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Bye Weeks: New Orleans, Oakland
Grab a Helmet
Andre
Ellington v. SEA: Bruce Arians recently announced his intention
to get Ellington 30-32 snaps per game, a surprising display of
candor and specificity we can only hope will catch on with other
head coaches. It’s a good news/bad news story for Ellington, of
course. First, the good: He’s guaranteed to get about a half game’s
worth of snaps despite being a virtual unknown at the start of
the season. Now, the bad: He’s guaranteed to get only a half game’s
worth of snaps. Wait, there’s more good! The Clemson product might
be sharing time with Rashard Mendenhall, but he’s doing a whole
lot more with his opportunities. In the past two games, he’s turned
23 total touches into 175 yards (a 7.6-yard average) and a score.
Mendenhall, on the other hand, has converted 30 touches into just
92 yards (a 3.1-yard average) and a score. One of these things
is not like the other.
Danny
Woodhead @ JAX: If you’re thinking 30-32 snaps isn’t enough
utilization to make a guy worthwhile, consider the case of Danny
Woodhead. The former Patriot has participated in 182 offensive
snaps for San Diego this season and is currently the 15th most
valuable running back in standard leagues. The Chargers have played
six games. I’ll wait while you do the math (cue the Jeopardy theme
song). Granted, Woodhead didn’t play much in Week 1 (just nine
offensive plays), so I’m fudging ever so slightly here. I think
you get the gist, though. Running backs who double as slot receivers
are capable of maximizing touches in ways that mere ground pounders
can’t, especially in PPR leagues. If you haven’t gotten wise to
Woody just yet, it’s probably too late. If you have, keep reserving
that RB2 or flex spot for him on Sundays.
Morris is one of twenty running backs averaging
double-digit FPts.
Alfred
Morris @ CHI: I haven’t talked about Morris yet this season
and that’s probably a bit of an oversight. Or perhaps it would be
more accurate to say he’s in my blind spot. Truth be told, I don’t
like backs that don’t catch the football and Morris certainly fits
that bill (just five total targets and three receptions thus far).
Nevertheless, he’s the 16th-ranked RB (right behind the aforementioned
Woodhead) and he’d be a near Top 10 guy if not for an early bye
week. He also receives a very predictable diet of touches in the
running game, somewhat making up for his absence in the passing
game. Through five contests, Washington’s main man has carried the
ball no fewer than 12 times and no more than 16. He’s also averaging
5.1 yards/carry, better than every other primary ball carrier, including
Shady McCoy and All Day. You’re good to go with Morris, especially
in non-PPR leagues.
Grab a Gatorade
Trent
Richardson v. DEN: You can’t blame Richardson for that egg
the Indy offense laid on Monday night, but it’s probably time
to start wondering when he’s going to look like a “rolling ball
of butcher knives” again and produce the kind of numbers we got
used to seeing during his rookie campaign. The former Heisman
winner is averaging only 8.1 points/game in 2012, well off the
13.6-point pace he set last season, and seems to lack the explosiveness/decisiveness
he possessed in Cleveland. In fact, is anyone else starting to
think the Browns knew what they were doing when they decided to
sever ties with their franchise back? It’s way too early to pass
final judgment there, but something needs to change soon and I’m
not sure it will this weekend. Keeping up with Denver means scoring
points in a hurry and the best way to do that is through the air.
Reserve Richardson if you’re able to.
Stevan
Ridley @ NYJ: Ridley finally looked like a top 10-caliber
back last Sunday against the Saints, rushing for 96 yards and
a couple scores in the thrilling New England victory despite not
stepping on the field until late in the first quarter. This must
mean he’s back to being the main man in Foxboro, right? If you
believe that, there’s this bridge I’ve been meaning to talk to
you about. Bill Belichick is going to use whoever gives him the
best chance of winning on any particular Sunday and while that
may be Ridley many more times this season, it could also be LeGarrette
Blount or Brandon Bolden or Shane Vereen (remember him?), who’s
eligible to return Week 11. Here’s who gives the Pats the best
chance of beating the Jets come this Sunday: Tom Brady. Reserve
all your Patriot runners against New York’s league-leading run
defense.
Chris
Johnson v. SF: If I worried about what Chris Johnson thinks
about what I think about Chris Johnson, I’d probably consider
picking on another franchise running back who’s underperforming
in 2013 (*cough* C.J. Spiller). Since I’m not the worrying
type and since Johnson is such an easy target (hates fantasy football,
apparently hates producing good fantasy numbers, etc.), let’s
just reiterate what I’ve said for the past two weeks: Don’t
start him. His line isn’t good enough. His quarterback isn’t
good enough. He doesn’t appear to be good enough. Oh, and
the defense he’ll be facing this Sunday is definitely good
enough. The best news for Johnson and his various owners appears
to be this: Tennessee goes on bye in Week 8. That’s just
one short week away!
Wide Receivers 
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