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Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... After slapping the ol' Notebook together on a weekly basis for quite some time now, I've noticed a tendency for certain teams to get much more attention than others in recent offseasons.

I would also point out -- as you may have noticed -- how much of that attention is focused on the receiving corps of the teams involved.

So while I'll continue to bring as varied a mix as possible as we head toward training camps, the exhibition season and ultimately the regular season, early indications are this will be yet another receiver-driven offseason.

The upside? There's rarely a dull moment. ...

All that being the case, we'll get the ball rolling this week in Cincinnati, where. ... Guess what? More receiver-driven news. What might be most interesting in this case, however, is the direction it's pushing the story.

As in pushing it (and the Bengals' offense along with it) to the ground. ...

It's like this: Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who used to have the NFL's deepest pool of wide receivers at his fingertips, suddenly has just 40 career catches in his system behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson.

Lack of depth at the position is suddenly a major issue -- even working under assumption that Johnson is going to be fully on board (both in body and mind) -- come September.

Sure, the team added Doug Gabriel to the mix on Tuesday. With 101 career catches, he immediately becomes the team's most experienced wideout behind Houshmandzadeh and Johnson.

But Gabriel didn't take a single snap in anger last season after the Raiders released him following training camp.

In Gabriel's last active season -- 2006, he had 30 catches for 428 yards and three touchdowns for Oakland and New England. He had a touchdown and four catches for 57 yards against the Bengals in one of his five Patriots starts before New England cut him late in the year and the Raiders claimed him on waivers.

And one more time: Gabriel wasn't able to make the Raiders' Week 1 roster last year. Nor is he familiar with Bratkowski's scheme.

That will be a problem.

"Our system isn't easy. There is a big-time learning curve," Houshmandzadeh explained last week. "But I've always been a firm believer in that guys will step up."

The top returning option, 5-8, 180-pound Antonio Chatman, doesn't have great size and he has been hampered by groin and hamstring problems the last two years. Glenn Holt is seen more as a special-teamer and while Marcus Maxwell excelled during practice last season, he has just one career NFL catch.

The Bengals will probably use two of their 10 draft picks at the wide receiver spot, but don't look for any quick fixes there. Rookie receivers notoriously struggle.

"The biggest problem is adjusting to the speed of the game and the speed of the people covering them," Bratkowski said. "And the type of coverages they see. Everything has a tendency to slow them down."

The good news?

In discussing last Thursday's release of receiver Chris Henry (and his 17 career touchdown catches), Bratkowski told Bengals.com staffer Geoff Hobson the team began developing contingency plans when Henry was suspended for the first eight games of last season.

"Plan B is not always the best case scenario, but you move forward with what you have," Bratkowski explained. "It changes our dynamic. The big thing you lose is the vertical speed and he did some real nice things in the red zone for us. Now you have to find and use other sources."

Bratkowski points to the (increasingly fortuitous) addition of Ben Utecht, a pass-catching tight end that allows the Bengals to use more double tight-end sets in place of three-receiver formations.

"That's one place to look. A guy that can catch the ball over the middle," he said.

According to Hobson, Houshmandzadeh points to what he always points to: His underused ability to go deep.

"If that's what they want," Houshmandzadeh said, "here I am."

But there is another alternative.

While a different receiving threat and look and more vertical plays for Houshmandzadeh might be one way to offset the loss of Henry's strengths, a more potent rushing attack might be the best way.

Dayton Daily News beat writer Chick Ludwig believes a two-tight end alignment with Utecht and Reggie Kelly will boost the rushing attack noticeably. Given head coach Marvin Lewis' recent proclamation pledging his commitment to run the ball, it certainly makes sense.

At the annual NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. earlier this month, Lewis told reporters the team got away from its run offense.

"We got too cute," Lewis said in reference to his club's heavy reliance on the pass.

"I thought there was some strong language there," right tackle Willie Anderson said this week. "It was a message sent to a lot of people. I know Rudi (Johnson) called me up to tell me how excited he was about what Marvin said. We have to get back to the emphasis we had on the run in Carson [Palmer's] first year (2004) because he was so young.

"That's what helped him become a Pro Bowl quarterback."

It's safe to say Johnson is on board with any renewed emphasis on the run.

"I've talked to Marvin and he wants to run the ball," the veteran tailback said this week. "He wants to get it back to when we ran at will and then threw it over people's heads. ... We've gotten away from that."

Johnson also reminded Hobson that next to Kenny Watson and fullback Jeremi Johnson, he's the only other healthy back on the roster (the Bengals released reserve Quincy Wilson this week; Kenny Irons and Chris Perry are coming off injuries).

"I'm only 28. I'm one of the youngest guys on the team. A lot of people would like to be 28 (29 on Oct. 1). I'm going to be back better than I ever was," Johnson said. "My injury is totally behind me. I'm healthy. In my mind I'm not a question mark.

"There are always people that have criticized me, but that's never bothered me."

As Hobson characterized it, Johnson's pulled hamstring in the third week of last season became the symbol of the Bengals offense coming up lame.

They put up gaudy passing numbers, but they couldn't score when they needed points and they couldn't take over games for a depleted defense. Not with a running game ranked 24th.

"With me hurt, they tried to do some other things," Johnson said. "It didn't work. We had our worst season (under Lewis)."

Hence Lewis' desire to re-establish the run like his early Bengals teams that culminated in the 2005 AFC North title.

"Marvin said it after one of the games last year," Johnson said. "Until we run the ball and stop the run, we're not going to get to where we want to go. And you can't blame them because we haven't been able to run it consistently when they've called it."

According to Hobson, Johnson chalks that up to injury -- his and those across the offensive line. He doesn't want to hear the theory that his yard per carry has dipped to 3.5 since 2006 because he's become leaner and not as powerful.

Indeed, the offensive line that stayed intact for 2005 has had 10 different starting lineups since.

"And last year," he said, "I got hurt and it was never right. I tried to come back too soon. I was too anxious. But the week before I got hurt, I had a 100-yard game (118 at five yards per carry in Cleveland)."

But Johnson knows he has to fix some things, too. He calls them "little," tweaks as his workouts -- with strength coaches Chip Morton and Ray Oliver -- have focused on his legs.

"That's another reason I'm excited. Marvin, Chip, Ray, and me, we're all on the same page," Johnson said. "Anybody who has been around me knows I know what I need to work on and I'll work hard to do it."

Morton admits there are many "Rudi Theories," running about.

Here's a guy who came into the 2007 season leading the NFL the previous three seasons in carries and fourth in yards. But the injury limited him to 11 games, 170 carries and 2.9 yards per carry.

According to Hobson, Morton and Johnson don't buy into the theory that his bid to get leaner the past two years robbed him of some of the size and strength he used to bang out 4-plus yards per carry.

"If becoming leaner and fitter is a detriment, that doesn't make sense," Morton said. "But if he feels better putting on a few more pounds, it's not going to hurt him. I certainly don't think it's significant enough to make a difference."

Johnson agrees. He came into the 2003 training camp, the year he won the job, at 223 pounds. When he set the club carries record a few months later with 43, he was 217. Last season he played around 212 and 213.

"I might play a little bigger. 217, 218," Johnson said. "But I don't think that's the big thing. I think taking care of my legs and working on the body are the big things. I didn't get smaller. I got hurt."

In the end, Johnson thinks getting back the team's 2003-2005 mindset will make a difference.

"Last year, defenses didn't fear us running the ball," Johnson said. "We've got to get back to teams putting that safety down there instead of running them back. We've got to get defenses to respect the short pass, the long pass and not knowing when we're going to throw it over their heads.

"That's why I'm excited. That's the way I love to play. ..."

Getting back to the receiving corps -- and specifically Chad Johnson -- for a brief moment. ... As Pro Football Weekly pointed out this week, Lewis' strong comments about the disgruntled wideout at the league meetings marked a change in tone for him; he had been known for his measured comments about his talented but volatile star receiver.

This time Lewis, who indicated Johnson would have to either play for the Bengals or sit out the '08 season, took a hard-line approach. PFW advised readers the Bengals' resentment about Johnson's public lobbying for a trade has been building for some time.

All of which makes a report by SI.com's Peter King so interesting. ... According to King, Johnson's agent Drew Rosenhaus was in close conversation with Lewis at one point during the owners meetings.

As King reported it: "Rosenhaus was gesturing and speaking quickly while Lewis stood straight up, arms folded across his chest, looking stern and mostly saying nothing. It went on for a few minutes, and Lewis kept his arms folded with a stone face.

"It's obvious that Rosenhaus was saying something to the effect of, Marvin, come on. You know the guy's not coming back, and you know you can wangle a low first-round pick for Chad from someone like Dallas.

"And you know Lewis' body language was saying, Forget you, Drew. Chad's not going anywhere. ..."

For what it's worth, King still believes Johnson's gone, but not until late in the preseason, when the Bengals will tire of the headache and dump him to the highest bidder. ...

In Denver (following up on another ongoing receiver-related story). ... Brandon Marshall was in Florida last weekend getting the heavy cast off his surgically repaired right forearm.

"The doctor said it looks good," Marshall said. "All we have to do now is wait for the artery to come around, but everything else is healing well."

As noted in a previous Notebook, Marshall was on a family vacation in Orlando, Fla., the morning of March 22, when a horseplay wrestling match ended with his arm going through an entertainment system.

Marshall, 24, was immediately whisked to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to repair lacerations to an artery, a vein, a nerve, two tendons and three muscles in the forearm and elbow area.

Although the cast has been removed, Marshall will remain in a sling for another four weeks, after which he can start rehabilitation. Marshall's doctor in Florida and the Broncos' medical staff are optimistic Marshall will be ready for the start of training camp in late July.

But as Denver Post staffer Mike Klis suggested, the question then will be how Marshall's arm will function while catching Jay Cutler's high-velocity passes.

"The injury was a little scary, but the good thing about it is I'll be able to fully recover from it," Marshall said. "I'm feeling good."

But a bigger question might be whether Cutler and Marshall's relationship will suffer any from the quarterback's rather strident comments about his star receiver's tendency to find trouble.

Indeed, Cutler seemed at wit's end when he spoke about Marshall's latest incident early this month.

"He's not my favorite person right now," Cutler said. "I support him, but it's always something with him right now and you can't have that. It's disappointing."

With Jeremy Bates taking over the Broncos' passing game, Cutler said that it was imperative for Marshall to participate in all the offseason workouts. That obviously won't be the case now.

"We're going to be fine. I'm not that overly concerned about it, but it just would be nice coming into our third year, coming off a big year he had last year, for him to get more work done and get more time in and just a little more trust out there," Cutler said. "But it's going to take some time now, maybe training camp, maybe even longer."

As Rocky Mountain News beat writer Lee Rasizer noted, Cutler's chastisement of Marshall was surprising because he'd played things close to the vest with his comments in his first two years in Denver.

In fact, this was the first time Cutler had ever called out a teammate.

PFW believes it's a sign that Cutler is set to become more of a leader in the locker room. Cutler had typically been short with the media thus far in his pro career and never showed much emotion during interviews.

Rasizer further confirmed the PFW report by advising readers that Cutler spoke with some of the veteran players last season, and they said he needed to have a more authoritative voice.

Rasizer also believes the decision to tell Marshall his off-field antics -- whether accidental or not -- have to stop is a clear sign Cutler has taken that advice to heart. ...

Given all that, it was interesting to learn that John Elway had no problem with Cutler calling out a teammate -- although the Broncos' legendary quarterback made it clear he would have taken a different approach.

"I was surprised to hear it, actually," Elway said Wednesday. "If that's what Jay feels like he needs to comment on, then he needs to do that. I mean, personally, I would have done it to (Marshall).

"To me, as teammates -- even though I've tried to settle things in the press, looking back over the years, it's not been the right way to do it."

Upon being told what Elway said, Cutler was surprised that his initial comments about Marshall had drawn so much attention.

"If I would have known it was going to be such a big story and get picked up by the national media like it did, I probably would have chosen my words a little more carefully," Cutler said.

His desire to become a more vocal leader notwithstanding, it's safe to assume Cutler will be more cautious moving forward. Nonetheless, I'll advise you that his decision to call Marshall out in April isn't going to be a major issue come September.

Make no mistake about it: Marshall is Cutler's favorite receiver, as evidenced by his team-high 102 catches last season. But it goes beyond that.

As Post staffer Jim Armstrong put it this week: "If Cutler is the heart of the Broncos' offense, then Marshall is its soul. Gone are the days when the Broncos could dominate teams on the ground. Their running game still is solid, at times very good, but when times are tough, a pass to No. 15 is the Broncos' best option."

You should also realize that Marshall and Cutler also have become friends off the field. In February, Cutler, Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler worked out together with renowned trainer Chip Smith in Atlanta.

"People have to understand about Brandon Marshall and I. We go out to dinner together, we went to Atlanta together," Cutler said. "I've talked to Brandon about this many times. It's not like this is the first time he heard this from me. Everything I said in that press conference I've said to Brandon before.

"I don't think he was shocked to hear what I said. Maybe he was a little embarrassed, but hopefully it will help him."

Marshall's response?

"I'm fine. I don't want to talk about this situation anymore," Marshall said. "I don't even know all that was said. I just want to get this behind me and get back on the field."

For what it's worth, PFW also noted that for all his antics off the field, insiders say that Marshall isn't a bad guy but does have somewhat of a temper. ...

In a related note. ... Elway was asked if Cutler's public remarks about Marshall were a sign Cutler is ready to become the team's primary leader.

"We'll see. There's talk and there's do," Elway said. "The bottom line is there's talk and there's wins. And there's one thing that talks and that's wins, so we'll see."

"John can say what he wants," Cutler said. "I'm not about to disagree with John Elway, but I've said from Day One, we're not the same quarterback on or off the field. ..."

One last item out of Denver. ... Associated Press sports writer Arnie Stapleton reports that Cutler isn't losing any sleep over the departure of the oft-injured and often cranky Javon Walker, who signed with the rival Raiders.

"Javon's a great receiver, but Javon he likes the spotlight and he likes the ball coming to him a lot," Cutler said. "With Brandon and him out there it would be tough. You've got to have a No. 1 guy you want to go to.

"I think Brandon was going to be my guy. I don't know if Javon was going to be OK with 40, 50, 60 balls. ..."

Which brings us to Oakland. ... As King noted on Monday, it was interesting to hear head coach Lane Kiffin tell reporters that Walker's chronic knee problem "was a major concern" after the Raiders gave him a six-year, $55-million deal with $16 million guaranteed.

Coming on the heels of strong speculation in Denver that Walker will need more surgery soon, Kiffin's comment merits some attention. Especially considering that Walker has missed 23 games the last three years due to injury -- and he has a total of 99 catches in those three seasons. ...

Meanwhile, Contra Costa Times beat writer Steve Corkran reports the Raiders are gearing up for the JaMarcus Russell era by installing a number of plays to take advantage of his strong arm.

Corkran reminded readers that last season, the Raiders relied on a bevy of short passes with Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper at quarterback.

With Russell, the Raiders feel they have a quarterback who can consistently complete long passes, making their offense more dynamic and less predictable.

It's going to take time, however, for things to come together.

Russell missed all of training camp last season because of an impasse over his contract and started only one game. As Corkran further reminded readers, in that one start (against San Diego), Russell rarely even attempted passes longer than 15 yards and showed he has plenty of developing to do before he can be counted upon to carry an offense by himself. ...

Also in Oakland. ... After months of speculation about his future as the Raiders' head coach, Kiffin confronted some of the rumors but did not put them to rest last week at the owners' meetings.

But for now, it appears Kiffin has weathered an off-season storm that began once owner Al Davis found out Kiffin had shown interest in college coaching vacancies at Arkansas and Michigan. Kiffin indicated there was some truth to reports that his relationship with Davis had unraveled, but he didn't directly answer whether or not it was true that Davis had drafted a letter of resignation for him to sign.

As PFW noted, Kiffin spoke candidly, but carefully, admitting that Davis functions not only as an owner but as a general manager, college scout and defensive coordinator much of the time, as well.

While it's not exactly clear how their partnership works, it appears Kiffin and Davis have come to a mutual agreement and will put aside their differences in the short term.

However, if the Raiders get off to a slow start next season, PFW believes that truce will come to an end in short order. ...

In Washington. ... Chris Cooley caught 231 passes for 2,609 yards and 27 touchdowns in four years under departed coach Joe Gibbs. And the tight end is coming off his first Pro Bowl season.

But according to the Sports Xchange, Cooley is excited about his role in new head coach Jim Zorn's West Coast system.

"I got a head start on the offense because Green Bay's coaching staff was the coaching staff in the Pro Bowl and they run the exact same offense, pretty much word for word," Cooley said. "I'm not saying we got into the whole offense, but we got into quite a bit and I've (already) spent some time on the field with coach Zorn and (quarterback Jason Campbell). I feel like I'll pick it up very quickly."

Any downside?

Well. ... Cooley doesn't expect to make as many plays downfield under Zorn.

"They're going to try get me the ball a little bit shorter, a little bit easier and let me run with the ball which is obviously what I'm best at," Cooley said. "I think I'll have the chance to make big plays, but I'll have the chance more to carry the ball and make big plays with my legs."

Whatever the case, Zorn is excited about how Cooley will fit his scheme.

"Probably the key areas are tight end -- what type of tight end are you going to have?" Zorn said. "Are you going to have more than two or three receivers at any time? To be diversified in that group is important. ..."

Meanwhile, Zorn also told reporters last week that Campbell will have to "develop over several years" in order to grasp the complexities of the West Coast system he preaches and is installing, much like Matt Hasselbeck -- the coach's former protégé -- had to do in Seattle.

But according to SI.com insider Don Banks, a longtime NFL head coach who happens to have a background in the West Coast Offense expressed some doubts recently about Campbell's transition to the version of that offense that Zorn brings to the Redskins.

As Richmond Times staffer Paul Woody explained this past week, Campbell needs to be more decisive and release the ball before the receiver makes his cuts. Zorn wants the ball coming out of Campbell's hand as soon as his back foot hits the ground on his third or fifth step.

In the longtime coach's words, things could "be ugly" with Campbell trying to play that style of offense.

Asked specifically about Campbell's suitability to that offense it should come as no surprise to learn that Zorn was much more optimistic than Banks' source.

"Let's say a guy can't move very well," Zorn told Banks. "You can manage [in the West Coast], but it's not very dynamic. You'd rather have a guy who can actually move. He's got to be able to move in the pocket. He's got to have feet that can get him out of trouble.

"Jason's got excellent feet. I'm getting him to play -- what is he, like 6-5? -- from just a little bit lower position. So he's in a better position to make a sudden move, and not standing so straight up. It's such a process, but I'm absolutely very confident he can play it."

According to PFW, Campbell has spent considerable time focusing on his footwork -- with Zorn -- since the new coach took over.

And while the entire offense has yet to be installed, Zorn said he has a working playbook that will be ready to be implemented in mini-camp and that Campbell already has a decent feel for the plays he'll be expected to run. ...

In New England. ... Coming off a franchise-record 112-catch season that turned him from what Boston Globe staffer Christopher L. Gasper characterized as "plucky overachiever to archetypal NFL slot receiver," Wes Welker heads into his second season with the Patriots as a much more visible threat.

In addition to tying Houshmandzadeh for tops in the NFL in receptions, Welker had 1,175 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He was a key component in a Patriots attack that set the NFL record for points in a season (589).

So what can the 5-9, 185-pounder do for an encore?

Welker, speaking after a session of the Patriots' offseason conditioning program last week, told Gasper he's not concerned about statistics.

"I don't feel any added pressure. It's just going out there and doing my job and making sure I'm coming through for those guys," said Welker.

Welker said during the offseason program he has studied film to determine ways he can improve, whether it's as a route-runner or as a blocker in the running game.

"There is always something. I don't care who you are, you can always improve," said Welker. "Even Tom [Brady] will say he can improve."

Still, as Gasper suggested, it seems unrealistic to expect Welker to top last year's production, especially with teams now aware of his ability. Jacksonville cornerback Rashean Mathis said before the Patriots' playoff meeting with the Jaguars that Welker is playing slot receiver better than anyone in the NFL.

That means teams are likely to try to take Brady's security blanket from him more this season.

"If that's how they want to play it, that's great," said Welker. "That's going to open us up and help us do some more things in other places. ..."

In Baltimore. ... According to The Sporting News, third-year receiver Demetrius Williams could become the team's breakout player in 2008. As Baltimore Sun staffer Mike Preston wrote for TSN, Williams has excellent speed and good hands.

Last year he improved his route running and became more aggressive. He showed more acceleration going in and coming out of breaks.

Now, Williams needs to work on toughness and strength. According to Preston, Williams needs to add some bulk to his frame, while at the same time show that he can break tackles after the catch.

Williams plays in the slot, and can usually get mismatches because of his speed. But if he overcomes this final hurdle as far as adding strength, Preston believes he would become a key player for the Ravens this season. ...

In Tennessee. ... After watching tape of Vince Young, the first thing new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger wanted to improve was the quarterback's footwork.

According to Nashville Tennessean staffer Jim Wyatt, in their first session together, Heimerdinger showed Young ways he could improve his accuracy in and out of the pocket by using better footwork.

Heimerdinger came away encouraged by Young's initial improvement.

Wyatt went on to advise readers that in the coming weeks, the two plan to spend time going over changes in the scheme, among other things. Young isn't around full-time during the offseason program because he is taking classes at Texas, but he has been traveling to Nashville on a regular basis to get in as much time as possible with his teammates and coaches. ...

And finally this week, in Leavenworth, Kansas. ... The odds that Michael Vick, who was sentenced to 23 months in December after pleading guilty to federal dog-fighting charges, recently played football for a federal prison team are about as good as the chances of escaping Alcatraz, federal prisons officials say.

This after Falcons owner Arthur Blank told New York Daily News insider Gary Myers that Vick is "staying in shape" the best way he knows how -- by playing prison football.

Vick "played quarterback for both sides," Blank said.

Anybody else out there wondering (hoping) that comment was an intentional (and juvenile) poke (pun intended) at a man to whom he paid so much for so little?

For what it's worth, Vick, who has apparently been writing Blank from prison, also told his former boss he's currently washing pots and pans for 12 cents an hour. ...

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll check in again next Sunday. ... 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.