Finally, pro football is becoming football again.

After a few seasons of dominance by the “run and shoot” and the “West coast offense,” there has been a resurgence in the running game of the NFL.

The emergence of many strong running backs in the league in recent seasons has as much to do with the newly found love for the run as anything.

This is great news for fans of football played in the trenches. Those same fans who harbor great memories of the star running backs of the past.

Such greats as Payton, Campbell, Simpson, and countless others who were part of the powerful running attacks that were so relied on by successful teams.

Teams that have depended heavily on their ground game in the past, are now offering a new look to opponents this season.

A prime example is the Miami Dolphins, and their rising young star of a tailback, Karim Abdul-Jabbar. The Dolphins, best known for their passing attack led by future Hall of Famer Dan Marino, are now under the influence of new head coach Jimmy Johnson in possession of a strong running game to go with that aerial assault.

Another example of a passing team that is now going at it on the ground is the Houston Oilers.

With the acquisition of Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, the Oilers are only a few season’s experience short of completing the transformation from a pass-or-lose team to a team that controls the ball with a balanced offense and a strong defense.

Another team that is becoming a formidable opponent with the help of a new emphasis on the run is the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos are the team that has always had to rely on the best comeback quarterback to ever play, John Elway, to win games in the fourth quarter.

Now they have a balanced offense with tail back Terrell Davis who gained over a thousand yards last year.

The need for a strong running game is evident in particular with the teams who lack one.

Last year the 49ers would have been back-to-back Super Bowl champs if Ricky Watters would have been there, or at least some decent back.

San Francisco then looked for a tailback in the off season, but are still stuck with a poor running game.

This season should be an exciting one to watch. Not only because of the presence of more running, but because games should be closer and more competitive.

I will go ahead and give my Super Bowl predictions for this year. It will be San Francisco and Buffalo, with the 49ers kicking butt and taking home their sixth trophy.

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Brandon Belisle is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Plainfield, Ill.