Should I stay away from Brian Westbrook in my fantasy league since he has a really tough schedule?

Question

Should I stay away from Brian Westbrook in my fantasy league since he has a really tough schedule?

Answer 1

The quick answer here is "no."

Folks can over-think things and can end up hurting their team.  Brian Westbrook is a fantasy football stud, and that means he is a must start each and every week regardless of the match-up.  What separates a stud from a marginal player is that a stud can get it done regardless of whom he faces.  That's what makes them a "stud' and in high demand on draft day (typically the first few picks).  Tomlinson, Manning, Brady, Westbrook --- they all are are studs and are all going to light up any opposing defense on any given week.  So long story long, don't let strength of schedule influence your decisions on very high ranking players.  While strength of schedule is a useful tool, it only applies to marginal players.  Hope this makes some sort of sense and good luck!

Answer 2

I'm not as worried about a tough schedule as his contract demands right now. He is asking for 30 million guaranteed and is saying he is as good as LT right now. He has outplayed the market value of his current contract but I also think that the rookie contract situation has gotten way out of hand and all this money going to unproven players is starting to more than trickle through to the vetern players.

I feel the NFL should have a rookie contract system more like the NBA....but that is a whole other post entirely.

Right now, just personal feeling, I would stay away from him in the top 5.

Now I do realize that there is a point where he is just too much of a value to pass on.

Reminds me of the LJ situation last year, not sure if he will hold out but you never know, he is getting up there in servicable years as a starting RB. He has never really been known as a back who can push through a whole season healthy as it is and as the years start to catch up, I don't see it getting better.

PHI also would like to run more of a RBBC, but due to injuries they have not been able to fully realize that yet. They may have the players to implement that this year and it could work out to keep Westbrook healthy and able to contribute for a full season, granted with slightly lower numbers.

Westbrook's value also goes up in any PPR scoring leagues but I would still be just a little worried to take him top 5.

Answer 3

no

Answer 4

hmm i wouldnt shy away from a top-3 RB just because he has a tough schedule. he is productive no matter what. unless u can get ur hands on AP or LT.

please answer my question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 5

No.  The NFC East has always been tough.  His out of division/conference schedule isn't horrifying.

He's one of the few backs who is a threat no matter who the opponent is.

True, he may not roll-up major yardage every week on the ground, but he's got TD potential with every pass he catches.

It's rare the back who won't leave you with a doughnut on a tough week.

I would draft Westbrook with confidence.

EDIT: Thumbs up to RegE for beating me to the contract issue.  Most seem to think they will work it out, though his agent is expected to seek Tomlinson money, which could be problematic.