(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Jets Go Old School with Young Pupil
Going Greene will have new meaning this week as Mr. Washington takes a holiday. Sounds like a '50s film with Jimmy Stewart, doesn’t it? The Jets’ Leon Washington broke his fibula and is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
After Washington left Sunday’s game on a cart, backup rookie running back Shonn Greene pounded the Raiders, making Thomas Jones look readily dispensable.
Greene had 19 carries for 144 yards and two touchdowns. That’s just over 7.5 yards per carry. Jones also had a respectable 121 yards and a score on 26 carries (4.6 YPC). In all, the Jets look like they should be fine in the running department.
So how much weight should you put into Sunday’s numbers for Greene?
Well, he was facing the Raiders lackluster rush defense. However, this is the second week in a row Jets RBs had over 300 yards rushing. With rookie QB Mark Sanchez still trying to settle in, the run game will be the largest part of their offense.
That makes Greene a nice RB3 or flex player in most leagues. He could potentially put up RB2 numbers. He’s worth the waiver slot to get him. If you’re in a dynasty or keeper league, he should already be on someone’s roster.
While Greene was the most explosive RB name to surface this week, he is not the only one worth noting.
I said last week if the Chiefs' Larry Johnson didn’t put up 100 yards and a score against the Chargers' lame-duck rush-defense, his fantasy season would be over.
He did nothing against the Chargers, then added to his uselessness by calling out his new coach via Twitter. The team is on bye next week, but expect to see more of backup Jamaal Charles in weeks nine and on.
Another RB who could have some upcoming low-end value is the Falcons’ Jason Snelling. With Jerious Norwood injured and Michael Turner running like he has a ball-and-chain strapped to his ankle, Snelling could be a surprise from the flex spot.
On Sunday against the Cowboys, Snelling had seven rushes for 68 yards, leading the team. He also had a reception for 10 yards and a tackle on special teams. Turner, who managed to fall into the endzone once, needed 18 rushes to get 50 yards. Only 2.8 YPC.
Interesting tidbit this week: Adrian Peterson may lead all RBs in scoring, but the much maligned Cedric Benson leads the league in yardage with 720. The only RB with more than 100 yards-per-game.
Going into week 8 we have the Steelers, Chiefs, Bengals, Patriots, Redskins and Buccaneers on bye. That means Laurence Maroney, Cedric Benson, Larry Johnson, Clinton Portis, Cadillac Williams and Rashard Mendenhall are all tuning up on their Playstations this week.
|
Week 8 – RB Start of the Week – Kevin Smith, DET |
| Smith gets to face the woeful St. Louis Rams this week. The Rams have surrendered 11 TDs and over 1050 total yards to running backs so far. Smith is rested and should be able to make the best of it this week. Play him if ya got him. |
Smith won't get tripped up by the Rams in week 8
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete