The Dallas Morning News presented a pretty interesting statistic Monday, illustrating some of the least-effective running backs on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 situations last season.

The Seahawks knew that they were going to get a college-like enthusiasm from new coach Pete Carroll. But the organization is getting much more. Carroll installed a blue-white scrimmage, similar to a “spring game” recently, leaving me to wonder if letter sweaters and achievement stickers on the helmet can be far behind.

It’s very early, but several of the long list of injured Lions from last season are showing encouraging signs.

Jahvid Best may not be a true featured back as a rookie, but it’s pretty easy to predict that he’ll see the majority of the backfield touches for the Lions in 2010.

Raiders coach Tom Cable is not going to select a starting quarterback in May. Cable calls it an open competition. Others call it a formality because newly acquired QB Jason Campbell was the hands-down favorite at the Raiders three-day minicamp over the weekend.

Jahvid Best is an explosive running back who could make a decent fantasy impact in Detroit.

The Rams, who hold the No. 1 overall selection in the draft, have begun preliminary negotiations with Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

A number of teams will use the NFL Scouting Combine not only as a way to look at new players, but hopefully hammer out some contract details with potential free agents.

Despite the obvious discord between Adalius Thomas and coach Bill Belichick, the LB is still a member of the Patriots, a situation the Boston Globe‘s Albert Breer attributes to a front-loaded contract that behooves the Patriots to keep Thomas on the roster at least until the new league year begins on March 5.

An offseason priority for the Detroit Lions is upgrading the running game. How that plays out is anyone’s guess.

Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, did not post impressive statistics, but what he did do was provide the downtrodden club with some hope.

Here are a few of the bigger news and notes to consider as we head into Week 15 of the fantasy season.

Here’s a look at some of the changes to NFL backfields and their affect on your fantasy teams for Week 15.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said RB Kevin Smith will have season-ending surgery on his left knee, MLive.com reports.

Detroit Lions RB Kevin Smith will undergo tests Monday to determine the severity of the left knee injury he suffered in Sunday’s 48-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.