IS Presents Fantasy Football Week: Day 1 RB

Nine-to-five cubicle dwellers rejoice! Fantasy football has given you a reason to get up in the morning. But you still can't get over your supervisor's three-year stranglehold on your office pool? Relax. The Improper Sportsonian is devoting a whole week to the fantasy world. Because let's face it, is there anything more satisfying than beating your friends and then rubbing it in their noses the following Monday morning?

Now all league's differ on their scoring and roster settings, but traditionally a fantasy football league is made up of 15 positions:

• 1 QB
• 2 RB
• 2WR
• 1 TE
• 1 W/R
• 1 K
• 1 DEF
• 6 BENCH

While the scoring differs from league to league, the consensus is that the backbone of a champion fantasy team is at running back. In years past, drafting at the running back position has been...well traditional. Fantasy studs were a team's feature back that can handle 350+ carries. (See Larry Johnson-2006, Shaun Alexander-2005, Eddie George-2001). But now pro offenses have fallen in love with a RB tandem, making it a little more difficult to predict who will get the bulk of the carries. (See 2008 Panthers, 2007 Jaguars, & 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers).

So when it comes down to draft day and you got Titans RB Chris Johnson queued up save a spot on your bench for his red zone counterpart LenDale White. Don't be naive enough to shy away from the number two guy on the depth chart because chances are he'll get the brunt of the offense's red zone touches. (See Johnathan Stewart-CAR, Tim Hightower-ARI, Jerious Norwood-ATL, Fred Jackson-BUF, Felix Jones-DAL).

• The Improper Truth- White was T-3rd in the NFL with 15 TD with only 200 attempts (Brandon Jacobs was T-3rd with only 219 attempts)
  

Or a RB may be useful out of screens or lining up in the slot, creating mismatches with slower safeties and linebackers. When healthy, Reggie Bush is great for the wide receiver/running back position for your team because of his phenomenal hands. Despite playing in only 10 games, Bush was 7th among RB in receptions with 52. (See Matt Forte-CHI, Brian Westbrook-PHI, Steve Slaton-HOU, Marion Barber-DAL).

• The Improper Truth- The rookie Forte led all RB in 2008 with 63 receptions. Fantasy owners were rewarded with an extra 477 yards and 4 TDs in the air to go along with his 1,238 yards and 8 TDs on the ground.

Running back is one of the few skill positions where young players can flourish. NFL teams are always looking for a pair of fresh legs and with the sudden obsession of a tandem backfield, rookies are now eased into the spotlight. But be wary of the young buck. Fantasy owners tend to fall in love with a player's upside and forget about their learning curve. Just ask the Bears how well 2005 No. 4 overall pick Cedric Benson worked out for them. Here's a little hint, if you're trying to be the next Bill Walsh and field a smug all-sleeper team be my guest. But don't come crying to me when you 3-13 because you drafted Donald Brown 4 rounds to early. Here are some promising rooks.(See Knowshon Moreno-DEN, LeSean McCoy-PHI, Shonn Greene-NYJ).

• The Improper Truth- Last year's no. 4 pick, Darren McFadden was tabbed as an instant fantasy stud but turned out to be a flop: 499 yards, 38.4 yd/gm, 4 TD.
  

Do not--I repeat--do not judge a book by its cover. Yeah, LaDanian Tomlinson was a sure-fire number 1 pick two or three years ago. But he's 30 and breaking down. In fantasy football it's a "what have you done for me lately" world. Don't be the guy who gets suckered into drafting Fred Taylor in the 5th round because you're "positive" that the Pats will rejuvenate him. Stay away from anyone over 30, let them be someone else's problem. (See LaDanian Tomlinson-SD, Willis MaGahee-BAL, Jamal Lewis-CLE, Larry Johnson-KC).

• The Improper Truth- After holding out of training camp for 25 days Johnson was given a six-year $45 million extension. He repaid the Chiefs by playing only 12 games while rushing for fewer than a 1,000 yards and 6 TDs for the second year in a row.

Amidst every group is the elite. The few and the proud. These players are just down right bullish. They can handle the majority of the carries, catch the ball, score, run to the outside, run between the tackles, they can even paint your fence and walk the dog while getting your kids ready for Sunday school. Adrian Peterson has been nothing shot of sensational since leaving Oklahoma and for the second straight year is the consensus number one pick. (See Maurice Jones-Drew-JAC, Michael Turner-ATL, Matt Forte-CHI, Brandon Jacobs-NYG).

• The Improper Truth- Jones-Drew was all over the field in 2008. He rushed for 12 TDs while piling up 565 yards receiving at an impressive 9.1 yards per catch. But Jacksonville is finding even more ways to use him in 2009.

Hopefully that helped in breaking down what type of running back you're looking for. But now without further adieu here is my top ten fantasy running backs. Check in tomorrow for Day 2 of Fantasy Football Week: quarterbacks.

1. Adrian Peterson, MIN
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC
3. Michael Turner, ATL
4. Matt Forte, CHI
5. Brandon Jacobs, NYG
6. Marion Barber, DAL
7. DeAngelo Williams, CAR
   
8. Stephen Jackson, STL
9. Clinton Portis, WAS
10. Steve Slaton, HOU