Fantasy Angle On Ahmad Bradshaw Re-Signing with the NY Giants
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An interesting article was just posted about the fantasy football implications of Ahmad Bradshaw re-signing with the Giants over at PFF, have a look.
"“This transaction was anticipated throughout the off-season and the start of free agency, despite a brief flirtation by Bradshaw with the Cincinnati Bengals. For the Giants and fantasy owners, the status quo will be maintained. Bradshaw will be the Giants featured back, with Brandon Jacobs cutting into the workload as a complement. Last season the two backs accounted for 88% of the Giants rushing attempts, splitting 421 carries about 65-35, with Jacobs stealing some goal line touches (Jacobs did not act as a touchdown vulture last year as Bradshaw did manage eight touchdowns) and Bradshaw on the field for passing downs. All in all, this makes Bradshaw an RB2 and Jacobs a flex or bye-week replacement and handcuff. Unless there is a drastic change from last season, don’t expect Danny Ware to be a factor in fantasy.”"
As I said, the 2009 recipe with D.J. Ware sneaking into the mix as the 3rd down back just did not do it for me, and I’d expect a similar showing from Bradshaw and Jacobs this year with two modifications — more passes thrown their way out of the backfield. The #1 priority for Eli Manning is going to be minimizing mistakes once again, and that means not forcing throws into tight coverage. Bradshaw is a great blocker with good vision, and when he steps into open space along the flats he’s going to have room to run… and maybe even benefit from a block or two from his receivers. This is the year the Giants put it all together in terms of their emerging offense, and like always it starts with the major pieces now in place in the Giants backfield.
I’m thrilled Bradshaw is coming back for 4 more years — the guy is electric. PFF also scores his 2010 performance as the #4 overall ranked in the game.
That’s good company right there — and if AB44 can hang on to the football just a bit more consistently you’re going to see those numbers increase big time in 2011. So my take is a bit different than PFF’s here in terms of the fantasy football outlook — Bradshaw will see more catches, more TDs, more total yards, fewer fumbles…. meaning more fantasy points for 2011.
How am I so sure that AB44 will increase production across the board? For now, just call it a hunch.