#1 RB in 2006

[Franknbeans 46]

[SoloMatisse 0]

Why is this nessecary????......as if LJ needs any more hype?? Good grief, Charlie Brown. I voted for Rudi.

 

jk

[Franknbeans 46]

Why is this nessecary????......as if LJ needs any more hype?? Good grief, Charlie Brown. I voted for Rudi.

 

jk

and yet Rudi has no vote

[ellisonb11 0]

i guess its LJ..herm wants to run it even more, so if he gets the rock 30+ times a game, then i expect big numbers.

[Belushi 9]

I don't know that Herm taking over and giving LJ 30 carries means that he'll be #1. Did CMart ever finish as the top back? In his prime he was as talented as just about any RB in the league, and I think they had pretty good O-line's in some of those years.

 

Guess I'm the only one, but with Saunders gone, I'm down on LJ this year. Still top 5, but I don't see him as #1.

 

I voted LT. But it seems every year the consensus #1 RB is knocked out by someone unexpected. Maybe Portis?

[football_scooter 0]

Not only is there already a topic for this, it's already a poll.

 

The search feature: it's a tip.

 

Did CMart ever finish as the top back?

 

yep. 2004

 

2004 New York Jets 16 games, 371 carries, 1697 (4.6 per) 12 RuTDs, 41 receptions, 245 yds, 2 TDs.

 

I believe he was the Ru yardage leader over SA by 1 yard that year.

[Dog Face Gremlins211 0]

Ladainian Tomlinson

[Franknbeans 46]

Not only is there already a topic for this, it's already a poll.

 

The search feature: it's a tip.

I don't care

[Portis26 0]

Clinton Portis

[DC 10]

With Phillip Rivers under center, there can be no doubt that LT will be the #1 RB in the NFL

[Savage Beast 1]

With Phillip Rivers under center, there can be no doubt that LT will be the #1 RB in the NFL

 

Rivers will be the downfall of both LT and Gates .

[Sportslitter 0]

Shaun Alexander will be the top back.

[t.j 35]

Rivers will be the downfall of both LT and Gates .

 

No he won't.

Rivers is going to do fine, and the Chargers are going to lean on LT as Rivers gains experience.

[gatorbait7391 0]

Ladainian Tomlinson

Ladainian Tomlinson

[Raider 84 29]

Shaun Alexander will be the top back.

 

[DickJauron 0]

LT is a stud but rivers will hurt him, I picked LJ even with a new coach, Alexander is cursed (Madden cover), I think Portis could end up on top.

[Bishop82 61]

The Chiefs O-line might be getting older but it won't show this year. Grandma-ma will be the best back in 06, he won't do aswell as he did last year but enough to make owners (like me) happy.

 

[Steel City Blues 0]

Voted for Tiki in honor of Sweetness and the right to live.

 

 

Poll is a forgone conclusion.

[mdubz 0]

i don't want to have to pick. just give me 3rd pick this year and i'm

[Jackson Biggs 0]

for my money, LJ in a landslide...having that guy last year was a pure joy...watching him pile up yards and TDs looked too easy for him....

[Let Da Big Dog Eat 40]

From Football Guys:

 

Draft Sharks

Who's The #1 Pick?

May 31, 2006

=================

 

Who’s the #1 fantasy pick this year? It’s gotta be Larry Johnson. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander are both great picks, but what Johnson did last year was nothing short of legendary. Unless you were lucky enough to own #27 (or got steamrolled by him in your fantasy playoffs) you might not truly understand the magnitude of his 2005 statistics. Let me give you four mind-boggling examples of his mega-numbers:

 

1. Larry Johnson broke the Kansas City Chiefs franchise single-game rushing record with 211 yards against the Houston Texans. The previous record of 200 yards was set by Barry Word in 1990. It was only Larry’s 6th career NFL start. Later he popped 201 yards on Cincinnati and was taken out at the Bengals’ 32-yard line with 5:00 left in the game.

 

2. Larry Johnson put up nine straight 100-yard games, the longest such streak since Deuce McAllister (9) in 2003. The record is 14 straight games by Barry Sanders in 1997. Larry would have surely challenged it had Priest Holmes not started the first 7 games. And five of Larry’s nine 100-yard games went for 140+ yards, not just 100.

 

3. Larry Johnson had more total yards (2,093) than any back in the league except Tiki Barber (2,390), more than Shaun Alexander (1,958), Edgerrin James (1,843), and Clinton Portis (1,732). And all those guys had twice the number of touches that Larry had in the first seven games (81) because he shared with Holmes.

 

4. Larry Johnson’s 1,351 rushing yards after Nov. 1 was the most in NFL history in games played after that date. Project him out over 16 starts (instead of 9) and you really see what kind of damage he was doing: A pace for 464 carries (NFL record), 2,402 rushing yards (NFL record) and 28 rushing TDs (NFL record).

 

You get the picture, right? Johnson is a fantasy juggernaut. He’s a once-every-decade kind of player. Guys like him are the reason you play fantasy football in the first place.

 

Tomlinson and Alexander fans are going to say Johnson was a bit of fluke or he just enjoys garage-sized holes in Kansas City. First, this isn’t the first time Larry has rolled Madden-like numbers. He was a 2,000-yard rusher both in high school and at Penn State. In fact, he’s the only 2,000-yard rusher in NCAA history to average 7.5 yards per carry. And the garage-sized holes? Well of course, this Chiefs offensive line is the best in the business. These road-graders are spectacular technicians. Pro Bowlers LT Willie Roaf, LG Brian Waters, and RG Will Shields all pull and trap with sinister quickness and strength. This group already made a great back, Priest Holmes, into a record-setting back. Roaf and Shields might be two of the 20 best linemen ever. Age is a concern - 36 and 35, respectively - but there’s plenty left in the tank. They looked (ahem) pretty good last year.

 

Some say that new Chiefs HC Herman Edwards could hurt Johnson’s fantasy numbers because he sometimes rotated Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan in New York. Well, he never truly rotated the two backs, he spelled Martin when games were in control or he just needed a blow. If you don’t believe me, ask Jordan himself. That guy was steaming mad over his lack of carries and finally escaped in free agency to Oakland. For the record, an aging Martin averaged 20 carries and almost 3 catches per game under Edwards. And he posted big fantasy stats even though he had passed his physical prime during the Edwards era. Besides, the Chiefs don't have a Jordan-type monster backup that warrants any relief snaps.

 

New coach, new playbook, new terminology? Nope. Even though OC Al Saunders left for Washington, Edwards kept 10 of the remaining 14 offensive coaches and assistants intact, including offensive line coach Mike Solari, who he promoted to coordinator. “You don’t mess with greatness unless you have to,” said Larry Johnson. “Mike Solari knows the offense. We’re going to run the same offense we used to run ever since I was here.” These are all veterans and every one knows their job. If they really needed Al Saunders to sit in the booth anymore they would have paid him to stay. Folks, this is the same playbook & personnel that generated the league’s 1st, 1st, 2nd and 4th-ranked offense since 2002. Herm’s no dummy. He’ll run Larry’s feet off… and then make him run on the stumps.

 

If you get the 1st pick in your draft you have to ask yourself not only who’s the best back, but who has the most support around him. San Diego (Tomlinson) and Seattle (Alexander) have both been ranked in the top-10 in total offense the last two years, but there are reasons to believe their attacks could weaken slightly in 2006.

 

Tomlinson lost QB Drew Brees to the New Orleans Saints. He’s not the best quarterback in the league but he ran OC Cam Cameron’s play-action offense to perfection. Brees forced defenses to guard the entire field because of his audibles and accuracy. His 97.2 passer rating over the last two seasons is 5th best in the league. I’m a big Philip Rivers fan, but he has no experience and he will kill some drives with ill-advised decisions. Oh, and Chargers LT Roman Oben had a major foot injury and required two surgeries in 6 months to fix it. He might not be ready until August at the earliest. Why do you think San Diego drafted rookie OT Marcus McNeil in the 2nd round?

 

Alexander still has Matt Hasselbeck under center, who has to be considered one of the 10 best QBs in the league. But the loss of All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson (to Minnesota) might be worse than losing a star quarterback. Hutchinson worked in tandem with left tackle Walter Jones to produce bushels of rushing yardage. Most analysts will agree that Hutchinson slides and gets off the ball quicker on traps than any guard in football. How can Seattle replace him? The answer is, they can’t.

 

Meanwhile Larry Johnson welcomes 10 of 11 offensive starters back in 2006, all except FB Tony Richardson (who also went to Minnesota). Richardson’s a little overrated these days and Kansas City executes best with one-back sets anyway. Richardson’s replacement, Ronnie Cruz, might be a diamond in the rough. “You can always tell from my standpoint, when you look in guys’ eyes out there, do they look confused,” said Trent Green. “Do they get that deer-in-the-headlights look? Ronnie’s never had that.”

 

I mentioned earlier that the Chiefs offensive line made a great back – Priest Holmes – into a record-setting back. What are they gonna do with Johnson over a full 16 games? Johnson is already a greater back: an Eric Dickerson clone, physically superior to opposing defenders. He’s bigger, stronger, and especially faster than Holmes ever was, and the proof is in the pudding. Holmes only had one rushing TD from 35+ yards out (it was exactly 35 yards) in 1,275 carries as a Chief. Johnson has run them in from 46, 41, 35, and 49 yards in his last 415 carries alone. And he’s scored from 85 and 97 yards out in preseason games.

 

Wait a minute, what about Priest’s health status? Will he available this year? Doctors who monitor his neck and spine have not yet cleared him to play. If you recall, Charger LB Shawne Merriman drilled him in a head-to-head collision and caused significant trauma. The chances of the 3-time Pro Bowler making a contribution in 2006 (if ever again) are very slim.

 

The most telling factor in football is often financial motivation. Tomlinson and Alexander both got $60 million dollar extensions (with $21 and $16m guaranteed) while Johnson is still playing out a rookie contract that paid less than $1 million last year. I like my fantasy backs to chase big $60 million carrots, personally.

 

Tomlinson and Alexander are terrific. If you like one of them I can understand the logic. Their careers speak for themselves. But if you want upside with the #1 overall pick you’re obligated to catch the Larry-train as it leaves the station.

 

When it’s all said and done, fantasy football is about touchdowns. Remember those four examples of Johnson’s eye-popping stats? What about this one: Larry has started 12 times going back to last year and scored 23 total TDs in those starts. Only 11 other backs ever scored 20+ TDs over a 12-start span. Several huge names failed to accomplish that feat, including Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Edgerrin James and Thurman Thomas. Larry hasn’t even started a full year yet and he’s done things those guys never did. I’m sold.

 

Think it says it all.

[Savage Beast 1]

From Football Guys:

 

Draft Sharks

Who's The #1 Pick?

May 31, 2006

=================

 

Who’s the #1 fantasy pick this year? It’s gotta be Larry Johnson. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander are both great picks, but what Johnson did last year was nothing short of legendary. Unless you were lucky enough to own #27 (or got steamrolled by him in your fantasy playoffs) you might not truly understand the magnitude of his 2005 statistics. Let me give you four mind-boggling examples of his mega-numbers:

 

1. Larry Johnson broke the Kansas City Chiefs franchise single-game rushing record with 211 yards against the Houston Texans. The previous record of 200 yards was set by Barry Word in 1990. It was only Larry’s 6th career NFL start. Later he popped 201 yards on Cincinnati and was taken out at the Bengals’ 32-yard line with 5:00 left in the game.

 

2. Larry Johnson put up nine straight 100-yard games, the longest such streak since Deuce McAllister (9) in 2003. The record is 14 straight games by Barry Sanders in 1997. Larry would have surely challenged it had Priest Holmes not started the first 7 games. And five of Larry’s nine 100-yard games went for 140+ yards, not just 100.

 

3. Larry Johnson had more total yards (2,093) than any back in the league except Tiki Barber (2,390), more than Shaun Alexander (1,958), Edgerrin James (1,843), and Clinton Portis (1,732). And all those guys had twice the number of touches that Larry had in the first seven games (81) because he shared with Holmes.

 

4. Larry Johnson’s 1,351 rushing yards after Nov. 1 was the most in NFL history in games played after that date. Project him out over 16 starts (instead of 9) and you really see what kind of damage he was doing: A pace for 464 carries (NFL record), 2,402 rushing yards (NFL record) and 28 rushing TDs (NFL record).

 

You get the picture, right? Johnson is a fantasy juggernaut. He’s a once-every-decade kind of player. Guys like him are the reason you play fantasy football in the first place.

 

Tomlinson and Alexander fans are going to say Johnson was a bit of fluke or he just enjoys garage-sized holes in Kansas City. First, this isn’t the first time Larry has rolled Madden-like numbers. He was a 2,000-yard rusher both in high school and at Penn State. In fact, he’s the only 2,000-yard rusher in NCAA history to average 7.5 yards per carry. And the garage-sized holes? Well of course, this Chiefs offensive line is the best in the business. These road-graders are spectacular technicians. Pro Bowlers LT Willie Roaf, LG Brian Waters, and RG Will Shields all pull and trap with sinister quickness and strength. This group already made a great back, Priest Holmes, into a record-setting back. Roaf and Shields might be two of the 20 best linemen ever. Age is a concern - 36 and 35, respectively - but there’s plenty left in the tank. They looked (ahem) pretty good last year.

 

Some say that new Chiefs HC Herman Edwards could hurt Johnson’s fantasy numbers because he sometimes rotated Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan in New York. Well, he never truly rotated the two backs, he spelled Martin when games were in control or he just needed a blow. If you don’t believe me, ask Jordan himself. That guy was steaming mad over his lack of carries and finally escaped in free agency to Oakland. For the record, an aging Martin averaged 20 carries and almost 3 catches per game under Edwards. And he posted big fantasy stats even though he had passed his physical prime during the Edwards era. Besides, the Chiefs don't have a Jordan-type monster backup that warrants any relief snaps.

 

New coach, new playbook, new terminology? Nope. Even though OC Al Saunders left for Washington, Edwards kept 10 of the remaining 14 offensive coaches and assistants intact, including offensive line coach Mike Solari, who he promoted to coordinator. “You don’t mess with greatness unless you have to,” said Larry Johnson. “Mike Solari knows the offense. We’re going to run the same offense we used to run ever since I was here.” These are all veterans and every one knows their job. If they really needed Al Saunders to sit in the booth anymore they would have paid him to stay. Folks, this is the same playbook & personnel that generated the league’s 1st, 1st, 2nd and 4th-ranked offense since 2002. Herm’s no dummy. He’ll run Larry’s feet off… and then make him run on the stumps.

 

If you get the 1st pick in your draft you have to ask yourself not only who’s the best back, but who has the most support around him. San Diego (Tomlinson) and Seattle (Alexander) have both been ranked in the top-10 in total offense the last two years, but there are reasons to believe their attacks could weaken slightly in 2006.

 

Tomlinson lost QB Drew Brees to the New Orleans Saints. He’s not the best quarterback in the league but he ran OC Cam Cameron’s play-action offense to perfection. Brees forced defenses to guard the entire field because of his audibles and accuracy. His 97.2 passer rating over the last two seasons is 5th best in the league. I’m a big Philip Rivers fan, but he has no experience and he will kill some drives with ill-advised decisions. Oh, and Chargers LT Roman Oben had a major foot injury and required two surgeries in 6 months to fix it. He might not be ready until August at the earliest. Why do you think San Diego drafted rookie OT Marcus McNeil in the 2nd round?

 

Alexander still has Matt Hasselbeck under center, who has to be considered one of the 10 best QBs in the league. But the loss of All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson (to Minnesota) might be worse than losing a star quarterback. Hutchinson worked in tandem with left tackle Walter Jones to produce bushels of rushing yardage. Most analysts will agree that Hutchinson slides and gets off the ball quicker on traps than any guard in football. How can Seattle replace him? The answer is, they can’t.

 

Meanwhile Larry Johnson welcomes 10 of 11 offensive starters back in 2006, all except FB Tony Richardson (who also went to Minnesota). Richardson’s a little overrated these days and Kansas City executes best with one-back sets anyway. Richardson’s replacement, Ronnie Cruz, might be a diamond in the rough. “You can always tell from my standpoint, when you look in guys’ eyes out there, do they look confused,” said Trent Green. “Do they get that deer-in-the-headlights look? Ronnie’s never had that.”

 

I mentioned earlier that the Chiefs offensive line made a great back – Priest Holmes – into a record-setting back. What are they gonna do with Johnson over a full 16 games? Johnson is already a greater back: an Eric Dickerson clone, physically superior to opposing defenders. He’s bigger, stronger, and especially faster than Holmes ever was, and the proof is in the pudding. Holmes only had one rushing TD from 35+ yards out (it was exactly 35 yards) in 1,275 carries as a Chief. Johnson has run them in from 46, 41, 35, and 49 yards in his last 415 carries alone. And he’s scored from 85 and 97 yards out in preseason games.

 

Wait a minute, what about Priest’s health status? Will he available this year? Doctors who monitor his neck and spine have not yet cleared him to play. If you recall, Charger LB Shawne Merriman drilled him in a head-to-head collision and caused significant trauma. The chances of the 3-time Pro Bowler making a contribution in 2006 (if ever again) are very slim.

 

The most telling factor in football is often financial motivation. Tomlinson and Alexander both got $60 million dollar extensions (with $21 and $16m guaranteed) while Johnson is still playing out a rookie contract that paid less than $1 million last year. I like my fantasy backs to chase big $60 million carrots, personally.

 

Tomlinson and Alexander are terrific. If you like one of them I can understand the logic. Their careers speak for themselves. But if you want upside with the #1 overall pick you’re obligated to catch the Larry-train as it leaves the station.

 

When it’s all said and done, fantasy football is about touchdowns. Remember those four examples of Johnson’s eye-popping stats? What about this one: Larry has started 12 times going back to last year and scored 23 total TDs in those starts. Only 11 other backs ever scored 20+ TDs over a 12-start span. Several huge names failed to accomplish that feat, including Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Edgerrin James and Thurman Thomas. Larry hasn’t even started a full year yet and he’s done things those guys never did. I’m sold.

 

Think it says it all.

 

EXCELSIOR!

[kutulu 1,676]

I don't know that Herm taking over and giving LJ 30 carries means that he'll be #1. Did CMart ever finish as the top back?

 

Yes, 2004. 1,697 yards.

[Savage Beast 1]

When it’s all said and done, fantasy football is about touchdowns. Remember those four examples of Johnson’s eye-popping stats? What about this one: Larry has started 12 times going back to last year and scored 23 total TDs in those starts. Only 11 other backs ever scored 20+ TDs over a 12-start span. Several huge names failed to accomplish that feat, including Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Edgerrin James and Thurman Thomas. Larry hasn’t even started a full year yet and he’s done things those guys never did. I’m sold.

 

Think it says it all.

 

And let's not forget that LJ is still pi**ed off about Holmes still lingering in the background in KC. LJ has a huge Priest chip on his shoulder still, and a mad as h<ll LJ who feels he still has something to prove=fantasy juggernaut in 2006.

[SoloMatisse 0]

I havent seen any evidence at all supporting Larry Johnson as the #1 overall pick this year. None. He shouldnt be drafted any higher than 3rd or 4th, imo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dan 66]

I voted for Clinton Portis. A lot of that had to do with the fact that I'm a rebel.

 

Nonetheless, I think my vote is realistic, albeit off the beaten path. I certainly think he cracks the top 3, maybe 2, and there is reason to think that he could burst into the top spot, given an anticipated continuance in improvement in the Redskins offense.

[Savage Beast 1]

I voted for Clinton Portis. A lot of that had to do with the fact that I'm a rebel.

 

Nonetheless, I think my vote is realistic, albeit off the beaten path. I certainly think he cracks the top 3, maybe 2, and there is reason to think that he could burst into the top spot, given an anticipated continuance in improvement in the Redskins offense.

 

Not going to happen. He will have trouble cracking the 10 TD mark in Washington. The yardage will be there, but the TD's won't.

[Dan 66]

Not going to happen. He will have trouble cracking the 10 TD mark in Washington. The yardage will be there, but the TD's won't.

 

He had 11 TDs last year.

[Gephardt69 0]

Some say that new Chiefs HC Herman Edwards could hurt Johnson’s fantasy numbers because he sometimes rotated Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan in New York. Well, he never truly rotated the two backs, he spelled Martin when games were in control or he just needed a blow.

 

wow, if herman edwards was willing to blow c-mart then by all means pick lj #1!

[Savage Beast 1]

He had 11 TDs last year.

 

Like I said the TD's will not be there. Guys like LJ, Alexander, and LtT,will get their 18-25 TD's while Portis will get his 8-12 TD's.

[Dan 66]

Like I said the TD's will not be there. Guys like LJ, Alexander, and LtT,will get their 18-25 TD's while Portis will get his 8-12 TD's.

 

So call me crazy. I like my limb.

[Savage Beast 1]

So call me crazy. I like my limb.

 

If you were talking about Portis being the #1 total yardage guy, it's a good limb. But his crappy TD numbers the last several years and years to come in Washington will not win him the overall fantasy RB award any time soon.

[Dan 66]

If you were talking about Portis being the #1 total yardage guy, it's a good limb. But his crappy TD numbers the last several years and years to come in Washington will not win him the overall fantasy RB award any time soon.

 

OK, wait. Crappy TD numbers?

 

2005 - 11

2004 - 7

2003 - 14

2002 - 17

 

You're obviously referring to 2004, his first year in Washington, and assuming that he is going to slide more that way, or maintain an average of his first couple of years there. I choose to take another tact, suggesting that he is growing more comfortable in the system, and the increase from '04 to '05 is indicative of a pattern, not a set for an average. Plus, if Saunders has him used as a receiver, then receiving yardage (and potential TDs) increases, although receiving has admittedly never been in the LT category.

 

I believe he upswings back to his career norm, and gets a shot at aiming at the 17-20 range. That's not too shabby.

[Savage Beast 1]

OK, wait. Crappy TD numbers?

 

The ones in Washington. He is not playing for Denver any more. He is a great RB, but he will never have over 14 TD's in a season playing for the Skins.

[Dan 66]

The ones in Washington. He is not playing for Denver any more. He is a great RB, but he will never have over 14 TD's in a season playing for the Skins.

 

And that's where we'll agree to disagree.

 

I'm not going to try to defend as a "no-brainer" pick in this poll. I like what I see, and anticipate a better showing than most.

[t.j 35]

And that's where we'll agree to disagree.

 

I'm not going to try to defend as a "no-brainer" pick in this poll. I like what I see, and anticipate a better showing than most.

 

I think Portis could end up on top. I have him 4th but the potential is there. I'm surprised Ronnie Brown isn't in the poll. IMO he has a much higher ceiling than Jordan, Jackson, and James.

[t.j 35]

Guys like LJ, Alexander, and LtT,will get their 18-25 TD's

 

This is an interesting point to look at. Not because I agree with you that Portis doesn't have the potential to score that many TDs (I don't agree). But because it's worth looking at what it takes to finish on top. I think last year was the first year ever that more than one guy had more than 18 total TDs. Still, there always seems to be one guy who separates from the pack:

2005: Alexander 27

2004: Alexander 20

2003: Holmes 27

2002: Holmes 24

2001: Faulk 21

2000: Faulk 26

1999: two tied with 17 (before 2000 the league leader usually had less than 20)

 

So if anyone is going to finish on top, they are probably going to need about 20 TDs, maybe more. From the poll options, here is how I evaluate the players' chances of scoring 20+ TDs:

LJ - decent

SA - good

LT - good

Rudi - unlikely due to WRs TD production

Tiki - no chance

Portis - unlikely due to o-line, but the overall team and player talent is there

Jordan - no chance

Jackson - no chance

Edge - no chance

Ronnie (write in) - decent

 

Of course, when you are making the #1 pick, you can't just look at upside, you also have to look at downside. Particularly injury risk. But from an upside standpoint I like SA and LT, with LT getting the edge based on yardage.

[Terrorazer 0]

From Football Guys:

 

Draft Sharks

Who's The #1 Pick?

May 31, 2006

=================

 

Who’s the #1 fantasy pick this year? It’s gotta be Larry Johnson. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander are both great picks, but what Johnson did last year was nothing short of legendary. Unless you were lucky enough to own #27 (or got steamrolled by him in your fantasy playoffs) you might not truly understand the magnitude of his 2005 statistics. Let me give you four mind-boggling examples of his mega-numbers:

 

1. Larry Johnson broke the Kansas City Chiefs franchise single-game rushing record with 211 yards against the Houston Texans. The previous record of 200 yards was set by Barry Word in 1990. It was only Larry’s 6th career NFL start. Later he popped 201 yards on Cincinnati and was taken out at the Bengals’ 32-yard line with 5:00 left in the game.

 

2. Larry Johnson put up nine straight 100-yard games, the longest such streak since Deuce McAllister (9) in 2003. The record is 14 straight games by Barry Sanders in 1997. Larry would have surely challenged it had Priest Holmes not started the first 7 games. And five of Larry’s nine 100-yard games went for 140+ yards, not just 100.

 

3. Larry Johnson had more total yards (2,093) than any back in the league except Tiki Barber (2,390), more than Shaun Alexander (1,958), Edgerrin James (1,843), and Clinton Portis (1,732). And all those guys had twice the number of touches that Larry had in the first seven games (81) because he shared with Holmes.

 

4. Larry Johnson’s 1,351 rushing yards after Nov. 1 was the most in NFL history in games played after that date. Project him out over 16 starts (instead of 9) and you really see what kind of damage he was doing: A pace for 464 carries (NFL record), 2,402 rushing yards (NFL record) and 28 rushing TDs (NFL record).

 

You get the picture, right? Johnson is a fantasy juggernaut. He’s a once-every-decade kind of player. Guys like him are the reason you play fantasy football in the first place.

 

Tomlinson and Alexander fans are going to say Johnson was a bit of fluke or he just enjoys garage-sized holes in Kansas City. First, this isn’t the first time Larry has rolled Madden-like numbers. He was a 2,000-yard rusher both in high school and at Penn State. In fact, he’s the only 2,000-yard rusher in NCAA history to average 7.5 yards per carry. And the garage-sized holes? Well of course, this Chiefs offensive line is the best in the business. These road-graders are spectacular technicians. Pro Bowlers LT Willie Roaf, LG Brian Waters, and RG Will Shields all pull and trap with sinister quickness and strength. This group already made a great back, Priest Holmes, into a record-setting back. Roaf and Shields might be two of the 20 best linemen ever. Age is a concern - 36 and 35, respectively - but there’s plenty left in the tank. They looked (ahem) pretty good last year.

 

Some say that new Chiefs HC Herman Edwards could hurt Johnson’s fantasy numbers because he sometimes rotated Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan in New York. Well, he never truly rotated the two backs, he spelled Martin when games were in control or he just needed a blow. If you don’t believe me, ask Jordan himself. That guy was steaming mad over his lack of carries and finally escaped in free agency to Oakland. For the record, an aging Martin averaged 20 carries and almost 3 catches per game under Edwards. And he posted big fantasy stats even though he had passed his physical prime during the Edwards era. Besides, the Chiefs don't have a Jordan-type monster backup that warrants any relief snaps.

 

New coach, new playbook, new terminology? Nope. Even though OC Al Saunders left for Washington, Edwards kept 10 of the remaining 14 offensive coaches and assistants intact, including offensive line coach Mike Solari, who he promoted to coordinator. “You don’t mess with greatness unless you have to,” said Larry Johnson. “Mike Solari knows the offense. We’re going to run the same offense we used to run ever since I was here.” These are all veterans and every one knows their job. If they really needed Al Saunders to sit in the booth anymore they would have paid him to stay. Folks, this is the same playbook & personnel that generated the league’s 1st, 1st, 2nd and 4th-ranked offense since 2002. Herm’s no dummy. He’ll run Larry’s feet off… and then make him run on the stumps.

 

If you get the 1st pick in your draft you have to ask yourself not only who’s the best back, but who has the most support around him. San Diego (Tomlinson) and Seattle (Alexander) have both been ranked in the top-10 in total offense the last two years, but there are reasons to believe their attacks could weaken slightly in 2006.

 

Tomlinson lost QB Drew Brees to the New Orleans Saints. He’s not the best quarterback in the league but he ran OC Cam Cameron’s play-action offense to perfection. Brees forced defenses to guard the entire field because of his audibles and accuracy. His 97.2 passer rating over the last two seasons is 5th best in the league. I’m a big Philip Rivers fan, but he has no experience and he will kill some drives with ill-advised decisions. Oh, and Chargers LT Roman Oben had a major foot injury and required two surgeries in 6 months to fix it. He might not be ready until August at the earliest. Why do you think San Diego drafted rookie OT Marcus McNeil in the 2nd round?

 

Alexander still has Matt Hasselbeck under center, who has to be considered one of the 10 best QBs in the league. But the loss of All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson (to Minnesota) might be worse than losing a star quarterback. Hutchinson worked in tandem with left tackle Walter Jones to produce bushels of rushing yardage. Most analysts will agree that Hutchinson slides and gets off the ball quicker on traps than any guard in football. How can Seattle replace him? The answer is, they can’t.

 

Meanwhile Larry Johnson welcomes 10 of 11 offensive starters back in 2006, all except FB Tony Richardson (who also went to Minnesota). Richardson’s a little overrated these days and Kansas City executes best with one-back sets anyway. Richardson’s replacement, Ronnie Cruz, might be a diamond in the rough. “You can always tell from my standpoint, when you look in guys’ eyes out there, do they look confused,” said Trent Green. “Do they get that deer-in-the-headlights look? Ronnie’s never had that.”

 

I mentioned earlier that the Chiefs offensive line made a great back – Priest Holmes – into a record-setting back. What are they gonna do with Johnson over a full 16 games? Johnson is already a greater back: an Eric Dickerson clone, physically superior to opposing defenders. He’s bigger, stronger, and especially faster than Holmes ever was, and the proof is in the pudding. Holmes only had one rushing TD from 35+ yards out (it was exactly 35 yards) in 1,275 carries as a Chief. Johnson has run them in from 46, 41, 35, and 49 yards in his last 415 carries alone. And he’s scored from 85 and 97 yards out in preseason games.

 

Wait a minute, what about Priest’s health status? Will he available this year? Doctors who monitor his neck and spine have not yet cleared him to play. If you recall, Charger LB Shawne Merriman drilled him in a head-to-head collision and caused significant trauma. The chances of the 3-time Pro Bowler making a contribution in 2006 (if ever again) are very slim.

 

The most telling factor in football is often financial motivation. Tomlinson and Alexander both got $60 million dollar extensions (with $21 and $16m guaranteed) while Johnson is still playing out a rookie contract that paid less than $1 million last year. I like my fantasy backs to chase big $60 million carrots, personally.

 

Tomlinson and Alexander are terrific. If you like one of them I can understand the logic. Their careers speak for themselves. But if you want upside with the #1 overall pick you’re obligated to catch the Larry-train as it leaves the station.

 

When it’s all said and done, fantasy football is about touchdowns. Remember those four examples of Johnson’s eye-popping stats? What about this one: Larry has started 12 times going back to last year and scored 23 total TDs in those starts. Only 11 other backs ever scored 20+ TDs over a 12-start span. Several huge names failed to accomplish that feat, including Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Edgerrin James and Thurman Thomas. Larry hasn’t even started a full year yet and he’s done things those guys never did. I’m sold.

 

Think it says it all.

 

 

AWESOMELY STATED. EXACTAMUNDO!

[football_scooter 0]

As I stated in the last round of dead horse beatings...

 

when you get that 2006 miracle that is the #1 overall pick, if you call out any name besides Larry Johnson, you should immediately ask everyone you know to kick you in the ass - you know, to save yourself the trouble of doing it to yourself all season long.

 

 

I think that about sums it up.

[Arsenal 3]

Crazy Redskins fans....