Fantasy Football Series
Who are the Fantasy studs through the first three weeks of the season? Who are the big disappointments? Michael Fabiano and Jason Horowitz break it all down in our Fantasy Hot & Not segment.
Launch Video

In a story that was first reported on The NFL Today and confirmed earlier in the week, Titans RB Travis Henry has been suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The suspension will start this week (vs. Indianapolis) and conclude Oct. 30 (Week 8 vs. Oakland).

Players enter the league's substance abuse program after their first positive test for a banned substance. A player has to test positive twice in order to receive a four-game suspension, and a third offense results in a one-year suspection.

Tennessee traded a third-round selection to the Buffalo Bills for Henry in the offseason in an effort to bolster a thin backfield, but the move hasn't paid immediate dividends. The Titans enter this week's contest against the Colts with a 1-2 record, and Henry has done little to generate excitement between the white lines.

The two-time 1,000-yard rusher has recorded a mere 91 yards on 31 carries and hasn't scored a touchdown behind RB Chris Brown, who has held onto the top spot on the depth chart and will now see a serious increase in value in the wake of his teammate's suspension.

RB RANKINGS (WEEK 4)
Player OPP
1. L. Tomlinson at NE
2. S. Alexander at WAS
3. P. Holmes vs. PHI
4. E. James at TEN
5. R. Johnson at HOU
6. B. Westbrook at KC
7. W. McGahee at NO
8. C. Williams vs. DET
9. D. McAllister vs. BUF
10. J. Jones at OAK
11. C. Dillon vs. SD
12. C. Portis vs. SEA
13. T. Barber vs. STL
14. L. Jordan vs. DAL
15. D. Davis vs. CIN
16. J. Lewis vs. NYJ
17. A. Green at CAR
18. S. Jackson at NYG
19. W. Dunn vs. MIN
20. K. Jones at TB
21. F. Taylor vs. DEN
22. S. Davis vs. GB
23. M. Anderson at JAC
24. C. Martin at BAL
25. M. Moore at ATL
26. L. Johnson vs. PHI
27. C. Brown vs. IND
28. K. Barlow at ARI
29. M. Shipp vs. SF
30. T. Duckett vs. MIN
31. M. Faulk at NYG
32. F. Gore at ARI
33. D. Foster vs. GB
34. B. Jacobs vs. STL
35. T. Bell at JAC
36. C. Perry at HOU
37. J.J. Arrington vs. SF
38. M. Bennett at ATL
39. D. Blaylock at BAL
40. L. Betts vs. SEA

The former Colorado standout was an effective starter last season in the absence of Eddie George, who was released after eight seasons as the franchise's featured back. Brown rushed for 100 yards in his first three starts and finished with 1,067 yards and six touchdowns in 11 starts, but various injuries limited his time on the field and became a cause for concern within the organization.

Brown has continued to run well with Henry in the mix -- he boasts a 4.6 yards per carry average -- but his stat lines haven't been impressive due to the team's inconsistent defense and and obvious committee situation. But now that Henry is out for the next four weeks, The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Brown has sudden value as a starter in Fantasy Football.

Though this week's game against Indianapolis isn't a favorable one, Brown's expected increase in carries still makes him a viable flex starter in leagues with 12-plus teams. His value rises to that of a potential No. 2 back in two of the next three weeks against the Houston Texans (31st vs. run) and Arizona Cardinals (28th).

Rookie RB Damien Nash will now move to second on the depth chart and becomes Brown's immediate backup, so he has some low-end value in much larger leagues as insurance due to Brown's past proneness to injuries. Jarrett Payton could also be signed off the team's practice squad for depth purposes.

As for Henry, he should be on reserve over the next four weeks in leagues with 12-plus teams and released in smaller leagues that might have better options on the waiver wire.

Minnesota finds its man

The Minnesota Vikings offense (and defense for that matter) was an absolute trainwreck in the first two weeks of the season. The offensive line looked like a row of turnstiles, the backfield was a mess and QB Daunte Culpepper appeared to be a shell of the man who dominated the league last season.

Most ADDED
Player TM
1. Mewelde Moore MIN
2. Chris Brown TEN
3. Marshall Faulk STL
4. T.J. Duckett ATL
5. Mike Anderson DEN
Note: Based on CBS SportsLine.com Fantasy Football leagues

Little did head coach Mike Tice realize that all his team needed was a little Moore, that is, Mewelde Moore, to put the offense back on track.

Moore took most of the late-week snaps with the first-team offense and took over for Michael Bennett in the backfield against a vulnerable New Orleans team that had trouble against the run. The smallish back went on to rush for 101 yards on 23 carries in a 33-16 win. The offense ran like a well-oiled machine with Moore, whose 101 yards was one yard more than the team's combined rushing total from the previous two weeks.

Confirmed reports that the Vikes have talked to the Arizona Cardinals about a deal for Bennett aside, Moore appears to have locked down the top spot on the team's depth chart. A versatile athlete who recorded 24 receptions and 537 all-purpose yards in a three-game stretch last October, Moore has what it takes to be a nice flex starter for owners in larger leagues.

The one knock on Moore is that he hasn't shown a knack for the end zone. In 13 contests as a pro, the 5-foot-11 back hasn't scored a touchdown and isn't an attractive goal-line option for Tice with RB Moe Williams in the mix.

Still, owners should look to add Moore as a flex option or short-term No. 2 back on teams that have little backfield depth and need assistance in bye weeks.

Green has undesirable streak

Packers RB Ahman Green was once considered one of the most valuable featured backs in Fantasy Football. He has rushed for 1,000-plus yards in each of his past five seasons and recorded an impressive 2,250 all-purpose yards and 20 total touchdowns in 2003. But in his past seven starts, Green has failed to reach the 100-yard mark and has found the end zone just once in that timeframe.

MOST DROPPED
Player TM
1. Travis Henry TEN
2. Michael Bennett MIN
3. Derrick Blaylock NYJ
4. J.J. Arrington ARI
5. Brandon Jacobs NYG
Note: Based on CBS SportsLine.com Fantasy Football leagues

The decrease in his production isn't an indication that Green's skills have diminished, but rather that the situation around him has become less favorable for success. The Packers lost OGs Marco Rivera (Cowboys) and Mike Wahle (Panthers) in the offseason, which ripped apart one of the league's better offensive lines. The team has also seen a decline on defense, which has resulted in earlier deficits and less of an emphasis on the run.

When Green had his best season as a pro in '03, he received close to 22 carries per game. Through three starts this season, the veteran has seen fewer than 16. That's not a enough to produce at a high level, which is a big reason for his decrease in statistical success.

It also didn't make life easier for Green when the team lost their most potent threat in the pass attack, WR Javon Walker, for the season due to an injured knee.

Unless you have incredible backfield depth and can afford to reserve Green against more formidable opponents, it's still hard not to start him. The veteran is still a top-20 point producer at his position in leagues that reward points for receptions (he's on pace for 69), and there's nowhere to go but up from here. With contests against New Orleans and Minnesota on the horizon, look for Green to experience a gradual statistical improvement next month.

Notebook

  • Lost in all the talk about the lack of production from Green and Jamal Lewis is the recent disappearance of Chiefs RB Priest Holmes. The veteran hasn't rushed for 100 yards in a game this season and is on pace for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is a far cry from his pace after three starts in '04 (1,872 yards, 21 TDs). Holmes has also seen close to six fewer carries now that RB Larry Johnson is in the mix, which is the main reason for his decrease in stats. He is still a must-start in all leagues, but it appears Holmes won't be the same dominant back as he has been in recent seasons.
  • Even after his four-touchdown performance in a win over the Arizona Cardinals, Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander still isn't on the same level as LaDainian Tomlinson in the minds of our readers. In a current poll on our Fantasy Football arena home page that posed the question, "Which running back would you rather have on your Fantasy team?," Alexander received a mere 24 percent of the vote. Tomlinson, who recorded four total touchdowns this past weekend (1 pass, 3 rush) received 76 percent. Both backs are studs without question, but L.T. is the clear-cut choice as the top back in Fantasy Football.
  • Steelers RB Willie Parker was one of the top point producers at his position in the first two weeks of the season, but he hit a wall named the New England Patriots defense in a 23-20 loss. Parker, who recorded 272 rushing yards against lesser teams like Tennessee and Houston, was able to muster just 55 against the three-time champs. The former Tar Heel will have to prove he can perform against formidable opponents like Jacksonville, Cincinnati and Baltimore after the team's bye in order to remain a true featured back. Remember, veteran RB Duce Staley is close to 100 percent and Jerome Bettis' calf continues to heal.
  • Reports of the demise of Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown were a little exaggerated. The rookie ripped off 132 yards and one touchdown against a formidable Carolina Panthers defense this past weekend, and put to rest the notion that RB Ricky Williams will be handed the top spot on the depth chart upon his return from suspension. Brown will have some unproductive weeks the rest of the season (as most athletes do in their first pro seasons), but the potential for greatness is evident. Owners should still look to add Williams and stash him as insurance, but don't be so certain that head coach Nick Saban will don him the starter and risk the confidence of Brown.

Mailbag

Serty117@aol.com: I am loaded at running back and want to trade Clinton Portis for a wide receiver. Who should I target in a potential deal?

M.F.: Portis has a nice level of value at this point, so I'd target a team with a weak backfield and go after wideouts like Torry Holt, Chad Johnson and Hines Ward.

Jack Smith, Tulsa: Should I start Stephen Davis, Corey Dillon or Marcel Shipp with Carnell Williams in Week 4?

M.F.: Davis appears to have the best matchup on paper (vs. Green Bay), but the Packers haven't allowed a touchdown on the ground to this point because team throw all over their vulnerable pass defense. The Panthers will look to do the same on Monday Night Football, so stick with Dillon at home against San Diego.

Have a burning running backs question for the Guru? We invite you to send your questions to: gridguru@commissioner.com. Please include your full name, city and state. You'll have the chance to be heard by thousands of Fantasy players just like yourself!