Viking RB battle..the latest

[mack-avelli]

O-smit is right now the front runner. Since Larry Ned and Avery both fumbled and Chapman had 16 yards behind the first team offensive line. While O-smith had no fumbles, 33 yds, 1TD, all that behind the 2nd and third O-line (wich was terrible as they allowed penetration immdeiatly after the snap everytime) with very limited playing time, he was in the game for a full drive only once and dnp the 4th qtr. He had to break atleast 1 tackle in the backfield everytime he got it.

Mike Tice was impressed saying "He definately seperated himself from the rest." So for now O-smith is the man in viking land.

[dgroundhog_ffc]

He also missed a block and got his QB drilled with his matador style of pass protection.

Even if he wins the job, Moe gets the goal line carries. Still a borderline starter on most fantasy teams as the Vikings starter.

[STEELtownUSA]

ya i would take simth but he wont get enough carries

[Da Rook]

The only sure bet in Minny is that Mo Williams will get the goal line carries...so go with him. Gut feeling is that O Smith will be the starting RB of the Committee.

See Mine: http://www.fantasyfootballcafe.com/foru ... hp?t=12111

[mack-avelli]

they play KC next and O-smith will be playing with the 1st team O-line so its all about next week. Hell everybody misses blocks, thing is he bounced back and played harder. Yeah Mo Williams will get alot of the goal line carries. But I never really got that... They bring in Mo when they're just a yard away!! Daunte could probably punch it in let alone Bennett.

[Slingblade]

He also missed a block and got his QB drilled with his matador style of pass protection.

Even if he wins the job, Moe gets the goal line carries. Still a borderline starter on most fantasy teams as the Vikings starter.

bingo....moe will stil be in most of the time...thats why hearst is still in alot in SF...barlow is not good at picking up the blitz..so the QB gets nailed

[mack-avelli]

O-smith is a more powerful runner than Bennett as you might have seen from the game. Bennett is more finesse and speed than power. So I think Moe might have less goaline carries since Smith CAN punch it in hardER than bennett.

[mack-avelli]

oh and By the way. Tice said that on the play that Smith is being blamed for the missed block, it was actually James Lynch who blew the assignment. Smith was actually trying to get over to help out on Lynch's blown block.

[dgroundhog_ffc]

I own Onterrio in 2 of 3 leagues (no money - no glory, just pride), and I'm a Viking fan, so I hope he does run away with the job and the Vikes get a 2000 yard 20 TD monster out of Onterrio. The offensive line they have is really going to be impressive. There is a big upside for a single back there, but I don't see it happening. Onterrio will probably be in for the first 2 downs. If it's a passing down on 3rd, Onterrio will probably go to the bench because of his blocking defeciency.

It has been a problem in camp, and became apparent on the first play he entered the game. I didn't see the game, and I've read on Viking fan boards it may not have been his assignment, but he didn't help his cause any by not picking it up sooner. His blocking is a problem. Tice hasn't publicly bashed him over it, and has been publicly supportive. When it comes down to a game, he is not going to put him in there on third and long if he isn't comfortable with his blocking skills.

Moe WILL be the short yardage and goal-line back. Culpepper WILL run a few TD's in himself. The Vikings should once again be among the league leaders in rushing, but it won't be a single back benefitting from all the stats. If it was, he would be a fantasy stud. I'm not predicting doom and gloom for Onterrio. If you can get him after the 7th or 8th round, grab him. I've gotten him around the 10th round in the leagues I've got him in. Don't take him too much earlier than that. Round 8 I can see. Round 7 is borderline, before that is a too big of a risk (10 team league).

Another warning I'd issue is the 'rookie RB theory'. Almost every year there is a rookie RB who becomes a valuable fantasy player. This player is almost always NOT the RB most expect it to be. W Green and D Foster got the hype last year, Portis was a relative darkhorse. Only the Denver RB history supported his hype. Edgerrin exploded when Ricky was the shiznit but got hurt. Fred Taylor was an unknown compared to Curtis (who?) Enis. There are many, many more recent examples. I really should write it all out one day (and save it this time). This is a particularly bad year for rookie RB's. The best one probably won't play (McGahee). LJ is buried behind Priest. Onterrio is a 4th rounder who is becoming the guy everyone expects to succeed form the rookie RB's, which is a signal to me that he will NOT be the rookie RB who is most valuable to your squad.

Again, I'd love to be wrong on this, but prior history would indicate you should not invest much into your Onterrio Smith expectations.

If I were to make a bet on the rookie RB to explode this year, I'd tell them to print me up some Toefield until they run out of paper!

[mack-avelli]

But you can't say Smith won't be as good as people think he's gonna be just because it happened lots of times before. You have to have facts... Besides who else would you say is gonna explode from the rookie RB? Who else that is known is gonna actually start (the RB that do explode ARE known though)? And besides what other teams has such a great passing and QB scrambling attack that take the attention off the RB for a little? And I believe anyone could rush for 1000 yds behind that HUGE Oline. I agree that Moe Williams will get the goaline carries all im saying is that he shouldn't and I feel its unecessary. You can't factor in Daunte running in for touchdowns since its like adding in how many touchdowns Moss will catch... Its got nothing to do with the running game.

And as for the blocking "deficiency" its just because he came into camp late and hasn't had time to completely memorize and get in sinc with the plays and players.