
All that said, Jets D-line is their strength and NE's offensive line has been battered with injuries. BB may just decide to air it out (although Rex would be involved there).
Debating sitting M. Sanders for Rex here.
midnight_green81
Footballguy
Same dilemma here; was starting Sanders but without much confidence.
Just read about White absence; just got Burkhead and more comfortable rolling with him.
ahartig
Footballguy
I’d play rex over sanders 100%. I’m debating on whether to sit mclaurin for rex. If Damien Harris is inactive i most likely will.
Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
Not sure I would start Rex over Carson, but he’s in the wire.
I know White is out for just this game, but Rex has been used more than usual this year.
do we think Rex makes a solid useable long term flex RB? Or is he still game script and other rb health dependent?
I know White is out for just this game, but Rex has been used more than usual this year.
do we think Rex makes a solid useable long term flex RB? Or is he still game script and other rb health dependent?
Anarchy99
Footballguy
IMO, Rex had benefited from huge leads and gotten a lot more action in second halves this year. With OL injuries and no TE's to speak of (and today they may not have use of a TE at all), I am not sure what alignment they will use to keep Brady from being pancaked. In the past, their 2 TE power package made them have a strong running game with killer play action. They will probably give their German kid a lot of work today at FB.
I would normally say that Burkhead's usage would drop off if the games are closer, but they may not have a close game until November. It depends how big a league it is and what other options you have, but in 12 team leagues he will probably remain as a flex option for at least a couple months.
That being said, it would not shock me at all if Harris carved out a role in a game like this. He is said to be a dual threat and is active for the first time today.
With Devlin out and the offensive line banged up...plus a decent Jets defensive front (although Mosley and Williams out), I wonder if this is a spread it out and get it out 1-2-3 early.
Feel like it's throw early, run late. And Rex benefits here, while maybe S. Michel suffers.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I face the Burkhead owner this week in Dynasty & he just activated him, so I hope y’all are right about Harris. 
flapgreen
Footballguy
Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
Will be monitoring.
Who is next guy up if Rex is out for a week or longer -- Damien Harris? Develin (If he's back? Does he operate more of a pure FB?) Bolden? Jakob Johnson?
ahartig
Footballguy
Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
Yeah, would be great to see a source. I know Edelman had X-rays (which seemed encouraging), maybe got confused with Rex?
Anarchy99
Footballguy
It was on the local post game radio show. They were recapping the injuries from the game and added that as a last second addition to the list. I listened to the rest of the broadcast and they didn’t bring it up again. I also watched the two hour local post game wrap up show on tv and they didn’t mention it at all. At this point we may not have any indication until the Wednesday practice report. Sorry I don’t have any more information than what I initially posted.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
It definitely was Rex because they commented that Edelman is always an injury risk and Burkhead was probably more of one than JE11 was. Someone commented that it was fitting that they both had to go for X-rays after the same game.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
The NE offense has had a lot of injuries and the AB situation to deal with, so it's really hard to draw any firm conclusions. The MIA they rearranged things to accommodate Brown. Last week White was out and Edelman missed half the game. The OL still has injury issues and they still don't have a healthy TE. And Develin got hurt and could be done for the season.ponchsox said:
None of that bodes well for the rushing game. Michel probably has residual issues from summer surgery, which combined with no room to run and no use in the passing game makes him a fantasy dud. Michel is looking more like a TD dependent RB3. The offense runs better with Burkhead because defenses can't decipher if the play is a running play or passing play pre-snap . . . which is what kills Michel. With Brown out of the picture, White should continue to be a key cog receiving the ball.
Until the issues I mentioned get resolved, White a decent RB2 in PPR leagues, Burkhead an ok RB in PPR leagues, Michel down to a RB3. We'll see what changes if Cannon gets healthy, Watson comes off suspension, and if BB works them hard to improve the running game. The net result is TB is going to have to carry the load way more than they wanted him to this year. Hopefully they get things together by the time the schedule toughens up. Wynn could be back around then as well.
Team Smokin'
Footballguy
Much of what I read and watch is saying Burkhead is outplaying Michel straight up. Perhaps it means something? It is the Patriots, but I'm holding and did start him in the Flex last week twice, once in season long, and once on Draftkings. Won both. Burkhead would be a nice FA pick up if he continues to get more touches and passes.
if he's even a little hobbled, can expect a lot of checkdowns to White. not a whole lot of ways to attack the Buffalo defense
Ilov80s
Footballguy
mphtrilogy
Footballguy
Dumped Duke for him, if he's healthy enough he looks like he could be very effective this year....
Team Smokin'
Footballguy
Remember it's the Patriots who seem to be ultra conservative in reporting injuries. Burkhead is moving ahead of Sony in rankings and in real football. He's a nice play in Flex, bye weeks, and could even hit RB #2 status or beyond. All for a free FA pick up price. I'm holding and even played him last week.
I know this quote isn't from you, but how is this limited designation only concerning for Burkhead, seeing as Edelman also received and x-ray (& and MRI, IIRC) AND was removed from Sundays game? Wouldn't it be concerning for him too?
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Everyone saw Edelman get hurt on live tvand he missed the second half of the game against the Jets. There was a lot of concern he might miss time. He returned to practice and the feeling is he will suit up against the Bills. How hurt he is and how well he will do due to injury is anyone's guess.
Most people didn't see Burkhead get hurt live and no one really noticed any possible absence at the end of the game. His injury went so under the radar that people initially felt I may have been in error in mentioning it Sunday night. It still hasn't received much publicity, so it's hard to tell how big a deal it is since no one was really looked into it.
Hopefully the cracker jack team of beat reporters will have more to report today and tomorrow with regard to Burkhead.
I understand that, and my (small) point of contention wasn't with you or your posting, rather the editorial in the quote that the only player to be concerned about was Burkhead. Objectively speaking, there should be at least the same amount of concern for Edelman (although the fact that both were able to get in a limited practice on Wednesday should alleviate many concerns).
rockaction
Footballguy
That whole thing was terribly written by Rotoworld and makes sense in two or three ways, actually, because it is so unclear.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Sexy Rexy again listed as a limited participant in practice today. Odds are he will be listed as questionable after tomorrow. No one seems to be delving into this for some reason. In a related note, the NE TE's on the roster were also limited in practice and they brought in some other TE's for tryouts. That should not be an encouraging sign with regard to getting any run blocking from the TE position this week. However, that probably means more White and Burkhead tandems out of the backfield if Rex can go this week. Hopefully more will come out and he isn't the dreaded game time decision.
leftcoastheel
Footballguy
Not getting a good vibe at all for NE here.
Buffalo D is no joke. This could be 13-10 type slugfest.
Not sure anyone on NE let alone Rex will be a solid play this week.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I don't think anyone is suggesting that the Bills defense is a joke, but the teams they have played so far don't exactly have great offenses. Over the past two seasons (since the BUF defense became legit) NE has averaged 27 ppg against them. NE may get into the 20's, but I am not sure the Bills get into the teens (unless the NE offense and special teams gift wraps points again). The Bills offense has been good but not great statistically, and the NE D >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NYJ / NYG / CIN defenses.
Couldn’t you say much the same for the offenses NE has played? Miami, NYJ with their 3rd string QB, and what looks to be a Pitt offense that is much worse than people thought it’d be. If you’re gonna discount Buffalo’s D b/c of their opponents, dont you have to do the same for NE?
Anarchy99
Footballguy
PiT offense with Ben = 3 points and LAR in the SB = 3 points. And while the Patriots defense haven’t played any world beaters, they’ve only given up 3 points in 3 games.
