Opposite Thinking: Trade Clinton Portis?

You read that headline correct, your eyes are NOT playing tricks on you - it's time for you to trade Clinton Portis. Say what? How could I possibly imply that you should trade the guy who got you this far? We are talking about the same guy who leads the league in rushing, has been an absolute beast and is the undisputed #1 Fantasy option on the planet. Um, yes - we're on the same page and I'm telling you to get rid of this dude.

"Since it costs a lot to win and even more to lose...you and me better spend some time wondering what to choose."

Look, Fantasy Football is a game of strategy. You always have to be one step ahead of the curve or you'll simply be left behind. Sure, there's always second guessing yourself and playing the "hunch." However, that's partly what makes it such a maddening, yet rewarding game. And sometimes you just have to buck up and swing for the fences. If everything were an absolute in Fantasy Football it simply wouldn't be this fun and addicting.

So, now that you've shrugged off my suggestion and proclaimed me to be a complete and utter moron -- let me explain myself.

First, I'll throw out a couple numbers at you - 372, as in the total number of times Portis touched the ball last season. If you look up the word workhorse in the imaginary Football dictionary there is a picture of Clinton Portis. 375, as in the projected number of times Clinton Portis will carry the ball this season. Um, just off-hand, how many RB's have managed to compile such gruesome wear and tear and make it through back-to-back seasons?

OK, predicting an injury is certainly a weak ploy, maybe even a cop-out. However, you can't argue that the grind won't eventually take its toll on Portis. Oh wait, it already has...sort of. Not that he's going to miss anytime, but Portis appeared to slightly roll his ankle late against the Lions and he's already nursing a minor hip injury. Those nagging injuries will hardly force him to miss anytime, but you never know how long they'll linger.

It's the minor things that tend to wear on a RB over the course of the season. And as the workload grows deeper into the season, that's when a RB can and will hit the proverbial wall. Why, just ask the man the Redskins brought in the mix to be the back-up to Portis. Yes, once a Fantasy legend, now just mere mortal - it's Shaun Alexander. And that brings me to my 2nd point.

Look, I hardly think Shaun of the Dead is suddenly going to recapture anything that even mildly resembles the better days of his career. However, with Ladell Betts on the shelf, the logical thinking was to bring in a veteran like Alexander to help spell, relieve and take some of the pressure off Portis. I'm hardly calling this a soon-to-be timeshare, but as the season drags along the Redskins will certainly shift the gears ever-so-slightly. That means Portis will not be carrying the rock 30 times a game.

It's just not happening. They know they can't push Portis upwards of 350 carries and expect him to be fresh if they make the post-season. That's why you should dump Portis and move on with Shaun Alexander. Um, that's a joke.

Seriously, if you take a look at the schedule it doesn't particularly favor continued excellence from Portis. It's never all too easy to predict success or failure in Fantasy Football. However, most RBs that see the Pittsburgh Steelers as their next opponent don't tend to fare all that well. Currently, the Steelers rank third in the NFL in rushing defense.

And did I mention that Portis has a bye the following week? So, yes why not move Portis now when he's at his peak, he's got a tough match-up on the table and then he's on a bye? Yes, I'm well aware that Portis has "licking the chops" match-ups left with Seattle and Cincinnati, but he's also got Baltimore, the Giants and Philly left on the table.

Nobody said this was going to be easy. However, the suggestion here is that you package Portis while he's hot. Float him out there in your league and see what offers come along. If you can snag Ladainian Tomlinson and Marques Colston - that might be one hell of a steal. Of course, that's just a hypothetical trade. I'm by no means suggesting you move Portis for the first offer on the table.

Rather, play the game and know your competitors. The namesake of Portis is good enough to bring in a hefty ransom. You can easily get yourself a couple Top Tier players who might be under-performing, but are ready to swing the tide. If nothing decent comes your way – sit tight with Portis and relax, because things will be just fine. Until, he gets injured of course. (Kidding!)