Priest Gets His Carries, Too

Last week we wrote in this space that Herm Edwards had decided to limit Priest Holmes to about 15 carries per game. So our projections were based off of Priest getting 15 carries. Instead, he got 20 carries on Sunday, and added 2 receptions. Now the bad news (for Holmes owners): only 65 yards, or 3.25 yards per carry against a Denver defense that has given up 4.75 yards per rush. Even if you throw out the 13-yard loss on a play were Priest tried to change direction, then you still only get 4.1 yards per carry. So if we adjust his performance for an average defense, you are looking at 3.4-3.5 yards per carry, which just happens to be what Larry Johnson was averaging before he went down with an injury.

Good news for those that picked up Kolby Smith? Not so fast. Smith does not appear to have earned Edwards' trust, getting only 2 carries and 2 receptions in Sunday's game. He didn't do anything with that limited opportunity, amassing only 9 total yards. Also, hard as it is to believe, Holmes did not look that bad on Sunday. He made some nice moves and some hard cuts and turned what would have been no gains or losses into three and four yard carries. Despite my initial observation, he didn't slow down much as the game wore on - on his last 5 carries, he averaged 3.8 yards. So Edwards may have no reason to plug in Smith in the future.

Unless, of course, if Holmes gets injured. However, it is hard to imagine Smith, or anyone else, faring any better behind this offensive line. So if you have Holmes, keep him as long as he is starting, but you can feel free to drop Smith for a better alternative. There is no way to tell who will be getting the lion's share of carries in the Chief's backfield in three weeks, but Smith is third in line behind Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes.