ERST LESEN! » LeVeon Bell, Green will become Ben

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- While most of the preseason spotlight for the Patriots focused on who was missing at quarterback, there was just as much uncertainty surrounding the running back position.LeGarrette Blount was re-signed in the offseason after just missing his second career 1,000-yard season because of a late hip injury. In addition Dion Lewis, the teams primary receiving option out of the backfield, was working his way back from surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee.James White filled Lewis absence admirably at the end of 2015, though he clearly was still learning in just his second year in the league.But as the Patriots (10-2) prepare to head into what should be their toughest four-game stretch of 2016, they suddenly find themselves with lots of options at a position once clouded with questions. They will be needed as New England closes the regular-season by facing three winning opponents over their final four games.All three running backs were showcased in New Englands 26-10 over the Rams on Sunday. Blount had the best day, adding to his growing highlight reel with to a juke-filled 43-yard touchdown for the games first score. It helped put the Rams in a hole they never really threatened to recover from.We always preach that we have to start fast, Blount said. If you can do that you know you can get everything else rolling, and you can open up the playbook and call the plays that we play.Blount has rushed for 957 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, which is already his most productive year in a Patriots uniform. Hes just 43 yards shy of reaching 1,000, and 51 yards from surpassing the career-best 1,007 he had as a rookie in 2010 with Tampa Bay. If he reaches 15 touchdowns, it also would set a new single-season mark for a Patriots running back.Lewis made his second start Sunday since returning to the active list on Nov. 13. He continued to look comfortable on his surgically-repaired knee, moving well into cuts after receptions. White was also in the mix, posting his fourth straight game with at least four receptions.With the newfound depth, the Patriots coaching staff also has shown its willingness to try out some two-back sets featuring the smaller Lewis and White. It appears to be proof that New England feels it has the personnel to keep defenses guessing.I think its like anything else we do, Belichick said. Whatever formations and groupings we run and plays we run, we try to gain an advantage and where we think we can gain advantage we try to take advantage of it.That could certainly change game to game, he said, based on the looks that defenses show them. Just having that flexibility, though, should help keep all three backs fresh as the playoffs approach.It will be even more important as the Patriots make adjustments in the passing game with tight end Rob Gronkowski now on injured reserve following season-ending back surgery. Receiver Danny Amendola became the latest injury victim Sunday when he left the game with an ankle issue. He was seen afterward walking with crutches.Whatever challenges lie ahead, Blount said he and his teammates would adjust as needed.Football does start after Thanksgiving here, he said. We have to kick it into gear and we have to do all the things that we need to do and take the necessary steps to make sure that we continue to play good football.---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Air Max Canada Cheap . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. Cheap Air Max Wholesale . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.airmaxcanadacheap.com/ . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Nike Air Max Outlet Canada . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Buy Air Max . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Week 14 is typically the first week of the playoffs in many fantasy football leagues, so the free agent push this week is about bolstering benches, picking up key handcuffs and desperation plays for injuries or underperforming studs.Heres a look at what the waiver wire can offer this week.ANDY DALTON (QB, Bengals)Dalton is coming off one of his better games of the season, hanging 332 passing yards and two touchdowns on the Eagles. This week, the Bengals face the lowly Browns, whose defense has allowed the most passing touchdowns (28) and notched the fewest sacks (17) in the NFL this season.KENNETH DIXON (RB, Ravens)Dixon continues to outplay and put up better stats than Terrance West despite playing fewer snaps and getting fewer touches. The Ravens may need Dixons versatility and strength against a solid Patriots defense. West owners must have Dixon as a handcuff at the very least but hes also a decent flex play.CHARLES SIMS (RB, Buccaneers)Sims will likely be activated by Tampa Bay prior to its Week 14 game against the Saints. Only seven teams allow more fantasy points to running backs than New Orleans. As the Bucs best pass-catching back, Sims should receive a healthy dose of targets. Only one team allows more passing yards per game than the Saints (277 ypg).JUSTIN FORSETT (RB, Broncos)Kapri Bibbs was placed on the injured reserve list, so the Broncos claimed Forsett to replace him. Forsett had the best season of his career in 2014, when Gary Kubiak was the offensive coordinator for the Ravens, so he should be able to pick up Denvers playbook without difficulty. Given Devontae Bookers continued struggles, Forsett just might get an opportunity to revive his career, which is currently on life support. Hes a longshot gamble for a desperate fantasy owner.ADRIAN PETERSON (RB, Vikings)There is a good chance that Peterson will be back on the field for Week 15. The Vikings face the Colts then, and the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. Peterson should be picked up by fantasy owners with a spare roster spot -- just in case.SHANE VEREEN (RB, Giants)Vereen is easily the Giants best playmaking back, especially in the passing game. Prior to his injury, he was leading the Giants RB corps in touches, and the team is desperate for an offensive shot in the arm.MALCOLM MITCHELL (WR, Patriots)Rob Gronkowskis seasson is over and Danny Amendola (ankle) is sidelined, which opens the door for Mitchell to pick up additional playing time.dddddddddddd Mitchell has received 22 targets over the last three games, second only to Julian Edelman (40), and hes caught three touchdown passes during that span.TYLER LOCKETT (WR, Seahawks)Lockett appears to have overcome the knee injury that hampered his performance for several weeks. He broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown and picked up 63 yards with his five receptions in Week 13. The Seahawks love his explosive playmaking ability and will get the ball into his hands as often as possible now that hes fully healthy. This week, Seattle faces the Packers, who have a secondary defense with more holes than Swiss cheese.TAYLOR GABRIEL (WR, Falcons)Julio Jones is nursing a bad case of turf toe and Mohamed Sanu is banged up, too. That leaves Gabriel as the Falcons most healthy receiver. The Falcons face the Rams, 49ers and Panthers over the next three weeks, and all three teams have poor pass defenses. Gabriel is a strong WR2 option for fantasy owners in need of receiver help.BRANDON LAFELL (WR, Bengals)LaFell has been Andy Daltons most targeted receiver since A.J. Green went down and he was the top producing receiver against the Eagles in Week 13, with 95 yards and a touchdown. The matchup with the Browns should provide LaFell with ample opportunities to rack up yardage and score.LADARIUS GREEN (TE, Steelers)Green made his presence felt with six receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown against the Giants in Week 13. With opposing defenses concentrating on Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell, Green will become Ben Roethlisbergers go-to receiver, especially in the red zone where hes a nice big target. Green is now a must-own TE if hes available in your league.VERNON DAVIS (TE, Redskins)Davis is a terrific stand-in for Jordan Reed and we know hell be targeted if hes the starting tight end. However, if Reed returns from his shoulder injury this week, Davis becomes waiver wire fodder as the second banana. Keep an eye on the injury news before picking Davis up.---This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com ' ' '