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Spiller and Bush among fantasy elite
By Audrey Gibert
On September 19, 2012
Two weeks is no time to panic, but it may be time to start at looking to Plan B for some of your
underperforming fantasy players.
While the NFL is a pass-happy league, running backs are still a big key to many of the successful
offenses. Ask Jim Harbaugh how having a dominant running back can take a lot of pressure off a
starting quarterback.
Having a dominant running back in fantasy is key, too. Unfortunately for some, your running
back may not be panning out quite the way you had hoped.
Ever since his 2,000-yard season in 2009, Chris Johnson has lost a step or two. Johnson has
a grand total of 21 yards on 19 carries through two games this season. Couple that with zero
touchdowns and it's easy to see that its time to sit Johnson. He seems lost in a Titans' offense
that has a struggling quarterback in Jake Locker.
Going down to St. Louis, you have a similar looking back in Stephen Jackson, who has
disappointed fantasy owners with 111 yards on 30 carries and no touchdowns through two
games. Unlike Johnson, Jackson has a capable quarterback in Sam Bradford, but doesn't seem to
be adjusting well to head coach Jeff Fisher's system. He left Sunday's game vs. Washington with
a groin injury.
I'd also bench Vikings running back Adrian Peterson this week, as he faces a stingy 49ers'
run defense that has given up 63.2 yards rushing while not allowing a touchdown on the ground
since last season.
On the flip side, Bills' running back CJ Spiller has looked like the former eight-overall pick the
Bills hoped for in the 2010 draft. He leads the league in rushing with 292 yards on 29 carries to
go with three touchdowns. Replacing injured starter Fred Jackson in the backfield, Spiller has
been unstoppable putting up games of 163 and 123 yards rushing. His 10.1 average is the highest
of any running back through two games since the great Jim Brown.
Look to start Spiller for the duration of Jackson's absence. Even when Jackson returns, look for
Spiller to continue getting the rock.
After a rocky start to his career, it seems as though Reggie Bush has found a home in South
Beach. He has looked like an elite running back, rushing for 241 yards on 40 carries while
scoring two touchdowns for the Dolphins. He had 172 yards rushing and two touchdowns
against Oakland last week. Look to start Bush this week against a Jets' defense that has looked
vulnerable in the run game.
As important as the running back position is in fantasy, it can't be said enough that the NFL is
a pass-heavy league. Five rookie quarterbacks started in week one. While some have struggled
(Brandon Weeden and Ryan Tannehill), the first two picks in the 2012 draft, Andrew Luck and
Robert Griffin III, have looked good for their respective teams and are worth a start.
Through two games, Luck and Griffin III have thrown for a combined 1,049 yards, six
touchdowns and four interceptions. Griffin III has also run for two touchdowns.
Luck has looked as good as advertised for a rebuilding Colts team. He has looked poised and
accurate and is certainly worth starting this week against a weak Jacksonville team.
While it may be too soon to make comparisons, Griffin III has put up Cam Newton-type
numbers through two games. He has looked like an elite quarterback that can also run the
football. Look to start Griffin III against the Bengals if you don't have an elite quarterback.
Another quarterback who has excelled thus far is Giants' quarterback Eli Manning, who,
through two games, has thrown for 723 yards and four touchdowns. Look to start Manning, even
on a short week against Newton's Panthers in what looks to be a shoot-out in Carolina.
Aubrey Gibert can be reached by email at gibert.record@live.com.
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