Defending Champs
Footballguy
While this may looked like a cleverly disguised "Who do I Start" thread, trust me, it's not.
Like others, I pour through all of the data trying to put my best foot forward. While I don't use the rankings as my end all be all, I certainly put it in high regards.
Kevin Smith notably had a terrible week this past week with the exception of the TD.
His YPC were a paltry 1.3.
He did have a nice 7 catches for 52 Yards
I find it interesting that he would be listed as the #10 RB this week going up against the stout Minn DL.
Quote from the weekly upgrade downgrade article:
"Opinion (from The Upgrade/Downgrade/Waiver Report): Smith had difficulty finding running room between the tackles and had to make a move in the backfield on nearly every play. Other than a successful misdirection play on a fourth down touchdown run in the second quarter, Smith wasn’t much more effective when the Lions tried to get him outside on pitch plays and sweeps. He caught the ball well on a variety of screen passes and underneath routes, showing good elusiveness after getting the ball in open field. Until teams can't force Matthew Stafford to throw the ball without consistently paying for it, Smith is not going to have the opportunity to be the fantasy player that matches his ability. The fact that Schwartz stuck with the ground game enough for Smith to get at least 15 carries means Smith is still a low-end No. 2 fantasy RB, but not a favorable option in the short-term. "
I also have Ray Rice on my roster. Rice had a nice week last week with over 100 yards and nearly tip toed in for a score. Yes, I know McGahee and McClain exist which is the obvious downgrade to his status, but he's ranked 29th this week heading into San Diego. I am using Rice as my example simply b/c he is on my roster and try to read as much as possible about each player I have.
As a team last week, the Chargers gave up a total of 148 yards on the ground which was 25th worse in the NFL.
It would seem to me that these two names are drastically on the wrong side of the early weekly rankings, no?
Thoughts?
Like others, I pour through all of the data trying to put my best foot forward. While I don't use the rankings as my end all be all, I certainly put it in high regards.
Kevin Smith notably had a terrible week this past week with the exception of the TD.
His YPC were a paltry 1.3.
He did have a nice 7 catches for 52 Yards
I find it interesting that he would be listed as the #10 RB this week going up against the stout Minn DL.
Quote from the weekly upgrade downgrade article:
"Opinion (from The Upgrade/Downgrade/Waiver Report): Smith had difficulty finding running room between the tackles and had to make a move in the backfield on nearly every play. Other than a successful misdirection play on a fourth down touchdown run in the second quarter, Smith wasn’t much more effective when the Lions tried to get him outside on pitch plays and sweeps. He caught the ball well on a variety of screen passes and underneath routes, showing good elusiveness after getting the ball in open field. Until teams can't force Matthew Stafford to throw the ball without consistently paying for it, Smith is not going to have the opportunity to be the fantasy player that matches his ability. The fact that Schwartz stuck with the ground game enough for Smith to get at least 15 carries means Smith is still a low-end No. 2 fantasy RB, but not a favorable option in the short-term. "
I also have Ray Rice on my roster. Rice had a nice week last week with over 100 yards and nearly tip toed in for a score. Yes, I know McGahee and McClain exist which is the obvious downgrade to his status, but he's ranked 29th this week heading into San Diego. I am using Rice as my example simply b/c he is on my roster and try to read as much as possible about each player I have.
As a team last week, the Chargers gave up a total of 148 yards on the ground which was 25th worse in the NFL.
It would seem to me that these two names are drastically on the wrong side of the early weekly rankings, no?
Thoughts?
