DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart Question

Q: Should I start both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart at the time?

I've been asked this question allot this week in emails, so I figured I'd answer it in a detailed blog post. I'll start off by saying I've never been a fan of starting two players in the same offense, let alone two runningbacks in the same offense. The first one is hard to avoid, but the second choice is much more rare. Today there are two, maybe three legitimate runningback combos in the league that would even merit consideration for starting both runningbacks. Those are Chris Johnson/Lendale White, Brandon Jacobs/Derrick Ward, and DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart. Right now many leagues are in the playoffs, and every decision you make can make or break your season. I'm pretty sure this question is being asked because you haven't done it all year long, but maybe you should try it now. My answer to that is no in most cases and here is why.

Now lets get out of the way issues like all your other runningbacks are injured or your other best runningback is Warrick Dunn. OK, then start him. If you already have another quality back you've been starting, why would you change now. Keep doing what got you here. I wouldn't go into my Prevent defense. Adding Jonathan Stewart to your lineup is basically decreasing your chances for points automatically. Sure Williams and Stewart can do what they did last week, but consider the fact that they've only done it once in 13 games. The reason from a statistical point is they simply cannot score points at the same time. TO put it even better, each runningback slot you have in your lineup gets 60 minutes of football to score points. Since it is impossible for Williams and Stewart to be carrying the ball at the same time you are in effect cutting you point scoring time to 60 minutes for two slots, instead of 120 minutes. Besides that, there is just a better chance that one will do better then the other. Stewart might be more effective and he gets the more carries. That is what happened early on and that happened. DeAngelo Williams suffered. Now, its the opposite way around, and Williams in on fire. Also keep in mind that Stewart is a rookie and rookies can wear down late in the season from a very long year where rookies go from bowl games, to combines, to drafts, to rookie camps, and all the way through a much longer 16+ game season.

Whatever you do, as long has you have a solid #2 or #3 runningback do not start Jonathan Stewart alongside of DeAngelo Williams. It may cost you your season.

Todd "The True Guru" Farino