The NFL absolutely mystifies me. It’s the only professional league I know, where legendary athletes get cut in preseason and nobody seems to flinch. A running back can seemingly be entrenched as a team’s starter, but an ingrown toenail in training camp can have him soon leafing through the want ads for a custodial position.

But never fear my fine feathered friends as your local Whine Cellar dealer has again pulled some strings to come up with the latest goings on in the league. I’m not saying to disregard our July mock draft, but let’s just say that you’ll have just as good of a chance with your selections with Jose Feliciano poking a pin through your cheat sheet.

Let’s take a look at some of the recent rumblings.

5. The Houston Running Back Situation
What a mess this is. Last week in our backup running back column we suggested taking a good look at Texans rookie Steve Slaton. We still like Slaton, but it’s looking more and more like third-year man Chris Taylor will start at running back as Ahman Green and Chris Brown continue their perpetual recoveries. Taylor is coming off knee surgery, but has been moving well in preseason. Grab him around the seventh round and you may have one of the steals of your draft.

4. The Cincinnati Running Back Situation
Despite a subpar 2007 campaign, Rudi Johnson seemed in position to resume his role as starter. Thanks to a lingering hamstrings injury, Johnson has been passed by Chris Perry on the depth chart, and may now be third behind Kenny Watson. Watson was phenomenal as a fill-in for Johnson last season, but like the greatest third-string back of all time, Nick Goings, he never gets a legitimate look. Give Perry serious consideration in the fourth round. Don’t draft Goings.

3. The Carolina Running Back Situation
Rookie Jonathan Stewart should no doubt be a handcuff to DeAngelo Williams, but despite Stewart’s big preseason it’s becoming clear that Williams will receive the bulk of the carries. In limited work a year ago, Williams usurped Uncle Vito favorite DeShaun Foster by rambling for an impressive 5.0 yards per carry. Expect a solid season from the incumbent, but the goal line carries should go to the rookie.

2. The Cincinnati Wide Receiver Situation
A shoulder injury to Ocho Cinco seems to have petrified Bengal management enough to re-sign America’s favorite felon Chris Henry. Not an heir to the O’Henry candy bar fortune as far as we know, Chris has one last chance to make this thing work. He is beyond talented, and if Johnson is out for an extended period of time, he should be gobbled up. Our instinct is that Johnson and T.J. Housh-whatever will both be in the starting lineup for Cincy’s opening game.

1. Ricky or Ronnie?
Was there a better fantasy back in the first half last season than Ronnie Brown? An untimely ACL tear cut short what would have been monstrous totals and now the recovering Brown (knee and thumb) looks to be behind original Doobie Brother Ricky Williams. I’d be shocked if Brown didn’t lose a step or two while Williams is officially the freshest 30-year old running back of all time with a grand total of six carries over the past three seasons. I recommend staying away from this situation, but there is no way you draft one without drafting the other.

And just for a few yucks, let’s see if we can throw together an updated five-round mock draft.

Round 1
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Tom Brady
3. LaDanian Tomlinson
4. Joseph Addai
5. Marion Barber
6. Randy Moss
7. Brian Westbrook
8. Larry Johnson
9. Marshawn Lynch
10. Ryan Grant

Round 2
11. Steven Jackson
12. Earnest Graham
13. Frank Gore
14. Tony Romo
15. Clinton Portis
16. Peyton Manning
17. Reggie Wayne
18. Terrell Owens
19. Maurice Jones-Drew
20. Braylon Edwards

Round 3
21. Willis McGahee
22. Reggie Bush
23. Carson Palmer
24. Laurence Maroney
25. Larry Fitzgerald
26. Drew Brees
27. Jamal Lewis
28. Willie Parker
29. Brandon Jacobs
30. Selvin Young

Round 4
31. Marques Colston
32. Steve Smith
33. Brandon Marshall
34. Andre Johnson
35. Michael Turner
36. Chad Johnson
37. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
38. Kevin Smith
39. Torry Holt
40. Chris Perry

Round 5
41. Thomas Jones
42. Antonio Gates
43. Jason Witten
44. Wes Welker
45. Anquan Boldin
46. Darren McFadden
47. Matt Forte
48. Calvin Johnson
49. Ricky Williams
50. Edgerrin James