By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

A season ending injury to Jamaal Charles means there are some carries and waiver wire opportunities in Kansas City. Jones and McCluster should only be considered flex options at this time with upside once Matt Cassel settles down. There are plenty of other injury concerns as well, Felix Jones, Steven Jackson, and Arian Foster. All are to be left benched until further notice later in the week.

Here is a breakdown of week three fantasy running back rankings.

1. LeSean McCoy-
Andy Reid has heightened McCoy’s impact per play even more in 2011. McCoy is going to be a weekly fantasy beast, a sure lock for dependability like Brian Westbrook use to be. A PPR and yardage monster, that is finding his way into the end zone.

2. Chris Johnson
This should be the week Johnson gets things going and gives fantasy owners that spent their first round pick on him a sigh of relief. If he doesn’t contribute to an expected breakout outing, opposing fantasy owners may want to try and probe a request to Johnson owners and try to steal him away.

3. Adrian Peterson
Detroit’s defensive line is halting opposing rushers with ease. Peterson will be up for the challenge as he is every week. Look for Peterson to do more damage on screens to offset the pass rush happy Lions young defense.

4. Ray Rice
It was disappointing to see the Ravens offense inefficiency against the Titans. Rice was contained in the second half vs. the Titans and that’s when the Ravens chances diminished to win the game.

5. Maurice Jones-Drew
The Jaguars are the laughing stock of the NFL currently for their poor decision to trade Garrard. They’ll do everything they can to try and win this game to get the spotlight of their organization. Expect long drawn out drives with a ton of carries from MJD.

6. Jahvid Best

7. Ahmad Bradshaw

8. Rashard Mendenhall

9. Matt Forte

10. Fred Jackson

11. Beanie Wells

12. Ben Tate

13. Mike Turner

14. Frank Gore

15. Peyton Hillis

16. Ryan Matthews

17. Tim Hightower

18. Danny Woodhead

19. Darren McFadden

20. Cedric Benson

21. Darren Sproles

22. Daniel Thomas

23. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

24. Shonn Greene

25. Dexter McCluster

26. LeGarrette Blount

27. Willis McGahee

28. James Starks

29. Cadillac Williams

30. Brandon Jacobs

31. DeAngelo Williams

32. Marshawn Lynch

33. Tashard Choice

34. Mark Ingram

35 Thomas Jones

36. Jonathan Stewart

37. Mike Tolbert

38. Reggie Bush

39. Felix Jones

40. Arian Foster (Limited carries if he plays)

41. DeLone Carter

42. Ricky Williams

43. Joey Addai

44. Roy Helu

45. Ryan Grant

46. Pierre Thomas

47. Mike Bush

48. LT

49. Isaac Redman

50. DejI Karim

51. Javon Ringer

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Thin or deep at running back, you’ll still need to make key moves each week on the right guys. Having depth is always a good thing, to be able to maneuver around the constant injury bug that plagues every owner at some point during the season. Don’t get to cute with who you start though. Plug in the guys you drafted highly. Don’t over react and bench a sure starter just because of a poor week one. If you’re in a catastrophic situation at running back, swapping guys constantly isn’t going to help. Reach out and seek a trade.

Here’s a look at week two fantasy running back rankings.

1. Adrian Peterson
The Vikings offense barely managed 30 plays. Everyone knows how poorly Donovan McNabb was in week one. I’ll need to see another abysmal outing from McNabb before Peterson shifts down any spots. Look for Peterson to be fueled to pickup his veteran quarterback, and get the offense cranked up via his shoulders.

2. Ray Rice
It was never a question for Ray Rice if the yardage would be there. It was if he can/would be the go to guy to get Ravens touchdowns. Rice annihilated the Steelers defense tallying monster yards via the ground and pass catching. Expect things to continue vs. the Tennessee Titans.

3. Matt Forte
Forte might have the highest use per play of any high caliber fantasy back in the NFL. He is used so much out of the backfield. Unlike a few years ago, the Bears have figured out how to break him loose almost every game. They just know when to call the appropriate play in their simplistic offense. Look for the Saints to get caught a few times, when they try to blitz Cutler.

4. Rashard Mendenhall
It’s only week two, but Seattle is so hopeless that this game is going to look like a team in week seventeen playing with no effort. With how shaky Roethlisberger was in week one, the Steelers will tone back his throws. Mendenhall should get twenty plus carries and well over a hundred and twenty yards.

5. Darren McFadden
Give McFadden credit. He was being tabbed with the injury prone label, but thwarted that last season. Now if he can keep his Denver Bronco type numbers going against other teams, he will shoot up officially as a top seven fantasy back.

6. LeSean McCoy
Vick has been being put on his back and pressured relentlessly throughout the preseason and week one. Just a few years ago that was a welcomed occurrence by Andy Reid. The Eagles still are one of the best screen and short dump teams in the NFL. Look for McCoy to put up equal numbers receiving as he does rushing, with around sixty to seventy yards in both categories.

7. Cedric Benson
He just continues to bull over defenses and produce numbers. One of the few backs that gets near all the carries for his team, and still gets overlooked when fantasy drafts are being conducted. If you grabbed him as your second back, you’ll reap the rewards once again. A favorable matchup for Benson this week shoots him up into the top ten for week two.

8. Tim Hightower
Washington seems to have found a proper balance with their offense. Hightower didn’t break a long gainer week one like he did in preseason, but still managed a touchdown. They’ll feed him the ball plenty of times against his ex-teammates. Rocket Hightower up not just for this week, but for the season. This will easily be his most productive season, now that he is getting the bulk of the carries. Another revengeful thing Hightower will have on his mind this week.

9. Maurice Jones-Drew
The bowling ball finds a way to get it done. He faces the toughest matchup of top fantasy backs, but do not let that stray you from inserting him in your lineup. If you drafted solidly, your running back two option should be able to pick up an extra five to eight points to make up for Jones-Drew’s slight dip this week.

10. Jahvid Best
Crank out the oldies. Best is humming and voicing, “Kansas City, Kansas City here comes a monster day”. Detroit’s offense is going to soar weekly just like their defense is coming together. Best is the type of guy that when he has an impressive game, it comes in the range of multiple touchdowns and tons of yards. Don’t forget Best played the majority of the season last year with an injury, but to start of the 2010 season he was a beast.

11. Frank Gore
12. Jamaal Charles
13. Ahmad Bradshaw
14. Michael Turner
15. Arian Foster
16. Fred Jackson
17. Chris Johnson
18. Peyton Hillis
19. Beanie Wells
20. Reggie Bush
21. Felix Jones
22. Shonn Greene
23. LeGarrette Blount
24. Mike Tolbert
25. Darren Sproles
26. James Starks
27. DeAngelo Williams
28. Willis McGahee
29. Ben Tate
30. Mark Ingram
31. Danny Woodhead
32. Cadillac Williams
33. Ryan Matthews
34. Joseph Addai
35. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
36. MarShawn Lynch
37. Jonathan Stewart
38. Ricky Williams
39. DeLone Carter
40. Brandon Jacobs
41. LT
42. Ryan Grant
43. Pierre Thomas
44. Mike Bush
45. Knowshown Moreno (Likely Out or Limited)
46. Thomas Jones
47. Jerome Harrison
48. DejI Karim
49. Marion Barber
50. CJ Spiller

By Zack Cimini

, runnotjustagame23@gmail.com

I just wrote an article detailing out how important running backs are again in fantasy football. The past few years, quarterbacks stole the show a bit by throwing for an inordinate amount of yardage. It’ll tone back down this year, and bring fantasy football back to it’s core value players. Here are running back rankings based upon week one match ups.

Undervalued Week One: Matt Forte , Tim Hightower, Brandon Jacobs

Overvalued (Risky Starters): Chris Johnson and Michael Turner

1. Jamaal Charles

He’ll torment the Bills defense all day. Expect a patented break away long yardage touchdown from Charles.

2. Darren McFadden

McFadden’s going to become an elite fantasy back this season as long as he can stay away from injuries. He loves facing the Denver Broncos, and will make fantasy owners very happy week one.

3. Ray Rice

Even though he’ll be facing Pittsburgh, I like what he is going to do additionally pass catching in this game. Rice gets a heavy amount of carries but gets equal looks out of the backfield. Flacco is a check down quarterback, and may rely on Rice more without Derrick Mason.

4. Adrian Peterson

AP is going to crack the top five each week unless of course an injury occurs.

5. Peyton Hillis

The Browns offense is going to be much more effective than last season. With the expected increased points, Hillis may have been undervalued in fantasy drafts. Facing Cincinnati will get him a jump start in the fantasy points column.

6. Frank Gore

Inner divisional opponents of the NFC West have made Gore’s career. He’ll feast on the Seahawks once again.

7. Arian Foster

I assume he’ll play. Rumor though is that the Texans will ensure he is not over worked, and get Ben Tate some carries. This game could be a blowout. If so, Foster may not get more than twelve to fifteen carries.

8. Chris Johnson

I’m not buying an instant on the field great performance from Johnson. The money is there for Johnson, will the will and drive be anymore?

9. Matt Forte

This should be a tight defensive game, but Forte will cause issues for the Falcons. Total yardage numbers from him will likely be in the top five this week, but the if factor on cracking the end zone bumps him down.

10. Tim Hightower

Everyone thinks that a banged up secondary does more damage to the passing game. In does, but it also causes more issues in the rush defense. The Giants linebackers aren’t great as it is. Expect Hightower to continue off his great preseason with a one hundred yard performance and at least one touchdown.

11. LeSean McCoy

12. Steven Jackson

13. Maurice Jones-Drew

14. Jahvid Best

15. Reggie Bush

16. Beanie Wells

17. Rashard Mendenhall

18. Ahmad Bradshaw

19. Mark Ingram

20. LeGarrette Blount

21. Michael Turner

22. Shonn Greene

23. DeAngelo Williams

24. Fred Jackson

25. Brandon Jacobs

26. Knowshown Moreno

27. Ben Tate

28. Cedric Benson

29. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

30. Felix Jones

31. Marion Barber

32. Ryan Matthews

33. James Starks

34. Joseph Addai

35. Marshawn Lynch

36. Thomas Jones

37. Willis McGahee

38. Jonathan Stewart

39. Pierre Thomas

40. Mike Tolbert

41. Ryan Grant

42. CJ Spiller

43. Larod Stephens-Howling

44. Michael Bush

45. Roy Helu

46. LT

47. Ricky Williams

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Maybe Tiki Barber can stop waiting by his cell phone for renewed found work in football. Dancing with the stars or a behind the scenes gig looks like his only chance for a job this year. Arizona you would of thought would have been a possibility after Ryan Williams went down for the season. The Cardinals though opted to go the typical way. Wait for a team to cut an athlete that fits their needs.

Chester Taylor has been a solid veteran running back in the NFL. He gave an extra edge as a backup to Adrian Peterson as a Viking, and did his role as a Bear. For those teams there were already formidable backs ahead of Taylor on the depth chart. Dividing up any fantasy relevant carries was not going to happen there.

Sometimes an abrupt change right before the season starts is a good thing. If he wasn’t cut, Taylor just would of rode the bench in Chicago. Now he goes to Arizona where they’ll actually depend upon Taylor right away. The Cardinals starting running back in Beanie Wells has not gained the full support and trust of head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

He has been highly injury prone, and Whisenhunt never could pick his decisive number one back between Hightower and Wells. The Cardinals obviously sent more mixed messages than anything to Wells by drafting Ryan Williams in the second round.

Due to Taylor not registering fantasy relevant numbers for the last three years, we wouldn’t recommend drafting or over reacting to this signing. Especially considering he only gained an average of 2.4 yards per carry last season. Pay attention to how the Cardinals use him the first few games of the season. He should get around the same amount of carries per game as he did as a Bear last year. Lets just hope that he does more with the pigskin to garner a waiver wire acquisition.

With Beanie’s track record with being in and out of the lineup, there’s a good chance Taylor could start around three games this year. Unlike other teams stock piled at running back, the Cardinals aren’t. That would mean Taylor would get the majority if not all carries, besides for certain third down packages for LaRod Stephens-Howling.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

There’s nothing like nabbing a late round pick or middle round pick that turns out to be a true gem. Last year Arian Foster and Brandon Lloyd were the top of the pack in their positions for overturned value. Lloyd, had faded into a special teams athlete for a few years, and was sort of written off. No one really knew how Houston’s backfield would shape up. Most thought it would be running back by committee. When Ben Tate went down though, it really opened up things for Foster as the lone back. The rest is 2010 fantasy history.

Of course the number one reason for opportunity is typically injury. Watchout for Beanie Wells having a significant year compared to projections. No longer is he in the shadow or worrisome of Tim Hightower. Ryan Williams was supposed to be that threat, but went down to a season ending injury in week two of the preseason. LaRod Stephens-Howling is a scatback type, but won’t get more than five carries a game.

We have a few guys listed below that will likely get drafted in deeper leagues. Keep them stashed on your bench, as opportunity could come your way for these young athletes.

Delone Carter:

He was never exceptionally flashy at Syracuse, but he piled up a solid career. His nature of running the football isn’t going to benefit him for a long career, but his first five should be decent. He is an in between tackles runner, that is going to carry defenders and fall forward for extra yards. With Indianapolis getting impatient with former first round pick Donald Brown, and Addai’s injury struggles, Carter could be the main back by mid-season.

CJ Spiller:

After an extremely disappointing rookie year, Spiller has a lot to prove. He wasn’t supposed to just be a special teams force. The Bills spent a first round pick on him, and were willing to part with Marshawn Lynch. The backfield remains the same, meaning the Bills haven’t given up on Spiller yet. Look for Spiller to make more of his carries this year as he tries to gain back coaches trust. The Bills have likely got the cheapest backfield in the NFL.

Rashard Jennings:

When will the bowling ball, fade into the gutter lane? Maurice Jones-Drew has been able to sustain the hits even at his small stature. The reason is because of his tremendous sized thighs and quads. Yet, it hasn’t staved off soreness and minor injuries for Drew. He has fought through them somehow, but the message in Jacksonville seems to be a new change coming. Jennings has slowly gained carries from Drew. If the opportunity presents itself, Jennings has shown that he can get the job done.

Roy Helu:

Everyone has been ranting and raving over Tim Hightower. He is the perfect back to run the zone blocking scheme, etc. Hightower has had a dandy preseason, but what will happen when teams actually game plan against the Redskins? They’ll get after their main weakness, which is at quarterback. Once that happens, the holes will clog up. Hightower is a breakaway runner, not a slasher in between the tackles. His main issue will pop up again, as they have year after year. Fumble prone. It just doesn’t alleviate a running back. Shanahan is an impatient coach, and Helu has been just as impressive in the preseason.

Ben Tate:

There really is no reason too elaborate here. Tate has been a monster in the preseason and if it weren’t for Foster, would instantly shoot up to a top ten fantasy running back. Good luck to the rest of the NFL on shutting the two down.

Jacquizz Rodgers:

The mileage on Michael Turner’s legs is in need of a Ricky Williams hiatus to refuel. The pattern of backs being over ran and tanking is predictable. Turner might have a year left in him before he fades like Larry Johnson. Rodgers can fit the old mold the Falcons were accustomed to with Warrick Dunn. A small back, but one that can carry the load twelve to fifteen times a game.

By Zack Cimini

 notjustagame23@gmail.com

It’s always hard to tell what you’re going to get from a veteran signing a short term deal. A new location, reduced role, and a body that has taken a toll over the years. Down in Miami, the case of building forward with veteran running backs likely went on a year too long. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams gave the Dolphins solid years, but neither was a capable every down back a year ago. It ultimately put more pressure on Chad Henne, who wasn’t ready for the heightened role.

Miami did the right thing this off-season, by letting both Brown and Williams go as free agents. Both went to teams that are hoping to be right on the door steps of a possible Super Bowl run. Will Ricky Williams be a guy that can contribute as a complement to Ray Rice?

First think of the back that Ricky Williams is stepping in to replace. That would be Willis McGahee. McGahee also endured a solid tenure as a Raven. For all the times the Ravens thought about cutting or trading him, he brought toughness to the field each and every week. He became a battering back, that was as reliable as any as a short yardage plunge type back. He racked up enough touchdowns that many fantasy owners believed reduced Ray Rice’s value by a few spots.

Remember Williams has played the second back role for many years now. He is a 34 year old back, with the legs of a 30 year old in running back years. That is if you factor in the time he missed with suspensions and injuries. When he came back as a Dolphin, he split carries with Ronnie Brown. When Brown went down in 2009, Williams showed that he still can be counted on for a sixteen game season. Rushing for 1000 yards for the first time since 2003.

Williams is a guy though that has had issues in the past. Will a new environment affect his psyche? Possibly. Going to a team that is already veteran laden should help though. He also should feel pressure free. Ray Rice is going to garner a ton of carries and Williams will likely get the least amount of carries he has ever had in a full season.

Is he worth drafting as a fantasy back? Any backup running back is worth drafting just for insurance purposes. Handcuffing a first round pick such as Ray Rice could be the difference in you missing out of the playoffs. Williams likely won’t be a fantasy factor for 2/3 of the games he plays in this season. But an injury or a game in which the Ravens are blowing out an opponent could produce those four to five games that Williams is fantasy relevant. So yes, take Williams late as your fifth back if you can.