>TC<
07-25-2005, 01:29 PM
Handcuffing, put simply, is when you draft a stud running back early, and then in the later rounds, you select his backup. Usually, it’s a backup who could be starting if he were wearing another uniform. The reasoning behind it is if your stud runner gets dinged up, you have reliable insurance to keep plugging along, usually in a strong offense that won’t miss the starter all that much.
Below are the top prospects for "handcuffing" in case you draft the starter ahead of them and want all your bases covered. Players from a RB-by-committee system are not included.
1. Larry Johnson / Chiefs — When the Chiefs chose not to meet Johnson’s trade demands, who would’ve known it was one of the best things that could’ve happened to him? Johnson, in place of the injured Priest Holmes, scored 11 times and racked up a trio of 100-yard games in the last six weeks of the season, renewed with a desire to prove himself and a better attitude. The former first-rounder also was good for an additional 278 yards as a receiver. Holmes is due back healthy, but the consensus feeling around K.C. is that the Chiefs will allow Johnson more chances in an effort to keep Holmes fresh.
2. Jerome Bettis / Steelers — As long as Duce Staley stays healthy, Bettis remains a role player who will get touches near the goal line. But "The Bus" proved there was plenty of tread left on his tire last season, eclipsing 100 yards on the ground in all six of his starts while Staley was sidelined with a bad hamstring. He’s a solid TD producer who some owners may reach for, so don’t delay if you snag Staley as a second or third back.
3. Travis Henry / Titans — Henry posted back-to-back monster years in 2002-03 before a leg injury opened the door for Willis McGahee to do his thing. The Bills traded Henry to Tennessee in July, where he’ll back up injury-prone Chris Brown and perhaps be spotted in goal-line situations. If Brown goes down with another injury, Henry could thrive.
4. Thomas Jones / Bears — Jones had a career-high 240 carries (for 948 yards and seven touchdowns) and led the offensively challenged Bears with 56 catches, but now he takes a seat with the arrival of rookie Cedric Benson. Jones likely will be a third-down back, but if the Bears’ offense shows a pulse in the preseason, Jones is worth a look if you snag Benson first.
5. Marshall Faulk / Rams — The former consensus first pick overall in about every fantasy league stepped aside this offseason to make room for Steven Jackson, his heir apparent. Though his numbers have dipped considerably, in part to the wear and tear of the position, Faulk remains a good fit for the Rams’ offense and scored double-digit touchdowns as recently as 2003.
6. Mike Anderson, Maurice Clarett / Broncos — Speedy Tatum Bell will get first crack at the starting job, a highly coveted gig considering the track record of success rushing the football in Denver (see Reuben Droughns last year). But Bell was slowed by injuries a fair amount as a rookie, and Anderson, a former Rookie of the Year back healthy from a torn ACL, and Clarett, a former college superstar with plenty to prove, are on his heels should he falter or succumb to the rigors of the NFL. Keep an eye on this race in training camp to see who has the upper hand.
7. Anthony Thomas / Cowboys — Julius Jones has the reins to the Cowboys’ offense after the way he closed out his rookie season: rushing for 803 yards and seven scores in the final seven games. Problem is, he has never been known as a durable back, and the A-Train, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher in his four-year career, was brought in this offseason as a goal-line option and proven insurance. Thomas is only draftworthy probably in larger leagues.
8. Najeh Davenport / Packers — Scouts say that with his combination of size and speed, he should be starting somewhere. We agree. In his only start in 2004, against St. Louis, he rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He has gained 5.1 yards per carry in his career and is a threat to break the long run when he spells Ahman Green.
Other "handcuffing" options of note — Dominic Rhodes (Colts), Correll Buckhalter (Eagles), Chester Taylor (Ravens), Chris Perry (Bengals), Derrick Blaylock (Jets), Marcel Shipp (Cardinals).
TC
Below are the top prospects for "handcuffing" in case you draft the starter ahead of them and want all your bases covered. Players from a RB-by-committee system are not included.
1. Larry Johnson / Chiefs — When the Chiefs chose not to meet Johnson’s trade demands, who would’ve known it was one of the best things that could’ve happened to him? Johnson, in place of the injured Priest Holmes, scored 11 times and racked up a trio of 100-yard games in the last six weeks of the season, renewed with a desire to prove himself and a better attitude. The former first-rounder also was good for an additional 278 yards as a receiver. Holmes is due back healthy, but the consensus feeling around K.C. is that the Chiefs will allow Johnson more chances in an effort to keep Holmes fresh.
2. Jerome Bettis / Steelers — As long as Duce Staley stays healthy, Bettis remains a role player who will get touches near the goal line. But "The Bus" proved there was plenty of tread left on his tire last season, eclipsing 100 yards on the ground in all six of his starts while Staley was sidelined with a bad hamstring. He’s a solid TD producer who some owners may reach for, so don’t delay if you snag Staley as a second or third back.
3. Travis Henry / Titans — Henry posted back-to-back monster years in 2002-03 before a leg injury opened the door for Willis McGahee to do his thing. The Bills traded Henry to Tennessee in July, where he’ll back up injury-prone Chris Brown and perhaps be spotted in goal-line situations. If Brown goes down with another injury, Henry could thrive.
4. Thomas Jones / Bears — Jones had a career-high 240 carries (for 948 yards and seven touchdowns) and led the offensively challenged Bears with 56 catches, but now he takes a seat with the arrival of rookie Cedric Benson. Jones likely will be a third-down back, but if the Bears’ offense shows a pulse in the preseason, Jones is worth a look if you snag Benson first.
5. Marshall Faulk / Rams — The former consensus first pick overall in about every fantasy league stepped aside this offseason to make room for Steven Jackson, his heir apparent. Though his numbers have dipped considerably, in part to the wear and tear of the position, Faulk remains a good fit for the Rams’ offense and scored double-digit touchdowns as recently as 2003.
6. Mike Anderson, Maurice Clarett / Broncos — Speedy Tatum Bell will get first crack at the starting job, a highly coveted gig considering the track record of success rushing the football in Denver (see Reuben Droughns last year). But Bell was slowed by injuries a fair amount as a rookie, and Anderson, a former Rookie of the Year back healthy from a torn ACL, and Clarett, a former college superstar with plenty to prove, are on his heels should he falter or succumb to the rigors of the NFL. Keep an eye on this race in training camp to see who has the upper hand.
7. Anthony Thomas / Cowboys — Julius Jones has the reins to the Cowboys’ offense after the way he closed out his rookie season: rushing for 803 yards and seven scores in the final seven games. Problem is, he has never been known as a durable back, and the A-Train, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher in his four-year career, was brought in this offseason as a goal-line option and proven insurance. Thomas is only draftworthy probably in larger leagues.
8. Najeh Davenport / Packers — Scouts say that with his combination of size and speed, he should be starting somewhere. We agree. In his only start in 2004, against St. Louis, he rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He has gained 5.1 yards per carry in his career and is a threat to break the long run when he spells Ahman Green.
Other "handcuffing" options of note — Dominic Rhodes (Colts), Correll Buckhalter (Eagles), Chester Taylor (Ravens), Chris Perry (Bengals), Derrick Blaylock (Jets), Marcel Shipp (Cardinals).
TC