FanHouse WillisMcGahee

On Second Thought is Matt Snyder's look back at the initial FanHouse staff rankings, which were compiled nearly a month ago. As we all know, fantasy players' value changes frequently, even when no games are being played. Today, we look at running backs.

As teams continue to use two-backs systems, running back has become an increasingly deep and unpredictable position. Thus, you don't have the predictable first two rounds of years past. Injuries and the progress of young backs will shuffle backfields throughout the preseason. As that happens, the fantasy values of the running backs continually shift. Let's take a look.

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Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.

Jonathan Ogden retired last summer, leaving the Ravens with a young but deep group of offensive linemen to protect rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. Not surprisingly, Ogden's replacement, Jared Gaither (a former supplementary draft pick) was inconsistent, but occasionally flashed glimpses of big-play potential.

Steelers safety Ryan Clark developed a reputation around the NFL this season as being one of the most physical, hardest hitting safeties in the league. By now, I'm sure you're already familiar with his work. During the Steelers' 27-23 win against Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII, Clark tried to develop a new tackling strategy, and it's one that probably won't be catching on any time soon, and for good reason -- it doesn't work.

TAMPA, Fla. -- A harsh dose of reality was injected into the festive atmosphere of the Super Bowl this morning when about three dozen retired players met with the media to promote the Gridiron Greats, an organization that provides financial assistance to retired NFL players who left the game with serious injuries.

Everyone who follows football knows that players often leave the game with permanent disabilities, and that even the lucky ones can usually point to a knee, hip, elbow or shoulder that bears surgical scars and still causes them pain. But seeing all these former players gathered in one room brought the point home: At one point during the press conference, the ex-players were asked if they were in physical pain just sitting there. Almost all of them said they were.

Every week during the season we focused on an aspect of line play with Between The Lines. So for the Super Bowl, we're focusing on all aspects of the battle of the line of scrimmage. Today, we look at the Steelers' defense.

There have been many times this postseason when Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner and the Cardinals offense have looked unstoppable. On Sunday, we'll find out how true that is. There many matchups to watch, but it's safe to say that if the Cardinals can block the Steelers' pass rush, they likely will pull off the upset. If they can't, Pittsburgh will be bringing its sixth Super Bowl trophy back to the Steel City.

Warner has averaged 286 yards passing per game this season, but now he'll be facing a defense that has allowed more than 300 yards of total offense only twice in 18 games. Warner and an offense with three 1,000-yard receivers will be one of the Steelers' D's toughest tests, but this is not a defense that is untested.

Super Bowl week is just as much about the carnival atmosphere as it is about the actual game. Tuesday is Media Day, which historically means plenty of inane questions, some ridiculous publicity stunts, and a lot of stuff you'd never see during a typical NFL week. Like, say, NFL Network's Deion Sanders getting called out by a smiling Ryan Clark. (Click the photo above for the video, or just go here.)

Super Bowl week is just as much about the carnival atmosphere as it is about the actual game. Tuesday is Media Day, which historically means plenty of inane questions, some ridiculous publicity stunts, and a lot of stuff you'd never see during a typical NFL week. Like, say, NFL Network's Deion Sanders getting called out by a smiling Ryan Clark. (Click the photo above for the video, or just go here.)

Troy Polamalu is arguably the best safety in the NFL, but the guy who plays next to him -- Ryan Clark -- is the hardest hitting. At least according to teammate Larry Foote. And I suspect Willis McGahee, Wes Welker and Matt Jones all might agree.

Troy Polamalu is arguably the best safety in the NFL, but the guy who plays next to him -- Ryan Clark -- is the hardest hitting. At least according to teammate Larry Foote. And I suspect Willis McGahee, Wes Welker and Matt Jones all might agree.

Steelers safety Ryan Clark and Ravens running back Willis McGahee had one of the most violent collisions you'll ever seen on a football field during the AFC Championship. But while McGahee spent Sunday night in the hospital, Clark says that to him, it was nothing out of the ordinary.