Fantasy Q&A: The Cowboys Backfield Dilemma and More

Q: If Marion Barber doesn’t play on Monday night, how would you rate Felix Jones as a play, and what about Tashard Choice. - Frank

A: The Cowboys’ Wilson Phillips backfield has actually been better than advertised. Not quite Lethal Weapon 3, but getting there. Dallas has rushed for 369 yards in two games. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett seems more committed to the run than last season, when he was more concerned with proving he was a passing game genius and pacifying T.O. If Barber does not play Monday, Jones is a surefire starter. He figures to get most of the carries and will be playing the Panthers, who have allowed 336 yards on the ground through two games and just lost a second defensive tackle to a season-ending injury. Choice would not be a bad starter in a pinch, but seeing as how it’s still Week 3 and no NFL teams are on a bye, you should have somebody better you could start at running back or the flex position.

Q: What do you make of the situation with Brandon Marshall? Should I hold him, try to trade him? Any ideas? - Steve

A: A buddy tried to trade Marshall to me this morning, for Dolphins receiver Ted Ginn. I have to admit I did consider it -- for about 30 seconds. Here is how my thought process about Marshall went: ‘He could have longterm value if he ever gets out of the doghouse of Broncos coach Josh McDaniel. Wait...McDaniel might be crazy. He seems like the kind of thin-skinned, over-his-head boss who will hold a grudge forever. Reminds me of an editor I once worked for at a magazine. I can’t do this trade.’

Marshall is like a once-valuable stock that has been devalued. Every time McDaniel opens his mouth, or Marshall beats up another girlfriend, Marshall’s stock goes down. So does his trade value. Now is not the time to unload Marshall, unless you can steal a Ted Ginn or another top-30 Fantasy receiver. Wait until he has a breakout game. It will happen at some point this season. Than somebody in your league will be falling over themselves to get Marshall, figuring he is back for good. He won’t be. But you don’t need to say that out loud.

Q: If Wes Welker comes back and is healthy, is there any chance Julian Edelman will have fantasy value other than a handcuff? - Joseph

A: The better question here is, ‘Oh Joey Galloway, Where Art Thou?’ It appears the rookie Edelman has become a bigger part of the Patriots offense than the ageless Galloway, who was touted by Pats fans as a key offseason signing. What’s next? Is Lawrence Maroney going to start splitting carries with free agent pickup Fred Taylor at running back? Oh, that’s already happened too. (A $20 bill says corner Shawn Springs, the third key veteran whom the Pats signed in the offseason, goes down with an injury before November).

But back to Edelman. He plays the same position as Welker and last time I checked he is not Randy Moss, so a healthy Welker does not bode well for Edelman. Hold on to Edelman for a week or two in case Welker’s injury is more serious. Not like we will ever know the true extent of that injury, though, the way the Pats lie to the NFL.

Q: I own Ray Rice but Willis McGahee is stealing all the red zone carries. Is Rice nothing more than a part-time play in fantasy now? - Phil

A: It depends how you define the term “now.” If you mean this week, then by all means make Rice a full-timer. Have you seen who the Ravens are playing Sunday? The Browns! Baltimore may never get in the red zone because the Ravens may score from long distances all day. After that game, well, it may take another Will Allen tackle to keep McGahee from getting on the field and scoring the bulk of the Ravens’ rushing touchdowns. So yeah, after this weekend consider Rice just a part-timer until further notice.

Q: Is Cedric Benson a good trade-able commodity right now? I like what he’s done so far, but is this a sell high situation for me if I put him on the block, or will I regret it later? - Tony

A: Benson right now is the anti-Brandon Marshall. His stock was never high, until now. He has rushed for at least 70 yards in consecutive games, including 141 against the Packers last week. As long as he stays off boats, Benson looks like a top back. So yeah, he is a great trade-able commodity, but don’t just give him up for anyone. Try to pry a more established elite back who is struggling now, such as Clinton Portis or Brandon Jacobs. If you can’t get a top-20 back in return, then hold on to Benson. You just may enjoy the (boat) ride.