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Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... The 2008 NFL Draft cranks up six days from now and I'm sure it will all be quite entertaining. And if it's not, the week hype leading up to it certainly will be.

There's nothing like a daily dose of deception, diversion and blowing of smoke to keep a football fan happy.

In the meantime, the Notebook will continue to keep the focus on non-draft related Fantasy-specific tidbits of interest to help you maintain a touch of sanity. ...

We'll get the ball rolling this week in Houston, where head coach Gary Kubiak would hock one of his three Super Bowl rings if he thought it would help the Texans run the ball better.

Indeed, as long-time Houston Chronicle beat writer John McClain recently explained, the most disappointing thing about Kubiak's first two seasons has been the Texans' inability to generate the kind of effective running game that keeps the defense off-balance and helps protect the quarterback.

Under Kubiak, the Texans averaged 105.3 yards and finished 6-10 in 2006. Last season, they averaged 99.1 and finished 8-8.

One problem, as The Sporting News reminded readers this past week, is the fact that Houston has had problems at running back ever since Kubiak arrived.

True that. ... In case you missed it, Ron Dayne, who was supposed to back up Domanick Davis in 2006 and Ahman Green in 2007, led the Texans in rushing both seasons with 612 and 773 yards.

Davis never played for Kubiak because of a bad knee. Green rushed for only 260 yards last season because of a bad knee. And Dayne isn't certain to remain in Houston after giving the Texans more than anyone thought possible.

Still, Kubiak appears to have made a move that should make a major difference this year -- and it has nothing to do with the addition of free-agent acquisition Chris Brown.

According to McClain, it's all about the addition of new assistant head coach Alex Gibbs.

Gibbs will design the Texans' running game. New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will design the passing game and call the plays on game day, with Kubiak having final say.

What should Gibbs mean to the running game?

From 1995 when Denver coach Mike Shanahan and Gibbs put in the zone-blocking and running system through last season, the Broncos ranked in the top five in rushing nine times. They ranked in the top 10 in 12 of those 13 seasons.

The Broncos ranked among the top five in yards per attempt eight times. They ranked in the top 10 11 times.

As McClain explained, those statistics prove that in Gibbs' system, linemen and backs come and go, but production continues to be quite impressive. That's one of the main reasons Kubiak brought Gibbs out of retirement.

After Gibbs retired from the Broncos, he came back to take over the Falcons' running game. He put in the same system. Atlanta led the NFL in rushing in each of his three seasons.

The mentality will be to run first, and see what opens up in the passing game as a result. So, in other words, there's no reason to think the running game won't be dramatically improved.

And if the running game improves, it certainly won't hurt the passing the attack any. It will definitely make it harder for defenses to tee off on quarterback Matt Schaub.

In case you weren't paying attention, Schaub missed five starts last season -- and left four games early -- because of injuries. When the season ended, he had his left shoulder surgically repaired.

"I think the only thing that will hold Matt back is if he does get hurt," offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan recently said. "Matt can legitimately play the position. It's not something he has to get up for. He's just consistent at it. It's what he does, and he's very good at it."

Schaub said he doesn't expect his shoulder to slow him for long. Because the injury was to his non-throwing shoulder, he is able to throw to his receivers. The shoulder isn't ready to take any hard hits, though.

"I'm close to having my full range of motion back. I just need to keep getting my muscles stronger," said Schaub, who will be slightly limited during the offseason conditioning program. "We're moving right along."

According to Chronicle staffer Megan Manfull, most of Schaub's offseason has been spent rigorously rehabilitating his shoulder.

"It's good to see Matt back," Kubiak said. "He's working real hard to come back. He's way ahead of schedule, too. I'm not concerned about him at all."

Even though Sage Rosenfels won four of his five starts as Schaub's backup last season, Kubiak has made it clear that Schaub is the team's No. 1 quarterback.

In fact, those who follow the team closely still believe Rosenfels could be traded if a team were to make a strong offer to the Texans, who recently signed Quinn Gray to be their No. 3 quarterback. But the team most interested, the Vikings, recently signed Gus Frerotte to back up Tarvaris Jackson all but ending their low-key attempts to land Rosenfels.

According to the Sports Xchange, Rosenfels understands the reality of his situation. He is a seven-year NFL veteran who just turned 30. He is still waiting to be an NFL starter. In fact, he's still waiting for an opportunity to even compete for a starting job.

And barring an injury to Schaub, that won't happen.

Schaub showed positive signs in his first year as a starter. He threw nine touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,241 yards. Shanahan sees plenty of reason to be optimistic.

"What I've been so impressed with from Matt is that he doesn't watch the rush," Shanahan said. "He goes through his progressions; he looks downfield. But when a D-lineman gets in his face and he's about to get sacked, he has the quickness and the ability to see that and react -- to know where his eligibles are, know where his outlets are. He gets the ball out of his hands."

Of course, standing in the pocket and holding his ground is what led to some of Schaub's problems last year. He was sacked only 16 times, but he took a number of hits after throwing the ball.

According to Manfull, Shanahan realizes the Texans must find a way to help Schaub stay healthy. There are no simple answers. Even the best intentions can land a quarterback on the sidelines.

"We have to protect him better as a whole group, and Matt has to learn to protect himself," Shanahan said. "And that's not by avoiding the hits, but I think he has to be better at taking the hit and absorbing it and just go with the hit. Sometimes you try to fight it and stand up, and then you land awkwardly on a shoulder, and that's what happens.

"I don't think that's what happened in Matt's case. I just think a big dude landed on him in an awkward position, and that's going to happen no matter what preparation you have."

One could reasonably assume that if the big dude is as focused on stopping the run this year as he was rushing the passer last season, Schaub's chances of remaining upright will improve greatly. ...

In San Diego. ... Although all but one offensive starter returns and that one vacated position (fullback) is being filled internally, the Chargers have some major concerns on that side of the ball.

Their starting quarterback, tight end and center had off-season surgeries that will limit all of them to at least some degree in upcoming workouts, limit them in training camp and in some case could postpone the start of their seasons.

And as San Diego Union-Tribune staffer Kevin Acee pointed out last week, that doesn't even take into account the fact LaDainian Tomlinson is not quite 100 percent yet in his recovery from a knee injury that kept him out for most of the AFC Championship game.

The good news?

As reported in a previous Notebook, Philip Rivers has contested throughout the offseason that patience would be his biggest challenge as he recovers from a February operation to repair the ACL in his right knee.

In fact, the star signal caller at one point promised to rehab like a madman.

And now, 12 weeks into his rehabilitation, Rivers tells the team's official web site he's very pleased with the progress made.

According to Chargers.com staffer Casey Pierce, Rivers started running roughly one week ago and on Friday added some more resistance training to his workout.

"I started out with a little jog," Rivers said. "It feels good. I think I'm ahead, but at least where I need to be right now."

While he isn't ready to handle all the mechanics required to drop-back and throw from the pocket, he is picking up a football and throwing it around a little.

"I can't do the full-speed drops with the timing," he said. "I can stand (still) and give you all I've got. It's the drop. It's getting out there, jamming my foot in the ground and letting it rip. ..."

Still, the fact he's taking as active a role as possible in the first round of off-season workouts is encouraging. And for the record, Rivers is more than confident that he'll be ready for the start of training camp in late July -- if not a series of off-season coaching sessions scheduled for May 19.

"I know I'll be able to (participate in the coaching sessions)," Rivers said. "Whether it's the right thing to do, we'll see. Physically I'll be able to do it but we're going to be smart.

"Regardless, the first day of training camp, other than the brace, I don't think you'll be able to tell. ..."

Tomlinson, meanwhile, is working with his personal trainer and doing everything he normally would at this point in the offseason. He doesn't quite feel like his old self yet but believes he's getting close.

"It's definitely not 100 percent, but the doctors said it wouldn't be 100 percent at this time," Tomlinson said. "The key is to be 100 percent the first week of the season. Right now I would say it's in the 90 percentile, though."

Tomlinson will be on the field for the Chargers' mini-camp the first weekend in May and he plans to attend the voluntary coaching sessions, which begin May 19.

"I should at least be able to participate and do some things," Tomlinson said. "I don't know how much or doing everything, but most of the stuff I should be able to do. ..."

He might even do more than usual this summer.

Eight years into a career in which he has carried the ball a total of 14 times in the preseason -- including the past two Augusts, when he did not take a single snap -- Tomlinson said on Thursday he may actually participate in the preseason.

"We'll have to see how it goes," Tomlinson said. "It may be good for me to play in one preseason game."

According to Acee, Tomlinson said new running backs coach Ollie Wilson, whom he knows and trusts from working with him his rookie season, pointed out how slowly Tomlinson generally starts the regular season.

Said Tomlinson: "Maybe that's a part of not playing in the preseason; maybe it's not. Who knows? Maybe I might get a chance to run a little bit in the preseason."

While there doesn't appear to be any reason to believe Rivers and Tomlinson won't be at full speed come September, Antonio Gates -- and his surgically-repaired toe -- is a different story.

Indeed, Acee advised readers last Sunday that at this point, it's guesswork how far along Gates will be by August or even when the season starts in September. ...

On a more positive note. ... Kicker Nate Kaeding, who kept nailing field goals despite a fractured leg the final two weeks of the season and through the postseason, is healed and should be 100 percent.

He did not have surgery. Instead, the fracture calcified and Kaeding has continued to get stronger. ...

Also in San Diego ... With a wealth of talent at wide receiver, Pro Football Weekly reports the Chargers will be willing to entertain trade offers for receiver Eric Parker.

With Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers entrenched as starters, and promising second-year pro Craig Davis expected to be the No. 3 target, the once go-to guy in the Bolts' WR corps is deemed expendable.

Parker accumulated 187 receptions for 2,586 yards and 11 touchdowns in the first five years of his six-year career in San Diego, before missing all of last season with a broken toe. But because of his toe complications and the prevailing thought that he's an undersized (6-0, 180 pounds) possession receiver, unloading him will prove difficult.

Still, the team isn't likely to cut Parker if a suitable trade fails to materialize.

As PFW suggested, he's still a reliable target in the underneath zones and the Chargers have more than enough salary-cap space to accommodate him. ...

In Kansas City. ... New offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has spent considerable time watching film since he was hired earlier this year. But the veteran coach realizes the time spent in the film room isn't necessarily the way to set his own expectations.

"A lot of the guys that were on that film will not be here next season," Gailey said after the departure of five starters.

Fortunately, the six returning starters -- running back Larry Johnson, tight end Tony Gonzalez, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, offensive linemen Brian Waters and Damion McIntosh and (surprisingly enough) even quarterback Brodie Croyle -- provide Gaily with reason for optimism.

"I see some guys that have some ability to make plays," Gailey said. "What you can't do is just be shooting that scattergun out there and hoping something hits. There's got to be an approach on how you use each of those guys.

"None of those guys will be used exactly how everybody in the stands would expect. We've got to have a plan."

But as Kansas City Star beat man Adam Teicher recently suggested, coming up with that plan figures to be difficult for Gailey at least until after the draft. Almost half of the starting lineup is undetermined. The players who will eventually be given most if not all of those jobs aren't even with the Chiefs yet.

"I have no problem playing rookies," Gailey said. "I've done that everywhere I've been. I started a freshman quarterback in college one time and that's even harder to do."

Croyle, who started six games toward the end of last season, is no longer a rookie but occasionally played like one. The Chiefs lost every one of his starts as he was unable to breathe any life into one of the NFL's worst offensive teams.

"He shows all the signs of being a good, young quarterback," Gailey said. "There's plenty of talent to work with. He's been in and we've talked and he has a good understanding of the game sitting in a chair. That's all I've been exposed to with him. Once you get on the field, that can change and I'll go back to that word 'consistency.' There's not a position you can play unless you're consistent. It's magnified at the quarterback position."

Assuming the Chiefs don't land a quarterback early in next weekend's draft, Gailey must devise a plan for Croyle to get the ball to Johnson, Gonzalez and Bowe so that they're more effective than they were last season.

Looking for some safe assumptions?

According to Teicher, Johnson and the power running game will remain the focal point of the system. Gailey will also design some plays to take advantage of Croyle's ability to roll out of the pocket and throw on the move.

The Chiefs like Bowe's ability to run after the catch, so they will look to get him the ball underneath the coverage so he can make some yards on his own.

"I don't know yet what our strengths are going to be," he said. "We have to wait and see who we are. We'd like to run the football and be more successful that way. We'll have to get the ball to Tony and to Dwayne Bowe. When we get to the end of the season, that's what I hope we would have accomplished.

"It may not happen each week, but the tailback, the tight end and the receiver have to be involved.

"We'll start putting in the basic offense that I've used in the past, and then we'll adjust as we determine what we've got."

How quickly Gailey can get the Chiefs up to speed is another matter. They started slowly on offense in each of their first two seasons with Mike Solari as their offensive coordinator.

As Teicher reminded readers, they never recovered last season.

"I hope we're good enough to win the first game, but we have to get better during the course of the season," Gailey said. "We'll have to continue to get better. We'll have to limit the things we do early in the season. If we get good at that, we'll start to expand and create more opportunities later in the season. The best thing we can do for now is to not try to do too much too early.

"How long it takes to get to where we want to be, I don't know. ..."

One last note here: Johnson, who missed the last half of the season with what ultimately turned out to be a fractured bone in his foot, was running at the first team OTA, but not at full speed.

The Chiefs believe he'll be at full speed later this spring and definitely by training camp. ...

In Detroit. ... Calvin Johnson is setting high standards for his second season. According to Detroit News staffer Mike O'Hara, Johnson expects to be twice as good as last year.

Johnson's rookie statistics were respectable -- 48 catches, 756 yards and five touchdowns -- but to his dismay, the first-round pick was not a dominating player.

"Last year, I'd say I could have done twice as good," Johnson said early this month. "If the top is 10, I'd say I was a five last year."

What does he expect this year?

"A 10 this year," Johnson told O'Hara.

Johnson played most of last season with a back injury that restricted his movement and reduced his speed. He was hurt making a leaping catch against Philadelphia in the third game. The injury was just above the buttocks.

He missed the next game but played in the last 12, even though he wasn't fully healed. Johnson took five weeks off after the season before starting his workout program.

He has had no problems with the injury so far.

"I still feel it, but I can do everything I need to do on the field," Johnson told O'Hara. "I know it's there but it doesn't hurt.

"That's what really stopped me. That's really why I couldn't run. It bothered me the whole season. I'd take a little something every week just to get through the game. When you try to push off the ball and stuff, it hurts."

The focus of the offense will change this year, with Jim Colletto replacing Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. The running game will be emphasized more. The Lions had the fewest rushing attempts in the league last year under Martz.

Head coach Rod Marinelli is projecting big seasons for Johnson and Roy Williams. They give the Lions a physical, talented receiving tandem. Johnson is 6-5, 235 pounds. Williams is 6-3 and 211.

The effects of adjusting to a long season should have been predictable for Johnson, and the back injury hampered him further, Marinelli said. Receivers have a more difficult adjustment than players at most other positions.

"I just think it's learning the system, learning coverages -- all those things," Marinelli said. "It's the amount of running you do. It's a long season for any position. Every young player will struggle during the season, the length of the year. ..."

In Miami. ... Incoming head coach Tony Sparano, after getting a chance to check out the talent on hand in various workouts, explained earlier this month why the team is changing John Beck's mechanics, said Lorenzo Booker must be utilized and raved about Ted Ginn's development.

And he apparently likes his tight ends more than Dolphins fans might.

According to the Miami Herald, Sparano praised Beck's work habits -- "one of the first people in the gym in the morning and one of the last to leave" -- but withheld commentary on his skills, saying the "real test" won't come until he's taking snaps.

He said the team has "tried to change" some of Beck's mechanics because "he's a low-release guy and you get some balls knocked down in our league that way. We're trying to get the game to slow down for him, make it as simple as we can for him." Sparano said it has been made "very clear" to Beck and Josh McCown that they are competing for the No. 1 quarterback job.

Even if Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are healthy -- which the team expects by training camp -- Sparano said Booker is "a guy you've got to get touches for. He's an exciting player. ... Jumps off the film."

According to PFW, the coach went so far as to compare Booker's burst to that of ultra-quick Ginn.

At tight end, Sparano said, "I really like David Martin -- he's a big, athletic player. Justin Peelle, I know a lot about." And "I'm excited about Sean [Ryan]. He brings toughness."

Sparano said of the free agent receiver class, Ernest Wilford "jumped out as a guy we felt could really make a difference. ..."

If nothing else, the former Jaguar offers the Dolphins something previous lacking: A dependable receiver (with 140 catches in four seasons) who at 6-4 and close to 220 pounds lends a capable and physical presence in the red zone. ...

Meanwhile, Sparano also told reporters that Ginn has what it takes to become a legit No. 1 receiver: "I see a guy that can run, can catch pretty well and has become a lot better from a route discipline standpoint. I see him being able to get better and better."

Maybe so. ... It should be noted, however, that general manager Jeff Ireland told reporters on Thursday the Dolphins are interested in finding a No. 1 receiver come draft day. Of course, we'll have a better idea of where things stand once the dust clears next weekend. ...

In Philadelphia. ... Like many veterans reaching similar stages in their careers, Donovan McNabb sought a different training regimen this offseason. And unlike previous years, he has been able to do a full routine in Arizona, rather than have to rehabilitate an injury in Philadelphia.

He thinks the results will be productive as he hits his 10th season.

"I started earlier than usual to continue to make sure that I keep that strength there and flexibility," McNabb told PFW this week. "It's always good to. ... Write down when you want to start (working out), what you want to do, knowing that you don't have to be rehabbing for half of the offseason. With that, you're trying to cram things in to be prepared for the season."

He's working with a new trainer who has him going through a different series of workouts to help him improve his throwing and stamina.

"I have been working with a new trainer (Brett Fischer) who is known for his rehab as well as preparing a lot of baseball players. We work mostly on arm strength, rotation, core, lower back and being able to use your legs in a lot of different things that I do. ..."

In New Orleans, following up on an ongoing story. ... Deuce McAllister will remain a Saint through at least training cam. This after McAllister, who was due a $1 million roster bonus by April 15, worked out an agreement with the team.

According to ESPN.com insider John Clayton, McAllister took a $2.2 million pay cut to stay with the Saints.

Coming off his second major knee surgery, McAllister decided it was safer to take less pay than risk being cut. McAllister restructured his contract -- he was supposed to make $4.6 million -- coming off the injury.

McAllister also restructured his 2009 salary. He's going to make a $3.2 million base, but has a $2 million roster bonus that will force the Saints to make a decision on whether to bring him back.

That said, New Orleans Times-Picayune staffer Mike Triplett advised readers on Friday the Saints are clearly rooting for McAllister to make a full recovery, no matter what the price tag.

McAllister said he is confident that will be the case.

He has begun to do some running in his workouts, with occasional cutting and planting. He still is taking it easy, but he's hoping he might be able to participate in the team's summer mini-camp (usually around June 1).

"We want to be able to say we participated in some of that mini-camp," said McAllister, who had surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, plus microfracture surgery on his right knee to stimulate cartilage growth. "By training camp we want to be either at 100 percent or close to 100 percent.

"And obviously by the season, you want to be 100 percent."

McAllister, who ranks as the Saints' all-time leading rusher with 5,678 yards, said his goal is to be the same back he's always been.

"One of the things that you always try to expand on is just try to be explosive," he said. "I know I can go out there and get 3 or 4 yards a carry, but I just want to be explosive and have some of the longer 20-plus-yard runs.

"That's what I want to be able to do. ..."

In Seattle. ... According to PFW, the latest word on Shaun Alexander's surgically repaired wrist is that he is out of a cast but is still wearing a splint.

It's worth noting the consensus among those who follow the team closely remains unchanged: Once the former league MVP is deemed fully healthy, Alexander will be given his walking papers. ...

And finally, following up the "never-ending story" in Green Bay. ... Here's what head coach Mike McCarthy had to say about Brett Favre's un-retirement talk: "I've talked to Brett a number of times and my understanding is that he's very content with his decision. I think he's going through the normal emotions that any player goes through. He's got a lot of time on his hands and I'm sure the first year is going to be tough on him."

Asked if he was bothered by any of the things Favre has said, namely the chatter about him coming back if Aaron Rodgers gets hurt, McCarthy replied: "It doesn't bother me because really anything that's talked about, a lot of those conversations Brett and I have had.

"Now, we didn't talk about all that but we talk regularly so I have a pretty good idea of what's going on."

Pushed during an Associated Press interview as to what he'd do if Favre called the club and asked to come back to the team or to be traded to a team where he could continue his career, McCarthy bailed.

"That would be Ted's call. That's really a football decision," McCarthy said, referring to general manager Ted Thompson.

As SI.com's Don Banks put it: "First there was the obsessive Favre retirement watch. And now, and this is even worse, comes the obsessive Favre un-retirement watch.

"Can't anybody just say goodbye and mean it any more?"

Probably not.

Given that, I can't help but wonder if Thompson's decision to officially hang up the No. 4 during halftime of the regular-season opener wasn't an effort to nip further discussion in the bud. ...

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.