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Jan 4, 2012

Touch Me, Baby: 2011 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

2011 has now drawn to a close, and with the fantasy football season all wrapped up we’re using this last edition of Touch Me, Baby for 2011 to go over the entire season and see what stood out among the numbers.

It was an entertaining year overall, which we started off right by adding more player analysis, ten more tight ends to the chart, and more statistical categories to help make your weekly analysis easier. We watched Jordy Nelson and Victor Cruz emerge out of almost no where to become the leading receivers on their teams and forces in the NFL. We all let Maurice Jones-Drew fall to the second round of our fantasy drafts due to injury concerns, only to see him win the rushing title and rack up the most touches in the league.

We’ll break down some of the biggest standouts from the 2011 season as well as all the interesting facts and lessons we can glean for next season.

It’s never too early to get prepared for the season ahead, so slip into something comfortable and get ready to be touched for the last time this season! Thanks for reading!

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	407	343	70%	64	43	14%	49
2	Ray Rice	BAL	395	291	63%	104	76	19%	52
3	Arian Foster	HOU	350	278	51%	72	53	15.50%	57
4	LeSean McCoy	PHI	342	273	61%	69	48	12.50%	62
5	Chris Johnson	TEN	341	262	70%	79	57	13.50%	25
6	Michael Turner	ATL	327	301	66.50%	26	17	4%	60
7	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	326	285	64%	41	28	8%	48
8	Steven Jackson	STL	318	260	63.50%	58	42	10.50%	21
9	Frank Gore	SFO	312	282	57%	30	17	7%	57
10	Michael Bush	OAK	303	256	55%	47	37	9%	44
11	Cedric Benson	CIN	295	273	60%	22	15	4%	55
12	Shonn Greene	NYJ	294	253	57%	41	30	7.50%	43
13	Ryan Mathews	SDC	281	222	51%	59	50	10%	21
14	Matt Forte	CHI	279	203	44.50%	76	52	16%	31
15	Willis McGahee	DEN	269	249	46%	20	12	5%	22
16	Reggie Bush	MIA	268	216	46%	52	43	11%	30
17	Beanie Wells	ARI	259	245	63%	15	10	3%	34
18	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	256	228	52.50%	28	18	5%	40
19	Adrian Peterson	MIN	232	209	47%	23	18	4.50%	38
20	Fred Jackson	BUF	220	170	43.50%	50	39	9%	30
21	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	215	171	42%	44	34	7.50%	33
22	Roy Helu	WAS	211	151	38%	60	49	10%	38
23	LeGarrette Blount	TBB	209	184	53%	25	15	4%	12
24	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	203	142	32%	61	47	12%	21
25	Michael Tolbert	SDC	200	121	28%	79	54	13.50%	49
26	DeMarco Murray	DAL	198	163	40%	35	26	6%	19
27	Darren Sproles	NOS	198	87	20%	111	86	17%	34
28	Peyton Hillis	CLE	195	161	39%	34	22	6%	21
29	Ben Tate	HOU	194	175	32%	19	13	4%	31
30	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NEP	194	181	41%	13	9	2%	41
31	Daniel Thomas	MIA	181	165	35%	16	12	3.50%	26
32	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	180	155	35%	25	16	5%	13
33	Dexter McCluster	KCC	178	114	23.50%	64	46	13%	12
34	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	175	152	37%	23	15	4%	24
35	Felix Jones	DAL	172	128	31%	44	33	8%	20
36	James Starks	GBP	170	133	34%	37	29	7%	22
37	Pierre Thomas	NOS	169	110	25.50%	59	50	9%	26
38	Jackie Battle	KCC	162	149	30.50%	13	9	3%	18
39	Thomas Jones	KCC	160	153	31.50%	7	5	1.50%	19
40	Ryan Grant	GBP	158	134	34%	24	19	4%	19

Running Back Notes:

1. Of all the big-name running backs that could have led the play total for the season, no one imagined it would be Maurice Jones-Drew, who saw his stock drop severely due to concerns about offseason knee surgery. He also played in the least productive offense in the league which averaged a measly 259.3 yards per game due to having absolutely zero weapons besides Jones-Drew, yet there was the Pocket Hercules blowing through eight-man fronts on his way to the league rushing title. He showed that injury concerns were totally unfounded and once again established himself as one of the best players in the NFL. Fantasy owners will not make the same mistake again.

2. Darren Sproles received less than 100 carries this season, but his value came in the 111 targets he received in the New Orleans Saints pass-happy offense, which led all running backs and would have placed 25th among all wide receivers, absolutely staggering numbers. If you had him in a PPR-league, he was a quality RB2 starter for you all season as he racked up 86 receptions that beat out all but four wide receivers, not just running backs. He is a perfect fit for the New Orleans Saints and should be just as valuable next season in an offense that won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

3. Marshawn Lynch carried the momentum (and probably some New Orleans Saints defenders) from that ridiculous 67-yard touchdown run from the playoffs last season into a breakout 2011 campaign that led to a No. 6 finish in fantasy points among running backs, largely due to an obscene streak in which he scored one or more touchdowns in 10 of the final 13 games of the season. He may not repeat these numbers in 2012, but he must be regarded as a top-15 back for his fierce running style that can lead to a lot of touchdowns for fantasy owners.

4. Matt Forte suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 13 but still managed to finish top-15 in total plays among running backs. This is due largely to his role as the feature back and overall focal point of the Chicago Bears offense, accounting for over 37-percent of the team’s total yardage until he went down. He should have no problem healing up over the offseason and since the Bears will surely have no plans of letting him go, count on more of the same workload for next season, which includes a sizeable amount of work in the passing game and makes him a Round 1 pick in all formats.

5. As usual, we were Shanahaned all season as the Washington Redskins head coach started Tim Hightower at the beginning of the season, then proceeded to go with Ryan Torain, Tashard Choice, even practice-squad back Evan Royster got a crack at things. The big winner at the end of the year though was Nebraska rookie Roy Helu, who emerged as the best of the group once Hightower went down and proved he could handle a sizeable workload with four consecutive weeks of 23-plus carries. Any Mike Shanahan backfield will be tough to deal with, but we continually see how profitable it can be to own one of his guys so it will be important to watch this situation closely in the offseason.

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Dec 28, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 16 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

With the end of Week 16 came the end of many fantasy leagues out there, but for those of you who couldn’t get enough. you will be playing one more week. Week 17 brings a unique challenge to the fantasy landscape, as you not only need to pick the best options but those guys that will actually play. With that in mind, we’ll run down many of the players who are peaking at just the right time for fantasy owners still fighting for championships along with those who will be sneaky starts to get a large workload in place of the studs in front of them that could be sitting out this week in anticipation of the playoffs.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	34	24	86%	70%	10	6	24%	61	13.50%	5
2	Peyton Hillis	CLE	28	24	96%	38%	4	2	12%	31	6%	4
3	Steven Jackson	STL	27	24	67%	63.50%	3	2	12.50%	56	11%	3
4	Kahlil Bell	CHI	27	23	55%	14%	4	4	14%	18	4%	3
5	Ray Rice	BAL	26	23	62%	62.50%	3	3	12.50%	102	19.50%	1
6	Michael Bush	OAK	26	23	92%	54%	3	2	11.50%	44	9%	5
7	Arian Foster	HOU	26	23	74%	54%	3	3	19%	72	16.50%	4
8	Reggie Bush	MIA	25	22	81.50%	49%	3	2	9%	52	12%	1
9	Frank Gore	SFO	24	23	57.50%	60%	1	1	4%	30	7%	3
10	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	23	21	78%	65%	2	2	7%	37	8%	4
11	Evan Royster	WAS	23	19	79%	10%	4	2	10%	7	1%	3
12	Joseph Addai	IND	20	19	59%	30.50%	1	1	2.50%	21	4%	3
13	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	19	18	64%	55%	1	1	4.50%	27	5.50%	3
14	C.J. Spiller	BUF	19	16	57%	24.50%	3	2	11%	33	6%	2
15	Chris Johnson	TEN	19	15	60%	70%	4	0	10%	75	14%	1
16	Cedric Benson	CIN	18	16	47%	60%	2	1	6.50%	19	4%	3
17	Kevin Smith	DET	18	15	65%	18.50%	3	2	8%	22	4%	3
18	Shonn Greene	NYJ	18	14	56%	57.50%	4	3	7%	39	7.50%	1
19	Sammy Morris	DAL	17	13	32.50%	6%	4	4	10%	6	1%	0
20	Willis McGahee	DEN	16	15	43%	44%	1	0	3%	19	5%	1
21	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	16	15	58%	39%	1	1	4%	40	7%	3
22	Adrian Peterson	MIN	15	12	31.50%	50%	3	2	17%	23	5%	6
23	LeSean McCoy	PHI	15	13	50%	63%	2	1	6%	69	13%	0
24	Beanie Wells	ARI	15	14	78%	68.50%	1	1	2%	15	3%	0
25	Ryan Mathews	SDC	15	11	69%	55%	4	3	7.50%	59	11%	0
26	Jackie Battle	KCC	15	14	47%	33%	1	0	3%	13	3%	4
27	Kendall Hunter	SFO	15	12	30%	21%	3	1	11.50%	23	5.50%	1
28	Michael Turner	ATL	15	11	78.50%	68.50%	4	4	6.50%	25	4%	0
29	LaDainian Tomlinson	NYJ	14	5	20%	15%	9	6	15%	55	11%	0
30	Donald Brown	IND	14	11	34%	35%	3	2	7%	17	3.50%	3
31	Stevan Ridley	NEP	14	13	42%	18%	1	0	2%	5	1%	6
32	Tashard Choice	BUF	14	9	32%	15%	5	1	18.50%	28	5%	7
33	Michael Tolbert	SDC	14	4	25%	27.50%	10	6	19%	78	14%	2
34	Ricky Williams	BAL	12	10	27%	24%	2	2	8%	20	4%	0
35	Toby Gerhart	MIN	12	11	29%	22%	1	0	5.50%	26	5.50%	2
36	Thomas Jones	KCC	11	11	37%	30%	0	0	0%	6	1%	5
37	Kregg Lumpkin	TBB	11	7	37%	9%	4	4	10.50%	46	8.50%	3
38	Pierre Thomas	NOS	11	9	39%	26.50%	2	2	5%	54	9%	5
39	Armando Allen	CHI	11	11	26%	2.50%	0	0	0%	0	0%	3
40	Dexter McCluster	KCC	10	3	10%	22%	7	5	19.50%	58	12%	0

Running Back Notes:

1. Evan Royster exploded for 136 yards on 19 carries as the gazillionth random running back to excel in Mike Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme. This time, it was not Shanahan’s fault that we were duped, but an injury to Roy Helu that kept him out of the contest and put Royster, not Ryan Torain, in the driver seat. Considering how productive Royster was and that the Washington Redskins actually cut Torain this week, he could be a valuable fantasy option if Helu sits once again.

2. A massive loss to the NFL community was Adrian Peterson, who tore his ACL and MCL in the win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. It is an absolute disaster for all who love football and something fantasy owners will have to weigh heavily going into 2012 as Peterson isn’t projected to be ready at the beginning of the 2012 season. Toby Gerhart is the obvious beneficiary, and while clearly not as talented as Peterson he has been productive in his absence, totaling 334 yards and two touchdowns over the four games in which he replaced the Peterson this year. He will be a great bet for 20-plus touches and solid production against the Chicago Bears in Week 17.

3. Arian Foster has been his usual studly self this season despite being hampered by injury early on, a major component to the Houston Texans first franchise playoff berth. With the playoffs on the horizon though, the team could choose to rest their starter for a majority of their Week 17 contest against the Tennessee Titans. This decision is more likely due to the fact that they have an extremely capable backup in Ben Tate, who has gone for over 100 yards in four games this year while picking up three rushing touchdowns behind Foster. Keep tabs on the news in Houston leading up to the game, but if there is a hint that Foster could be rested, Tate could be a tasty option in your Week 17 matchup.

4. Frank Gore has managed to uncharacteristically avoid injury this entire season, leading to a phenomenal end-of-year streak of three touchdowns over his last three games. He has been dealing with some issues as of late though, which could open the door for rookie Kendall Hunter to get some more work in Week 17. The San Francisco 49ers haven’t quite clinched the No. 2 seed in the NFC so Gore could still get a considerable workload, but if things roll the right way Hunter could be a genius start in the final fantasy matchup of the season.

5. Steven Ridley led the New England Patriots in carries for the second game in a row, apparently supplanting Danny Woodhead on passing downs and the struggling BenJarvus Green-Ellis on most other plays. He appears set to see the majority of the carries at least for Week 17 so he should be a lucrative start against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17.

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Dec 21, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 15 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

It’s finally here, the week all of us have been fighting to get to. For many of you it’s championship week, and for those of you lucky enough to make it to the final pinnacle of bragging rights, congratulations, but there’s much more work to be done. You will surely have some agonizing waiver adds and lineup decisions to make but never fear, we’re here to help with our usual expert analysis and recommendations that will help put you over the top.

So get comfortable once again, and get ready to be touched.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Peyton Hillis	CLE	29	26	90%	34%	3	1	10%	27	5.50%	2
2	Ryan Mathews	SDC	28	26	70%	54%	2	2	9%	55	11%	4
3	Steven Jackson	STL	28	18	75%	63%	10	9	28%	53	11%	1
4	Roy Helu	WAS	27	23	57.50%	42%	4	3	17%	58	11.50%	3
5	Chris Johnson	TEN	26	15	79%	70.50%	11	8	20%	71	14%	2
6	Reggie Bush	MIA	26	25	66%	47%	1	1	5%	49	12%	4
7	Felix Jones	DAL	26	22	59.50%	31%	4	3	13%	35	7%	5
8	Michael Bush	OAK	25	18	82%	51%	7	7	17.50%	41	9%	0
9	Cedric Benson	CIN	24	22	65%	61.50%	2	1	8%	17	4%	2
10	C.J. Spiller	BUF	23	12	63%	22%	11	9	23.50%	30	6%	4
11	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	22	20	61%	64%	2	2	6.50%	35	8%	6
12	Shonn Greene	NYJ	22	18	67%	57.50%	4	1	14%	35	8%	2
13	Arian Foster	HOU	22	16	64%	52.50%	6	5	20%	69	16.50%	6
14	Michael Turner	ATL	21	19	54%	68%	2	2	6%	21	4%	4
15	Ray Rice	BAL	21	10	71.50%	62.50%	11	9	31.50%	99	20%	1
16	Frank Gore	SFO	21	18	60%	60%	3	0	10%	29	7%	4
17	Kahlil Bell	CHI	21	15	48%	10%	6	5	24%	14	3%	0
18	LeSean McCoy	PHI	20	18	54.50%	64%	2	2	9%	67	14%	5
19	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	19	15	79%	54.50%	4	3	9%	26	5.50%	0
20	Chris Ivory	NOS	18	18	47%	20%	0	0	0%	1	<1%	0
21	Kevin Smith	DET	18	15	79%	15%	3	1	6%	19	3%	0
22	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	18	17	89.50%	69%	1	1	4.50%	51	12.50%	0
23	Donald Brown	IND	17	16	47%	35%	1	1	6%	14	3%	0
24	Ryan Grant	GBP	17	12	67%	32.50%	5	3	14%	19	4%	0
25	Thomas Jones	KCC	16	15	38.50%	30%	1	1	3%	6	1%	4
26	Beanie Wells	ARI	16	15	62.50%	68%	1	1	2%	14	3%	1
27	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	15	15	44%	36%	0	0	0%	19	4%	2
28	Lance Ball	DEN	15	11	35.50%	18%	4	2	17%	28	7.50%	1
29	Darren Sproles	NOS	14	8	21%	14%	6	5	15%	102	17.50%	2
30	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	14	11	32%	32%	3	2	12.50%	57	12%	1
31	Sammy Morris	DAL	14	12	32.50%	3%	2	0	7%	2	<1%	6
32	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	14	10	55.50%	39.50%	4	3	10%	39	7%	4
33	Joseph Addai	IND	13	11	32%	28%	2	2	12%	20	4.50%	0
34	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NEP	12	10	28%	45%	2	2	6%	12	2%	2
35	Daniel Thomas	MIA	11	11	29%	36%	0	0	0%	14	3.50%	0
36	Stevan Ridley	NEP	11	11	30.50%	16%	0	0	0%	4	1%	2
37	Jackie Battle	KCC	11	10	26%	32%	1	1	3%	12	3%	5
38	Marion Barber	CHI	11	11	35.50%	29%	0	0	0%	9	2%	0
39	Adrian Peterson	MIN	11	10	55.50%	51.50%	1	0	3%	20	4.50%	0
40	Michael Tolbert	SDC	10	8	22%	27.50%	2	2	9%	68	13.50%	5

Running Back Notes:

1. Felix Jones showed in Week 15 that he is firmly back in the driver seat for the Dallas Cowboys, racking up 131 total yards on 22 carries and three catches. What is interesting is how much work Sammy Morris got, a guy who was basically signed “off the couch” at the beginning of the week to give the team some depth. With little knowledge of the offense he was handed the rock 12 times which included six red zone touches, cutting into Jones’ value. As much as the team likes Jones they understand he is not a workhorse back, further evidenced by the fact that he sustained a slight hamstring injury after the game. He still needs to be started in all leagues, but temper play expectations in the future.

2. Mike Tolbert has managed to score a touchdown in each of his last three games, but his role in the offense has been severely deteriorating as of late. Over those three games he has accumulated 20 carries and two catches for just 103 yards, hardly starter’s worthy numbers. He always has a chance to poach a touchdown from Ryan Mathews, but this late in the playoffs you need more than that.

3. With Ahmad Bradshaw fully healthy and the focal point of the New York Giants running game, Brandon Jacobs is back to near fantasy irrelevancy. Just one week after totaling 101 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries against the Cowboys he was handed the rock just eight times against Washington, a clear indication he has once again taken a backseat to the faster, quicker Bradshaw. He is not a recommended fantasy option going forward.

4. Steven Ridley made the chart this week after a long absence, picking up 65 yards on 11 carries for an impressive 5.9 yards per carry average. He replaced the stumbling BenJarvus Green-Ellis who managed just 17 yards on ten carries before being sat down. Ridley could be in line for some nice carry numbers next week due to this performance, but considering how impossible it has been to predict the New England Patriots’ backfield this season this is a situation that should be avoided all together.

5. After it appeared Marion Barber would be carrying the load for the Chicago Bears in the absence of Matt Forte, Kahlil Bell suddenly became a big part of the offense in Week 15, totaling 108 yards and a touchdown on 21 plays and received a majority of the snaps during the game. It’s clear the younger Bell has more left in the tank and can handle the bigger load, but considering how poor this offense has been without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte there’s not too much upside for either player right now and unless you are desperate for a running back they should be left on the bench.

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Dec 7, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 13 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

Here it is, playoff time, the best time of any sporting season, even the fake kind. All the sleepless nights waiting for the waiver period to start, all the bantering back and forth for that perfect trade, all the work you’ve done has led you to this. At this point it’s just you and your roster as the waiver wire has likely been picked clean of reliable talent, but the savvy manager is always looking for that edge, that extra information that will make your roster decisions turn to gold.

Yup, we’re talkin’ fantasy football playoffs this week and from now on, so let’s get into it.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Arian Foster	HOU	35	31	70.50%	52%	4	3	16%	58	17%	7
2	Ray Rice	BAL	32	29	53%	61%	3	2	13%	82	19%	5
3	Toby Gerhart	MIN	29	21	70%	19%	8	8	17%	18	5%	2
4	Roy Helu	WAS	29	23	100%	35%	6	4	13%	51	11%	5
5	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	28	20	64.50%	67%	8	6	24%	44	12.50%	3
6	Shonn Greene	NYJ	26	22	73%	57%	4	3	12.50%	28	7%	7
7	Reggie Bush	MIA	24	22	50%	44%	2	0	8%	42	12%	3
8	Chris Johnson	TEN	24	23	74%	70%	1	1	4%	54	13%	3
9	LeSean McCoy	PHI	22	17	68%	63%	5	4	17%	59	14%	6
10	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	22	22	67%	63%	0	0	0%	31	8%	1
11	Beanie Wells	ARI	21	20	80%	69%	1	1	4%	11	3%	2
12	Frank Gore	SFO	21	21	62%	60.50%	0	0	0%	25	8%	6
13	C.J. Spiller	BUF	20	14	61%	17%	6	3	13%	15	3.50%	2
14	Willis McGahee	DEN	20	20	62.50%	46%	0	0	0%	17	5%	0
15	Maurice Morris	DET	19	12	54.50%	24%	7	5	16%	33	7%	4
16	Mark Ingram	NOS	17	16	69.50%	39.50%	1	0	3%	13	3%	1
17	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	16	14	36%	32%	2	2	9%	45	11%	2
18	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	16	11	55%	40%	5	2	12.50%	34	8%	3
19	Ricky Williams	BAL	16	16	29%	24%	0	0	0%	15	3.50%	2
20	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	16	16	69.50%	52%	0	0	0%	22	5%	3
21	Michael Bush	OAK	16	10	71.50%	47%	6	3	15%	30	8%	0
22	Thomas Jones	KCC	16	16	43%	29%	0	0	0%	5	1%	1
23	Ryan Mathews	SDC	16	13	50%	52%	3	3	11%	47	10.50%	1
24	Marion Barber	CHI	15	14	58%	24%	1	0	4%	5	1%	3
25	Donald Brown	IND	15	14	45%	32%	1	1	3%	12	3%	4
26	Dexter McCluster	KCC	14	9	24%	24.50%	5	4	16%	47	13%	0
27	Joseph Addai	IND	14	13	42%	28%	1	1	3%	17	4%	3
28	Michael Turner	ATL	14	14	78%	69%	0	0	0%	18	4%	1
29	Ryan Grant	GBP	14	13	46.50%	30%	1	1	2%	13	3%	1
30	Peyton Hillis	CLE	14	12	70.50%	29%	2	1	5.50%	23	5%	1
31	Cedric Benson	CIN	13	13	59%	60%	0	0	0%	14	3.50%	3
32	LeGarrette Blount	TBB	13	11	41%	54%	2	0	7.50%	19	4%	0
33	Kevin Smith	DET	13	6	27%	12%	7	6	16%	16	3%	2
34	Daniel Thomas	MIA	13	13	29.50%	38%	0	0	0%	12	3%	0
35	DeMarco Murray	DAL	12	12	60%	51%	0	0	0%	34	8%	0
36	Brandon Saine	GBP	12	6	21.50%	2.50%	6	4	13%	7	2%	2
37	Steven Jackson	STL	11	10	43.50%	62%	1	1	4.50%	38	9%	0
38	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	11	11	28%	36%	0	0	0%	17	4%	2
39	Jackie Battle	KCC	11	11	30%	31%	0	0	0%	9	2.50%	2
40	Ben Tate	HOU	11	11	25%	32%	0	0	0%	10	3%	1

Running Back Notes:

1. With James Starks out with an ankle injury, Brandon Saine took on the second half of the Green Bay Packers rushing attack, recording 16 yards on six carries for a pitiful 2.7 yards per carry. He fared better in the passing game with 29 yards on four catches as the better passing back between he and Ryan Grant, but it is clear he is not ready for a big workload yet. Barring you’re in a very deep PPR league and in desperate need for a running back, Saine can be left on waivers for the playoff run, especially with Starks projected to come back Week 15.

2. Dexter McCluster appeared to have a great game Sunday, totaling 107 yards and a touchdown on 14 plays. If you watched the game though, you know the touchdown came on a fluky 38-yard Hail Mary pass at the end of the half, something that doesn’t exactly scream reliable value. Still, he flashed some excellent speed and acceleration as he was able to get into space multiple times, leading to an impressive 6.8 yards per carry average. He’s still too dicey to use in most leagues due to his three-way timeshare and limited experience, but he’s got talent that is worth watching for the future.

3. Kevin Smith was looking like a big contributor after his Week 11 explosion, but an ankle injury quickly derailed his surge, bringing Maurice Morris back into the picture. Smith still played in Week 13 and even scored a touchdown but fell to the ground in a heap untouched during the contest, leaving his status for Week 14 and the future unknown. Morris will likely be carrying the load the rest of the way and despite his deficiencies as a runner (2.3 yards per carry in Week 13) is useful in PPR leagues as a skilled pass catcher in a pass-happy offense.

4. LeGarrette Blount was considered a high-upside start leading up to Week 13 in his matchup against the Carolina Panthers woeful rush defense. He promptly fell on his face, totaling 19 yards on 11 carries as the Panthers stacked the box with Josh Johnson filling in for starter Josh Freeman. It’s not all Johnson’s fault though, as one problem with Blount from a fantasy perspective is his complete lack of ability in the passing game which always threatens to shut off his fantasy value should the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fall behind early. This is something to be wary of when considering how to use Blount during the fantasy playoffs, but in Week 14 he should be safe as the terrible Jacksonville Jaguars offense doesn’t figure to be much of a threat to score a lot early, meaning Blount should stay involved in the offense all game.

5. We’re tired of talking about the Washington Redskins offense, but at this point there aren’t a lot of uncertain rushing situations out there, and Mike Shanahan’s backfield decisions are always simultaneously the most frustrating and fascinating stories of the year. So here we are again, discussing whether Roy Helu’s recent 208 yard, two touchdown surge over the past two weeks is legit or not. Considering his play totals and that the only other guy receiving touches is former practice squad dummy Evan Royster you could assume this is a pretty safe situation but again, we’re talking about Mike Shanahan here. If you really need some upside to pull out a victory over the next few weeks go ahead and use him, but be warned you never know what Shanahan will do.

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Nov 30, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 12 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

AtTouch Me, Baby headquarters, our researchers are committed to finding and examining the biggest and most shocking breakouts and performances from each week to give you accurate analysis and opinions on what to take from them. This week, after thorough investigation our crack team found, well, not much to get excited about.

It’s not unusual for this to happen around this time in the season. Many of the talented, under-the-radar players who were poised to breakout have done so by now. Laurent Robinson continues to rack up touchdowns, DeMarco Murray hasn’t been slowed by Felix Jones return in any way, and at this point in the season injuries are the only thing we have left to shake up the fantasy landscape.

With that in mind, we look at C.J. Spiller’s first game as a starter and Beanie Wells’ showing in a record-setting way that he’s feeling better after some mid-season knee issues among some of the other stories from Week 12.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Arian Foster	HOU	31	22	71%	50%	9	7	32%	54	17%	4
2	Roy Helu	WAS	30	23	79%	29%	7	7	20%	45	11%	5
3	Michael Bush	OAK	28	24	89%	46%	4	4	11%	24	7%	4
4	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	27	24	80%	63%	3	1	10%	31	8.50%	4
5	Beanie Wells	ARI	27	27	71%	67.50%	0	0	0%	10	3%	5
6	Cedric Benson	CIN	26	21	66%	60%	5	4	16%	14	4%	8
7	DeMarco Murray	DAL	26	22	96%	51%	4	4	12%	34	9%	3
8	Chris Johnson	TEN	25	23	66%	70%	2	1	6%	53	13.50%	3
9	Ray Rice	BAL	24	21	60%	63%	3	3	13%	79	19%	4
10	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	24	18	75%	67%	6	4	15%	36	11%	1
11	LeGarrette Blount	TBB	23	20	80%	55.50%	3	3	9%	17	4%	0
12	Willis McGahee	DEN	23	23	45%	44%	0	0	0%	17	6%	1
13	Ryan Mathews	SDC	23	22	61%	52%	1	1	3%	44	10.50%	0
14	C.J. Spiller	BUF	22	19	68%	13%	3	3	8%	9	2.50%	3
15	Matt Forte	CHI	22	12	44.50%	67%	10	6	28%	76	21.50%	2
16	Peyton Hillis	CLE	21	19	63%	26.50%	2	2	6%	21	5%	0
17	Steven Jackson	STL	20	17	77%	64%	3	3	9%	37	9%	0
18	Michael Turner	ATL	20	19	65.50%	68.50%	1	1	3%	18	4.50%	0
19	Reggie Bush	MIA	20	16	64%	43%	4	3	12.50%	40	12%	4
20	Toby Gerhart	MIN	20	17	71%	14%	3	2	12%	10	3%	2
21	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	19	17	61%	53%	2	2	6.50%	22	6%	3
22	Maurice Morris	DET	17	7	33%	21.50%	10	9	22%	26	6%	0
23	LeSean McCoy	PHI	17	10	60%	63%	7	4	14.50%	54	13.50%	4
24	Shonn Greene	NYJ	17	13	56.50%	55%	4	3	11.50%	24	6.50%	1
25	Frank Gore	SFO	16	14	67%	60.50%	2	1	8%	25	8%	0
26	Mark Ingram	NOS	16	13	43%	37%	3	2	8%	12	3%	1
27	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	15	15	43%	37%	0	0	0%	17	4%	1
28	Michael Tolbert	SDC	15	11	30.50%	30%	4	3	11%	64	15%	1
29	Donald Brown	IND	15	14	61%	31%	1	1	3.50%	11	3%	2
30	D.J. Ware	NYG	14	5	23%	13%	9	8	19%	25	6%	2
31	Thomas Jones	KCC	14	13	38%	27.50%	1	1	3.50%	5	1.50%	0
32	Javon Ringer	TEN	14	9	26%	21%	5	4	15%	33	8.50%	1
33	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	14	10	28.50%	32%	4	3	15%	43	11%	0
34	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NEP	14	14	41%	50%	0	0	0%	8	2%	3
35	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	13	13	59%	36%	0	0	0%	19	5%	2
36	Darren Sproles	NOS	13	8	27%	21%	5	2	13%	83	18%	2
37	Dexter McCluster	KCC	11	9	26.50%	24.50%	2	2	7%	42	12%	0
38	Pierre Thomas	NOS	11	8	27%	28%	3	3	8%	41	9%	1
39	Kevin Smith	DET	10	7	33%	10.50%	3	3	7%	9	2%	0
40	Jackie Battle	KCC	10	9	26.50%	31.50%	1	0	3.50%	9	3%	0

Running Back Notes:

1. Three New Orleans running backs adorn the chart this week, which could be regarded as odd considering how much the New Orleans Saints throw the ball. Mark Ingram, fresh off his heel injury, led the way with 13 carries while Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas received eight each. There’s value for each of them in fantasyland but since they all carve into each other’s play total their value is capped until one goes down with an injury.

2. Peyton Hillis came back this week and immediately took over the feature back role from Chris Ogbonnaya, receiving 19 carries compared to Ogbonnaya’s three. Hillis can be inserted back into starting lineups but keep your expectations in check; he only managed 3.4 yards per carry and faces back-to-back tough matchups against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Ogbonnaya can be safely dropped in all fantasy leagues.

3. How does a running back with 23 carries and no other teammates on the board only end up with 45-percent of the carries? When your quarterback is Tim Tebow, apparently. Willis McGahee beat out his quarterback in the carry count by just one as Tebow ended up running (22 carries) more than throwing (18 pass attempts). A vast majority of Tebow’s rushing attempts are not designed runs, so what we can take from this is that McGahee is not really “splitting” carries with anyone and continues to be the Denver Broncos feature back.

4. Let’s check in on how C.J. Spiller did in his first game as the Buffalo Bills starting running back now that Fred Jackson is out for the season. The former Clemson Tiger averaged a measly 2.9 yards per carry, totaling 70 yards on his 22 plays. He had a tough matchup against the New York Jets but still exhibited some troubling tendencies that don’t bode well for the future such as hesitation before hitting the hole and a tendency to get dropped for big losses when the offensive line doesn’t give him anything. He clearly needs some more polishing before he can be a real force in the rushing game and while he certainly deserves a roster spot, he may need this experience to work out the kinks and thus not be very productive in the near term.

5. Beanie Wells had a huge game Sunday, totaling 228 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, an Arizona Cardinals franchise record. Hampered by knee issues most of the season, he looked invigorated on a couple long runs and even against tough defenses can be considered as a RB2 going forward.

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Nov 23, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 11 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

A short intro this week with the Thanksgiving holiday on the horizon. Take this time to reflect on what you’re thankful for during the late stage of the fantasy football season, whether it be remarkable health, prime playoff positioning, or the fact that life is so good that you have time to read a fantasy sports article right now. Remember, some aren’t so lucky, so be sure to take some time to give back this holiday season to those who don’t have the luxury of agonizing over fantasy football decisions. With that, let’s dig into this week’s “Touch Me, Baby” in which we breakdown targets and touches from around the NFL.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

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Please use this link to enter: Week 12 $350 Contest (click to register)

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	DeMarco Murray	DAL	32	25	78%	47%	7	6	19%	30	8.50%	1
2	Michael Bush	OAK	32	30	73%	43%	2	2	9%	20	7%	7
3	Ray Rice	BAL	30	20	71.50%	63.50%	10	5	37%	76	19.50%	5
4	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	29	27	69%	61%	2	2	8%	28	8%	3
5	LeSean McCoy	PHI	27	23	70%	63%	4	3	11%	47	13%	2
6	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	27	21	72.50%	66.50%	6	4	15%	30	11%	5
7	Frank Gore	SFO	26	24	49%	60%	2	1	5%	23	8%	5
8	Matt Forte	CHI	26	21	64%	69%	5	4	16%	66	21%	3
9	Chris Ogbonnaya	CLE	24	21	75%	26%	3	2	12.50%	19	5%	6
10	Michael Turner	ATL	23	21	58%	69%	2	1	6%	17	5%	5
11	Joe McKnight	NYJ	23	16	57%	13%	7	6	17.50%	10	3%	2
12	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NEP	22	20	57%	52%	2	1	7.50%	8	2%	4
13	Reggie Bush	MIA	20	15	43%	41.50%	5	4	25%	36	12%	4
14	Steven Jackson	STL	20	15	88%	62.50%	5	3	12.50%	34	9%	0
15	Kevin Smith	DET	20	16	55%	8.50%	4	4	11%	6	1.50%	5
16	LeGarrette Blount	TBB	19	18	90%	53%	1	1	3%	14	4%	3
17	James Starks	GBP	17	11	48%	46%	6	6	18%	35	10.50%	1
18	Daniel Thomas	MIA	16	15	43%	41.50%	1	0	5%	11	4%	2
19	Cedric Benson	CIN	16	15	50%	60%	1	0	2%	9	3%	4
20	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	16	12	70.50%	34%	4	3	11.50%	19	5%	0
21	Ryan Mathews	SDC	15	13	76.50%	50.50%	2	2	6.50%	43	11%	4
22	Chris Johnson	TEN	15	12	86%	70.50%	3	3	7%	51	14%	0
23	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	14	8	31%	32%	6	6	16%	39	11%	1
24	Kendall Hunter	SFO	12	11	22.50%	21%	1	1	3%	11	4%	0
25	Fred Jackson	BUF	12	7	37%	67%	5	5	11%	50	15%	1
26	Willis McGahee	DEN	12	12	35%	44%	0	0	0%	17	6%	0
27	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	11	10	38.50%	36%	1	1	3%	17	5%	0
28	Roy Helu	WAS	10	8	33%	22.50%	2	2	5%	38	10%	2
29	Bernard Scott	CIN	10	9	30%	26.50%	1	0	2%	10	3%	0
30	Michael Tolbert	SDC	10	3	18%	29.50%	7	5	22.50%	60	16%	1
31	Dexter McCluster	KCC	10	8	31%	24%	2	2	5%	41	13%	0
32	Beanie Wells	ARI	9	8	73%	67%	1	0	3%	10	3%	0
33	Jason Snelling	ATL	9	7	19.50%	7.50%	2	1	6%	20	5.50%	3
34	Marcel Reece	OAK	9	6	15%	3%	3	2	13%	17	6%	2
35	Jackie Battle	KCC	9	8	31%	32%	1	1	2.50%	8	2.50%	0
36	Danny Woodhead	NEP	9	5	14%	19%	4	2	15%	24	6%	3
37	Lance Ball	DEN	8	5	15%	19%	3	2	14%	16	6%	0
38	Ryan Torain	WAS	8	5	21%	25%	3	1	8%	6	2%	0
39	Toby Gerhart	MIN	8	7	29%	9%	1	1	3%	7	2%	1
40	Maurice Morris	DET	8	7	24%	20.50%	1	1	3%	16	4%	3

Running Back Notes:

1. Felix Jones returned to the field in Week 11 and as predicted did absolutely nothing to affect DeMarco Murray’s skyrocketing fantasy value. Murray has been an absolute monster, totaling 674 rushing yards over the five games Jones’ missed due to injury. Jones was relegated to a change-of-pace role, rushing just five times and adding a catch for a measly 22 total yards while Murray received a whooping 32 plays, leading the league this week. If there was any doubt this is Murray’s backfield for the foreseeable future, it was erased this week and owners can count on this being the norm going forward.

2. Kevin Smith made his triumphant return to the Detroit Lions starting lineup this week and immediately stole the starting role from Maurice Morris. The oft-injured veteran exploded for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and added another 61 yard and a touchdown on four receptions. Without a home just three weeks ago, Smith suddenly becomes a must-add in all fantasy leagues as the guy who will carry the load for the Lions while Jahvid Best remains on the sideline with a return uncertain.

3. Michael Bush deserves some credit for what he has accomplished in the absence of Darren McFadden. The lumbering backup has totaled over 100 yards in each of the four games he has started along with three touchdowns, making him one of the most productive backs in fantasy over that span. Bush could start for a lot of NFL teams right now and one has to wonder how the Oakland Raiders will handle the backfield situation once McFadden returns as Bush is simply too good to keep off the field even when the explosive starter returns. A “thunder and lightning” backfield could be in the works here, so Bush should remain on starting rosters even when McFadden returns and could still be starter worthy.

4. Joe McKnight was impressive in relief of the injured New York Jets backfield tandem of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene, totaling 121 yards on 22 touches. He doesn’t quite have the power of Greene but is surely better in the passing game than Tomlinson and would be a nice compliment to Greene’s bruising style of running. The performance should earn him a bigger role in the backfield, making him someone worth watching down the stretch and possibly as a replacement for Tomlinson next season.

5. Adrian Peterson went down during the Minnesota Vikings Week 11 contest against the Oakland Raiders with a high ankle sprain, leaving Toby Gerhart to lead the backfield. He was mediocre in relief, totaling 18 yards on seven carries for an average of just 2.6 yards per carry. Peterson is projected to sit out for at least one game which gives Gerhart some short-term value, but be warned that he plays an Atlanta Falcons defense in Week 12 that allows just 12.3 fantasy points per game to running backs, fifth lowest in the league.

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Nov 16, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 10 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

Lesser known names are given their opportunity in the spotlight this week. Big performances from unknowns like Lance Ball, Harry Douglas and Vincent Brown have fantasy football owners wondering if they’re worthy of pickups in their leagues and whether they can contribute the rest of the season.

We’ll break down some of the highlights from a Week 10 characterized by low fliers in this week’s edition of b>Touch Me, Baby.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 11 FREE CONTEST - TOP 20 PAID**

We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff. Through the first nine weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $4,000 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter: Week 11 $350 Contest (click to register)

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target%	RZ Plays
1	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	39	32	76%	59.50%	7	5	26%	26	8%	8
2	Chris Johnson	TEN	34	27	77%	69.50%	7	4	26%	48	15%	1
3	Michael Bush	OAK	34	30	73%	38%	4	3	19%	18	7%	4
4	Lance Ball	DEN	31	30	54.50%	19.50%	1	0	12.50%	13	5%	1
5	Steven Jackson	STL	30	27	84%	61%	3	3	12%	29	9%	3
6	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	28	25	61%	66%	3	3	14%	24	10%	4
7	DeMarco Murray	DAL	27	20	57%	42.50%	7	6	27%	23	7%	3
8	Michael Turner	ATL	24	22	69%	70%	2	1	4%	15	4.50%	2
9	Beanie Wells	ARI	23	23	79%	67%	0	0	0%	9	3%	4
10	Matt Forte	CHI	23	18	51.50%	70%	5	1	25%	61	21.50%	2
11	Chris Ogbonnaya	CLE	21	19	63%	20.00%	2	2	7.50%	16	5%	7
12	Arian Foster	HOU	21	17	39%	48%	4	4	27%	45	15.50%	4
13	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	20	18	62%	32%	2	2	5%	15	5%	5
14	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	19	16	53%	52%	3	1	9%	20	6%	4
15	LeSean McCoy	PHI	19	14	58%	62%	5	3	15%	43	13.50%	2
16	Reggie Bush	MIA	19	14	42.50%	41%	5	4	17%	31	11%	6
17	Donald Brown	IND	18	14	61%	28%	4	4	14%	10	3%	0
18	Fred Jackson	BUF	17	13	76.50%	70%	4	4	13%	45	15.50%	1
19	Daniel Thomas	MIA	17	17	51.50%	40%	0	0	0%	10	3.50%	5
20	Shonn Greene	NYJ	17	13	52%	60%	4	2	10%	19	6%	3
21	James Starks	GBP	17	13	42%	46%	4	3	13%	29	10%	3
22	Cedric Benson	CIN	16	15	58%	61%	1	1	3%	8	3%	2
23	Michael Tolbert	SDC	16	7	47%	30.50%	9	5	19%	53	15%	0
24	Dexter McCluster	KCC	16	8	33%	23.50%	8	6	23.50%	39	14%	3
25	Adrian Peterson	MIN	15	14	64%	72%	1	0	3%	19	7%	1
26	D.J. Ware	NYG	15	9	31%	12%	6	5	15%	13	4%	2
27	Ray Rice	BAL	15	5	42%	62.50%	10	8	19%	66	18%	0
28	Marion Barber	CHI	13	13	37%	19%	0	0	0%	4	1.50%	0
29	Ben Tate	HOU	13	13	29.50%	34%	0	0	0%	10	3.50%	3
30	Maurice Morris	DET	12	10	53%	20%	2	1	3%	15	4%	0
31	LaDainian Tomlinson	NYJ	12	7	28%	19%	5	2	13%	37	12.50%	0
32	Ryan Torain	WAS	12	11	34%	25%	1	1	3%	3	1%	2
33	LeGarrette Blount	TBB	12	10	55.50%	49%	2	1	6%	13	4%	1
34	Deji Karim	JAC	12	9	22%	19%	3	3	14%	16	7%	2
35	Phillip Tanner	DAL	11	11	31.50%	9.50%	0	0	0%	2	1%	2
36	Derrick Ward	HOU	11	11	25%	9%	0	0	0%	0	0%	5
37	Ryan Mathews	SDC	11	6	40%	49%	5	3	11%	41	12%	1
38	Kregg Lumpkin	TBB	11	4	22%	9%	7	5	20%	27	8%	1
39	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	11	4	21%	32%	7	4	17.50%	33	10%	0
40	Pierre Thomas	NOS	11	6	37.50%	28%	5	4	12%	38	9%	1

Running Back Notes:

1. With Willis McGahee hurt and Knowshon Moreno coming out of the game with a season-ending ACL tear, it was Lance Ball that carried the load for the Denver Broncos on Sunday. He was handed the rock 30 times for 96 yards in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. The average is very subpar as Ball isn’t a big time runner, but with Tim Tebow at the helm the Broncos will be utilizing an extremely run-heavy attack which gives Ball at least the opportunity some at potential value, even against the New York Jets stingy defense. Keep tabs on McGahee’s status this week, but if he isn’t ready to go you could do a lot worse at the running back position than Ball this coming Sunday.

2. Kregg Lumpkin has emerged as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers third down back since Earnest Graham went down with an injury in mid-October. He has shown almost nothing as a runner but as the passing down back behind a guy in LeGarrette Blount with little to no skills in the passing game he has recorded some decent target numbers, totaling seven just in Week 10. He isn’t what you would call a “high-upside” pickup, but he could hold some value in deep PPR leagues.

3. After closely monitoring the backfield splits the last few weeks, it’s official: no one has absolutely any idea who the lead back is for the Washington Redskins. Rookie Roy Helu looked like the clear favorite after he caught 14 balls in Week 9 but this week Mike Shanahan went back to the veteran Ryan Torain in an uninspiring performance in which he totaled a measly 20 yards on 11 carries. After the game even Shanahan couldn’t confidently give a reason why he went with Torain, which means no one, not even Mike Shanahan, knows what Mike Shanahan is going to do. Roy Helu is still the better option in this backfield and should be kept on rosters, but it is clearly futile to continue trying to predict the value for these two, and Tashard Choice, going forward.

4. DeMarco Murray has gone from a fantasy handcuff to an absolute stud the past four weeks, actually setting a record for most yards in his first four starts by a Dallas Cowboys rookie, surpassing Emmitt Smith. He has averaged over 150 yards per game on the ground and even totaled six catches in Week 10, exhibiting his versatility. Felix Jones is due to return in Week 11 but make no mistake about it: DeMarco Murray will be the workhorse in this offense for the rest of the season and should continue to pile up big numbers going forward.

5. Marshawn Lynch has been tearing it up as of late, totaling over 100 rushing yards in each of the past two games and recording a touchdown in every game he has played since Week 4. He plays in a weak offense and did only average 3.4 yards per carry last week, but he is the primary back in the Seattle Seahawks offense and has some friendly matchups with Washington, Philadelphia and St. Louis (twice) on the docket over the next four weeks, making him a worthwhile starter in 12-team or deeper leagues.

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Nov 9, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 9 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

Welcome to this week’s Touch Me, Baby, where young players dominate the headlines. In life it is inevitable that at some point the old make way for the new and youthful, a theme we’ve seen over the course of the NFL season. It has been most obvious in Green Bay and Pittsburgh as former fantasy football mainstays such as Donald Driver and Hines Ward have fallen to the wayside in favor of younger talent such as Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. We’ll cover some of the other newbies that have captured the hearts of fantasy fanatics everywhere in this edition of Touch Me, Baby.

Youth is fleeting, so slip into something comfortable and get ready to be touched in this Week 9 edition of Touch Me, Baby.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

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Please use this link to enter: Week 10 $350 Contest (click to register)

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Steven Jackson	STL	31	29	83%	57%	2	1	5.50%	26	8.50%	1
2	Matt Forte	CHI	29	24	71%	73%	5	3	16.00%	56	21%	7
3	DeMarco Murray	DAL	28	22	76%	40%	6	4	19%	16	5.50%	3
4	Michael Tolbert	SDC	28	19	90.50%	29%	9	4	19.50%	44	14.50%	3
5	Roy Helu	WAS	27	10	67%	20%	17	14	36%	33	11%	2
6	Fred Jackson	BUF	26	18	82%	69%	8	3	26%	41	16%	5
7	Arian Foster	HOU	26	19	47.50%	49%	7	5	30.50%	41	15%	4
8	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	25	23	77%	55.50%	2	1	7%	19	7%	3
9	Ray Rice	BAL	25	18	67%	64%	7	5	15%	56	18%	3
10	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	23	18	62%	28%	5	4	13%	13	5%	3
11	Frank Gore	SFO	22	19	59%	65%	3	1	12.50%	20	9.50%	3
12	Michael Bush	OAK	22	19	73%	32.50%	3	2	8.50%	14	6%	1
13	LeSean McCoy	PHI	21	16	69.50%	63%	5	5	13%	38	13%	3
14	Michael Turner	ATL	21	19	46%	70.50%	2	1	8%	13	5%	7
15	Cedric Benson	CIN	20	20	67%	61%	0	0	0%	7	3%	4
16	Chris Johnson	TEN	20	14	70%	68%	6	4	15%	41	14%	2
17	Willis McGahee	DEN	20	20	91%	54.50%	0	0	0%	17	7%	0
18	Donald Brown	IND	19	16	76%	24%	3	1	9%	6	2%	0
19	Shonn Greene	NYJ	19	19	49%	61%	0	0	0%	15	6%	3
20	Reggie Bush	MIA	16	13	54%	41%	3	3	13%	26	10.50%	0
21	Jackie Battle	KCC	16	14	41%	32%	2	1	5%	7	3%	0
22	LeGarrette Blount	TBB	16	13	65%	48%	3	2	8%	11	3.50%	0
23	Chris Ivory	NOS	15	15	53.50%	9%	0	0	0%	0	0%	2
24	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	15	13	65%	52%	2	1	5.50%	17	5%	2
25	Chris Ogbonnaya	CLE	14	13	62%	14%	1	1	4.50%	14	4.50%	0
26	James Starks	GBP	14	13	50%	46%	1	1	4%	25	9%	0
27	Danny Woodhead	NEP	13	7	29%	18.50%	6	3	12%	17	5%	2
28	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NEP	13	12	50%	54%	1	1	2%	6	2%	0
29	Ben Tate	HOU	13	12	30%	35%	1	0	4%	10	4%	0
30	Pierre Thomas	NOS	13	8	28.50%	27.50%	5	4	14%	33	9%	2
31	Beanie Wells	ARI	12	10	59%	65%	2	2	6%	9	3%	1
32	Dexter McCluster	KCC	11	7	20.50%	22.50%	4	1	10%	31	13%	0
33	Jacquizz Rodgers	ATL	11	10	24%	12%	1	1	4%	16	6%	2
34	LaDainian Tomlinson	NYJ	10	5	13%	18%	5	3	18%	32	12%	1
35	Darren Sproles	NOS	10	4	14%	20.50%	6	5	17%	72	19%	1
36	Marion Barber	CHI	10	9	26.50%	16%	1	1	3%	4	1.50%	2
37	Joe McKnight	NYJ	10	9	23%	9%	1	0	3.50%	3	1%	2
38	Ricky Williams	BAL	10	9	33%	24.50%	1	1	2%	8	2.50%	0
39	D.J. Ware	NYG	9	7	24%	10%	2	0	5%	7	2.50%	3
40	Jason Snelling	ATL	8	8	19.50%	6%	0	0	0%	16	6%	1

Running Back Notes:

1. Roy Helu firmly established himself as the Washington Redskins’ feature running back on Sunday, totaling 27 plays against the San Francisco 49ers and playing nearly every snap. What jumps off the stat sheet is that 17 of those plays were passing targets, which the rookie out of Nebraska converted into 14 catches for 105 yards. Head coach Mike Shanahan, in true form, wouldn’t anoint Helu the starter after the contest, but considering how poorly Ryan Torain has played lately and the results of this game it is pretty clear who the top dog is in Washington.

2. Ben Tate is a backup to one of the best running backs in the league in Arian Foster, but that didn’t stop him from totaling 17 fantasy points on 115 yards rushing and a touchdown in Week 9. The Cleveland Browns defense was pretty easy pickings for the Houston Texans rushing attack, but with 100 plus yards rushing in two of his last three games Tate is managing to maintain fantasy value despite playing second fiddle in the ground game. The Texans have been running a lot with the loss of Andre Johnson, however even if he returns Tate makes for a nice option against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 26 rushing defense in Week 10.

3. After doing very little in his first game off the PUP list, Chris Ivory picked up a majority of the carries for the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rushing 15 times for 67 yards. The bruising back was named the starter with rookie Mark Ingram out with a heel injury and played well, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. With zero skills as a pass catcher in a pass-happy offense he has limited upside, but he figures to get a majority of the goal line work until Ingram returns, giving him moderate upside and someone worth picking up in medium-sized leagues.

4. Jacquizz Rodgers makes his first appearance here in Touch Me, Baby with his ten rushing attempts and one target in Week 9. With Jason Snelling moving to fullback for the Atlanta Falcons, Rodgers becomes the backup to Michael Turner, opening up a much bigger workload for the rookie. Turner will still dominate the carry count unless he gets hurt, but Rodgers just became an important handcuff as the team’s change-of-pace back and No. 2 on the depth chart to a running back who takes a lot of punishment and slowed down substantially as the season wore on in 2010.

5. Rookie Delone Carter has been all the rage for fantasy owners trying to anticipate who will supplant Joseph Addai as the feature back for the Indianapolis Colts, but it was Donald Brown who received a vast majority of the workload Sunday. He was handed the rock 16 times and targeted an additional three times by quarterback Curtis Painter, totaling 71 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. The return of Addai to something more than just an emergency role will surely cap his value, but this prevents us from totally writing off Brown as a fantasy-relevant back like so many have been tempted to do.

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Nov 2, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 8 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

The NFL is a week-to-week league. Things change in a flash, with pivotal players getting hurt or returning from injury, young players emerging with major roles in their offenses or special matchups and circumstances heightening or suppressing player performance.

This week we’re talking about the third situation. We all know the way a defense plays or a one-week injury to a starter can create short-term value for an under the radar player. What we have to decipher is whether these big performance will lead to more value down the road or if we’re getting the illusion of season-long value and grab players off the waiver wire accordingly.

So slip into something comfortable and get ready to be touched in this Week 8 edition of Touch Me, Baby.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

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Please use this link to enter: Week 9 $350 Contest (click to register)

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Arian Foster	HOU	37	33	85%	49.50%	4	1	13%	34	13%	7
2	LeSean McCoy	PHI	33	30	79%	62%	3	2	11%	33	13.50%	7
3	Frank Gore	SFO	31	31	79.50%	65.50%	0	0	0%	17	9%	11
4	Fred Jackson	BUF	30	26	79%	68%	4	3	15%	33	14%	1
5	Steven Jackson	STL	30	25	81%	51%	5	4	13.50%	24	9%	2
6	Ray Rice	BAL	27	18	69%	63%	9	7	18%	49	19%	7
7	Adrian Peterson	MIN	26	21	64%	73%	5	5	18%	18	8%	3
8	Bernard Scott	CIN	25	22	81.50%	27%	3	3	10%	8	3.50%	1
9	Beanie Wells	ARI	22	22	73%	65%	0	0	0%	7	3%	4
10	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	22	18	72%	67%	4	1	12.50%	21	10%	3
11	Reggie Bush	MIA	20	15	58%	39.50%	5	4	23%	23	10%	1
12	Javon Ringer	TEN	20	14	45%	22%	6	5	18%	17	7%	2
13	Ryan Mathews	SDC	20	13	48%	54.50%	7	6	17%	36	14%	0
14	Chris Ogbonnaya	CLE	19	11	48%	9%	8	5	23.50%	13	4.50%	0
15	Chris Johnson	TEN	19	14	45%	68%	5	3	15%	35	14%	0
16	Jackie Battle	KCC	19	19	59%	30%	0	0	0%	5	2.50%	3
17	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	18	13	56.50%	59%	5	5	11%	29	12%	1
18	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	17	13	56.50%	50.50%	4	3	8%	15	5%	2
19	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	16	13	48%	33%	3	2	8.50%	26	9%	1
20	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	16	16	80%	51%	0	0	0%	17	7%	4
21	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	16	14	47%	16.50%	2	1	5%	11	5%	0
22	Maurice Morris	DET	16	13	46.50%	16.50%	3	1	9%	13	4%	2
23	Darren Sproles	NOS	13	6	30%	21%	7	6	16%	66	19%	1
24	Curtis Brinkley	SDC	13	10	37%	5%	3	3	7%	3	1%	1
25	Keiland Williams	DET	12	11	39%	21%	1	1	3%	1	<0.5%	1
26	Delone Carter	IND	11	9	35%	41%	2	2	4%	7	2.50%	3
27	Kevin Faulk	NEP	11	6	50%	3.50%	5	5	14%	5	2%	2
28	Pierre Thomas	NOS	11	7	35%	27%	4	4	9%	28	8%	1
29	Donald Brown	IND	11	10	38.50%	18%	1	1	2%	3	1%	3
30	DeMarco Murray	DAL	11	8	80%	34%	3	1	8.50%	10	4%	0
31	Ryan Torain	WAS	9	8	67%	23%	1	1	3%	1	0.50%	0
32	Isaac Redman	PIT	9	7	30.50%	25.50%	2	1	4%	11	4%	2
33	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	9	7	26%	35%	2	2	6%	15	5%	0
34	Lance Ball	DEN	9	6	20%	11%	3	1	8%	12	5%	1
35	Dexter McCluster	KCC	9	6	19%	23%	3	3	9%	27	13%	0
36	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	6	4	17%	22%	2	1	4.50%	8	3%	0
37	LaRod Stephens-Howling	ARI	6	5	17%	6%	1	0	5%	6	2.50%	0
38	Chris Ivory	NOS	6	6	30%	3%	0	0	0%	0	0%	0
39	Ricky Williams	BAL	6	4	15%	23%	2	2	4%	7	3%	0
40	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NEP	5	5	42%	55%	0	0	0%	5	2%	0

Running Back Notes:

1. Chris Ogbonnaya led the Cleveland Browns backfield this week with 19 plays, eight of which were passing targets; an interesting stat exhibiting his usefulness in the passing game. This is a textbook example of situational value though, as the former Houston Texans practice squad member was a beneficiary of Peyton Hillis’ absence and a midgame injury for a struggling Montario Hardesty. Hardesty figures to be out a while, and Hillis couldn’t practice early in the week so it looks like Ogbonnaya could have some short term value. Still, you shouldn’t count on the unproven running back to be anything more than a Flex play when in a pinch.

2. Bernard Scott received a sizeable play total in Week 8, but only as a result of Cedric Benson’s one-game suspension for offseason Conduct Policy violations. Despite an average of 3.5 yards per carry, he played well against a stout Seattle Seahawks run defense that was allowing just 3.1 yards per carry previously. Also, it looks like Scott did enough to confirm his role as Benson’s clear cut backup moving forward, and he may have earned more playing time. That said, it’s Benson’s team and Scott should only be owned as a handcuff to Benson.

3. The biggest story of Week 8 was the Tennessee Titans backfield, where Javon Ringer stole the show on his way to 102 total yards on 20 total plays, broken down into 14 carries and six targets. He far outplayed former 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson, averaging 5.37 yards per play compared to Johnson’s three and lining up for nearly every fourth-quarter snap. Head coach Mike Munchak won’t pass the starting role to Ringer, but said it will be a “hot hand” situation going forward where the better back will receive more of the carries. Considering how lackadaisical and “lazy” Johnson has looked this season running the football, it could be Ringer leading the team in rushing attempts more often than not.

4. Kevin Faulk appeared back onto the NFL scene in Week 8 after a severe knee injury that knocked him out for nearly a year. Many will remember Faulk’s sizeable role in the passing game and Tom Brady’s affection for him on screens and dump passes led to quality fantasy totals in deeper leagues. He actually led all New England Patriots running backs in plays this week with 11 as the preferred option while the team was playing from behind. He is more than a one-week wonder and is worth a pickup in PPR formats as someone who will receive consistent passing targets in an explosive offense.

5. Frank Gore was supposed to slow down in his seventh professional season but lately he has shown that we couldn’t have been more wrong. The former Miami Hurricane has rushed for over 125 yards and a touchdown in each of the past four games, averaging 6.5 yards per carry over that stretch. Much of this has to do with a stellar offensive line that has begun to gel lately in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense, further helping Gore’s season-long value. Barring one of his yearly three-game injuries, Gore will easily finish as a top-5 running back in fantasy football.

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Oct 26, 2011

Touch Me, Baby: Week 7 Targets and Touches Report

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

We focus heavily on targets here at Touch Me, Baby, but even a high target count doesn’t guarantee production. We see a few examples of this in this week’s graphs, but the two major examples come from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense with Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow showing major discrepancies between their target numbers and total stats over the course of the year. When it comes to passing game targets, the quarterback can make you or break you, but even when they have a preference for your player the quarterback’s limitations as a passer can really skew the numbers.

We’ll break down a few of these situations and address some of the players and stories around the league that are important to fantasy owners in this week’s Touch Me, Baby.

So slip into something comfortable and get ready to be touched in this Week 7 edition of Touch Me, Baby.

**Stat Note: the stat referred to as “Plays” is found by calculating (Carries + Targets)/Total Team Plays**

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 8 FREE CONTEST**

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Please use this link to enter: Week 8 $350 Contest (click to register)

Running Backs Touches & Targets

	Players	Team	Plays	Carries	Carry%	Season Carry%	Targets	Receptions	Target%	Season Targets	Season Target %	RZ Plays
1	Montario Hardesty	CLE	35	33	75%	44%	2	2	6%	19	7.50%	2
2	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	33	30	72%	66%	3	2	15%	17	9%	5
3	Arian Foster	HOU	30	25	53%	43.50%	5	5	22%	30	13%	7
4	Matt Forte	CHI	29	25	76%	74%	4	2	12.50%	51	22%	3
5	Michael Turner	ATL	28	27	87%	76%	1	0	3%	11	4%	6
6	DeMarco Murray	DAL	27	25	73.50%	31%	2	0	8%	7	3%	3
7	Adrian Peterson	MIN	25	24	77.50%	74%	1	1	3%	13	6%	3
8	Daniel Thomas	MIA	24	19	61%	46%	5	2	15%	10	5%	2
9	Steven Jackson	STL	23	18	86%	44%	5	4	15%	19	8%	4
10	Shonn Greene	NYJ	21	20	64.50%	64%	1	1	3%	15	6.50%	7
11	Michael Bush	OAK	20	17	63%	28%	3	2	3%	11	5%	4
12	Tim Hightower	WAS	18	17	74%	52.50%	1	0	3%	15	7%	1
13	Ryan Mathews	SDC	18	13	52%	55%	5	4	16%	29	13%	1
14	Willis McGahee	DEN	18	18	46%	66%	0	0	0%	17	9%	0
15	Darren Sproles	NOS	18	12	31.50%	20%	6	6	17%	59	20%	5
16	James Starks	GBP	17	13	50%	46%	4	3	13%	24	10%	0
17	Chris Johnson	TEN	16	10	67%	73%	6	6	19%	30	14%	1
18	Pierre Thomas	NOS	16	10	26%	26.50%	6	5	17%	24	8%	2
19	Jackie Battle	KCC	16	16	41%	25%	0	0	0%	5	3%	2
20	Ray Rice	BAL	16	8	67%	62%	8	5	21%	40	19%	0
21	Kregg Lumpkin	TBB	16	8	73%	7%	8	6	15%	14	5%	1
22	Ben Tate	HOU	15	15	32%	39%	0	0	0%	9	4%	3
23	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	15	13	46.50%	50%	2	1	5%	11	5%	2
24	Mark Ingram	NOS	15	14	37%	44%	1	1	3%	8	3%	2
25	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	14	14	38%	31%	0	0	0%	23	9%	4
26	Maurice Morris	DET	13	9	45%	11%	4	2	12.50%	10	4%	0
27	Reggie Bush	MIA	12	10	32%	36.50%	2	2	6%	18	9%	0
28	Beanie Wells	ARI	12	12	63%	64%	0	0	0%	7	3%	0
29	Michael Tolbert	SDC	12	11	44%	26.50%	1	0	3%	35	16%	8
30	Dexter McCluster	KCC	12	10	26%	23.50%	2	1	7%	24	14%	0
31	Leon Washington	SEA	11	7	41%	13%	4	4	13%	10	5%	1
32	Delone Carter	IND	10	10	43.50%	42%	0	0	0%	5	2%	1
33	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	10	10	27%	36%	0	0	0%	13	5%	2
34	Keiland Williams	DET	9	9	45%	18%	0	0	0%	0	0%	0
35	Thomas Jones	KCC	9	9	23%	32.50%	0	0	0%	4	2%	0
36	Justin Forsett	SEA	9	8	47%	17.50%	1	0	3%	17	8%	1
37	Donald Brown	IND	9	9	39%	14%	0	0	0%	2	1%	2
38	Ryan Grant	GBP	9	9	35%	31%	0	0	0%	8	3%	2
39	LaDainian Tomlinson	NYJ	9	5	16%	19%	4	3	12%	27	12%	1
40	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	9	7	18%	11%	2	2	7.50%	9	5%	0

Running Back Notes:

1. We were able to see the results of the Detroit Lions backfield without Jahvid Best this week and it was mostly how we predicted. Maurice Morris received a majority of the work, but he and Keiland Williams totaled the same amount of carries. The difference was in the passing game, where Morris had four targets to Williams’ zero. Unfortunately, neither of them received any work in the red zone so that advantage remains to be seen, but it’s clear that this will be a backfield share for the foreseeable future.

2. There were a lot of shocking things about the Monday Night game pitting the Baltimore Ravens against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the glaring stat was Ray Rice’s eight carries, an extremely low total for a guy who is supposed to be the focal point of the offense. He posted his usual high target count though (eight), exhibiting the fact that he wasn’t ignored during the game; it was simply a fluky performance by the Baltimore offense. There is absolutely nothing to worry about here.

3. DeMarco Murray made a lot of noise with his record-breaking performance, totaling 253 yards and a touchdown over the weekend. It came against a terrible St. Louis Rams defense which makes it unlikely he will repeat (as if something like this is usually repeatable) but it does make him the obvious lead runner in the Dallas Cowboys backfield and opens up the chance that he could retain a sizeable role when Felix Jones returns. He faces a weak Philadelphia Eagles defense allowing the most fantasy points to running backs this season in Week 8, giving him an opportunity to establish himself even more as the primary running back the rest of the season.

4. After Ryan Torain did little to nothing (10 carries, 22 yards) in his second start last week against that woeful Philadelphia Eagles run defense, head coach Mike Shanahan made the quick move back to Tim Hightower, using him as the feature back like he did early in the year. Of course, Hightower went down with a season-ending knee injury during the contest, which leaves us back at square one in the “guess who Shanahan’s favorite running back is now” game, which like the ring toss at the Texas State Fair is f%^&ing impossible to win, especially when your girlfriend is watching and she wants that stupid pink stuffed bear an- But I digress. It is between Torain and rookie Roy Helu now, with Helu getting a sizeable advantage in snap count (33) over Torain (3) in Week 7. There’s a good chance Helu will get a shot at this backfield at some point which makes him a must add in all formats, however until we see how it plays out both options are upside plays with risk.

5. Marshawn Lynch was a late scratch from Week 7’s game against the Cleveland Browns, leaving Leon Washington and Justin Forsett to carry the Seattle Seahawks backfield. Forsett ended up with one more carry but Washington had the advantage in the passing game, totaling four targets to Forsett’s one. Washington was also more effective as a runner, averaging 5.6 yards to Forsett’s 2.9. From these numbers we can conclude that if you were to grab a member of this backfield while Lynch is out, Washington is the one you want.

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