Looks and Touches: Week 8

Matt Buser

By Matt Buser, Oct 29, 2:34 am EDT

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The following is a list of the Week 8 leaders in looks and touches. It defines those running backs and receivers who received the most attention this past weekend.

Touches is defined as the number of times a running back carried or caught the football.
 Looks is defined as the number of times a player was the intended target of a pass.
 

TOUCHES
• It’s the pain and the pleasure of being a Brian Westbrook owner. You had no idea how well he’d perform after missing two of the past three weeks due to broken ribs, so naturally he goes for a career-high in rushing yards (167) on 22 carries, scored twice, and added six catches for 42 yards. Westbrook’s eight TDs in just five games are second among running backs (LenDale White, 10).

• Dominic Rhodes had as good a game as was to be expected against the stout Titans defense (25 touches, 109 yards), with his involvement in the receiving game (8 catches, 39 yards) buoying the overall numbers. Rhodes now has 19 catches in seven games, while Joseph Addai has just five in five games.

• Despite sharing touches with LenDale White, Chris Johnson continues to be utilized and produce better than most every down backs. His Week 8 line (23 touches, 96 yards, 1 TD) now has him eighth in the league in touches (140 - 122 carries, 18 catches) and fifth in total yards (718 - 626 rushing, 92 receiving).

• The platoon watch notes when a team’s RB2 is given at least half as many touches as the RB1, regardless of the reason. Platoon watch for Week 8 included: Arizona (Tim Hightower 8, Edgerrin James 7), Atlanta (Michael Turner 17, Jerious Norwood 9), Buffalo (Marshawn Lynch 18, Fred Jackson 11), Detroit (Kevin Smith 11, Rudi Johnson 9), Houston (Steve Slaton 17, Ahman Green 10), Jacksonville (Maurice Jones-Drew 15, Fred Taylor 8), Miami (Ronnie Brown 15, Ricky Williams 9), New England (Kevin Faulk 17, BenJarvus Green-Ellis 9), NY Giants (Brandon Jacobs 19, Derrick Ward 18), Oakland (Justin Fargas 12, Michael Bush 6), and Seattle (Maurice Morris 11, Julius Jones 8, T.J. Duckett 8, Leonard Weaver 6).

• Yards-per-touch leaders for Week 8 (minimum 10 touches) included: Ray Rice (9.18, 11 for 101), Brian Westbrook (7.46, 28 for 209), and LaDainian Tomlinson (7.08, 24 for 170). The bottom three: LenDale White (1.27, 11 for 14), Maurice Morris (1.45, 11 for 16), and Justin Fargas (2.0, 12 for 24).

LOOKS
• Matt Jones became the eighth different player to lead the league in looks in a given week, garnering a career-high 16, which resulted in season highs in catches (8) and yards (117) and his second TD of the season. It may come as a surprise to some, but Jones currently ranks 11th in the league in looks (63) and has been targeted less than six times in a single game just once (Week 3).

• Anquan Boldin’s return didn’t set back the cause for Steve Breaston, who saw a team- and season-high 14 looks (9 catches, 91 yards, 0 TD). There was plenty to go around, as Kurt Warner totaled 49 pass attempts – Boldin was targeted 12 times in his return (9 catches, 63 yards, 2 TD) and Larry Fitzgerald saw 11 looks (7 catches, 115 yards, 0 TD).

• Can you name the Rams receiver that has averaged seven looks, five catches and 100 yards over the past three weeks, while scoring twice? It’s not Torry Holt, it’s Donnie Avery. While Avery has put together those numbers, Holt has averaged eight looks, four catches and 34 yards, while failing to catch a TD pass.

• Notable names not among the Week 8 looks leaders: Patrick Crayton (3), Todd Heap (3), Antwaan Randle El (3), and Amani Toomer (3).

• Top 10 players in catch percentage (minimum 4 looks per game): Brian Westbrook (87%, 20/23), Matt Forte (85%, 29/34), Ike Hilliard (84%, 27/32), Bo Scaife (80%, 28/35), Marion Barber (84%, 32/38), Marshawn Lynch (80%, 24/30), Kevin Faulk (80%, 20/25), Josh Reed (79%, 26/33), Chris Cooley (77%, 40/52) and Anquan Boldin (77%, 36/47).

• Bottom 10 players in catch percentage (minimum 4 looks per game): Ashley Lelie (21%, 7/33), Justin McCareins (32%, 11/34), Marty Booker (38%, 11/29), Billy McMullen (39%, 7/18), Braylon Edwards (40%, 22/55), Bobby Engram (43%, 19/44), Roy Williams (43%, 19/44), Shaun McDonald (43%, 16/37), L.J. Smith (44%, 12/27) and Marcedes Lewis (45%, 13/29).

Note: Looks data provided by FFToday.com

Week 8 Touch Leaders
RANK  PLAYER  TEAM WEEK 8 YEAR T/G
1 Marion Barber DAL 31 185 23.1
2 Brian Westbrook PHI 28 96 19.2
3 Clinton Portis WAS 25 198 24.8
3 Frank Gore SF 25 168 21.0
3 Willis McGahee BAL 25 113 18.8
3 Dominic Rhodes IND 25 88 12.6
7 LaDainian Tomlinson SD 24 171 21.4
8 Chris Johnson TEN 23 140 20.0
9 Deuce McAllister NO 22 76 12.7
9 Antonio Pittman STL 22 24 6.0
11 Jamal Lewis CLE 21 141 20.1
11 Earnest Graham TB 21 130 16.3
11 Mewelde Moore PIT 21 78 11.1
14 Brandon Jacobs NYG 19 119 17.0
14 DeAngelo Williams CAR 19 132 16.5
16 Marshawn Lynch BUF 18 147 21.0
16 Derrick Ward NYG 18 78 11.1
18 Michael Turner ATL 17 148 21.1
18 Steve Slaton HOU 17 126 18.0
18 Kevin Faulk NE 17 56 9.3
21 Thomas Jones NYJ 15 136 19.4
21 Ronnie Brown MIA 15 110 15.7
21 Maurice Jones-Drew JAC 15 101 14.4
21 Cedric Benson CIN 15 44 11.0
25 Kolby Smith KC 13 35 5.8
26 Justin Fargas OAK 12 81 16.2
27 LenDale White TEN 11 93 13.3
27 Kevin Smith DET 11 78 11.1
27 Fred Jackson BUF 11 67 9.6
27 Ray Rice BAL 11 64 9.1
27 Maurice Morris SEA 11 31 7.8
32 Ahman Green HOU 10 55 11.0
33 Jonathan Stewart CAR 9 100 12.5
33 Ricky Williams MIA 9 83 11.9
33 Jerious Norwood ATL 9 62 8.9
33 Rudi Johnson DET 9 62 8.9
33 BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE 9 23 7.7
38 Julius Jones SEA 8 113 16.1
38 Le’Ron McClain BAL 8 91 13.0
38 Fred Taylor JAC 8 90 12.9
38 Tim Hightower ARI 8 65 9.3
38 T.J. Duckett SEA 8 36 5.1
43 Edgerrin James ARI 7 118 16.9
43 Shaun Alexander WAS 7 10 5.0
43 Aaron Stecker NO 7 13 3.3
46 Michael Bush OAK 6 62 10.3
46 Correll Buckhalter PHI 6 71 10.1
46 Leon Washington NYJ 6 49 7.0
46 Jamaal Charles KC 6 46 6.6
46 Chad Simpson IND 6 8 4.0
46 Leonard Weaver SEA 6 25 3.6
52 Jesse Chatman NYJ 5 7 2.3
52 Michael Robinson SF 5 9 1.1
54 Darren Sproles SD 4 41 5.1
54 Travis Minor STL 4 17 2.4
56 Warrick Dunn TB 3 111 13.9
56 Pierre Thomas NO 3 37 4.6
56 Ryan Moats HOU 3 3 3.0
56 Jason Wright CLE 3 15 2.1
56 Lawrence Vickers CLE 3 13 1.9
56 Brad Hoover CAR 3 13 1.6
62 Greg Jones JAC 2 13 1.9
62 Mike Karney NO 2 11 1.6
62 Justin Griffith OAK 2 11 1.6
62 Ahmard Hall TEN 2 11 1.6
62 Moran Norris DET 2 2 1.0
62 Jason Snelling ATL 2 3 0.4
68 Gary Russell PIT 1 12 4.0
68 J.J. Arrington ARI 1 10 3.3
68 Mike Tolbert SD 1 21 2.6
68 Carey Davis PIT 1 13 2.6
68 Kenny Watson CIN 1 15 2.5
68 Jerome Harrison CLE 1 16 2.3
68 DeShaun Foster SF 1 13 1.6
68 Clifton Smith TB 1 1 1.0
68 Ovie Mughelli ATL 1 4 0.6
68 Owen Schmitt SEA 1 3 0.5
68 Lousaka Polite MIA 1 1 0.5
68 Dan Kreider STL 1 1 0.1
Week 8 Look Leaders
RANK  PLAYER  TEAM WEEK 8 YEAR L/G
1 Matt Jones JAC 16 63 9.0
2 Roddy White ATL 15 72 10.3
3 Steve Breaston ARI 14 53 7.6
4 Jerricho Cotchery NYJ 13 54 7.7
4 Frank Gore SF 13 45 5.6
6 Andre Johnson HOU 12 83 11.9
6 Anquan Boldin ARI 12 47 9.4
6 Lee Evans BUF 12 50 7.1
6 Dallas Clark IND 12 38 6.3
10 Larry Fitzgerald ARI 11 68 9.7
10 Wes Welker NE 11 67 9.6
10 T.J. Houshmandzadeh CIN 11 76 9.5
10 Santana Moss WAS 11 66 8.3
10 Laveranues Coles NYJ 11 56 8.0
10 Randy Moss NE 11 52 7.4
16 Dwayne Bowe KC 10 74 10.6
16 Lance Moore NO 10 55 6.9
16 Donnie Avery STL 10 33 5.5
16 Billy Miller NO 10 31 4.4
20 Antonio Bryant TB 9 64 8.0
20 Terrell Owens DAL 9 64 8.0
20 DeSean Jackson PHI 9 56 8.0
20 Chad Johnson CIN 9 57 7.1
20 Ted Ginn Jr. MIA 9 40 5.7
20 Chris Chambers SD 9 33 5.5
20 LaDainian Tomlinson SD 9 41 5.1
27 Steve Smith CAR 8 59 9.8
27 Reggie Wayne IND 8 65 9.3
27 Muhsin Muhammad CAR 8 62 7.8
27 Greg Camarillo MIA 8 52 7.4
27 Bobby Engram SEA 8 28 7.0
27 Shaun McDonald DET 8 37 5.3
27 Bo Scaife TEN 8 35 5.0
27 Dominic Rhodes IND 8 30 4.3
27 Kevin Smith DET 8 25 3.6
36 Hines Ward PIT 7 53 7.6
36 Torry Holt STL 7 47 6.7
36 Chris Cooley WAS 7 52 6.5
36 Vincent Jackson SD 7 52 6.5
36 Kevin Walter HOU 7 44 6.3
36 Antonio Gates SD 7 46 5.8
36 Steve Smith NYG 7 38 5.4
36 Marion Barber DAL 7 38 4.8
36 Kevin Faulk NE 7 25 4.2
36 Jerious Norwood ATL 7 26 3.7
36 Earnest Graham TB 7 27 3.4
36 Mark Bradley KC 7 11 2.8
48 Braylon Edwards CLE 6 55 7.9
48 Tony Gonzalez KC 6 55 7.9
48 Calvin Johnson DET 6 55 7.9
48 Joey Galloway TB 6 23 7.7
48 Kevin Curtis PHI 6 6 6.0
48 Arnaz Battle SF 6 42 5.3
48 Michael Jenkins ATL 6 34 4.9
48 Ashley Lelie OAK 6 33 4.7
48 Brian Westbrook PHI 6 23 4.6
48 Nate Washington PIT 6 31 4.4
48 Jerramy Stevens TB 6 26 4.3
48 Marshawn Lynch BUF 6 30 4.3
48 Michael Clayton TB 6 29 4.1
48 Marcedes Lewis JAC 6 29 4.1
48 Chris Johnson TEN 6 27 3.9
48 Chansi Stuckey NYJ 6 26 3.7
48 Dennis Northcutt JAC 6 18 3.6
48 Limas Sweed PIT 6 7 3.5
48 Derrick Ward NYG 6 22 3.1
48 Steve Heiden CLE 6 18 2.6
48 Leonard Weaver SEA 6 18 2.6
48 Brian Finneran ATL 6 16 2.3
48 Keenan Burton STL 6 9 2.3
48 Brad Cottam KC 6 7 1.0
72 Plaxico Burress NYG 5 50 8.3
72 Derrick Mason BAL 5 53 7.6
72 Marvin Harrison IND 5 50 7.1
72 Isaac Bruce SF 5 44 5.5
72 Zach Miller OAK 5 33 4.7
72 L.J. Smith PHI 5 27 4.5
72 Mike Furrey DET 5 28 4.0
72 Maurice Jones-Drew JAC 5 27 3.9
72 Brandon Jones TEN 5 24 3.4
72 Alge Crumpler TEN 5 22 3.1
72 Dustin Keller NYJ 5 20 2.9
72 Kevin Boss NYG 5 19 2.7
72 Mewelde Moore PIT 5 19 2.7
72 Aaron Stecker NO 5 10 2.5
72 James Hardy BUF 5 17 2.4
72 Chaz Schilens OAK 5 16 2.3
72 Jason Hill SF 5 5 0.6
89 Justin Gage TEN 4 27 6.8
89 Owen Daniels HOU 4 45 6.4
89 Roy Williams DAL 4 44 6.3
89 Anthony Gonzalez IND 4 42 6.0
89 Devery Henderson NO 4 34 4.3
89 Robert Royal BUF 4 29 4.1
89 Koren Robinson SEA 4 12 4.0
89 Anthony Fasano MIA 4 27 3.9
89 Heath Miller PIT 4 26 3.7
89 Leon Washington NYJ 4 26 3.7
89 Javon Walker OAK 4 22 3.7
89 Ronald Curry OAK 4 23 3.3
89 Vernon Davis SF 4 25 3.1
89 Bryant Johnson SF 4 25 3.1
89 Reggie Kelly CIN 4 22 2.8
89 Le’Ron McClain BAL 4 19 2.7
89 Jerheme Urban ARI 4 19 2.7
89 Dwayne Jarrett CAR 4 13 2.6
89 Dante’ Hall STL 4 17 2.4
89 Darren Sproles SD 4 15 1.9
89 Deuce McAllister NO 4 10 1.7
89 Antonio Pittman STL 4 6 1.5

Note: Looks data provided by FFToday.com

Matt Buser is a Yahoo! Sports fantasy expert. Send Matt a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
Updated Oct 29, 2:34 am EDT
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