Broncos roster lacks workhorse back C&P

[eddie mac]

C&P ESPN Insider

Broncos roster lacks workhorse back

When breaking down the running back position, there are four key players projected to be taken in the first round of next week's NFL draft. Even after taking projected No. 1 pick Reggie Bush out of the equation, this year's running back class could go down as one of the strongest of all time.

The major difference between this year's draft class and last year's class was that three running backs (Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams) came off the board in the first five picks in 2005. After Bush, this year's group of first-round projections should come off the board anywhere from No. 14 through No. 32. The aspect that has a chance to make this group better is the overall depth of this year's class.

Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams is expected to come off the board between the 14th and 22nd selections, and Minnesota's Laurence Maroney could be taken anywhere from 20th to 28th. The interesting player to keep an eye on is USC's LenDale White, a big, powerful back who has started to fall slowly down draft boards. However, he is very talented and should be drafted somewhere between 21st and 32nd.

Then you have the second-tier guys who have the potential to go in the second- and third-round range. The one problem to keep in mind is that this second-tier group is small and undersized. However, one player to keep an eye on who could slip into the late first round is LSU's Joseph Addai. Addai is powerful for a smaller back and has the frame to get bigger and stronger.

Brian Calhoun (Wisconsin), Maurice Drew (UCLA), Leon Washington (Florida State), Jerome Harrison (Washington State), Jerious Norwood (Mississippi State) and Andre Hall (South Florida) are all smaller backs by NFL standards who have potential to go in the second and third rounds.

Here is a quick look at three teams -- those other than Houston -- that should be looking hardest at running backs in the 2006 draft.


Pressing need
Denver Broncos: The Broncos hold the No. 15 pick, the area where Williams, Maroney and White are projected to start coming off the board. With Tatum Bell slated to replace Mike Anderson (Baltimore) as the team's starting running back, the Broncos have to find an upgrade on draft day .

Bell is a fast, slashing-style runner who can be very dangerous in open space and has the ability to make explosive plays in the running game. However, the major concern about Bell is his stamina/size and durability. Backup Ron Dayne is best suited as a situational short-yardage and goal-line back. He did flash some decent skills late in the season, but is not the answer as a full-time running back.

Outlook: Taking a running back in the first round would go against coach Mike Shanahan's past drafting philosophies. However, the Broncos could address their most glaring need if they take one of the aforementioned backs at No. 15.

[ludo21]

Backup Ron Dayne is best suited as a situational short-yardage and goal-line back. He did flash some decent skills late in the season, but is not the answer as a full-time running back

I just dont get how people continue to say this. In NY they tried the whole short yardage, goal line back thing, he isnt that type of guy. He has proven that he is a legit 20+ carry back.

[broncoback]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">The Broncos would be making a huge mistake in my opinion by morgaging their whole draft for Reggie Bush. I wouldn't even trade up and lose picks to try and get this guy. I watched him in college and there's no denying he's a talented back but he's not worth a whole draft. In fact, some head coaches and scouts say he's overated, comparing him with Shaun Alexander. The problem with both Alexander and Bush is the fact that both RB's are weak running between the tackles. On draft day, if I'm Shanahan, I would seriously look at drafting one of the potential franchise QB's and possibly WR Chad Jackson. If Leinhart, Vince Young, and Cutler or gone, Charlie Whitehurst and Brodie Croyle are also highly rated QB prospects. If Joey Harrington signs with the Broncos to backup or challenge Plummer, then maybe one of the picks should be addressed on defense. The Broncos shouldn't waste a first rounder on a RB with Dayne and Bell on the roster. Dayne's time is now and he's more than capable of 1000+ yards and 10+ scores on the ground. Dayne has arguably the best hands of all the Bronco RB's and can also give the Broncos a couple of TD's in the passing game. Bell should be the primary backup and change of pace runner. He still has problems picking up the blitz but that can be taught.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">
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[Orange_Beard]

Backup Ron Dayne is best suited as a situational short-yardage and goal-line back. He did flash some decent skills late in the season, but is not the answer as a full-time running back

I just dont get how people continue to say this. In NY they tried the whole short yardage, goal line back thing, he isnt that type of guy. He has proven that he is a legit 20+ carry back.


Where did he "prove" this?

[elpasojoe]

He hasn't proven that he can do it, but I agree with ludo 21, he has shown flashes. I don't lose alot of sleep worrying about running back. Give Dayne the ball 20 times a game and I believe he will suffice. I like Tater Bell when he gains 17-20 lbs. of muscle without losing speed.
I would like Cedric Cobbs get more of his share of carries this preseason. A couple of years ago he was on my list of runners I wanted drafted here. At 222 lbs. with speed, he could work well in the system.
I like Maroney and Williams, but I don't want No. 1 picks spent of RB or WR. I like Mike Bell in the fourth rd. or Gerald Riggs in the fifth. I think both could work well in the system. Spend No. 1 on DL. TE and DB.

[Crushaholic]

Where did he "prove" this?

His few runs (particularly the long run in Dallas) showed he has patience to wait for his blocks and the speed to take off when he hits the hole. The only problem is that he didn't get many carries.

[bendog]

Len Dale?

[16slayer24]

whey little. n bell rushes 12+ times denver wins he needs more touches dayne is a capable back maybe a littl time at fullback. bell also kicks ass on special teams soom much speed used very little. i like a DE first round then maybe a TE at 36, then look for a gem RB late and joivon boughnight at WR late.....

[BroncoInferno]

He has proven that he is a legit 20+ carry back.

When? He didn't have a single 20+ carry game for us last season, and he certainly didn't prove anything with NY. I think Dayne will be at least as good as Anderson, but he hasn't proven a thing yet.

[bendog]

It makes some sense. We all know that shanny's deepest desire is to build the offensive scheme around one back whom teams know is coming at them. I just look at the current top rankings and no D guy jumps out at me at 15. Bunkley and Ngata are long gone. Lawson, maybe, but he's a 3-4 guy. We don't look to draft dback or linebacker in that slot. Len Dale has all the measurables to fit into the system.

[Orange_Beard]

His few runs (particularly the long run in Dallas) showed he has patience to wait for his blocks and the speed to take off when he hits the hole. The only problem is that he didn't get many carries.


He showed he can break some runs.
This is no proof that he could carry the ball 20 + times a game for 16 + games a year.

[Boobs McGee]

When? He didn't have a single 20+ carry game for us last season, and he certainly didn't prove anything with NY. I think Dayne will be at least as good as Anderson, but he hasn't proven a thing yet.

I agree, though we haven't seen him with a 20+ game yet, I do think when given the chance, he'll be at LEAST as good as mike.
I think he's got better speed, better hands, and better moves. Yet is definitely the key word here though. The most promising games (imo, besides dallas) we saw him in last year were preseason. Especially against indy. Yes, I know it was preseason, but watching him throw 3 DLmen and an end AFTER catching a screen pass, and THEN watching him cut upfield for about 7, right then and there I was sold.

He's big, he's talented, and he's just WAITIng for a chance to prove himself.

We can have at least the same success as last year (2nd) with our current runners , it would seem like a waste of our only remaining top pick.

With Mikes ability to pick tremendous back talent, and the depth of the draft, we shouldn't even be thinking about RB at # 15

[Orange_Beard]

I really am hoping Dayne and Terill have break out years.

It will be interesting to see how tuff Dayne is. I never loved MA but he was tuff. He took the contact to the D late in the game.

[MechanicalBull]

I'm originally from NY and saw plenty of Giants games and lets just say I don't have 100% confidence in Dayne, he did not work out at all in NY and when he was in the game the defense knew exactly what he was going to do.
Now I hope I'm proven wrong and he can carry the ball 20+ times a game but a couple runs against the chargers and the one big run against the Cowboys doesnt mean that much to me and I hope we draft a better back.

[Boobs McGee]

I really am hoping Dayne and Terill have break out years.

It will be interesting to see how tuff Dayne is. I never loved MA but he was tuff. He took the contact to the D late in the game.

Exactly. Hopefully all of those years ridin pine up in NY have saved that body of his. Hopefully he'll just come out and PUNISH defenders late. Hopefully he's tuff.

Damnit that's a lot of hopefullys

[Boobs McGee]

I'm originally from NY and saw plenty of Giants games and lets just say I don't have 100% confidence in Dayne, he did not work out at all in NY and when he was in the game the defense knew exactly what he was going to do.


I think one of the main reasons he didn't work out well there was because he never had a chance to show what he could do. By the time he got there, Tiki's game was pretty much on it's upward peak (1300, 1400, 1600 yard seasons), and no one really wanted to give him a shot. When you've got a loveable back like Tiki who's performing, bringin a rookie in EVEN THOUGH he won the heisman the year before wouldn't guarantee him much playing time.
Opposing D's knew exactly what he was going to do because he'd just get thrown in on the short yardage. He wasn't in NY to be a starter, he was there for the tough yards.

That's one of the main reasons i think he'll do so well here. We've got one of the most consistent running games in the league, and we've got a guy waiting to prove to the football world that he's the man.

[broncoback]

I think one of the main reasons he didn't work out well there was because he never had a chance to show what he could do. By the time he got there, Tiki's game was pretty much on it's upward peak (1300, 1400, 1600 yard seasons), and no one really wanted to give him a shot. When you've got a loveable back like Tiki who's performing, bringin a rookie in EVEN THOUGH he won the heisman the year before wouldn't guarantee him much playing time.
Opposing D's knew exactly what he was going to do because he'd just get thrown in on the short yardage. He wasn't in NY to be a starter, he was there for the tough yards.

That's one of the main reasons i think he'll do so well here. We've got one of the most consistent running games in the league, and we've got a guy waiting to prove to the football world that he's the man.

I totally agree with you. Dayne was 20+ carry back in College only to be subbed in and out of the offense in New York which is not his game. Dayne is not a change of pace back. He's a talented big back that sets the tone for the offense and gets better as the game goes on. He should have never been drafted by the Giants in the first place and was judged unfairly because Tiki was the main man in New York. The very fact that Dayne's itching to prove he's not a bust speaks volumes about his character. He did everything that Coughlin asked and was relegated to special teams and the odd third down carry. In Denver, he's done everything that Shanahan has asked and helped this team win some big games when given the opportunity to play. Hopefully Shanahan sees fit to involve him in the offense more than last year and especially more than what he was given in New York.

[-Slap-]

Revisionism.

Dayne actually got more carries than Barber his rookie season. The problem was the Giants thought Dayne's size meant he would be a traditional smackover tailback ala Rodney Hampton or OJ Anderson. Instead they got a guy who ran very soft and and turned into a first round bust.

New York Running Backs 2000
+----------------------+----+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Name | G | RSH YARD AVG TD | REC YARD AVG TD |
+----------------------+----+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Tiki Barber | 16 | 213 1006 4.7 8 | 70 719 10.3 1 |
| Greg Comella | 15 | 10 45 4.5 0 | 35 275 7.9 0 |
| Ron Dayne | 16 | 228 770 3.4 5 | 3 11 3.7 0 |
| Joe Montgomery | 1 | 1 4 4.0 1 | 0 0 0.0 0 |
+----------------------+----+-----------------------+----------------------+

[Taco John]

He has proven that he is a legit 20+ carry back.


He has? Where? When?

[ludo21]

He has? Where? When?


In College :thumbsup:

But your all right, he hasnt proven jack in the NFL, but he has proven that when given the chance, he will step up and make some plays (at east in Denver)

[scorpio]

In College :thumbsup:

But your all right, he hasnt proven jack in the NFL, but he has proven that when given the chance, he will step up and make some plays (at east in Denver)


I like Ron Dayne, but you can't compare college durability to NFL durability. For one thing, the NCAA season is a lot shorter. For another, in the NFL you get hit MUCH harder on EVERY down.

Do I think he could do it? Probably.

Would I like some insurance? Definitely.

[MechanicalBull]

I think one of the main reasons he didn't work out well there was because he never had a chance to show what he could do. By the time he got there, Tiki's game was pretty much on it's upward peak (1300, 1400, 1600 yard seasons), and no one really wanted to give him a shot. When you've got a loveable back like Tiki who's performing, bringin a rookie in EVEN THOUGH he won the heisman the year before wouldn't guarantee him much playing time.
Opposing D's knew exactly what he was going to do because he'd just get thrown in on the short yardage. He wasn't in NY to be a starter, he was there for the tough yards.

That's one of the main reasons i think he'll do so well here. We've got one of the most consistent running games in the league, and we've got a guy waiting to prove to the football world that he's the man.


Early in his career Dayne wasnt a short yardage back that happened his last year as a Giant. I just don't see him being a very good back in the nfl. To Dayne's defense when he was getting limited carries towards the end of his Giant days the defense knew he was getting the ball so thats is not his fault.

I hope I am totally wrong about Dayne and he can become a full time back and maybe do some of the stuff he did in college.

[anthonypacino]

Dayne is not a short yardage back, he is built like one but he doesn't run like one. He folds up like a wet paper towl at first contact, he is and will be a back up, he runs well out of a zone blocking scheme like he had in college but guys are a little quicker in the NFL.
Cedric Humes is the guy for us...

[ZachKC]

Dayne as your RB. That would be fantastic.

[Boobs McGee]

I hope I am totally wrong about Dayne and he can become a full time back and maybe do some of the stuff he did in college.

me too ;D

I trust in Mike's abilities, and will obviously stand behind whatever decision he makes...I just hope they give Dayne a shot

[Rohirrim]

L E N D A L E

[Play2win]

DW2

;)

[Garcia Bronco]

Dayne is going to be the feature back. It's a done deal, we don't have anybody on the roster that can start other than him..

[Garcia Bronco]

Dayne is not a short yardage back, he is built like one but he doesn't run like one. He folds up like a wet paper towl at first contact, he is and will be a back up, he runs well out of a zone blocking scheme like he had in college but guys are a little quicker in the NFL.
Cedric Humes is the guy for us...


Ced has blown up his knee...and broke his fore arm last year...he did still play...but he's injury prone it would seem

[Garcia Bronco]

I like Ron Dayne, but you can't compare college durability to NFL durability. For one thing, the NCAA season is a lot shorter. For another, in the NFL you get hit MUCH harder on EVERY down.

Do I think he could do it? Probably.

Would I like some insurance? Definitely.


Not to mention you're not playing freshamn 18 year-olds.

[listopencil]

Dayne as your RB. That would be fantastic.


We killed you guys with a midget. How embarrassing for you would it be if we killed you guys with a "bust". I don't think "fantastic" would come to mind.

[Rascal]

Dayne is going to be the feature back. It's a done deal, we don't have anybody on the roster that can start other than him..

DRAFT.

[Orange_Beard]

If Dayne is as good or better then MA, then how come he did not get carries last year?
I don't see Shanny as a guy who would not have his best players on the field. He has never seemed to me to be a coach who would not have his best players on the field.

[Atlas]

If Dayne is as good or better then MA, then how come he did not get carries last year?
.

Anderson didn't do anything to lose his job and Dayne didn't do anything to seperate himself from Anderson. That doesn't mean that Dayne won't be a better back this year than Anderson. It's just last year Mike played well enough to keep him off the field.

[Orange_Beard]

Anderson didn't do anything to lose his job and Dayne didn't do anything to seperate himself from Anderson. That doesn't mean that Dayne won't be a better back this year than Anderson. It's just last year Mike played well enough to keep him off the field.

Are you saying that they are equal?
Apparently Dayne did do enough, MA is gone. Dayne got MA's money.
Shanny choose Dayne over Anderson. So didn't he play him last year?
To me there is a hole in this thinking.

[Atlas]

Are you saying that they are equal?
Apparently Dayne did do enough, MA is gone. Dayne got MA's money.
Shanny choose Dayne over Anderson. So didn't he play him last year?
To me there is a hole in this thinking.

Anderson was scheduled to make over $2million this year and he is what... 6 years older than Dayne?? Easy desicion really.

[freak6]

Tatum Bell would rush for over 1500 if he can stay healthy. Why not make him the feature back and see if he can stay healthy. Otherwise, wtf are we paying him for?

[Boobs McGee]

Tatum Bell would rush for over 1500 if he can stay healthy. Why not make him the feature back and see if he can stay healthy. Otherwise, wtf are we paying him for?

We're paying him so that I can go get free autographs and look at the girls at coyote ugly when he does the Tatum Bell Show;D

[Orange_Beard]

Anderson was scheduled to make over $2million this year and he is what... 6 years older than Dayne?? Easy desicion really.


Ok, even if MA is 6 years older if he is better- I would rather have him.
Age does not really matter.

The money, I am sure MA would have re-done his contract.

For me the desicion is not really that easy, MA is proven. Dayne for the most part is not.