Was it cheesey of me to cut Portis?

[da_budman 0]

Dumping portis when you are competing for a championship of a keeper league with his roster?

 

This is not at all an "above reproach issue". He is not doing a fire-sale here. It is a stupidity issue.

 

I play in 4 leagues this year- 2 of them keepers. My league mates would not think less of him as a commissioner for this 'stunt', but boy would we rub his nose in it, particularly if it backfires (which it probably will).

 

It will become the standing joke at next year's draft. And probably for years to come.

we will have to disagree then. anytime a Commish makes a move...any move .... he should always think in terms of above reproach and integrity of the league, so they can trust that when a tough decission has to be made, he can be trusted.

[RoadLizard 73]

I'm increasingly thinking this is a fishing expedition. Nobody drops Portis for Keller, not even in a special olympics league.

 

No. not a fishing trip at all. I explained why I wasnt gonna cut any of the other RBs I have. Lets review again:

 

My RBs:

De. Williams, S. Slaton, Kevin Smith, T. Hightower

 

WRs:

Wayne, Colston, De. Jackson, Bowe, Keller

 

Thats all I have and thats all the room we get for skill positions on our tight rosters. I aint cutting NONE of those other RBs. No way. Decent rookies are hard to come by and I have a bunch with tons of upside. Im not dropping them and hoping that Portis plays 100% the rest of the way.

 

And, the WRs cant be cut either. Wayne and Colston and dinged up. Keller could replace one of them in the event of an injury.

 

I dont see why my logic is soooooo flawed, once you get past the fact that Portis' numbers will surely decline going forward. I couldnt care less what he did 4 weeks ago against the Saints.

[We Tigers 71]

I have no idea why you wouldn't want to retain Portis for 2009 in the first place. His "injury issues" you keep alluding to might keep him out for...this week? Maybe? He's 27. He's a tremendous running back, and probably the best in the league this year. While I understand your strategy, I think it's based on foolish and inaccurate presumptions: 1) that Portis is a huge injury risk the rest of the year, 2) that you should keep someone like Deangelo Williams or Kevin Smith over him for nexty ear, and 3) that you had any need for Dustin Keller at all.

[RoadLizard 73]

I have no idea why you wouldn't want to retain Portis for 2009 in the first place. His "injury issues" you keep alluding to might keep him out for...this week? Maybe? He's 27. He's a tremendous running back, and probably the best in the league this year. While I understand your strategy, I think it's based on foolish and inaccurate presumptions: 1) that Portis is a huge injury risk the rest of the year, 2) that you should keep someone like Deangelo Williams or Kevin Smith over him for nexty ear, and 3) that you had any need for Dustin Keller at all.

 

Fair enough points. Although Portis in "football years" is more like 31-32 years old, IMO. Also, if a bottom team gets him then I have helped out that team going forward and perhaps gotten their spirits up. Its not the worst thing that could happen.

 

I wouldnt keep De. Williams over him next year. Its really the rookies Im concerned with having the chance to keep. We only get 3 keepers so Wayne and two of the young RBs stay. The rest all have to go and Portis would have SURELY been one of them.

[De Novo 0]

 

Great move!!

[CookieG 4]

Fair enough points. Although Portis in "football years" is more like 31-32 years old, IMO. Also, if a bottom team gets him then I have helped out that team going forward and perhaps gotten their spirits up. Its not the worst thing that could happen.

 

I wouldnt keep De. Williams over him next year. Its really the rookies Im concerned with having the chance to keep. We only get 3 keepers so Wayne and two of the young RBs stay. The rest all have to go and Portis would have SURELY been one of them.

 

RL, couldn't you have made an effort to deal him to team that needs help at RB this year? How 'bout for an upper tier but not necessarily elite WR. e.g. Someone like Jennings, Roy Williams, Eddie Royal, Lee Evans.. or package with DeSean or Bowe for an elite WR? Maybe a deal for a backup QB.. a young guy with upside.

 

Surely, dropping a guy with his value for at least the rest if this season and next year couldn't have been the best move. For Keller of all players. Guy looks good.. but not like a week-to-week. money fantasy play.

[madd futher mucker 36]

RoadLizard, I owe you an apology. While I was outside mowing my lawn for the last time down here in East texas (actully I live on a hill and I was mowing it in one direction only - with the wind - moving the leaves down hill toward my neighbor's yard) - I tought more about your dropping Portis move. Sheer genious!!!

 

If you win your league, you can brag to all those wooses in your league, that you are so good you can drop Portis and STILL beat them. And there IS a chance based on the last 2 games that Keller can be the next Whitten or Gates based on his last two games, in which case you look like a genious.

 

Worst case, you give your competition something to smacktalk you about for the next couple of years.

 

Any way it turns out, you made fantasy football more fun in your league, and that's really what it's all about.

 

Good Luck - I hope it works for you - or not! Like i said: sheer genious - just like me 'mowing my lawn' on a cold windy day in November.

[TennisMenace 156]

I think he also knows Portis has a very tough schedule from here on out - especially against the NFC East bad boys.

[krizay 0]

I think he also knows Portis has a very tough schedule from here on out - especially against the NFC East bad boys.

 

 

Isn't he the 2nd leading rusher in the NFL after already playing the NFC East bad boys? week 15 vs Cincy, week 16 vs Philly. He alrewady had a 145 game against them earlier. Not saying you should expect that kind of performance but......... The schedule is a piss poor excuse.

[Steve Lattimer 0]

I made a similar move in one of my keeper leagues too. Dropped Adrian Peterson for John Carlson. AD was injury prone last year and has a brutal schedule the next 3 weeks (TB, Jac, Chi). Carlson gives me depth at TE behind Gates and Winslow, who are both injury risks. Even though my team is 9-1, I am looking foward to a youth movement next year, as AD will already be TWENTY FOUR at the start of the season. Well, at least one of the bottom teams will be happy, and that puts a smile on this guys face. So did I make the right move?

[RoadLizard 73]

RoadLizard, I owe you an apology. While I was outside mowing my lawn for the last time down here in East texas (actully I live on a hill and I was mowing it in one direction only - with the wind - moving the leaves down hill toward my neighbor's yard) - I tought more about your dropping Portis move. Sheer genious!!!

 

If you win your league, you can brag to all those wooses in your league, that you are so good you can drop Portis and STILL beat them. And there IS a chance based on the last 2 games that Keller can be the next Whitten or Gates based on his last two games, in which case you look like a genious.

 

Worst case, you give your competition something to smacktalk you about for the next couple of years.

 

Any way it turns out, you made fantasy football more fun in your league, and that's really what it's all about.

 

Good Luck - I hope it works for you - or not! Like i said: sheer genious - just like me 'mowing my lawn' on a cold windy day in November.

 

Thankyou, Brother! I feel better now.

[Dallas_Empire 0]

We have really tight rosters and with several of my WRs banged up I needed roster space. So, since Portis is looking like hes gonna be nursing injuries the rest of the freegin year, I decided that he must go. Im tired of worrying about him and his 46 different ailments. Anyways...

 

I have Slaton, Kev Smith, Hightower, and DeAngelo Williams at RB. They'll be good enough for the playoff run and I dont want to cut any of them since they are potentially keepers going forward and Portis was not going to likely make my keeper list anyways. Its a youth movement for me, so to speak. Porits just didnt fit into my long term plans and Im concerned about his longevity.

 

The reason I cut Portis as opposed to trading him was simply to let the Waiver-Wire work its course and this will ensure that NO playoff-bound team can get him. I wanted to be sure that a low-ranked team had first crack at him so they can hopefully keep him in the offseason and have a decent RB for next season. My concern is that some teams might say that cutting him was "cheesey" because a player like him should have been traded or something. Im afraid other owners will just think I did this as a "gift" for the bottom team which maybe I kind of did.... I dunno.

 

So, is this somehow violating league integrity or whatever? BTW, I am the Commish. 13 year keeper league.

 

 

 

If you dropped Portis, then you are a moron.

[mrgymrat 0]

Being 10th-12th on the WW on a regular basis in one of my leagues, I am routinely the only one doing roster moves (as someone pointed out earlier most teams who suck have quit watching the WW).

 

Can't believe you wouldn't just relegate Portis to your bench since you are in the hunt for a championship as you say and take your chances. Going forward I would not have been too concerned about cutting ties with Kevin Jones who while a potential keeper also happens to play for the worst team in pro sports.

 

I seriously doubt that Portis will be a wash the rest of the year as he is everything to the Redskins. Seems more like a smart move on Jim Zorn's part to sit him and get him healthy for the stretch run.

 

I hope it works out for you but to drop Portis for Keller (someone who you admit will just be a backup) doesn't make much sense as much as you rationalize it. Keller is available in most of the 7 leagues that I play and a lot of his future value depends on what Brett Favre does in the future. My guess is Favre is done after this year as I think he honestly thought he would be the Vikings savior and playing in the Super Bowl (another misguided move IMO).

 

It would be interesting to see your entire roster if you're willing to post it. No extra QBs, DSTs or PKs to drop?

 

At the very least I would have held onto Portis to trade him next year.

 

What the heck.... maybe this works out for you. GL

[The Next Generation 10]

So...you drop a top RB for a guy you think you may use? As has been said, why not just hold onto Portis until you DID need someone else?

[16 and 33 0]

Throw out the baby with the bath water.

 

There is no justification for giving away Portis for a WW pickup. While you might not think you need him, and you might think a speed back like Slaton is the next Westbrook, and DeAngelo has developed to the point Jonathan Stewart is irrelevant, and 27 years and 2 months is old for a stud RB, the only way you'll feel good one year from now is if every single one of those conjectures comes to pass.

 

Meanwhile he will become a keeper for someone at no cost, making that team stronger next year.

 

Cheesy? Naw, just stupid. But big ups for the entertainment value.

 

[RoadLizard 73]

Throw out the baby with the bath water.

 

There is no justification for giving away Portis for a WW pickup. While you might not think you need him, and you might think a speed back like Slaton is the next Westbrook, and DeAngelo has developed to the point Jonathan Stewart is irrelevant, and 27 years and 2 months is old for a stud RB, the only way you'll feel good one year from now is if every single one of those conjectures comes to pass.

 

Meanwhile he will become a keeper for someone at no cost, making that team stronger next year.

 

Cheesy? Naw, just stupid. But big ups for the entertainment value.

 

 

Stoopid is certainly one way to look at it. I accept that.

 

We'll see. Im more of a "right now" guy and next year just doesnt matter to me right this minute. What does matter right now is that I need players that are going to be "hassle-free" from here on out. Our playoffs start in just 3 weeks and I cant have a guy thats gonna jerk me around every week with whatever ailment he comes up with. The Skins are running him into the ground and as I said before...they arent exactly an offensive juggernaut. They only get so many chances to score each week. Clinton got off to a fast start but has since cooled down a little bit and the nagging injuries are starting to creep up on him. I dont want to deal with that over the next 3-4 weeks. Thats part of my issue with him.

[Frank M 181]

Despite all the baloney being thrown around by RoadLizard here, I think the real reason he did it was he felt he could afford to do it and he wanted to "help out" someone in his league.

 

A shiotty reason, nonetheless.

[washers 0]

would have been a better move if traded for somebody better then freakin keller, even a high potential #2 WR.

Portis could easily be the next Priest Holmes/Larry Johnson/Shaun Alexander/SJax?/Edge etc. Older running backs that break down after getting way too many carries. the current injuries are a testament to that. Im all for getting rid of portis... but in a better move than flat out dropping him. Completely ethical though, though if the OP had just left it at he dropped portis, rather than talking about hoping he wold go to a low level team, a lot of that discussion would have been squashed by now.

 

also, not being able to pick up players dropped after the trade deadline would be able to stop any of this discussion from happening.

[mrgymrat 0]

Are you going to also show us your whole roster at some point?

 

Also, still not sure what makes you believe that Portis will be nagged the rest of the year. Pretty big assumption on your part. I would have just dropped my backup QB if I was hell bent on adding Keller... at least you can replace a QB with someone servicable. Portis is a whole different level than that.

 

Doesn't make much sense except that maybe you were bored and wanted to make things interesting.

[RoadLizard 73]

Are you going to also show us your whole roster at some point?

 

Also, still not sure what makes you believe that Portis will be nagged the rest of the year. Pretty big assumption on your part. I would have just dropped my backup QB if I was hell bent on adding Keller... at least you can replace a QB with someone servicable. Portis is a whole different level than that.

 

Doesn't make much sense except that maybe you were bored and wanted to make things interesting.

 

Warner, Delhomme(MUST carry two at all times)

De Williams, Slaton, Hightower, Kev Smith

Wayne, Colston, Bowe, De Jackson, Keller

Bironas

Eagles D

 

I did want to make things interesting...good point!

[ROYALWITCHEESE 0]

Earlier in the thread I stated that I had the following RBs: DeAngelo Williams, Slaton, Kevin Smith, and Hightower. Those three rookies are great keepers and like I said, Portis was NOT going to be kept no matter what. So, he was the odd-man out due to his current inury status which I believe is worse than some wish to believe. My WRs are Wayne, Colston, Bowe, and DeSean Jackson. Wayne and Colston are starting with the nagging injury bull-sh!t and Bowe cant be trusted. I had to sign someone.

 

And, most importantly, come playoff time I did NOT want a "stud RB" that was constantly questionable/banged up/gametime-decision/etc.

 

As for being the top RB.... not over the lest few weeks he aint. And going forward, I suspect he'll drop considerably.

 

 

Sorry, must have missed that. Or maybe I skipped it due to unbelievability. I wouldn't keep ONE of those guys over Portis...

[ROYALWITCHEESE 0]

I made a similar move in one of my keeper leagues too. Dropped Adrian Peterson for John Carlson. AD was injury prone last year and has a brutal schedule the next 3 weeks (TB, Jac, Chi). Carlson gives me depth at TE behind Gates and Winslow, who are both injury risks. Even though my team is 9-1, I am looking foward to a youth movement next year, as AD will already be TWENTY FOUR at the start of the season. Well, at least one of the bottom teams will be happy, and that puts a smile on this guys face. So did I make the right move?

 

 

Classic.

[ROYALWITCHEESE 0]

Stoopid is certainly one way to look at it. I accept that.

 

We'll see. Im more of a "right now" guy and next year just doesnt matter to me right this minute. What does matter right now is that I need players that are going to be "hassle-free" from here on out. Our playoffs start in just 3 weeks and I cant have a guy thats gonna jerk me around every week with whatever ailment he comes up with. The Skins are running him into the ground and as I said before...they arent exactly an offensive juggernaut. They only get so many chances to score each week. Clinton got off to a fast start but has since cooled down a little bit and the nagging injuries are starting to creep up on him. I dont want to deal with that over the next 3-4 weeks. Thats part of my issue with him.

 

 

So if Williams breaks a leg, Smith sprains a knee, and Slaton gets benched. What then?

[IAMWood 6]

So if Williams breaks a leg

 

Hey, don't be talkin like that boy.

[nicewolf64 0]

Hasnt Houston said many times that Slaton is about a 15 touch per game player? That makes him a RB2 not a RB stud. None of those RBs deserve a roster spot over Portis. But as stupid as dropping Portis is, its nothing compared to dropping Portis to "help" a lower team. Any team that doesnt get him in WW has a right to be furious that the top RB in the league was dropped and they had no chance to get him. Its not the commish's job to "help" out lower teams. I would be outta that league if my comish pulled that crap.

[KingofBeer 0]

Good move

 

I was thinking along the same lines and just offered Portis straight up for Keller, but I doubt he will budge. He's a savvy owner like you.

[RoadLizard 73]

Hasnt Houston said many times that Slaton is about a 15 touch per game player? That makes him a RB2 not a RB stud. None of those RBs deserve a roster spot over Portis. But as stupid as dropping Portis is, its nothing compared to dropping Portis to "help" a lower team. Any team that doesnt get him in WW has a right to be furious that the top RB in the league was dropped and they had no chance to get him. Its not the commish's job to "help" out lower teams. I would be outta that league if my comish pulled that crap.

 

Not so fast. Why cut him mid-week and risk having him signed by some top contending team that I might have to play against in the playoffs. To me it was better to let the waiver wire take its course which it will. This ensures that he goes to a team that likely needs him badly and a team I wont have to deal with this year. Its totally logical. Whats the proper way to do this? Cut him early in the week so the powerhouses get him? Not gonna do that! You could argue thats its more cheesey of me to have Portis end up on a strong team. Then, I'll get accused of helping a contender during a playoff run. Damned if I do, damned if I dont. Sucks being Commish, but thats another issue.

 

Dont, worry, we'll revisit this in a few weeks and see if my move was in fact right or not. I already said that if it backfired that I'd happily put something in my sig stating what a jackhole I am. Otherwise, lets see it through...

 

OK?

[JulianCasablancas 0]

Not so fast. Why cut him mid-week and risk having him signed by some top contending team that I might have to play against in the playoffs.

 

 

While your defense of this roster move is admirable for its persistence, you seem to be talking out of both sides of your mouth on two fronts:

 

1) If you're 'more of a now guy', isn't that more justification for keeping Portis for your stretch run? You've talked about how his true running back 'age' is more on par with that of a 31 or 32 year old RB, and thus his keep value is lower than the other 4 backs on your team. If you're really a 'now guy', you'd hang on to the #1 (or #2 depending on the format) RB in Fantasy and get as much of his remaining production out of him as possible.

 

2) If you are so low on Portis, why wouldn't you want him on a team you're going to face in the playoffs? You've been defending the move by saying that he's going to be picked up by a team that misses the playoffs. You haven't really addressed why it wouldn't have been preferable to trade this soon to be washed up / frequently dinged up RB to a contender while his value is still high, and upgrade your WR position through a trade. Heck, at minimum you could snag a Donald Driver or Bernard Berrian type, which would be a big upgrade ovr Keller for this year, assuming you're a 'now guy'.

 

I hope this doesn't read as an attack on your move - I just wanted to hear what you had to say about these two questions.

 

Good luck!

[16 and 33 0]

Im more of a "right now" guy and next year just doesnt matter to me right this minute.

 

DeAngelo Williams - still RBBC

Steve Slaton - vultured twice today

Kevin Smith - clear starter

Tim Hightower - outplayed and vultured today

 

Clinton Portis - looked great on the first drive, guess he is still a STUD

 

The correct spelling is cheesy. But I guess when you drop Portis for Keller, and then come post about it...

[nicewolf64 0]

even if you only use Portis for that juicy playoff matchup with Cincy, thats more value than Keller will give you right now. Your attempts to spin just makes it seem slimier and slimier.

 

BTW, when are you dropping Wayne? That injury BS they got going in Indy must be driving you crazy. If he plays, will he be the primary target or will it be lil Gonzo or Harrison? after all when was the last time he was targeted in the end zone?? by your logic you should cut him too and pick up some other WW gem.

[RoadLizard 73]

even if you only use Portis for that juicy playoff matchup with Cincy, thats more value than Keller will give you right now. Your attempts to spin just makes it seem slimier and slimier.

 

BTW, when are you dropping Wayne? That injury BS they got going in Indy must be driving you crazy. If he plays, will he be the primary target or will it be lil Gonzo or Harrison? after all when was the last time he was targeted in the end zone?? by your logic you should cut him too and pick up some other WW gem.

 

Wayne is a goner if he pisses me off. hehehehe

[RoadLizard 73]

While your defense of this roster move is admirable for its persistence, you seem to be talking out of both sides of your mouth on two fronts:

 

1) If you're 'more of a now guy', isn't that more justification for keeping Portis for your stretch run? You've talked about how his true running back 'age' is more on par with that of a 31 or 32 year old RB, and thus his keep value is lower than the other 4 backs on your team. If you're really a 'now guy', you'd hang on to the #1 (or #2 depending on the format) RB in Fantasy and get as much of his remaining production out of him as possible.

 

2) If you are so low on Portis, why wouldn't you want him on a team you're going to face in the playoffs? You've been defending the move by saying that he's going to be picked up by a team that misses the playoffs. You haven't really addressed why it wouldn't have been preferable to trade this soon to be washed up / frequently dinged up RB to a contender while his value is still high, and upgrade your WR position through a trade. Heck, at minimum you could snag a Donald Driver or Bernard Berrian type, which would be a big upgrade ovr Keller for this year, assuming you're a 'now guy'.

 

I hope this doesn't read as an attack on your move - I just wanted to hear what you had to say about these two questions.

 

Good luck!

 

No attack perceived. You're good and your questions are very valid. My move was ballsy...no doubt. What I mean by "right now" is that I have 3-4 fairly reliable guys I can count on at RB and its hard enough determining who to go with without worrying about Clinton and his various dilemmas. Im good with the 4 I have for the stretch run.

 

Yeah, maybe I do want him on a playoff team... but seriously, why play against him on the rare chance he does have a big game? Screw that. Plus,l like I said, its cool to throw players into the WW pool and watch the sharks come and attack. A lower-tier team will end up with him and then they can go with him for next year. Nothing really wrong with that, IMO.

[RoadLizard 73]

Im more of a "right now" guy and next year just doesnt matter to me right this minute.

 

DeAngelo Williams - still RBBC

Steve Slaton - vultured twice today

Kevin Smith - clear starter

Tim Hightower - outplayed and vultured today

 

Clinton Portis - looked great on the first drive, guess he is still a STUD

 

The correct spelling is cheesy. But I guess when you drop Portis for Keller, and then come post about it...

 

Lets see here buddy:

 

- Williams had a REALLY NICE DAY in that dreaded RBBC deal in Carolina, didnt he? 120 and 2 Teeds.

- Slaton got vultured to the tune of 156 yards and a Teed.

- Kevin Smith had 124 yards and looked strong.

- Hightower...not a good day, but I have Warner so who cares?

 

- Portis has some yards tonight but as usual, the Skins offense is focking VANILLA and they just dont get enough chances. Looks like Williams, Slaton and maybe even Smith are gonna outdo Clinton tonight... hehehehehe.

 

Part of my disdain towards Portis is simply the Skins anemic attack and offensive boringness. Portis got out of the gate quick this year, no doubt. I won games with him early. But, over the course of the next 4-5 weeks of FF, I believe he will be a disappointment either with injury issues or performance issues that will drive me nuts. Each week it will be a nailbiter as to whether hes 100%, whether the Skins will get him chances to score, etc, etc. Sorry, I just dont trust him or the damned Skins & Lame-azz Jason Campbell. I dont want to "deal" with having him on my roster, forcing me to start him over the other options that might be better than him. Hes "high maintenance" and I dont like that crap.

 

 

[De Novo 0]

Sheer genious!!!

 

genious.

 

genious

[De Novo 0]

RL, couldn't you have made an effort to deal him to team that needs help at RB this year? How 'bout for an upper tier but not necessarily elite WR. e.g. Someone like Jennings, Roy Williams, Eddie Royal, Lee Evans.. or package with DeSean or Bowe for an elite WR? Maybe a deal for a backup QB.. a young guy with upside.

 

Surely, dropping a guy with his value for at least the rest if this season and next year couldn't have been the best move. For Keller of all players. Guy looks good.. but not like a week-to-week. money fantasy play.

That's exactly it. Just ridiculous. Somebody would have gladly traded for him, like a bottom-feeder team. Maybe for an upgrade over one of your existing RBs.

[nicewolf64 0]

so how have you done the last 2 weeks?

[jaxjag 43]

Your RBs could go in the toilet in a heart beat.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Aren't you the same assclown that was asking why the Seahawks are even in the league?

 

Maybe you should focus the few brain cells you have on asking yourself why you are the commish of any fantasy league.

[murf74 461]

so I am guessing last place guy is playing against a guy you want knocked out of the playoffs this week?