[TheNewGuy]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

I like Portis and Brown over Stephen Jackson. I also think that given that he is 31, 5th is a bit high for Tiki. No 31 yerold gets over 2,000 from scrimmage and he is not going to score much.

I would also slip Caddie into a top 10 slot. Ron Dayne?...Fool me one, Fool me twice...no way he is number 9.

I've been telling people to watch out for Dayne. I'm a Giants fan so I got a chance to see him. From 2001, I knew he wasn't a fit for that team. But I always felt he had Pro Bowl talent. I'm talking 1,500 yards talent. But he's kind of a system running back. He's either going to excel or really suck, depending on the situation he's in. I think Denver is that situation where he can excel. And I understand the doubt. I might be somewhat of a contrarian for thinking this, but that's what I think. We'll see.

I don't think Barber is like many of the other 31-year-old backs. He didn't get many carries earlier in his career and hasn't started carrying the load since 2002. And, he's actually gotten faster and stronger as he's gotten older. He works with a former professional weight lifter and does heavy power lifting to bulk up and strengthen his core and runs a lot of drills where he runs up hill and in sand to improve his speed. It's weird, but he's faster than he was say 5 years ago. That, and he's never been a bruiser. He doesn't take hard shots, doesn't get piled on too much. And he hasn't missed a game since 2001. If there's a back to get it done at that age, it's him. Also, Curtis Martin won the rushing title in 2004 at 31.

Lefty, don't take too much from Bell starting. Shanahan probably just wanted to see what he can do or use it as motivation for Dayne and Bell. There's a chance that Bell starts because of his great speed and Clinton Portis-esque running style, but no way Bell gets it. The same coach who reached on Clarett, didn't even think enough of him to draft him.

I'm not that high on Cadillac and I haven't been, even when he was coming out. He's got kind of skinny legs and doesn't have much power in them. And he tends to run upright sometimes and exposes himself to hits. I looked at him and saw someone who has the potential to be injury prone. And I know he missed some games last year with small injuries. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if he's a guy who's nicked up every year. He's in my top 15 though. Put it this way, if your league is setup for RBs to thrive (my leagues are more QB dominant) and you've got a first rounder and Caddy is sitting there - look for another position and see if you can get him later.

[EmpireWF]

With Portis' injury and Washington's acquisition of TJ Duckett, I'd say he falls into the late 1st round and even 2nd round in fantasy drafts.

[MJHMarc]

I'm not sure how many snaps will go TJ Duckett's way this season. Clinton Portis is still a decent running-back even though he acts a tad bit immature dressing up as weird characters of his imagination. But I must admit that it adds some interesting articles that you would find in newspapers around the country. It portrays the lighter side of football, instead of the bone-crackling tackles and bruises that smash the heads off offensive line-man when the defense gets angry.