Handcuff Report, Week 4: Starters? We Don’t Need No Stinking Starters!

I’ve come to a conclusion about my draft strategy for next year. I’m not drafting any starting running backs. Nope! Only handcuffs in the later rounds for me. I won’t be fooled by you starting running backs and your supposed “talent”. Oh no siree, I’m moving on! In all seriousness though, what the hell is going on? The starters that haven’t been hurt, arrested, kidnapped, or shamed into retirement, haven ‘t been good. Anyone watch LeSean McCoy, Eddie Lacy, or Matt Forte lately? How is anyone winning in fantasy?

According to Yahoo’s rankings there are 4 RB’s in the current top ten that were going in the 7th round or later (Darren Sproles, Ahmad Bradshaw, Knile Davis, and Chris Ivory) and three out of those four were going in the last two rounds or undrafted. Let’s not stop there, take a look at the top 25 and you’ll see names like Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell, Mark Ingram, Bobby Rainey, and Justin Forsett. Every player I just named is ranked higher than Matt Forte and only Justin Forsett is ranked lower than LeSean McCoy. This is crazy! The only things more ravaged than my fantasy backfields are Hope Solo’s vajayjay and Jennifer Lawrence’s place as America’s Sweetheart. Thanks Fappening!

So I know what you’re asking yourself. What does this all mean for you and how long will it stay this way? First off no it won’t stay this way, the cream will rise to the surface eventually. Shady and Forte will go off, Lacy will find himself, and a few of the aforementioned no names will come back down to earth. Don’t panic. The lesson that can be learned from all this is that running back is increasingly becoming the middle infield of football. It’s a handful of good options, a lot of flux, and a position where how you play the wavier wire is just as important as how you draft. I could go on all day, but before we go any further let’s talk about some handcuffs making noise.

Lorenzo Taliaferro – After last week’s break out performance Taliaferro was this week’s hot wavier wire pickup. He looked as good as any Ravens back has looked this season as he went for 91 yards and a TD on 18 attempts. He was decisive, ran down hill and was physical at the point of contact. Harbaugh and Kubiak have both spoke very highly of Taliaferro since Sunday’s break out. That’s usually a sign of an expanded role. The feeling right now is that Bernard Pierce will be back in the starting role this week. How long he stays in that role is anyone’s guess. With the exception of garbage time against the Steelers in week two, Pierce has been the personification of a shart. You know a surprise, but in a really, really bad way. I’d be shocked if Taliaferro doesn’t run away with the job in the coming weeks. Pick him up now, thank me later.

Isaiah Crowell – I have to give the Browns credit they’ve moved on from the dumpster fire (see Wrong, Jay) that was their running game last year. They now have three solid backs deserving of NFL reps. Crowell has actually out performed Terrance West since Ben Tate went down in week 1. After watching the Browns loss against the Ravens last week I came away impressed. In just two short weeks I’ve gone from telling him to go back to being a silversmith in an 18th century New England village, to crushing hard. I’m now writing Ralph and Isaiah forever on all my trapper keepers. I still like Terrance West, but Crowell has simply outperformed him.  What’s not to like he’s averaged 5.2 YPC and has broke a couple of big plays to boot.  He’s not a burner, but he is a power back that can get the hard yards after contact. The Browns are on the bye this week, and he’s been getting the first team reps over West, he’s a great pickup if someone dropped him. Use the bye week panic to your advantage

Donald Brown – He got 31 carries and 6 looks in the passing game last week, but he only gained 89 total yards. Lucky for Brown, Danny Woodhead became the latest victim of Runningbackalypse and Ryan Mathews is weeks away. To make a long story short, there’s no one to compete with for carries. Well unless you consider newly signed Shaun Draughn anything more than a hologram. Put it this way, he’s on his 4 team in 3 years, nuff said?

Alfred Blue – As the old expression goes some things in life are unavoidable taxes, death, and Arian Foster injuries. Well we got one of those last week and my boy Blue looked okay as he ran for 78 yards on 13 carries. As of right now Foster is listed as questionable and looks like a game time decision for week 4. Blue is definitely worth a stash in 12 team leagues going forward. With Foster already potentially missing multiple games he could be in line for some serious opportunity ROS.

Bishop Sankey – Finally! Seriously, Sankey finally got a chance to show what he can do, albeit in garbage time. He toted the rock 10 times for 61 yards, and by all reports was the most dynamic player in the Titans offense. I know most dynamic player in the Titans offense is like being the smartest idiot, but it’s a least a little sunshine in all around gloomy year for running backs. I still think Sankey has a chance to break outand it’s coming sooner rather than later. Remember Shonn Greene. I thought Sankey was awesome at Washington and expected big things this season. If the opportunity comes again this week look for his value to skyrocket. This is a great buy low candidate.

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.