Fantasy: Looking for Maurice Jones-Drew's handcuff?

by Alfie Crow on Sep 6, 2011 9:01 AM EDT in Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Football

Not only did the news of runningback Rashad Jennings going to injured reserve deal a blow to the Jacksonville Jaguars and their fans, but it also delt a blow to one of the best hand-cuffs in the fantasy football world. With uncertainty surrounding Maurice Jones-Drew's knee injury, Jennings was vied as a smart handcuff for players who took the plunge on Maurice Jones-Drew early in fantasy drafts. Jennings had proven himself to be a capable starter in a pinch and many thought he would have an increased role in 2011.

With Jennings on injured reserve, fantasy players will have to figure out who the next handcuff on the Jaguars is.

The popular thought is that Deji Karim, who's the No. 2 runningback on the Jaguars depth chart, will be the next in line for a handcuff. I'm not so sure however, how much Karim is actually going to be involved in the offense. Karim is a nice back, but in many ways is similar to Jones-Drew. He's not as big, but he's a threat catching the ball in the backfield and has speed to burn. The problem is however, that Jennings was also a big back who could run with power and also pick up the blitz in pass protection.

One player to watch is Montell Owens, who's now listed at the No. 3 runningback instead of the No. 2 fullback. Owens is a bigger back that's a good blocker, and everytime he has the ball in his hands he seems to make a play. He's gotten a lot of work as a runningback in the preseason the past few years, so I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him get some touches.

While a lot of people still clamor for fullback Greg Jones to pick up some of the slack, that ship has sailed. Let it be.

My advice: Pick up Deji Karim and wait. When you find out who the Jaguars handcuff is at runningback, will be when we all find out.

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Comments

I got carried away this year

not only do a have a bunch of fantasy leagues, I let my fanhood get in the way. I drafted MJD in like 4 drafts so if he gets injured, there goes my fantasy teams too.

by Dwalk1217 on Sep 6, 2011 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

Tisk Tisk

Can’t let your fandom ruin your fantasy life too. I hate having Jag players on my fantasy team, because it’s a double blow when the Jags lose and your fantasy team loses.

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."- Jack Handey

by Jagtastic on Sep 6, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

My advice?

Don’t bank on any Jaguar player to generate you many fantasy points. Only Jag I drafted was Scobee in the last round.

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."- Jack Handey

by Jagtastic on Sep 6, 2011 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Wha?

Um Scobee is a good one, but in the leagues I am in, most people have MJD, Marcedes Lewis, and even Mike Thomas, and if leagues are players on defense, and special teams, Darryl Smith is sometimes a pickup. But the article makes a good point, Deji Karim has a chance to improve his stock greatly, this year, and should be on the radar, in fantasy

by zunklives on Sep 6, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

An offense in the hands of David Garrard is not one I trust to produce alot of fantasy points.

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."- Jack Handey

by Jagtastic on Sep 6, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

i drafted MJD at 8th overall..i didnt draft jennings cause he was nagging on injuries, and this was before they put him on IR.

by FgallosJAGS on Sep 6, 2011 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Trivia:

Name this NFL team: They are 112-112 with one playoff win since 1997. During those 14 seasons, they have employed six head coaches and failed to post consecutive 10-win seasons. Yet due to the tv hype are considered playoff favorites every year though they’re just avg. ANSWER: Dallas Cowboys

by T.Holmes on Sep 6, 2011 11:34 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

It’s so funny that ppl dog my jaguars yet we actually have more regular season wins, more playoff victories, less coaching changes than the sorry cowboys since 1997. Just living in the past. Don’t fall for the hype. Just saying we’re never as bad as we think in comparison…Go Jags

by T.Holmes on Sep 6, 2011 11:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

as far as MJD's handcuff goes..

Alfie, I think you hit the nail on the head with this one.

Everyone is assuming it will be Deji Karim, but Deji is not the style of RB that Rashad Jennings / Fred Taylor were. We haven’t really seen the Jags run with 2 smaller size backs. And more importantly, I don’t think the Jags trust Deji on 3rd downs, whereas Rashad was capable as a pass protector.

What I took from the Rashad Jennings injury is this: MJD’s value went up, and his handcuff value went down. I feel Deji Karim will be his true handcuff barring an injury, however, like Alfie said, Montell Owens could get just as much work as Deji without an MJD injury.

There is a lot of talk about MJD’s knee not being 100%. I think thats bologna. Knock on wood, I expect MJD to stay completely healthy this season with no knee trouble, and would only pick up Deji Karim after something happens, not before. (If you are in a deep league or can afford the roster space, grab Deji. But you may want to look into another back that is sitting behind a guy ready to break down, like Isaac Redman behind Rashard Mendenhall)

by SexonvilleShaguars on Sep 6, 2011 12:26 PM EDT reply actions