Fantasy Question: Ravens

[Wacko4Zacko]

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[quote][b]Ravens running back Willis McGahee was one of the bigger busts in fantasy football last season. [/b]


Ravens' burning fantasy question: Can any of the team's running backs be trusted?

Trying to predict which Ravens running back to start or sit last season was both frustrating and utterly impossible for fantasy owners.

Ravens' top 5 fantasy players
1. Le'Ron McClain
2. Willis McGahee
3. Derrick Mason
4. Ray Rice
5. Ravens defense

Sleeper: RiceChances are that the same will be true in 2009, as Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee and Ray Rice will again make up the three-headed monster that chewed up and swallowed the championship hopes and dreams of countless fantasy leaguers in 2008.

The Ravens have shed a little light on how the backfield situation will work, as McClain will be used as more of a traditional fullback this season. McClain, who rushed for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns in a tailback role in '08, seems destined to become the new Mike Alstott.

Not only will he be used in the obvious blocking role, but McClain will also see short-yardage carries and could steal touchdown chances near the goal line. So while he should get fewer than the 232 carries he had last season, McClain will remain prominent in this committee.

The great unknown is how McGahee and Rice fit in.

A former fantasy superstar, McGahee was one of last season's biggest disappointments last season. He missed a total of three games and was limited in several others due to injuries, one of which was an ankle ailment that required a surgical procedure in the offseason.

Overall, McGahee finished with just 671 rushing yards -- his lowest total at the NFL level.

Rice showed flashes of potential as a rookie and should benefit from working with the first-team offense while McGahee recovers from his ankle operation. If Rice can make an impression on coach John Harbaugh and his staff, he could be in line for an increased role in 2009.

As it stands, he figures to at least share the workload with McGahee and see time on passing downs.

Much will also depend on McGahee's health.

If he's back in time for training camp and avoids injuries, the former Miami Hurricane should be more involved in the ground game. However, he still wouldn't completely push Rice out of the backfield mix.

If you're feeling confused with this headache of a ground game, well, don't feel bad. You'd probably need a crystal ball for clarity on the situation -- one that should be avoided if at all possible.

McClain remains the best option from a fantasy perspective, simply because he is guaranteed to see goal-line work. But with a decrease in overall carries, he's no lock to duplicate his 2008 numbers. In fact, he's more likely to fall far short of his yardage totals.

With carries spread out among the three backs, McClain and McGahee shouldn't be seen as more than potential flex starters. Even then, you're still rolling the dice. Rice, the lone back with upside in this trio, will come off the board in the middle to late rounds.

Overall, it looks like Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will keep opposing defenses and fantasy leaguers alike guessing once again.[/quote]

[lowrider]

I wouldnt draft McClain unless he dropped a long way. I'd might draft Rice in hopes that McGahee gets hurt and Rice gets the carries. Dont forget about Mark Clayton. You can probably draft him last pick, and think about this. Flacco is going to improve. Mason is older and he isnt going to be 100% from that shoulder. Clayton might be the number one target and for a last pick thats a steal.

[Alexir]

Ravens 2009 TOP 5 For Fantasy

1. Ravens Defense
2. Willis McGahee
3. Derrick Mason (Especially in PPR format)
4. Todd Heap
5. Joe Flacco (I usually stock up on RBs and WRs and leave QBs til later in the draft and it works well for me)

[ZIBBY28]

[quote name='Alexir' post='195744' date='May 28 2009, 08:06 PM']Ravens 2009 TOP 5 For Fantasy

1. Ravens Defense
2. Willis McGahee
3. Derrick Mason (Especially in PPR format)
4. Todd Heap
5. Joe Flacco (I usually stock up on RBs and WRs and leave QBs til later in the draft and it works well for me)[/quote]

i dont ever draft a D until the last couple rounds.. i usually just drop and add defenses every week based on who they play and the matchups they have that particular week.. it works great because every week theres like 20 defenses to choose from and you can always pick a decent defense that plays detroit, KC, cleveland and so on and so on.. i do the same thing with my kicker. i suggest you guys try it

i agree with your 2-5 though.. i think willis will be there in the mid/later rounds and could be a steal

[Devastat1on]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' post='197983' date='Jun 7 2009, 01:05 AM']i dont ever draft a D until the last couple rounds.. i usually just drop and add defenses every week based on who they play and the matchups they have that particular week.. it works great because every week theres like 20 defenses to choose from and you can always pick a decent defense that plays detroit, KC, cleveland and so on and so on.. i do the same thing with my kicker. i suggest you guys try it

i agree with your 2-5 though.. i think willis will be there in the mid/later rounds and could be a steal[/quote]

I disgree with that.. defenses can get you a lot of points and i like to take a strong D, and then 4 or 5 rounds later take another and swap between those 2 based on matchups..

[ZIBBY28]

[quote name='Devastat1on' post='198071' date='Jun 7 2009, 08:13 PM']I disgree with that.. defenses can get you a lot of points and i like to take a strong D, and then 4 or 5 rounds later take another and swap between those 2 based on matchups..[/quote]

in the first few round why would you draft a defense if you are only going to play them, say 10 weeks out of the year when you could get a #2WR, RB, or #1 TE at that point where you would play nearly every week? sure its nice to have a strong D but a team like the Bucs will put up as many fantasy points against the lions then say the ravens would against pittsburgh... to each his own.. its just my philosophy and it works out pretty well but of course its not the only way to get the job done

[Alexir]

I didn't say first round. I was saying thats the order I would go in drafting ravens players. I wouldn't get a defense til at least the 5th round. I usually do it before TEs

[Devastat1on]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' post='198104' date='Jun 8 2009, 02:14 AM']in the first few round why would you draft a defense if you are only going to play them, say 10 weeks out of the year when you could get a #2WR, RB, or #1 TE at that point where you would play nearly every week? sure its nice to have a strong D but a team like the Bucs will put up as many fantasy points against the lions then say the ravens would against pittsburgh... to each his own.. its just my philosophy and it works out pretty well but of course its not the only way to get the job done[/quote]

Im talking rounds 4 or 5, not 1 or 2.

Typically i like to go RB, WR, RB, QB, DEF, WR

Of course, it depends on whos available though..

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

We don't have many fantasy players of great value. Backfield committee and limited passing game... surely the defense is a top 3 option from this team?

[ZIBBY28]

[quote name='Devastat1on' post='198124' date='Jun 8 2009, 08:50 AM']Im talking rounds 4 or 5, not 1 or 2.

Typically i like to go RB, WR, RB, QB, DEF, WR

Of course, it depends on whos available though..[/quote]

i understand that, but most of the leagues i play in have 2 RBs and 3 WRs w/o the flex position, so my question would again be why take a defense before your 2nd WR that would play nearly every week, let alone your 3rd WR but again thats just me.. theres different ways of managing a fantasy team, but thats just the philosophy i normally follow

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' post='199715' date='Jun 15 2009, 04:24 PM']i understand that, but most of the leagues i play in have 2 RBs and 3 WRs w/o the flex position, so my question would again be why take a defense before your 2nd WR that would play nearly every week, let alone your 3rd WR but again thats just me.. theres different ways of managing a fantasy team, but thats just the philosophy i normally follow[/quote]
I'm with you, I would definitely draft at least 2 good WR's before a defense.