[ThePundit]

Should I trade LJ for Steve Smith?

I have Maroney ( Sammy Morris also)
Jones-Drew
Thomas Jones

[Lefty Noob]

Boy, I dunno, Pundit. Carolina's got a mess at QB and it looks like Tomlinson's finally getting hot. Not sure I'd make that deal.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Boy, I dunno, Pundit. Carolina's got a mess at QB and it looks like Tomlinson's finally getting hot. Not sure I'd make that deal.

LJ, not Tomlinson

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

LJ, not Tomlinson

Oh, shoot, sorry about that. Then that changes everything. Yeah - dump Johnson's sorry behind ASAP!

[EmpireWF]

That's tough. Steve Smith is not in a fluid offense. Larry Johnson has been awful so far. It's a matter of which bad offense will produce more.

If you desperately need a WR, perhaps but I'm thinking no.

[NASCAR Gnome]

Steve Smith has officially lost Delhomme for the season. Since Carr has become the starter, SS has not produced as expected...

Same can be said about LJ, esp. when his QB - Huard - is hurt and the "gunslinger" Croyle is going to start BUT the one BIG DIFFERENCE is... LJ's a RB!

Fantasy football's built on RBs. Trade him at your own risk!

[EmpireWF]

Good point GNome. Unless he gets hurt, LJ is guaranteed touches. Can't say the same for Smith.

[Lefty Noob]

But with the Chiefs running game being as bad as it is, LJ is going to get stuffed by defenses keying exclusively on the run, as has been the case all season. Smith may get fewer touches, but the odds of him actually doing something with those touches is far, far greater right now. And I hate to say it, but I just have this feeling that Johnson's going to take such a pounding he winds up getting hurt.

[ThePundit]

With Delhomme out and the Chiefs playing the Bengals this week, I'm going to give LJ one more week. Then again, if he fails this week, I won't be able to get a ham sandwich for him.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Should I trade LJ for Steve Smith?

I have Maroney ( Sammy Morris also)
Jones-Drew
Thomas Jones

Theres a reason why you drafted him 1,2,or 3 in your draft. Be patient. Makes no sense giving up on him now when youve already been through the rough time. I did this last year with chad johnson, 1st half of the season he blew chunks and didnt give me a lot of points then I traded him and he had 200 yrd games and crap.. plus the QB situation in carolina is sticky at best..

[NASCAR Gnome]

I think what everyone is missing here are a couple of things that have not been brought up: starting lineup requirements and league scoring!

If you wanted to make a straight-up trade for the two players, it would probably not be an equal trade simply because RBs tend to have more value in FF than WRs. However, what can really change that equation is the scoring and lineup requirements. If the league allows FLEX players where the GM can pick and choose between starting a WR or RB and if the scoring allows point-per-reception (PPR) and yardage points along with bonuses for distance plays, it could affect how a player is valued.

For example, I am in a league that allows an either/or choice of starting RBs and WRs. In this league, I can either start 2 RBs and 3 WRs/TEs *OR* I can start 1 RB and 4 WRs/TEs and scoring includes PPR so WRs/TEs that catch a lot of passes can be just as valuable as RBs that don't tend to catch as many passes!

Regardless of what scoring and starting requirements are though, I would hold off dumping LJ at this time. Remember, all you need to do during the regular season is survive and make the playoffs. If LJ heats up later in the year and you are in a position to make a playoff run, keeping him might just prove to be very smart! Also consider that WHO gets LJ in your league is just as important as giving him up to start with! Why? Well, if the guy gets LJ has another studly first-round RB like, say LT or Gore, then this team will start a backfield that will probably be unbeatable. Lots to consider before pulling the trigger on this one...

[chucksports]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Should I trade LJ for Steve Smith?

I have Maroney ( Sammy Morris also)
Jones-Drew
Thomas Jones

Who are your other wide receivers? Is the upgrade from your third best receiver to Smith better than the downgrade from LJ to Maroney/Jones-Drew?

[azrael492]

No way I trade LJ straight up for Smith. A RB is one of the most important positions. They always touch the ball. A receiver may go the whole game and not get a good pass thrown to him. Also, how long do you think Johnson is going to be held down. He is a beast of a runner.