By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com, FootballDiehards

The Sure Thing: Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots

The first three running backs selected in the 2005 NFL Draft -- Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams -- combined for 86 yards on 34 carries this past week. Maroney had 86 yards on 17 carries.

But the totals weren't nearly as impressive as how they were compiled. As SI.com insider Don Banks put it: "The NFL now knows about Maroney, and the rookie running back and first-round pick knows something about the NFL. Namely that he belongs, and can carry his own in helping lift a running game to new heights. ..."

Maroney's speed and elusiveness make it easy to overlook his physical style of play. But he's as tough as he is fast. And he's not going to share with Corey Dillon forever.

The most impressive thing about Maroney? New England's entire offense is more effective when he's on the field because defenses have to respect his big-play capabilities.

Given the team's dearth of talent at wideout, Tom Brady and the passing attack need all the help they can get. It's only a matter of time before Maroney takes on the lead role.

The October Surprise: Samkon Gado, Houston Texans

The Texans acquired Gado from the Packers in exchange for Vernand Morency on Wednesday -- a move made with Domanick Davis on season-ending IR and untested rookie starter Wali Lundy looking every bit like the sixth-round draft pick he this past April.

Houston's running game struggled in a 24-10 opening loss to Philadelphia where the running backs gained just 55 yards (with Morency responsible for 13 of them).

Head coach Gary Kubiak said he made the trade for Gado because he wanted to add a big, power runner to compliment the smallish Lundy.

Gado, in his second season, was one of the few bright spots in the Packers' 4-12 campaign last year, advancing from the practice squad to become the team's starting running back near the end of the season. But Gado has struggled to adjust to the zone-blocking scheme being run by new Packers coach Mike McCarthy -- interesting to note since Kubiak employs a similar scheme.

Kubiak said Gado would be valuable in short-yardage situations, but Texans general manager Rick Smith said he thinks he could do even more.

"He proved last season that he can be an every-down back," Smith told the Houston Chronicle. "His size and style is more in line with what our offense needs. He's good at picking up the blitz. He's tough and physical, and he's got good hands."

I'll go ahead and toss out the possibility here and now: Lundy -- as described by Kubiak -- a smaller back, will continue to struggle; Dayne will do what he does best: Fail to meet expectations. Whether Gado is any more adept at running behind zone-blocking techniques or not, he's going to get a shot at the featured role before all is said and done.

Bottom line? Gado is the most proven running back on the roster. He'll be the starter by mid-October.

Money Talks: Cedric Benson, Chicago Bears

As Pro Football Weekly framed it this week, Thomas Jones may have won the battle, getting the starting nod in Week 1 at Green Bay, but Chicago's backfield war is far from over. The Bears were in no hurry to rush Benson back from a preseason shoulder injury -- but they absolutely cannot afford another wasted season from the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft.

They didn't hesitate to move Benson ahead of Jones this offseason -- without much cause (Jones decision to skip "voluntary" team activities cost him the No. 1 spot). I suspect they'll use an equally flimsy excuse to promote him again -- sooner rather than later.

The Longshot: LenDale White, Tennessee Titans

He hasn't shown much yet, but make no mistake about it: The Titans are convinced they stole White in the second round of April's draft. Although he lasted until the second round -- due to questions about attitude, work ethic and a torn hamstring, the Titans viewed White as a top-five talent all along.

Coaches believe he's tougher than both Chris Brown and Travis Henry and there are already plans to make him part of their red-zone packages. That role could easily expand if White delivers.

Over time, the Titans believe White can emerge as an Eddie George brand of workhorse, but a far bigger breakaway threat. When will that happen?

Don't look now, but Brown and Henry already have turf toes.

Bob Harris is co-founder of the FootballDiehards Web site and senior editor at FSP Inc., publisher of Fantasy Football Pro Forecast, DraftBook, CheatSheets and Football Diehards magazines. He is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.

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