Running Back Situation

[dragondawg]

Broncos playing rushin' roulette
Dayne, Bell, Cobbs - or an unknown - out to be top back
Joe Mahoney © News © 2005

Broncos running backs coach Bobby Turner, center, has three incumbents, including Ron Dayne, who will try to replace Mike Anderson, who was released, as the starter. "I just want to stay modest," Dayne said. "But it's mine, Tatum (Bell) and (Cedric Cobbs') job to lose right now
Ron Dayne isn't sure he has a leg up in the race to become the next starting running back for the Denver Broncos. But even before arriving this month for the team's off-season conditioning program, he was doing enough squats, leg presses and lunges to make sure it wasn't much of a stretch should that scenario play out.
"You can't run without your legs, so I work hardest on them," he said. "Even when I'm tired, I'm going to get a workout on my legs."

Yet the past several years, Dayne has rested his lower body more than he would like when it matters most - on game day.

In six seasons, including his first in 2005 with the Broncos, Dayne has 638 carries for 2,337 yards while starting only 14 games.

That experience is why Dayne is sounding a cautious note, even after the Broncos released Mike Anderson, seemingly putting Dayne, the all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division I-A, in line for the carries Anderson left behind.

Tatum Bell still is around, and Dayne has watched as practice- squad player Cedric Cobbs made big strides last season to enter the competition.

The biggest wild card, though, might not yet be on the roster.

With the Nos. 15 and 22 picks in the first round of the draft, the Broncos might have a unique opportunity to acquire the kind of workhorse runner coach Mike Shanahan has said he prefers.

Reggie Bush of Southern California is a near lock to go No. 1 overall and is a pipe dream for the Broncos.

But Bush's college teammate, Denver native LenDale White, Laurence Maroney of Minnesota or De- Angelo Williams of Memphis could be available for the taking.

Whether other needs, such as receiver, tight end or defensive line, will supersede the Broncos' desire for a franchise-type prospect remains to be seen. Regardless, there likely will be someone else to contend with for the returning backfield trio.

"I don't care if you're drafting Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Quentin Griffin, Tatum," general manager Ted Sundquist said at the NFL scouting combine. "You just go back. Ahmad Galloway. Some guys didn't make it, but there's always someone getting rolled into the mix."

Only twice during Shanahan's 11 years as coach, in 1997 and 2001, has the team failed to draft a running back. But Bell, at No. 41, was the highest-numbered selection. The Broncos' normal route is midround picks suited to their downhill, one- cut style instead of going for the high pick.

And usually, whomever they select is worked in slowly. Even Bell and Clinton Portis, who joined Terrell Davis as the only franchise backs drafted by the Broncos since 1995, didn't immediately start by carrying 20 or more times a game.

Incumbents are ready

Bell still is awaiting his opportunity for full-time duty despite a productive 921-yard season in 2005 that demonstrated his big-play ability.

Cobbs simply is eager for an opportunity.

"For them to select someone at running back really doesn't bother me because I know the running back they select doesn't know half of what the running backs here know that have been in the league awhile," said Cobbs, whom the Broncos considered picking in the third round in 2004 before taking Bell one round earlier. "I found out the hard way that the league is (about) experience. And you just can't come in and think you're going to dominate if you don't know the game of football."

Cobbs, who played for Arkansas, appeared in three games with the New England Patriots as a rookie in 2004, then was cut during training camp last year after injuring a leg before the first preseason game.

The Broncos picked him up and put him on the practice squad, where he learned the scheme and impressed coaches with his acceleration and quickness.

Such initial inactivity was even more shocking, and longer lasting, for Dayne, who was the first-round pick (No. 15 overall) of the New York Giants in 2000 but fell into a backup role to Tiki Barber.

Now, Dayne is seeing competition from a different perspective, with the belief he has a legitimate opportunity for a large workload, in a system suited to his talents, for a staff he believes is in his corner.

"I just want to stay modest," said Dayne, who carried 53 times for 270 yards last season in spot duty. "But it's mine, Tatum and Ced's job to lose right now."

Even if the Broncos pick a back high in the draft, he said, "It'd be a shame if one of us wasn't one of the guys out there on the field, especially with us being here and knowing the system rather than having somebody else come in and take that."

In 2005, Anderson was the Broncos' "thunder" inside the tackles and Bell the quick-hitting "lightning" outside as Denver put together a 13-3 regular season and fell one victory short of the Super Bowl. The running game's production was merely business as usual.

Last season, the Broncos rolled up 2,539 yards, the second-best total in franchise history, and finished 7 yards behind the league-leading Atlanta Falcons.

It was the ninth time under Shanahan the Broncos have finished in the top five in rushing. It also marked the eighth time in his tenure the team has cracked the 2,000-yard mark.

Even with such consistency, the backfield continues to evolve.

With Dayne considered a younger option to Anderson and owning a similar skill set, it was Anderson who was released. He eventually signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

Dayne re-signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent, getting a three-year, $3.29 million contract that voids after two seasons if he reaches a combined 2,500 yards.

Dayne's modesty aside, his quick feet and ability to make decisive cuts between the tackles for positive yardage make him the current favorite to do the heavy lifting in the backfield.

Though Bell has unquestioned speed, he must shake the perception he's a specialist and not suited for full-time duty. But he will have a role. Cobbs is the unknown factor.

'No drop-off'

"I've worked with them, so I know what they've got, and I wish the best for all those guys," Anderson said in assessing the current candidates. "And I expect no drop-off whatsoever."

Anderson added that, despite Shanahan's public proclamation in January that "everybody would like that franchise back . . . that you could give the ball 30 times a game," the Broncos might continue with a two-pronged attack because it worked so well last season.

"I think they'll go after the same blueprint we had last year because when you look at it, it worked," Anderson said. "We had a lot of success and put up huge numbers. And for the most part, it kept our whole entire backfield pretty healthy through the season."

And leaguewide, the signature back generally has become a dying breed the past few seasons. Only 11 backs averaged more than 20 carries in 2005, down from 12 in 2004 and 13 in 2003.

But among the current group, Dayne could be best suited for such a workload, if needed, even without much activity as a pro. For Wisconsin, he became the all-time Division I-A rushing leader by carrying no fewer than 263 times during his four seasons.

"Once you've done it, you never forget it," Anderson said.

But the focus now for Dayne, Bell and Cobbs isn't the potential for a future workload, it's getting in shape for the looming competition.

Dayne is concentrating on working on his wind and distance to supplement his weight-room work.

Bell apparently is so focused, he has ducked the media for two weeks.

Cobbs is making sure his legs are at full strength.

And if some hotshot enters the fray, Dayne said, "We'll just have fun and battle. Just like we did when Mike (Anderson) was here."

[elsid13]

Bell apparently is so focused, he has ducked the media for two weeks.

We haven't heard anything about Bell this offseason, I wondering if the insiders know how his workouts this offseason is going?

[Jason in LA]

Seems like we get this same exact article every offseason. Just change the names.

I like what I'm hearing about Dayne. Seems like every chance he got last year, which weren't many, he made the most out of.

I also like that Bell is so hungry. He wants it. 921 yards in limited duty looks really good to me.

The more I think about it, the more I'd say that the Broncos would be wasting a high draft pick if they took a RB in the first round.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

Seems like we get this same exact article every offseason. Just change the names.

I like what I'm hearing about Dayne. Seems like every chance he got last year, which weren't many, he made the most out of.

I also like that Bell is so hungry. He wants it. 921 yards in limited duty looks really good to me.

The more I think about it, the more I'd say that the Broncos would be wasting a high draft pick if they took a RB in the first round.

The good news every season we get production from the running game. As they say it the off season where champions are made. Plus you're right about the running back in the 1st. I expect WR and Safety to come out of that round.

[Jason in LA]

The entire O line is returning...again. This will be the 3rd year in a row that this unit will be together. I'd say four of them are going on their 4th year playing together. That's the key right there.

[Paladin]

[QUOTE=Jason in LA] The more I think about it, the more I'd say that the Broncos would be wasting a high draft pick if they took a RB in the first round.[/QUOTE]

To a point that's true, but that depends on the view of team needs and who is available at the time they pick. I would think that a Maroney would give some pause for thinking it over.... We all believe that DLine is the major issue, by and large. However, there is disagreement hereabouts as to how significant that deficit may be, and how to go about improving it.

[Natedogg]

Ron Dayne isn't sure he has a leg up in the race to become the next starting running back for the Denver Broncos. But even before arriving this month for the team's off-season conditioning program, he was doing enough squats, leg presses and lunges to make sure it wasn't much of a stretch should that scenario play out.
"You can't run without your legs, so I work hardest on them," he said. "Even when I'm tired, I'm going to get a workout on my legs."

Of course this is a puff piece (its hard to read any other kind this time during the offseason) but I like the quotes from Dane. He wants it. I admid I'm a bit of a homer bc i lived in wisconsin when they went to the rose bowl. But I like him. He won the huge thanksgiving game for us, and he is hungry. I hope he becomes "the workhorse back."

I'm feeling good about the running back situation.

[Jason in LA]

Originally Posted by Natedogg

Of course this is a puff piece (its hard to read any other kind this time during the offseason)

I try not to read any of these "feel good" pieces during this time of the year.

[Odysseus]

Bell is probably pissed about this whole deal. He wants to be the star and is probably trying to squash trade rumors by making sure he doesn't share any of his discontent by accident. If Bell dimes himself out. He might as well pack.

[watermock]

I'm not worried about RB. We need DE and TE in the first. Trade up for Davis with GB, grab Walker and take Lawson at DE at 22.

And the cow jumped over the moon.

Damn Gibbs threw in a monkey wrench or we would be poised to take Davis.

[MajikMan7]

if we waste a 1st round draft pick on a RB, I'm gonna be pissed

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Defense... clap-clap
Defense

[ludo21]

Good article, they all are going to be in the mix. I still wouldnt care if we take a back in the 1st, but the more i look at the current situation, the more I know for a fact we arent going to take one. The staff will stick with the guys we have and add a late rounder as usual.

Im getting excited for the DRAFT!!!

[Requiem]

Great article. I've been solid for a while on my stance that the Broncos shouldn't draft a back in round one and I'm sticking to my guns. There's talent in that backfield and you don't fix something if it isn't broken. Anderson's right, even though Shanahan would like an every-down guy (whose to say these guys can't?) our rushing attack was excellent last year with the Anderson/Bell combination.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

I'd take Deangelo Williams at 15, reguardless.... personally, I'd rather have a playmaker safety or pass-rush DE... but this guy will be a gamebreaker of the highest order.

[SoCalBronco]

White and DW2 are still among my top three targets at 15.

[wolf754life]

I love Maroney, from Minnessota at 22, the colts love him, Pollian never misses! At some pint the spicket is going to run dry, Talent is important, like SOCAL said, a young stud workhouse is just what the doctor ordered for our aging offense!

[HEAV]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Bell is probably pissed about this whole deal.

Bingo!

[Requiem]

I'd be pissed too if I were Bell. The kid has plenty of talent to be our #1 guy. If he's gone, it just goes to show that the best players the Broncos draft end up leaving. Just another mark on the wall.

[Ballhawk]

Originally Posted by Requiem

I'd be pissed too if I were Bell. The kid has plenty of talent to be our #1 guy. If he's gone, it just goes to show that the best players the Broncos draft end up leaving. Just another mark on the wall.

Bell cant catch a cold and looks lost pass blocking, other than that he is an ideal 3rd down back.

[Requiem]

Bell did a fine job in catching passes last year. Almost all backs can improve on that. Denver doesn't throw to their backs often anyways, but when we did, Bell got some decent yardage. Yes, his pass-blocking can improve -- but you can say that for a lot of starters in this league.

[Popps]

Originally Posted by MajikMan7

if we waste a 1st round draft pick on a RB, I'm gonna be pissed

.... or a WR.

[ro_50]

I really want to see Cedric Cobbs play. I saw him play in the SEC and he has the talent.

He is the darkhorse.

[Ballhawk]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Bell did a fine job in catching passes last year. Almost all backs can improve on that. Denver doesn't throw to their backs often anyways, but when we did, Bell got some decent yardage. Yes, his pass-blocking can improve -- but you can say that for a lot of starters in this league.

18 catches for 5.8 yards is not quite the weapon I had in mind. Tiki Barber, LT, Edge this is what I would like to see in a RB that 2 pronged threat. Thinking west coast O think Roger Craig. Bell is fast...thats it. he is not elusive, powerful, a good blocker, or even average rec.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

18 catches for 5.8 yards is not quite the weapon I had in mind. Tiki Barber, LT, Edge this is what I would like to see in a RB that 2 pronged threat. Thinking west coast O think Roger Craig. Bell is fast...thats it. he is not elusive, powerful, a good blocker, or even average rec.

Broncos just havent been throwing to RBS a whole lot. Maybe the Dinger coming back to fold will freshen things up a bit. We may see a few more RB screens and throws to the flats.