What to do with these struggling RBs?

Have a struggling running back on your team and want to know what to expect the rest of the way? Join the club! Diagnosing which backs are in line for a rebound will play a significant role in improving your record and getting you on track for a strong playoff run that hopefully results in a championship.

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Shonn Greene, New York Jets

I loved Greene heading into the season, but I'll be the first to admit that I whiffed on this one. He will be serviceable some weeks, and maybe you will be lucky enough for him to post a big game or two in your starting lineup.

What he needs is 20 to 25 carries to get going ... the only way that will happen is if the Jets have a big lead and call on Greene to close out the game. New York's OL hasn't been playing well should get stud center Nick Mangold (ankle) back as early as this weekend. Greene's schedule is less than favorable for fantasy success the rest of the way.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

I do not like what I see out of Mendenhall's tentative style this year. He isn't reading his blocks well and is running into a lot of his linemen. The front five just isn't good enough to consistently open massive holes for him to run through.

Bleak outlook

Averaging only 3.0 yards per carry, Mendenhall is no stranger to a sub-par per-tote result. Last year, he failed to better 3.9 yards per carry in nine starts. This is him ... this is what he is and what to expect from him.

Mendy's schedule is brutal the rest of the way, and Pittsburgh's defense is not what it has been in recent years, so Big Ben could have to pass more than usual. Find a sucker to sell Mendenhall to if he has a strong game in the near future.

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers cannot throw the ball well enough to scare defenses, so Gore is seeing a lot of eight-man fronts. A recent ankle injury may cost him Week 4, and at least slow him down a bit if he plays. Plus, he is oft-injured. A 2.5 yards-per-carry average isn't encouraging, and I really don't see it improving much - maybe a full yard increase by the year's end.

San Fran's offensive line is chock-full of high-level talent, but they haven't been paving the way effectively. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but they have not made it easy to.

Gore's remaining schedule is not pretty in the slightest bit. Much like Mendenhall, if he has a big game, peddle him for the best deal you can.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Johnson has looked hesitant and doesn't seem to be finding the holes as he used to. The loss of Kenny Britt (knee) is likely to force the team to commit to the ground game, regardless of Johnson's mediocre play.

Missing training camp really hurt his chemistry with his offensive linemen and the timing with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. One other thing to consider is the coaching staff changes in Tennessee. Their new offense requires more thinking from the running backs and isn't based as much on instinctual running as Mike Heimerdinger's offense was. In other words, Johnson could struggle for much of the year until he becomes more in tune with what is being asked of him. Perhaps he never figures it out.

The only silver lining I can find is two-fold: 1) He is super talented. 2) The Titans' schedule is rather favorable for running backs. Ride him a few more weeks and hope for the best. You probably can't get much for him in a trade, so be patient. Once he has a big game, it may be time to sell, but I feel CJ2K will bounce back soon.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Buy low

His struggles have been injury-related, but owners fear Ben Tate will carve into Foster's workload. That is possible, although I don't see it happening if Foster is right health-wise. As soon as he can run without being worried about tweaking his hammy again, look out. The offensive line is creating holes, and the passing game is as strong as ever to keep defenders honest.

Foster won't catch as many passes with a healthy Owen Daniels playing well, but that was to be expected before the season began. Houston's zone-blocking scheme can make most any running back look like a star. Foster, however, took is not just any back. Houston's schedule is good enough to assist Foster's quest to get back on track. Buy low if you are in the market for a running back.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

Williams has carried the rock 27 times for 67 yards, a marvelous 2.3 yards-per-carry average. His season-long rumble is a mere eight yards. Carolina has been forced to play comeback twice against strong offenses, which forced Cam Newton to pass a ton. The Panthers' offensive line has been so-so and have come one block short of opening up some monster holes on several occasions.

One aspect to consider is the lockout's effect on Williams, who had to learn a new offense and build chemistry with a rookie quarterback. Timing is a huge factor in QB-to-RB exchanges.

Carolina's defense needs to put the offense in positions that allow them to pound the rock. The Panthers' offense will then be more balanced, preventing defenses from cheating up so much. Newton's two huge yardage totals from the first two weeks were products of playing catch-up and haven't necessarily frightened defenses just yet.

The Panthers' schedule is good enough that Williams will produce a few large stat lines this year, but don't expect his resurrection to begin this week against the Chicago Bears. Hang on to Williams for now, but be choosy by playing him based on the matchups.