Will Vince Young get on the field this season?

It's gotta be hard playing behind Kerry Collins, a journeyman quarterback who's going on 37 years old, but such is life for Vince Young. Two years removed from not only being the starting QB but also the face of the Tennessee Titans franchise, he's now stuck carrying a clipboard on the sidelines while Collins try to "manage" the Titan offense.

I guess in some ways it makes sense. With the explosiveness of Chris Johnson and power of LenDale White in the backfield, Tennessee really doesn't need a mobile QB. All they really need is a guy who can step up in the pocket and deliver an accurate ball 10-15 yds. down the field to keep the chains moving and the defense honest. At this stage in Collins career that's exactly what he is. There once was a time when Collins could air it out 40 times a game and throw for 300 yds. while carrying his team to a victory, but those days are certainly behind him. These days he's lucky if he hits 200 yds. in a game (only 4 times last season).

So is it the right decision to keep Young on bench? Is the experience of playing behind Collins going to have the same effect as Aaron Rodgers playing behind Brett Favre for a couple seasons in Green Bay? In my opinion, I think the answer is no. Young is a play maker. Whether it's with his arm or with his legs, he just knows how to make things happen. Of course he's going to make mistakes along the way, but when the game's on the line, you want your play makers in the game. When a pass play breaks down, can Collins avoid a pass rusher, shed a linebacker, and pick up 8 yds. and a first down? I don't think so.

With Tennessee's stout defense and prolific running game, Collins may make sense to some people but to me he's a liability and I think by the end of the season Young will be back in there as the starting QB. Either by injury or inability, Young will get his chance to once again be the man in Tennessee.

Fantasy Impact: In keeper leagues, I think Young is an excellent value. He may not even be a guy you pick up right away, but keep him on your 'watch list' and as mid-season approaches don't hesitate to pull the trigger. By this time next year you'll be glad you did.

Preseason Rankings: Running Back

The following series of posts will list the top 10 fantasy players at each skill position based on projected fantasy output for the upcoming 2009 season.

At the running back position the conversation starts and ends with Adrian Peterson. He's built for power and speed, and has stayed relatively healthy so far in his young career. After him, there's a group of really strong backs who all have something to prove. The guy who made the biggest jump last season was Michael Turner, who stepped in as the every-down back in Atlanta and simply ran wild. Known primarily for his speed, the versatile Turner held up all season under the grueling workload of being the every-down back for the first time in his career. Two rookies of a year ago, Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton, made the list due to their breakout seasons. I think they both have what it takes to stay there. I'm not as high on Maurice Jones-Drew as some of the "experts" because I don't think he can be an every-down back. Part of his strength the last few years has been returning kicks, working primarily in the red zone, and being the "change of pace" back. Now that it's just him in Jacksonville, he's got to prove that he's got the toughness to battle all season long. Pierre Thomas is my wildcard. After finishing strong last season, it'll be interesting to see how he fits in to the pass-happy New Orleans offense over the course of a full season.

1. Adrian Peterson (MIN)
2. Matt Forte (CHI)
3. Frank Gore (SF)
4. Chris Johnson (TEN)
5. Michael Turner (ATL)
6. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD)
7. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX)
8. Ronnie Brown (MIA)
9. Steve Slaton (HOU)
10. Pierre Thomas (NO)

Fantasy Impact: It's a widely held belief that running backs are what win fantasy championships, but I'm one of the few who disagree with this strategy. Depending on the format of your league, I would say that having a single top running back is all you need. I'd take any one of the top 10 backs and then not take another RB until at least the 4th round. With the way the running game is evolving in the NFL, more than half of the teams will be splitting carries between at least two backs this season, and in some cases three (i.e. Baltimore with McGahee, Rice, McClain and New York with Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw last season). Avoid the pressure to draft RB's back-to-back in the first and second round and you'll find yourself with some amazing players on the board.