Comments on: 2009 Strength Of Schedule For Running Backs

By: DeAngelo Williams vs Michael Turner: Truth or Fiction | Fantasy Football Fools

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:43:54 +0000

[...] 2009 schedule, rated among the top-five most difficult by most analysts, is much tougher than the one they faced in 2008, rated among the top-10 or at [...]

By: ThomasMagnumPI

ThomasMagnumPI — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:12:07 +0000

Beanie will be THE GUY in AZ. Hightower already had his shot and he screwed the pooch.

I plan on staying away from the Baltimore backfield in all but the latest of rounds because the situation is such a mess. Likewise, the NYJ backfield has become a quagmire with the addition of Shonn Green. I would not be surprised if they cut ties with Jones via trade but until then, I think the guy to target is actually Leon Washington. He will be under the radar and will be their change-of-pace guy. I feel that Jones will go too high in almost all leagues now and that his value is largely gone for the foreseeable future.

By: AScrimm7

AScrimm7 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:42:25 +0000

Can’t help but notice that 2 of the 3 best positioned teams have questions at RB. Both the Ravens and Jets have committee situations. So who should we be targeting? McGahee/McClain/Rice? Thomas Jones or Shonn Greene? None of these guys will get drafted as a #1 fantasy RB, but if we’re looking for depth how would you rank them?

Also will Beanie Wells be the guy in AZ or will he split with Hightower?

By: steelers0087

steelers0087 — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:39:07 +0000

This looks great for Ray Rice! =], sorry I like Rice.

By: Smitty

Smitty — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:03:19 +0000

ThomasMagnumPI: I agree with you that the Jets runners may do well overall. I really like Leon Washington, though, especially given his draft value this year. He is the guy to own if you ask me. Just invest and wait.

Washington could really shine if given the starts. I’m not too sure how long he’d last in this league, but if given a chance elsewhere, or if given the shot to take over in New York for the second half of the upcoming 2009 season, he will shine.

By: ThomasMagnumPI

ThomasMagnumPI — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:37:11 +0000

Turner has to take a hit just because he was so unproductive against good defenses during the beginning and middle of the ‘08 season but I wouldn’t take him down out of the top 5 picks by any means. The passing game is developing well in Atlanta with Matt Ryan developing nicely and Roddy White and Michael Jenkins providing solid receiving options. If they happen to acquire Tony Gonzalez as well then they would have a very nasty passing game next year that should keep defenses honest.

I think that the Jets RBs have a very real potential to be great fantasy value picks at RB2 and Flex, especially PPR leagues (not to mention return yard leagues for L. Washington, where he is GOLDEN) since they were quiet producers last year, both are solid and complimentary backs and they have a very easy schedule next year against the run.

Jones can be had in the late 4th/early 5th round and Washington can be had in the 9th/10th and provide sneaky and solid value, especially to a team drafting a stud RB with the first pick and either WR WR or WR QB after that. I would just make sure to take Washington a bit earlier than you think you have to if you do draft Jones.

I can’t wait for this weekend’s “real” draft!

By: Smitty

Smitty — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:32:23 +0000

Walt: Nice work. DetroitDowners: Here is last year's SOS if you want to take a look. At a glance, defenses were a lot closer together (each extreme) last season vs the season before.

By: DetroitDowners

DetroitDowners — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:10:28 +0000

I love this site! You guys do some great work. What Im wondering is when you put this out last year…how did the info hold up? Did the toughest schedule really hold true as the toughest…and vice versa for the easiest?

Keep up the great work!

By: walt34

walt34 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:05:15 +0000

i’ve enoyed reading this site for several months and thought i’d offer some thoughts since i’ve been looking at teams’ opponents for a couple of weeks; the nfc south teams all had top ten schedules against the last years run defenses, this year they’re mostly bottom ten. the opposite is true of the nfc west, which will enjoy a very nice slate of games this year. i like julius jones as a later pick, the Seahawks are going to be focused on running. the ravens had a hard schedule last year but put up incredible numbers in Camerons rb friendly offense. this year will be easier making ray rice a possibly nice late pickup in ppr formats. having home games weeks 14,15 against det. and chi. is nice too. now that lance moore is sidelined reggie bush is going to be getting lots of screen passes trying to avoid those big front sevens. i especially like leon washington as a later pickup in ppr because of all the opportunities that the D will give him, adding in the loss of coles and the unhappiness of thomas jones and a favorable playoff schedule.
talking about passing games, how much of an effect do you believe the tough running d’s will have on the nfc south teams as they face the afc and nfc east teams? according to rankings i have, the Falcons are facing defenses that last year gave up a lot of fantasy points to wr’s, making roddy white intriguing for this season. but will a drop off in the running game bring down his stats? also, i see you are real high on Peyton Manning, and he has one of the best schedules against pass D’s as well, but i’m concerned that his numbers dropoff last year wasn’t just because of the injury but mostly the decline of Marvin Harrison. they used to put in so much work together and i’m not sure Wayne or Gonzalez can step it up to that elite level. Dallas Clark is the biggest threat in the red zone now, and he can’t be counted on to play 16.
thanks for any feedback.

By: Smitty

Smitty — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:55:42 +0000

hawk12, good commentary. I think Brown will do alright this year and they use him in some creative ways. He was fantastic at times and wasn’t even 100%. I like Brown given his value. I wouldn’t make him your RB2 because you don’t have to given his current value, but he has RB2 upside this year no question. No question. It’s just you don’t have to pay that kind of price, which is the key.

I like Jackson a lot this year and he is inside my top 4 overall in all leagues and formats. Sure, the injury risk is there, but I think he will come out strong and have a good year. Could I be wrong? Absolutely.