Listening to Kanye West's song "Gold Diggers", I was reminded of some NFL players. If you have them on your team, you might have paid a lot for them. They are either injured, not producing, or playing in the wrong system. If you have anyone on this list, you will either have to stick with them and find other options until they start to put out the stats you want or trade them for an owner who is convinced they'll come around. If you can trade them for fair value, do it. If not, you're team will be broke until you can find some acceptable alternatives.
Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens
I was convinced Lewis would show his detractors that a prison stay and a strong understudy would mean nothing. Lewis is a strong rusher, but he isn't giving owners the strong number one back they
envisioned when they drafted him in the first round. Lewis's role has diminished in the Baltimore attack. Sure, he may come around; but, if someone is offering you Chad Johnson or Julius Jones, take the offer. Lewis will get some yards, but he isn't a pass catching threat or a consistent hundred yard back.
Kevin Jones, RB, Lions
Near and dear to my heart are the Lions. They haven't won a playoff game since Mike Utley flashed the thumbs up on his way off the field when I was in high school. Kevin Jones is feeling the pain of starting a season as the number one back behind an inferior line.
If you've seen a Lions game, you've seen Joey Harrington on his back early and often. You've seen the Chicago Bears dominate the line of scrimmage versus Motown's football squad. It looks as if the Lions should have spent their first-round pick on a solid tackle or guard, rather than another awesome wide receiver. Kevin Johnson is a solid third receiver, and Charles Rogers isn't even getting looks. Kevin Jones may replicate his success from last season, but he won't if he has to run behind the kind of blocking he's seen the first two games of the season.
Curtis Martin, RB, Jets
This year's fantasy draft was full of pratfalls. Many backs in the top ten were old or coming off injuries. Martin surprised everyone last year. You may think he can do it again, but it doesn't look great with Pennington out for the year. If you're betting your season on Brooks Bollinger coming in and conquering the world so
Martin can run free and clear, you might as well go outside and spit in the wind. It isn't going to happen. In addition to the murky QB
situation, Martin is hurt. His knee is acting like it is on a 33 year old back. If someone wants him, unload Martin and get a solid receiver.
Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
If Dominack Davis couldn't catch the ball out of the backfield, he would be on this list also. Johnson won't get many passes for the same reason Charles Rogers or the rest of the Lions won't, there is no protection of David Carr. In the preseason, it seemed Carr had all the weapons in place to have a dominant year. Johnson is a skilled receiver, but he won't get a chance to show it because Carr can't throw passes flat on his back, ten yards behind the line. The only chance left is if the Texans start getting blown out, and the defense doesn't blitz. Johnson's not hurt; but, with his seven catches, would it really matter if
he was?
Nate Burleson, WR, Vikings
Much like the gold diggers mentioned above, Burleson is high maintenance. He is hurt right now, and no one is sure he will be good even when he comes back. Travis Taylor looks like a number one receiver who finally got in a system that makes him look good. Marcus Robinson and Troy Williamson both may be moving ahead of Randy Moss's former understudy. Burleson may come back and show his worth, but it looks like the Vikes already found the answer for their early season woes. It isn't Burleson.
