Running Back Camp Battles

There is nothing a fantasy owner hates more than a running back battle in training camp. When the battles last up until the beginning of the season, no fantasy owner can really know what will happen before they have to start making their picks. Yet, it is not all bad for owners. The risk takers can end up with a steal in the draft if they want to take a chance on one player over the other. Of course, that plan backfires about half the time. In some cases it is possible to draft both players involved in the later rounds of the fantasy draft.

Atlanta Falcons: Warrick Dunn vs. Jerious Norwood
Warrick Dunn just will not go away. The veteran is heading into his 11th season in the NFL and his sixth with the Falcons. Every time you think his production will fall off, he pulls out another 1,000 yard campaign. Jerious Norwood is expected to take over some more of the carries after garnering 99 attempts in 2006 and the entire process of switching from Dunn to Norwood will take at least another year. That is bad news for owners of either Atlanta running back. The duo only combined for a grand total of six rushing touchdowns last season and neither looks like a good pick in most fantasy leagues.

Carolina Panthers: DeShaun Foster vs. DeAngelo Williams
This may be the year DeAngelo Williams catapults himself into superstardom. DeShaun Foster never really became a fantasy star and now he is on the decline with the emergence of Williams. Williams will likely fall past the first couple of rounds in most fantasy drafts and, if his progression goes as planned, he could be a steal. The 5-9 second year player out of Memphis only rushed for 501 yards and one touchdown as a rookie, but it is his receiving skills that intrigue fantasy owners. Williams caught 33 passes for 313 yards, one touchdown and his total yardage should drastically increase this year. Foster is still listed as the starter, but that may not last too long.

Dallas Cowboys: Julius Jones vs. Marion Barber III
Julius racked up 1,084 yards in 2006 and handled the bulk of the carries. But it was Marion Barber III who found the end zone 14 times. Jones, who may not even end up on the Cowboys by the time the season starts, has been a decent rusher in Dallas, but Barber is the future. The team hopes to employ more of a power running attack and that is nothing but trouble for Jones. With or without Jones, Barber will be the premier fantasy back in 2007, but it is not like Jones is over the hill and not able to put up big numbers anymore. But if he does not get the carries, especially in goal line situations, Jones will be nothing but a fantasy dud.

Detroit Lions: Tatum Bell vs. T.J. Duckett vs. Kevin Jones vs. Injuries
If Kevin Jones is healthy, he is a decent fantasy option, but that is a big 'if.' With Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett joining the squad, he will not get all of the carries(even when Jones is healthy). Bell is used to splitting carries and can definitely handle his fair share of the load. Bell only rushed for two touchdowns with Denver last year and lost five fumbles, so besides the rushing yards, his fantasy value is minimal. Jones may not find the end zone very often either if bruising back Duckett has anything to say about it. Even if Jones is healthy, he will not be anything better than a #3 or #4 fantasy back. In deep leagues he may be worth a shot late in the draft.