One of my favourite scenes in Christopher Nolans Dark Knight Rises (dont worry Im not going to spoil anything) is when Bruce Wayne goes to the doctor under the pretense of getting a physical to go heli-skiing. The doctor proceeds to tell the billionaire crime fighter that he is suffering from a variety of injuries, which the audience knows is from his years battling Gothams villains. Its a surprisingly realistic moment for a superhero movie, where we finally get a glimpse of the toll that being Batman puts on the human body, or at least the fictional human body. Last year we received a similar reality check at the running back position as several of the top rushers went down to season-ending injuries. After the top three of Arian Foster, Ray Rice, and LeSean McCoy, the running back position becomes a long list of question marks and injury concerns. Figuring out which ball carriers are fully rehabbed and ready to produce on your fantasy team could mean the difference between dominance or disappointment in 2012. Lets run down the list of this years top tailbacks, as we try to save the day by avoiding those who arent fully recovered from their 2011 injuries. THE SUPERHEROES Arian Foster (Texans) - A unique personality off the field and unique talent on it. Foster has excelled in the Texans system and emerged as one of the best backs in the NFL. Houstons offence will run through Foster yet again, en route to big-time fantasy numbers. Ray Rice (Ravens) - While Joe Flacco has yet to emerge as the franchise quarterback the Ravens hoped for, it hasnt mattered because of the brilliance of Rice. After the Ravens rewarded Rice with a long-term contract, expect Rice to reward the team with another banner year. LeSean McCoy (Eagles) - While it may be tough to repeat the 20 total touchdowns from last season, McCoy is one of the most elusive backs in the NFL and his production shouldnt drop off much. McCoy benefits from playing in a backfield where Michael Vick is a constant threat to run. THE RIDDLERS Darren McFadden (Raiders) - Truly one of the most gifted backs in the league, McFadden arrives in training camp each year and blows us all away with his talent. Unfortunately, hes also guilty of blowing away the fantasy hopes of countless owners when he goes down to injury. McFadden is one of the greatest risk/reward players and is the first rounds biggest question mark. Chris Johnson (Titans) - After holding out last year, Johnson arrived in camp out of shape and never really found his stride as the season progressed. Reports out of Titans camp this year are much more positive, suggesting the fire may be back, but its understandable that owners may avoid potentially being fooled again. Matt Forte (Bears) - Before Fortes injury last season, the Bears appeared to be a playoff team. Forte is now healthy and with his contract dispute settled he is ready for another big year. The presence of Michael Bush shouldnt cause too many worries, because Forte has never been a huge goal line threat. However, to be confident in Forte one has to put aside concerns about the Bears offensive line, which is nearly impossible to do. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars) - With each day that passes, Jones-Drew is missing practices as he hopes to get paid after leading the league in rushing last season. You cant argue with MJDs ability, but he is beginning to look like this years Chris Johnson. Injuries and ineffectiveness tend to find those who miss the majority of the preseason. Ryan Mathews (Chargers) - Everyone has jumped off the bandwagon after Mathews broke his clavicle on the first carry of the preseason. Mathews could be back for Week 1, but its far more likely that he misses a game or two. Despite that, he is still slated to be a workhorse in San Diego. DeMarco Murray (Cowboys) - In a four-game stretch last season, Murray averaged 150 yards per game. Its that kind of production that has fantasy owners salivating at the Cowboys lead tailback. Although, it is important to remember the ankle injury that sidelined him a year ago and the fact that Dallas has a well-established passing game. Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks) - Beast mode may avoid a suspension for an off-season DUI charge, as the league will wait for the legal process to run its course first. That means Lynch could remain a top ten back this season behind a solid run-blocking line. Through the final nine weeks of 2011, Lynch posted six 100-yard games and added nine touchdowns. Trent Richardson (Browns) - Everyone loves the promise of a highly touted rookie running back and Richardson is no different. On an offence that lacks an identity, Richardson could very well become the bell cow early on. The third overall pick in this years draft does come with some uncertainty after he had his knee scoped and will likely miss the rest of the preseason. Beware of the Dawg Pound in Cleveland, misery has a way of manifesting there. Jamaal Charles (Chiefs) - The bad news was that a torn ACL put Charles on the injured reserve early last season. The good news is that it happened at the beginning of the year, meaning the speedy back had nearly a full calendar year to rehabilitate. Now its just a matter of finding out whether he regained his explosiveness, which was once among the games best. Adrian Peterson (Vikings) - If Peterson can pull off a miraculous recovery from a torn ACL and MCL in December, then he could swing fantasy titles from his current average draft position in the second round. All Day is a specimen, but the safe bet is that he will be eased back into action early in the year, leading to career lows for Petereson. DEFENDING THEIR TURF Steven Jackson (Rams) - Jackson has been getting it done in a Rams uniform ever since the team parted ways with Marshall Faulk. Now the club has drafted a new rusher in Isaiah Pead, who has impressed in camp. Dont expect Jackson to give up any carries to the rookie, as new coach Jeff Fisher loves a good workhorse in the backfield. The bigger issue for Jackson will be the quality of the Rams offence and just how often they will be able to get him near the end zone. Fred Jackson (Bills) - What more does Fred Jackson have to do to get our respect? Up until Week 10, Jackson was arguably footballs most productive back with 917 rushing yards, 392 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However a fractured fibula brought a quick end to that in Week 11. In his absence C.J. Spiller showed well and now Jackson will need to fight off the young back to recapture the bulk of the carries in Buffalo. Ahmad Bradshaw (Giants) - Brandon Jacobs has headed to the West coast, leaving Bradshaw to run wild in New York. Not so fast. The Giants selected David Wilson in the first round of this years draft and by all accounts the rookie is the real deal. Expect another solid season from Bradshaw, but injury concerns and a talented rookie could hold him back. UNDERVALUED Darren Sproles (Saints) - Pay no attention to the minor knee injury he suffered in last weeks preseason action. Sproles will be lighting it up on the ground and in the air for the Saints come the regular season. While Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas figure into the rotation, Sproles has finally found a team that knows how to take advantage of his particular skill set. Doug Martin (Buccaneers) - The hype train for Martin has been slowed by him playing with the second string offence in the preseason opener. Make no mistake, the Buccaneers didnt take Martin to have him play second string. New coach Greg Schiano is making the rookie prove himself before he hands over the reins to the offence... and he will. RETIRED SUPERHEROES Frank Gore (49ers) - Remember the days when Gore was a first round pick and championing fantasy teams to titles? Those days are over and, if anything, a top 20 ranking might be generous for a declining running back in a crowded backfield (Brandon Jacobs, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James). The 49ers will run often, but Gores workload will be reduced. Michael Turner (Falcons) - Turner is another ball carrier who will see his numbers drop in 2012. The Falcons offence projects to be a high-scoring unit, but their strength will be through the air (Roddy White, Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez). If they do go to the ground game, it may be the quicker Jacquizz Rodgers stealing the show. Turner will need double digit touchdowns to remain an effective fantasy play. BEST OF THE REST Isaac Redman (Steelers) will fill in for Rashard Mendenhall for the first half of the season in Pittsburgh, maybe more.... Benjarvus Green-Ellis (Bengals) brings his boring, yet steady style to Cincinnati where he will do his best Cedric Benson impression... Donald Brown (Colts) is trying to prove that he wasnt a first round bust for the Colts and Andrew Luck could help him do just that... Shonn Greene (Jets) could benefit from Tim Tebow taking over the offence in New York (if that happens this season)... Willis McGahee (Broncos) was underrated last year and hes underrated once again as the veteran back in Denver... Reggie Bush (Dolphins) avoided serious injury in 2011, but its not hard to envision him missing time and opening the door for Daniel Thomas or Lamar Miller in Miami... Beanie Wells (Cardinals) will need to fight off sophomore Ryan Williams in Arizonas rushing attack... Stevan Ridley (Patriots) is the back to own in New England, if you are inclined to partake in the Patriots run game... Peyton Hillis (Chiefs) could be a sneaky pickup as he splits time with Jamaal Charles in Kansas Citys two-faced backfield. beats by dre . Wednesdays 4-hour, 25-minute marathon matinee ended with rookie Jake Diekman giving up a two-run homer to Matt Kemp in the 12th, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-3 victory and snapping the Phillies modest four-game winning streak. beats by dre cheap . Tapp, a third-year arts student from Calgary, was named the most valuable player of the CIS womens hockey championship held at the University of Alberta in Edmonton after she helped the third-seeded Dinos capture the first national title in program history. [url=http://cambridgediversity.org/beats-by-dre-uk.html]http://cambridgediversit... . -- The Ryder Cup is so hotly contested that even its humble beginning is the subject of debate.NEW YORK -- Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks know they cant entirely dismiss the rivalry talk, not with the Nets just a few miles away. On the court and in the standings, the distance keeps growing. Anthony scored 31 points in his return to the lineup, and New York beat Brooklyn 100-86 on Wednesday night in the third meeting this season between the city rivals. After two tight games in Brooklyn, the Knicks turned the first one at Madison Square Garden into a rout by dominating the second half. Anthony, who missed two games with a sprained left ankle, moved fine and shot well, though his scoring average against the Nets this season actually dropped to 37 points per game. "At the end of the day, these are statement games, these are big games, divisional games," Anthony said. "Theyre right across the bridge, so these games definitely mean a lot." J.R. Smith added 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back from their first home loss Monday against Jeremy Lin and Houston, improving to 11-1 at MSG. Chandler scored 12 on 6-of-8 shooting in the second half. "I just wanted to close the game. I wanted to make a statement," Chandler said. "Tonight was a big game for us, a game in our division, an opportunity to gain a full game as far as the lead goes, and we have to make statements like that." Joe Johnson scored 17 points for the Nets, who have lost three straight and eight of 10. What once was a deadlock for the Atlantic Division lead after the first meeting is now a six-game advantage for the Knicks. "We have a lot of season left. Well get it turned around," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "Were going to get back in the lab on Friday and work on some parts of our game and get this bad taste out." Deron Williams and Brook Lopez each had 16 points for Brooklyn. The Nets won 96-89 in overtime on Nov. 26 in the rescheduled season opener that was postponed after Superstorm Sandy, and the Knicks pulled out a 100-97 victory Dec. 11 behind Anthonys 45 points and Jason Kidds tiebreaking 3-pointer with 24 seconds left. This one was only close for a half with the Knicks outscoring the Nets 48-38 in the final 24 minutes. "Once they started hitting the way they did, its kind of deflating," Williams said. "It takes you away from your game. You try to get it all back at once instead of being patient and executing like we did in the first hhalf.dddddddddddd" The game lacked the energy and nonstop crowd noise of the two matchups in Brooklyn. Perhaps this crowd just wasnt balanced enough, Brooklyn black hard to spot amid the rows of orange, thanks to a hat giveaway by the Knicks. Or perhaps Knicks fans were just fatigued from recent visits from the Lakers and Lin, and didnt view a game against the Nets the same way the up-and-coming fan base in Brooklyn does when facing the more established franchise. Though they began to concede it was a rivalry after the two tense games at Barclays Center, Knicks players had previously said there wasnt really any, and wouldnt be until they had some meaningful post-season meetings. The Knicks are still getting used to sharing their city, the Garden public address announcer accidentally saying Williams was checking in for New Jersey at one point. But Anthony clearly gets up for the games against the team from his birthplace. He had his highest-scoring game of the season in the last meeting, Avery Johnson saying before the game that "he kind of got away from us a little it in Game 2, is what Ill call it." The Nets didnt do much better against him in Game 3. The Knicks werent even sure Anthony would play until he worked out before the game. He said he realized once the game got going, he was able to do things he wasnt sure his ankle would allow. "He looked good to me. If hes not 100 per cent, Ill take whatever per cent he was tonight, because that was awesome," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. Anthony had 17 points at halftime, leading the Knicks to a 52-48 lead. Chandler took over in the third, getting four dunks among his 10 points, hooking up with Pablo Prigioni on an alley-oop that made it 75-65 with 11.2 seconds remaining in the quarter. New York scored seven straight points early in the fourth to open a 14-point cushion, and the benches on both sides emptied after a 3-pointer by Smith and four straight points by Anthony extended it to 98-80. NOTES: The Knicks played without reserve forwards Steve Novak (ill) and Rasheed Wallace (sore left foot). ... Johnson said the status of Jerry Stackhouse (sore right knee) for Sundays game against Philadelphia would be determined by how he gets through practice Friday and Saturday. ... The Nets said this was the first meeting of Brooklyn and New York City-based pro sports franchises in Manhattan since Sept. 8, 1957, when the Dodgers visited the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. ' ' '