Brandon Gibson Steps Up To The Plate
November 19, 2009 at 5:25 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |
Print This Page
| 
I’ve had several owners ask me this week which replacement running back makes the most sense to add to their roster over the stretch run as the fantasy playoffs approach. A plethora of names are open for discussion with guys like Ronnie Brown (lisfranc foot injury), Michael Turner (high ankle sprain), Cedric Benson (hip), Clinton Portis (concussion) and Julius Jones (bruised lung) potentially out this week and possibly beyond. With Brown officially out for the year, Ricky Williams becomes the Dolphins’ featured back, and after rushing for 558 yards on 105 carries and scoring seven TDs in a splittsville roll with Brown during the first nine games, he could very well become a must start each week as the primary offensive option for the ‘Phins. However, while many believe Williams could begin taking Wildcat snaps, my money is on rookie QB Pat White replacing Brown in that arena. White has been eased into the offense, seeing only one rushing attempt on five different occasions. It was his Week 9 performance against the Patriots in which he carried the rock six times for 45 yards out of the direct snap shotgun that leads me to believe White could blossom with Brown out. Don’t get too excited about him though, as he’s scored as a QB in all formats, and would only be valuable in deep leagues that allow a QB to become inserted as a flex play. Also, if your league awards more points rushing yardage points to QBs than other positions, Pat White is a name to follow. Williams, however, is not likely to be available in many formats.
The same cannot be said, however, for Seattle’s Justin Forsett, Atlanta’s Jason Snelling or Washington’s Ladell Betts. All three are phenomenal spot starts this week, but Betts is the one I’d rate the highest. He’s coming off a solid two-game stretch, and he’s practiced in full on Wednesday this week. Look for Betts to be the centerpiece of the Redskins offense this week against the Cowboys. Considering Portis’ propensity for injuries, Betts is likely to be the one with the most staying power as well. In points per reception leagues, Justin Forsett is a very solid RB2 or flex play with Jones already ruled out. Forsett is dynamic, and finally got a chance to show his skills in Week 10 as he rushed 17 times for 123 yards and a TD. He also has five receptions in each of his last two games. Expect Forsett to play a role even when Jones returns, meaning he could be the most valuable of the aforementioned backs in keeper or dynasty leagues.
Turner hasn’t officially been ruled out yet, but with he and Jerious Norwood both nursing injuries, it looks like bruiser Jason Snelling, who rushed 18 times for 61 yards and a score after Turner went down last week, should be an excellent option in Week 11 against the Giants suffering run defense. Snelling is not a long term option, however, as Turner could return as early as this week. Perhaps the forgotten man in all of this is Bengals rookie RB Bernard Scott. With Benson highly questionable with a hip injury this week, and Larry Johnson still learning the offense, Scott could see a significant number of touches in Week 11. He flashed some brilliant playmaking ability in Week 10, returning a kick-off for a score. He’s probably the biggest risk/reward play this week however, due to the fact that Johnson and Brian Leonard would also be in line for carries if Benson misses time. Still, Scott is the most talented of the trio behind Benson, and is worth a look in deep formats.
Another midseason value swap occurred at the wide receiver position this week as the league suspended Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe for four games for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances. Stepping into his place is likely to be veteran Chris Chambers, who has three catches for more than 60 yards in each of his last two contests, including two late-game TDs in Week 9. Chambers is now a solid WR3 option in deep leagues, and slot man Lance Long – who caught eight passes for 74 yards in Week 9 – is expected to see more time with Bowe out. Long is playing a Wes Welker-ish role, and is a PPR sleeper.
Dynasty Pulse…
The new kid on the dynasty pulse block is none other than Rams WR Brandon Gibson. Who? Well, in a year filled with potentially great rookie wide receivers, another one emerged in Week 10. Gibson was thought by many to be a first round talent prior to an injury-plagued season at Washington State in 2008, and he was snagged in the sixth round by the Eagles. The Rams thought enough of him to deal solid veteran LB Will Witherspoon for him prior to the trade deadline, and a season-ending injury to Keenan Burton has opened up the door for Gibson to start at split end. The encouraging news is that he caught seven passes for 93 yards and was targeted nine times by Marc Bulger in Week 10 – and he did it against the Saints defense. He also faces six of the league’s worst passing defenses over the last seven weeks of the season. The challenge will be that he plays for the Rams. Expect his numbers to be inconsistent for the remainder of the season, but at this moment he looks like a great stash-away candidate in dynasty leagues with the potential to be a consistent reception hog opposite big play man Donnie Avery.
IDP Pulse…
Several rookie linebackers have made an impact this season, but one that I haven’t really recognized yet is Washington’s Brian Orakpo. The 13th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft has quietly racked up seven sacks in his last seven games. He has also showed the ability to track down the ball carrier and play the run – a factor which could make the 6’4” strong side linebacker a consistent IDP option. Besides the fact that he has the word “po” in his name (short for potential, of course), we like the fact that he could one day migrate into a defensive end position, which could make him even more valuable in big-play IDP formats…In many leagues that require starters at defensive line, it’s extremely hard to find consistency, especially on the waiver wire this time of year. However, Tennessee’s William Hayes, a fourth round pick a year ago, has blossomed into a nice young player, and potential fantasy option. The defensive end does not start, but makes the most of his time, having racked up 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his previous two contests. Hayes is an explosive pass rusher and should be monitored by deep-IDP owners. It’s starting to look like Nick Barnett – a former IDP force when Green Bay played in a 4-3 defense – has finally begun to blossom as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. After starting slow, Barnett has five or more solo tackles in each of his last seven games, and racked up two sacks in Week 10 against Dallas. After a long hiatus from being fantasy-worthy, he’s worth adding in all IDP formats. Another veteran LB who is back playing well after a rough patch is Indy’s Gary Brackett…His 13 solo tackles in his last two games should give IDP owners the confidence they need to put him back in line-ups – especially in a match-up against the run-heavy Ravens this week… The thing about filling the defensive back position in fantasy line-ups is that talent can be found on the waiver wire at any time during the season. Fill-in CBs Roderick Hood (Tennessee) and Jerraud Powers (Indianapolis) are two of the top scoring fantasy defensive backs in big play leagues over the last three weeks. Also, Titans CB Cortland Finnegan is back healthy and playing well. After ranking as the fourth highest scoring defensive back in most formats over the last three weeks, Finnegan should be in starting line-ups this weekend against the Texans.
This article is also featured on Athlon Fantasy Football, your spot for Cheat Sheets updated daily, and Fantasy tools to manage your team all year long.
Related posts
Loading ...
