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Starting both ends of a handcuff? (1 Viewer)

AJA

Footballguy
I haven't personally seen much of Buffalo or St. Louis on TV this year, but St. Louis is terrible. This seems like a free buffet for Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson (especially in PPR). This assumes a big lead for Buffalo, the desire to burn the clock, and giving FJ a few extra reps to keep ML healthy.

Anyone else think FJ could put up some nice numbers this week?

 
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Lynch and Jackson aren't Thurman Thomas and Kenneth Davis yet, I think you'd have to be pretty desperate to start Jackson.

 
I'm considering doing the same thing with LT and Sproles this week. I can start 3 between LT, Portis, Perry, and Sproles. Perry should be productive against Cleveland, but historically Portis doesn't do much in Dallas. I expect the Chargers to have a big lead.

I'm interested to hear what others say about this strategy. Anybody tried this before? Is it better to go with the "sure-thing" or would you take a chance on a back-up with a great match-up?

 
To cover a bye week, sure.

Normally, no way Fred Jackson should ever get a start. I'd be reluctant to start even the 2 Titans RBs during a normal week, but that's perfectly fine to cover a bye week.

 
I think the matchup vs. STL qualifies as good enough to start both Jackson and Lynch. I also think LT/Sproles works, and even Hightower/James, although it doesnt have the overall potential of the BUF and SD combos because of the matchup. The nice thing about starting both backs in a juicy matchup is that you hedge against situations like your starting RB running the ball to the 3 on a long one, and then the back on your bench finishing the drive, or your RB yielding early in the 3rd and the guy on your bench getting 15 touches in the second half against a demoralized defense. You're basically betting on the 150+ yard multi TD rushing day from a winning team, and teams like ATL, JAX, OAK, and TEN set out to do that every week. With six teams on bye, some uncertainty in Philly, a three way committee in DEN, and BAL/PIT lining up as a low scoring war, some of these 7-12 "high value touch" RBs will get starts in deeper leagues. I could even imagine rolling with a Pittman/Young combo because of the scoring potential the Denver O offers this week.

On the subject of committees in general, I think it's pretty clear that TEN and JAX are fine running attacks to start both heads of when they have a good matchup. Seems like both RBs yield double digits (and more) when these teams get to execute their gameplan and impose their will on the opposing defense with 35+ carries to go around and each back softening up the D for the other as the game goes on. ATL has a similar personality and two high quality backs, but Norwood is more the compliment than the co-starter (like Jackson in BUF and Sproles in SD, at least while they aren't nursing LT's toe). CAR and MIA have the potential to go off in any given game, but it's harder to picture these teams jumping out to big leads with regularity, and they are also are not as strict slaves to the run as the first three. BAL is one to watch. They were basically using McGahee like a featured back before the shot to the eye, McClain is more like a finisher. So functionally they are like TEN and JAX when you see a good matchup, since they will also aim for 40 carries and both RBs have potential to score. In a tighter matchup, like this week vs PIT (even without Hampton), McClain is more the compliment than the co-starter. My hesitiation with pronouncing too many good matchups for them is the Flacco factor, teams will put 8 and 9 in the box if the D isnt giving them short fields and shutting down the opposition. I have similar concerns about OAK, and their D, while aggressive, doesn't look as good as BAL's D. ARI is evolving into something resembling JAX. They also have the will to run 35-40 times a game, so if the D and Warner continue to play well, they could be a committee worth starting in a lot of weeks.

 
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StL wins. WRITE THAT DOWN.

I own Freddie Jackson.. not starting him but i think he makes a nice sleeper play this weekend.

 
I'm seriously considering starting Jackson of McFadden this week in a PPR. I think this has all the makings of a blowout with the Bills resting Lynch for a good chunk of the game. By starting Jackson, I'd be going with both Lynch and Jackson

 
im considering westy / buckhalter . got a good matchup bye week wise and should win (opponent addai,wayne,toomer).

Am I thinking correctly ?

my guys

Jacobs (bye)

Pierre thomas

c taylor (gimpy)

a. hall

its pretty much the handcuff or thomas.

sorry, dont mean to turn this into wdis but its on topic and would love some feedback. especially if someones considering the same move.

 
Started a similar thread this week about starting Barber + Felix. I'm ultimately not starting Felix, but I think it might prove a sound strategy given certain matchups and who you have on bye.

Bloom is right in that it kind of hedges your bets, so IMO it's best to use when you are going up vs. an inferior opponent and just want to go the conservative route, knowing that if you get 20-25 out of your RBs you'll probably win vs. going up against a better team where you have to hope each of your RBs is good for 20+.

 
Where's the Marion Barber/Felix Jones love?I'm contemplating rolling with that one this weekend...
i too have barber/jones in my lineup right now. but with witten at te, that is way too many eggs in one basket. i love the idea of starting both, but probably go with cj3 or tjones. if you are in a return yardage league though, i think starting both is a no brainer.
 
I have them in my 10 team league and using them both. Been playing Jacobs and Ward also. Both make good flex options based on the matchup....St Louis....uh hell yeah!

 

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