IronFistIFFL

Benjamin Watson

Based on the replies in this thread it sounds like there are some PT owners trying to convince themselves that Bell isn't a threat to Pierre's #'s... As a PT owner myself, I certainly hope that's the case... but I also have a long enough memory to recall week 16 (championship week in most leagues) last year -- when the Saints were playing the worst team in the history of the league. This came after a stretch of games where PT had been consistently lighting up the scoreboard every week for a month. The Saints won 42-7. Remember the rushing stats from that game? Pierre Thomas 13 for 77 1 TD Deuce McCallister 9 for 61 1 TD Mike Bell 4 for 26 1 TD And Pierre didn't lose those other TDs during garbage time while he was resting -- he was the last of the 3 to find the end zone. I'm going to start him every week he's healthy because of that offense.... but don't kid yourself about a RB needing to get reps to get a feel for the game -- or Bell being a journeyman -- or anything else. Payton will keep fresh legs on the field whether we like it or not. Odds are Pierre will get the most looks -- but as much as we wish it were true, he doesn't play in an offense that features one back.

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Just wanted to point out that I find it ironic that you'd include Casey Hampton on your list. He was put on PUP for most of the preseason last year because he was so out of shape. This year it was actually news on the post gazette that he made it through conditioning drills first week of camp. Yes -- there's a difference between the conditioning levels required for QB's and DL. I'm just pointing out that Hampton has played at an incredibly high level while drawing the public scorn of his coaches for how he prepares. I have yet to hear from anyone willing to even put his name to the quote, let alone a Steelers authority figure -- that Pittsburgh has a problem with the way Roethlisberger gets ready for the season or gets along with his teammates. The simple fact is that Roethlisberger has achieved what he has by training with booze, food and women. And it has worked. And nobody in a fantasy football forum other than Kent has to like it. Different guys take different paths with different results. Somewhere Babe Ruth is smiling.

I just had a draft from the 10-hole yesterday w/ the exact same setup. 12 teams, ppr and flex instead of 3rd WR spot... I don't make myself take a certain position in a certain round -- but with 12 teams able to start 3 RBs each week, you can rest assured they will fly off the board.... and by the time you're up at 3.10 you may not like what you see left. So in this league I was pretty sure I would go RB/RB... and it worked out fairly well, as I got Deangelo Williams and Steve Slaton. Good luck.

For the most part, I agree with this logic. In Pierre's case though, (and assuming you play with some decent competition,) you should probably be aware that whoever drafts him is going to think he just got the steal of the draft.... so trading may not be the best route. If I had my heart set on PT, I'd want to draft him as opposed to trying to haggle for him. If you feel safe dropping down a couple of picks -- do it, and get him closer to his ADP -- but if you're nervous that someone might get him ahead of you -- take him where you feel like you have to.

I don't think Payton had too many options as to what to tell reporters about Bush's health. Unlikely he would have said "Well... doesn't look good. He can't make it through a full day of practice and his knee's the size of a watermelon. If we had a game tonight he probably couldn't make it through the first quarter." Really, with over a month to go -- it is probably just a little premature for any of us to speculate on Bush's status for the regular season.... although it's certainly worth discussing given his injury history. Bottom line for us is that this news is forcing PT's ADP up and Bush's down. Personally, I wouldn't touch Bush (PPR or non-PPR) before I have 2 other RBs, and probably not before I have 2 WR's... so if all this talk turns him into a value/upside pick, that's great news. And if PT starts getting drafted too much higher than he is right now, he loses some appeal for me.

Out of the players you have listed, I'd be narrowing it down to Williams (Strength of schedule this time of year should be the very last thing you are using when comparing players who you have ranked close together.) and Slaton. And I'd probably lean toward Williams. Westbrook's injuries worry me at 1.8 -- Jackson's lack of surrounding talent and injury history worries me as my first pick -- I'm not sold on Fitzy being worth a mid 1st rounder when these backs are still on the board -- and since your league is scored almost exactly the same as mine, you are probably aware that even with Chris Johnson's extra 50 carries and 450 yards, Lendale White was just as valuable last year. Still -- you're probably not getting any of those players in the second round, so my advice is to pick your favorite and go with your gut. You'll enjoy it more that way, and you could justify taking any of those players. Good luck!

Per Game Averages Last 2 Years: Receptions Yards TDs Fitzy---6.3---91.6---.71 Boldin-6.6---78.8---.83 Those numbers are a little deceiving because Boldin hasn't been able to stay healthy.... but the fact remains that when they've both been in the lineup, they've put up very similar stats. And if you draft Boldin early 3rd, you've already got 2 other horses. By taking Fitzy in the middle of the first, you're pretty much asking for RB questions. Clearly you'd rather have Fitzgerald than Boldin when you compare the two -- but not at his current price. And if I know I can get first round production most of the season from my third round guy -- you can sign me right up.

I've been in this league for 12 years.... and you're going to tell me about the trends of the drafters I'll be dealing with -- and ignore the question involving Pierre Thomas and where he falls in with the guys who are typically ranked ahead of him. We give 6 pts per passing TD, PPR for TE only..... and there are other reasons why elite QBs, WRs and TEs are more coveted than 2nd tier RBs. So unless we'd rather discuss this league's scoring intricacies... Your choices mid to late 2nd early to 3rd will include Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, Gore, Portis, Lendale, Ronnie Brown, Marion Barber -- and Thomas. Where do you see Thomas on that list?

In a 12 team, non-PPR, TD heavy format -- how many backs would you list ahead of Thomas? By mid 2nd round, Peterson, Turner, MJD, Forte, Deangelo, Tomlinson, Westbrook, Slaton and Jacobs will all be gone. Your choices mid to late 2nd early to 3rd will include Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, Gore, Portis, Lendale, Ronnie Brown, Marion Barber -- and Thomas.

I love this logic. The original thought being that there was "no question" that fitz is the cards' best player. It makes so much sense to determine a player's skill based on how much $ he is paid. You're probably also a huge Barry Zito fan. Also... just as a bonus to support the argument that salary equates directly to skill: a couple of 2008 Steelers salaries: Max Starks: $6,895,000.00 (backup OL) Troy Polomalu: $6,820,000.00 Willie Parker: $4,087,500.00 Santonio Holmes: $1,740,000.00

May as well toot my own horn after 1 week of production. FWIW, I still don't see this guy as a lock -- but I wish I'd had the balls to start him.