The Parable of the Good Samaritan Running Back

A certain running back went down from head to turf, and fell among linebackers, who stripped him of his ball, and wounded him, and returned to their huddle, leaving him out 6-8 weeks. And by chance there came down that way a certain back-up running back; and when he saw the wounded 1st stringer, he passed by on the other side, joined his huddle, and proceeded to rush for 60 yards on 9 carries.

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One fantasy owner's blessing is another's curse. In a season when players are dropping left and right, crushing the hopes of people who thought they drafted great teams, hardcore owners are laughing all the way to the win column.

Why? Because hardcore owners know what it takes to win. They live by the motto:

Winning fantasy sports is 50% draft, 50% free agent pick-ups, and 50% luck.

Oh, hello math wizards who just wrote in: "But Fantasy BJ! Fantasy BJ! How can anything add up to 150%? Aren't you an idiot?"

No, my softcore math angels. I am an opportunist. And if you think you can get away with having only a great draft or only good luck, then you are doomed to fail far more than you think.

When Rudi Johnson went down, most people who had him on their roster were crushed. But rather than do something about it, they merely complained: "This isn't fair. All my best players are getting hurt. Wait 'til next year . . . I'll prove I'm the best fantasy player." Our softcore friend Jo-Jo McSofty would be proud.

However, a few people viewed Rudi Johnson not as a fantasy villain, but a true Good Samaritan, bringing joy to all those seeking another adequate running back. In this case, the beneficiary was Kenny Watson.

He was available in my league as late as last Friday, when I picked him up once Rudi Johnson's injury condition fell to Doubtful. The fact that the Bengals played the anemic Jets this Sunday--augmented by the fact that the Bengals were in a must-win situation--meant that Watson was in for a big game. He was one of my 5 hardcore picks this week, and he lived up to the expectation:

157 total yards. 3 touchdowns.

Barring a surprise Monday night, he will finish the week as the #1 performer at his position. Some of you might have followed the advice of CBS Sportsline, which picked him as the 26th best running back for the week. Maybe you'll think twice before listening to CBS Sportsline, which tends to place the same top 10 players within their top 10, regardless of current realities.

For those of you looking to improve your teams, commit to memory the Parable of the Good Samaritan Running Back. It's played out again and again, week after week. One player's injury is another player's bust-out performance. Pick the correct replacement to add to your team each week, and you'll win. Simple? No. But that's why I'm here.