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The NFL's ongoing game of "musical chairs" at the running back position once again resulted in today's top stories as two teams addressed their needs for complimentary players to work alongside talent already on the roster (or not, depending on your point of view) and another added to an already packed house.

The first move came in Oakland, where Dominic Rhodes suddenly finds it necessary to make a transition from the league's best team to its worst.

Less than two months after helping the Colts win the Super Bowl, the veteran halfback agreed to terms this morning with the Raiders.

I just want to come in and help this team win," Rhodes told reporters upon being introduced in Oakland. "It's an honor to be here and an awesome experience to play for the Raiders. The whole history of the Raiders, I love it."

According to both ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli and NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, Rhodes agreed to a two-year contract worth $7.5 million.

Rhodes boosted his value by rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 29-17 victory over Chicago in Super Bowl XLI on February 4.

The 28-year old generated considerable interest as a free agent -- the Giants seemed to be most interested (right up until it came time to make an offer) -- but Rhodes chose the Raiders, who went a league-worst 2-14 last season and have the first pick in next month's NFL draft.

As Associated Press sports writer Josh Dubow noted, new head coach Lane Kiffin was brought in to upgrade the offense. The team already cut ties with last year's starting quarterback, Aaron Brooks, and is widely expected to use the No. 1 draft pick on a quarterback -- most likely JaMarcus Russell of LSU.

"Dominic will be a dynamic presence that can diversify our offense both as a runner and pass catcher," Kiffin said. "He is focused and determined to come here and compete immediately with our other running backs."

According to Pasquarelli, the six-year veteran will serve as an insurance policy for the Raiders, in the event incumbent starter LaMont Jordan does not bounce back from the medial collateral ligament injury that limited him to nine games in 2006.

More likely, however, the two will split the ball-carrying duties in the Oakland backfield. In fact, Oakland Tribune NFL writer Jerry McDonald suggested Rhodes role with the Raiders should be similar to the one he had in Indianapolis.

Jordan earlier this week reworked his contract, reducing a roster bonus that was due him, to remain with the Raiders. After rushing for 1,025 yards in 2005, his first season in Oakland after four years with the New York Jets, Jordan slumped to 434 yards in 2006.

Where all this leaves Justin Fargas is unclear. But the money points towards Rhodes and Jordan serving as the top two options.

And at least know what Rhodes might be capable of in a time-share situation. This after Rhodes and rookie Joseph Addai combined to help replace two-time rushing champion Edgerrin James in Indianapolis last season.

Rhodes started all 16 regular-season games before Addai replaced him in the lineup at the outset of the playoffs. Despite the starting assignment, still Rhodes played a secondary role. He finished the season with 641 yards rushing and five touchdowns.

Addai rushed for 1,081 yards and seven touchdowns.

Rhodes appeared in 71 games as a Colt, starting 27. The former Midwestern State (Texas) standout made the Colts' roster as an undrafted college free agent in 2001, then further beat the odds by rushing for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, when he replaced the injured James.

He carried 550 times for 2,274 yards and 19 touchdowns in six seasons and added 90 receptions for 649 yards and one touchdown.

It should be noted that Rhodes has a pending DUI case in Indianapolis. He was arrested in the early morning hours of Feb. 20 near the Colts' training complex after officers clocked him driving 81 mph in a 55 mph zone.

A Marion County prosecutor told the Indianapolis Star that Rhodes' blood-alcohol level tested at .09. The legal limit in Indiana is .08.

According to San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Nancy Gay, Rhodes' contract with the Raiders includes language that docks the running back's pay and protects the team in the event Rhodes receives an NFL-imposed suspension stemming from the arrest.

According to Schefter, a four-game suspension is a distinct possibility. ...

But the reorganization of Oakland's backfield didn't stop with Rhodes. Fullback Justin Griffith, a five-year veteran out of Mississippi State, reached agreement Friday evening with Griffith on a three-year, $3.8 million contract.

The deal is contingent upon Griffith passing his physical.

Griffith, who turns 26 next month, had 19 carries for 106 yards for the Falcons last season and 23 receptions for 168 yards. He has more receptions over the course of his career (87) than carries (81).

At 5-11, 232 pounds, Griffith is a capable blocker and an excellent athlete.

And as McDonald pointed out, he is familiar with components of the Raiders coaching staff, as Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and offensive line coach Tom Cable served in the same capacity for the Falcons last season. ...

But wait. There's more.

As initially reported by Bengals.com online editor Geoff Hobson, Cincinnati tight end Tony Stewart is headed to Oakland on a free-agent deal. According to Schefter it was a two-year deal.

Former Cardinals tight end Fred Wakefield also signed a two-year deal with the Raiders.

Wakefield is considered a superb blocker, while Stewart is a jack of all trades.

They join an already large group at the position in Oakland, where starter Courtney Anderson, Randal Williams, John Madsen and James Adkisson -- an Al Davis project -- all hold down roster spots. ...

But wait. There's more.

Schefter reports the team also re-signed veteran receiver Alvis Whitted.

As the Sports Xchange recently noted, Whitted, another Davis favorite because of his speed, is a 10-year player who is a journeyman receiver at best. He'll play a reserve role this season. ...

In New York. ... Reuben Droughns, Cleveland's only 1,000-yard rusher since 1985, was traded Friday to the Giants, looking for additional talent at halfback following Tiki Barber's retirement.

In return for Droughns, who became expendable after the Browns signed free agent Jamal Lewis to a one-year, $3.5 million contract on Wednesday, the Giants sent Cleveland wide receiver Tim Carter.

As part of a three-year, $12 million contract extension he signed last year, Droughns was due a $1.75 million roster bonus this month. But instead of paying him or releasing the 28-year-old and getting nothing in return, the Browns land Carter.

Newark Star-Ledger beat man Mike Garafolo, citing an unnamed source familiar with conditions of the trade, reported this afternoon that the Giants re-worked Droughns' contract. The person didn't provide specifics, but Garafolo advised readers: "It's pretty clear he won't be seeing every penny of the roster bonus (if any)."

Droughns was also due salaries of $1.25 million, $1.75 million and $2.75 million, respectively, over the next three seasons. Garafolo advised readers we'll know in a few days if those numbers stand and if the contract has been shortened.

In his first season with Cleveland in 2005, Droughns rushed for 1,232 yards, becoming the first Browns back to eclipse 1,000 yards since Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner did it in 1985. But slowed by injuries and personal problems, Droughns was a big disappointment last season, gaining just 758 yards.

He was arrested but later acquitted on drunken driving charges and had a domestic violence case against him dropped by prosecutors in Denver citing a lack of evidence.

Droughns missed two games with injuries and had only two 100-yard games in 2006. He was running behind an injury-ravaged offensive line that couldn't regroup after losing center LeCharles Bentley to a season-ending knee injury.

According to Associated Press sports writer Tom Withers, the Giants are hoping to get the '05 Droughns, who will likely compete with bruising third-year back Brandon Jacobs to fill Barber's vacant spot. It's also possible the Giants could rotate them, using a similar two-back system to the one employed by Super Bowl champion Indianapolis.

"Reuben rushed for 1,200 yards in '04 and '05 and 750 last year," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. "We think he gives us a nice veteran presence and compliments Brandon Jacobs and the rest of our running back group nicely."

Droughns also has played fullback, his position in Denver for two years before his breakout season in 2004 when he gained 1,240 yards and scored a career-high six touchdowns.

Anybody else still get the feeling New York might need to address this position in April's draft?

Because the bottom line here says there's no way Droughns provides the "Lightning" to go with Jacobs' "Thunder. ..."

In Cleveland. ... For Carter, today's trade deal represents a chance for a fresh start after five injury-marred seasons with the Giants.

"Tim is absolutely excited about this opportunity," agent Pat Dye Jr. told Pasquarelli on Friday afternoon. "In discussing Tim's situation with the Giants, we wanted to identify some teams who might be a good fit for him if New York decided to deal him.

"Obviously the Browns, who were looking for the kind of deep-threat dimension he brings to the table, were the most proactive."

And while those who follow the Giants closely were surprised when Carter wasn't among the team's cap-related cuts last month, Browns general manager Phil Savage backed Dye's contention.

"[Carter] brings five years of NFL experience and legitimate speed to our receiving corps," Savage said. "We almost signed him last year as an unrestricted free agent, so he will be familiar with the Browns."

Fast but fragile, the 27-year old Carter served as the Giants' third receiver for most of last season before being elevated to the No. 2 spot when Amani Toomer went down with a knee injury.

He had 22 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games last season.

A 2002 second-round pick, Carter has 72 receptions for 967 yards and three touchdowns in 53 career games. His best season was in 2003, when he had 26 catches for 309 yards. ...

In Detroit. ... In an item breaking just a short time ago, Schefter reports that T.J. Duckett has agreed to terms with the Lions. The former Falcon and Redskin will sign a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the team.

For his career, Duckett has 2,307 yards and 33 touchdowns on 590 attempts, and also has 31 receptions for 249 yards. He has appeared in 65 games and started in 13 of them. His best season was in 2003, when Duckett rushed for 779 yards and 11 touchdowns while sharing the playing time workload with Warrick Dunn in the Falcons backfield.

A solid short-yardage and goal-line back, as evidenced by the 27 touchdowns he scored 2003-2005, Pasquarelli reminded readers tonight that Duckett also possesses surprising elusiveness.

His goal is to re-establish himself with the Lions in 2007 and then perhaps go back into the free agent market again next spring

Of course, Duckett joins a backfield already boasting Kevin Jones, Tatum Bell, Shawn Bryson and Brian Calhoun. The addition of Duckett will almost certainly fuel further speculation about Bell's future in Detroit; rumors the Lions are shopping the former Bronco have swirled since his arrival in Detroit.

It should be noted that -- despite numerous reports to the contrary -- Booth Newspapers beat writer Tom Kowalski continued to challenge the Bell trade rumors. But even he acknowledged where there's smoke, there might be fire.

In a blog entry published Wednesday, Kowalski wrote: "Every indication I've had -- and still have -- is that the Lions don't want to trade Bell, but actions speak louder than words."

From where I sit, signing Duckett is an action.

That said, the addition might be nothing more than concern about the knee injuries to Bryson and/or Calhoun.

While the Lions will talk glowingly about the rehab of Jones, Kowalski advises readers that team officials duck every question about the recovery of Bryson and Calhoun, just saying something to the effect of "They'll be fine, we expect them back.'

But they won't say when. ...

Bryson's injury was considered more serious at the time and if he's going to miss significant time at the start of camp or the season, then bringing Duckett on board -- while still keeping Bell -- makes more sense.

The Lions don't want to get caught short at running back. As of now, that seems unlikely. ... Stay tuned. I suspect we haven't heard the last of this situation. ...

In Denver. ... The Broncos and Rod Smith have agreed to a stop-gap restructuring of his contract that ensures the team will not cut him at this time.

But according to Denver Post beat man Bill Williamson, Smith still could decide to walk away from the deal.

The move saves the Broncos significant cap room as Smith's salary is reduced to $1.5 million in each of the next two seasons.

The move was made because Smith was due a roster bonus of $1 million on Thursday, but he had other personal business to attend to. Instead of rushing to a final resolution, his agent Tom Mills told Williamson this temporary agreement was reached.

The two sides have until later this month to agree upon a new restructuring or settle on this deal.

In a related note. ... The Broncos announced Tuesday that Smith underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left hip on Feb. 26. According to Broncos.com insider Andrew Mason, the procedure requires a four-month recovery time.

The team is scheduled to conduct its mini-camp in July, as it has in each of the previous two years. The three-day series of practices falls outside the four-month window from the date of the procedure.

And finally tonight. ... As AP sports writer Pat Graham framed it: "Jake Plummer poured a glass of water, took a giant gulp and then talked for almost five minutes about how he was officially retiring from the NFL before stepping away from the podium without answering any questions. ..."

Graham went on to explain, Plummer was in a hurry Friday. In true Plummer fashion, he had a handball tournament he needed to attend after addressing his future in the NFL.

"I wanted to come in and tell you guys on camera and face-to-face that the speculation can stop tonight," Plummer told reporters from the Denver Athletic Club. "You can know by the looking in my face and hearing my words that I am retiring from the NFL.

"At 32 years old, I'm running away from the game. Not in fear or fright, but health-wise. I'm healthy. I'm happy. I have a lot to look forward to in my life."

The Broncos traded Plummer to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 3 for a conditional pick in the 2008 draft. The Bucs made the deal despite being aware of Plummer's retirement plans. He made those plans clear in a statement published on the web site of Jake Plummer Foundation last Saturday.

Yet there was still doubt whether he'd follow through with retirement. As Graham suggested, perhaps it was leverage to get traded to the Houston Texans so he could be reunited with former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

Apparently not. Plummer tried to shut the door on further speculation.

"You don't have to chase me around anymore," he said. "Don't worry about Jake, he'll be fine."

We'll see. I would suggest Plummer's retirement announcements will be much more convincing once he files the official paperwork necessary to retire.

That's it for now. ... As always, you'll find breaking items in the News & Views section of the site with more in-depth reviews of top stories available here in the Headline News section, where you'll also find the weekly Fantasy Notebook each Sunday during the offseason.