Fantasy: Will new scenery benefit Jordan, Jones?

By Kyle Chrise  |   Tuesday, July 29, 2008  |  Comments( 7 )

Fantasy Football
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Not too long ago, LaMont Jordan and Kevin Jones were both solid fantasy running backs. A few seasons and a couple serious injuries later, though, and both are now with new teams, hoping to reclaim relevance. But should your fantasy squad give these vets a second look during your draft?

Jordan recently signed with the Patriots after spending the last three seasons in Oakland. His time in the silver and black started off strong with nearly 1,600 total yards and 11 touchdowns in 2005. But injuries, including a chronically bad back, kept him out of 11 games during the last two seasons. Jordan accumulated nearly 800 total yards and three touchdowns last year, but he only had 125 rushing yards from Week 6 on.

His role in New England will take time to define. The Patriots already have a solid running back corps of Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk, so it would seem that Jordan may have to fight just to make the team. But the 32-year-old Faulk is aging, and Morris may not be completely healed from last year's sternum injury. Right now the Boston Globe reports that Jordan will likely serve as a change-of-pace back if he makes the team. But keep a close eye on Jordan at camp. If steals third-down looks from Faulk or carries from Morris, there's a chance Jordan could be the man if Maroney goes down. Should Jordan make the leap to No. 2 on the depth chart, Maroney owners should handcuff the veteran. If not, Morris should be the mandatory handcuff to Maroney.

Meanwhile, it's been a bruised and battered year for Jones, who after the 2006 season had Lisfranc surgery that kept him off the field until Week 3 of '07. Then he tore his ACL in Week 16. It was all too much for the Lions, who cut him in March. But when Jones, a former first-round pick, auditioned for a handful of teams earlier this month, some of the scouts were impressed.

Jones landed in Chicago, which could work out well. Second-round rookie Matt Forte is untested in the NFL and (the other) Adrian Peterson has little experience carrying the load. If Jones is truly back from the ACL injury and healthy, he could be a fantasy starter on an offense riddled with question marks. Keep an eye on him at camp: If Jones looks sharp this summer, take a gamble on him in the middle or late rounds.

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!
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About Kyle Chrise

Like a modern-day Moses, Kyle was found drifting down the Monongahela River, wrapped in a Terrible Towel, next to what was then Three Rivers Stadium. Found and raised by the stadium's grounds crew, Chrise lived and breathed Steelers football. As a youngster, he earned the trust of new head coach ...
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