Clinton Portis.

BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

The first Sunday of the football season has arrived, and this week could end up being more important than any other. The reason is simple, we are going to find out more information this week than any other week of the season.

In particular, there are eight questions that will be answered that can have a major impact on the 2010 fantasy football season.

1) Brandon LaFell or Dwayne Jarrett

The Carolina Panthers are very much a rush-dominated offence, but head coach John Fox knows he has to change some things in order to return to the Super Bowl.

The first big move was the team's decision to start Matt Moore at quarterback, while veteran Jake Delhomme has moved on with the Browns. In Moore, the team has a quarterback who threw eight touchdowns without a single interception over the last four games of the '09 season.

While Moore has proven himself as a solid passer, the greater question is who besides Steve Smith will do the receiving. Dwayne Jarrett is a former second round pick who has finally gotten serious with his NFL career and performed decently during the preseason.

LaFell was nabbed in the third round of the 2010 draft and seems to be the most athletic player in the Panthers receiving corps. Fox wants to reward Jarrett for his improvement, but LaFell is probably the better player.

So who will Moore throw the ball to on Sunday? In a few hours we'll find out.

2) Thomas Jones or Jamaal Charles

Jamaal Charles dominated over the final eight games of last season and has youth on his side. Thomas Jones is a proven veteran enjoying a remarkable stretch over the last five years as a dominant NFL running back.

The Chiefs coaching staff has announced that they will go by feel when it comes to touches in the backfield, which suggests that a first-team running back could emerge with a heavier workload based on performance.

We'll find out whether the carries will be evenly split or if Charles or the more undervalued Jones will get the majority of the carries on Monday night when the Chiefs face the Chargers.

3) Clinton Portis or Larry Johnson

From the beginning of the Redskins training camp, Mike Shanahan has stated that Clinton Portis would be the team's starting running back. This should have come as no surprise, as Portis ranked amongst the NFL's best in 2008 with 1,487 rushing yards. Of course, Portis has also missed 16 games over the last four seasons and last season was a major bust after getting drafted in the first round of most fantasy drafts.

On the other hand, Larry Johnson emerged as a solid backup for the Cincinnati Bengals and beat out Willie Parker for the second-string gig for the 'Skins this season. The question we are eager to have answered is whether as a backup Johnson will get just five touches per game or as many as 15.

4) Ahmad Bradshaw or Brandon Jacobs

The Giants have always prided themselves as a rush-dominated offence, but for the first time in a long-time, they have no clear-cut starting running back.

It used to be Brandon Jacobs, but the 6'4, 264 lbs. running back struggled last season with just 3.7 yards per carry. On the other hand, Ahmad Bradshaw scored seven touchdowns and had a healthy 4.8 yards per carry.

Bradshaw seems to have won the starting gig this preseason, even though neither running back has really dominated much. Can we really believe that Jacobs, who has averaged close to 1000 yards rushing over the last three seasons, will be limited to backup duties? The answer will come sooner than later.

5) Michael Bush or Darren McFadden

Both Raiders running backs will finally have some help from the passing attack now that the Raiders have signed veteran Jason Campbell, however, the thing that they both desperately need is a clean bill of health.

McFadden is best known for his dominant college career, while Bush is a big back who has pushed down opposing linebackers during the rare instances that he's been on the field the last few seasons.

The player with the better performance on Sunday will likely get the first crack at earning the bulk of the carries moving forward.

6) Devin Hester or Johnny Knox or Devin Aromashodu

With Mike Martz coming up with the Bears offensive schemes, you know that Jay Cutler will be back to his gun-slinging ways. The only question is who will come down with the ball.

Devin Hester was the featured target last season with 757 yards. Aromashodu had the big finish with 196 yards and three touchdowns over the final two games. Then there is Knox, who is expected to line up out of the slot, which means plenty of receptions and a high potential for yards and touchdowns.

We'll find out if all three targets can flourish, or who will be the chosen two when Cutler and the Bears take on a weak Lions defence in the season opener.

7) Sammy Morris or Laurence Maroney or Fred Taylor

The Patriots are always tough to predict, and Bill Belichick certainly does not show his hand often, but we will soon find out who will get the majority of the team's carries.

Sammy Morris has long been a favorite of Belichick, but he never stays healthy, and at 33 years old, the coaching staff may prefer to keep him fresh for later in the season.

Maroney is usually the starter by default, but his 3.9 yards per carry and four fumbles last season reek of mediocrity.

Finally, Fred Taylor is a former star for the Jaguars before Maurice Jones-Drew took over the backfield. He missed most of last season because of injuries, but when he was healthy, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry.

My gut says that Morris will get his shot to shine again, but my brain tells me that at the end of the day, Maroney is the one who gets the majority of the carries.

8) Leon Washington or Justin Forsett

I believe it's safe to assume that perennial disappointment Julius Jones won't lead the Seahawks in carries. However, the picture remains blurry when judging which running back will possess the most fantasy value.

Leon Washington is a playmaker who could do real well in points per reception leagues. He also could get his first shot at playing every down, which could do wonders for his value.

Forsett dominated at the end of last season, and even though it was for a different coaching staff, his average of 5.4 yards per carry tells the tale of a running back who cannot be stopped.

Pete Carroll has a very tough decision on his hands, and my guess is that he will give both running backs their shot at earning the prominent role, but it's anyone's guess as to who will grab it.