Running backs mostly seize the opportunities

BOB HARRIS Back Page Mewelde Moore has 537 total yards in just three games, although he's yet to find the end zone. AP

Two weeks ago, I offered four examples of NFL running backs -- Willis McGahee, Rueben Droughns, Mewelde Moore and Artose Pinner -- facing unexpected opportunities to establish themselves as legitimate fantasy threats.

Today, we'll revisit those situations in order to illustrate just how important opportunity is in terms of NFL and fantasy success.

Droughns

What I Said Then: "Droughns looks very much like the right guy in the right place to me."

What's Happened Since: Droughns has proven to be exactly that. In fact, the former fullback came up big for a third week in a row Monday night rushing 24 times for 110 and catching four passes for 20 yards (although he failed to reach the end zone) against Cincinnati.

Droughns gained a total of 369 yards the previous two games, rushing for 193 in a win over Carolina on Oct. 10 and 176 against the Raiders.

Of course, the fact an MRI of Griffin's right knee Tuesday confirmed that he suffered a torn ACL in Monday night's loss to the Bengals works in Droughns' favor

It's hard to imagine aging veteran Garrison Hearst or struggling rookie Tatum Bell making serious pushes for playing time.

Opportunity? Seized! (with a little help from Griffin)

McGahee

What I Said Then: "With [Travis] Henry hobbled, the Bills standing at 0-4 and first-year coach [Mike] Mularkey and his offense being publicly criticized by owner Ralph Wilson, McGahee's chances of taking over as the starter might never be better."

What's Happened Since: In announcing that McGahee will start when Buffalo hosts Arizona this weekend, head coach Mike Mularkey said on Wednesday that he hasn't ruled out going back to Henry. The coach added, however, that McGahee has been the team's more effective running back so far this season.

"He's made some more yards after first contact," Mularkey said of McGahee. "We're just trying to get a spark. ... It's not the only position that that may happen to. But right now that's the one that it is. And hopefully that's the spark in the run game that gets us rolling."

Mularkey emphasized that McGahee's promotion doesn't necessarily mean a demotion for Henry, as the coach said he considers both players to be starters.

As those who read this column regularly already know, I've been in Henry's corner since day one this year. And I'm still not convinced that McGahee is working at full speed.

But he's obviously getting closer.

And that should come as no surprise. After all, coaches began telling reporters in training camp they expected the former Hurricane to be close to full speed in November.

Well, it's the last week of October and McGahee is clearly playing better than he was in September. And of course, Henry is neither healthy nor playing especially well.

Opportunity? Seized! Much to the chagrin of Henry (and yours truly).

Moore

What I Said Then: "With [Onterrio] Smith out for three more games and [Michael] Bennett expected to miss another week or two because of a knee injury, Moore's window of productivity appears to be limited. As impressive as he might have been last Sunday (and might be this week, as well), Moore is going to have a very hard time keeping a healthy Bennett and Smith off the field."

What's Happened Since: Moore has gone out of his way to make that assessment look as foolish as possible. In fact, after Moore turned in his third consecutive strong performance, rushing for 138 yards on 20 carries and catching five passes for 30 yards, last weekend, head coach Mike Tice is in no hurry to make any changes.

In fact, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported on Tuesday that Bennett was startled by his limited workload in his season debut and then "visibly stunned" when Tice announced during his Monday news conference that he might even have to return kickoffs to work his way back into the lineup.

"Mike's got to earn his way back into the fold. ... At this point right now I don't have any inclination to start him," Tice said.

Although Bennett technically started Sunday against the Titans, he carried the ball just once for no yards. Moore has assumed the bulk of the run offense the past three weeks, and he broke a franchise record for most combined net yards (610) in that time span. In addition, the Vikings' run offense is rated a healthy 10th in the NFL, and veteran Moe Williams is healthy enough to fulfill his various roles.

"You know the old adage," Tice said. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Tice said Bennett would get his chances, noting returning kicks as a possible way for him to contribute.

"Mewelde is playing about as good as you can play," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "We're in a good rhythm right now."

Opportunity? Seized and shoved down the throat of your favorite fantasy whiz guy.

Pinner

What I Said Then: "Pinner is serviceable, but head coach Steve Mariucci seems to be set on investing as much playing time as possible in his talented 2004 first-round picks -- [Kevin] Jones and receiver Roy Williams -- with Detroit's long-term success driving the decision-making process. Mariucci's focus doesn't bode well for Pinner."

What's Happened Since: Pinner turned out to be even less serviceable than I suspected and Jones finally offered what the Detroit Free Press characterized as "the first glimpse" of what many expected when the Lions traded up late in the first round to draft.

He had a couple of 20-yard runs against the Giants last Sunday. As the Free Press put it, "There he was making would-be tacklers miss. A little juke here, a little acceleration there and, boom, there he was in the secondary -- a running back's dream."

Jones, who rushed for 65 yards on 13 carries, had to leave the game in the fourth quarter after experiencing cramps in his calf. So what else is new? Injuries have steadily hounded him. He's only now getting over the high ankle sprain that limited his availability over the last month.

"Everything is starting to come around," Jones said. "I just have to keep working hard."

"He's a strong runner," Mariucci said. "I loved his energy. If the guy stays healthy, he's going to have a lot of yards in this league."

Opportunity? Gone. Sorry Artose. First-round status is hard to overcome.

Looking for more?

Well, we're a little late on Ben Roethlisberger and Brian Griese, both of whom head into November playing productively after seizing injury-related opportunities.

Those interested in emerging situations should keep a close eye on the backfields in Philadelphia and Carolina this weekend.

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications.