Dein erstes Forum » Euroleague last season, Bertans is

Prior to the season, I was among those who believed that the soundest strategy leading into your draft if you owned one of the top three picks was to go with a wide receiver (my ranks: Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr. in that order). Why? Because running backs are -- generally speaking -- less predictable for fantasy purposes.However, with 10 regular-season Sundays in the books and just three more until we reach the ESPN Fantasy postseason, many of you who have already punched your playoff ticket -- or come close -- have likely done so because of a workhorse running back. Those arent readily available on the waiver wire, but todays column will include a list of handcuffs to the top-scoring backs who should be owned in all leagues (excluding those who are already owned in more than 50 percent of leagues). Beyond that, well have our usual assortment of selections.?Note: All players on this list are owned in less than 50 percent of leagues on ESPN.com.?Week 11 byes: Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers?Robert Kelley, RB, Washington Redskins (42.5 percent). Fellow Washington running back Matt Jones was a healthy scratch Sunday, further signaling that Kelley is the teams new starter at running back. He churned out 97 yards on 22 carries and figures to stay heavily involved in future weeks. Hes a must-add in all leagues and a borderline RB2 -- as long as he holds on to this job.?C.J. Prosise, RB, Seattle Seahawks (30.7 percent). If Week 10 is any indication, Prosise could be the starter in the Seahawks backfield. He paired 17 carries for 66 yards with a seven-catch, 87-yard effort. He needs to be added in all leagues. While Thomas Rawls could soon return and Christine Michael will get healthier, Prosise is a star rookie who has terrific value already, especially in points-per-reception leagues.?Rishard Matthews, WR, Tennessee Titans (34.5 percent). Another week, another touchdown for Matthews, who is the No. 1 wide receiver for a red-hot Tennessee offense. He has an excellent, young quarterback looking his way, and Matthews now has six touchdowns in his past six games. Hes an add in all-sized leagues and a usable flex play right away.Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears (20.3 percent). It has been an odd year for Meredith, who recorded 20 catches, 243 receiving yards and one touchdown in Weeks 5 and 6. Even though the second-year receiver has had just one catch in each of his past three games, Meredith is worthy of waiver attention with?Alshon Jeffery?serving a four-game suspension.James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers (29.3 percent).?Week 10 proved to be an indicator that Starks is a big part of the Packers backfield. He had seven of the teams 10 running back carries and caught a pass for a touchdown, totaling 10 fantasy points in the process. Hes an add in all-sized leagues and probably a flex play heading into Week 11.Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens (10.5 percent). Weve been waiting to see Dixons role expand, and Week 10 seemed to suggest it has. Terrance West remains the workhorse back, but Dixon is a worthwhile add for anyone in need of running back depth. Hes an adept pass-catcher who is already in the mix for flex consideration in 14-team leagues.Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks (47.6 percent). Rawls could return to game action in Week 11, though it seems unlikely that hell repeat his production in 2015, when he became the focal point of the Seahawks running game following an injury to Marshawn Lynch. I highlighted Prosise earlier in the column, but Rawls is a smart add for a running back-needy owner who wants to cash in on the potential upside if the Seahawks reinsert Rawls as the starter down the stretch.?Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots (44.4 percent). Lewis has yet to play a snap this season, but after being activated to the 53-man roster this past Saturday, his time is coming. James White wont simply go away from this Patriots offense, but Lewis is a dynamic talent who is absolutely worth adding for the upside. If you have an extra bench spot in 10-team leagues, grab him.Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (9.9 percent). With no Jeremy Maclin in Week 10, the Chiefs were without their No. 1 wide receiver. But Hill was targeted 13 times, and he racked up 10 receptions on just 39 snaps. Hes going to get a ton of looks at or near the line of scrimmage, which bodes well for his PPR value. He can be added in any league of 12 or more teams for those with a receiver need.Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins (28.2 percent). If you play in a PPR league, Garcon needs to be on your radar. He has 65 targets through nine games (more than seven per contest) and is on pace for 75 catches this season. He has double-digit PPR scoring in six of nine games this season. Garcon is a steady, reliable flex option in larger leagues.?Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (36.9 percent). There arent a ton of sure-fire options at tight end, but Brates steady season has been even better of late. Over the past two weeks, he has 12 catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns (he has scored in three straight games). Hes a smart add for Antonio Gates owners this week or anyone in need of tight end help.Jeremy Langford, RB, Chicago Bears (32.3 percent). Theres a lack of clarity on whether Jordan Howard suffered an injury in Week 10. Coach John Fox said it mightve been an Achilles/ankle issue, but Howard said he was not hurt. Langford underwhelmed as the starter earlier this season, and KaDeem Carey could figure into the mix, but Langford is a deeper-league add if we get more information on Howards injury.Eli Rogers, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (20.9 percent). Rogers had a hot start to the season, finding the end zone in Week 1 before fading into a supremely quiet stretch from Weeks 2-8. But Rogers recorded a 103-yard performance in Week 9 and snagged a touchdown in Week 10. Hes currently operating as the No. 2 wideout in Pittsburghs prolific offense. That has value in a deeper league.Ladarius Green, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (7.8 percent). Green made his Steelers debut in Week 10 and hauled in three catches for 30 yards. He played just 12 snaps (four Steelers tight ends played at least 10 snaps) to Jesse James 52, but Im intrigued by the athletic upside of Green. If you have an extra bench spot or play in a deep league, hes a stash add.Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers (14.2 percent). Since Week 6, Kaepernick ranks 12th in points per game among quarterbacks. Next up on his schedule? A Patriots defense that struggled in Week 10 against the Seahawks. Even if the Patriots jump out to a big lead against the Niners, Kaepernick should have an opportunity for junk-time scoring. Hes a name on the radar for those who own Matt Ryan or Philip Rivers, both of whom are on byes.Miami Dolphins D/ST (9.8 percent). Looking for a streaming defense that could have multi-week value? How about the Dolphins, who face the Rams and 49ers in successive weeks. This group -- led by a stout front seven -- has 29 fantasy points over the past two weeks. Those who own the Broncos D/ST should consider Miami.Handcuff backs (Note: these are listed in order of the top-scoring running backs during the 2016 season, minus the handcuff backs who are more than 50 percent owned.)Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys (14.7 percent). Morris has been a useful role player for Dallas this season; he has rushed for more than 200 yards behind Ezekiel Elliott. Given the Cowboys dominant offensive line, Morris would be a top-12 back if he was the starter.Kenneth Farrow, San Diego Chargers (0.3 percent).?Farrow is an undrafted rookie who would likely see significant duty in relief of Melvin Gordon. With Danny Woodhead and Dexter McCluster on injured reserve, San Diego is fairly light in the backfield.Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals (1.5 percent). With Chris Johnson on injured reserve, Ellington is the next man up in the Arizona backfield. David Johnson will be among the names in the conversation for the No. 1 pick in 2017.Bilal Powell, New York Jets (43.1 percent). I believe Powell needs to be owned more as it is, since he is a factor in the Jets passing game. Powell is a steady, reliable No. 2 behind Matt Forte. He scored a touchdown in Week 10 and can be usable in PPR scoring.Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills (37.0 percent). Gillislee wouldnt handle all the running back carries if LeSean McCoy were to miss time, but hes an explosive back with rushing and receiving skills.Randall Cunningham Youth Jersey . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Wilbert Montgomery Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Chuck-Bednarik-Jersey/ .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. JJ Arcega-Whiteside Womens Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Wilbert Montgomery Youth Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night.SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs responded to their most successful regular season in franchise history with the greatest turnover in Gregg Popovichs two decades with the team.Tim Duncans retirement played a large role in the reconstruction, but so did losing in six games to Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals.Duncan is gone along with veterans Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner and late-season additions Andre Miller and Kevin Martin. While San Antonio added another veteran in Pau Gasol, they also brought in a lot of youth and athleticism as they prepared for life without Duncan, the power forward who led the franchise to five NBA titles in 19 seasons.Right now we dont know what were going to miss on the floor because we havent been through the season yet, Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard said. (But) just knowing hes not here, his personality isnt here. Jokes that he makes during practice, thats the things Im missing right now.Duncan will be with the team occasionally as an unofficial assistant coach, but San Antonio is placing the team squarely in Leonards hands. The 6-foot-7 forward finished second in MVP balloting after averaging a career-high 21.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last season. He also was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.After spending his first five seasons adding a pull-up jumper and honing his 3-point shooting, Leonard spent this offseason working on something else: Just becoming a leader. Just making sure I know whats going on on the floor at every position. Just getting ready to get my mentality of just leading the group this year.Leonards evolution as a leader should be aided by Gasol. The 17-year veteran won two NBA championships while with the Los Angeles Lakers.One thing that makes me feel a little better with (Duncans) loss is Pau Gasol, Popovich said. He is a very intelligent man and he understands how to play and hes played for a lot of good people. Thats going to help us in that loss, but having said that, it will take time to get all the new guys to understanding exactly how we play and who goes with whom.Gasol averaged 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds for Chicago last season while earning his sixth All-Star appearance. Duncan averaged 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in the final season of a Hall of Fame career.Gasols numbers will likely drop this season, though, as San Antonio will continue to develop around Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.It starts with me and L.A. first, Leonard said. If we win a championship, its going to be up to us to lead the group.The duo earned All-Star berths last season while leading San Antonio to a franchise-record 67 victories.dddddddddddd But the Spurs dropped four of five games to the Thunder in the West semifinals and San Antonio knew changes were needed. The Spurs drafted 6-foot-5 point guard Dejounte Murray and brought in 2011 second-round pick Davis Bertans at forward along with signing 7-foot center Dewayne Dedmon along with David Lee.Some other things to know about the Spurs, who open the season Tuesday night at Golden State:BACKGROUND NOISEAldridge struggled to fit into the teams offense in the first half of last season, but closed strongly to lead the team in rebounding and finish second in scoring. He said he was not bothered by reports San Antonio was willing to trade him.(Popovich is) a pretty direct person and this organization is first-class, so if that was the issue, I would have known way before the media knew, Aldridge said. So, I wasnt worried about it at all.BIG TWO?Point guard Tony Parker suffered a drop in scoring for his third straight season, which is a product of the teams evolution rather than any decline in his game. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 11.9 points last season, but he had a career-low 1.8 turnovers per game and shot 49 percent from the field. It was the third time in four seasons that Parker has shot 49 percent or better from the field. He also shot 42 percent on 3-pointers, marking the second straight season he has shot over 40 percent on 3s. Fellow veteran Manu Ginobili said he will not decide if this his last season until after its done.BOUNCING BERTANSAfter averaging 7.9 points and shooting 47 percent on 3-pointers in 15 games for Baskonia in the Euroleague last season, Bertans is averaging 5.4 points and shooting 31 percent on 3-pointers in five preseason games for the Spurs. He has astounded his teammates with his leaping ability especially after right ACL surgery twice in the past three years.I think in the second ACL they put something special in there, Bertans said.FOUL TROUBLEDedmon is expected to be one of the teams primary frontcourt reserves if he can stay on the court. The 7-footer has struggled with foul trouble in his career, averaging 2.1 fouls in just 13.1 minutes per game. He is averaging 3.2 fouls in five preseason games, including fouling out in 22 minutes in San Antonios preseason opener against Phoenix.STEPPING INGasol has stepping into Duncans spot in numerous ways, not just in the starting lineup. Gasol has taken Duncans spot standing next to Parker and Ginobili during the national anthem and is also handling tip-off duties. ' ' '