Great job on the surgery T...
SOS Running Backs
Strength of Schedule is a tool we can use to determine draft picks, especially when deciding between 2 similarly ranked players. These SOS are based off of 2011 defensive performances and you need to realize that changes year to year. It’s just a tool, so don’t get crazy. The rankings are from best (1) to worst (32).
TEAM |
RB |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ATL |
1 |
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NO |
2 |
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SD |
3 |
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KC |
4 |
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TB |
5 |
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WAS |
6 |
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CAR |
7 |
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DAL |
8 |
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DEN |
9 |
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MIA |
10 |
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PHI |
11 |
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OAK |
12 |
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SF |
13 |
||||||||||
HOU |
14 |
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PIT |
15 |
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NYG |
16 |
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JAX |
17 |
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CHI |
18 |
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MIN |
19 |
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CLE |
20 |
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BAL |
21 |
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NE |
22 |
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SEA |
23 |
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IND |
24 |
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BUF |
25 |
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NYJ |
26 |
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GB |
27 |
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ARI |
28 |
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STL |
29 |
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DET |
30 |
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CIN |
31 |
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TEN |
32 |
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
Charles could be in charge of our fantasy lives yet again in 2012. ACL’s are scary injuries for runners such as JC Superstar to get back from as he uses quick cuts to burst by defenders. He could get off to a slow start as the Chiefs could limit hie touches (imagine Charles getting limited touches!) and Peyton Hillis takes a major role early in the year. The schedule is cake and the Chiefs will be a run heavy unit.
Ryan Mathews, Chargers
Mathews’ talent is sky high, but his inability to stay on the field is troubling. Mr Glass could break at any time, but could explode in any game. A running/receiving threat in an offense that has produced fantasy RBs like a factory (good job Norm!) is a fantasy owner’s dream. With the 3rd best sched for fantasy runners, this could be the high risk/high reward guy you are looking for. It will always come down to health with Mr. Glass and whether or not M. Night Shyamalan can write an ending without a twist.
MJD, Jaguars
MJD had the toughest schedule in the NFL last season and he led the league in rushing. So much for SOS. Without any help on offense, The Human Bowling Ball was getting strikes all season long. This season there is a potential holdout looming, but that aside, he could have another monster season with all the upgrades the Jaguars have made on offense and the sched is still manageable.
Doug Martin, Bucs
The Bucs upgraded the offense and line this offseason and would like to run the ball with physicality this season. LeGarrette Smokin’ a Blount couldn’t get pass protection down and became useless. Doug Martin was the most complete back in the draft not named Trent Richardson and reminds many of MJD (small/compact power RB). With a run schedule that looks like Swiss cheese on paper, he could be a very solid RB2 this season.
Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
Bradshaw’s feet are as bad as Gino Carano’s acting chops. They have given him issues year and after year with landmines all over the schedule and David Wilson looming, it might be time for this Giants fan to say No Deal on Ahmad.
Shonn Greene, Jets
FYI-I hate Shonn Greene. The guy sucks when he supposed to go off and goes off when he supposed to suck. For three straight years these shenanigans has been going on. He couldn’t beat out a shell of his former self L.T. for god’s sake. He schedule blows early in the year with his first 5 games vs Buf, Mia, Pit, SF, and Hou…rendering Greene as useless as a Bradley/Pacman judge. Have fun believing the hype of him getting more touches and blah, blah, blah. I’ll pass.
Frank Gore, 49ers
The Niners schedule looks good on paper and Gore could be ready for one more season if he can fight off the 14 other RBs vying for touches. The offense should be more dynamic with Super Mario and Otis Moss, which should open up the running game. Gore’s YPC dropped from 4.9 to 3.4 in the last 8 games of the season, showing that he wore down big time. If Gore can’t handle the load, than 2nd year RB Kendall Hunter could be the guy who breaks out in 2012.
Steven Jackson, Rams
Mileage on his tires is mounting and so is his late season ineffectiveness. Last season he has a 5.1 YPC in the first 8 games and a 3.9 YPC in the last 8 games. Jeff Fisher wants to run, run, and run, but Fraction Jackson could be ready to get less work with rookie Isiah Pead in the mix. The one positive is the early season schedule is easier than it is later in the year, so Jackson could get off to a good start and be trade bait. With a sh*t schedule, a new offense, a passing attack that lacks attack, and a rookie RB waiting in the wings, we could see the beginning of the end for S-Jax.
BenJarvis Green-Ellis, Bengals
BJGE could be one a few guys that get 300 carries in 2012. Bernard Scott has had promise year after year, but he has less impact than a Skip Bayless rant. With Pit/Bal being the toughest (Bal in week 17 takes them out of the equation) on the sled and the Bengals offense getting more dynamic, the hard working Law Firm may find himself a nice value for fantasy owners.
