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Marshawn Lynch went Beast Mode on the Saints in the playoffs last year, but can he do it for the full year? While the jury is still out on that, some good things have happened so far.
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For starters Reggie Bush went to Miami. If he reunited with Pete Carroll, Bush could have cut into Lynch’s playing time. No I don’t think Bush would be a feature back even for his old college coach, but he would certainly be utilized.
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Lynch doesn’t really have much competition for carries in Seattle. Justin Forsett will get some touches, but his primary role will be the third down back. Plus, the looks he does steal aren’t likely to be the ones in the goal line. It’s unlikely that they will bring somebody in given the money they have invested on offense thus far.
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Sure, Tarvaris Jackson didn’t take much of an investment, but his Viking teammate Sidney Rice made an enormous haul. That passing attack doesn’t exactly strike fear in opposing defenses hearts. They are going to have to be able to run the football.
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That job could be easier given the other prized addition. Rice will get the attention, but Robert Gallery will probably do more to help the football team. After all, games are won in the trenches. With Robert Gallery joining Russell Okung, who will hopefully be healthier in 2011, the Seahawks figure to have one of the better lines in their division.
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I may not go so far as to call it full-time Beast Mode, but given the circumstances he’s making a nice low-end RB2/high-end RB3.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings

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This week’s topic:
What non-top 25 running back do you project to finish in the top 15?
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Click here for the full article.
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My response:
The truth is, I don’t think I have one. I mean, I like (in no particular order) Arian Foster, AP, Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, MJD, Ray Rice, Michael Turner, Rashard Mendenhall, Frank Gore, Darren McFadden, LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte, and Steven Jackson. That’s 13 running backs. I like Jonathan Stewart and LeGarrette Blount, but they are top-25 backs. Even guys like Jahvid Best, Shonn Greene, Ryan Mathews, and Knowshon Moreno can’t be considered based upon the parameters.
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One running back that I think will easily top last year’s production is Marshawn Lynch. He seemed to get better as the season wore on, and the touchdown he scored against the Saints showed a burst we haven’t seen from him in years. It seems like he’s been in the league forever, but he’ll be just 25 when (and if) the season begins. He’s averaged just 213 carries per season in his four-year career so there is plenty of tread on the tires. Russell Okung was hurt a good chunk of last year, and if he stay healthy, it should improve their offensive line tremendously.
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I don’t think he has a chance of being a top 15 running back, but Marshawn Lynch could be a solid RB2 next year.

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The Bills cleared their logjam at running back by trading Marshawn Lynch to Seattle for draft picks. He should have no problem taking the lead role once he gets acclimated with Seattle’s system. Lynch, and those who have been holding onto him in hopes of a deal, are the biggest winner in this deal.
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Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller are also winners as they should now share the load going forward. I expect Jackson to be the primary back with Spiller offering a change of pace.
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The biggest loser is Justin Forsett, who will be relegated to third-down duty.

Here’s a look at some of the injury situations around the league as the preseason wrapped up.

• Jerome Harrison owners have to be breathing a little easier after Montario Hardesty injured his left knee in last night’s preseason against the Bears. Fortunately for Hardesty owners it’s not the right knee that had been bothering him earlier in camp. James Davis was also walking gingerly on the sidelines, although it doesn’t appear to be serious.
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• Reports that Michael Bush up to a quarter of the season or more according to Oakland Tribune’s Jerry McDonaldn can’t sit well with Bush owners. This is great news for Darren McFadden, who will get a chance to prove himself, and the owners who have faith in Run DMC.
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• Beanie Wells owners appear to have survived a scare as he avoided a serious knee injury in Arizona’s final preseason tune-up against Washington. Given Beanie’s track record with injuries, this is a little discouraging, but assuming he practices feel free to roll with him against St. Louis in Week 1. If you haven’t drafted yet, you may want to bump Tim Hightower up a few notches just in case.
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• The Steelers don’t have to worry about keeping their QB plans for the season opener under wraps as Byron Leftwich suffered a knee (MCL) injury. Looks like it’s Dennis Dixon time in the Steel City.
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• Laurence Maroney finally played some preseason snaps rushing for 32 yards on nine carries against the Giants. As usual the Patriots’ RB situation is something to avoid, but Maroney is the guy I’d take in fantasy drafts.
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• Marshawn Lynch returned to action as well, racking up two yards on five carries. He’ll be the backup to C.J. Spiller in the opener (assuming Fred Jackson can go), and return to third string (if he’s not moved) when Jackson returns.
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• Correll Buckhalter returned to action for the Broncos. He only gained three yards on three carries, but I can tell you first hand from being in the stands that he looked really good on a 15 yard swing catch. He is in a RBBC with Knowshon Moreno, but should be a serviceable option at RB2 or the flex spot during bye weeks.
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Image courtesy of Icon SMI

I profiled C.J. Spiller and Arian Foster earlier this summer (click their names to read the articles), suggesting that both RBs would be solid RB3 or flex players. Both RBs had teammates succumb to injuries in recent days that cleared the path to additional carries. The question now is whether or not they have become legitimate RB2s.

I’ll start with Spiller, who had not one, but two teammates get hurt. Fred Jackson broke a bone in his hand, an injury that should cost him between 4-6 weeks. If the injury lingers to the high end of the estimated recovery time, Jackson would miss two weeks of the season. Marshawn Lynch suffered a sprained ankle, which could cost him 3-4 weeks, or right before the season opener. Spiller will get the rest of the preseason to take all the first team reps. Given the lofty expectations that come from a top ten pick, Spiller could take hold of the starting job and never let go. With his big play potential, Spiller becomes a legitimate RB2 in my eyes, with a legitimate shot at 1200 total yards.

Meanwhile Arian Foster’s job security was bolstered when rookie Ben Tate suffered a season-ending ankle injury of his own. Tate was expected to challenge, and possibly overtake Foster for the role of starting RB. Not only did he lose his primary competition, but Steve Slaton’s fumbling problem resurfaced. Nothing gets you in a coaches doghouse faster than putting the ball on the carpet. Slaton figures to have a significant role in the offense, especially in passing situations, but if the fumbles persist, Foster could get an even heavier workload. With such a potent passing attack, Foster should be able to turn in a productive season and join Spiller in the RB2 ranks.

Click here to see my updated RB rankings.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI