Handcuff Report, Week 3: RunningBackalypse Now

Dear Running Backs,

What the hell is going on? Seriously guys, not only are you getting injured at an alarming rate, but your off the field antics are ridiculous, and not ridiculous in a Dennis Rodman fun idiot kind of way. 

Best Regards,

Ralph

Let’s take a minute to reflect. More than likely we the fantasy football collective will be without Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles (maybe not), Ryan Matthews, Mark Ingram, Knowshon Moreno, Doug Martin and Jonathan Dwyer for several weeks. Oh okay, yeah, no one cares about Jonathan Dwyer, but you get my point. That’s seven starting running backs and we’re only two weeks into the season. Early in the fantasy baseball season, we talked about the closerpocalypse… well this is the runningbackalypse. I fully expect another three to be injured and Matt Forte to be found out as the real life Buffalo Bill by the time this posts. It’s been that kind of year. As corny dancehall reggae artist Elephant Man would say: “Ju-kno!” Well, I guess the silver lining is there were plenty of intriguing handcuffs promoted to starter in the last week. Some are temporary, others could be more permanent, and some tried to get in on the runningbackalypse but just missed the mark. Either way, here are the ones to keep an eye on.

Knile Davis – I was all over Davis this week on the wavier wire expecting a guaranteed start against Miami. I even wrote about 200 words about it. Then I got on Twitter after work, and low and behold Jamaal Charles practices. I guess I should have taken the Chiefs word for it regarding that whole “mild” adjective on his ankle sprain. Still these injuries have a way of destroying finesse backs *cough cough* CJ Spiller circa 2013. So I don’t think you’re out of the woods yet Charles owner. When so much of your game is dependent on burst and quick cuts it’s a tough injury to come back from. I’m looking at Davis as having value even with Charles active. I would imagine Andy Reid and company will give him the kid gloves treatment but I also thought Charles would be out for 2-3 weeks minimum. Davis was effective last week putting up 77 yards and 2 TD’s on 22 carries. The opportunity is there for him to return mid-level flex numbers, but Charles will probably carry the ball 25 times just because I said that…..reverse jinx anyone? Damn it! I just reverse jinxed my reverse jinx. Damn it! Did it again…or did I? This could go on forever.

Matt Asiata – Let’s be clear about one thing Asiata isn’t very good. He’s got a good setup though and the opportunity to be a very solid flex option. His numbers last week were pretty terrible and I could see McKinnon having value at some point, but that point has yet to be reached. So let’s stop talking about it. Asiata for now is the guy. Well, until he gets injured or decides to join La Cosa Nostra.

Bobby Rainey –  It’s become an annual rite of passage to build Rainey up after a good week, much like we did last year. I’m not as high on him as others but he seems to have a substantial role regardless of Doug Martin‘s health going forward. With Martin beat up and in Lovie Smith’s dog house it looks like Rainey will be getting solid run going forward. He’s going to put up some 50 yard games on 20 touches, but he’ll have weeks like last week too. You could do worse. Then again after last night’s game maybe there is nothing worse than the Bucs.

Donald Brown – This one hurts because I drafted Matthews everywhere, but I should have known he was going get hurt. Last year was just too good for him to do it twice. Plus he has Alex Rios disease where he kicks us in the junk and then stomps on it every time we start to trust him. Brown has been unexciting and effective since coming out of UConn, but he’s going to get some run and was on the field quite a bit down the stretch against the Seahawks last week. I expect Danny Woodhead‘s role to expand as a runner but he’s still going to mostly be a receiving back that gets most of his carries on draws and delays. Brown is certainly worth a flex play this week.

Chris Ivory – Hey Chris where the $@*# was this last year? Jerk Weed! I drafted Ivory everywhere in 2013, figuring he’d be a shoo-in for the starting job with the Jets. Not my best work…Well this year I drafted Chris Johnson everywhere so my Jets curse has turned Ivory into one sexy fuzzy handcuff. After the last two weeks I’m thinking about taking a long weekend in the Poconos with this dime piece handcuff. If he’s on the wire scoop him up.

Stevan Ridley/ Shane Vereen – I don’t know what to make of this backfield. After Ridley had 25 carries last week I’m moving him back into the starting role. I love Vereen as a PPR threat but he just seems to miss the mark on his juicy potential. As much as I want him to be Darren Sproles he’s just not there. Then again The Talented Mr. Ridley (cringe I know it was corny) could put the ball on the ground on the first drive and then everything changes. Patriots running backs are like the really hot girl on your floor Freshman year of college. No matter how many times she blows you off or blows your buddy, when she knocks on your door at 2 AM ready to go, you take it.

Khriy Robinson – After Mark Ingram‘s unfortunate injury Robinson has found himself in line to get a ton of touches in the coming weeks. I do expect Pierre Thomas to get a few more carries, but Robinson will factor into the game plan this week. Especially if the Saints find themselves up big on the Viks. I think Robinson is a sneaky flex play in 14+ team leagues.

Fuzzy Handcuffs 

These guys are fun, fun, fun!, Not for everyday use but good to own and a blast when they’re in the mix.  We may wish for a bit more run but in truth they’re probably good the way they are, splitting time and getting the most of their opportunities. Most of these handsome devils could probably be studs if given the chance.

Standard Issue Police

Whether you’re in the back of a squad car or sitting on the corner while the Po-Po search your whip you’re going nowhere. Do you know why? Because those things are locked on your wrists with a death grip. Much like those cuffs these running backs are firmly locked into their positions. Not for a lack of ability but because the starters are firmly entrenched in their roles. These backs could have value on any given week but more than likely you’ll need an injury to make these guys startable.

Duct Tape Cuffs

These are of the homemade variety you’ll use them in a pinch (i.e the starting stud goes down) but they’re always in your drawer (wavier wire) ready to step in and do their job. It may be to the bare minimum degree but they can buy you sometime.

Thanks for reading and Happy Handcuffing!

Don’t forget to send me all your Running Back Questions on twitter @ralphlifshitzbb.