Rookie Runners

[Hache Man]

Rookie runners ready to roll

One of last week's hot topics was when all of the rookie running backs not named Reggie Bush would take over their teams' starting jobs.

This is the week, though, to make a move for any of them that interest you. Yes, after Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Addai and LenDale White combined for all of 34 rushing yards, they should move up on your radar.

Yes, it seems contradictory. But if you have been paying attention, you have noticed their potential and will target the backs you want this week — while their price is down. A quick look at each of the four:

Maroney: He is the strongest, fastest and most complete back with big-play potential. But Corey Dillon has been running hard, although this week's arm injury could derail that. If Dillon is back, the Patriots' split-back situation continues, with Dillon receiving a good chunk of short-yardage carries. Maroney also is a good receiver, where the Patriots need plenty of help.

Williams: He should be the second-most valuable of this collection as his 13-carry, 74-yard performance in Week 2 indicates how good he could be. But getting no carries in Week 1 and one last Sunday shows you how entrenched DeShaun Foster is. Williams is a quick, explosive runner, and he can be a 20-carry type of guy. He will be a legit every-week starter when (not if) Foster gets hurt.

Addai: He has gotten more attention than the other backs because he is a vital part of the Colts' powerful offense, and that should mean plenty of scoring chances. Veteran Dominic Rhodes is well established as the nominal starter, so what you have seen is what you'll get from Addai: One week up and one week down. He is averaging 60 total yards a game and has scored once. Yes, he has great potential, but those numbers might not change appreciably.

White: Despite just nine carries in the last two games, White is on this list because the two guys ahead of him —Chris Brown and Travis Henry— already have missed games to injuries. That makes it very likely that White will get a crack as the starter relatively soon. His tenure with the Titans has been all over the map, so predicting success is difficult. Plus, the Titans have had to ditch the run every week.

Offensive futures

As bad as Daunte Culpepper has been, you'll still want to start him this week as the Dolphins play at Houston. Last week was just the latest example of the Texans helping another team turn around its offensive fortunes.

Houston is allowing a league-high 32.7 points a game and has given up at least three offensive touchdowns each week.

The bigger question is if Culpepper will be a reasonable fantasy option the rest of the season. And the most important factor is the play of his offensive line. Culpepper clearly is not as nimble and never has been exceptionally accurate, except when he threw to Randy Moss. If you don't know what to make of Culpepper, watch the Dolphins' line. Its play has been atrocious; if it improves, so will Culpepper.

You don't have to think either Steve Smith or Clinton Portis is the MVP of the league, but you can't deny their impact on their teams' offenses. Their return from injuries is good news for owners who had been cursing Jake Delhomme and Mark Brunell for not producing touchdowns. Neither offense was back at full speed in Week 3, but they are getting close, and the only people cursing now should be people who already bailed on the Redskins and Panthers.

Around the league

The Bucs' offense didn't seem to be going anywhere before Chris Simms got hurt. They needed until Week 3 for their first touchdown, and running back Carnell Williams was barely a factor. The loss of Simms likely ends any hope of building on a decent showing against the Panthers. Good luck getting decent trade value for Williams or wide receiver Joey Galloway, and you should proceed as if neither of them will be great help for your team. Williams should get more work after the bye. But without the threat of a passing game, defenses will be well-prepared.

Before we anoint the Seahawks' new four-receiver system as the greatest thing since the introduction of the forward pass, let's remember that Matt Hasselbeck threw five touchdowns against the Giants, who are in the running for the league's worst secondary. This week is a test against the Bears, who should hold the Seahawks in check, but there are some easy games on the schedule.

As for Darrell Jackson, Deion Branch, Nate Burleson or Bobby Engram stealing catches from each other: None of them had more than 62 yards on Sunday, but three scored. Play them when you expect Seattle to score easily, but do not look for big yards.

Bye week advice

Trade for Jeremy Shockey. His sprained ankle has limited him (on the field, not in talking to the media) since late in the preseason but a two-week break will let him get healthy. He has had to take plays off and has not been a dynamic threat. Now is the time to pick him off cheaply and wait for him to reassume his spot as the Giants' second-best receiver behind Plaxico Burress— and ahead of Amani Toomer.

Don't trade for Ben Roethlisberger. The time off will help Roethlisberger get healthy, but his big problem is the Steelers' lack of playmakers at wide receiver. Hines Ward has been slowed by a hamstring injury and is barely a factor with nine catches for 99 yards and a touchdown in three weeks. He will continue to get the bulk of the defensive attention until one of the Steelers' other receivers steps up. And that is what will keep Roethlisberger's numbers down, especially considering the upcoming schedule: at San Diego, vs. Kansas City and at Atlanta.