OK, folks. Here’s my conumdrum. I’ve got 4 solid Running Backs with none as a true stud to start. Here’s the match ups, and I’m curious what those of you kicking my ass in various football leagues think I should do.
The league has traditional scoring, 20 yds/pt, 6 pts/TD. Two RB slots, no Flex spots.
My players are like this.
Edge James at Jacksonville.
A-Train at Detroit.
Troy Hambrick vs. Buffalo.
Travis Henry at Dallas.
Edge has been pretty average all year, and never seems to be completely healthy. There’s no obvious reason to bench him this week, but I’m a little unsure of how tough the Jax D will be and how well he’ll play on the natural grass. A-Train is also recovering from injury, but has been looking like he’s returning to dominace the last couple weeks and the Detroit D is pretty awful, but they have a nack of playing hard against the rival Bears, especially at home. Hambrick broke out with a monster week last week and was on the bench for me. Things aren’t expected to change much against that weak Buffalo defense. He’s at home too. Then I also have the other guy in that game, Travis Henry. Dallas has the best defense of the four in question, and Henry is dinged up. But he’s also on a tear lately with a few 100 yard games in a row. He’s a tempting start.
As it is, I’m leaning towards Hambrick and A-Train, but alot of people believe that you should never bench Edge against a mediocre D. I admit that this is really a multitude of riches, but the season could swing on the next couple games for me. One last factor, I’m playing against Peyton Manning this week and playing Edge could allow me to hedge my bets some. If Peyton has abig game, its likely that at least one of the TDs would go to my guy.
I admit to having done very little research on this as of yet, so there could be alot of detail which I’ve overlooked, please share them if you have any.
Thanks in advance for the aid.
I’d go with Edge and Thomas. I’m queasy recommending Thomas for anything, but Hambrick’s not consistent enough to start, and I just don’t know about Henry. I wouldn’t bench Edge for any of those guys, and Thomas or Henry’s hard to call. In my own personal opinion.
Have you seen Jacksonville’s stats vs the run though?
The good thing for you is that they’re not actually that good against running backs fantasy-wise. Henry scored on’ em three times in week 2, Eddie George got 2 in Week 8, and they’ve only kept three teams’ backs out of the end zone. One of those was Stephen Davis, and he still got a buck-ten. Edge was also one of those guys- he got 76 yards rushing and 28 receiving against them the first time. That was at home, of course, but it was also right before he sat out those three games. ESPN’s Insider fantasy site, (which incidentally is just the same content that used to be free, only now you can’t get to it without paying) predicted 90 yards rushing and 20 receiving, plus a TD, for James, and pointed out that Edge has 49 carries his last two games. In other words, he should be fine. Incidentally they also say Thomas will have a better game than your other two guys, for what it’s worth.
I just used “incidentally” twice in three sentences. Now I can’t use it again for like a year.
I think A-Train is a sure start, and Henry is probably going to ride the pine. Between Hambrick and Edge I’m still not sold. What’s the Buffalo D’s chances against Hambrick? Any one of these guys could very easily have a 2 TD day if the chips fall right, but the real question is if the chips don’t fall right who’s most likely to still have a nica game? Hambrick at home against a poorly rated D, or Edge on teh raod vs a good run D. I see your point regarding fantasy points vs. the Jags. Whats the fantasy point trend against Buffalo?
Traditional scoring would be 10 yards = 1 point.
Given that your league doesn’t reward yardage too well, I’d definitely start Travis Henry. His yardage totals this season are pretty average, but he’s tied for the league lead in rushing TDs.
Now, your second guy is tricky. Hambrick is incredibly inconsistent, and Dallas has far too many other scoring options for him to be a sure scorer; Edge is up against a tough rush D yardage wish, but one that gives up a lot of touchdowns on the ground. Go with him; I am.
If your league rewarded yardage more highly, the A-Train would be a better bet.
It occurs to me that you’ve gotten four different answers, so I guess you’re still screwed. When you can’t decide based on talent, play the matchups.
Sorry for the minor hijack, but I need a little advice as well. In Money League A, I need to decide between Edge and Shipp. Shipp is going up against the beastly Pittsburg run D, but he’s hot right now and Mcginnis said he would get around 30 touches.
In money league B, I have Davis vs TB (definitely starting him), Henry vs. Dallas, and Moe Williams vs. San Diego. As mentioned, Henry is a TD beast, but Dallas is tough. Williams is splitting carries, but SD is awful against the run and he would see redzone carries…
Davis is a game time decision with a bad groin, keep that in mind. I’m pretty sure I’d play Edge over Shipp, Arizona has Red Zone issues. The other one is a tougher call, but I think Moe Williams is going to start losing alot of touches now that Bennett is back. He’ll still get goalline touches, but if you have a guy who’ll get yards and TDs, take him first. Thats said, the Herny matchup isn’t a good one. In the end, the answer is I don’t know. Reminds me of my dillema.
Some very last minute Fantasy advice:
Stephen Davis is INACTIVE for today’s game. Start someone else.
Boy, is there egg on our faces… they ALL sucked today.
Did you win today, Omniscient?
I did… started Edge and Tiki.