Running Back Swap

[Hache Man]

Running Back Swap
The NFL has featured a shocking number of player-for-player trades this year and that trend continued Wednesday, as the Texans and Packers swapped backup running backs. In what is a good, old-fashioned ''''challenge trade'''' that is often seen in baseball and basketball, Green Bay sent Samkon Gado to Houston for Vernand Morency. Both Gado and Morency were young, intriguing backups on teams with relatively shaky starters, so this deal has some major fantasy implications.

While both players had plenty of value in their old situations, the deal gives them each a better chance for long-term success. Gado goes from rarely touching the ball as Ahman Green''s backup in Week 1 to being part of Houston''s running-back mix, which is valuable given that the Texans appear to be following the Broncos'' ''''anyone can run it for us'''' plan. It also helps that Houston''s offensive line coach is former Green Bay coach Mike Sherman, who surely has found memories of how well Gado played last season.

Gado will initially start at the bottom of the depth chart, behind both Wali Lundy and Ron Dayne, but coach Gary Kubiak''s running-back totem pole seems pretty fluid. Gado should get a handful of touches backing up Lundy and could get some looks in short-yardage situations. The deal also gives a boost to Dayne''s already growing stock, while sapping some of Lundy''s value if the goal-line touches vanish. Meanwhile, Morency is now the primary backup for Green, who''s a terrible bet to remain healthy for 16 games.

He should get plenty of touches assuming the Packers realize they can''t leave Green on the field for every snap on a weekly basis, and will likely become the primary third-down option. As someone who owns both Gado and Morency in the same keeper league, this deal was a pleasant surprise. Whether you''re also in a keeper league or see them available on the waiver wire in re-draft leagues, snatch them up. They''re each an injury away from major carries and have plenty of long-term potential.

While Packers fans mourn the end of the Gado Era, here are some other notes from around football …

• As expected, Ben Roethlisberger is getting closer and closer to starting in Week 2. Roethlisberger practiced Wednesday and reportedly looked good, with several of his teammates telling reporters afterward that they expect him to play Monday night. However, before you go sticking Big Ben back into your fantasy lineup, consider that a matchup against Jacksonville''s defense is far from ideal for his return.

The Jaguars'' defensive line took a big hit when Reggie Hayward went down with a season-ending injury, but with John Henderson, Marcus Stroud, and Paul Spicer still around they''ll make life plenty difficult for Roethlisberger. Toss in the fact that the Steelers will focus on running the ball unless they fall behind big early and it''s unlikely that Roethlisberger will put up big numbers. There are at least 20 better quarterback plays this week.

• Despite Kerry Collins'' shaky play in the season opener, the Titans reportedly continue to shop Billy Volek around the league with the intention of dealing him soon. The Chargers have been rumored to be interested in Volek for weeks now, which makes some sense given Philip Rivers'' inexperience and the fact that his backup is rookie Charlie Whitehurst.

However, a better fit would seem to be the Chiefs, who will start Damon Huard in Week 2 and for the foreseeable future. Sure enough, Kansas City joined in on the Volek rumors Wednesday after reportedly asking Tennessee about him earlier this week. While Huard will get the start this week, Volek would be a near-lock to take over the starting job almost immediately if he ended up in Kansas City.

He''d be a major fantasy upgrade over Huard and is capable of putting up some big numbers given the right circumstances, although it remains to be seen if the Chiefs are still capable of a high-powered passing game given their suspect offensive line and mediocre receiving corps beyond Tony Gonzalez. If you''ve been holding onto Volek hoping for a change of scenery, be patient.

Two-Minute Drill: Coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that he doesn''t expect Deion Branch to play Sunday, but Matt Hasselbeck said he''d be ''''very shocked if he wasn''t playing this week'''' … Duce Staley is expected to be inactive Monday night, which means Najeh Davenport is a good bet for goal-line chances … Quincy Morgan is now expected to sign with Denver, and not Minnesota, but that obviously may change … Willie Roaf reiterated Wednesday that he has no plans to play again … As expected, the Jets auditioned potential replacements for Mike Nugent, sapping his already limited fantasy value even further.

Red Zone: Cadillac Williams (back) surprisingly is not listed on Tampa Bay''s injury report … Similarly, Willis McGahee has apparently been given a clean bill of health after hurting his ankle in Week 1 … Steve Smith (hamstring) missed practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Week 2 … Doug Gabriel (hamstring) is listed as probable for Week 2, which is very encouraging news until you consider that he was also listed as probable before sitting out last week … After sitting out the season opener, Brandon Stokley (ankle) missed practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Week 2 … Reports that Joe Jurevicius has broken ribs were shot down by the Browns Wednesday, but he''s still out for at least Week 2.