There are few things more satisfying in fantasy football than having a 1,000-yard rookie stud on your team, especially when that runner isn’t a much-ballyhooed top-ten draft pick.

In contrast with fellow rookies at other positions, running backs don’t typically require much time to emerge in the pro game.

Whereas quarterbacks, receivers and even members of the defense often go through an adjustment period when it comes to absorbing new schemes and formations that have never been seen at the collegiate level, backs often run on instinct, using their natural talent to find openings in the defense.

Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen a variety of runners storm out of the gates and not only have 1,000 yard seasons, but amass numbers worthy of Pro Bowl consideration.

Who can forget Ickey Woods when he burst on the scene in 1988? In addition to rushing for 1,066 yards and 5.3 yards-per-carry average, the power back also hit pay dirt 15 times.

The similarly built Jerome Bettis was no slouch either, as he rumbled for 1,429 yards and 4.9 yards-per-carry average in his rookie campaign for the Los Angeles Rams in 1993.

Both backs saw a significant dip in their production during their sophomore seasons. While Woods gets a pass in this case due to the fact that he tore up his ACL in the second game of the 1989 season, Bettis started every game in 1994, but only registered 1,025 yards, 3.9 ypc and three touchdowns.

Others plagued by the sophomore jinx were the Hall-of-Fame bound Marshall Faulk (1,282 yards, 4.1 ypc in 1994 vs. 1,078 yards, 3.7 ypc in 1995) and Curtis Martin (1,487 yards, 4.0 ypc in 1995 vs. 1,152 yards, 3.6ypc in 1996).

How this applies to last season’s 1,000 yard rookies, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch, remains to be seen, but second year slumps are certainly something to be aware of.

While Peterson has the look of a can’t-miss star, who should rush for 1,350 yards in his sleep barring injury, Lynch will be called upon to be an every-down back. Coach Dick Jauron’s run-heavy approach will require the former Cal standout to touch the ball over 20 times per game, while Peterson has the very capable Chester Taylor at his side to help lighten his load.

While Lynch’s quickness and ability to grind out yardage is undeniable, no one knows for sure if he’ll be able to shoulder a huge workload all by his lonesome. To date, the young back has already missed three games due to injury.

Jamal Lewis, Fred Taylor and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams are just a few the names of those who broke down in their second seasons, or, as in the case of Lewis, didn’t play at all.

Those who choose to assume a more optimistic outlook can point to the fact that Errict Rhett, Terrell Davis and Edgerrin James all experienced considerable gains in their numbers during the second years, while others, such as Eddie George held steady with an almost identical output.

Lynch's take-no-prisoners style of running combined with the fact that he will
see an exorbitant amount of carries come his way, make him more likely to suffer a sophomore slump--through injury and/or fatigue--than Peterson in 2008.

Bo Marchionte contributed to this column.