Monday in the Target Report I recommended trying to flip Roddy White. What annual top 5 running back am I trying to unload now?
We'll also have an obligatory Tim Tebow reference (by law, he has to be in every column on NFL.com), why Montario Hardesty is John Riggins, and yes, finally I can hear the sweet sounds of Vin Scully's voice in my head talking about a big day for Shonn Greene, whose performance was brought to you by Farmer John.
It's all in the Touches.
Touches Analysis
Hey, Montario Hardesty! His John Riggins-like line of 33 carries for 95 yards came out to under 3 yards per carry, but I still really loved the day from him. What he needed to show the Browns was that he could take on the load, not fumble and not drop passes. He accomplished all three and helped Cleveland control the clock in that 6-3 barnburner. He'll at least have half the job with Peyton Hillis going forward. Hardesty is a nice flex play who can get you 10 points a week, especially during the byes. …
This is not an aberration for DeMarco Murray. Sure, 253 yards won't happen often, but he'll continue to get the rock. The Cowboys have been waiting for someone to seize the RB job and he's done it. He'll keep getting the touches and is on too talented a team to not produce. Which I guess says something about Felix Jones, who has just fallen in the Fantasy Irrelevance Hole. Murray is going to be that pickup that brings plenty of teams FFL titles by putting them over the top at the underwhelming RB slot. …
Did we finally see the real Shonn Greene? He looked like he ran with purpose and more of a mean streak Sunday than he has all season (maybe the Chargers just bring out the best in him. If I'm Eric Weddle I call in sick every time I play against him from now on. I know you can't call in sick in the NFL unless you're Peyton Hillis, but you get my drift). Maybe starting L.T. got under Greene's skin a bit. Whatever it was, it worked. Greene stays in your starting lineup after the bye for the Jets. …
Michael Bush is just off this list at 11th overall (19 touches). I know he looks intriguing because he produced after Darren McFadden left with an ankle injury Sunday, but the Raiders have a bye next week. That should give McFadden ample time to heal. I don't think Bush brings you value at this point. …
Nice to see Chris Johnson get six targets in the passing game Sunday. Didn't mean a whole lot, but this shows Tennessee is desperate to get him going. To me he just doesn't look like he has that CJ2K burst we're used to. Whether it's conditioning or not, it's time to move on from him. When he's trying to avoid contact that's a huge warning bell for me. Find the guy in your league with a big Chris JohnsonFantasy Crush and try to turn him into someone, or a couple of people who are going to produce. I'd rather have Darren Sproles, Jackie Battle, Daniel Thomas or even James Starks at this point. …
A rough day from Ryan Mathews, who was outperformed by Mike Tolbert in the loss to the Jets. Is Tolbert becoming relevant again? Check this out -- for the season, Tolbert is tied with LeSean McCoy for the most red zone touches with 31. He's still hanging on as a flex play because of those two things. …
He only had nine touches Sunday, but watch out for Knowshon Moreno. Willis McGahee's health combined with the fact that he has more of a role in the offense since Tim Tebow took over means he's worth owning and potentially starting as a flex. …
See Jason Smith on NFL Fantasy Live, airing Sundays at 11:30amET on the Red Zone Channel, and Tuesday-Friday on NFL Network at 2pmET and 12AMET/9pmPT. He writes Fantasy and other NFL pith on NFL.com daily. Talk to him on Twitter @howaboutafresca. He only asks you never bring up when the Jets play poorly.
