RB by Committee - Still like it?

[Broncos4tw]

First, my respects to Darrent, and condonlences to his family and friends, and to the Bronco fans who watched him. I yelled at him during the year, but during the last two games, I really started looking at what he could do, and I was feeling pretty good about it. It's a tragic loss, and utterly senseless. Gonna miss you Darrent.

Now for the subject at hand: RB by committee. I made a post regarding this earlier in the year, and the concensus seemed to be "it's ok, this works fine!"

Do people still believe this?

As we moved forward through the last games of the year, our RBs were basically told, "if you screw up, you're out, and if we call you in, it's only because the other guy screwed up." I really don't see how this can build confident players. I also don't see how either of our players can get into any sort of a rhythm when they get sat as soon as they are warming up.

In my opinion, Mike Bell is the guy who should be running, only because he has the power to get the job done. Mike gets stood up far too often. If he was as good as say Sanders, perhaps I wouldn't mind the negative runs. But he isn't, and so I'd rather have a guy that performs what we ask with uncanny precision, being the one cut and gone. Mike can seriously make some cuts.

But really I don't care who is the starter next year, I want them to find one guy, and start him, all year long! The other guy should be the third down guy, or the goalline guy (if Mike ends up the backup). Our RBs looked subpar all year. Mike showed more promise I think that Tatum, but both players looked rusty. Surprised at fumbles Shanahan? Maybe if you played the guys for entire games, they'd not be so damned rusty.

Our o-line needs some serious looking at. But regardless of what we do to our line, or how good it gets, we need to make a decision about RB, and put the main guy in, and let him know he is the GUY. He is the main man, and he needs to play like the starter he is. Our running game was our strength, but it was strongest when we had ONE back, not two sharing the job. Let's go back to what we know worked for us.

And imo, put in Mike Bell, he is going to be solid.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

The problem is that the Broncs have four backs on the roster and none of them are more than backups in the NFL.

[bendog]

MB had an ankle sprain for most of the year and tatum's got a toe or something. Cobbs had an ankle all year, and might have made IR had we not already cut dayne when he went down. Nash is rehabbing a knee, I think it's a knee. Personally, I don't think MB is big enough to avg 20 carries. Tater's a 10-15 max guy.

But this team had two healthy TB's for less than five games. I'd say draft rbs and dlinemen, but with DWill .... who knows.

[sirhcyennek81]

MB had an ankle sprain for most of the year and tatum's got a toe or something. Cobbs had an ankle all year, and might have made IR had we not already cut dayne when he went down. Nash is rehabbing a knee, I think it's a knee. Personally, I don't think MB is big enough to avg 20 carries. Tater's a 10-15 max guy.

But this team had two healthy TB's for less than five games. I'd say draft rbs and dlinemen, but with DWill .... who knows.


Denver ran for 2,000 yards as a team, even with rent a back in the backfield, we still had a 1,000 yard rusher and tatum missed 3 full games and halves of others. We need more size on both lines, especially on defense at Tackle.

:Broncos:

[azbroncfan]

Shanny doesn't want RBBC but is forced due to no legit #1.

[Broncos4tw]

Mike Bell is 6', at 220 pounds. Terrell Davis was 210 at under 6'. How is Mike Bell not big enough to carry the ball 25+ times a game?

[bendog]

I don't buy that Mike Bell is as big as TD was. They can list whatever, but the kid's smaller than TD.

[elsid13]

I don't buy that Mike Bell is as big as TD was. They can list whatever, but the kid's smaller than TD.

I expect he is closer to 205 to 210 then 220, (especial at the end of the season) but I waiting to pass judgement on him until we see what he looks like after a professional off season of conditioning.

He has shown flash that he could be a good back in this system, but like all rookie he need to improve himself he wants to be special. For Mike Bell that means getting in better shape, breaking down game tape and learning the system better. I think it amazing that he seem to be one in the back field when the long drive occurred under Cutler.

[Orange_Beard]

Mike Bell is 6', at 220 pounds. Terrell Davis was 210 at under 6'. How is Mike Bell not big enough to carry the ball 25+ times a game?

There is no way Mike Bell is 220. I saw him at the gym I workout at, he is not 220.
That being said, I think if he got to 220 and kept his speed, he would be a huge star in the league.

[Smiling Assassin27]

depends on the committee. the current committee should be blown up. all in all, though, i'd take a thoroughbread over a group of geldings.

[Atwater His Ass]

Again, I think the problem is in the OL, not the RBs. Mike Bell is our best every down back, imo. He can carry the load. Tatum is a nice change of pace guy.

We still had overall success running the ball this year. Our problem was running inside the red zone and in short yardage situations. That is an OL issue, not a RB issue. It tells me that when the other team knows we are going to run, we get overpowered and can't get it done. This has been a rarity in the past and it's because our OL is the worst we've had here in a long time.

Get a decent OL back together, and our RBs will be fine.

[bendog]

I'm not real down on Nash. Cobbs either really, though he's gotten more of a chance, and MB beat him out in the preseason for the spot opposite tater on the active squad. Nash hasn't really gotten a looksee. He had trouble with his college coach, came out, spent time on Tenn's bench his rook year, then came in late to Den in this year's camp after getting cut cause they had LenDaleWhite, CBrown and THenry.

And if Bell was really 220, yeah, he might move the pile.

Defense is really this team's biggest weakness. Kick off return is the only thing it excells at.

[watermock]

The wish list just got longer after the DWill tragedy. We need help all over...first I try to fix the OL that is getting Cutler killed. You name it we need it, including possibly bringing in Jim Mora Jr. as the DC.

Nails never had much push and he's long in the tooth...WTF are we doing trying to punch the ball against 9 in the box last Sunday? Where was the rollout? It was completely open.

We need to get Jim Mora Jr. in here ASAP and get some OL help. This is rediculous. That was a worse concussion to Jay than let on...his head banged...let's get the kid a bubblehead helmet next year.

I'm not even going to put up with any crap from Chef fan when they slinked into the playoffs due to a FG try that made the oddest hook I have ever seen in minimal wind.

The SF FG was barely good as well, but it was typical Coyer. This is the second time he has played soft like we had a ten point lead in OT...I'm sick of it.

I'm still bummed out regarding DWill.

[watermock]

Tater and Mike are second tier backs at best. First we have to patch that OL.

I wish it were otherwise, but that's just the fact.

[SoDak Bronco]

Adrian Peterson, or Mike Bush would make our line look a whole lot more impressive. Plus I think with if Lepsis can return to his old form, Foster on the first train out of town, and the developement of Kuper/Pears/Elsinger/Meyers we have a nice young core of O-linemean. I think Paymah and Foxy will be solid players in the coming years. We will def. miss dwill, however.

I hope we draft RB in the first, and hit D-lineman throughout the early rounds.

[BroncoBuff]

Short answer - yes.

I think this year - especially the second half - proved that Tatum is best used as a change of pace back. That's not to say he won't get 1000 yards or 15 carries a game, but just like last year when he spelled the Marine in the second quarter and later, Tatum is a change-of-pace, #1A back.

The #1 back could be Nash, Cobbs or Mike Bell - but I think he's already on the roster. We need ZERO players on offense (maybe backup QB only). Just like last year's 'offense only' draft, this time it's 'defense only.'

[sgbfan]

If we had an amazing back fall into place, then bite on it, but I think a solid O-line would make the backs look better. I don't know if we need to draft another tackle, pick one up in FA, or we have him in our system. RB is a need, but we take one in the 1st if top ten talent drops to us, or not until late second day. We don't need more depth at RB if we can't get a top back.

I say we wait a year or two and keep Johnson a Bronco somehow.

[OrangeShadow]

Id welcome portis back for a 2nd or 3rd rounder.

[yavoon]

yes, I like RB by committee, if we really wanted to imrpove the running game(the best performing thing of what we do) I'd do it w/ oline.

[-Slap-]

RBBC sucks ass. It will always be exposed by good defenses in the playoffs.

[TallyBronco]

If you think these RBs can take us through the playoffs next year . . .

[BroncoInferno]

RBBC sucks ass. It will always be exposed by good defenses in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl last season with RBBC. It can work, just depends on the who is in the committee. I'm not real high on this group.

[broncosteven]

After what I saw in last game the Oline & Dline lost it for us.

Hopefully Kahn is right & Kuiper can fufill his promise. Foster needs leave. I wonder if Pears could be a good RT(at least backup Meadows) & keep Lepsis at LT.

I like Mike Bell as a better option as a runner, he cuts better & finds or creates a hole much like TD did. I didn't see it on TV but live at the game you can see him dive forward when there is nothing there. Too bad MBell has the worst Oline in Shanny's career at Denver. The Oline , i.e. Foster, nearly got Cutler killed. TBell goes down too easy.

I still think Mbell is slower than TD & will get caught from behind more than TD was but he will become a serviceable 1200 yard back with a real Denver Bronco Oline.

[Kaylore]

Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl last season with RBBC. It can work, just depends on the who is in the committee. I'm not real high on this group.

The Patriots won all three years with a rotation as well. It can work, but it's something that won't be your strong suit when you're using it.

Mike bell was a rookie this year and really grew late into the year. He got better in all phases of the game. I don't know if he can take the next step, but I like the way he finishes his runs, I like his nose at the goal line, and I like his vision and ability to see the cutback and take it. He fits our system and is incredibly cheap. I would like to see what he can do behind a decent o-line if we can't find the back we want in free agency or the draft.

[elsid13]

Now that I think about the only back - running or full- that might be back next year is Mike Bell.

I doubt Nash(attitude)/Cobbs (injury prone) stick around, T Bell might be traded and I believe both Sapp and Johnson are FA.

Adding a FB that can open the way, will improve our running game.

[Rock Chalk]

Short answer - yes.

I think this year - especially the second half - proved that Tatum is best used as a change of pace back. That's not to say he won't get 1000 yards or 15 carries a game, but just like last year when he spelled the Marine in the second quarter and later, Tatum is a change-of-pace, #1A back.

The #1 back could be Nash, Cobbs or Mike Bell - but I think he's already on the roster. We need ZERO players on offense (maybe backup QB only). Just like last year's 'offense only' draft, this time it's 'defense only.'

Umm, we need a new Right Tackle immediately.

Maybe meadows, but to be honest with you I didnt see him perform all that much better when he didnt have TE help.

[bendog]

Now that I think about the only back - running or full- that might be back next year is Mike Bell.

I doubt Nash(attitude)/Cobbs (injury prone) stick around, T Bell might be traded and I believe both Sapp and Johnson are FA.

Adding a FB that can open the way, will improve our running game.

Cobbs has shown he is injury prone, but so far as I know Nash had no discipline problems either in Tenn or Den. Have you heard something?

[Blueflame]

I've never been a huge fan of RBBC.... but as has been noted earlier in the thread, none of our current RBs seems to be durable enough to carry the load alone. Watching tapes of past games, I really, really miss TD and Howard.

[BroncoBuff]

RBBC sucks ass. It will always be exposed by good defenses in the playoffs.

Expand on that, because I see very little correlation between "Big Stud #1 RB" and Super Bowls.

[BroncoBuff]

Umm, we need a new Right Tackle immediately.

Maybe meadows, but to be honest with you I didnt see him perform all that much better when he didnt have TE help.

Meadows maybe, but I think Pears is the more obvious answer. Lepsis is getting on in years, though, so maybe we do need an OT. But we need a playmaking Will-LB, a ballhawking safety and a pass-rushing DE a heckuva lot more imo.

[Rock Chalk]

Buff Slap is talking out his ass.

That RBBC really sucked for Pittsburgh last year didnt it Slap?

Retard.

[Inkana7]

Buff Slap is talking out his ass.

That RBBC really sucked for Pittsburgh last year didnt it Slap?

Retard.

That was not RBBC. Willie Parker was the workhorse, Jerome Bettis came in on short yardage and goal line. What we did last year was true RBBC.

[elsid13]

Cobbs has shown he is injury prone, but so far as I know Nash had no discipline problems either in Tenn or Den. Have you heard something?

Only thing that I heard was from "our" insiders that he had issue at Missouri and Tenn.

[Guessed]

Just say no to RRBC. While not an elite back, drafting Tony Hunt at 3A could be a solution to the much needed bell cow back that this team sorely missed when needing to grind out a few first downs or punch it in from short yardage (see SF game). Yes, there also need to be improvements in the offensive line. One without the other this coming year will only lead to dissappointment. So, I'd be happy if day one went down something like this.

1) Best available defensive lineman, preferably a space eating pocket pushing defensive tackle.
2) Safety
3a) Tony Hunt
3B) Best available offensive tackle

Day 2 picks could hopefully add more depth at defensive line, wide receiver (kick returner), linebacker and corner.

[BroncoBuff]

Deon Grant as a FA ... and a decent pass-rusher. DE or Will LB.

RB is way down the line of necessities.

[Atwater His Ass]

Deon Grant as a FA ... and a decent pass-rusher. DE or Will LB.

RB is way down the line of necessities.

WAY down imo. In no particular order, OT, DT, S, DE, and CB all come before RB.

RB is on par with backup QB for me right now. I'm a firm believer our RBs will be more than adequate if we can fix the OL.

[-Slap-]

Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl last season with RBBC. It can work, just depends on the who is in the committee. I'm not real high on this group.

That tired story again?

In 2005, Parker had 255 carries and Bettis had 110. Parker also missed one game and only had five carries in another. Assuming he gets his average number of carries in those two games, he finishes the year with over 280 carries and Bettis probably loses about 20.

There's a distinct difference between a RBBC and a team with a premier short yardage back.

[-Slap-]

Buff Slap is talking out his ass.

That RBBC really sucked for Pittsburgh last year didnt it Slap?

Retard.

Hey, stupid when one guy averages 17 carries a game and the other guy averages nine carries a game, its not a RBBC.

[-Slap-]

Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl last season with RBBC. It can work, just depends on the who is in the committee. I'm not real high on this group.

If you happen to remember the AFC Championship Game last year, our defense smothered the Pittsburgh running game and forced them into third and long all game.

[WABronco]

Cobbs has shown he is injury prone, but so far as I know Nash had no discipline problems either in Tenn or Den. Have you heard something?

Yea, he was a fat a-hole in Tennessee and he dropped to the second day in the draft because he was a malcontent.

[-Slap-]

Nash rubbed me the wrong way when he tried to blame Plummer for a fumble that was his own fault.

[maven]

"RB by Committee - Still like it?"

Like it? I've always thought it sucked major ass. Our team is using backups as starters. The bells, nash, and cobbs are backup material. Time to get one in the draft. There are plenty of backs to be had in the draft.

[zdoor]

I don't think you can call Pitt a RBBC. A short yardage back is not a RBBC. Not that it was successful but would you say NY used a RBBC because they brought in Jacobs near the goaline? I don't think so...

[-Slap-]

I don't think you can call Pitt a RBBC. A short yardage back is not a RBBC. Not that it was successful but would you say NY used a RBBC because they brought in Jacobs near the goaline? I don't think so...

Perfect example.

[ludo21]

Two words:

Marshawn Lynch

[clarkster]

i like it IF 2 things happen
1- they start actually toting the rock 30-35 times a game like they did long ago
2- the backs get consistent. I think the days of shanny using one back almost exclusively are over. I think TD wouldve had a shortened career even if lepsis hadnt blown up his knee.

if the broncos get back to cramming the ball down the opponents throat 30-35 times a game, 2 backs are needed

[Broncojef]

1st and goal on the one; first and goal on the three and we kick two field goals. We needed a back two years ago, needed one this year and will need one next year if we don't sign someone worth a damn. Stats don't mean crap if you don't have a running game when you need it most. The Offensive line strategy and the running game should be our number one focus. We have the QB and the Wideouts IMO. The days of one backs are over because we don't have a back worth running every down. Shanny wants what he had in TD to dominate games but he doesn't have the horse. RBBC sucks!!!

[-Slap-]

i like it IF 2 things happen
1- they start actually toting the rock 30-35 times a game like they did long ago
2- the backs get consistent. I think the days of shanny using one back almost exclusively are over. I think TD wouldve had a shortened career even if lepsis hadnt blown up his knee.

if the broncos get back to cramming the ball down the opponents throat 30-35 times a game, 2 backs are needed


No question. It was the workload that ruined him, not the ACL.

Its crazy, but people forget what a hard time we had finding a reliable backup for TD. The coaches weren't quite satisfied with Loville and we blew first day draft picks on outright scrubs like Curtis Alexander and the fumble fingered kid who wound up in Jacksonville, Chris Howard.

[chrisp]

This whole discussion is a little confused. Some people are saying that RBBC is fine as long as you have decent personnel, but the only reason you do RBBC in the first place is because you don't have that one every-down back. We made a push for Jamal Lewis in the offseason, and if we had landed him it would probably have been with the intention of dumping RBBC by committee.

So finding the personnel is one thing, but then they have to perform. Looking at Lewis' performance for Baltimore this year, would he have played well enough to keep RBBC at bay? Damn good question IMO...

I'm sure that this offseason Shanny will yet again look to acquire that one back who is sufficiently good in all aspects of the position that he becomes our every-down guy, however if that individual proves elusive, we will see RBBC yet again next year.

One thing that would not surprise me however, is to see more development from Mike Bell to the point where he gets the majority of the carries. The only thing that Mike lacks is true breakaway speed - in every other aspect of the position he is superior to Tatum, and with the passing game opening up with our new superstar QB and recieving corps, that is becoming less of a deficiency. We no longer need to rely on the run game to make plays and win games for us - just helping to keep move the chains will be enough next year (or at least that's the hope). this is borne out by the fact that Mike saw more yardage since jay took over, although how much of that was down to Tatum nursing an injury is as yet unclear.

[fontaine]

FWIW we wouldnt have seen RBBC this year if Tatum Bell doesn't get hit with turf toes.

It was clear that during the best stretch of the season with Tatum, Mike Bell was getting hardly any carries. It was only after Tatum got hurt and eventually had to sit out that Mike started getting more and more carries.

We have the ideal backfield in theory with Tatum and Mike. The problem is that Tatum just can't stay healthy enough.

[jmacjo]

RIP to D-Will...

I was always a big Tato fan and kept saying that he could be almost as good as Clinton Portis with his speed. But the end of this season made me give up on him. You just can't drop the ball like that. Something about Mike Bell doesn't feel right to me. He doesn't have the speed or moves of a big-time back. He runs like hell when he gets it, which you have to like, but it just looks like he is short on talent. However, the 49ers game showed how little it matters when the O-line is a sieve. I just don't think that he can make a lot happen in the open field. He should be kept around though, and given a chance to prove himself with a fortified line. Hopefully Shanny can strike gold again with a sleeper.

[Dedhed]

I think Mike Bell can be a 1400-1500 yard rusher next year. He has the vision that this sceme demands; vision we haven't seen since TD. With an improved passing game and upgrades on the OL I think Mike has great potential.

Using a day 1 pick on a RB would be a terrible idea, imo, we have far more pressing needs.