White posing fantasy dilemma
October 1, 2008
‘ ‘ ‘ Before we get to any quirky news or jokes, I need help. ‘ ‘ ‘ I have LenDale White on… ‘ ‘ ‘ Before we get to any quirky news or jokes, I need help. ‘ ‘ ‘ I have LenDale White on my fantasy team. I didn’t want to take him in the first place, but I didn’t have a choice. He was a fourth-rounder in a 20-team draft, and I had the 16th pick. I took Maurice Jones-Drew, followed by Steve Smith. I had my third-round pick all set up to use on Matt Forte, until he was taken one pick ahead of mine. ‘ ‘ ‘ Shaken and deflated I took White, the best running back available at the time, assuming that he’d be the Titans’ primary and goalline back in a run-heavy offense. He’s not the primary back anymore ‘mdash; rookie Chris Johnson is, and he is even getting some red-zone carries. But White still seems to be the goalline back and has five touchdowns to date ‘mdash; not a bad count by any means. ‘ ‘ ‘ Here’s the rub, though. In this league, yards are worth double what they are in normal leagues, because it’s a 20-team league, and every owner is forced to make several questionable starts. With this in mind, touchdowns are only worth as much as 30 rushing yards, as opposed to 60, and aren’t at as much of a premium anymore. ‘ ‘ ‘ My question to anybody out there, because I am at a loss, is what should I do with LenDale White? Keep him? Trade him? Who can I get for him? Who is going to want him? Help! ‘ ‘ ‘ If you know a possible solution, skip right to the end of this column, find my e-mail address and let me know. ‘ ‘ ‘ If not … – Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert told ESPN last week that he thinks the speculation about LeBron James leaving Cleveland after his contract expires in two years is an ‘insult to the city.’ An insult to Cleveland, huh? Didn’t know that was possible. – Remember the TGIF television lineup in the 90s? Yup. It’s back and it’s louder than your uncle’s black and gold Zubaz pants. The new lineup? Check it out: – ‘2 Step by Step’ (A reality series following the disappearance of D.J. Unk, featuring T. Pain) – ‘The North Hills’ (Pending …) – ‘Sabrina the Forgotten Celebrity’ – And a mega-hot new sizzler called ‘Presidential Debate.’ Are you psyched? I’m psyched. ‘ – And as a warm-up for Friday, the vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin is on tonight. I know I’ll be watching … the Pitt football game, that is. – For the last time, I AM REGISTERED TO VOTE. – Well first the Steelers lost Willie Parker, now Rashard Mendenhall. With Mewelde Moore the only viable running back option, the Steelers re-signed Najeh Davenport. I would have suggested a more ‘famous’ replacement. As in, ‘Famous’ Amos Zereoue. ‘ ‘ ‘ – Rock Cartwright, a Redskins player, celebrated at midfield on the Cowboys’ star after the ‘Skins beat America’s team, so they say, last week. Tank Johnson, a Cowboys player, was upset. ‘That’s just disrespectful, and I don’t think we’d do that to them,’ said Johnson. In the background, T.O. pulled on his collar. – I would totally see ‘Smoke Jumpers.’ But only if Ed Norton were in it. – The Pirates’ pitching staff issued 657 walks this season. That equates to 164 runs and a single that opponents got for just showing up. Playing the Pirates is like going to class. Just being there is half the battle. – Al Davis’ skeleton finally fired Lane Kiffin. – Monta Ellis was injured in a moped accident described as ‘low-speed.’ As opposed to … – Heisman Trophy dark horse: Anybody who plays for Clemson. Yikes. – Did anybody catch Mike Tirico on Monday Night Football saying that Joe Flacco’s family didn’t travel to Pittsburgh to attend the game against the Steelers, but stayed at home because they wanted to ‘see what it was like to watch Joe Flacco on Monday Night Football?’ Well, I saw it. It was wholly unspectacular, a lot like the other time he played at Heinz Field. – Further, can we permanently add a question mark after Joe Flacco’s name? Look at it this way ‘mdash; which have you said more of: ‘Joe Flacco’ or ‘Joe Flacco?’ Yeah. That’s what I thought. – In NASCAR news, Joey Logano reportedly won’t drive Hall of Fame Racing’s No. 96 Toy ‘mdash; ZZZZZZZZZZZ… – Wha? What happened? E-mail Pat with your LenDale White advice at [email protected].