Brett Favre was retired. Every rookie runner seemed poised to grab starter carries. And 2008's fantasy studs and duds were clearly defined.

But now that preseason has kicked, things done changed. Favre is back, but in a different shade of green. Nobody knows if any rookie runner will start. And Ricky Williams - yes, the running back who's been caught smoking weed more times than Snoop Dogg - is threatening Ronnie Brown's starting job in Miami.

For every fantasy question that was answered in the offseason, a bunch more have popped up in August. We try to answer some of more interesting issues before you draft your 2008 team.

Who will be Brett Favre's favorite target in New York?

The obvious choice is wideout Jerricho Cotchery. In 2007, the five-year pro caught 82 balls for 1,130, despite having a vet that couldn't sling it more than 40 yards and a young backup that appeared to be a career backup. He's not a burner, but Favre's never needed one. He just needs a wideout that can adjust to his deep balls and catch his wild, finger-breaking passes. Cotchery had the yards in 2007, and with Favre, he'll get more touchdowns (had just two last year).

Favre has also displayed early that rookie tight end Dustin Keller could be another endzone target like Bubba Franks was in Green Bay. He could be a late round sleeper.

Which rookie running back will have the best fantasy production in the 2008-09 season?

Early indications are that it'll be a fight between Raiders runner Darren McFadden and Titans speedster Chris Johnson. Don't forget Detroit's Kevin Smith either, as the Lions appear determined to run the ball in 2008.

In the end, splitting carries with vet RB Justin Fargas or not, you can't sleep on McFadden. Head coach Lane Kiffin has already alluded that he plans to use McFadden anywhere he can, even at QB. Plus, he's alluded in camp reports that the Raiders won't be airing it out unless it's third and the field.

Everyone will get plenty of carries in Oakland. With his breakaway speed, all McFadden needs is 200 to crack 1,000. If you draft a rookie on your 2008 team, McFadden should be the first.

How will new Packers starting QB Aaron Rodgers affect the fantasy production of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver?

The wideout that will suffer the most from Green Bay's controversial QB change will be Jennings. Anytime Favre dropped a bomb, Jennings was the fuse, catching 53 balls for 920 yards and an astounding 12 TDs. Unfortunately, Rodgers doesn't have the hand-cannon to consistently use Jennings' deceptive speed on deep routes. Expect solid yardage, but don't expect 12 TDs.

Driver, on the other hand, looks poised for another 1,000-plus season with more TDs (only two last year).

Early indications are that Driver has become Rodgers' designated safety valve on the blitz or when plays break down. Driver's veteran savvy is the perfect compliment to Rodgers' inexperience as a starter.

Could Ricky Williams really crack the starting lineup in Miami?

One of the quiet stories around the league is the re-emergence of Williams in the Dolphins' training camp. Believe it. The former Miami superstar, former CFL failure and former ganja enthusiast has supposedly put away his Rollies and is playing like it's 2002.

Despite Ronnie Brown's solid production during Williams' NFL exile, the two are currently in an intense camp battle for the starting position. Crazy thing is that Williams is actually winning. The back has looked like old-school Ricky in camp and it's translated to the field. Things can change with one injury (or positive drug test), but if Williams keeps his game at a high level, the job will be his.

How many carries will Titans RB LenDale White lose to rookie Chris Johnson?

Ever since Johnson displayed his videogame speed in the Titans' first preseason game, fantasy owners have been salivating at the possibilities.

Is Johnson's amazing preseason the beginning of the end for White as the Titans' starting RB?

White will start, but with Johnson on the team, he won't get 300 carries again in 2008. However, early indications are that he won't need that many. With his weight down and injured knee healed, expect White to lose 50 carries to Johnson but still crack 1,000 with 7-plus TDs. Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush were a formidable fantasy duo in New Orleans in 2006. White and Johnson should coexist even better in Tennessee.

Can Tom Brady and Randy Moss dominate fantasy like 2007?

Although it's tough to bet against one of the best QBs ever and a freak of nature at WR, the Brady/Moss connection will still be great but not eye-popping like last year.

Opponents seemed to get better at defending Brady's bombs to Moss as the season progressed, and by time the playoffs rolled around, the 6-foot-4-inch receiver was almost completely negated. Moss never caught a pass longer than 18 yards in his three postseason games and had only one TD.

Their numbers will still be better than 90 percent of the league, but don't expect record breaking numbers in 2008.

Who will be the starting RB in Carolina?

With DeShaun Foster off to San Francisco and DeAngelo Williams never establishing himself as an every-down back in his first two seasons, the Panthers drafted Oregon bruiser Jonathan Stewart in the first round. With seemingly no competition to hold him back, Stewart was viewed as the frontrunner to get over 250 carries his rookie year. Unfortunately, toe surgery has slowed him down, gaining three yards off four carries in his first preseason action, and he hasn't seen a snap with the first-team offense.

Meanwhile, in this offseason, Williams seems to be finally establishing himself as an every-down runner. He's handled running and passing downs like a pro while averaging five yards per carry in preseason action.

The RB situation in Carolina has gone 360: Williams is the clear starter, while Stewart is the backup.

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