Bewerbung » figures in sacks since Derrick Burgess and Warren

Forever and a day, the cornerstone of fantasy football teams has been the running game, workhorse backs racking up yardage and touchdowns, but the game is changing. Theres more passing, and that means fewer backs taking a primary role in the offence, but that doesnt mean there isnt value to be found. Last season, there were 13 running backs to gain more than 1,000 yards on the ground. In 2012, there were 16; the years before, going back to 2004: 15, 17, 15, 16, 17, 22, 16 and 18. So maybe there arent quite as many runners around which to anchor your fantasy squad, but that decline in depth makes those that are still standing all the more valuable in relative terms. Start with Minnesotas Adrian Peterson, who was over 1,200 rushing yards again last season, for the sixth time in seven seasons and, as always, it was buttressed by double-digit touchdowns. For a team with question marks about its passing game, Peterson will continue to be the No. 1 option and that safety makes him appealing. LeSean McCoy busted out last year, gaining 2,146 yards from scrimmage, and he may well be the best runner on the board, but a players value isnt his career-best season and McCoy figures to at least lose some targets in the Philadelphia passing game to incoming veteran Darren Sproles. Ranking second in yards from scrimmage last season, Kansas Citys Jamaal Charles also tacked on 19 touchdowns last year. Much like McCoy, it was a career-year for Charles, but largely because of the touchdowns. He has gained more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage in three of the past four seasons. There are a number of ways to go beyond the top three, but if youre prepared to live with risk, Arian Foster gained 4,702 yards from scrimmage and scored 47 touchdowns from 2010 through 2012. He only played eight games last season, and while he still accumulated 725 yards in that time, he managed just a couple of touchdowns. A healthy Foster is still a premier threat but, after last year, his value may be depressed somewhat. Moving to Seattle has worked well for Marshawn Lynch, who has 4,775 yards from scrimmage, along with 39 touchdowns, in the past three seasons. He may not have the high ceiling of the guys at the top, but hes a workhorse back on a powerhouse team. After a slow start in the first couple weeks of his NFL career, Green Bays Eddie Lacy still ended up gaining 1,435 yards from scrimmage and scoring 11 touchdowns as a rookie. As a play for upside, Lacy can be worthy of a first-round fantasy pick. One of three backs to gain more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage last season, Matt Forte gained 1,933 yards and scored a dozen touchdowns. Hes had some years with low touchdown totals, but has gained at least 1,400 yards from scrimmage in every one of his six NFL seasons. Beyond that group, we begin looking at fringe first-rounders. Still valuable, productive players, but maybe not quite worthy of being your best option. Tampa Bays Doug Martin was limited to six games last season, but hes averaged more than 111 yards from scrimmage per game in his career. With the Bucs upgrading their offensive line, adding Logan Mankins from New England, Martin is even more appealing. DeMarco Murray has had trouble staying healthy for Dallas, but delivered a career-best 1,471 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games last season. With a strong offensive line leading the way, Murray could put up serious numbers over a full season. Looking at a full-time starting gig with his move to Cleveland, Ben Tate averaged 4.7 yards per carry in three seasons as a second-stringer in Houston and while the Browns may not offer much of a supporting cast, Tate can take advantage of a full-time role. After an underwhelming rookie season, during which he gained 704 yards from scrimmage with four touchdowns, Montee Ball looks at a bigger opportunity now that Knowshon Moreno is in Miami. It would be more encouraging if Ball had played so well that he just took the job, but opportunity is opportunity and that Broncos offence offers a great chance to put up points. With more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns in his first two seasons, Alfred Morris seems like a safe option, but there will be some questions concerning the Redskins offence and Morris drop in production from his rookie year to his sophomore season. There isnt much buzz around Buffalos C.J. Spiller after he managed 1,118 yards from scrimmage and only two touchdowns last season, with a high ankle sprain posing problems, but hes averaging 5.1 yards per carry for his career. If the ankle isnt a problem this year, maybe Spiller lives up to the hype that he had pre-2013. After four seasons spent as Adrian Petersons caddie in Minnesota, Toby Gerhart gets his shot to be The Man in Jacksonville. Hes a powerful runner who can also catch the ball coming out of the backfield. For a Jaguars team lacking weapons, Gerhart ought to get a lot of touches. Detroits Reggie Bush maybe be facing a challenge for playing time from Joique Bell, but Bush has also accumulated 4,172 yards from scrimmage the past three seasons, including a career-high 1,512 last year. Thats still too good to leave on the sidelines for your fantasy squad this year. Gone are the days of Chris Johnson, the 2,000-yard rushing threat, but even in his current state of declining production, he has put up more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage in each of the past three years and scored 10 touchdowns last year. Its possible that expectations may have even over-corrected on Johnson, who does get something of a new lease on life with the Jets this year. Last years 1,269 yards from scrimmage counted as Frank Gores lowest since his rookie season (2005) and hes always facing challenges for playing time, with second-round pick Carlos Hyde the latest leading contender but, since 2006, no one has more yards from scrimmage than Gores 12,000, so a little respect is due, even if his time as the Niners number one back is nearing an end. Though he started only one game as a rookie, Andre Ellington still picked up 1,023 yards from scrimmage, on just 157 touches, for the Cardinals. In his second season, as the featured back in Arizonas offence, there are expectations that Ellington will take a leap forward, even is his production isnt going to keep that efficiency. Zac Stacy took control of the Rams starting running back job last year and accumulated 1,114 yards from scrimmage. Naturally, there are expectations that he can improve in his second season, but the Rams had a shaky attack even before Sam Bradford was injured and Stacy is still facing challenges for playing time from Benny Cunningham. Theres upside here, but some downside if expectations start running too high. Mostly a spare part early in his career in Jacksonville, Rashad Jennings burst through when injuries opened the door for him with the Raiders last season, gaining 1,025 yards from scrimmage. As the number one back for the Giants this year, there is a good chance that 29-year-old Jennings could have a career-best season. Last season was supposed to be so different for Steven Jackson, who moved to Atlanta after years of productivity in St. Louis. He played only a dozen games and managed a career-low 734 yards from scrimmage as the Falcons season fell apart. Nevertheless, Jackson is Atlantas best backfield option this year and while 31-year-old running backs arent exactly in the primes of their career, Jacksons depressed value after last season does mean he could provide value this time around. The third overall pick in 2012, Trent Richardson saw his production dip dramatically last year from a rookie season that was already disappointing. The Colts can hope that Richardson rebounds and can make it as a power runner capable of handling a heavy workload, but the risk that Richardson just isnt suited to be a big-time runner in the NFL ought to make for cautious draft day decisions. When seeking value in later rounds, consider strong second-stringers, like Bell, Fred Jackson or Ahmad Bradshaw, but there will also be veterans in time-shares (Shonn Greene, Maurice Jones-Drew, LeGarrette Blount) that should be interesting as well. Among rookies, Tennessees Bishop Sankey will have a chance to see lots of action, provided he can hold the ball. Otherwise, the likes of Hyde, Jeremy Hill (Cincinnati) and Tre Mason (St. Louis) all seem to need an injury to become valuable fantasy contributors. Its important to get quality runners in your draft, but its not the end of the world if you dont. There will, invariably, be players that dont start in Week One, that end up gaining 1,000 yards from scrimmage, so its vital to monitor the waiver wire in order to keep your backfield up to speed with the competition. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Fantasy Football Report powered by Coors Light. Cheap Vapormax China . -- Brad Gushue of St. Nike Vapormax Flyknit Wholesale . - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday. http://www.cheapvapormaxtrainers.com/ . Terms of the contract were not disclosed by the club. Clemons spent his first five NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2009 draft out of Clemson. Off White Vapormax Fake . Old times for a defence that has looked just plain old recently? "No," safety Ryan Clark said. "We used to be much better than that. Cheap Authentic Vapormax .J. - The New York Jets have signed former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell, giving them some added depth at the position.ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders were dealt a setback on Wednesday in their plans to rebuild the struggling franchise when offensive lineman Rodger Saffold failed a physical one day after agreeing to a $42.5 million, five-year contract. The two sides had agreed to the deal shortly after the start of free agency on Tuesday but the contract was never signed after team doctors would not give Saffold a clean bill of health after a physical on Wednesday. The Raiders did not give a reason why Saffold failed the physical. Saffold was set to be paid $16 million in 2014 and $27.6 million over the first three years as the Raiders viewed him as a building block in a rebuilding plan after 11 straight years without a playoff berth. But Saffold had durability problems in his four years with St. Louis, missing 17 games with a variety of injuries. He missed time with a knee injury last season and has also had problems with his neck, shoulder and pectoral muscle in his career. Despite those issues, the Raiders valued Saffold higher than homegrown tackle Jared Veldheer, who was allowed to leave as a free agent for Arizona on Tuesday. The Raiders did sign one offensive lineman, finalizing a five-year, $30 million deal with former New York Jets tackle Austin Howard on Wednesday. But with about $60 million in salary cap room heading into free agency and numerous holes to fill following two straight four-win seasons, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie needs to find more help soon. The Raiders did host a number of free agent defenders on Wednesday in hopes of upgrading that side of the ball. Former Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley tweeted that he was headed for a visit to Oakland and Dallas defensive tackle Jason Hatcher also tweeted his plans to visit. ESPN reported that former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and cornerback Terrell Thomas are also set to visit the Raiders. The Raiders need help on their pass rush after losing last years lleading sacker and most consistent defender LaMarr Houston to Chicago in free agency.dddddddddddd The other three starting defensive linemen - Pat Sims, Vance Walker and Jason Hunter - are also free agents. Oakland also has holes in the secondary with starting cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins and free safety Charles Woodson also free agents. After showing some promise early in the season, the Raiders defence wilted late and allowed the second-most points per game (28.3) in franchise history. Oakland has had two of the three highest scoring seasons allowed in coach Dennis Allens first two years with the franchise. Tuck, Woodley and Hatcher all have proven themselves as accomplished pass rushers in the NFL, a trait the Raiders have been lacking in recent years. They have not had a player reach double figures in sacks since Derrick Burgess and Warren Sapp both did it in 2006. Tuck was rated as the ninth best pass rushing defensive end by Pro Football Focus last season when he had 11 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 44 hurries. Woodley struggled with injuries the past three seasons but was still an effective rusher when healthy. He ended last season on injured reserve with a calf injury and the Steelers released him because of his high salary. After averaging 11 sacks per season from 2008-11, Woodley has only nine sacks in 24 games the past two years. He did have eight quarterback hits and 24 hurries last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Hatcher was one of the most productive inside pass rushers last season with Dallas, when he had 11 sacks to lead all defensive tackles. Thomas, who missed the 2011 and 12 seasons with a pair of ACL tears, struggled in his return last season in coverage for the Giants. He allowed 52 catches on 79 balls thrown his way for 550 yards and six touchdowns for a 106.0 passer rating against, according to game-charting by Pro Football Focus. His one interception came against Oakland. ' ' '