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Shonn and on and on
George Steiner: Shonn Greene looks ready to explode this year in the Jets' run-heavy attack. How high would you take him? I honestly like him just as much if not more than any RB not named Johnson, AP, Rice, or Jones-Drew.
Maverick:
George, I can tell you unreservedly that the Mav is a big fan of Shonn Greene's breakout potential this year, as any fantasy player worth his salt should be. What's not to like about his situation (lead horse on a contending team), talent (punishing power and surprising speed) and drive (he's determined to prove the four backs drafted above him in 2009 are inferior talents)?
But should he be the fifth best back on fantasy boards in regular redraft leagues? I'm not so sure he should – though he's not far off. (One obvious note here – avoid him like the plague in PPR leagues. I catch more colds than he'll catch balls out of the backfield in 2010.)
Here's the first tier of my running back board heading into week one (assuming six points for rushing and receiving TDs and 1 point per ten yards gained):
1. Chris Johnson 2. Adrian Peterson 3. Maurice Jones Drew 4. Ray Rice 5. Frank Gore 6. Michael Turner 7. DeAngelo Williams 8. Rashard Mendenhall 9. Shonne Greene 10. Jonathan Stewart
As a back with the potential to register 1,500 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, Greene must be a top 10 running back selection, but the concerns that surround his durability are real. Nicked up in '09 training camp, Greene got off to a slow start early in the year. Unleashed and flat-out dominant down the stretch for the Jets, he nonetheless got banged up again in the AFC Championship game.
This off-season, Rex Ryan is sufficiently concerned about it to suggest Greene may need to wear special rib padding moving forward.
Greene is the classic risk-reward, boom-bust selection – if he stays fit and healthy, he might be one of the top three or four running backs in fantasy football with a season reminiscent of Michael Turner's 2008 breakout in Atlanta.
If not, it's a very high pick wasted.
Grab him at pick nine or anytime after and feel good about it.
Ask The Maverick !
George Steiner: Shonn Greene looks ready to explode this year in the Jets' run-heavy attack. How high would you take him? I honestly like him just as much if not more than any RB not named Johnson, AP, Rice, or Jones-Drew.