LenDale White pierced through the defense for 149 yards on 17 carries, while hitting paydirt three times against the Kansas City Swiss Chiefs yesterday. He even had an 80-yard touchdown run. You don't need me to tell you that he won't do it again, do you? Look, if you had White in your lineup, congratulations. Step two is to deal him for help at other positions while his stock is at its absolute apex. Yes, I'm aware the Titans face the Colts generous run defense next week in Tennessee. Here's the thing, though, the Chiefs are way worse than the Colts ... and Chris Johnson is a better running back than LenDale White.
If you are willing to concede White's 80-yard touchdown romp as a fluke, considering he's not fast enough to complete this run against an actual NFL-quality opponent, then you'll agree with me. If we throw that out -- like I said, I believe it was a fluke -- you've got a rather pedestrian 69 yards on 16 carries against a horrible defense. Johnson averaged more yards per carry, even with White's 80 yard effort.
Look, you are going to be bombarded with thoughts about how great an option White is moving forward, and people will use the schedule (Colts, Packers, Jets, Lions, Texans) as evidence his matchups are easy.
Let's just ease up on the gas here and realize he's the second-best option in his own backfield. A touchdown vulture at best. Remember, when a team employs the "thunder and lightning" approach in the backfield, you want the lightning.
Other Reality Checks
- Drew Brees and Marques Colston were caught against a buzzsaw. The Panthers were fierce, coming home off an embarrassing road loss to an apparently studly Bucs defense. It appears the Saints will be without Reggie Bush and possibly Jeremy Shockey (again) for the next few weeks at the very least. I'm not fazed. Both Brees and Colston will be elite options from here on out.
- It would appear that the Baltimore backfield, once again, belongs to Willis McGahee. LeRon McClain owners can now simply view him as a backup on his real team, and not of much value to their fantasy teams unless McGahee gets hurt again. It was a good decent ride.
- Kyle Orton is a starting fantasy quarterback until further notice. I don't care what your league's size is.
- I hope you enjoyed Mewelde Moore's fantasy day, because you won't be seeing it again. The Steelers face the tough Giants and Redskins defenses in the next two weeks. After that they get the porous Colts run D, but Willie Parker will surely be healed by then.
- Something is just not right with LaDanian Tomlinson. Adrian Peterson, on the other hand, is just fine.
- Finally, I still believe the best fantasy football player is Clinton Portis. He was playing hurt yesterday.
