ESPN - Broncos' track record bodes well for rookie Torain

[OOJack]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=williamson_bill&id=3472063

[Inkana7]

For the lazies:

Broncos' track record bodes well for rookie Torain

By Bill Williamson
ESPN.com

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0707/nfl_ap_rtorain1_200.jpg

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Ryan Torain's eyes were caught by the television. It was the fourth pick of the fifth round in April's NFL draft. He noticed that Denver, the team of choice for every college running back, was on the clock.

Torain's mind predictably started to envision 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Broncos. Suddenly, he was brought back to the draft board by the sound of his ringing cell phone. He looked at the incoming call. There it was.

"It was a 303 [area code] number," Torain said. "I knew the call was coming from Colorado. I have a couple of friends from Colorado and I know the 303 is in Colorado. I was hoping it was the Broncos and not my friends calling."

Indeed, running back heaven was calling.

"I picked up the phone real quick and the voice on the other end said, 'Are you ready to be the next star running back for the Denver Broncos?'" Torain recalled of his brief conversation with a Broncos personnel official. "I said, 'Yes' and I've been smiling ever since."

[+] Enlarge
Ryan Torain

AP Photo/ Jack Dempsey

Ryan Torain is thrilled to be in Denver, where many young running backs have blossomed.

With the 139th pick of the 2008 draft, the Broncos took Torain, a rugged running back from Arizona State. Even though he was drafted in the fifth round, Torain has a legitimate chance to make an impact this season. He is a prototypical Broncos running back. He hits the hole quickly and he's a downhill runner. He fits in Denver's zone-blocking scheme.

The Broncos using a fifth-round pick on a running back is the equivalent of any other NFL team selecting a tailback in the second round. After all, the Broncos have made a living out of scoring with late-round running backs. Terrell Davis was a sixth-round pick, as was Mike Anderson. Olandis Gary, a fourth-round selection in 1999, rushed for 1,159 yards as a rookie. Mike Bell and Selvin Young became contributors in the past two years after both were picked up as undrafted free agents.

Torain, whom Denver took with the draft choice acquired from AFC West-rival Oakland for defensive tackle Gerard Warren last August, is now part of Denver's running back consortium. And that means he has a chance to be the team's leading rusher this year. Yes, even as a fifth-round pick. Torain will be in the Broncos' camp, so he has a chance to be the top running back. That's how it works in Denver.

In Mike Shanahan's running system, easily the best in the NFL since 1995, five different players have led the team in rushing since 2003: Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns, Anderson, Tatum Bell, and Young. Only Portis started his respective season as the sure No. 1 runner in training camp. Portis, Droughns, Anderson and Bell each left the team the season after leading the Broncos in rushing.

Shanahan thought he found his long-term answer at running back last year when Denver signed tested veteran Travis Henry to a five-year, $22 million deal. After four games in 2007, the plan was unfolding beautifully as Henry was leading the NFL in rushing. However, injuries and off-field issues ruined Henry's season. After he stopped showing up to work this spring, Henry was cut. His departure once again opened Denver's revolving door at running back.

When training camp opens July 25, Young will go in as the No. 1 back. He is followed by veteran Michael Pittman, recently signed from Tampa Bay, small playmaker Andre Hall and Torain.

Even though he is fourth on the depth chart, Torain shouldn't enter training camp feeling buried. No running back in Denver should ever feel that way. Both Mike Bell and Young came out of nowhere in the past two training camps and became big parts of the offense. The word inside the Denver organization is that Torain has performed well in minicamps and has picked up the running scheme quickly.

"This is a great place for any running back to be," Torain said. "This is the place you want to be. I know I have a long way to go. But running backs can and have done well here. I couldn't think of a better place to be. I'm ready to go for it."

Camp schedules
Tentative opening, closing and first practice dates. Schedule

Still, Shanahan maintained during minicamps that his running back crew may be a committee. In the past, Shanahan has been open to the idea, and he likes what he has in this group.

"We have good young players at running back," Shanahan said. "It is going to be interesting in training camp with a lot of good, hard competition. I like what I have in all my guys."

Young has a chance to be the top back, but because of his slight frame, there is concern. He has worn down at Denver and in college at Texas. Young led the Broncos with 729 yards rushing last year, but he spent a lot time on the sideline dealing with nagging injuries. With his game-breaking speed, there will be a place for Young in Denver's offense, but it remains to be seen if he can carry the load on a consistent basis. Shanahan himself has questioned Young's durability multiple times. Young has impressed the Broncos this offseason with his worth ethic and is out to prove he can handle as many carries as the team gives him.

"It's my job to show the coaches I can be productive in that sense, and it's up to me to stay healthy and do the things off the field and in the weight room to combat his ideas," Young said.

Pittman was brought in to be a short-yardage back and to provide toughness with his blocking and receiving in key situations. He'll be a role player. Hall made some big plays last year and will have a chance to get some carries, but like Young, he is small and injury prone.

Then there's Torain, the wild card of the bunch. Many in the Denver organization hope and believe Torain will emerge as the top running back this year. Because he's big and strong, Torain has the ability to carry the ball 20-25 times a game if needed. If he can meet those expectations, Denver will be in great shape and will be able to utilize all four of its tailbacks. But somebody has to be the lead runner and Torain is going to camp ready to stake his claim. And in Denver, even a fifth-round pick can feel this way in July.

"It's all in front of me," Torain said. "I just have to do the right things and hard work and great things can happen for me in Denver."

Bill Williamson covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

[NaptownChief]

Well if Torain doesn't work out you guys can always go pick up "Q" or Orlandis as they are both available.

[ColoradoBuff]

Nice find!

[Cosmo]

Well at least Burger Bill keeps putting out Broncos articles while at ESPN

[ColoradoBuff]

Well if Torain doesn't work out you guys can always go pick up "Q" or Orlandis as they are both available.

You can always go to hell....oh wait, you are already there!:wave: Hilarious!

[That One Guy]

I didn't know Henry had gotten cut for not showing up to work. What a moron.

Poor Mike Bell... I wonder if the waiver wire was his 2nd favorite team growing up... cause he's headed to them soon.

[bowtown]

Well if Torain doesn't work out you guys can always go pick up "Q" = irony

[brncs_fan]

Here comes chief fan. Coming to pound his chest about Larry Johnson is sooooo much better than anything that we have.

[TheReverend]

Well at least Burger Bill keeps putting out Broncos articles while at ESPN

With more substance than he ever had here...

[broncofan2438]

Would be a great story, lets see what happens

[2KBack]

He's a younger, faster, and more agile Mike Anderson. How is that not exciting?

[socalorado]

Napclowns just pissed cause Torains from his neck of the woods.
Shawnee, KS 66216

[lex]

For the lazies:

Broncos' track record bodes well for rookie Torain

By Bill Williamson
ESPN.com

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0707/nfl_ap_rtorain1_200.jpg

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Ryan Torain's eyes were caught by the television. It was the fourth pick of the fifth round in April's NFL draft. He noticed that Denver, the team of choice for every college running back, was on the clock.

Torain's mind predictably started to envision 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Broncos. Suddenly, he was brought back to the draft board by the sound of his ringing cell phone. He looked at the incoming call. There it was.

"It was a 303 [area code] number," Torain said. "I knew the call was coming from Colorado. I have a couple of friends from Colorado and I know the 303 is in Colorado. I was hoping it was the Broncos and not my friends calling."

Indeed, running back heaven was calling.

"I picked up the phone real quick and the voice on the other end said, 'Are you ready to be the next star running back for the Denver Broncos?'" Torain recalled of his brief conversation with a Broncos personnel official. "I said, 'Yes' and I've been smiling ever since."

[+] Enlarge
Ryan Torain

AP Photo/ Jack Dempsey

Ryan Torain is thrilled to be in Denver, where many young running backs have blossomed.

With the 139th pick of the 2008 draft, the Broncos took Torain, a rugged running back from Arizona State. Even though he was drafted in the fifth round, Torain has a legitimate chance to make an impact this season. He is a prototypical Broncos running back. He hits the hole quickly and he's a downhill runner. He fits in Denver's zone-blocking scheme.

The Broncos using a fifth-round pick on a running back is the equivalent of any other NFL team selecting a tailback in the second round. After all, the Broncos have made a living out of scoring with late-round running backs. Terrell Davis was a sixth-round pick, as was Mike Anderson. Olandis Gary, a fourth-round selection in 1999, rushed for 1,159 yards as a rookie. Mike Bell and Selvin Young became contributors in the past two years after both were picked up as undrafted free agents.

Torain, whom Denver took with the draft choice acquired from AFC West-rival Oakland for defensive tackle Gerard Warren last August, is now part of Denver's running back consortium. And that means he has a chance to be the team's leading rusher this year. Yes, even as a fifth-round pick. Torain will be in the Broncos' camp, so he has a chance to be the top running back. That's how it works in Denver.

In Mike Shanahan's running system, easily the best in the NFL since 1995, five different players have led the team in rushing since 2003: Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns, Anderson, Tatum Bell, and Young. Only Portis started his respective season as the sure No. 1 runner in training camp. Portis, Droughns, Anderson and Bell each left the team the season after leading the Broncos in rushing.

Shanahan thought he found his long-term answer at running back last year when Denver signed tested veteran Travis Henry to a five-year, $22 million deal. After four games in 2007, the plan was unfolding beautifully as Henry was leading the NFL in rushing. However, injuries and off-field issues ruined Henry's season. After he stopped showing up to work this spring, Henry was cut. His departure once again opened Denver's revolving door at running back.

When training camp opens July 25, Young will go in as the No. 1 back. He is followed by veteran Michael Pittman, recently signed from Tampa Bay, small playmaker Andre Hall and Torain.

Even though he is fourth on the depth chart, Torain shouldn't enter training camp feeling buried. No running back in Denver should ever feel that way. Both Mike Bell and Young came out of nowhere in the past two training camps and became big parts of the offense. The word inside the Denver organization is that Torain has performed well in minicamps and has picked up the running scheme quickly.

"This is a great place for any running back to be," Torain said. "This is the place you want to be. I know I have a long way to go. But running backs can and have done well here. I couldn't think of a better place to be. I'm ready to go for it."

Camp schedules
Tentative opening, closing and first practice dates. Schedule

Still, Shanahan maintained during minicamps that his running back crew may be a committee. In the past, Shanahan has been open to the idea, and he likes what he has in this group.

"We have good young players at running back," Shanahan said. "It is going to be interesting in training camp with a lot of good, hard competition. I like what I have in all my guys."

Young has a chance to be the top back, but because of his slight frame, there is concern. He has worn down at Denver and in college at Texas. Young led the Broncos with 729 yards rushing last year, but he spent a lot time on the sideline dealing with nagging injuries. With his game-breaking speed, there will be a place for Young in Denver's offense, but it remains to be seen if he can carry the load on a consistent basis. Shanahan himself has questioned Young's durability multiple times. Young has impressed the Broncos this offseason with his worth ethic and is out to prove he can handle as many carries as the team gives him.

"It's my job to show the coaches I can be productive in that sense, and it's up to me to stay healthy and do the things off the field and in the weight room to combat his ideas," Young said.

Pittman was brought in to be a short-yardage back and to provide toughness with his blocking and receiving in key situations. He'll be a role player. Hall made some big plays last year and will have a chance to get some carries, but like Young, he is small and injury prone.

Then there's Torain, the wild card of the bunch. Many in the Denver organization hope and believe Torain will emerge as the top running back this year. Because he's big and strong, Torain has the ability to carry the ball 20-25 times a game if needed. If he can meet those expectations, Denver will be in great shape and will be able to utilize all four of its tailbacks. But somebody has to be the lead runner and Torain is going to camp ready to stake his claim. And in Denver, even a fifth-round pick can feel this way in July.

"It's all in front of me," Torain said. "I just have to do the right things and hard work and great things can happen for me in Denver."

Bill Williamson covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

Like I said at the time, Shanahan wants people to talk about how smart he is.

[Kaylore]

With more substance than he ever had here...

Boy isn't that the truth. His stuff is ten times better at ESPiN then it ever was here. I've read more articles with substance in one offseason from Bill then I did his entire tenure he was here. He used to just rehash what we already knew but right now he's taking actually looking at new things and (shock) breaking news.

[broncofan7]

God, I hope that he is a true find--I was upset that we didn't draft Frank Okam from TX (DT) at the time.

[socalorado]

God, I hope that he is a true find--I was upset that we didn't draft Frank Okam from TX (DT) at the time.

Hes the real deal, man.

[brother love]

he'll be traded to the Lions in about two years.

[broncofan7]

he'll be traded to the Lions in about two years.

For Roy Williams once Marshall has worn out his welcome here...LOL--I hope not!

[SureShot]

I think Torain slept with Lex's wife/and or daughter.

[PLOWHORSE]

I think Torain slept with Lex's wife/and or daughter.

OUCH!!LOL

[elsid13]

Like I said at the time, Shanahan wants people to talk about how smart he is.

While you seem to be taking the exact opposite approach

[OABB]

While you seem to taking the exact opposite approach

rep.

[Paladin]

Ooops! lex to iggy......

[Paladin]

That's better!

[theAPAOps5]

I think Torain slept with Lex's wife/and or daughter.

Nah Lex is a catcher not a pitcher.

[24champ]

CHOO! CHOO!

All aboard the Torain Train!

http://www.cactusranch.com/RTorainOS1fp.jpg

[bpc]

CHOO! CHOO!

All aboard the Torain Train!

http://www.cactusranch.com/RTorainOS1fp.jpg

He's going to be a poor man's CP in Denver, a little less speed, but more power. He's going to look real nice in some of our ISO cutback plays.

[24champ]

He's going to be a poor man's CP in Denver, a little less speed, but more power. He's going to look real nice in some of our ISO cutback plays.

Might not be of Portis caliber, but one thing this team needs is a back that can tote the rock 20-25 times and wear out defenses in the 4 quarter. That describes Ryan "The Train" Torain to a T.

[elsid13]

He's going to be a poor man's CP in Denver, a little less speed, but more power. He's going to look real nice in some of our ISO cutback plays.

Torain doesn't have wiggle in hips to be CP clone. Plus I think he need to sink his hips further on his cuts. He reminds me more of Jax Back Fred Taylor.

[DenverBrit]

Like I said at the time, Shanahan wants people to talk about how smart he is.

No one will make that mistake when they talk about you. ;D

[listopencil]

Torain doesn't have wiggle in hips to be CP clone. Plus I think he need to sink his hips further on his cuts. He reminds me more of Jax Back Fred Taylor.

A young, healthy version of Fred Taylor would be very nice to have on our roster.

[SBboundBroncos]

anyone know how fast he was before the 4.6 at the combine where im sure he still wasnt 100 percent

should we be expecting big plays from him as well as pounding the rock or is he really only good for pounding it

[Drek]

anyone know how fast he was before the 4.6 at the combine where im sure he still wasnt 100 percent

should we be expecting big plays from him as well as pounding the rock or is he really only good for pounding it

He ran a 4.5 about three weeks after the combine.

[SBboundBroncos]

He ran a 4.5 about three weeks after the combine.

thats not too shabby, if he keeps improving and after he gets in football shape maybe we'll see him break some long ones, i mean thats close to the speed of mendenhall and stewart who i really wanted this past draft

this month is gonna go so slow

[bpc]

Torain doesn't have wiggle in hips to be CP clone. Plus I think he need to sink his hips further on his cuts. He reminds me more of Jax Back Fred Taylor.

He does run a little higher, doesn't have the wiggle. More or less though if you watch him hit the crease and turn on the jets, you'll know what I mean. The guy goes 0-60 real quick.

[bpc]

anyone know how fast he was before the 4.6 at the combine where im sure he still wasnt 100 percent

should we be expecting big plays from him as well as pounding the rock or is he really only good for pounding it

Actually, I was at the ASU pro-day and I have heard quoted high 4.4, low 4.5 range. The guy is more than fast enough to succeed on this level.

[TheChamp24]

As for speed for a RB, its not about the 40 time, its game speed.
TD, Emmitt Smith both had fast game speed, but weren't burners in the 40 times.

And my god, comparing Torrain to a power CP or Fred Taylor? Geez...

[lex]

No one will make that mistake when they talk about you. ;D

Its not necessary. ;D

[lex]

While you seem to be taking the exact opposite approach

I guess youre not referring to speaking in coherent sentences.


Anyway, not really. Rarely am I worried about winning favor with the majority. Rarely am I trying to find agreement with the LCD, like you. Basically, what youre saying translates to: "I dont like what you said, you stupid head."

Feel free to climb out of the sandbox anytime.

[elsid13]

He does run a little higher, doesn't have the wiggle. More or less though if you watch him hit the crease and turn on the jets, you'll know what I mean. The guy goes 0-60 real quick.

I know what you mean. I really excited that we drafted him, I wanted him after watching him play last season.


Fixed for Lex

[lex]

I know what you mean. I really excited that we drafted him, I wanted after watching play last season.

WTF. LOL. Whats that?

[elsid13]

WTF. LOL. Whats that?

That would me trying to multitask on four different boards at the same time.

[maher_tyler]

He's going to be a poor man's CP in Denver, a little less speed, but more power. He's going to look real nice in some of our ISO cutback plays.

Dare i say TD#2...immeadiately what i thought after reading that comment

[yerner]

You ****ers are insane if you think this guy is as even close to as fast a fred taylor was when he got into the league.

[Dagmar]

Like I said at the time, Shanahan wants people to talk about how smart he is.

Must you quote the whole bloody thing to make your point? No.

[wolf754life]

yeah, ryan torrian is fred taylor, or clinton portis, personally i see walter payton/earl campbell/barry sanders rolled into one.

i easily expect 2750 yards this year with 39 touchdowns!

16 and 0 baby!

[Killericon]

Torain = New Hixon?

[OABB]

I guess youre not referring to speaking in coherent sentences.

what youre saying translates to: "I dont like what you said, you stupid head."

Feel free to climb out of the sandbox anytime.

aren't you the guy who put everyone on ignore in that one thread about mendenhall?

just curious...what does that translate to?

[lex]

Must you quote the whole bloody thing to make your point? No.

Dont worry about it.

[CoopDawg]

Torrain clearly has the skills to be a productive back in our system if he gets the carries and stays healthy. But there is one common denominator amon TD, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, CP, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell and the rest: solid offensive line play. Torrain's abilities wont matter if we cant fire off the ball and knock some people around in the trences. That being said, I think our line has a great chance to rebound this season. Look for either Young or Torrain to emerge as the main back and rack up around 1,200 yards.

The larger question for us offensively is who do we hand the ball in the red zone? Hopefully Pittman, Torrain or Mike Bell prove that they can pound the rock into the endzone once we get down there.

[bpc]

Dare i say TD#2...immeadiately what i thought after reading that comment

I always hesitate to use TD in any comparison. Time has shown that he was more than just a system back. Portis is good too... not TD good though.

Torain in my opinion for Denver fan's (for lack of a better comparison yet still trying to connect people) is a poor man's CP. He has a similar build, a tad bit bigger. He runs higher and doesn't have the shake, but still more than enough for our offense. It's exciting to watch him running between the tackles though much like when CP found those holes... he eats up yardage quickly from the snap of the ball and handoff to when he gets into the secondary and his power is going to push him through a lot of safeties and LB's trying to arm tackle him. He is CP'esqe in the fact that he'll have a decent impact in the passing game and when he hits the seam with this zone running offense, he'll have some chances to break long TD's because of how defenses will attempt to stop our running game as they always do by playing more defenders in the box.

[Popps]

Well if Torain doesn't work out you guys can always go pick up "Q" or Orlandis as they are both available.

"Q" as in Quentin Griffin? You talkin' about that guy who busted off the 156 yards, 3 TD game against you?

[CoopDawg]

"Q" as in Quentin Griffin? You talkin' about that guy who busted off the 156 yards, 3 TD game against you?

Rep. Hilarious!

[bpc]

Torrain clearly has the skills to be a productive back in our system if he gets the carries and stays healthy. But there is one common denominator amon TD, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, CP, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell and the rest: solid offensive line play. Torrain's abilities wont matter if we cant fire off the ball and knock some people around in the trences. That being said, I think our line has a great chance to rebound this season. Look for either Young or Torrain to emerge as the main back and rack up around 1,200 yards.

The larger question for us offensively is who do we hand the ball in the red zone? Hopefully Pittman, Torrain or Mike Bell prove that they can pound the rock into the endzone once we get down there.

I think Torain will eventually take the reigns but I could see something close to a 800/800 split similar to what we saw with Anderson and Bell a few years ago on a smaller scale with Torain/Hillis eating up a lot of the red zone opp's.

I agree about the offensive line. I still think we are a player away from being really good. Hopefully Kuper can thrive at RT, Clady can step in with minimal setbacks at LT, and Nalen/Hamilton can stay healthy. If that's the case, i feel good about this offense bouncing back and Jay putting up about 25 TD's throwing. Should make for nice balance if it turns out the way we want it to. Still, that's hoping a lot of pieces fall correctly for us. I don't think we'll be that lucky but we'll be better than last year.

[Popps]

I think Mike Anderson was a bit underrated for us and would be thrilled if Torrain turns out to be that kind of player. Anderson rarely lost yards and could really punish teams when we gave him any running room to work with. While not a burner, you can go back and see him actually run away from guys from time to time, as well.

Excited to see Torrain play.

[Popps]

Rep. Hilarious!

I'm sure Olandis Gary scorched the Chefs as well... I just can't remember the game off the top of my head.

[CoopDawg]

Should make for nice balance if it turns out the way we want it to. Still, that's hoping a lot of pieces fall correctly for us. I don't think we'll be that lucky but we'll be better than last year.

Honestly our fate as a team is really going to rest on our ability to score touchdowns instead of attempting field goals once we get inside the red zone. We have to develop a consistent running game inside the opponent's twenty yard line for our offense to regain its swagger. Execution, Exuction, Execution.

[TheReverend]

Honestly our fate as a team is really going to rest on our ability to score touchdowns instead of attempting field goals once we get inside the red zone. We have to develop a consistent running game inside the opponent's twenty yard line for our offense to regain its swagger. Execution, Exuction, Execution.

Sounds hot... where can I direct a couple girls to that will teach them how to do that?

[maher_tyler]

I always hesitate to use TD in any comparison. Time has shown that he was more than just a system back. Portis is good too... not TD good though.

Torain in my opinion for Denver fan's (for lack of a better comparison yet still trying to connect people) is a poor man's CP. He has a similar build, a tad bit bigger. He runs higher and doesn't have the shake, but still more than enough for our offense. It's exciting to watch him running between the tackles though much like when CP found those holes... he eats up yardage quickly from the snap of the ball and handoff to when he gets into the secondary and his power is going to push him through a lot of safeties and LB's trying to arm tackle him. He is CP'esqe in the fact that he'll have a decent impact in the passing game and when he hits the seam with this zone running offense, he'll have some chances to break long TD's because of how defenses will attempt to stop our running game as they always do by playing more defenders in the box.

I'll take that...i like power over ellusiveness anyway, i'd rather wear down a deffense by running them over rather than dance around them all game long!!

[socalorado]

I'll take that...i like power over ellusiveness anyway, i'd rather wear down a deffense by running them over rather than dance around them all game long!!



I'm tellin ya, this guy will be the starter by week 4, if not sooner.
And dont forget about Hillis for the Red zone carries.

[maher_tyler]

I'm tellin ya, this guy will be the starter by week 4, if not sooner.
And dont forget about Hillis for the Red zone carries.

Yea...i really hope everything pans out, i just can't see us being a worse team than last year with the type of guys we've drafted the last 3 years...it's fun to watch a young team grow. If we can stay healthy i don't see why we can't finsh 10-6.

[Beantown Bronco]

Apparently you guys didn't get the memo about Young going for 2,000 yards this season....

[Drek]

I think Mike Anderson was a bit underrated for us and would be thrilled if Torrain turns out to be that kind of player. Anderson rarely lost yards and could really punish teams when we gave him any running room to work with. While not a burner, you can go back and see him actually run away from guys from time to time, as well.

Excited to see Torrain play.

I think the main reasons Anderson gets underrated is that he A. was already in his mid-20's upon entering the league and so missed out on about four years of good football and B. he moved to fullback when we got CP, so he lost out on even more carries in his late 20's.

Had he not had a commitment to the marines and had he stayed at HB all the time I think he'd be considered one of the preeminent Broncos RBs of all time. Not TD level, but he'd be the power version of Clinton Portis, 1500 yards and 15 TDs year after year.

I think that Anderson (prior to the FB shift) is also Torain's best comp. Big, powerful, but with enough speed to be dangerous if he gets some open field ahead of him. He'll be a great fit in our system and as long as he stays healthy he should be that solid power back we're really missing.

I especially like him as a compliment to Selvin Young and Andre Hall. Young has added a few pounds and so should be a more complete back, while Hall is still a speed demon. Between the three we can send whatever kind of back we want out on the field.

I'm expecting that by mid-season we'll see a rotation very much like the '05 Broncos Anderson/Bell tandem, with Torain in the Anderson role, Young in the Bell role, and an added 5 or so carries a game for Hall. Young won't be quite as explosive as Bell but he'll be more reliable, and I think Torain could very well be more productive than Anderson was, who started showing his age that season. Hall will get his handful of carries and be more like what Tatum Bell was that year, a YPC machine thanks to he sudden change up he offers on opposing defenses due to his speed and elusiveness.

[socalorado]

Yea...i really hope everything pans out, i just can't see us being a worse team than last year with the type of guys we've drafted the last 3 years...it's fun to watch a young team grow. If we can stay healthy i don't see why we can't finsh 10-6.

10-6 is right where i have DEN.

[bpc]

Honestly our fate as a team is really going to rest on our ability to score touchdowns instead of attempting field goals once we get inside the red zone. We have to develop a consistent running game inside the opponent's twenty yard line for our offense to regain its swagger. Execution, Exuction, Execution.

I do think we've taken steps to correct that. Torain is the first example. Another piece which isn't getting much pub is Peyton Hillis. The guy is a great receiving threat which I think we'll exploit in the red zone a la Patrick Hape and K. Johnson.

Plus this year we'll have a healthy Scheff (hopefully) and Daniel Graham for a full 16 game slate. All of these should give us a lot of flexibility in the red zone.

Then again, it all will come down to the OL holding their blocks and opening holes which is where we have massively failed over the past 5 years.

[SBboundBroncos]

Apparently you guys didn't get the memo about Young going for 2,000 yards this season....

uhh duhhh they will both have a min. of 2000 yards !Booya!