If you were doing more than simply following your fantasy football team last fall, you noticed an interesting trend emerge. The days of the 1,500-yard back may be numbered after both the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts reached the Super Bowl using a heavy rotation of backs rather than one featured runner.

Running back by committee (RBBC) is something used by NFL coaches when they have two capable backs that complement each other well, or when one racks up the yards while the other scores touchdowns. The spread of RBBC could significantly alter how fantasy football is played moving forward.

While teams like San Diego and Seattle have clear-cut one-back systems, turning loose the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander. Others spread the wealth and make it risky to draft anyone in a two-back system. This much is clear: the age of the RBBC is upon us. Here is a look at five teams likely to employ RBBC and what it means to you as your fantasy draft approaches:

Saints coach Sean Payton has a problem that every would be fantasy GM is watching closely. He's got a certified stud in all-purpose back Reggie Bush and another every-down hammer in Deuce McAllister, who has battled injuries but is still only 28 and capable of putting up big numbers as well. Last season, McAllister was the starter and racked up 1,061 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns while Bush was used mostly to fill in and on third down. Still, Bush had 558 yards rushing with 6 TDs, and added 748 receiving yards with 2 TDs and even a punt return for a score.

UPDATE! SEZ: You can't really go wrong drafting either player in the first round because the Saints are going to score a lot of points, and because both players will rack up yards and reach the end zone. Still, McAllister should be taken first only because he has the potential for more 100-yard games than Bush, at least for one more season.

On the one hand, you've got Fred Taylor, who is somewhat of an ageless wonder despite always being an injury risk. And on the other, you've got Maurice Jones-Drew, who is electrifying when filling in for Taylor. Last season, Taylor rushed for 1,146 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding another 242 yards receiving with one more score. Jones-Drew racked up 941 yards, a whopping 13 touchdowns, and he also added 436 yards receiving with 2 TDs. Coach Jack Del Rio intends to use both again in 2007. But let's face it mdash; Taylor is 31 and Jones-Drew just 22.

UPDATE! SEZ: Take Jones-Drew and his younger legs before Taylor, but you shouldn’t take him until the late first round or early second round at the soonest.

The Falcons always have a strong running game, because along with running backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood, they've got a mobile quarterback and 1,000-yard rusher in Michael Vick. While incoming coach Bobby Petrino claims that Dunn's role will be reduced after off-season shoulder surgery, he hasn't anointed Norwood the starter either. In 2006, Dunn rushed for 1,140 yards and 4 touchdowns (plus one receiving score), while Norwood added 633 yards and 2 TDs. But Vick was the team's second-leading rusher, with 1,039 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Recent dog-fighting allegations could result in suspension for Vick. Without him at QB, Norwood and Dunn will likely have more fantasy value.

UPDATE! SEZ: Take Norwood, but not until the second or third round mdash; or, after all the single-back running backs are off the board. Dunn should strictly be considered your third or fourth option for now.

Bill Parcells is no longer the coach, and even though it was clear that he favored Marion Barber III over Julius Jones, he still gave each the opportunity to carry the ball. New coach Wade Phillips has named Barber his starter, but Jones is still going to compete for carries. Last season, Jones had more yards than Barber (1,084 to 654), but Barber was the main guy at the goal line (16 total scores to 4 for Jones).

UPDATE! SEZ: Take Barber, confident that he will be the primary back, and maybe make him a late first-round pick. But keep a close eye on the situation during the first few games to make sure he hangs on to the starting job.

Now here is an interesting situation. Tiki Barber retired while at the top of his game, leaving third-down and goal-line specialist Brandon Jacobs as the incumbent starter. But then the G-men acquired RB Reuben Droughns from the Browns, supposedly as insurance for the mostly untested Jacobs. But offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride says Jacobs will be the starter for now. Last season, Jacobs rushed for just 423 yards, but had 9 touchdowns. Droughns ran for 758 yards and 4 TDs for the Browns. But he has battled injuries and inconsistency.

UPDATE! SEZ: Stay clear of Giants' running backs until maybe late in the second round, or even in the third round. And when you're ready to grab one, take Jacobs first, if only because he has been penciled in as the starter.

Mike Farley is author of the blog I Miss Football Season