The past offseason has now concluded, with more questions arising out of NFL backfields than answers. After examining each and every team, seventeen committee situations of varying concern will be highlighted below for fantasy readers to mull over. Now that training camps have opened (July 27th), I strongly urge all fantasy owners to remain glued to progressive updates out of camp on the development of possible committee situations.

Little Concern Needed

Stephen Davis/Deshaun Foster (CAR): After a year wasted with Spurrier and the Washington Redskins, Stephen Davis reemerged last season as a top-notch fantasy back with the Carolina Panthers. A career high average of 4.5 yards per carry should prove that plenty of gas remains in Davis’ tank, even at the age of 30. With that being said, #48 did miss two games last season, and was spelled often in the second half by backup Deshaun Foster. The emergence of Foster will not stop head coach John Fox from relying on Davis for production, and should not prohibit fantasy owners from selecting Davis either. A reliable backup like Foster will allow the coaching staff to relieve Davis when needed, which will hopefully improve his durability throughout the second half of the 2004 season.

Travis Henry/ Willis McGahee (BUF): Three healthy games. Outside of those, Travis Henry played through twelve more for the anemic Buffalo offense last season with torn rib cartilage and a broken fibula, and still managed to rush for 1,350+ yds and score eleven times. Will this incredible display of toughness go unrecognized by the Buffalo coaching staff? Prior to training camp, head coach Mike Mularkey said that Travis Henry would remain the starting running back, while second year man Willis McGahee would spell him on occasion. A dual-back set has also been mentioned as a possibility in order to utilize the talent of both at once. It would be a catastrophic mistake for the new coaching staff in Buffalo to discount Henry’s production last season, something that I don’t think they will be foolish enough to do. Barring injury, Travis Henry will be the man in Buffalo this year once again. Free agency looms just over this season’s horizon for Henry, which is more than enough motivation to produce another fine season.

Thomas Jones/Anthony Thomas (CHI): Over the last seven games in 2003 Thomas Jones rushed for 536 yards on 110 carries (4.9 avg), earning himself a second chance in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. Brought in by head coach Lovie Smith for the Bears new offense, Jones is said to be a much better fit for the system than Anthony Thomas. Former Chiefs QBs coach Terry Shea is now the offensive coordinator, and has said that Jones will be utilized in much the same way that Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes have been in their respective offenses via the passing game. Fantasy owners should certainly follow reports out of Bears training camp in order to see if Jones has any developmental setbacks, but it seems like the former first round pick out of Virginia in 2000 may finally emerge as a quality back in this league.

Curtis Martin/Lamont Jordan (NYJ): While Curtis Martin’s touchdown production has decreased over the last three years, his reliability in terms of yardage for the New York Jets has been very impressive. Averaging a solid 4+ ypc and 1,300+ yds, he also has not missed a game in five seasons. Backup Lamont Jordan has proven to be a menace inside the ten yard line for Martin’s fantasy owners, and should continue in that role until C-Mart hangs up his spikes. While this future Hall of Fame candidate has seen better days, he is still a reliable option as a third running back for fantasy teams, and can be counted on for 8-11 fantasy points most weeks.

Kevin Jones/Shawn Bryson/Artose Pinner (DET): Things seem to be coming together for Steve Mariucci and the Detroit Lions, and an integral part of any future success in the Motor City will rely on a premier running back. The first rusher selected in April’s draft, rookie Kevin Jones has all the necessary skills and instincts to excel in the Lions offense, and end Mooch’s dreaded RBBC system from last season. While third down duties may go to a more experienced reception back in Shawn Bryson, reports out of minicamp indicate that Kevin Jones has impressed with the first team. While we should continue to monitor the progress of this situation throughout training camp, the pieces have fallen into place for Kevin Jones to emerge ahead of Dallas’ Julius Jones as this year’s most reliable rookie running back.

Too Early to Tell, But Stay Posted

Chris Brown/Antowain Smith (TEN): With the departure of veteran Eddie George it seemed clear that the door was opening for second year man Chris Brown to step into the starting role. Any preconceived depth chart was quickly tossed in the trash when the Titans signed former Patriot running back Antowain Smith just two days after George’s release. In limited action last season, Brown showed fans a glimpse of the explosion that the Titan offense had been lacking ever since Eddie George lost a step, or two, or three. Why would Tennessee’s front office be so quick to bring in competition for Brown when they publicly spoke of a plan for him to supplant Eddie George within two years? Antowain Smith may have been signed simply to act as a safety net. A reliable backup running back is just as important to have as a quarterback, if not more, when your starter carries the ball more than twenty times a game. Brown’s upright running style led to a myriad of injuries throughout college, as well as a hamstring problem that hampered him throughout the first half of his rookie year. I suspect that Brown will remain the new feature back in Tennessee this year, with Smith acting as a backup who steps in on rare occasion. I’ve included their situation in this section only because the signing of Smith happened so recently, and rumors of a competition have yet to be squashed by Jeff Fisher and the coaching staff.

Julius Jones/Eddie George (DAL): Bill Parcells has gone ahead and signed the NFL’s all-time active carries leader (2,733), and upset each and every fantasy football owner by adding yet another running back controversy to this season’s training camp watch. After failing to reach a pay-cut agreement with the Titans, Eddie George was released and quickly signed by the Cowboys to compete with rookie Julius Jones this season. Much like the signing of Antowain Smith, this acquisition was fairly recent and there have been no updates on the plan of action by the Dallas coaching staff. Will training camp be an audition process for the two, resulting in either Jones or George command of the starting role? Or will Parcells bring the rookie Jones along slowly, utilizing both running backs in a platoon system throughout the season? For fantasy sake we all hope that a definite starter will be named by the end of August. Stay tuned to Dallas training camp reports to see in which direction the Big Tuna will swim.

Garrison Hearst/ Tatum Bell/Quentin Griffin (DEN): There will undoubtedly be no running back competition this August that is given more attention by fantasy football owners than the trio in Denver. Over the past few years Mike Shanahan and Co. have shown that almost any back can be plugged into their offense and have immediate success. Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary and Clinton Portis have all been successful running the ball in Denver, and best of all none have had to share duties during their respective seasons. The Bronco coaching staff has never relied on a committee system, something that certainly pleases fantasy owners. The only question is, who will this year’s future success story be? Throughout early offseason the favorite had been Garrison Hearst. Throughout his five years in San Francisco he never averaged less than 4.3 ypc, and has proven to be a very reliable blocker in pass situations (something youngsters like Griffin and Bell often struggle with). Now that Denver’s training camp has started, reports have said that Quentin Griffin has ran with the first team almost exclusively, showing an explosive burst out of the backfield that the aging Hearst cannot match. However, throughout the entire offseason the dark horse to win this job has been rookie Tatum Bell. Last year at Oklahoma State, Bell averaged 5.4 ypc and demonstrated a level of speed and power that should make his transition to the NFL very easy. Mike Shanahan has had four rookie RBs rush for over 1,000 yards, and many feel that Bell should be the fifth this year. If there is any single training camp report that you check on a daily basis, make it the Denver Broncos. Whoever emerges as the top back in mid-to-late August should go on to have a fine season for their fantasy owner.

Bank on Trouble Here

Brian Westbrook/Correll Buckhalter (PHI): When separated, either of these players would crack the Top 10 rushing for Philadelphia. Instead, Andy Reid will again use Westbrook and Buckhalter in a duel role which should accentuate the talents of each, and ultimately benefit the Eagle offense as well. We fantasy owners certainly don’t have to be happy about it though. Westbrook is a game breaker who’s proven to be a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, as well as a scoring threat on special teams. Buckhalter is a bruising back who can run between the tackles, and is the team’s premier option in the redzone (Terrell Owens notwithstanding). While they form the most reliable 1-2 punch in the league, both Westbrook and Buckhalter will only see 15-18 touches per game. If you are in a league that awards one point per reception, then Westbrook moves ahead of Buckhalter in terms of fantasy production. With that being said, drafting either one as the third running back on your team is a good move. And in the case that one of the two falls prey to injury, the value of Philly’s other running back will soar through the roof.

Warrick Dunn/ TJ Duckett (ATL): Much like the situation in Philadelphia, either one of these two players could slip into the Top 12 Running Backs if they had the position all to themselves. Together they will form a solid dual threat of power and play-making ability that few committee situations can match. Last season both Duckett and Dunn had their turn as the starting back, each showing a fair amount of success. Duckett is clearly the man near the goal line, with all but three of his eleven touchdowns coming inside the ten yard line. Before missing five games due to a foot injury Warrick Dunn averaged 5.4 ypc, and played an important role in the Falcon passing game. If your league awards points for receptions then Dunn would be a slightly better selection. However with the addition of former Broncos line coach Alex Gibbs, TJ Duckett and the power running game will play an integral role in the Falcon rushing game for the first time since the heyday of Jamal Anderson. Both of these players are solid #3 backs on a fantasy team, but it would be difficult to rely on either one as a weekly starter unless the other rode the pine with an ice pack.

Tyrone Wheatley/Justin Fargas/Amos Zereoue/Troy Hambrick (OAK): With all these names it may seem a bit overwhelming, but all four running backs have a legitimate shot at winning the starting position for Oakland. Everyone seems to think that Norv Turner’s love for a big bruising back will result in Wheatley rising to the top of the pack. But former Turner running backs like Emmitt Smith, Terry Allen, LaDainian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams have all been relied upon as an integral part of the passing game too. Wheatley has never been much of a receiver, catching just 12 passes each of the past three years, with a career high of only 21 catches. Second year man Justin Fargas has the most upside in this group. His initial burst through the line and overall energy is something that no one else on in the Raider backfield can match. If Fargas can secure the ball and quit fumbling, he may be the most talented back they have. Amos Zereoue comes over from Pittsburgh with the possibility of filling the void of reliable reception back that Gannon used to count on Charlie Garner for. However, Amos does not have the girth to pound the ball between the tackles on a consistent basis. The dark horse here is former Cowboy Troy Hambrick. He did not meet the high expectations that both fantasy owners and Bill Parcells held for him when he succeeded Emmitt Smith in Dallas. Nevertheless, Hambrick’s single disappointing season does not negate the potential for success that he brings to Norv Turner’s offense. Keep an eye on training camp reports to see if any of these four distinguish themselves from the pack.

Charlie Garner/Michael Pittman/Jamel White/Mike Alstott (TB): While he is an excellent fit for Jon Gruden’s West Coast offense, Charlie Garner comes into Tampa Bay amid a swell of talent that will not go unused this season. After fully recovering from last season’s neck injury, all-purpose back Mike Alstott returns to gobble up short yardage and goal line situations. Michael Pittman was a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield last season, although his return is pending legal action. While never excelling as the featured back in Cleveland, Jamel White is an exciting player who can provide the offense with a spark at any point in the game. Charlie Garner and Jon Gruden due have a history of success together, both in Philadelphia and Oakland. However, there just seems to be too many athletes in Tampa’s backfield for Charlie to handle the entire workload himself, and should not be counted on as a regular starter for your fantasy team.

Emmitt Smith/Marcel Shipp (ARI): With the arrival of new head coach Dennis Green and draft choice Larry Fitzgerald, many around the league felt that the Arizona offense would improve by leaps and bounds. An integral part of that mass assumption would be the promotion of talented backup Marcel Shipp to the starting running back position. Instead, Green has named veteran Emmitt Smith the starter heading into training camp; this after Smith’s 256 yard performance throughout ten games last season (2.8 ypc). Green has said that Emmitt commands more respect from his offensive teammates than Shipp does, and by being on the field he will aid the coach in developing a new attitude for the Cardinal offense. Expect Smith to open the season as Arizona’s starter, but take a flyer on Shipp late in your fantasy draft and count on him to supplant the future hall-of-famer midway through the year.

Duce Staley/Jerome Bettis (PIT): Recently named by his peers in pads as the NFL’s Toughest Player, Duce Staley was the premier free agent acquisition this offseason for a Steeler team that ranked 31st in the league last year in rushing yards per game. Last season in Philadelphia Duce averaged a career best 4.8 ypc, and is one of the more talented backs in the NFL when it comes to receiving. For the first time in three years Jerome Bettis was healthy and active for all 16 games in 2003. Ranking third all time with 3,119 carries over 11 seasons, Bettis’ renewed dedication to his physical health was rewarded by Bill Cowher with an increased role over the final eight games last year and the promise of fair competition for the starting spot in 2004. Ultimately the Pittsburgh offense will benefit most from using each of these two backs in their respective niches. Last season six of Bettis’ seven touchdowns came from within the two-yard line, and he should continue in that goal line role this year. Staley will handle the bulk of the rushing and receiving workload between the 20’s, but may miss out on touchdown opportunities within the redzone.

Michael Bennett/Onterrio Smith/Moe Williams (MIN): Let’s get this out of the way early on: Moe Williams is a redzone hog. In 2002 and 2003 he scored 11 and 8 touchdowns, respectively, all from within the twenty yard line. With that being said, Minnesota’s logjam at running back is one of the more frustrating in all of fantasy football because both Michael Bennett and Onterrio Smith have shown that they can put up fantastic numbers on their own. In 2002, the former track star Bennett averaged 5.1 ypc while rushing for almost 1,300 yds when he had the job all to himself. Last season we were privileged to see Smith prove his worth in Weeks 15 and 16 after Bennett got hurt, racking up 294 yards rushing and scoring three touchdowns in those two games. When healthy both running backs will see 15-18 touches per game, making them serviceable third backs on your squad. Consider an injury to either one of these two a blessing from the fantasy gods, because it will allow the other an opportunity to shoulder the entire rushing workload for Minnesota.

Lee Suggs/William Green (CLE): Out of all the training camp battles at the running back position, this may be the most difficult to predict, with a definite starter not being named for Week One until the final game of exhibition play. Last season Lee Suggs ended the year in a way that most backups only dream about. In Week Seventeen against the Bengals (his only start), Suggs rushed for 178 yards and scored two touchdowns. This only added fuel to the fire that both fans and the media had set upon former first round pick William Green. Limited to just seven games due to injury, Green was a disappointment in 2003 and also faced trouble off the field (drug charges, along with a stabbing by his wife in a domestic dispute). Reports out of May minicamps have said that both backs have done well. In the end, Butch Davis may lean toward Green because he was a first round pick, and there is a bit more invested in the former Boston College standout than Lee Suggs. Unless the starter has been named prior to your fantasy draft, it wouldn’t be smart to invest anything earlier than a seventh round draft pick on either one of these players.

Travis Minor/Sammy Morris/Leonard Henry (MIA): The decision to retire after five NFL seasons by Ricky Williams has resulted in yet another RBBC situation for fantasy owners. Unless the Dolphins sign another free agent, these three players will compete for the starting job in Miami. Travis Minor has been Williams’ backup for the past two seasons, spelling the star running back on occasion but seeing most of his action on special teams. Sammy Morris showed signs of reliability in a starting role as a rookie with the Bills back in 2000, but was since relegated to special teams duties before signing with Miami this past offseason as a free agent. Leonard Henry has been with Miami for two seasons, although each year has either been on the practice squad or deep on the Dolphin bench. Henry has not seen any regular season action in his two seasons with the team. Because this has happened so recently it is difficult to predict anything at this point in time. The job will most likely be Minor’s to lose, however both Morris and Henry are virtual unknowns who could surprise. Stay tuned to reports out of Miami, and let’s hope that some progress towards a feature back is made in the coming weeks.