Ron Dayne is rated as the top running back available in the 2000 NFL draft.

Now, as many personnel directors and scouts convened this week in Tulsa, Okla., to discuss next year's draft prospects, Dayne is picking up support as a top 10 pick.

"He's going to be a tremendous runner in a one-back set," one general manager said. "He runs with some power, but he's a dainty kind of runner, too. What I also like about him is that he's a good pass blocker. Wisconsin doesn't throw the ball a whole lot, but when they do, Dayne's pretty good on protection. About the only question is whether he can catch the ball because you don't really get to see him do it."

Another former Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George, was designated as a one-back prospect, which is why he slid to 14th in the 1996 draft when the then-Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans) chose the Ohio State rusher. That was the year that the St. Louis Rams chose Lawrence Phillips with the No. 6 overall choice, and Tim Biakabutuka went No. 8 to the Carolina Panthers.

As for Dayne, he might not inspire anybody to trade an entire draft for him, but he now projects as the top-rated back at this stage.

Colts now James' gang
Even Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian, with his heralded selection of Edgerrin James over Williams in the April draft, did not quite forsee James' impact as a rookie.

"No, I can't say I expected this much this soon," Polian said. "But he's special. He can do some amazing things. Some of the cuts he makes, well, they're amazing."

James certainly blew away the Miami Dolphins with those cuts. One Dolphins defensive coach said, "We weren't prepared for what he did to us. He didn't really have that big of an impact the first time we played. We were sloppy tackling, but some of that was because that kid was juiced up (with family and friends in his hometown Miami), and he made some terrific cuts."

How good is James? So good that ESPN analyst Marty Schottenheimer believes James should give Colts QB Peyton Manning and Rams QB Kurt Warner a legitimate challenge for the league's MVP.

"I think I'd have to vote for (James)," said Schottenheimer, the ex-Chiefs coach.

Indy is all the rage
The game ball for the Colts' 34-31 victory over the Dolphins was presented to owner Jim Irsay, whose franchise just enjoyed its first 10-win season since moving to Indianapolis.

If Colts coach Jim Mora looked horrified as safety Jason Belser knocked him to the ground by playing piggyback as the clock hit zero, there was good reason.

"I thought it was an irate Miami fan that came out of the stands," Mora said. "I've never had anybody jump on my back before."

Belser celebrated just as Mike Vanderjagt kicked the 53-yard game winner. For Vanderjagt, it was his 18th consecutive field goal and the third-longest in NFL history for a kicker's game-winning effort as time expired.

Vanderjagt is another keen acquisition by Polian. Even though the Colts play in a dome, Polian plucked Vanderjagt out of the Canadian Football League in 1998, knowing the Colts had to play in an AFC East division that features such outdoor venues as Buffalo's Rich Stadium, New England's Foxboro Stadium and the New York Jets' Giants Stadium. Even Miami's Pro Player Stadium can be plagued by wind and rain.

Lending a helping arm
Peyton Manning and Drew Bledsoe have combined to do an instructional video on quarterback play for all ages in a worthy cause that will benefit NFL assistant coaches who have been forced into early retirement.

"This is a great story, especially when you hear about drive-by shootings and what-have-you with some NFL players," said Larry Kennan, a former assistant coach who now heads up the NFL Coaches Association.

Kennan said Manning and Bledsoe devoted time in training camp to do the video, which is being released this week. Proceeds will go to a number of former assistant coaches who are struggling financially. Kennan's association has sought help from the NFL because many coaches who are fired after the age of 55 are often never rehired and are ineligible to collect their pension until 65.

"We're looking for a remedy from the league, but we also have to help ourselves, and this is one way we can do it," Kennan said. "But without guys like Manning and Bledsoe donating their time with no strings attached, it would be tough."

Kennan noted that three members of his association died this year -- Seahawks defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur, Vikings offensive coordinator Chip Myers and former Redskins-Chargers-Seahawks special teams coach Wayne Sevier. 49ers line coach Bobb McKittrick is struggling with cancer.

Kennan's group does not believe the health problems are just a coincidence. Broncos line coach Alex Gibbs did an informal survey of NFL assistants and found that from training camp to the end of the season they work an average of 104 to 111 hours per week.

For further information about the Manning-Bledsoe video, check out the nflcoaches.com web site.

More Michigan magic for Howard
Desmond Howard's spectacular debut for the Detroit Lions came after Terry Fair, the team's cornerback-kick returner, broke a knuckle on his hand in a mishap last Friday night. Howard was introduced to the team at the Lions' Saturday night meeting, and the next day he returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown against the Redskins.

Howard had been abruptly cut by the Green Bay Packers when he failed to suit up for a Monday night game against the 49ers due to a pair of injured fingers.

"We actually thought about signing him right after he was let go by Green Bay," Lions coach Bobby Ross said. "Then, we decided we'd just bring him in this week for a tryout, but then Terry came up with his deal, and we jumped on Desmond."

With the exception of Howard's Pro Bowl season with the Packers in 1996, the former Heisman Trophy winner has been a disappointment in his many travels across the league. That's why Ross was trying to contain his enthusiasm after watching Howard's electrifying return, even though it appears artificial turf and a return to the state where he became a star might be factors that will jump-start Howard's career.

"I don't want to get too excited, but I don't think I've had anybody like him before," Ross said. "He's so explosive out of his cuts. He gives us another weapon."

Howard watched film with special teams coach Chuck Priefer on Saturday night and Sunday morning before the Lions-Redskins game just to grasp the team's blocking schemes.

"Then again," Ross said with a laugh, "sometimes with a guy like Desmond, it's, 'Catch the ball and run opposite their colors.' "

New flight plan for Jets
The New York Jets could have a new owner and a new coach in the near future, but the names could catch people by surprise.

Robert "Wood" Johnson, an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical family, was expected to submit a bid this week for $600 million (or more) to buy the Jets from the estate of the late Leon Hess. It's possible the bid could be accepted as early as next week.

Most speculation has centered on the Dolan family acquiring the Jets, but they have so many potential conflicts with cross-ownership and television that Johnson, who goes by the nickname "Woody," has emerged as the favorite.

Now, about that coach. If Bill Parcells retires, as I expect, Jets defensive coordinator Bill Belichick has a contract from Hess that guarantees him the head-coaching job. But Belichick can leave if ownership changes hands, and reliable league sources say he is not all that enamored with succeeding Parcells.

Belichick wouldn't rule out the Jets, the sources say, but two jobs would be more attractive to him: The Patriots and the Redskins, if they were available and offered.

Dudley doing right
Rickey Dudley was such as dud in training camp and the early season that Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden was prepared to relegate the tight end and former No. 1 pick to bench duty.

"Well, let's just say he wasn't lighting it up," Gruden said. "Not last year, and it wasn't happening when we got started this year."

Then Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon made some harsh criticisms directed at teammates he believed were lacking full effort. Gannon didn't identify any one player, but everyone knew Dudley was on that list. Finally, Raiders receiver Tim Brown confronted Dudley.

"I asked him how he expected to play games at 100 percent if he only practiced at 75," Brown said.

Dudley took the message to heart. His eight touchdowns going into Thursday's game in Tennessee to lead all NFL tight ends. Gruden now endorses him as a Pro Bowl player.

"He's picked up his practice performance -- he's practicing at full speed," Gruden said. "He's finishing routes. He works his butt off to get open. He's making great runs after the catch. And he's getting better as a blocker."

Dudley is the team's second-strongest player behind defensive lineman Grady Jackson, which is why Brown stood his distance when he first lectured the tight end.

Chris Mortensen, ESPN's lead NFL reporter, writes a weekly column for ESPN.com that appears each Wednesday. He also chats with ESPN.com users every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET