Fantasy Football Cafe Forum

by **Paladyr** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:36 am

I was worried about these issues before the season started. From what I've seen though, he really hasn't had any holes to run through.

I haven't watched enough games to know for sure, but taylor may only look good because he comes in on passing situations, like 3rd and long. It's easier to average more yards per carry in that situation, even on a non-passing team like the ravens.

Gladish · by **Gladish** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:20 am

Does anyone think Taylor will see more touches this week than Jamal? If not more touches, more yards? I'm thinking of starting him-my #1 has a bye week- and my other back is Chris Brown (who may be hurt). Should I take the chance and start Taylor, or find someone off the WW? I think the other reserve back (Peyton of Ten.) is on the WW.I am hoping Chris Brown can start this week, which makes my above choice void.

by **Sipho** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:09 pm

Palydar makes a good point about Taylor getting carries on unexpected run plays. I think the implication is that Taylor would struggle too if he faced the stacked lines that Lewis faces. However, you need to separate fact from speculation. The fact is that Lewis is completely ineffective by any standard. The speculation is that Taylor may struggle too in a featured role, but we don't know that. Give the kid a chance, he can't be any worse. The Ravens are entering a brutal stretch without their best defensive players. They desperately need a spark, and I don't see it coming from Lewis. Maybe Taylor can be the spark, but no one will know unless he gets on the field more.

by **TheDiplomats** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:56 pm

The thing is, Its not Jamals fault. He is getting absolutely NO blocking at all.

What happened to the pro-bowl line that was one of the best rushing O-Lines in the game the past few years? You can't even say hes tanking it because he doesn't even get the chance to. Tanking would be getting a few yards and then getting taken down easy. Lewis is getting hit in the backfield on almost every play. You lose so much momentum from just being hit once that he doesn't have the speed built up to truck through defenders because thats what he has to do because there are no blocks.

So the real problem is, No blocking and no holes are opening. Thats just all there is to it. Even if Chester Taylor gets the PT and the majority of the carries, he still wont amount to the elite type of back Jamal can be if hes not hit in the backfield every single play.

by **benm3218** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:07 pm

wrong wrong wrong... Jamal "tippie toes" Lewis earned that nickname.

He isn't running like he did last year. Taylor is producing on normal run plays as well, because he's faster and hits the holes before they disappear. Lewis has lost a step.