A busy off-season is nearly through. A fresh NFL campaign is within sight. Here are five storylines you should be following this week:

Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the season after violating the league's substance abuse policy. According to ESPN, Rhodes was pulled over by Indiana state troopers doing 81 mph in a 55 mph-zone and was charged with reckless driving and operating a vehicle while over the legal blood-alcohol limit. A key offseason acquisition, the Raiders acquired Rhodes from the Indianapolis Colts and expected him to start alongside 2006 starting running back Jordan LaMont. Rhodes started all 16 games for the first time in his career last season and was a key factor in the Colts Super Bowl victory over the Chicago Bears, rushing for 113 yards. Prospective fantasy owners should avoid Rhodes on draft day. However, if he's still on the waiver wire following the end of his suspension, he might be worthwhile to look as a third running back.

The Cleveland Browns marquee free agent signing of 2006 thinks he's ready to play. Center LeCharles Bentley tore his left patellar tendon during a full-contact training camp session at the start of last season and has undergone four different operations since. At one point a staph infection threatened Bentley's life and doctors considered amputating his infected leg. Now, Bentley hopes to honor the $36 million dollar contract he signed with the Browns and expects to start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 9. His return is a huge boon for the rebuilding Browns, who were unsure if the former Ohio State standout would ever return to the field. The Browns signed running back Jamal Lewis in the offseason, as well as several offensive linemen and rookie hopeful Brady Quinn. Bentley's return to the field could only help the Browns as they try to improve on a 4-12 season.

According to ESPN, Ricky Williams plans to apply for reinstatement in September following his season-long suspension for reportedly failing a fourth drug test. Williams, who will be released or traded by the Miami Dolphins if reinstated, could go to the Rams, whose coach was the offensive coordinator with the Dolphins while Williams was their featured back. At 30, Williams might not be explosive as he used to be, but he still managed to rush for 743 yards in his final season with the Dolphins while sharing the ball. Williams ran the ball a whopping 943 times in less than three seasons, but having not played in 2006 or 2004 his body should have had plenty of recovery time. Plus, he has proven himself to be a team player throughout his career. If he can secure a spot on roster expect him to play. And as a third back he's not a bad option at all.

A host of teams signed their draft day acquisitions this week. Leading the way was the Chicago Bears, who gave first-round pick Greg Olsen a five-year contract. The top ranked tight end in the draft, Olsen caught 40 passes for 489 yards and one touchdown last season while playing for Miami. The New York Jets followed signing offensive lineman Jacob Bender, who is expected to provide solid depth for the offensive line, possibly backing up D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Meanwhile, the Altanta Falcons signed Japanese wide receiver Noriaki Kinoshita of NFL Europa. The 5-10, 179-pound receiver led the league in kickoff returns last season with 19 for 530 yards, an average of 28 yards per return. While rookies often have little fantasy impact, grabbing one or two sleepers late in the draft can never hurt and will sometimes pay off big-time. And a guy like Olsen might even have an immediate impact in deep leagues.

The NFL closed the doors on its European developmental league after 15 years. Based primarily out of Germany, NFL Europa was reportedly losing as much as $30 million a season. Still, the developmental league played a pivotal role in testing out young talent and produced high-caliber players such as quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Jake Delhomme, as well as celebrated kicker Adam Vinatieri. The NFL will instead continue its international expansion by playing several global games each season; this year the Miami Dolphins will play the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in London. The league has begun scouting future international locations with Germany, Mexico and Canada all being likely candidates to host future NFL contests. Despite its label as a financial disaster, the European league was a useful barometer for potential and provided refuge for many players who were unable or inexperienced enough to play in the NFL.

Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.