News & Info/Headlines

Howdy boys and girls. ... With more than a month of intense print-publication work -- more specifically completion of this year's Fantasy Football Pro Forecast, DraftBook, CheatSheets and Football Diehards magazines (those interested can order here) -- under my belt, it's nice to get back to posting more regularly on the site.

I know what you're thinking: It's July. There isn't any news.

Well. ... That's not necessarily a bad thing. No news is good news and as we all know, football-related headlines this time of year are rarely positive. So the hope here is things remain quiet until training camps begin opening later this month. Besides, there's always plenty to discuss during the quiet time before camps open.

And that's precisely what I'll do with the Fantasy Notebook throughout the rest of the month. This weekend, we'll take a look at situations involving some of the league's top running backs from a Fantasy perspective.

We'll start with the Titans. ... As Nashville Tennessean staff writer Jim Wyatt pointed noted on Wednesday, heading into last season, it was unclear how the Titans would split the carries between running backs Chris Brown and Travis Henry.

A year later, the situation is even murkier with the addition of LenDale White.

Even as Billy Volek joked about the situation, suggesting the Titans are "getting ready to install the wishbone," head coach Jeff Fisher is making not secret of his desire to run the ball in 2006.

"Obviously, we're going to get back to old-school football and run it," Fisher said. "That's our intention, that's our desire, and that's where the work has been emphasized this offseason."

While we're pleased to hear there's an overall strategy, Fantasy owners would be more interested in knowing who winds up getting the bulk of those carries. Not surprisingly, Fishers has little interest in helping us out.

"As far as who does it? Well, we have some great options right now," the coach pointed out. "We will not have a shortage of running backs by no means."

No doubt about that. But does it guarantee improved rushing totals? Does it ensure a Fantasy stud?

As Wyatt reminded readers, a year ago, no Titan running back eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a game for the first time since the 1986 season. The team finished 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards per game, while the NFL's best teams ran it often, and ran it well.

On a more positive note, Brown, who suffered a broken hand last offseason and missed time in mini-camps, has been healthy this offseason. He's also added 10 pounds to his 6-3 frame.

According to coaches, he has also improved in pass protection, which puts him ahead of the other backs.

Indeed, as the Sporting News recently noted, Brown has several strengths, beginning with his quickness. He's not a big, powerful runner, but he's fast and he proved to be a valuable weapon catching the football out of the backfield last year as well.

TSN went on to suggest that Brown still needs to get a better feel for when contact is coming so he can lower his shoulder and avoid the big hits that have injured him in the past.

The additional 10 pounds (Brown says he'll open training camp at 230 pounds) should help in that area.

Meanwhile, Henry is healthy after ankle surgery and thinks he can return to his Pro Bowl days in Buffalo.

"I feel better, I'm more confident, I'm used to the players and the system," said the former Bill, who rushed for just 335 yards last year. "It is just a better situation, and it is going to be better results, too."

Still, there are those -- myself among them -- who believe White is ready to make a major splash as a rookie. And according to Wyatt, the newcomer should be an immediate factor in short-yardage situations this fall, with hopes of doing much more.

"When I was brought in, the first thing coach Fisher said to me was, 'We have a commitment to running the football, and we're getting back to that.' In the past when we were successful it was because of Eddie [George] and how he was able to get the job done," White, who rushed for 3,159 yards and 52 touchdowns in three college seasons, told Wyatt.

"We have a number of backs, and it is going to fun to see what we can do. All of the guys here have carried the load at some time or another. I guess if we can all come together as a group it is going to be a lot of fun."

Since George's last season with the Titans in 2003, the team has gone with the pass-first approach, a situation Wyatt blames on inconsistent play at the position and the fact that coaches have been forced to abandon the run while playing from behind.

In each of the past two seasons, the Titans threw it more times than they ran it. The combined total is 1,183 passes to 817 carries. The combined record over that time frame: 9-23. In 2000 and 2002, the Titans ran it more than they threw it, and made the playoffs both seasons. In playoff seasons of '99 and '03, they threw it more, but there was much more of a balance.

Wyatt advised readers that's what the Titans are hoping to get back to this fall.

"I have always been a balance guy," offensive coordinator Norm Chow explained. "I have always prided myself in being balanced. In fact, one year in college we were 388 run to 386 pass. But the play selection last year, we didn't have a chance because we were behind.

"We want to be able to run the football. We'll try and find the strengths of all the guys and take advantage of them."

Needless to say, the team's plans for using the backs will begin to come into better focus once they open training camp late this month.

Until then, I'll go ahead and toss out my thoughts. ... Brown made it through 2005 without suffering a major injury, but despite playing in 15 games he gained just 851 yards on 224 carries, and his average per carry decreased as the season wore on.

In 11 games in 2004, Brown gained 1,067 yards on four fewer carries. And while he only missed one game in 2005, he was limited in several games and wasn't able to practice much at the end of the season.

And until Henry proves his head is on right -- and he can avoid injury, at least through training camp -- I'll withhold judgment.

Meanwhile, the Titans are convinced they stole White in the second round of April's draft. The former USC standout led the nation with 24 touchdowns last year and didn't fumble once.

In 572 touches in three years, White fumbled four times. He scored 52 career touchdowns. And even though he lasted until the second round -- thanks primarily to questions about attitude, work ethic and a torn -- team officials viewed White as a top-five talent all along.

According to those who follow the team closely, coaches believe he's tougher than both Brown and Henry. I agree. In fact, I think White has a very good chance to emerge as a legitimate NFL workhorse.

On the other hand, Brown, who claims he's ready for another chance to prove himself in the featured role, and Henry have done just about everything in their power to prove otherwise.

All of which explains why Brown and Henry currently fall slightly below White on my rankings (access the FootballDiehards customizable, web-based cheatsheets here).

I will, of course, be watching developments closely (and adjusting rankings accordingly) once camp opens -- and I recommend you do the same. But even if he's limited to the red-zone role currently planned, White, who is said to be healthy and down to a rather svelte 235 pounds, could be a draft-day steal. ...

In Washington. ... According to Yahoo! Sports national correspondent Charles Robinson, Clinton Portis has been waiting for something. Something that would help him achieve as desired since joining the Redskins.

What is that something?

"A guy like Al Saunders," Portis said of the team' new offensive coordinator. "And an offense like this."

In an article published June 30, Robinson informed readers that the first time Portis sat down and really went through some of the offensive film produced by Saunders -- highlight clips featuring backs like Priest Holmes, Marshall Faulk and Larry Johnson -- he finally understood his good fortune.

"I remember saying this is the [expletive] I've been waiting for," Portis said.

As far as Portis can see, what Saunders brings to Washington is like nothing he's ever seen.

Things like four- and five-wide receiver sets. Quicker huddles. Adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Up-tempo management. And most importantly, much wider rushing lanes -- thanks in large part to what should be a more diverse passing attack with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley getting help from newcomers Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd. David Patten's return from knee surgery could further enhance that group.

"Looking around at Lloyd and Randle El and Patten -- looking around at guys that should have spectacular years, along with Santana and Cooley -- that's going to open [things] up a lot," Portis said. "You can't put eight people in the box. If you do, we're going to throw a bomb on you. You'll rather give me 20 or 30 [yards] than give them 80."

While the passing attack will depend greatly on Mark Brunell, Portis remains confident.

"The last time I saw a field spread out like this was in Denver," Portis said. "We didn't spread it out around here. That wasn't our system. You had to adapt. You had to change your game to fit whatever they brought to you. Now I've got the golden opportunity. For two years, I had the opportunity of getting pounded. Pounded here and pounded there. But I found a way out of that and I have the opportunity of my career.

"You don't have to talk to those guys who have gone through him before. Just go look at the film. When Marshall Faulk was in his prime, coach Saunders was there. When Priest was in his prime, coach Saunders was there. If I'm in my prime, I'm in the right place."

All of which -- to Portis -- provides hope for a career year.

Robinson agrees. In fact, he advised readers that Portis could make a run at the single-season record for rushing touchdowns.

Robinson admitted, however, that some will scoff at the idea of Portis making a run at 20-plus touchdowns, particularly in what might be the NFL's toughest division.

But he argued, even the upgrades by the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles don't promise to improve run defenses that ranked from 12th to 21st last season. And he's right.

Portis, meanwhile, is counting on Saunders and other off-season additions to make a difference, especially after seeing a diminutive Holmes develop into one of the most prolific scorers in league history with the Chiefs.

Remember: Holmes is officially listed at 5-9 and 213 pounds; Portis, who stands 5-11, told Robinson he expects to arrive in training camp between 210 and 212 pounds, shedding the weight he gained to sustain last year's pounding.

As a result, he's boasting a more cut physique to suit the quickness Saunders' offense requires.

And Portis points out that he's just now entering the four-year window that should be the peak of his career.

"I've got to hit some home runs before people start writing me off and saying I can't do it anymore," he explained. "I'm looking for a couple of 90-yarders this year.

"You look at my start in this league, and only Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James have had [an initial four seasons] like me. I look back, two years ago, I had 1,300 yards. People wrote me off like I was a bust. And the people that [the media] are hugging up on now haven't even had 1,300 yards. If 1,300 is my worst season, bro, I'm all for that."

And with the new scheme?

"Hopefully, the only thing that changes for me is by the third quarter I'll be sitting on the sideline with my hat turned to the back, waving to the cameras, talking about how this win is in the books and we'll see you next week. ..."

Although Portis has yet to score more than 15 touchdowns as a pro (which he did as a rookie in Denver), Saunders' presence and the impressive totals racked up by those working under him in the past certainly put Robinson's 20-plus TD prediction well within the realm of possibility. ...

Also in Washington. ... The Sports Xchange reports that Saunders has been raving about No. 2 man Ladell Betts, who's due to be a free agent in March.

Betts ran for 338 yards on 89 carries last season, caught 10 passes for 78 yards and scored once on the ground, once through the air and on a 94-yard kickoff return. He averaged 25.9 yards on kickoff returns.

"I don't know if people realize what a quality player Ladell is," Saunders said. "He's a three-dimensional player -- he runs the ball, he can catch it and he can block well enough to be successful. Clinton is Clinton, one of the dominant backs in the NFL.

"Having somebody like Ladell has been a surprise because I knew he was good, but not this good. We'll have situations where Ladell and Clinton will be in the game at the same time.

"Ladell deserves to play and we've got to find a way to get him on the field and not just as a back-up player to Clinton."

I would suggest that will be difficult if Portis is playing as well as expected. ...

In Baltimore. ... According to Washington Examiner staff writer Matt Palmer, Jamal Lewis looked like a man refreshed during recent mini-camp workouts. All of the injuries and contract squabbles were behind him. Any lingering issues had melted away.

"Oh yeah, I feel like it's a new beginning," Lewis said. "I'm starting off with a new contract and starting off free and clear. I think I'm in a good situation. I'm happy right now and I have everything behind me with my future to look forward to. I'm trying to make the best of it."

Teammates have noticed a re-energize Lewis.

"Jamal looks very fast," Kyle Boller said. "Jamal looks like he's at ease. He's catching the ball great. I think Jamal is really starting to get out here and has a lot to go out there for this year. It's going to be fun."

Palmer went on to remind readers that Lewis is coming off a chaotic 2005 season that saw him hampered by an ankle injury. He gained less than 1,000 yards. Some critics said Lewis was taking plays off in order to not get injured during his contract year, something Lewis denied.

The good news?

During June workouts, Lewis caught passes out of the backfield and ran confidently behind his offensive line. In fact, he looked sharp enough for some observers to begin speculating on the 26-year-old's chances of regaining his 2003 form, a season in which he ran for more than 2,000 yards and was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Head coach Brian Billick told Palmer the difference for Lewis between this season and last is "huge."

"He is fine and ready to go. It's great to have Jamal back," Billick said. ... It would be even better, of course, if Lewis regains that 2003 form.

Should that happen -- or if he can even come close to that effort -- Lewis, whose current AntSports.com Average Draft Position (18th among all running backs in standard 12-team drafts) has him going early in the third round, might wind up as one of this year's best Fantasy values. ...

In Philadelphia. ... According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, the Eagles have spent considerable time and energy this offseason devising additional ways to better utilize Brian Westbrook.

Because they lack proven wide receivers -- and because of the presence of second-year running back Ryan Moats -- Schefter suggests that coaches could wind up lining up Westbrook as a receiver even more than they have in other seasons as part of their effort to get him the ball more often.

However they do it, Westbrook is expected to catch a sizable number of passes and become even more of a multi-dimensional weapon than he has been. This is the season that this Eagles running back will be spreading his wings. ...

In a related note. ... The Xchange reports that Correll Buckhalter, who has missed two of the last three seasons with knee injuries, didn't participate in the spring mini-camps, and it's unlikely he'll be ready to go when training camp begins.

"He's making progress," head coach Andy Reid said. "He's doing some change-of-direction stuff and looks like he's able to push off that leg a little bit better than he was. We'll see. It's his second surgery, so we have to feel very comfortable with how he feels.

"We start up in a month, so we need to see how much progress he makes in a month."

I'll be watching, but Buckhalter has a long road to go in terms of proving himself worthy of Fantasy consideration. ...

In Detroit. ... In an article published last Sunday, Detroit Free Press beat man Nicholas J. Cotsonika reported that new head coach Rod Marinelli initially comes across as almost soft-spoken -- until he starts talking football.

Once the topic comes up, Cotsonika advises us that Marinelli can't help himself. He starts to get fired up. That's especially true when he hits on core principles -- like "pounding the rock."

"It's hard to do," Marinelli said of that run-oriented offensive philosophy. "The consistency and the mental toughness it takes to do that is really hard. Really hard."

But make no mistake about it; the Lions will have just such a mentality under Marinelli.

So, as the Xchange noted last weekend, the Lions' running game is certain to come under close scrutiny when the team opens training camp in late July.

They ranked 26th in the NFL last season with Kevin Jones, Shawn Bryson and Artose Pinner sharing the workload in a drab, ineffective West Coast offense.

Jones, Bryson and Pinner all are back for 2006, along with free agent acquisition Arlen Harris and third-round draft pick Brian Calhoun from Wisconsin.

And while Marinelli isn't ready to chisel anybody's name into stone as his starter, there's little doubt that Jones, a former first-round pick, will be that guy. And there's also reason to believe Jones will benefit greatly from offensive coordinator Mike Martz' insistence on a strong running game.

"It's like I've always said since I've been here, we've got to ride [Jones'] coattails," said wide receiver Roy Williams. "We've got to be able to run the football in this league. If we can't do that, we'll be at the bottom of the barrel like we have been the last three years.

"We've got to be able to run the football (and) he's the man to do it. Calhoun can come in and get his little shake on in there and our running game will be at the top of the league."

Marinelli isn't promising the top running game in the NFL but he says he likes what he has seen from Jones in the off-season workouts, especially in becoming a more complete back, capable of catching the ball out of the backfield.

"He's catching the ball well, better," Marinelli said. "And he's worked hard at it. He's caught a million balls. I think he's really done a nice job."

Better still, Martz agrees. "He's a very explosive player that you can hang your hat on," the former Rams honcho said. "He really is. He's just scratching the surface."

Martz also praised his versatility, saying Jones could carry the ball 30 times a game or carry it five and catch it 10.

Like most Fantasy owners, I'm hoping for more of the former than the latter. Either way, I expect Jones to rebound nicely with Martz calling the plays this fall. ...

In Atlanta. ... The Sporting News reported last Sunday that T.J. Duckett hasn't fallen off other teams' radars so much a late June and early July represent one of the few dead zones in the NFL.

Coaches and front-office executives are usually on vacation, but once camp is underway, the Falcons believe the buzz will resume spinning around Duckett's future.

Duckett seems likely to remain an object of Pittsburgh's attention. According to TSN correspondent George Henry, Duce Staley's durability concerns and the retirement of Jerome Bettis could eventually prompt the Steelers to once again inquire about Duckett's availability.

While head coach Bill Cowher will allow veterans Duce Staley and Verron Haynes to compete for the goal-line role this summer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer Gerry Dulac believes Steelers officials wouldn't mind a big veteran back as a safeguard for Staley, who has been injured each of his two seasons with the team.

The Falcons, however, won't trade Duckett until they see if third-round draft choice Jerious Norwood is capable of effectively holding the No. 2 job behind Warrick Dunn.

In case you missed it, Norwood, a third-round pick, turned in the fastest time among all backs at the scouting combine. He ran 40 yards in 4.33 seconds. ...

In Minnesota. ... According to Minneapolis Star Tribune beat man Kevin Seifert, Chester Taylor's absence from the early part of offseason workouts caused some consternation at the Vikings' headquarters.

Taylor, signed as a free agent to be the team's premier runner, reported for the team's initial mini-camp out of shape. That was not a good start for a player expected to get the majority of carries as well as play a key role in the passing game of Brad Childress' version of the West Coast offense.

But Seifert went on to advise readers that Taylor remained in town for the remainder of the team's mini-camps and off-season training workouts, and there appear to be no depth chart concerns as training camp approaches.

In Arizona. ... As Schefter reported last week, the Cardinals paid James big money and now they expect big numbers.

And head coach Dennis Green recently said it would be possible for James to gain numbers that the team never has seen before. "We'd love to get 1,600 yards from him this year, shatter every record we've ever had," Green said.

Should James pile up 1,606 yards, which Green thinks is a possibility, then the former Colt would set the Cardinals all-time single-season rushing record. The man who currently holds it is Ottis Anderson, who ran for 1,605 in 1979.

Although 1,600 yards sounds like a bit of a reach, I'm certainly expecting a top-10 season from James. ...

In Green Bay. ... As the XChange reported last weekend, Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport are on track to be back on the field during training camp.

When, though, hasn't been determined.

Head coach Mike McCarthy would only say "at some point" after the Packers wrapped up three weeks of organized team activities June 21.

Green and Davenport are coming off serious leg injuries that ended their seasons by the midway point last year. Davenport, who sustained a broken right ankle, is ahead of Green in the recovery process and begged the medical staff to clear him for the OTAs, to no avail.

Green is on the mend from a torn right quadriceps tendon. All indications are the team won't rush the Pro Bowler back into practice and might not have him full go until the middle of August.

"I would say if we had to go play a game in training camp that I think those guys would be ready. (But) we're just going to be smart on an individual basis," McCarthy said.

The longer Green and Davenport take to get back into the flow, the more chances Samkon Gado and Noah Herron will get to prove their mettle in pre-season action. ...

In Cleveland. ... Canton Repository staffer Steve Doerschuk reported last Sunday that fifth-round pick Jerome Harrison's shot at becoming the Browns' third-down back is based on special quickness.

Coaches are entertaining the notion that Harrison is a better home-run threat than Lee Suggs, who has added weight to improve his durability. Suggs envisions himself as an all-around threat who can catch and block better than a rookie, but Harrison made a good first impression on coaches in spring drills. ...

In New York. ... New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer recently hinted that Curtis Martin's days as a 300-carry per season are likely over. While Martin has been one of the most productive players in the league over the last decade, at 33 he's at and age when running backs often hit a wall leading to sudden declines.

As the Xchange reminded readers, Martin has carried the ball at least 316 times in six of his eight seasons as a Jet, but carried the ball just 220 times last season and missed four games due to an ankle injury that required surgery.

As a result, the Jets are expected to get Derrick Blaylock, along with Cedric Houston and rookie Leon Washington, into the mix -- with one of the latter two to be groomed as Martin's successor.

"It's way too early to decipher if Curtis can do that," Schottenheimer said. "If we have four running backs we think can play, we're going to be flexible enough to play all four."

Although a number of observers are convinced Washington will ultimately emerge as Martin's successor, Houston still seems like the more likely candidate to me. ...

And finally, in New Orleans. ... With Reggie Bush, Deuce McAlister, Aaron Stecker and Michael Bennett all in the mix, the Saints have as much depth at running back as any team in the league.

For now. ...

Team officials are still reportedly open to trading Bennett. But according to Schefter, the Saints continue to insist that unless they get a high mid-round pick for the former Viking they will bring him to training camp. Then, should another team suffer a significant injury at that position, the Saints might have more leverage in trading Bennett.

Recent reports indicate that St. Louis might be among those interested -- especially if Faulk ultimately decides to retire. The Texans have been interested all along, but have had little luck in talks with New Orleans.

It should be noted that Bush missed some of the offseason with injuries and McAllister is still rebounding from last season's torn ACL. As a result, Bennett took the majority of repetitions in practice with the first team during mini-camp workouts.

"We've talked to them over and over again," Houston head coach Gary Kubiak said. "At this point, they aren't just going to let their starting running back go."

For the record, Miami and Kansas City are also on the list of possible suitors.

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll be back with more next Sunday -- lull or no lull.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook.