Inkana7
12-22-2008, 04:36 PM
Boyd fills a void
Two weeks ago, when Denver explored its options following Peyton Hillis' season-ending injury, Cory Boyd's name was tossed around as a potential option - just as he is now with two more running backs on injured reserve.
He ended up after a few full workouts with the regular offense back on the practice squad.
So what exactly happened?
"They wanted to see hunger still from the same guy that was on the practice squad," Boyd said Monday, after season-ending injuries to Selvin Young (neck) and P.J. Pope (hamstring) were announced.
Boyd, a rookie from South Carolina, had never played in a NFL game, so one wouldn't think hunger would be an issue, given his opportunity.
The truth was he immediately didn't look the part, despite some positive reviews from teammates about his aggressive running style at 6-foot-1, 218 pounds during practices.
"You can sit and look at your own self on film and say, 'Man, I look good. I'm doing everything I need to do,'" Pope explained. "But it's the little things that count - hesitating, thinking too much, putting your foot on the ground on certain spots instead of thinking about what you've got to do. That was basically it, and just playing up to speed. Don't think. Just go out there and play."
Boyd almost has to play now, though Tatum Bell remains experienced and, more importantly these days, injury free. Denver also brought back Alex Haynes, a former Baltimore/Carolina practice squad player who appeared in nine games with the Panthers in 2007. The Broncos previously signed Haynes Nov. 10, then waived him Nov. 22.
But it's Boyd that carries with him the most intrigue. There's a knowledge base to draw from when it comes to Bell, who's played in 53 career games, and to a much lesser extent, Haynes.
Boyd represents a hopeful X-factor for Broncos fans, perhaps built on wish and hope, and possibly fact. He was a seventh-round pick of Tampa Bay but was waived/injured before training camp. He then joined the practice squad in Denver on Nov. 4.
"It's hard going off practice," Bell said when asked what Boyd brings to the mix. "He's been looking good in practice. I hope when he gets in the game he looks as good as he did in practice. He's got some speed. But I really don't know what his style is."
Whatever it is, it was good enough for 2,267 rushing yards and 1,303 receiving yards during a 46-game career at the University of South Carolina. Only Stanley Pritchett in school history had even a 1,000-1,000 career.
"I'm glad I got the chance to sit back and know what the coaches needed me to do," Boyd said. "Now I'm going to go out there and I'm going to try to do the best that I can."
--- Lee Rasizer
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/sports/denver-broncos/
Two weeks ago, when Denver explored its options following Peyton Hillis' season-ending injury, Cory Boyd's name was tossed around as a potential option - just as he is now with two more running backs on injured reserve.
He ended up after a few full workouts with the regular offense back on the practice squad.
So what exactly happened?
"They wanted to see hunger still from the same guy that was on the practice squad," Boyd said Monday, after season-ending injuries to Selvin Young (neck) and P.J. Pope (hamstring) were announced.
Boyd, a rookie from South Carolina, had never played in a NFL game, so one wouldn't think hunger would be an issue, given his opportunity.
The truth was he immediately didn't look the part, despite some positive reviews from teammates about his aggressive running style at 6-foot-1, 218 pounds during practices.
"You can sit and look at your own self on film and say, 'Man, I look good. I'm doing everything I need to do,'" Pope explained. "But it's the little things that count - hesitating, thinking too much, putting your foot on the ground on certain spots instead of thinking about what you've got to do. That was basically it, and just playing up to speed. Don't think. Just go out there and play."
Boyd almost has to play now, though Tatum Bell remains experienced and, more importantly these days, injury free. Denver also brought back Alex Haynes, a former Baltimore/Carolina practice squad player who appeared in nine games with the Panthers in 2007. The Broncos previously signed Haynes Nov. 10, then waived him Nov. 22.
But it's Boyd that carries with him the most intrigue. There's a knowledge base to draw from when it comes to Bell, who's played in 53 career games, and to a much lesser extent, Haynes.
Boyd represents a hopeful X-factor for Broncos fans, perhaps built on wish and hope, and possibly fact. He was a seventh-round pick of Tampa Bay but was waived/injured before training camp. He then joined the practice squad in Denver on Nov. 4.
"It's hard going off practice," Bell said when asked what Boyd brings to the mix. "He's been looking good in practice. I hope when he gets in the game he looks as good as he did in practice. He's got some speed. But I really don't know what his style is."
Whatever it is, it was good enough for 2,267 rushing yards and 1,303 receiving yards during a 46-game career at the University of South Carolina. Only Stanley Pritchett in school history had even a 1,000-1,000 career.
"I'm glad I got the chance to sit back and know what the coaches needed me to do," Boyd said. "Now I'm going to go out there and I'm going to try to do the best that I can."
--- Lee Rasizer
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/sports/denver-broncos/