Clinton Portis/ Ladell Betts:  Portis has been a top 10 fantasy running back since he started in Denver.  Last year he was hurt is preseason which brought him out of the gates slowly, and then only played eight games before going down with a season ending injury.  Complete bust for every owner that drafted him, unless they handcuffed Betts to him.  Betts entered and in only 9 games starting, averaged 4.7 ypg and gained over 1000 yards rushing.  What makes this interesting is everyone assumed Betts was gone at seasons end, after being able to breakthrough in a contract year, but Washington signed him back.  He will certainly gain more carries than he has in the past, affecting his and Portis’ value, but the true share ratio needs to be watched in preseason.  This appears to be headed towards whoever is the “hotter” RB on gameday unless Portis can get back his RB1 status with dominating performances right away.

Adrian Peterson/ Chester Taylor: Taylor finally got his wish to be a starter last year, had over 300 carries and over 1300 yards.  A great season in a so-so Minnesota offense.  In the 2007 NFL draft the Viking cannot pass-up Adrian Peterson which says the writing is on the wall that Peterson is their “back” to be.  We just have to figure out if it will be this season or next.  If Peterson only steals around 10 carries a game (similar to what Benson did in Chicago his first couple years) then it could actually help Taylor remain stronger as the year goes, but most expect Peterson to be the main starter by mid-season (of course they all said the same about Benson in his rookie year).  An injury in preseason could open or if either appears to be the more dominant runner in preseason, look for that player to take the reigns and not look back.  Minnesota is young and should have no fear moving to Peterson now, unlike Chicago who were bringing Benson along slowly as a winning team.

Tatum Bell/ Kevin Jones - This one should be really interesting.  This is Jones’ team, but it really looks like he won’t be quite ready to play at full speed at the start of the season.  Enter Tatum Bell.  Everyone is down on Bell because he couldn’t take over as the lead runner in the RB happy land of Denver.  Well, something tells me that all the platoon mind game tricks that we seem to see everytime it appears to be obvious who should be the #1 take their toll on some players.  I think Bell as more to offer than what we have seen so far, with his breakaway speed and big play ability.  If he gets an extended chance to show his game, watch out for a major RB controversy when Jones is fully healthy.  Whenever Tatum was the underdogg in the past he has excelled, and now he has that role again.

Warrick Dunn/ Jerious Norwood - The time is getting closer and closer for Norwood to move from limited carries, to majority of carries.  Dunn has never really gotten his due, for the ability he has, but in a season where Atlanta is near disaster with Vick suspended, Dunn hurt and Crumpler hurt, look for Atlanta to give Norwood a full chance to take over in this offense.  The coaches are working hard with him on his receiving skills as that is his one weak area, indicating they want him to be on the field in most scenarios.  I would draft Dunn with extreme caution (and make him the handcuff player), as there is no reason for Atlanta to NOT see what Norwood is capable of this year, whether they win or lose.

Lamont Jordan/ Dominick Rhodes - This situation probably isn’t worth mentioning, as the Oakland offense is expected to be so bad, that it doesn’t really matter who is lining up at RB.  Jordan was a pleasant surprise in 2005, showing great running and reception skills as advertised, but in 2006 he was one of fantasy footballs biggest busts.  Injuries and a HORRIBLE offense was the main cause last year so look for LJ to perform much better this season.  With Rhodes out the first four games of the season, Jordan has time to cement his role as the teams top runner, and be the main focal point in an otherwise weak offense.  Again though, that may not mean many fantasy points at the end of the day if Oakland can’t score and rarely have the ball.

Tennesee Titans Trio - The preseason may not mean more on any other team, for giving fantasy owners some indication of who might be running for this team.  LenDale white was expected to be groomed to be the starter this season, but last year was not a smooth ride, and reports have White far from in game shape.  They drafted rookie Chris Henry, but I have my doubts that the team is sending out a rookie RB next to Vince Young and saying good luck.  That leaves Chris Brown, the RB who just a couple seasons ago appeared to be their RB of the future, as the lead candidate.  Brown simply needs to stay healthy to win back his starters job.  He can provide the big games, but his issue has been doing it for more than three games before getting seriously hurt.  At the end of the day, the offense has many questions and the RB situation has more.  If the preseason gives a strong indication of who will play the most, then adjust your cheat sheets accordingly, but otherwise all Tennesee RB’s should be very low on your list.  I see a lot of going with the hot hand, and weekly lineup changes, all factors which drives any fantasy owner crazy.