WesDawg
'Burghapologist
In the second installment of Man vs. Magazine, I'll air my dirty laundry with NFL.com's 2009 Fantasy Football Preview publication's rankings/projections in regards to a pair of prominent running backs. Again, be liberal with your opinion, whether you agree or disagree.
RB's:
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD - #13 - Projected 1,025 Rushing yds; 355 Receiving yds/9 total TD's (too low)
-I almost felt guilty using this one because it seems like too much of a layup. His situation stays essentially the same with regards to system, schedule, and supporting cast, plus he's coming into 2009 at 100% health unlike last year. Darren Sproles may be used a little more in his role in late-game situations to keep him fresh for an inevitable playoff run, but those projected numbers are a joke. He's not the consensus #1 overall pick anymore, but he's at least a year away from RB2 status.
The Dawg says: #5 - 1550 combined Yds/ 14 TD's. Rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. Don't make the same mistake.
DeAngelo Williams, CAR - #5 - Projected 1,345 rushing yds; 180 receiving yds/14 total TD's (too high)
-This has less to do with ability and has everything to do with workload. Williams is a very talented back who broke out in a huge way last year and was the #1 scoring RB in most formats. Unfortunately, he's got a young stud in Jonathan Stewart sharing time with him, so don't draft him expecting 2008 numbers. Stewart is now a full year removed from foot issues that he was recovering from during the early part of last year and can expect more touches in 2009. On a team that favors the run as much as the Panthers, both RB's will go high and Williams will be a guaranteed 1st rounder, but the gap between them is closing fast.
The Dawg says: #9 - 1425 combined Yds/ 11 TD's. If you have faith in this projection and wonder if Stewart will pick up some of the yardage and scoring slack, you're probably right.
RB's:
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD - #13 - Projected 1,025 Rushing yds; 355 Receiving yds/9 total TD's (too low)
-I almost felt guilty using this one because it seems like too much of a layup. His situation stays essentially the same with regards to system, schedule, and supporting cast, plus he's coming into 2009 at 100% health unlike last year. Darren Sproles may be used a little more in his role in late-game situations to keep him fresh for an inevitable playoff run, but those projected numbers are a joke. He's not the consensus #1 overall pick anymore, but he's at least a year away from RB2 status.
The Dawg says: #5 - 1550 combined Yds/ 14 TD's. Rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. Don't make the same mistake.
DeAngelo Williams, CAR - #5 - Projected 1,345 rushing yds; 180 receiving yds/14 total TD's (too high)
-This has less to do with ability and has everything to do with workload. Williams is a very talented back who broke out in a huge way last year and was the #1 scoring RB in most formats. Unfortunately, he's got a young stud in Jonathan Stewart sharing time with him, so don't draft him expecting 2008 numbers. Stewart is now a full year removed from foot issues that he was recovering from during the early part of last year and can expect more touches in 2009. On a team that favors the run as much as the Panthers, both RB's will go high and Williams will be a guaranteed 1st rounder, but the gap between them is closing fast.
The Dawg says: #9 - 1425 combined Yds/ 11 TD's. If you have faith in this projection and wonder if Stewart will pick up some of the yardage and scoring slack, you're probably right.
