NFL INSIDER: TODAY'S TOPIC: --- More and More NFL Teams are Using the Running Back by Committee Theory --- How will this affect your NFL Team and Fantasy Teams?

NFL Teams today are using the Running Back by Committee Theory --- How will this affect your NFL Team and Fantasy Teams? Will your teams back get his carries? Will you have a team controversy? How will your fantasy team be affected? Do you have the right combo in your team backfield or on your fantasy roster? The questions are endless. A lot of time and energy went into this piece and I think a lot of your questions will be answered for both the NFL Fan and the Fantasy Football Player/Owners. Have a great season... As per Jeb Gorman, The 2008 season will be no different than seasons past. Many NFL teams will take a running back by committee (RBBC) approach to their ground attack. We all are familiar with the notable Denver RBBC scheme that Mike Shanahan employs, but more and more teams are resorting to such a strategy. The shear number of quality running backs who can step into a starting role continues to grow and teams capitalize on drafting these guys and holding onto them tightly until they are no longer necessary. I would not do this article justice without mentioning as many teams as could potentially utilize the RBBC option. So, here goes nothing. Atlanta: Michael Turner vs. Jerious Norwood Michael "The Burner" Turner finally gets his opportunity to step out from behind the shadow of LT. This season could be a breakout one for Turner, who has shown he can be effective and now has Mike Mularkey (the ground gaming mind behind the Pittsburgh Jerome Bettis days) to guide him. However, in my opinion, Jerious Norwood stands a chance of stealing carries from Turner. I think Norwood is under-rated and could have a large impact in Atlanta's ground attack as well in 2008. In this situation I would say Turner will get the yards and TDs, but keep a waiver wire eye on Norwood if he is not picked up as a handcuff. Carolina: Jonathan Stewart vs. DeAngelo Williams Talk about two RBs on the same team being ranked so close. Rookie Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams will surely be splitting carries this season. Both young running backs will have the opportunity to light up defenses if Jake Delhomme is on his game. This RBBC outcome is your best guess. Stewart is a sleeper as he has yet to step foot into a real NFL game and Williams should be a safe #2 or #3 RB, but either one could step it up and stake claim to the TDs and yardage that are anticipated from a high powered Carolina offense. Take your pick; I think you cannot go wrong with either of these guys. Chicago: Matt Forte vs. Adrian Peterson Adrian Peterson rolled into the starting job in Chicago after Cedric Benson's latest escapade, but he will have to fight to stay there. Rookie Matt Forte is going to steal carries in the preseason and throughout the season -- maybe even win the starting position early on this year. We know that Peterson has NFL experience and will be given his shot, but Forte could be utilized to spell Peterson more than anticipated. This early, I see Peterson getting the early season yards and TDs with Forte worked in and eventually taking the reigns. Denver: Selvin Young vs. Ryan Torain Mike Shanahan's ground attack is always multifaceted. This season with Travis Henry's release, Selvin Young and Ryan Torain (Shanahan's favorite, young and impressionable RBs) will get their chances to split carries and shine. Young has seen NFL action and should be Denver's starter. In this capacity I see him gaining the majority of the yards and being given the chance for scores ahead of Torain. Torain will be used, but is a super-sleeper in my book. Houston: Chris Brown vs. Ahman Green Chris Brown joined Houston as a free agent to help resurrect their depleted ground game. Ahman Green (whose knees have seen better days) looks to return to his form of old, but Brown (who is also injury prone) could be poised for a renewed level of production. Houston will play both of these experienced backs in an attempt to get their ground game sparked. I would look for a near even split of carries here until one of these guys suffers their first injury of the season. The other will then take over; I see Brown staying healthy longer than Green. Jacksonville: Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Fred Taylor Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor are a duo that Jacksonville uses quite effectively to slash defenses. Jones-Drew has demonstrated his abilities so well that defensive coordinators took early notice last season and adjusted their schemes. This allowed Taylor to gain the bulk of the yardage. The circumstances could be similar this season, although I would put my money on the younger Jones-Drew for TDs this season with yardage up in the air. Miami: Ronnie Brown vs. Ricky Williams vs. Patrick Cobbs Miami has the potential to be one of the most effective RBBC teams out there. Ronnie Brown should return from his ACL repair fairly early on in the season and Ricky Williams and Patrick Cobbs will be battling for yardage and TDs until then. The only caveat would be Williams' knack for spacing on his role at hand. New Orleans: Reggie Bush vs. Deuce McAllister Is Reggie Bush a bust or will he effectively carry the load for New Orleans? This is a good question. Bush should be watched carefully because if he shows signs of getting tired, he might be spelled more often by a healthy Deuce McAllister to limit his chance of injury. Bush will see the yardage with his receiving abilities and movement after the catch, but McAllister may steal goal line carries and get the TDs. New York Giants: Brandon Jacobs vs. Derrick Ward vs. Ahmad Bradshaw New York had no other choice than to employ a RBBC strategy last season with injuries all-around. Brandon Jacobs went out early, Derrick Ward effectively took over and when Ward got injured, Reuben Droughns took over for a spell before Jacobs was active once again. Jacobs and his bang-em up style attack lends New York to the RBBC scheme as you never know when he might be headed to the locker room. Ward can cut a defense to shreds, but is also injury prone. Where does this leave New York? I see Jacobs being awarded the starting position with Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw getting time as well. The promising play of Bradshaw at the tail end of last season bodes well for his contribution. Jacobs will most likely see the goal line carries and Bradshaw stands a very good chance at getting lots of yards. Pittsburgh: Willie Parker vs. Rashard Mendenhall Pittsburgh might be destined for years of old with Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall splitting carries. Parker will most likely get the yardage, but look for Mendenhall to be used nearly half of the time to change pace and get some retro Bettis looks near the end zone. Parker could be over valued here, but I like Fast Willie for another 1,000 yard season with a desire to add TDs. Seattle: Julius Jones vs. TJ Duckett vs. Maurice Morris The additional of Julius Jones to the Seattle offense could re-ignite his career. Maurice Morris has been the Michael Turner of Seattle in the past when Sean Alexander was at the helm and TJ Duckett has experience, but I am predicting Jones to step up his game with a new team and take the lead in this ground attack. Jones will still have to look over his shoulder as he did in Dallas with Marion Barber breathing down his neck, but a renewed scope and team should be the kick Julius needs to produce. Tennessee: LenDale White vs. Chris Henry vs. Chris Johnson LenDale White had an over 1,000 yard season in 2007, but faces stiff competition this season from Chris Henry and rookie Chris Johnson. The backfield in Tennessee could stand to be thinned out as these three guys could all make an impact and will therefore all be used to help Vince Young formulate his offensive attack. I see White and Johnson battling it out and splitting most carries. Picking the winner in this situation is another story. Johnson was drafted in the first round as Henry was not quite as productive as anticipated last season. Johnson could move up this depth chart quickly and chip away at White's numbers. I would look at White first and grab Johnson if he is available late or off waivers, but focus on the fact that they will both be used and the time could be 50/50.