Just Say No To Knowshon

Posted by Greg Brosh on Jul 14, 2011 in Fantasy Football

Don't expect to see Knowshon Moreno make many touchdown dives in 2011.

I wasn’t going to waste my time writing a piece on Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno for the simple fact that I don’t think he’s good enough to deserve one. But I figured I would pump out one last protest against the former Georgia Bulldog and plead for all owners to stay as far away as you can.

It’s not that I have anything personal against Moreno. In fact, I have never had the guy on any of my fantasy teams in the two years that he has been a pro player. I thought there was a small chance that he would have finally broken out in 2010 after coming ever so close to 1000 rushing yards in his rookie season with 947. But hamstring and rib injuries derailed his sophomore year and he went down in carries (247/182), rushing yards (947/779) and touchdowns (7/5) from his rookie year.

Signing DeAngelo Williams could be a priority once free agency begins.

Many owners were hoping that the signing of John Fox as the new head coach would somehow burst new life into Moreno, but don’t count on it. Fox is expected to bring back the zone-blocking offense that made Mike Shanahan famous. But, unfortunately, installing Moreno into that type of offense is like inserting a square peg into a round hole. He just doesn’t fit. He dances around the pocket too much and isn’t that “one-cut” player that Fox will need to make the team’s running game a success.

While some thought Fox’s hiring would help, I thought it was Moreno’s last nail on the coffin in terms of fantasy relevance. Fox wants his own guys. He doesn’t want high-drafted players leftover from a previous coach. This is why everyone should expect the DeAngelo Williams-to-Denver rumors to scorch once the new CBA is agreed to and free agency opens. It’s a perfect fit. Williams plays with his old coach and Fox gets the type of player that fits his system to a T.

As for Moreno, Denver Post’s Woody Paige came out with some great revelations while answering mailbag questions as to how Moreno’s time has been in Denver:

Moreno could end up as a change-of-pace back at best in 2011.

What I do know — from someone who worked closely with Josh (McDaniels) and is someone I trust to tell me the truth — is that after the draft, McDaniels and the staff believed privately they made a big mistake on (Knowshon) Moreno. He was not what they thought. He hasn’t been tough, smart, motivated, if that’s what you’re asking. He has been a bust. I’ve said it before. He’s not a great clubhouse guy. Interpret that how you want, and he’s been a wimp on the field.

Strong words, but it’s hard to disagree with him. He hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype.

I have Moreno ranked as my No. 17 fantasy running back in my first fantasy football rankings, which I will admit was severely generous, but he is still technically the starter for now. He couldn’t crack my top 50 overall offensive rankings and I don’t expect that to change. By the time the smoke clears, expect Moreno’s fantasy value to plummet, leaving him as nothing more than a third-down/change-of-pace back. Not much fantasy value in that is there?