Warning, I think this post might be short. Like really, really short. Like why your girlfriend laughs every time your pants drop and you ask ‘why are you laughing’ and she says ‘you’re just so cute’ kind of short. It will be short namely because I can’t preach to you about the subject at hand for longer then about 300 words unless I throw a lot of fluff at you and since I don’t want you to think I’m a fluffer, I’m not gonna do it. I also realize the reasoning behind this is partially personal and partially league setup. I’m speaking more on behalf of standard type league setup and not for the deeper ones where I would be more inclined to draft or pick up a handcuff and I will delve a bit into that, how I’d do it and why in this little ditty as well. Overall, this is a sticking point for me when discussing drafting strategies because of the position at hand we’re talking about and I’ll do my best to refute the many reasons that people use to excuse themselves for doing it as we go along. But without further ado, let’s take a look at why I don’t want any handcuffs as part of my Vandersexxx nor for 2013 Fantasy Football…nope, still interrupting myself. We need commissioners and we need more leagues for our Razzball Commenter Leagues. I’d offer you money but since I’m already offering a grand prize to the big time winner I think you’re getting plenty to play this game for free with us. So go click that link to find out how before reading on…I’m waiting…nope, still waiting I can tell you haven’t gone and done it yet…nope…ok, ok now you can proceed.
Running Backs Are Injury Prone – Yep, that’s always the argument to why you handcuff your running backs right? I mean, what if LeSean McCoy goes down week 11 – this happened last year – or MJD goes down week 7 (this also happened last year)? Well I’m glad you asked! First off, let’s discuss McCoy’s sitch. By the time week 11 rolls around, do you know how many roster moves you’ll have probably made to make up for bye weeks? I’ll give you a hint: plenty. There’s very little likelihood you held onto his handcuff – whom I don’t remember actually being Bryce Brown to start the year but I could be wrong – through those 11 games unless you had one of the nicest bye week setups of all time or you’re like one of my jerk friends who doesn’t pay attention and still goes 9-2 during that time frame even without setting his roster. I hate you person not really named Brian but whom I’ll call Brian for the sake of anonymity! But more to the point, it’s very unlikely you could’ve taken advantage of even drafting Shady’s backup in this scenario in a regular league. We good on that point? Ok, let’s go to point two or the MJD scenario. In this case, MJD went down and his backup was Rashad Jennings. Rashad was highly touted for how he played back in 2010 as the pickup for MJD and a hot buy at the time. He went on to produce a 2.8 ypc average and zero 100 yard rushing games. Was he useful in spurts? Sure, but you could say that about a lot of players. Was he worth drafting when it was all said and done? Decidedly not.
I Can Get My Guy’s Handcuff Really Cheap – Well I think I’ve given you an already great basis as to why not to handcuff but let’s explore this scenario with a current RB/RB Handcuff set up with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. Powell is currently projected to go in the 12th round of a 12 team yahoo league with his 136 ADP. Ok, that’s fine and dandy but two questions. One, do you really want to own two Jets running backs and two, is Bilal Powell someone you actually think is good? I’m not trying to thumb down Bilal – he’s a solid NFL player – but the reality is he’s not starting and the Jets traded for not one but TWO running backs in the off-season. That should tell you something. It’s not that he can’t produce but there are so many deep wide receiver options around that time or good sleeper TEs, I question why you’d want to go after a guy with a career 3.7 ypc average. At the very least, if I’m drafting a handcuff, he has to be talented enough to be interesting.
My RB’s Handcuff Is Younger And Is Gonna Be A Stud If He Gets A Shot – Yadda to the third degree on this one here people. I’ve heard this one before. There’s that highly touted draft prospect ‘x’ team just picked up and I just know once he’s given a shot, he’ll set the world ablaze. Well, I strongly encourage you to go tell that to Willis McGahee owners from last year. Think of all those smug owners who drafted Hillman as their backup to McGehee. I mean, he was the next best thing in Denver. That’s what they all said. Then finally in week 11, those who planned their draft well and took Ronnie as his handcuff saw their shot at glory. They slotted Hillman into their flex for the week against an ok Kansas City Chiefs defense and waited for the fireworks. Only those fireworks never came. He got 3 carries for 9 yards as Knowshon Moreno was named the surprise starter for that week and he held that role into the playoffs for the Broncos. You just spent 2/3rds of your season sitting on a guy that didn’t even crack 10 yards. How silly do you feel now?
In the end, your league setup will determine whether or not its worth drafting a handcuff for your starting backs. At best, the only backups that should be drafted in regular sized leagues in my opinion are ones who seem to have established roles such as Andre Brown for the Giants or Giovani Bernard of the Bengals. In the end, I can’t simply get behind the idea of drafting a guy ‘just in case’ a lead back goes down. Well, unless you drafted DMC but that’s another story for another time (hint: don’t draft DMC). Sorry for the false hope of this being a short post. Guess I had more to say then I expected. Peace, love, dope and I’ll see you on the flipside.
