When a running back is starting for the first time against a team where he used to play, is that a good thing? It certainly seemed that way a few years back, when Cedric Benson ran angry against the Bears, piling up 189 yards in a Cincinnati. But that's just one guy.
When you look at the overall body of work, the results are less compelling. There are plenty of flops as well. (After all, one could reason that the opposing defense might be just as set on being sure to tackle said player.)
This is noteworthy this week because there are two of these backs. Chris Ivory gets to run against New Orleans. That one is noteworthy because the Saints have been soft between the tackles on run defense. Ivory went over 100 yards two weeks ago against New England, pounding between the tackles.
And you've got Willis McGahee running against Baltimore. McGahee played for Denver last year but was hurt for both of the Ravens games. This is his first game against them.
Here's a non-scientific look at other running backs from the last 10 years that have started against former teams. The guys tagged with an asterisk did not start. When those players don't score or do much, it's easy to say, "well, gee, that guys isn't even a starter." But in most of those cases, before the kickoff you're wondering if they might play more -- like LeGarrette Blount did earlier this year against Tampa Bay (when he ran for 65 yards and a touchdown).
What thinks you? Are you more excited about starting a player on your fantasy team when he's playing against an NFL team that cut him loose in the past or traded him?
| RUNNING BACKS AGAINST FORMER TEAMS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Runner | Team | Opp | Run | Rec | TD |
| 2004 | Thomas Jones | Chi. | T.B. | 52 | 13 | 1 |
| 2004 | Sammy Morris | Mia. | Buff. | 91 | 28 | 0 |
| 2005 | Clinton Portis | Was. | Den. | 103 | 27 | 0 |
| 2005 | Ricky Williams | Mia. | N.O. | 82 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | Thomas Jones | Chi. | Ariz. | 44 | 13 | 0 |
| 2007 | Willis McGahee | Balt. | Buff. | 114 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | * Ryan Grant | G.B. | NYG | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| 2008 | Michael Turner | Atl. | S.D. | 120 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | Julius Jones | Sea. | Dall. | 37 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | *Sammy Morris | N.E. | Mia. | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | Cedric Benson | Cin. | Chi. | 189 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | * Larry Johnson | Cin. | K.C. | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | * Fred Taylor | N.E. | Jac. | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | * Derrick Ward | T.B. | NYG | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | * Chester Taylor | Min. | Balt. | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | * Correll Buckhalter | Den. | Phil. | 42 | 12 | 0 |
| 2011 | * Thomas Jones | K.C. | NYJ | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Marshawn Lynch | Sea. | Buff. | 113 | 14 | 1 |
| 2012 | *Peyton Hillis | K.C. | Clev. | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| 2012 | Darren Sproles | N.O. | S.D. | 9 | 28 | 0 |
| 2013 | * LeGarrette Blount | N.E. | T.B. | 65 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | Steven Jackson | Atl. | St.L. | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| 2013 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | Cin. | N.E. | 67 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | Chris Ivory | NYJ | N.O. | |||
| 2013 | Willis McGahee | Clev. | Balt. | |||
--Ian Allan