They get downgraded in the draft and told their NFL lifespan rarely goes beyond their 30th birthdays.In the pass-happy pro football world, running backs sometimes become afterthoughts. Then, guys like C.J. Anderson, DeAngelo Williams, Matt Forte and Carlos Hyde go wild on the field.Yes, the Patriots and Saints have found ways to prosper chucking the ball all over the yard. But as the first 17 games this season proved -- including Fortes 100-yard, three-touchdown extravaganza for the Jets on Thursday night against Buffalo -- the ground game still matters.Bigtime.Just ask one of the NFLs top passers.With all the fantasy football and all the stuff, from a players perspective, you have to stop the run first, Arizonas Carson Palmer says. Thats what every defense wants to come in and do. You dont talk about it maybe as much, you hear so much about protecting quarterbacks, passing games ... but every team is trying to give up big chunks of yards in the run game, and every team is trying to run the football successfully. From a players standpoint, its a focal point of everything we do.From some coaches standpoint, too.Obviously, they are a huge part of what we like to do. There is not a substitute for a good runner, says Browns coach Hue Jackson, a noted offensive mind. If you have a guy who can wear the defense down a little bit and a guy who knows how to carry the ball, be physical and make those tough yards, there is no substitute for those guys.Would the Broncos have been champions without the performances of Anderson last year? In some ways, hes more valuable than Peyton Manning and his replacement at quarterback, Trevor Simian.No team has a better aerial game than the Steelers. Yet what makes it even more dangerous is what Pittsburgh gets from its backfield.With LeVeon Bell sidelined by a knee injury for much of 2015 and suspended for the first three games this season, Williams has soared. At 33, he appears in his prime -- something Washington learned Monday night when Williams scooted for 143 yards and two touchdowns . He also had six receptions, and he can handle onrushing blitzers.Its one of those things if you can carry the load, you can carry the load, says Williams, who has prospered from splitting carries in Carolina with Jonathan Stewart before landing in Pittsburgh. In this league now, youve got to have two backs if you want to be where you want to be, and thats the Super Bowl.Few teams get that far without a strong passing attack, of course. With all the rules changes favoring throwing, and the onset of fantasy football, it sometimes seems like getting down and dirty with the running game is, well, down and dirty.But one of the real pleasures of watching the NFL is how Adrian Peterson can befuddle defenses while bedazzling viewers. All-around backs such as Williams, Forte, Doug Martin, Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy spice up the sport.Youngsters Hyde, Todd Gurley, David Johnson and Devonta Freeman add even more juice.Maybe fans cant wrap their allegiances around running backs (except in fantasy football, of course) because many teams use several RBs each game. The wear and tear of the position warrants a rotation, something inconceivable at quarterback and unlikely at wideout -- no teams take out the top target when they go to multiple-receiver sets.Behind the QB, though, sometimes theres a committee toting the ball, catching it or blocking.No club handles depth at running back better than Kansas City. Even with its star, Charles, hobbled, Andy Reids team can send Spencer Ware , Charcandrick West and Knile Davis at opponents. When Charles gets back to full health, that makes him even more dangerous: Reid can pick and choose when and how to use the versatile Charles because his other backs are dependable.Every running back is a little different and thats the beauty of our guys, theyre all a little different, says Chiefs co-offensive coordinator and running game mastermind Matt Nagy. You have Jamaal with the speed, Spencer with the power, Charcandrick with the mix, and Knile with the power and the mix. So for us, its just a matter of us putting them in and letting them roll to their strengths.Its a matter of identifying what your backs do well, and its dictated more by the player than the team.When teams can dictate the pace of a game on the ground, they can control the clock and, often, the scoreboard.Thats not to say having a star or solid quarterback doesnt lead to winning. But ask Ben Roethlisberger or Alex Smith or whoever lines up behind center in Minnesota about the importance of running the ball.They know.---AP Sports Writers Dave Skretta, Tom Withers, Bob Baum and Will Graves contributed.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Shoes Online UK Sale . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Cheap Shoes UK Free Delivery . Vaives lawyer Trevor Whiffen claims the former 50-goal man wasnt provided with a copy of the claim beforehand and that he would not have agreed to the allegations made against the NHL had he been asked to review its contents. http://www.clearanceshoesuk.com/ . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Wholesale Shoes UK Cheap . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. UK Shoes Clearance Sales . JOHNS, N.OAKVILLE, Ont. -- Tournament leader Hunter Mahan withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open on Saturday after his wife went into labour. The 31-year-old American was at 13 under after 36 holes and had yet to tee off in the third round. "I received exciting news a short time ago that my wife Kandi has gone into labour with our first child," Mahan said in a statement. "Kandi and I are thrilled about the addition to the Mahan family and we look forward to returning to the RBC Canadian Open in the coming years." The sudden departure now puts the spotlight on John Merrick, who finished the second round two strokes back of Mahan after tying the course record with a 62 at the par-72, 7,253-yard Glen Abbey Golf Club. Dustin Johnson shot 63 in rainy conditions on Saturday and also sits at 11 under after 54 holes. Johnson didnt get news that Mahan, whose wifes due daate was still a month away, was on his way back to Dallas until he was on No.dddddddddddd 18. "Its one of those situations where you probably wouldnt expect him to have to leave. But sometimes thats just how it works," said Johnson. "Hes playing really well right now, but yeah, I mean, things happen. "I dont think he had any plans on leaving this week until probably today." Mahan charged into the lead Friday with an 8-under 64 to improve on his 5-under 67 performance from the first round. His start time had initially been set for 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday before play was suspended for 80 minutes because of the threat of lightning in the area. Mahan had been rescheduled to tee off at 2:50 p.m. but never made it to the course and instead rushed to the airport. With Mahans withdrawal, Merrick will played his round Saturday without a partner. ' ' '