Definitive RB Thread '07

[deerayfan072]

Dolphins coach Cam Cameron named Ronnie Brown his starting running back on Wednesday.

This shouldn't have been the story the team made it out to be. Brown's talent is far superior to Jesse Chatman's, even though Chatman figures to play a valuable role as a change of pace and primary backup ahead of Lorenzo Booker. Brown has a fine matchup against the Redskins in Week 1, so don't hesitate to use him as an RB2. Chatman would be a sub par flex play.
Source: miamidolphins.com
Related: Jesse Chatman

[deerayfan072]

Falcons coach Bobby Petrino says he likes Artose Pinner's "explosiveness" and thinks he can help the team in short-yardage situations.

"(We liked) his physicalness, his ability to run the ball downhill," Petrino said. "We’re looking for a back who can help us in short-yardage, goal-line situations. Someone who is more physical than the two that we have carrying the ball for us right now." Pinner's role in Week 1 is likely to be minor. Sep. 5 - 1:45 pm et
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

[deerayfan072]

Clinton Portis practiced without limitations for Washington on Wednesday.

While Portis may split carries with Ladell Betts against Miami, he still makes for a workable RB2 play. Portis is likely to get the goal-line chances

[deerayfan072]

Warrick Dunn will start for Atlanta in Week 1, as expected.

We just hope the Falcons don't think he'll be starting all year. After offseason back and shoulder surgeries, the 32-year-old saw just 14 plays during the exhibition season. Jerious Norwood should take over by mid-season.

[deerayfan072]

The most recent depth chart released by the Giants has Derrick Ward, not Reuben Droughns, listed as the team's No. 2 running back.

Droughns is a relatively big name thanks to back-to-back 1,200-yard seasons in 2004 and 2005, but always represented less of a threat to RB Brandon Jacobs' workload than most believed. NBC Sunday Night Football analyst John Madden nailed it last month when he opined that coach Tom Coughlin preferred Ward over Droughns as Jacobs' backup, but barring an injury Ward's fantasy value figures to be minimal. Sep. 6 - 9:46 am et

[deerayfan072]

Early indications are that Brandon Jacobs sprained his MCL Sunday night, an injury that should keep him out roughly three weeks.

It's almost safe to get off the ledge. He will undergo an MRI Monday to make sure, but the Newark Star-Ledger says preliminary tests indicate the worst case scenario was avoided. Derrick Ward is expected to start in Jacobs' place in the mean time. Sep. 10 - 1:42 am et

[deerayfan072]

Jon Gruden will have a press conference at 11am and will address Cadillac Williams injury. It looks like he has bruised ribs or broken ribs. I wouldn't count on him playing soon and if he does he won't play well.

[deerayfan072]

RB T.J. Duckett suffered a sprained ankle during the first quarter in Week 1 against the Raiders.

Duckett carried three times for four yards before the injury and didn't return, with RB Tatum Bell getting all 15 of the other carries that went to Lions running backs. Bell's fantasy value will rise if Duckett is forced to miss additional time.

[deerayfan072]

News: According to a report on the NFL Network, Giants RB Brandon Jacobs has a sprained MCL and is expected to miss three to five weeks. Jacobs suffered the injury in Sunday night's 45-35 loss to the Cowboys in Dallas. Before leaving the game, Jacobs had six carries for 26 yards.
Analysis: If the report is true, keep Jacobs reserved in all leagues for Week 2 against Green Bay. Continue to monitor his status and hope he can return, but if you own Jacobs, you might want to consider adding his backup, Derrick Ward, this week.