Fantasy Football: Predicting a "Bust"

(Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

• Willis McGahee-  After four consecutive seasons of nearly 1,000 yards, McGahee hit a wall last season.  He didn't participate in three games, but that doesn't cover the fact that this guy stunk last season.  The Ravens actually used back Le'Ron McClain more than they used McGahee last season, (beating him by 62 carries).  The shared job coupled with the injury probably factored into him having a "down" season.

• Braylon Edwards-  Edwards experienced his worst season since his rookie one last year.  Part of the blame fell on the fact that he dropped nearly everything thrown his way, (perhaps a bit sarcastic).  Another share of the blame was on the Browns just being terrible last season.  They were 4-12.  When you are that bad, it's hard for anyone to get going on the offense.  And the last fact, (one that gets overlooked), is that quarterback Derek Anderson was missing from six games last season.  Edwards probably did not have as good as chemistry with Quinn as he did with Anderson, so perhaps that is why Edwards' stats were not as good as they could have been.

• Laurence Maroney-  Maroney was injured for all but three games last season, so that fact alone can explain why he had next to no numbers to show.  But when you look at his previous career stats, you see that he has never eclipsed 900 rush yards or six rushing touchdowns.  Perhaps Maroney has been overrated the last few seasons?  It also hasn't helped that he has been apart of the passing machine that is Tom Brady & Co. since his inception in the NFL.

• Rudi Johnson-  "The Cincy Wonder" fell off the map during the 2007 season, and then again in his first season as a Detroit Lion.  The Lions had just selected rookie running back Kevin Smith, and he had started all but one game during the course of the season.  The fact that Johnson rid the bench, and was apart of arguably sport's worst team, perhaps kept him from sustaining a good statistical season.

• Edgerrin James-  This 30 year old suffered his first downer year last season, only totaling 514 yards and three rushing touchdowns.  He missed three games, and had fellow running back Tim Hightower breathing down his neck all season for carries, (which he received).  That and the fact that he is in a pass-first, second, and third offense could have been the reason as to why he essentially did nothing for fantasy teams last season.

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