Power I: Smoke ‘Em if You Got ‘Em
September 17th, 2008 by Drew Smith
The Power-I edition ‘tres’ will focus on some decent free agent targets that should be available in most leagues while throwing in a few random thoughts. Now that ‘pre-season’ is over for most teams, we can finally start truly evaluating the backs in the upcoming weeks. However, until then it is time to position your team with some solid free agent moves.
Donald Brown – Connecticut: Brown (right, Icon SMI) has exploded onto the fantasy scene this season rushing for 566 yards and 8 TDs in three games. A combination of an easy early schedule and the injury to Andre Dixon has given Brown a golden opportunity to shine and has far exceeded anyone’s expectations.
However, I think it might be time to start considering trades for him as things are going to get much tougher for him after this week against Baylor. Start dropping his name this week and when teams balk at your demands wait until he drops another 200 yard game this week against Baylor, then make your move. Brown is on pace for 2300 yards and 32 TDs and that is just not going to happen so now is the time to trade him if you can get a premium return.
DeLeon Elkridge – Minnesota: Last week Shady Salamon was all the rage on the free agent market as he was tabbed as the new starter. Three series of 3 and out by the Gophers got him yanked for Elkridge who finished the game with 24-114-3 rushing line. This wasn’t a case of Salamon being terrible and Elkridge being great but more of the passing game coming alive with Elkridge in the lineup and the coaching staff went with it. Elkridge averaged only 4.8 ypc versus Montana State so I am hardly ready to jump on his bandwagon but for now it is his job to lose and worth taking a flyer on.
Frank Goodin – UL Monroe: I am just baffled with the lack of information coming out of UL Monroe. Perhaps they have not gotten the memo that they are playing D-1A football these days. Two weeks ago Goodin had a mid-week surgery on his knee and sat out of the game against Arkansas that they didn’t report. This past week they said Goodin would be out indefinitely yet returns to gain 114 yards and scored a touchdown. Why was a guy who had knee surgery a week earlier even playing in a game against Alabama A&M. Seems to me you will be gambling every time you start Goodin so good luck.
Shonn Greene – Iowa: Greene ran for 120 yards and a touchdown against a respectable Iowa State defense this past week and now has broken 100 yards in three straight games. Greene is not going to be an every week starter but is certainly worthy of spot starts against weaker defenses.
Vai Taua – Nevada: The Wolfpack has lost yet another running back for the season in Brandon Fragger leaving Taua as the last back on the team with any experience. For everyone that rolled the dice last week on Taua, you just got yourself what I think wll be a very nice fantasy back. The good news is that Nevada got blown out by Missouri last week meaning Taua could still be available and flying under the radar. I recommend picking him up in all leagues.
Sam McGuffie – Michigan: McGuffie is slowly becoming the main guy in the Michigan offense and it is now time to pick him up if available. He ran for 131 yards on 25 carries and had four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown this past week against a very good Notre Dame defense. The schedule gets much easier for Michigan’s offense in the next coming weeks so I recommend grabbing him now if available.
Leon Wright-Jackson – Hawaii: Wright-Jackson injured his arch and for the second week in a row saw less than 10 carries. Anyone that has seen him run realizes that he could be a fantasy stud if given the opportunity but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Feel free to drop him and move on.
Jared Hawkins – Vanderbilt: Hawkins has quietly scored in 3 straight games while getting consistent carries in each game. He isn’t going carry your team to a championship but he makes for a perfect bench running back that you can insert into your lineup for bye weeks and injuries. If you have a scrub wasting space on your bench, think about swapping it out with Hawkins who should be available in a lot of leagues.
Darius Marshall – Marshall: Marshall was a player I liked in real life but had a hard time getting behind for fantasy purposes because he never seemed to be able to get into the endzone. After scoring only 3 TDs last year he has already punched it 3 times this season scoring once in each game. He carried 27 times for 140 yards and a score against Memphis this past week and is someone that appears to be in the brink of busting out as the Thundering Herd continues to lean on him more and more. Marshall makes for another option on the free agent wire.
Mason Robinson – Rutgers: Robinson was the player I targeted early as the replacement for Ray Rice based on his spring performances and the fact that Kordell Young was coming off major knee surgery. As the fall practices concluded Young was the back on top of the depth charts and started off with a solid game against Fresno. However, Young’s knee is giving him problems and once again Robinson has a chance to claim the starting role. Grab Robinson if you need short-term help while Young is attempting to get his knee in order.
Jamar Taylor – USF: Looking for an uber-sleeper then I suggest considering Taylor who entered last week as 4th on the depth chart. However anyone who watched the game will recognize that it was not Grothe that sparked the come-back against Kansas but in fact Taylor as he rumbled to 72 yards and 1 TD in want amounted to a half of football. I have no clue what the Bulls will do once they get healthy at the running back position but I have watched a ton of USF games and he is the first one I said ‘wow’ about since Andre Hall. Got a roster spot to burn and looking to gamble, consider Taylor.
James Starks – Buffalo: Starks absence in last week’s game against Temple was because of a bruised leg. He claims to be ready for the next game against Missouri but considering the matchup it is safe to leave him on the bench this week.
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