Lewis on the Cards' Michael Pittman: "If I had to call it, though, I'd say Pittman has earned himself the chance to start for this team and at least take most of the carries in the early going."

One more weekend of preseason action to give coaches the chance to decide on their starters?

Yes.

One more cut-down date for those undrafted and late-round players to squeak through so to earn a paycheck for playing this great game?

Also, yes.

One person left on that island of "adventurers" who could have, if kept together any longer, made Lord of the Flies look like a romantic comedy?

Actually, no.

They gave one guy a million bucks, an SUV, and a haircut, and sent everyone home until after the Super Bowl. Why?

Because the real game of SURVIVOR is already under way.

Thousands of players fighting for about 1,700 jobs. It has 31 tribes, last 22 weeks, and ends with two bands of warriors fighting it out for one title. On the gridiron you get carried off, not voted off, and most of these guys already have a million dollars ... and they play anyway.

One week left before NFL 2000's opening weekend? Yes. If you're not there yet, it's time to get pumped.

Here is the final installment of the Bulldozer Fantasy Position battles, looking this week at how a few of the running back spots are shaping up going into the final preseason action. Next week, we'll hit the ground running on the way to Fantasy Week 1.

NOTE:
In the search for worthy contenders to unseat the Bengals as the most inept defensive team in 2000, the 49ers' no-name squad has emerged as a legitimate threat. In Seattle this past weekend, San Francisco's defense showed many of the tools that the Bengals have employed to get to where they are, including a perfectly executed last-minute game loser in the corner of the end zone. Come on Cincy, the heat is on?

BULLDOZER FANTASY POSITION BATTLES:
THE RUNNING BACKS
BATTLE No. 17:
Position: Starting RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Contenders: Mike Cloud, Donnell Bennett, Rashaan Shehee, Kimble Anders
Fantasy Impact: Despite the revolving door at the position in recent years, the running back position for Kansas City always seems to produce decent numbers, especially in the red zone.
The Battle: Bennett, the team's default back the last couple of seasons, rushed for eight TDs in 1999 despite never hitting 100 yards in a game. Bennett is a big back, but his numbers have been really average.

The Chiefs are looking for more pop at the position, and may have found it with second-year man Cloud. He's more of an everything back.

Rashaan Shehee is explosive, but appears too small for every-down duty. Great third-down potential.

Finally, Kimble Anders has come back from season-ending surgery early last year. He's a great utility player and receiver, but is not explosive.
Outlook: The question here is opportunity, as the Chiefs seem content with the committee approach. Cloud is the interesting pick because he is still very unproven. If he excels early, fantasy owners could find themselves with a late-round pot of gold. If not, look for Bennett to again emerge as a steady performer and post O.K. fantasy numbers.

BATTLE No. 18:
Position: Starting RB, New England Patriots
Contenders: Kevin Faulk, Raymont Harris, J.R. Redmond
Fantasy Impact: Terry Allen only had one 100-yard game, but amazingly scored nine TDs. With Parcells disciple Belichick at the helm, you have to think a featured back will get a great chance to produce.
The Battle: Kevin Faulk entered the league somewhat type-cast as one of those small, fast, scat backs that should be returning kickoffs and playing on third down. Well, Faulk seems to be breaking that image, rushing 22 times for 156 yards in four preseason games.

Harris can certainly play and looked great in the Patriots' first preseason game, but has been unimpressive since. He's a luxury for the Patriots, a backup with starter experience.

The wild-card pick is Redmond, a third-round steal who has the tools to be an outstanding player. Unfortunately, he has seen limited time in the preseason and will have to fight for time into the season.
Outlook: He may not have that prototype back look, but Kevin Faulk has earned the chance to be this team's starting back. He's the best fantasy option on the team for the time being, though Redmond will likely be there to step up if Faulk should falter.

BATTLE No. 19:
Position: Starting RB, Arizona Cardinals
Contenders: Michael Pittman, Thomas Jones
Fantasy Impact: With Rob Moore lost for the season, it's a good bet that this team will try to establish a run-first philosophy to take some pressure off of youngster David Boston and shell-shocked Jake Plummer.

The Battle: This has been the best battle in training camps so far this year. Jones, Arizona's first-round draft pick and the apparent solution to their running woes of last year, has been solid in the preseason (25 carries, 83 yards) and looks like he would make a great starter.

However, determined not to let the team pass him by, Michael Pittman has also posted an excellent August (23 carries, 98 yards) and enjoys a little seniority over Jones. Pittman put together one outstanding game in Week 9 against Detroit last year, but then missed most of the rest of the season with a toe injury.
Outlook: It's a great problem for the Cardinals to have, but not really so for fantasy owners. Especially since there remains a decent chance that Mario Bates could continue to see goal line duty, it might be a good idea to hold off on both players until late in the draft. If I had to call it, though, I'd say Pittman has earned himself the chance to start for this team and at least take most of the carries in the early going.

BATTLE No. 20:
Position: Starting RB, Buffalo Bills Contenders: Antowain Smith, Jonathan Linton, Shawn Bryson
Fantasy Impact: Buffalo knows how to get running backs into the end zone.
The Battle: This one might be the murkiest one to figure out. There are three talented players here, any of whom could be the team's featured back.

Antowain Smith could probably put all questions to rest if he could stay healthy, but he is constantly battling injuries, which has opened the door for the other two.

Linton played so well sharing the load with Smith last year, that many fantasy owners happily jumped ship. Linton rewarded the move, scoring in each of Buffalo's final four games.

Bryson has exploded onto the scene this preseason, rushing for 87 yards on 23 carries and taking a reception 78 yards. He may be the most talented of the three.
Outlook: Veteran fantasy owners have learned not to follow the hype but simply stay away from the situation until it becomes clearer. However, WINNING fantasy owners take calculated risks in the late rounds that usually pay off. So when you're kicking around the 14th round of your draft, see how many Buffalo running backs are still out there.

STARTERS LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDERS
BATTLE No. 21:
Position: Starting RB, Seattle Seahawks
Contenders: Ricky Watters, Shaun Alexander
Fantasy Impact: Seattle is a decent running team with an offense that also makes good use of its backs in the receiving game.
The Starter: Watters is clearly showing signs that he is not the same power-and-speed guy he was a few years ago. He is, however, a smart veteran player with good hands and good instincts. Watters, who plays with a lot of swagger and emotion, is also capable of getting up for big games. When healthy and motivated, he's a great player.
Waiting in the Wings: Alexander has played well in the preseason and is a huge upgrade over the departed Ahman Green. He can play and will get his chance to contribute.
Outlook: Watters remains the team's starter and most likely scoring option. As long as he's healthy and effective, Holmgren will keep him in place. Alexander should see 10-15 carries/game, though, and will be very capable if Watters slows down too much.

BATTLE No. 22:
Position: Starting RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Contenders: Jerome Bettis, Richard Huntley
Fantasy Impact: With Kordell Stewart or Kent Graham at the helm, this will have to be a running team.
The Starter: Much like Watters, Bettis remains a capable player who has just seen a lot of pounding and has clearly lost some burst. The Bus also is at a disadvantage because of the team's recent struggles finding consistency in the passing game. Asked to shoulder the offensive load, Bettis will have a hard time holding up another season as the starter.
Waiting in the Wings: Reading the situation well, the Steelers granted Huntley a contract extension following his 6.1 yards/carry campaign in 1999. He is the future at the position, though it's uncertain when that will become official.
Outlook: Both players are banged up in August, so the issue has been postponed until the season begins. It would be wise for fantasy owners to keep both players down on their draft lists and look to steal one of them as a decent third or fourth running back.

BATTLE No. 23:
Position: Starting RB, Baltimore Ravens
Contenders: Priest Holmes, Jamal Lewis
Fantasy Impact: Brian Billick knows how to move the chains. His featured back will be productive.
The Starter: For now, at least, Priest Holmes looks to get what might be his last chance to start for this team. He was impressive in the Ravens' second preseason contest, rushing for 78 yards on 12 carries against the Jets. Holmes is a great breakaway threat, but has never really established himself as a consistent performer.
Waiting in the Wings: Jamal Lewis is a great physical specimen at RB and could enjoy a long, productive career with the Ravens. However, he's starting off late missing the preseason with an elbow injury. It could take some time for him to take the starting job.
Outlook: Lewis is clearly the better long-term move here and is worthy of a middle round selection because of his potential. However, Holmes is still worth a late-round selection, particularly if you take Lewis or another "waiting in the wings" back earlier in the draft.

BATTLE No. 24:
Position: Starting RB, Cleveland Browns
Contenders: Errict Rhett, Travis Prentice, Terry Kirby
Fantasy Impact: Through sheer volume, someone will be a decent fantasy player on this team. They'll have to do it without the help of good blocking, though.
The Starter: Rhett has certainly fallen from his highly-touted early years in Tampa Bay. Now with his third team, he will try again to find a home as a starting running back. However, the odds are not stacked in his favor for the long haul. Rhett needs blocking to succeed, and he may not find it here.
Waiting in the Wings: Prentice, Cleveland's third-round pick out of Miami, is a strong back who could be very productive in the right system. Unfortunately, he has been unable to do much damage behind this offensive line so far.
Outlook: Rhett and Prentice will likely both try to be effective running the ball in Cleveland, and could easily both fail. Rhett is the starter and for that reason deserves fantasy consideration. Terry Kirby may prove to be the most productive option, getting the chance as a receiving back to run in the open field instead of getting stuffed on first and second down.

Please feel free to send me any questions, feedback or reasons you think the 2000 Bengals defense will or won't get more negative airtime than John Rocker to BulldozerReport@go.com