Faceoffs: Keep Johnson just in case?
By Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow DaveFollow CBS Fantasy Football
Editor's note: Each week Senior Fantasy Writers Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg will debate the value of a handful of key Fantasy players heading into a certain week. They not only state their case below, but they also provide owners with some alternatives.
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
 On the same day the Chiefs released Larry Johnson, NFL GMs and coaches began evaluating whether or not they wanted Johnson on their rosters -- the same way Fantasy owners evaluated whether or not they wanted him on their rosters. Enough teams are rumored to be interested in him that it's nearly a foregone conclusion that his career will continue. Sure, he won't be an every-down back like he was in Kansas City, but he should wind up playing a serviceable role for a playoff contender with a better O-line than the Chiefs had. He was posting stats akin to a No. 3 Fantasy running back anyway, now he'll be doing it with another team -- more than likely with the chance to score touchdowns because of his big frame and physical style. There's no question he belongs on a Fantasy roster at this point because of his potential. I promise you that if you cut him, someone else in your league will pick him up -- and reap the benefits. |  Johnson is finished as a quality Fantasy running back. Sure, some team will give him a chance after he was released by the Chiefs, but he'll be part of a rotation or a reserve in case someone gets hurt. He wasn't a good Fantasy option this year when he was the starter with no touchdowns and no 100-yard games. Drop him before you finish this sentence. Then go back and pick up someone who has value -- Bernard Scott in case Cedric Benson gets hurt or Rashad Jennings in case something happens to Maurice Jones-Drew. Here are some other running backs owned in 25 percent of leagues or less I'd rather have: Justin Forsett (25 percent), Kevin Faulk (22 percent), Mewelde Moore (18 percent) and Kolby Smith (5 percent). That doesn't include the obvious free agents available like Ladell Betts. Johnson is done, and I'm going on Twitter now to tell him how I feel. Well, given his experience with Twitter, maybe that's not such a good idea. |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Favre's body just enjoyed a week of rest, and now that the Vikings are so close to winning their division and going to the playoffs, the coaches will continue to take precautions to make sure their 40-year-old quarterback doesn't break down. Check out Favre's stats in games against the Browns, Rams and Lions earlier this year -- opponents that didn't force the Vikings to throw. He did a minimal amount of work because he didn't have to, and the team will probably take that same attitude against the hapless and defensively challenged Lions this week. By the way, some of Adrian Peterson's best games of the season came when Favre didn't do much. That should continue here. I'd rather start: Jay Cutler (at SF), Donovan McNabb (at SD) and Joe Flacco (at CLE) | I agree with Dave that Minnesota will run all over Detroit. But I can also see Favre doing exactly what he did against the Lions in their first meeting in Week 2 when he had 155 passing yards and two touchdowns, which is 18 Fantasy points in a standard-scoring league and good enough to make him a No. 1 option. The Lions have allowed six quarterbacks to pass for multiple touchdowns against them this year, and four quarterbacks have passed for 300 yards against Detroit. How is Favre going to struggle? I just don't see it, so I'll gladly start Favre in this matchup at home, where he has eight touchdowns and one interception in three games. I'd start him over: Matt Hasselbeck (at ARI), Donovan McNabb (at SD) and Jay Cutler (at SF) |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| I see some positives that make LaDainian Tomlinson a good enough No. 2 Fantasy option. Tomlinson's best work has come in two games at home while some of the Eagles' struggles have come in California (remember their mind-baffling loss to the Raiders?). The Eagles have allowed a rushing touchdown in two of their last three games and might be willing to play exclusively in nickel and dime coverage to limit the productivity of Philip Rivers and take their lumps with Tomlinson. Sounds crazy, but the Chargers' passing game has been incredibly strong and the Eagles would be wise to not let Rivers control the game like he did last week against the Giants. Plus, Tomlinson will still see a good amount of work, which can't be said for a lot of other possible alternatives. I'd start him over: Marshawn Lynch (at TEN), Shonn Greene (vs. JAC) and Cadillac Williams (at MIA) | I give up. He's done. You can't trust him against a good defense, and the Eagles have done well in stopping the run. They haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season, and only one running back has been able to gain 100 total yards (Brandon Jacobs in Week 8). Tomlinson only has one game with 100 total yards this year, and he has scored three touchdowns -- all against Oakland. You can use Tomlinson against Kansas City in Week 12 and Cleveland in Week 13, but that's about it. The Chargers offensive line isn't opening holes, and Philip Rivers has turned San Diego into a passing team. Don't start Tomlinson against the Eagles unless you're looking for less than 10 Fantasy points this week. I'd rather start: Ladell Betts (vs. DEN), Shonn Greene (vs. JAC) and Cadillac Williams (at MIA) |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| When was the last time starting a running back fresh off of knee surgery was a good idea? How about a running back fresh off of knee surgery who will share the ball with two other running backs? The Raiders might be at home against the Chiefs, who rank 28th vs. the run, but that sounds like a favorable matchup for Justin Fargas and Michael Bush, not McFadden. If the Raiders are smart, and that's a big if considering some of their recent transactions, they'll ease McFadden back for a couple of weeks and not rush him back into action. He's worth owning, but not worth starting. I'd rather start: Justin Fargas (vs. KC), Michael Bush (vs. KC) and Jamaal Charles (at OAK) | McFadden plans to return for this matchup against the Chiefs, and it's a good move on his part. I'm going to use him as a flex option this week. Seven running backs have reached double digits in Fantasy points against Kansas City this year, including McFadden in Week 2 when he had 35 rushing yards and a touchdown and two catches for 20 yards. He should be able to do that again even after missing four games with a knee injury. And, for what it's worth, the Raiders also get Robert Gallery back this week, which should help the offensive line. I'll say McFadden should reach double digits in Fantasy points. I'd start him over: Correll Buckhalter (at DEN), Julius Jones (at ARI) and Kevin Smith (at MIN) |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| If you're like me, you own Witten in your league and you've had enough. The simple fact that he couldn't make hay with seven receptions last week against a tight end-friendly defense like the Eagles is proof that there's something wrong with his game. In standard-scoring leagues, he hasn't topped five Fantasy points in his last five games. Get this -- he's been targeted three times in the red zone this year. That's it. I'll pass on him being my starting tight end going forward regardless of the matchup. Give me someone who has a shot at posting eight or more Fantasy points instead. I'd rather start: Benjamin Watson (at IND), Heath Miller (vs. CIN), Dustin Keller (vs. JAC) | As I said in my midseason review, Witten has been the biggest bust this year. He has no games with double digits in Fantasy points, but at some point he's going to break through with a productive outing. He faces a Packers team this week that has allowed six touchdowns to opposing tight ends, including three in the past two weeks against Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Witten had seven catches last week at Philadelphia, and the coaching staff appears to be making an effort to get him more involved. I'll take my chances with Witten this week since it's hard to find 12 tight ends who are better than him that have a good matchup as well. I'd start him over: Heath Miller vs. CIN, Dustin Keller vs. JAC and Benjamin Watson at IND |
Do you agree with Dave or Jamey? Send your thoughts or questions to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
