Jahvid Best/Kevin Smith Fantasy News 2010/2011

HacheMan · Aug 12, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>The Lions are giving Jahvid Best "every opportunity to be the No. 1 back," according to the Detroit News.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Kevin Smith is impressing everybody with his quick return from ACL surgery, but it's been Best taking the bulk of the snaps with the first-team offense. The rookie is too explosive not to be used as the primary tailback. The offense will suffer when his playmaking ability is not on the field.
Aug. 12 - 11:45 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Detroit News</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Aug 22, 2010

Kevin Smith - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Lions RB Kevin Smith made his preseason debut Saturday night, carrying three times for just six yards.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>He also had 13 yards on two catches. Smith's recovery from a late-season torn ACL has been a good story, but it's laughable how much better an option Jahvid Best is for Detroit's backfield. Smith is only a fantasy "handcuff."
Aug. 22 - 6:07 p.m. ET</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Aug 24, 2010

Kevin Smith - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Kevin Smith said Monday that his surgically repaired knee is "close" to 100 percent.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>However, he also added that "Some days, I can wake up and wonder how I'm going to get through the day," which doesn't sound like a guy that's nearly 100 percent. Smith made his preseason debut Saturday and appears safe to draft as a handcuff, but he's now only a bit player with Jahvid Best in tow.
Aug. 24 - 10:02 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Detroit Free Press</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Aug 28, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions Jahvid Best rushed once for 51 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards on the opening drive in Saturday's preseason game against the Browns.
Lions coaches saw all they needed to see on the first drive. Best showed impressive patience and elite acceleration blowing through the Browns defense for a 51-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. The very next play was a short swing pass with Best juking LB David Bowens for a first down. Kevin Smith, splitting the second series with Maurice Morris, coughed up the ball on his first carry. The difference in talent between Best and the others is stark. There's no question that he's a true feature back. August 28 - 6:49 p.m. ET

kidman232 · Aug 28, 2010

have him on both my teams. hoping he can avoid the injury bug

HacheMan · Aug 31, 2010

Kevin Smith - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Lions RB Kevin Smith is being held out of Tuesday's practice.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>There's no word yet on Smith's injury, but he clearly was not back to 100 percent in Saturday's preseason game. Though he was never a homerun threat, Smith showed no playmaking ability whatsoever and his cutting was limited against the Browns. Jahvid Best owners can rest assured that Smith is a pure backup.
Aug. 31 - 11:53 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Chris McCosky on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Sep 1, 2010

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Kevin Smith in danger of being cut by Lions? </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Kevin Smith - RB - DET - Sep. 1 - 10:13 a.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Kevin Smith's roster spot may be in jeopardy, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The Detroit News believes Smith's spot is secure despite his preseason struggles, but the Free Press is unconvinced, adding this telling Jim Schwartz quote about Smith's place on the team: "I don't know. I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I don't know that there's very many people that have 100% earned a spot." Even if Smith sticks, he won't have a significant role.
Source: Detroit Free Press
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HacheMan · Sep 10, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Lions coach Jim Schwartz insists he's "not losing any sleep" over having a rookie as a feature back this season.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"We've used him in a lot of roles and moved him around a lot and used him in protections, at receiver and at running back and all kinds of schemes, and he never once batted an eye," said Schwartz. "Never once did we say, 'Boy, that was a rookie mistake right there,' or, 'Geez, he's got some work to do with that.'" Best has even drawn comparisons to Barry Sanders from multiple veteran teammates.
Sep. 10 - 10:08 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: MLive.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Sep 17, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jahvid Best has been listed on the injury report this week as a full participant with a toe injury.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The injury isn't believed to have been a contributing factor in Best being held to just 20 rushing yards in the opener. Asked why Best is listed on the report despite practicing without limitations, coach Jim Schwartz responded, "I'm not playing any games with the injury report. If somebody has something that they receive treatment for, we list it." Best is our 13th-ranked RB this week.
Sep. 17 - 9:41 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Detroit Free Press</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Sep 27, 2010

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Report: Best has Grade 2 turf toe, day to day </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Jahvid Best - RB - DET - Sep. 27 - 2:33 p.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Updating a previous item, Jahvid Best has reportedly been diagnosed with a Grade 2 case of turf toe.
ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms an NFL Network report that Best is "day to day." According to Schefter, Best plans to play at Green Bay in Week 4, "unless pain is unbearable." Though the injury isn't expected to be long term, turf toe has a tendency to linger and can be aggravated. Owners will want to keep close tabs on Best's practice reports before using him as an RB1/2.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
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MIKET5567 · Sep 27, 2010

Do we think Kevin Smith can be a good fantasy back? Big question...

HacheMan · Sep 27, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jahvid Best's (turf toe) ability to play in Week 4 will be dependent on Best's pain tolerance.
Schefter hinted that the odds are good of Best suiting up at Green Bay, assuming he can handle discomfort. Best would be a risky fantasy option in the difficult matchup and at less than 100 percent, so continue to follow this situation before using him. It would be promising if he practices fully this week. September 27 - 8:19 p.m. ET

HacheMan · Sep 29, 2010

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Jahvid Best held out of practice Wednesday </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Jahvid Best - RB - DET - Sep. 29 - 12:08 p.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Jahvid Best (turf toe) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
The Lions will monitor Best's reps closely this week, as turf toe injuries are easily aggravated. If he still can't practice by Thursday, there will be real concern that the explosive rookie will at least be limited against the Packers. For a player so reliant on speed, any limitations could be disastrous. Owners should have backup plans at their disposal.
Source: Tom Kowalski on Twitter
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HacheMan · Sep 30, 2010

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Best hopes to practice Friday, play on Sunday </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Jahvid Best - RB - DET - Sep. 30 - 3:57 p.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Jahvid Best (turf toe) insisted that he's going to "give it a go" in Friday's practice, and he hopes to play on Sunday.
"It's been getting better so far," said Best, "and it's just looking like I'll be able to go this week." Best has a better than 50/50 shot of playing at Green Bay, though his speed and workload are big question marks in a tough matchup. He's going to be no better than a low-end RB2 option if he gets the call on Sunday.
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter
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HacheMan · Oct 6, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jahvid Best (toe) participated in Lions practice Wednesday, though his participation was "limited."</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Despite some chatter in Detroit that Best didn't appear to be 100 percent in Week 4, our game charters noticed no loss of speed in the close loss to Green Bay. Best is likely to flirt with 20 touches Sunday against St. Louis.
Oct. 6 - 12:04 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Tom Kowalski on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 8, 2010

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Jahvid Best limited, listed as 'questionable' </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Jahvid Best - RB - DET - Oct. 8 - 4:53 p.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Jahvid Best (toe) was limited in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Week 5.
Best isn't known to have aggravated his turf toe injury, but the Lions put him through a limited practice week and appear to be listing him as questionable for precautionary purposes. While he's likely to start against the Rams, the team may internally consider Best a game-time decision. Best is an elite fantasy play against a St. Louis defense that's much more leaky on the ground than anywhere else, so check back Sunday to make sure he starts.
Source: detroitlions.com
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HacheMan · Oct 10, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jahvid Best (turf toe) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The Lions are going with only Kevin Smith behind Best, so they clearly have plenty of confidence in that toe. Use Best as a borderline RB1 against the Rams' leaky front seven. The Lions inactives: QB Matthew Stafford, RB Maurice Morris, RB Aaron Brown, T Jamon Meredith, T Jason Fox, DE Willie Young, DE Lawrence Jackson and LB DeAndre Levy.
Oct. 10 - 11:45 a.m. ET</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 26, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Jim Schwartz indicated Tuesday that Jahvid Best is close to putting his turf toe injury in the "rear-view mirror."</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Best reportedly looked strong in Tuesday's side work. The Lions will use caution in practice this week, but Best will be nearly at full strength for Sunday. His production had taken a dive since coming down with the injury a month ago, so this is welcome news.
Oct. 26 - 5:50 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 28, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jahvid Best (turf toe) was limited again on Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Indications from Detroit suggest the team is taking an extremely cautious approach in an effort to get Best the rest he needs to put the injury behind him. We fully expect Best to start and see 15-20 touches against the Redskins this week.
Oct. 28 - 1:11 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Detroit Free Press</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 29, 2010

Jahvid Best - RB - Lions </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jahvid Best (probable, toe) said Friday that he finally feels "definitely close" to 100 percent.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Best admitted that turf toe on both feet "limited him recently," saying he couldn't feel it but could "see it on film." Best is right -- leading up to the Lions' Week 7 bye, his burst and first-step quickness didn't seem to be all the way there. The off week should get Best back to being a true homerun hitter.
Oct. 29 - 1:32 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Tom Kowalski on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>