Here's my opinion, for what it's worth:I'm HEAVILY invested in Michael Turner (High Stakes League with a significant investment and very high payout).This particular League scoring is VERY basic: 6/TDR, 9/TDRec (for RB's) and 6/100+RushYards, 9/150+RushYards, 12/200+RushYards, etc. That means nothing, zero, nada for # of Rushes, no PPR, no points for any yards under 100, nothing for any yards between 101-149, and so on. Just want to spell that out to illustrate the frame of reference my opinion stems from.My RB Stable is otherwise relatively mediocre: Hightower, DonBrown, FrTaylor/SMorris. I chose to invest in QB and WR and a solid TE, and made RB2 my weak point due to Scoring and Flex Lineup Options. Again, just illustrating the frame of reference.I'm doing very well, knock on wood. If the Playoffs were to start today, I'd have the #2 Seed and a Bye, which is critical to this discussion because a Playoff Bye GUARANTEES me getting back my high buy-in, as the League treats 1st Round Playoff losers like dirt. I'm very motivated to protect current position. Again, just illustrating my frame of reference.What I'm trying to say is that someone in my position should be, and is, VERY interested in the Turner situation, and the prospects of Snelling and the other RB's on the Roster in the event of his absence.Last night was the final night of Waivers, and Snelling was available, and I was in position to make a relatively cheap move to acquire him.I chose not to.Jason Snelling is your average RB, and that's not necessarily a criticism, but based on what I've seen, and more importantly, what I NEED, he wasn't worth it, IMO.Here's what I'm seeing: barring further injury, while Turner is out, Snelling is 'one of three', along with a now-healthier, explosive Norwood and savvy veteran Aaron Stecker. Norwood is a big play waiting to happen, with decent receiving skills, and Stecker is a journeyman utility infielder who knows how to do a little bit of everything well enough, including pass block properly, to merit touches in the absence of Turner and help keep a Defense honest. Being a vet, who's been on the NFL field in plenty 'clutch time' during his career, he's got value being out there in critical situations where the outcome of a series, or the game, depends on folks getting what needs to be done, done. That's a big deal for a Team in Atlanta's position.Keep the Defense honest, so that the outcome of the Game is neither on the shoulders of Matt Ryan or the Defense: that's the most important thing Atlanta needs to do in Turner's absence, in NFL terms, to win enough Games to make the Playoffs. I've seen nothing from Snelling so far that makes me think he's capable of doing that on his own, nor (more importantly) do the Falcons NEED HIM TO, with two backs like Norwood and Stecker available for touches. By diversifying the touches through 3 relatively unique backs, the Falcons ought to be able to accomplish the most critical thing towards ensuring the offense maintains productive consistency in Turner's absence - not allowing Defenses to collapse on Tony Gonzalez and take him out of the equation.In 'normal' situations, I'd imagine the only thing we can be reasonably sure of regarding Snelling is that he'll likely be the guy to carry the ball on 1st Down rushing plays. All remaining touches will be determined by down and distance and situation, and it's my opinion that the coaching staff ought to regard Snelling and Stecker as interchangeable in short yardage and goal line situations.Captain Obvious tells us that his value all depends on how your League scores, but if my opinion holds water, no matter the scoring format, his upside is limited at best, to about 40% of total RB production while Turner is out, and there are two other mouths that deserve feeding in the Offensive Big Picture.JMHO...
@ Turner
@ Turner
and good subjective info.
