NFC

As the season approaches and we all start getting our fantasy draft materials in order, it's important to know which guys are for real and which guys are, for lack of a better word, fakes.

Last season, if you managed to grab DeAngelo Williams or Matt Cassell, you were handsomely rewarded for not only your insight but for your good waiver wire work as well.

This season will be no different; one will need to be astute when making a decision on who will become a fantasy stud and who may fall a bit flat.

Below are ten guys who need to either be off your list or quickly added to it before the first draft pick is done.

Some are likely to be no-brainers while others may not even be on your radar—this last point means that you may find a couple of these guys on waivers post-draft.

In some cases, the projected stats may look tempting (as is the case with Kurt Warner), but you would need to be confident that he will be healthy for the whole year.

Either way, it's a discussion that is worth having and, one that I know, will spark a little debate.

Quarterbacks

Stock Rising

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

People like to give the kid a bad rap because he's not you-know-who, but the truth of the matter is, at this stage, he may be better than that other guy.

Rodgers went into last season with spotlights beaming brightly on him, fans and media alike were ready to pounce on him and dissect every throw he made, and he handled the situation with class and professionalism the whole way.

He never once complained about the fairness, or lack thereof, of being compared to one of the greatest quarterbacks in Green Bay history.

Sure, he stumbled a bit, but that was to be expected in his first full season at the helm; even so, he managed to tally 4,038 yards, 28 touchdowns (against 13 interceptions), and scramble free for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Not bad for a guy who was passed on by 23 other NFL teams in the 2005 NFL Draft.

He is criticized a bit for some tough Green Bay losses towards the end of the season, but even with that, he delivered 15 touchdown passes in the final seven games—the talent is there.

A more mature Rodgers will enter this season, one that has likely learned from his mistakes of 2008, and he will be ready to solidify his place in the realm of the elite.

2009 Projection: 318 completions, 3,880 yards, 30 touchdowns

Stock Falling

Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals

By now it is possible that some are wondering when Warner will get the respect he deserves? The answer to that question is "not this year".

Take that miraculous 2008 season and file it under "won't happen again". Here are the facts, Kurt Warner is 38-years old and he has never been healthy in consecutive seasons. Period.

Prior to last year's run to the Super Bowl, Warner's record as a Cardinals starter was 8-18. Even more, his TD:INT ratio was 44:31—hardly impressive.

Todd Haley, the pass-happy offensive coordinator is now in Kansas City, leaving Warner with the more conservative Ken Whisenhunt approach—an approach that looks to run-first and control the clock.

Warner may surprise again, and no doubt he will still be solid, just don't count on him duplicating last season's numbers.

2009 Projection: 305 completions, 3,660 yards, 26 touchdowns (if healthy)

Potential Sleeper:

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Go ahead and place your bets for Matt Ryan having a sophomore slump this season; you are guaranteed to make someone in your fantasy league very happy by doing so.

Ryan may have stumbled a bit down the stretch, but like Aaron Rodgers, no one should have expected him to be completely perfect in his first full year at the helm.

This season he has a new tight end in Tony Gonzalez and a lot of game experience to draw from; he will correct a lot of the mistakes he made through poor decision-making last year and that will make his approach to the game even better.

He will have to prove himself all over again as the Falcons enter the year with one of the toughest schedules in the league, coupled with the pressure of attaining back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Ryan will come into 2009 with a target on his back as teams now know what the Falcons offense can do with him at the wheel; they, nor he, are likely to sneak up on any teams this year.

He will have to prove that he can handle being the man all over again—then again, that's nothing new.

2009 Projection: 314 completions, 3,768 yards, 22 touchdowns

Wide Receivers

Stock Rising

Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings

Berrian is a bit of a conundrum. He has the ability to stretch the field and make the big play, but he is prone to stretches where the yards are scarce and the scoring non-existent.

That said, the addition of a certain no. 4, who shall not be named, and a speedy, young rookie by the name of Percy Harvin, could spell a major break-out season for Berrian in 2009.

Last season, in 13 starts, he totaled 48 receptions for 964 yards (20.1 ypc)—putting that into perspective, Anquan Boldin had nearly twice the receptions (89) and only 74 more yards (1,038 for 11.7 ypc) than Berrian.

Add to that, Boldin had a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback (where Berrian suffered through a carousel of mediocrity) and it's impossible not to see how the sky could be the limit for him this year.

2009 Projection: 64 receptions, 1,038 yards, 6-8 touchdowns

Stock Falling

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys

Say what you will about the presence of Terrell Owen's stifling ego and Tony Romo's inconsistency/injury, it still comes down to one thing when speaking about Roy Williams: 2006.

That's the season Roy broke free for 1,310 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns—he was a Pro Bowl selection that season as well.

However, since that time, he has been vanilla.

Some apologists say that Roy never had great quarterback play in Detroit and a bad foot kept him down last season, I say this about the former: Calvin Johnson had the same quarterback's in Detroit and did fine; and this about the latter: uh-huh, yeah. Excuses, excuses.

Here's the thing, Williams' is not a No. 1 receiver. He may look like a No. 1 and act like a No. 1, but he's just a no. 2 in disguise.

He will be good for 800 yards and 5-6 touchdowns. Period. If he has to miss time due to injury, which history says he is likely to do, expect a bit less.

800 yards is nothing to scoff at but when your last No. 1 was a 1,000 yard staple who was a near-lock for double-digit scores, this hardly seems applaud-worthy.

Time will tell what Williams is truly made of but don't bet on big numbers from him, that would be a mistake.

2009 Projections: 62 receptions, 874 yards, 5-6 touchdowns

Potential Sleeper:

Harry Douglas, Atlanta Falcons

Putting his recent troubles aside, Douglas is in the perfect position to do some quality damage in the slot this season.

Last year, with limited-receptions, Douglas totaled 320 receiving yards and a touchdown—included in that were two games where he caught for 90+ yards.

He will benefit exponentially from the attention that most teams will likely pay to teammates Roddy White, Michael Turner, and Tony Gonzalez.

His lone competition is Michael Jenkins. Jenkins is in line to get more of the playing time, but is by no means irreplaceable.

The Falcons have shown great confidence in Douglas thus far and have been willing to fit him into the offense whenever and wherever possible (he had 12 rushing attempts and played some special teams as a returner)—they have faith in his ability and won't hesitate to play him over Jenkins if the scheme fits.

Playing time will be the key to Douglas' success and, if he gets that, he will produce.

2009 Projection: 38 receptions, 533 yards, 2-4 TD's (keeper candidate)

Running Backs

Stock Rising

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Reggie Bush may be the best thing since sliced bread but the Saints of 2009 would be wise to rely on Thomas for all the manly work.

Now that Deuce is no longer on the loose in the Big Easy, Thomas should have the job all to himself and, unlike Reggie, he's better suited for running it between the tackles.

This will be a win-win situation for the Saints if the former no. 2 pick is able to stay healthy this season.

Bush will be free to do what he does best, run and catch in space, while Thomas does the dirty work of gaining the hard yards.

The Saints won't run it much with Brees at the helm but Thomas has proven that he can make the most of his opportunities (6 of his 9 scores came in the final six games)—no reason to believe the same won't be true this season as well.

2009 Projection: 189 carries, 870 yards, 6 touchdowns

Stock Falling

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles

It may be premature to say that Westbrook's career in Philly is coming to an end, but the writing is clearly on the wall for the, soon to be, 30-year old Brian Westbrook.

He has never been one to stay healthy and his recent ankle surgery will likely place him a little behind the eight ball where readiness for the 2009 season is concerned.

Last year marked Westbrook's first, as a full-time starter, that he was unable to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark (936 yards) and the Eagles drafting of LeSean McCoy says that they may be prepared to look toward the future.

Westbrook will get his carries, no doubt, but he is no longer an elite back and should not be rated as such.

2009 Projection: 200 carries, 705 yards, 5 touchdowns

Potential Sleeper:

Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

Donald Brown will be the beneficiary of Joseph Addai's inability to stay healthy—something he hasn't been able to do since becoming the featured back in 2007.

Brown is just the type of player that Bill Polian loves; he's hard-working, unassuming, and devoted to making whatever team he is on better.

Further, there is no question as to his ability to carry the load (in his final season at UConn, he had 367 carries for 2,000+ yards—a 5.7 ypc average) if he is called upon to do so.

Addai will likely be the guy to look towards early for a majority of the carries, but Brown will have ample opportunities to make his presence felt.

Some doubt the rookie will log much time due to his newbie status, but lest they be reminded that Addai came into a similar situation as a rookie; all he did was dual-back his way to a Super Bowl Championship with the Colts in 2006.

Will Brown do the same? We'll have to wait and see; but the possibility of him flourishing is high and it's a train worth buying an early ticket to catch.

2009 Projection: 160 carries, 640 yards, 6 touchdowns

Fantasy Wild Card (Possible Keeper Alert)

Bernard Scott, RB, Cincinatti Bengals

Somehow, don't know how or why but, the Bengals tend to end up with a lot of guys who aren't afraid of a little trouble; Scott is no exception.

He was drafted in the sixth-round out of Abilene Christian and has a lot of potential. He's quick, he's elusive, has great hands, and has the talent to become a success if he can keep his head on straight.

It's not likely that he will play a major role this year but he has impressed so far and may very well be the future in Cincinnati.

As of now, the Bengals could break camp with their RB depth chart set at: Cedric Benson, Brian Leonard, and Bernard Scott; the potential for some minor impact this season is definitely there for Scott.

Keep an eye on this kid, he could be something.

2009 Projection: 45 carries, 247 yards, 2 touchdowns

The NFC Worst.  A moniker that has been very accurate the last few years.

I mean, the division had three of the first 10 picks of the draft. 

So is their a chance for the division to shed that label?

Can the NFC West continue to make noise in the playoffs when they get there?

Those are good questions to ask...but they are not questions that can just be answered.  They are questions that will be answered within the 10 questions we pose here today.

NFC WEST: 10 BURNING QUESTIONS

Biggest Free Agent Pickup

There were some great acquisitions throughout the offseason in the NFC West.  The Cardinals were able to bolster their secondary with the addition of Bryant McFadden.

The 49ers took a bit of risk in my mind and picked up Marvel Smith.  Is Smith washed up?  Maybe.  Is he an upgrade over what they had on their roster?  Yes.  So you really can't get to up in arms about a two year contract.

The Rams made two smaller, yet solid pick-ups that I would identify as their best.  The signing of James Butler gives new coach Steve Spagnuolo a familiar face in his new secondary.

Along with Butler, the Rams signed a new lead blocker for their offense, Mike Karney.  Karney is a prototype fullback and should help clear lanes for Steven Jackson, who will no doubt have more pressure on him to carry the offensive load.

The best signing of the free agent period to me was that of T.J. Houshmandzadeh by the Seattle Seahawks.  The Seahawks were desperate for a new target for the returning Matt Hasselbeck.

Some big names and games came into the NFC West this offseason via free agency, but to me the clear winner was the Seahawks and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Coach on the Hot Seat

To me this question is a little loaded.  This is a division with basically three new coaches, along with a coach that took one of the most inept franchises in sports to the Super Bowl.

So how could anyone be on the hot seat?

It is simple really, in the win now or go home NFL the 49ers are putting all their eggs in the Mike Singletary basket.

Let me first say that I think Singletary will no only make it through the year, but he will have the 49ers making a run at the playoffs.

That being said, no coach is in a worse situation. 

The 49ers organization and their fans are expecting a winner or at least visible improvement.  Yet, the front office decided to stand pat in the quarterback department.

Before 49ers fans get up in arms I have a question for you...Are you really satisfied going into the season with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith?

Do you want Michael Crabtree coming into your offense with those guys throwing to him?

I like the way the team is built, outside of the quarterback spot.

Maybe I am wrong and Hill or Smith will be not only competent game managers, but able-bodied play makers.  To me though, Mike Singletary has the most pressure to win now and is in the worse situation to do so.

But, like I said earlier, I don't expect anyone to be fired from this division, I just believe Singletary is in the worst situation. (Again, due to expectations, not roster and players.)

Player on the Hot Seat

I am going to take a cop out here, and actually choose one position on each team that is on the hot seat.

Every quarterback position in the division is on the hot seat.  Not in the sense that they are going to lose their jobs, but in the sense that every team has a quarterback that has something to prove.

The Cardinals and Kurt Warner hope to prove that they were not a flash in the pan type team.

Warner hopes to show that it was not lightning in the bottle last year, but more of a triumphant return to the top of the quarterback heap in the NFL.

The Seahawks and Matt Hasselbeck are back to prove that last year was a fluke.

They are out to prove that they are still top bird in the division.

Not only that, but Hasselbeck has to prove that his back is healed and he can still play the game of football.

The Rams passed on a potential franchise quarterback in Mark Sanchez.  They did so in order to get Marc Bulger some help along the line and drafted Jason Smith. 

The Rams have a new coaching regime in place and that usually means one year to prove that you are the guy at the QB position.

Can Bulger get back to being the calculated gun slinger that earned him that huge payday from the Rams?

Can he get the Rams back to relevance?

I have gone over why I believe the 49ers QB situation is on the hot seat.

They, too me, are the one team that is literally a position away from being big time contenders.

The problem is that position is the quarterback.

Can Alex Smith or Shaun Hill step up and deliver?

These questions put the QB position on the hot seat in the NFC West.

Biggest Rookie Impact

Each team landed a big time draft pick in the first round.  The Cardinals and 49ers had potentially great players fall into their laps in Chris Wells and Michael Crabtree respectively.

The Rams took the safe choice and drafted a potential left tackle for the next decade in Jason Smith.

Those are all great choices, but to me the Seahawks drafted not only the biggest impact rookie in the division, but in the entire draft.

Aaron Curry not only has the physical skills to make a big impact, but he will be playing in a defense that allows him to be a  play maker.

The Seahawks boast one of the best front sevens in the league and the addition of Curry can only improve that.

Curry will not only be the rookie of the year in the division, but I have him as the rookie of the year in the NFL.

Breakout Player

Another category that will likely get me called out as a homer.  I really don't care because I think this is pretty accurate.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is probably the best young corner back in the NFL.  He has all the tools to not only be a good corner, but to become a shut down corner.

He is young and still needs to put on some bulk, but as he showed at the end of the year and through the playoffs, he has the potential to be one of the bests in the game.

Other young stars ready to breakout:

Manny Lawson

Vernon Davis

Darryl Tapp

John Carlson

Chris Long

Donnie Avery

There is a lot of good young talent in the NFC West, so sue me if I think DRC can be the best of that young talent.

Offensive Player of the Year

Larry Fitzgerald set the football world on fire during the 2009 playoffs, shattering playoff record after record.  Will that really change in the upcoming season?

To me, no.  Fitzgerald is blessed with a team that not only has a quarterback capable of getting him the ball, but he is flanked by playmakers all over the field.

Throwing in Chris Wells to a lineup that already boasts Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston seems almost unfair.

Then there is Fitz.  He is a top three receiver in the game, and in my book, he is the 1a to Andre Johnson's 1b. 

There are other definite top flight offensive talent in the division:

Steven Jackson

Frank Gore

Matt Hasselbeck

Kurt Warner

But to me, Fitzgerald stands above the rest in the offensive player of the year category.

Defensive Player of the Year

So I am taking the safe and obvious way out on this one.  The DPOY to me has to be Patrick Willis.

Willis has put himself at the top of the middle linebackers list in the NFL, and he has passed both Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher in my eyes.

Willis is not only a tackling machine, but he is the vocal and emotional leader of a young, up and coming defense.

He is not necessarily surrounded by stars like Fitzgerald is on offense, but he is good enough that he makes everyone around him better.

There are some great defensive players in this division:

Adrian Wilson

Nate Clement

Karlos Dansby

Patrick Kerney

Lofa Tatupu

But, Willis would be a hard player to beat in any division, not just the NFC West.

NFC West MVP

Another selection that will no doubt bring out the homer calls. 

Kurt Warner is the key not only to the Cardinals season, but to me he is the key to the entire division.

I truly believe that the Cardinals have the ability to win the division and make it back to the playoffs.

Yet, their entire season hinges on Warner.  If he is good and continues to produce like last season, then the Cardinals can expect to win another division title.

If he is off, that opens it up to the 49ers and Seahawks to swoop in and pick up the division.  Sorry Rams fans I think you are still a year or two away.

Others for consideration:

Matt Hasselbeck

Frank Gore

Patrick Willis

Larry Fitzgerald

Coach of the Year

Another homer pick...

No, I like Jim Mora Jr. for this.  He walks into a better situation than Mike Holmgren left in.

A healthy Matt Hasselbeck, an improved defense, and a chip on the shoulder makes this a great opportunity to get the Seahawks back to the playoffs.

Mora will add some toughness and intensity to the defense, while allowing Hasselbeck to continue to run the Seahawks offense.

The addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh will allow the Seahawks to sneak into the playoffs as a wild card.

Others in order:

Mike Singletary:  Getting the 49ers to 7-9 and keeping them in contention for the playoffs as the season winds down.

Ken Whisenhunt:  Another division title and an improved running game and defense are not enough for the Cardinals coach.

Steve Spagnuolo:  Provided a direction and leadership for the Rams.  Kept the team competitive, but only winning four games will not get you the pick as NFC West Coach of the year.

Division Results

Arizona Cardinals 11-5 Division Champs

Seattle Seahawks 10-6 Wild Card

San Francisco 49ers 7-9

St. Louis Rams 4-12

Sending two teams to the playoffs and showing that there is great football being played on the West Coast is where I see this season ending.

The Cardinals and Seahawks are the class of the division to me.

The 49ers are knocking on the door.

The Rams, hopefully are headed in the right direction.

Last season, they stunned the NFL, making an inconceivable playoff run just one year removed from one of the most disastrous campaigns in NFL history.

Yet based on early season projections, most "experts" would be further surprised if the Atlanta Falcons pushed things to the next level by reaching the Super Bowl.

They shouldn't be.

Last year, the Falcons possessed a very good offense, seemingly missing just one key component that would elevate them to greatness. Well, that component came this offseason with the acquisition of ageless wonder tight end Tony Gonzalez, a move that made the already strong Falcons offense (sixth in yardage, 10th in points in '08) arguably the league's most complete unit.

This move could prove to work wonders for Gonzalez. His pairing with Roddy White (2,584 yards, 13 TDs the past two seasons) marks the first time in his illustrious career he will have a consistent and proven wideout to take pressure off him.

This move is also good for Michael Jenkins, a receiver better suited to be the No. 3 target of the Falcon passing game.

The improvement to an already good aerial attack will also take pressure off a great running game. Michael Turner was a revelation last season, but he touched the ball over 400 times last season including the playoffs. Such a large intake is never good for a running back's longevity.

Not only will the improved passing game soften Turner's work load, it will also force teams to play more honestly and help create running lanes for him to potentially improve on last year's 1,700-yard season.

Oh, and the Falcons are also aided by one of the league's better backups in Jerious Norwood.

Of course, if Atlanta wants to take the next step, much of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of Matt Ryan, the 2008 Rookie of the Year. Ryan showed veteran poise throughout his rookie season, not only with his production but also with the way he restored hope to a hopeless franchise.

He (with a large assist from Turner and first-year coach Mike Smith) turned what seemed like it would be an extensive project and produced instant results for an organization in desperate need of them after feeling the sting of Michael Vick and champion weasel Bobby Petrino.

Seeing as Ryan's rookie year would be good for most veterans, what reason is there to think a full year's experience, mixed with the addition of the greatest tight end of all time, won't help him take his game to another dimension?

One squabble people will have with Atlanta is that they don't have a championship-caliber defense, pointing out they were ranked 24th in the league last season. While I fully acknowledge this isn't the NFC's best defense, it's better than that ranking would let on.

While the 24th overall ranking isn't very impressive, the Falcons finished a respectable 11th in points allowed. If they score as many points as they are capable of, having the league's 11th-ranked scoring defense won't seem like much of a detriment—especially not when elevated passing downs allow John Abraham and his 16.5 sacks from a year ago to tee off on opposing quarterbacks.

But knowing there was room to improve, the Falcon brass wisely spent seven of their eight draft picks on defense. Most notable was their first round pick of defensive tackle Peria Jerry. Jerry could prove to be a great accompanying piece for Abraham, as well as a springboard to former first-round pick Jamaal Anderson, who has disappointed in his first two seasons.

There are several teams in the NFC who are capable of making a run for the Super Bowl, but Atlanta is the only one of them without a glaring weakness. Whether it's a lack of receivers (New York, Chicago), questions at quarterback (Carolina, Minnesota), injury-prone stars (Philadelphia), or potential conflicts with crucial players (Arizona), there are plenty of contenders conflicted with problems the Falcons simply don't have.

This team reminds me a bit of the 2006 Bears, in the sense they came out of nowhere the year before and just needed an extra year's boost to elevate themselves to an elite level. I predicted a Super Bowl appearance (albeit a biased one) then, and with the addition of Tony Gonzalez and an improved defense, I'm calling it for this Atlanta squad.

Come to me in February and tell me I was wrong (unless they get to the Super Bowl by beating Chicago; in that case, stay the hell away from me).

Expectations can bring worries. And folks, I’m worried.

I expect the Packers to do well this season. I expect the offense to be better balanced and more productive. I expect Dom Capers’ revamped defense to be a big improvement over last year. And finally, I expect them to challenge for the NFC North Division Title.

So what am I worried about? Well, to those of you who are superstitious: turn away. If you believe in jinxes or “the evil eye,” stop reading. Go ahead and knock on wood, because I’m going to say it:

What if Aaron Rodgers suffers a season-ending injury?

What if the Packers come together in preseason, then beat the Bears, Bengals and Rams (totally conceivable) to get off to a quick 3-0 start. But the unthinkable happens towards the end of the Packers romp over the Rams. Mike McCarthy is slow to get Rodgers out of the game and some third-string Rams defensive end trying to make an impression crashes into Rodgers knee. One torn ACL later, Rodgers’ season is over.

Now, is there anyone out there that really believes either Matt Flynn or Brian Brohm can step in and continuing leading the team to a successful season? Any hands...? I didn’t think so.

As reported by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, even offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, when asked recently about the progress of his two young quarterbacks, had to think about it for a while. When he finally did answer, he could muster no better than an unenthusiastic “Well, certainly they’re better than they’ve been.” How’s that for a ringing endorsement from your own coach?

The man responsible for this bad situation is of course, Packers GM Ted Thompson. Thompson has proven to be a polarizing figure among Packers fans, mostly because of his role in the Brett Favre saga.

I find myself straddling the fence. There are things he’s done I like, there are things I don’t like. This one, I am not on board with. It’s a bad idea and a huge gamble, like going to Vegas with one year’s salary and putting it all on a roll of the dice at the craps table.

Thompson’s out there on an island with this one. I have to wonder, has any other NFL team ever done this? Starting the 2008 season with a first-year starter and two rookies as backup quarterbacks was as dangerous a move I remember coming from an NFL team. Add in the fact that neither of the rookies even remotely looked like NFL quarterbacks during that preseason, and you had to seriously doubt Thompson’s sanity.

The only thing that made it palpable to me was that I had few expectations last year. I had serious doubts about the season before it even started, so I wasn’t worried about what we would do if disaster struck. This season is different.

As previously stated, I have expectations. I am not willing to accept throwing our season away if something happens to Rodgers. And make no mistake, if that particular disaster struck, the Packers season would be OVER. No chance at the Division Title and no playoffs—again.

So why would Ted Thompson choose to roll the dice again? Why did he do it in the first place? The only reason one can assume is financial. Thompson didn’t want to in 2008 and still doesn’t want to in 2009, spend the money to bring in an experienced backup quarterback.

He doesn’t believe in spending money on short term solutions. I do respect a lot of the financial decisions he has made. It’s not a simple job being in the smallest NFL market, and running the only non-profit, community-owned, major professional sports team in the United States.

Thompson has to look for every opportunity to save money, and this was obviously an area he chose to do so. But what exactly does bringing in an experienced backup quarterback cost you?

Looking at various signings around the league this offseason, the going rate seems to be $1,000,000 or less for a one-year contract. For example, the World Champion Steelers signed Charlie Batch for $895,000, the Giants brought back David Carr for $1,000,000 and the Texans brought in Rex Grossman for $625,000.

While none of these guys will be starting quarterbacks on their own, at least they have enough experience that you could build a workable game plan around them. And is $1,000,000 that much to spend for a one year insurance policy at QB? Not when you’re paying Brian Brohm $2,000,000 to be a third-string quarterback. Whatever Ted Thompson is thinking, he certainly can’t believe the Packers are in good shape if Rodgers goes down, can he?

So here we are in July of 2009. With training camp only a few weeks away, it’s still not too late. Of course, this is a move that should have been made already. The most attractive free agent backup quarterbacks have already been snatched up by other teams.

However, there are still two guys out there that could be brought in relatively cheaply as some veteran insurance; two guys that each have 15 years experience and have played 260 NFL games between them; Gus Frerotte and Trent Green. I would take either one over Brian Brohm and/or Matt Flynn. Keep whichever of the kids you like best, but I need some veteran insurance on the Packers. After all, I have expectations…

For more info on Green and Frerotte with regards to the Packers, read this.

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: NFL Touchdown, Packers Lounge, Packer Chatters , Jersey Al’s Blog and of course   Bleacher Report.

There's plenty to be on the watch for in the NFC. Taking the info and opinions provided by AthlonSports, Lindy's, and CBS Sports magazines (combined with my own research and opinions of course), I'll provide you with what to look for in the upcoming season.

Predicted standings, award winners, free-agent signing recap, coaching outlooks, schedule previews, and right now, playoff previews.

WILD CARD ROUND: Giants over Bears. Saints over Falcons.

DIVISIONAL ROUND: Eagles over Giants. Saints over Cardinals.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Eagles over Saints

SUPER BOWL: Eagles vs. (available after AFC preview!!!)

END OF THE SEASON STANDINGS

1. Philadelphia Eagles—If McNabb can stay healthy, the Eagles have a legit chance at the Super Bowl once again.
   
2. Arizona Cardinals—Arizona turned some heads last season, making it all the way to the big one. They aren't a fluke. Watch out. But they have to figure out how to run the ball before claiming the Lombardi Trophy.
   
3. New York Giants—Eli Manning has done a good job so far, and they have some nice additions to the team. A fair schedule should land them a spot in the playoffs.
   
4. New Orleans Saints—Drew Brees is the best quarterback in the NFC, if not the NFL. Period. With weapons like Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, and others, they could go far in the playoffs.
   
5. Atlanta Falcons—The Falcons don't have a tough schedule ahead of them. With Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, and Tony Gonzalez, they're putting the Vick incident behind them.
   
6. Chicago Bears—Jay Cutler could greatly improve the Bears, possibly being their first Pro-Bowl quarterback since Jim McMahon. A definite playoff contender if Cutler performs up to par.
   
7. Carolina Panthers—Whatever nickname they decide on, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are trouble for any defender guarding them. Fox hasn't been very consistent, and with a tough schedule I see them just missing the playoffs.
   
8. Green Bay Packers—Aaron Rodgers is coming into his own. He's off to a great start as a starter in Green Bay, and with Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant at his side, they should have a winning season.
   
9. Dallas Cowboys—While Dallas won the Super Bowl last time they got a new stadium, it doesn't appear they'll be doing the same this year. They lost a lot of players, and need to improve as a team before becoming a serious contender.
   
10. Seattle Seahawks—Hasslecrap and Co. aren't close to being in the playoffs. While they have some wideout weapons, Matt needs to stay healthy, and nearly the defense backfield has some room to improve.
    
11. Minnesota Vikings—Figure out the quarterback problems. Fast. They have absolutely no chance until it is. Adrian Peterson can't win 16 games singlehandedly.
    
12. Washington Redskins—They appear to have talent on paper. How is it they always underperform? Portis needs to stay injury free, the O-Line isn't getting any younger. Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall lead the defense which still struggles. Lots of work to do before looking at a playoff shot.
    
13. San Francisco 49ers—They've had seven offensive coordinators in seven years. Alex Smith is a bust, he sucks. Maybe Mike Singletary can moon his team to victory...maybe, but not likely. 
    
14. Detroit Lions—The new staff looks promising. This may just be me being a Lions fan, but Jim Schwartz is showing a lot of discipline at camp, something the past few coaches have been lacking. With the new tight end, and the talent at wide receiver, not to mention the stellar look at defense, the Lions might win four games. 
    
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Another team with a quarterback issue. Leftwhich and McCown don't look very promising, the defense is almost made up entirely of no-names...yeah, no hope for the new staff this year.
    
16. St. Louis Rams—The "Greatest Show On Turf" is a very, very, very distant memory for Rams fans as they sit on the bottom of the NFC, and possibly the NFL. Other than Marc Bulger and running threat Steven Jackson they have nothing. I wouldn't want to be Steve Spagnuolo right now. 

NFC TROPHY WINNERS

Offensive Player Of The Year: Larry Fitzgerald—A key part of the success in Arizona.

Runner-up: Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson 

Defensive Player Of The Year:DeMarcus Ware—He's gotten better every year, and isn't stopping any time soon. 

Runner-up: Adrian Wilson, Patrick Willis

Comeback Player Of The Year: Osi Umenyiora—He missed the whole last season. He's still a beast, don't forget it.

There is no close runner up...

Offensive Rookie Of The Year:Beanie Wells—He'll rejuvenate the running game, giving Kurt Warner more options then passing to Larry Fitzgerald.

Runner-up: Michael Crabtree, Brandon Pettigrew

Defensive Rookie Of The Year: Peria Jerry—He'll be key in stopping the run for Atlanta.

Runner-up: James Laurinaitis, B.J. Raji

Coach Of The Year: Andy Reid—Winning his second Super Bowl would be quite the impressive achievement. Even getting there would make him Coach of The Year for the NFC.

Runner-up: Whoever wins the NFC Championship will be Coach Of The Year, so the runner-up would be Sean Payton.

COACHING OUTLOOK

On The Hot Seat: John Fox, Panthers—Carolina has a lot of talent. If Fox doesn't utilize it, he'll be canned for sure.                              

Wade Phillips is also on the Hot Seat. Jerry Jones gave him another shot. It better work, or someone else'll be leading the Cowboys next year.

Easiest Debut: Jim Schwartz, Lions—It won't take much to improve. There's nowhere to go but up. Whatever saying you prefer, only one win makes Schwartz Coach of The Year in Detroit.

Hardest Debut: Raheem Morris, Bucs. Jon Gruden will be a tough act to follow. He's the only coach ever to bring Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl. His team doesn't look good at all. Even Detroit could have a chance at beating them. Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves...

Key Addition: Scott Linehan, Lions. While he was a poor head coach in St. Louis, no one can doubt his offensive coaching ability. 

FREE AGENCY RECAP

Best Signing: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seahawks—T.J. has a nose for the end zone and quite the ability to rack up the yards. He'll surely help out the situation in Seattle.

Best Re-Signing: Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals—Past his prime? HA! He's still a key part of Arizona's offense. It also says a lot about Matt Leinart doesn't it?

Most Desperate Signing: Byron Leftwich, QB, Bucs. When you look at Luke McCown as a starter, and Leftwich comes along, he starts to look pretty good.

Riskiest Signing: Albert Haynesworth, DT, Redskins. While he's no doubt an excellent play maker, it's hard to imagine him being worth $100 million. Especially considering he rarely stays healthy all year.

Best Overhaul: New Orleans Saints—Signing defensive end Paul Spicer, safety Darren Sharper, and cornerback Jabari Greer will definitely improve their defense all the more.

SCHEDULE PREVIEW

Toughest Schedule: Carolina Panthers—Half their games are against last year's playoff teams. And their opponents' win percentage averaged out is an NFC high .594. This could be the only thing stopping the Panthers from a playoff birth.

Easiest Schedule: Chicago Bears. This too could be the only reason the Bears beat out the Panthers for a playoff birth. Playing teams like Seattle, the Bengals, Browns, 49ers, Rams, and the Lions twice—there is no "tough stretch", and should be in the playoffs.

Hardest Run: Other than the Lions, who all 16 games are facing teams that finished teams better then them last year: Green Bay.

In December they play both teams in Super Bowl XLIII, they travel to Chicago, and play the Ravens. Oh dear.

Easiest Run: Arizona Cardinals. They should easily win their last five games. Three being at home against Minnesota, St. Louis, and Green Bay.

They're also on the road against the 49ers, and Detroit. Yeah, a definite shoe-in for at least a five game winning streak heading into the playoffs.

There you have it, the NFC at a glance—a preview for the 09-10 NFL season. It looks to be a great one, with some excellent surprises, new coaches, and a few draft picks to keep our eyes on.

The AFC preview will be coming in a few days!

In any discussion I have seen of the current Green Bay Packers running backs, the theme is the same: Can Ryan Grant return to the form of his rookie year and if not, will they finally give Brandon Jackson a chance to start?

In a recent interview, Packers beat writer Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal was asked why Brandon Jackson did not get more of an opportunity to play last year. Bedard stated without hesitation that there were people in the Packer organization that wanted Ryan Grant to be the starter last year, even as he was struggling on the field and battling a hamstring injury.

All indications are that it was not the coaches, but the Packers front office pushing Grant as the starter to justify the new contract he was given.

So as Packer fans continue arguing Grant vs. Jackson, I am here to throw a monkey wrench into the debate. Neither one of them is the best running back on the Packers. Lurking in the wings and waiting for his chance could very well be the best running back on the Green Bay Packers roster—Kregg Lumpkin.

As a running back from the University of Georgia, Kregg Lumpkin is in good company. Herschel Walker, Terrell Davis, Rodney Hampton, Garrison Hearst and other top NFL running backs have all came out of "Tailback U".

Lumpkin was expected to have as good a college career as any of them. But that did not happen. Lumpkin made the Packers roster as an undrafted rookie, and then ended up spending most of the season on injured reserve.

So what has he done for me to say he is the Packers' best running back? Why would I go out on such a precarious limb? What evidence is there to support this hypothesis?

Well, a lot of it may be circumstantial, but let me present my case.

Kregg Antonio Lumpkin was born in Albany, Georgia, about 60 miles North of Talahassee, Florida. His family later relocated to Stone Mountain Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Lumpkin played High School football there  at Stephenson HS.

He started all four year at running back, and rushed for 2,088 yards during his junior season and 1,456 yards with 15 touchdowns as a senior.

Lumpkin was a Parade All-American and named the number one overall HS recruit from the State of Georgia. He was also ranked as the second best running back prospect in the entire nation, second only to some kid named Reggie Bush.

With those credentials and a 4.4 40-yard dash time, Lumpkin was recruited by top football programs like the University of Miami and the University of Florida. But those programs had little chance of landing him. Lumpkin chose to stay close to home and committed to the University of Georgia, less than an hour away.

In 2003, as a true freshman at Georgia, Lumpkin played in 12 games and finished as the team’s second leading rusher with 523 yards on 112 carries. But he missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, and fought it the rest of the year, starting a pattern of physical problems.

That pattern continued the next year. After being name "Most Improved Running back" at Spring practice, Lumpkin came to training camp ready to win the starting tailback position. That quest lasted about an hour, as he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the first practice and was put on medical red-shirt for 2004.

Lumpkin battled back from that serious injury to play in the 2005, season, albeit in a part-time role. He appeared in 13 games, but was used carefully and sparingly, gaining 335 yards on the season, while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

In 2006, his 3rd year of college football, Lumpkin started nine games at tailback, rushing for 800 yards and 6 TDs, while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. This was also the year he started to show his soft hands and pass-catching skills, pulling in 17 passes on the year.

Lumpkin was primed and ready for his senior season. Listed as the No. 1 Tailback, Lumpkin played in only five games due to a broken right thumb, the arrival of Knowshon Moreno and then another serious injury to his left knee, once again requiring season-ending injury.

Lumpkin evidentally made the most of all his time on the injury list. He concentrated on his studies and graduated with dual B.S. degrees in consumer economics and housing.

With his inability to stay on the field as well as a poor 40 time at the NFL Combine (4.64), Luimpkin's name was not called in the 2008 NFL Draft. But the Packers' southeast scout, Brian Gutekunst, college scouting director John Dorsey and general manager Ted Thompson all liked what they had seen of him. After the draft,  quickly signed Lumpkin to the team as an undrafted free agent.

During preseason, Lumpkin got an opportunity to show what he could do and made the most of it. He finished the preseason as the Packers leading rusher (38 carries, 153 yards, 4.0-yard average, one touchdown) and also added seven receptions for 59 yards and another TD. 

The Packers were so impressed with Lumpkin that they cut three veteran running backs (Noah Herron, DeShawn Wynn and Vernand Morency) and kept Lumpkin as the No. 3 Running Back. The Packers coaches were sure they had themselves a real find.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said, "He runs physical. He continues to improve. He breaks tackles. He's a better player when he gets past the line of scrimmage than I originally thought. As he gets more comfortable, you see the physicality of his play has increased. I thought he did some good things."

McCarthy later added, "Lumpkin is a perfect example of what you're looking for in a rookie. I think talent-wise, he brings a lot to the table, and he's improved every week. That's what you're looking for in rookies, to take advantage of their opportunity. He's put together a nice training camp."

Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said the 5-foot-11, 228-pound Lumpkin is "a pretty good fit for this system, with his style of running. He's not a real dancer, he's got a little bit of straight-line (speed), which I think fits us well. He's got nice size, he's a good-looking guy in pads. He looks like a running back. He's got some good attributes, no question... He's certainly produced when he's been in there."

Lumpkin was ecstatic to make the Packers roster, but expected it. "I don't think I've surprised myself," said Lumpkin, "I feel confident in what I'm doing."

With Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson nursing injuries going into game two vs. Detroit, Lumpkin got a lot of work in practice that week with the No. 1 offense. While both Grant and Jackson were expected to play, the Packers were not worried if Lumpkin had to be pressed into service.

"I think he could handle it all," coach Mike McCarthy told reporters in Green Bay. "He's done a very good job with his opportunities."

Grant and Jackson did play, but the Packers still got Lumpkin some playing time and he did well. He carried the ball once for nineteen yards and caught 3 passes for 22 yards. After the game Coach McCarthy said that Kregg Lumpkin "absolutely" earned more playing time going forward with his Week 2 effort.

But alas, the injury bug would hit once again. Lumpkin suffered a hamstring injury in practice and spent the next three weeks trying to come back, but to no avail. The Packers finally decided they need a healthy No. 3 running back on the roster, so they put Lumpkin on the injured reserve list and called up DeShawn Wynn from the Practice Squad. Once again, Lumpkin's season came to an early end.

So now that you know the Kregg Lumpkin story, you can see it is one of disappointment and unrealized potential. Admittedly, there isn't a lot of cold hard evidence to go by. But I do remember watching him in pre-Season last year and being really impressed. I remember thinking at that time, without knowing a thing about him, "this kid is going to make the team".

What did I like about him? He is a North-South runner that runs hard, low to the ground and is tough to bring down. Unlike Ryan Grant, runs with his head up and has great vision.

Unlike Brandon Jackson, he picks his hole quickly and has the ability to drive the pile. He also has soft hands as a receiver and has proven he has the ability to pass protect. The only thing he lacks is breakaway speed, but the Packers do not exactly design their offense for the 60 yard run anyway.

As described earlier in this article, the Packers coaches like what they've seen of Lumpkin. They see him as the move-the-chains type running back their offense calls for.I have also studied video of him at Georgia. He always seems to make the most of every run, and has been a consistant 5 yard-per-carry guy.

The big question of course, is, can he stay healthy? While there is no historical evidence to make you think he will, there is reason for hope. That hope lies in the Packers' Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame coach, Dave "Red-Man" Redding.

Red-Man is an old-schooler, prefers the free weights over machines, is a motivator and is most concerned with keeping players on the field. Here is how Redding describes his philosophy:

"I don't care what they can max out at," he said. "I don't care what they can do 10 times at a max load. I'm here to weight train them to make them better football players. This is not about how much we lift. It's about how healthy we can stay and how well we can play throughout the year."   

Beautiful.

While the Packer Organization would prefer Ryan Grant to live up to the big contract they awarded him, a healthy Lumpkin has consistently caught the eye of the Packers coaches.

If he can stay healthy, perhaps as the year progresses he will earn a share of the carries, especially if Grant struggles once again. At the very least, he may steal some snaps from Brandon Jackson.

Kregg Lumpkin could be the best running back on the Green Bay Packers. I know, it is a big leap of faith, a roll of the dice and a lot of "IFs". But it is my feeling and I am sticking with it.

In his appropiately-named poem "IF", Rudyard Kipling writes:

"If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too."

If you think I'm crazy, Packer fans, it's okay, I'll understand.

------------------

You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco's articles on several sports websites: NFL Touchdown, Packers Lounge, Packer Chatters , Jersey Al's Blog and, of course, Bleacher Report.

Vincent Perretta Interview

A little over a week ago Vinny Perretta answered questions for the Bronco Blue Review. Vinny was asked to share some moments from his early Bronco days to his newest venture that of free agent wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. Here is what Vinny had to say about his time at Boise State University: 

Question #1. What was it like for you making the Boise State team?

Vinny’s Answer: It was an honor to get to play D-1 football. It had been my dream to get to play college football. To get to play at Boise State, a winning team, was awesome and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Question #2. How has that moment defined who you are today?

Vinny’s Answer: I believe that God has a plan for everybody. He sent me to Boise State for a reason. During my time at Boise State, I got to play college football, which helped me get to where I am today, with the Vikings. I grew as a person and had the opportunity to meet a lot of nice people. My time at Boise State is something that I will never forget.

Question #3. I realize that you have had many memorable games as a Bronco – is there one or two that stand out and why?

Vinny’s Answer: The Fiesta Bowl is an obvious one for me. That day has been one of the greatest days in my life. I never thought that I would have thrown the winning touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl, but it happened (Vinny Laughs).

Question #4. No doubt you have taken many incredible hits over the years – is there one or two that you fondly recall and who was at the delivering end of it?

Vinny’s Answer: I really don't remember any of the big hits that much, because that is something that I try to forget (Vinny Laughed). One play that was no fun for me was when my shoulder dislocated the first time of my career. It was my junior year at Washington, and my shoulder never was the same after that. I had to get surgery and sat out the rest of my junior year. 

Question #5. Is there any advise that you may have received that you would like to pass on to future Broncos?

Vinny’s Answer: Strong work ethic can get you very far in football. If you want to be one of the best, you have got to sacrifice a lot of things. Always give 110% in everything that you do.

Question #6. What do you feel was the difference in the one point? Was it failure to run the ball, failure to go deep, lack of game preparation? What may have made the difference? 

Vinny’s Answer: The Poinsettia bowl was a tough loss for us all, especially me since it was played in my backyard. I wanted to end my career on a high note, winning a bowl game in my hometown. TCU was a very solid team and they matched us on the offensive side of the ball. Our defense played lights out and held them for most of the game. We had a great game plan on offense, but we just couldn’t execute enough on the field.

Thats one thing Vinny has not had a lot of and thats tough losses. Vinny is a competitor, a proven winner, and a class guy - on and off the field.

Talking with Vinny is like talking to family. The Bronco Blue Review continues this interview with questions regarding his free agency with the Minnesota Vikings and that’s another story.

First published by Lace Banachek on 6/25/2009 at http://broncobluereview.blogspot.com/

It's official! Or is it?

That's the question that must be answered by staff members at the website: ProFootballTalk.com, who have not decided yet when to release this newest Brett Favre rumor to the world.

Pro Football Talk, a fairly accurate and creditable site for the NFL, is preparing to team up with national broadcasting station NBC for the up-coming NFL season.

The article can be found by clicking here.

In the article, a source close to the whole situation was unable to confirm or deny that the Minnesota Vikings have reached deal already with three time MVP Brett Favre. Meaning the Minnesota Vikings have already signed Brett Favre to a deal but have yet to make it public.

The other rumor that went along with this story, which once again the source could not confirm or deny, was that the Vikings have already green-lighted the company Reebok to produce purple jerseys displaying the number 4 and the words "Favre" on the back.

However, neither Brett Favre's agent Bus Cook or Brad Childress and the Minnesota Vikings would confirm or really deny the story.

Bus Cook only telling the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "No Contract", meaning the Minnesota Vikings and Favre had not reached a deal.

Whether this is true or just another rumor remains to be seen. As we all know how honest Brett Favre and Bus Cook have been the past couple of years. 

The biggest piece to back this story up has been Brett Favre's recent appearance on HBO's Joe Buck Live, where he mentioned him and the Vikings as "We".

"We" meaning he is already a Viking and under contract with the defending NFC North champions.

It may be a few days or weeks before we know if the above story is true or not. However, the idea of Brett Favre playing for the Minnesota Vikings this season is really starting to heat up!

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas is no stranger to doubters; he's never been considered a top-shelf receiver—he's no Roddy White or Randy Moss.

He's often heard that he's too short (5'11"), too light (171 pounds), too skinny or too slow (4.5 forty) to be an elite receiver.

As a senior coming out of Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Ga, he wasn't highly-touted, but he was respectable and garnered the attention of such high profile schools as Georgia, Pittsburgh, and Missouri.

He decided on the University of Louisville and set out to prove that he was a better than average player with some serious pro potential to be had for the team that took a gamble on him.

His career at Louisville started off slowly, but by the time he left he was considered one of the best on his team and in the Big East, garnering first-team honors and loads of respect.

Douglas found his way back to his home state of Georgia via a third-round draft selection by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 and immediately became a possible candidate for the second wide-receiver slot on the team.

Michael Jenkins would eventually win out but Douglas took his opportunities where he found them and made quite an impression on the team in limited play.

By season's end he had 23 catches for 320 yards and a touchdown.

Now, entering into his second full-season, he will have the chance to possibly break free and make a name for himself in an Atlanta offense that looks to be potent in 2009.

How?

Well, for one, the presence of Tony Gonzalez is sure to attract some worthy attention as he is likely to get the lions share of Ryan's short-to-intermediate passes—particularly when he isn't acting as a blocker for Michael Turner.

However, when there is a pass play, look for Douglas to line up in the slot alongside Gonzalez and cause some mismatches with the opposing defenses.

He will find ample lanes to run through with defenses concentrating on a)Michael Turner and b) Tony Gonzalez. When they do, they will miss the bolt that will be Harry Douglas flying 15-20 yards up the field for the big catch.

He may only be 5'11" and weigh a paltry 171 lbs, but he is deceptively quick and can be counted on to make big plays down field when given the chance—last season, with limited targets (39), he managed to make five catches of 20 or more yards.

Further, Douglas is good enough to work his way into the coveted number two slot if he continues to play as well as he did last season—Michael Jenkins doesn't have a stranglehold on the position, despite performing well last season, and could find himself pushed if he reverts to his 2007 self.

Either way, the Falcons will continue to find ways to get Douglas into the game—he was often in on special teams plays last year and performed well. 

All Douglas needs is opportunity. The talent is there—for anyone who believes his size will get him into trouble, tell that to the defenders who have had a hard time bringing him down once he has the ball in his hands.

At the end of the day, it may seem like a long shot that Harry Douglas will be anything more than a passing thought, but it won't be the first time Douglas has had to prove the doubters wrong.

Look for him to open some eyes and close some mouths this coming season.

(Above: Adrian Peterson is still the cream of the crop.)

After taking on the task of assessing 2009's quarterbacks situations (AFC/NFC), I began my quest to finish the rest of the offensive positions with the AFC running backs, and continue here with a look to the NFC.

As far as fantasy relevance goes, Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner easily top the list, but there's more than meets the eye.

Both backs are likely to lose some carries with both offenses possibly depending more on the pass—Brett Favre looks to sign with Minnesota, and Atlanta figures to unleash Matt Ryan.

To learn more about Peterson and Turner's situations, as well as the rest of the NFC running backs, continue reading below.

New York Giants—Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw

With Derrick Ward now in Tampa Bay, it's Brandon Jacobs or bust.

This means quite a few more carries for both Jacobs and Bradshaw, and probably means rookie Andre Brown will steal a few as well, providing he seals up the third spot on the depth chart.

Jacobs is a risky bet to finish the season with more than 14 healthy starts, but his production is hard to ignore.

Dallas Cowboys—Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice

So goes Terrell Owens, so goes the Cowboys free-for-all pass attack. Right?

It's anyone's guess, but the early idea is that Dallas is headed toward a beautiful three-headed-monster ground game that will both beat defenses to death and open things up in a big way for Tony Romo.

These aren't guarantees, though—more like wishes.

Still, even if Barber breaks down and Jones gets hurt again, Choice is a heck of a back to have as your third option. Dallas is sitting pretty.

Washington Redskins—Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts

Ladell Betts has reportedly looked great in OTAs and could vie for some extra carries as well as more looks in short yardage situations.

That's what the coaches always say.

If Jim Zorn is smart, he'll actually play Betts more and give Portis a break, but it's difficult to walk away from what works.

Portis still has the speed and natural ability to be an elite back, but he definitely could use less carries to allow his body to stay in top form.

Philadelphia Eagles—Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy, Lorenzo Booker

People have been on the fence ever since they heard about Westbrook's ankle woes, and they have every reason to be.

It's bad enough the guy has a history of injuries, but add that he's 30 and has a rookie pushing for his spot, and you've got disaster written all over your fantasy season.

Westbrook should be fine for the season, though, and Philly's offense is probably too complex for McCoy to digest in just under three months.

However, if you own Westbrook, owning McCoy is a must.

Green Bay Packers—Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson

There will always be talk about Brandon Jackson, DeShawn Wynn, and Kregg Lumpkin getting "more" carries, but everyone knows the deal in Green Bay.

Grant got the money, so he's getting the ball.

That is, unless he has another early season riddled with leg nuances, and can't muster an average better than 3.4 yards per carry.

Grant is a solid RB2, but never approached his 2007 form in all of 2008, making him a less than confident selection.

Minnesota Vikings—Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor

Peterson is the consensus number one pick for the second year in a row, while his running mate, Taylor, sits idly by, waiting for five to 10 carries per game.

While Peterson is a shoe-in for over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns (providing he stays healthy for the third straight year *crosses fingers*), Taylor is still a valuable asset as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

If you land Peterson with the top pick, aim for Taylor somewhere between round five to eight, depending on the size of your league.

Detroit Lions—Kevin Smith, Maurice Morris

The Lions started over from top to bottom but held on to key offensive pieces, including Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith.

They thought so highly of Smith that, despite bringing in Maurice Morris, they have labeled him as the feature back and have even installed special "power running" packages designed strictly for him.

While the Lions offense was regularly a mess, Smith was one of the bright spots down the stretch, racking up at least 99 total yards and a score in three straight games to end the 2008 season.

Considering very few people see this team spending another entire season without at least one victory, those types of performances may become more frequent.

Chicago Bears—Matt Forte, Kevin Jones

I feel almost embarrassed putting Kevin Jones in here, but he's a talented player now a full year removed from any major injuries.

While Forte is undoubtedly the feature back, and very unlikely to rescind any major touches, Jones remains an intriguing late pick-up, providing Forte goes down to an injury.

On a lighter note, draft Forte without question if he's available past the first five picks in the first round.

Atlanta Falcons—Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood, Jason Snelling

We know what Turner can do (1,699 yards, 17 TD), but we also know that lighting doesn't strike twice. Well, at least not usually.

You can expect Turner to have another big year, but keeping the expectations around 1,400 yards and 12 TD would be a little more realistic.

With Matt Ryan progressing, as well as the addition of Tony Gonzalez, the offense is sure to expand, allowing the passing game to open up and get more complex.

This, combined with more carries handed out to Jerious Norwood to spell Turner more often, should make for an extremely potent offense, as well as a well-balanced attack.

Jason Snelling probably won't live up to his OTA hype, but could vie for some short yardage duties down the road, if needed.

Carolina Panthers—DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart

There are two misguided thoughts about the Panthers' 2009 rush offense. The first thought is that DeAngelo Williams will lose more carries to Jonathan Stewart.

The second thought is that he won't.

The truth is, it's an unpredictable thought, and that's how Jon Fox likes it.

Williams is clearly capable of busting out another 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, Stewart is too valuable to not use.

In an ideal world, both running backs eclipse 1,000 yards and end up in the end zone at least 10 times each.

Considering Jake Delhomme is the quarterback and he threw only 15 scores last season, "an ideal world" is a place this Carolina offense just might find themselves in.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Derrick Ward, Earnest Graham, Carnell Williams

Derrick Ward wasn't brought in to be a change-of-pace guy for Earnest Graham. It's the other way around.

While Graham has a great mix of finesse and physical running, he's almost 30, and probably better suited for blocking and goal-line duty.

And that's probably exactly what will happen.

Derrick Ward, also not short in the tooth, will look to pick up where he left off with his 1,000-yard season in New York, while the forgotten man, "Cadillac" Williams, will continue to be forgotten.

New Orleans Saints—Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush

Remember that 10-6 Saints team that had a solid one-two punch with Deuce McCalister and Reggie Bush? Yeah, it's back—only better.

Pierre Thomas packs a punch and hits the hole hard, but is far more athletic than McCalister ever was, and is a more finesse runner.

While Bush may never be the running back scouts thought he could be, he's still an unbelievably dynamic threat and an extremely underrated weapon.

Both players will prove to be worthy of a RB1 label before season's end, and probably while they assist Drew Brees and company in getting back to the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers—Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, Michael Robinson

The new offense in Frisco suits Gore's style and should give him less carries, which could keep him fresher for the stretch run.

The goal is to get Gore 20 touches a game, but also keep him involved in the passing game.

Glen Coffee and Michael Robinson are merely afterthoughts who will only become worthy of starting if Gore goes down.

Arizona Cardinals—Tim Hightower, Chris Wells

Hightower is still the listed starter, but that can't last for long.

He's not much more than a short yardage back at this point, and he doesn't have the athleticism or speed that Wells does.

It'd be a huge surprise if Wells wasn't starting by mid-season, and even a slight upset if he didn't take the first carry of the season.

St. Louis Rams—Steven Jackson

Once Brian Leonard was shipped to Cincinnati, Steven Jackson was officially on his own.

That's not to say Leonard was doing anything of any significance, but it doesn't say a whole lot for the depth behind Jackson currently, either.

The Rams will only go as far as Jackson can take them, so a career high in carries, yards, and touchdowns is very possible.

That is, if he can manage to stay on the field.

Seattle Seahawks—Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett, Justin Forsett

Julius Jones gets another crack at being "the guy" for Seattle, and now that Maurice Morris is donning a Lions uniform, we'll get to truly see what he's made of.

Sadly, it quite possibly will be a whole lot of nothing.

Jones is a risky pick, and shouldn't be taken until after the middle rounds. T.J. Duckett, on the other hand, could provide some solid scoring for the second straight year, while offering next to nothing by the way of yardage.

Little man Justin Forsett is unlikely to carve any kind of role in Seattle's new offense, but if Jones gets hurt or is plain old awful, he could be someone to keep an eye on.