By MATT DOYLE Staff Writer on Sep 20, 2012, at 12:42 AM Updated on 9/20 at 12:42 AM
FANTASY WORLD
The playoffs are ready to culminate or already have concluded for virtually all fantasy leagues.
If you are lucky, you ...
Well, there is someone out there who feels I am worthy enough to dole out fantasy football advice – and accept it.
Greg ...
*** Thursday night NFL games are great for fans that cannot get enough of the game on Sunday afternoons and Sunday and Monday ...
It has been said that some real-life pro football executives make decisions like they are playing fantasy football.
They will load up with talented players at a certain position group while ignoring the needs at another position group. They will hand out multiple high-priced contracts at this position while financially handcuffing the team when a more pressing need requires attention.
I have no idea why Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney decided to spend big recently at the running back position. In July 2011, Hurney gave DeAngelo Williams a 5-year, $43 million contract. This past August, Hurney gave Jonathan Stewart a 5-year, $36.5 million contract extension. Earlier this spring, the Panthers GM gave short-yardage running back specialist Mike Tolbert a 4-year, $10 million deal even though the team’s standout QB Cam Newton is a dangerous running threat in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Handing out two big-money deals at the running back spot means the team does not have a clear cut No. 1 running back and prefers to split carries between the two players in attempt to find the proverbial hot hand.
This also means fantasy players are unsure how to utilize either player in their lineups since the Panthers in real life can’t figure out a way to utilize the two players. Williams started the opener two weeks ago in place of an injured Stewart and had minus-1 yard on six carries. Last week, Williams had 69 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown and Stewart added 51 yards on 11 carries and caught a 17-yard touchdown pass. Tolbert has been limited to three carries and five receptions in the first two games.
Unless either Stewart or Williams is out with a prolonged injury (Stewart is questionable for tonight’s game against the Giants with a toe/ankle injury), it’s probably best to utilize both as flex players in your fantasy lineup.
Carolina apparently does not want to make an important decision at the position, so why should you?
Thursday’s pick to click: Panthers WR Steve Smith. The veteran must be salivating at the thought of going against the Giants’ banged up and at times defenseless defensive backfield.
Thursday’s pick to not click: Giants RB Andre Brown. He gets the start over the injured Ahmad Bradshaw. Played well in last week’s win over Tampa Bay, but can he handle the full-time workload with a short week of preparation?
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