2009 Fantasy Football Running Back Forecast: NFC South

With the 2009 NFL Draft having come and gone it is now time to start focusing more on the most important draft of all in football, YOUR Fantasy Football draft. And the Bruno Boys can't think of a better way to get in the mood than to start focusing some attention on the running back position.

Now, we are not saying that the running back position is make or break, because we firmly believe that the best way to ensure success is to not only have an extremely well rounded team, but a deep team as well.

But, as Bruno Boys Nation already knows, part of my (Bruno Boys Ziza) responsibilities at the Bruno Boys is critiquing the running back position on a weekly basis throughout the season. 

So, today I am bringing you a rundown of what is happening in the NFL, that way you are not left scratching your head when August rolls around, wondering why Edgerrin James is not a Arizona Cardinal anymore.

During the weeks leading up to the season, myself and Bruno Boys Greg will be bringing you periodic updates that will guarantee that you stay one, no... thirty two steps ahead of your competition.

Today we will be focusing on the teams in the NFC South. Keep on checking back with the Bruno Boys for other divisional running back updates that will help you stomp your way into your leagues Fantasy Football playoffs.

--------------------

ATLANTA FALCONS

Bruno Boys Ziza's Take: You would be hard to find a running back in recent memory who left one team for another and instantly had great success the way Michael Turner did last year. In 2008, Turner's first year with the Falcons, the back rushed for 1,699 yards and punched in 17 touchdowns making him an easy top-three running back.

However, it is 2009 now and things won't go as easily for the "burner." First of all, scan down the page some. You will notice that he doesn't have the easiest run defense schedule this year.

Also, Jerious Norwood, a very solid all around back that is entering his contract year is expected to take some of Turner's carries this year to help keep him fresh.

Turner still should be considered a RB1 in all league formats, while Norwood is a solid low-end RB3 in deeper leagues and one that could be a gem if you grab him in a keeper league.

Bruno Boys Greg's Take:  The Falcons bring back an offense that took off in its first season together. The main reason for the team's surprising success was Michael Turner. Coming over from San Diego, Turner rushed for 1,699 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. While it will be tough for him to repeat those numbers, he is still the second best player in fantasy football.

You should not be disappointed if you own the No. 2 overall pick, as you will get a heck of a player in Turner. His backup is Jerious Norwood and with Turner doing so well, Norwood likely will not see much of the field, though the Falcons say they are going to get him more involved this year. 

He is a low-end RB4 or RB5 in my opinion, and if owned, it should only be by Turner owners.

FANTASY DEPTH CHART: Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood

2009 SCHEDULE: MIA (1) , CAR (2) , @ NE (3), BYE (4), @ SF (5), CHI (6), @ DAL (7), @ N.O.(8), WAS (9), @ CAR (10), @ NYG (11), TB (12), PHI (13), N.O. (14), @ NYJ (15), BUF (16), @ TB (17)

--------------------

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Bruno Boys Ziza's Take: Talk about great backfields for 2008, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for nearly 2,500 all-purpose yards and put the ball into the end-zone a total of 30 times. While Williams did most of the damage, there is reason to believe that he could be on his way towards a disappointing season for fantasy football owners.

Because of his production last year, many people will have him going off the boards much sooner than I believe he should be going. You have to remember, Stewart was banged up last year.

The back who was brought in through the draft to eventually become a huge part of this offense  is expected that to see a bigger share of the carries this year and if that does happen, it would not shock me to see Williams become a RB2 option in deeper leagues.

Also, the Panthers have a pretty tough schedule which could lean the team into more of a passing scheme than they had last year.

All in all though, both backs are solid, but I believe it will be  a case of too many hands in the cookie jar, with both of them doing well but not as well as they would if they were the primary back in a one back system.

Bruno Boys Greg's Take: The Panthers have a strong two-headed monster with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams sees the bulk of the touches between the two, as he put up over 1,600 total yards and 20 total touchdowns.

You have to wonder though if the mere presence of Stewart, who will be fully healthy this year, will affect how much he gets the ball. I put Williams as a low end RB1, high end RB2 for that reason alone.

You don’t want your No. 1 guy splitting time.  Stewart will see his touches and should be a RB3 on draft day. The Panthers also selected Mike Goodson in the fourth round out of Texas A&M, but with the two horses being studs, he shouldn’t really be a factor.

FANTASY DEPTH CHART: DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart

2009 SCHEDULE: PHI (1), @ ATL (2), @ DAL (3), BYE (4), WAS (5), @ TB (6), BUF (7), @ ARZ (8), @ N.O. (9), ATL (10), MIA (11), @ NYJ (12), TB (13), @ NE (14), MIN (15), @ NYG (16), N.O. (17)

--------------------

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Bruno Boys Ziza's Take:  This is one NFL franchise that I wouldn't rely on to fill your starting running back spots unless you are in deeper leagues consisting of 12 or more teams. Not trying to dis on Reggie Bush, but unless you play in a league that awards points per reception, he will have a tough time helping this year.

The New Orleans Saints schedule is pretty tough for rushing, and then, you have to take into consideration that Bush just has not been able to stay healthy. You also have Pierre Thomas in the mix, who will be stealing some of Bush's carries, filling the role that Deuce McAllister used to fill.

By name recognition alone, Bush will be drafted fairly high in most leagues, but if I were drafting today, I would avoid Bush at all costs. As for Thomas, he will be a formidable RB3.

Bruno Boys Greg's Take: The Saints failed to address the running back situation in the draft, thus a veteran could be brought in before training camp opens. In the mean time, there are two guys who are fantasy worthy on this team, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. 

In an earlier article, I wrote that Bush should be avoided unless you are in a Point Per Reception (PPR) league. Now, may be the time to say I was off; however, if the Saints add another back, then I may not have been.

But Bush could make an impact if it is only him and Thomas in the backfield. Both guys should see an even amount of touches, with Bush’s coming from the passing game. If he stays healthy, he has a chance to be a low end RB2. But more then likely, both guys should be considered RB3s going into the year.

FANTASY DEPTH CHART: Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas

2009 SCHEDULE: DET (1), @ PHI (2), @ BUF (3), NYJ (4), BYE (5), NYG (6), @ MIA (7), ATL (8), CAR (9),  @ STL (10), @ TB (11), NE (12), @ WAS (13), @ ATL (14), DAL (15), TB (16), @ CAR (17)

--------------------

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Bruno Boys Ziza's Take:  This franchise seems to have given up hope on the " Cadillac" from ever being able to get healthy enough to contribute solidly on a weekly basis, thus the signing of running back Derrick Ward from the New York Giants.

Look for Ward to bring his rushing and receiving skills into fruition with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers instantly making him a solid RB2 in deeper leagues.

His sidekick this year will be Earnest Graham, who had an injury riddled 2008. Graham will most likely see his fair share of carries to try and keep Ward healthy and fresh, but there is no doubt that it is Ward that you want from this team.

Look to Graham as a solid RB3 who could jump to a RB2 during certain weeks, if Ward gets injured.

The Bucs do have a pretty tough schedule this season and could find it tough to put up enough stats on a weekly basis to be considered no-brainers from week-to-week, so make sure to come back and check out the Bruno Boys weekly running back rankings. And of course, don't forget to hit our live Q and A sessions as well.

Bruno Boys Greg's Take: The Buccaneers will sport three guys who have spent time starting on fantasy rosters in their backfield come fall, those guys being Derrick Ward, Earnest Graham, and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. Ward will likely be the starter with Graham spelling him. Williams will struggle to find the field unless an injury unseats one of the other two.

Ward should be a RB3, Graham a RB4, and Williams a RB5. With a new head coach and a shaky passing game, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team lean on the run for most of the season.

If so, pay attention to who is getting the bulk of the work with the first team in training camp, as the starter may be able to help your fantasy team on weeks with good matchups.

FANTASY DEPTH CHART: Derrick Ward, *Earnest Graham, *Cadillac Williams

2009 SCHEDULE: DAL (1), @ BUF (2), NYG (3), @ WAS (4), @ PHI (5), CAR (6), NE (7), BYE (8), GB (9), @ MIA (10), N.O. (11), @ ATL (12), @ CAR (13), NYJ (14), @ SEA (15), @ N.O. (16), ATL (17)

--------------------

For more fantasy football insight and advice, click the link below...

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football