The Ever-Changing RB Picture

As if the running back picture hasn’t already been complicated enough, with featured backs becoming an endangered species and rookies in time-shares producing monster numbers, the outlook got even more confusing this week. Read more

Guess Who’s Back? Benson & Davenport.

Week 5 has been full of surprises thus far - and returns. Upon the placement of rookie Rashard Mendenhall on injured reserve due to a fractured left shoulder, the Steelers have brought back a familiar face. The Bengals also made an interesting move, bringing in a 25 year old former fourth overall draft pick. Read more

Westbrook Could Be Falling, McGahee Returns

In yet another crazy week of fantasy football, several occurrences have contributed to the rise and fall of the value of several players. It appears, at least for the moment, that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook could miss some time with an ankle injury after leaving in the first half of the team’s match-up with Pittsburgh. Willis McGahee returned from knee surgery to rush for 64 yards and a TD. Read more

We Were Right About, We Were Wrong About

Bills RB Marshawn Lynch has four TDs in his first three games, but put up very modest statistics in Weeks 1 & 2. We told fantasy owners that this would be the week Lynch showed his true colors and finally had a breakout performance. The second year man from Cal followed through for us, racking up 83 yards and two TDs on the ground, while hauling in four passes for 31 yards. Read more

Fantasy Football Week 1 - RB Questions

As fantasy owners get ready for Week 1, there are several question marks surrounding the running back position. Tampa has rotated RBs all pre-season, as has Houston - what will happen in each of those situations? Which rookie RB will fare best in Week 1? And, who will boom and bust? Read more

Preseason Stock Market Report…

So, things happen in the preseason, and we all know to take them with a grain of salt, right? Well, as more and more position battles are ironed out, and as more and more players stake their claim on certain gigs via their consistent, high level of play, we’re able to really see clearly whose fantasy stock has truly risen from various factors, and who is still just fool’s gold. Read more

BAL: McGahee to be pressed by Rice?

Willis McGahee (RB) 7/23: Willis McGahee has been labeled a "little flaky" and not fully able to be trusted by the Ravens, according to Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun.

Ravens’ Ray Rice Drawing Praise…

Not only has Ravens second round pick Ray Rice recently lined up as a slot receiver in new OC Cam Cameron’s offense, but he’s also apparently drawn high praise from coaches, regarding his ability to back-up Willis McGahee.

No-Offseason Take: We said this much earlier this off-season, but we believe Rice has the skills to be the next Michael Turner. A back who impresses big time when he plays, but backs up a stud for the first few years of his career prior to earning a starting role elsewhere down the line. This means we like Rice a lot in dynasty leagues.

Experts Draft: Moss Is Our 1st Choice

One of our favorite parts about June through August is taking part in several seasonal drafts in fantasy football expert leagues. Not only are they highly competitive, but they’re extremely useful in learning about new trends and analyzing different draft strategies and player values. In Fantasy Football Indepth’s expert challenge, No-Offseason.com went head-to-head with publications like Rotoworld.com, Pro Football Weekly, CBSSports.com, Athlon Sports, FantasyGuru.com, USA Today, Fanball.com and more. With the seventh overall choice in the first round, we had a tough decision, but decided to go WR first and roll with New England’s Randy Moss. Read more

Willis McGahee Returns To Practice…

The Ravens have reportedly been a little concerned with Willis McGahee’s conditioning this offseason after missing several practices.

The veteran RB has now reported and begun practicing, however, so this should be a non-issue as training camp nears. We expect big things from McGahee in Cam Cameron’s offense this year.

Ray Rice To Be Baltimore’s Mojo?

We’re hearing that the Baltimore Ravens plan to use second round pick Ray Rice like the Jaguars have used Maurice Jones-Drew over the past two years. Expect Rice to not only return kick-offs, but to get eight to 12 carries a game, and contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. Rice is apparently picking up Cam Cameron’s offense very quickly. Willis McGahee’s fantasy value shouldn’t be negatively affected by this, as he’s still expected to get 20 or more carries in every game. If anything, the change of pace that Rice will provide should help McGahee.

How Sub-Par Signal Callers Affect RBs

After a breakout campaign in 2004, Willis McGahee’s numbers went down in 2005, from 13 TDs to five, and from 4.0 yards per carry to 3.8, largely due to a change in QBs from Drew Bledsoe to J.P. Losman. Prior to Carson Palmer taking over the starting role in Cincy, Rudi Johnson hadn’t reached 1,000 yards in a season. In the three seasons following Palmer’s appointment, Johnson averaged 1,407 yards and 12 TDs per season. The same way a strong offensive line can help the fantasy value of running backs, lack of strength at QB can hurt it. Larry Johnson is one rusher who could be negatively affected by lack of a solid signal caller in 2008. Read more