Torain or Selvin Young?

[24champ]

Let's look at the current roster...

Selvin Young- The frontrunner for the starting job right now, can he carry the load? He needs to convince Shanny he can do it since Shanny pointed out that he thought Selvin couldn't carry the load in the post-season press conference. Young took that as a challenge, thinks he can run for 2,000 yards...

"I'd like for him to prove that to me," Shanahan said. "And he could very well do it. There's a big difference from your first year to your second year."



Ryan Torain- Clearly Mike likes him as a player... Mike Shanahan doesn't like pulling his running back depth chart shockers until training camp anyway. But he clearly is smitten with Torain, "I think he's got first-round ability, I will say that. I really put the whammy on him."

Per USA TODAY



Call me crazy, I'd say barring injuries, Torain has the inside track to getting the top spot. I know he is a rookie and assuming he stays healthy... he has that ability to wear down defenses. Can Selvin do it? I don't know, and based on last season...I don't think so.

[Kaylore]

It'll be Young because he's good at other things like picking up the blitz. I wouldn't be surprised to see Torain make a push later into the season, though.

[broncofan2438]

I'm thinking Young

[telluride]

Both!

[TheReverend]

Torrain had the Lisfranc right?

If that's the case, they should and will treat him with kid gloves early on... he'll get his TC reps and have some live-speed, full contact, but Selvin or Andre will be the top guy week 1. They just have the inside track, at the moment.

[tsiguy96]

how can anyone NOT be impressed with young? 5.2ypc, that was 4th in the league wasnt it? (just checked, for players with atleast 125 carries, it was. norwood from ATL had 103 carries and 6.9 ypc however) and interesting fact for you, he had 8 20+ yard runs. AP only had 11, while getting almost 100 more carries then him.

[24champ]

Originally Posted by tsiguy96

how can anyone NOT be impressed with young? 5.2ypc, that was 4th in the league wasnt it?

Shanny wasn't, he clearly is looking for something more in a running back. We need somebody to carry the rock 20 times a game and can wear down defenses.

[Northman]

Use em both. Why choose? lmao

[broncs2bowl]

im seein like this Selvin starts it off brings that energy with long runs, torain comes in 2nd and 3rd to wear down defense with mixture of young.

if were up in the 4th more torain, if were down in the 4th young.

[socalorado]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

Shanny wasn't, he clearly is looking for something more in a running back. We need somebody to carry the rock 20 times a game and can wear down defenses.

I think they both get the nod just like Bettis/Parker in PIT.
Or look at CAR. Stewart/Williams.
A 1-2 punch that can beat down opposing defenses as well as the clock.
This ultimately will help Cutler out in the passing game, and with his cannon, watch out!

Either way, this is going to be fun watching these 2 guys battle it out for the "starting spot"!!
I see Pittman as a insurance back up and a vet presence that isnt stoned..........hopefully.

[Kaylore]

Don't forget Hall either. He showed some flashes.

[MileHighMagic]

Selvin Young

[montrose]

Unless Torain goes TD on us, I think the season will begin with Selvin as the starter with Hall and Torain as the backups.

As per who makes it, assuming Sapp and Hillis will be on as our fullbacks, it'll be interesting how the RB position shapes up. We can assume Young and Torain are in, barring something major (injury or one completely screwing the pooch during the preseason). That leaves Pittman, Hall and Bell. Hall provides value as a KR, true 3rd down back (yes more than Young) and plays on special teams - he's also been in the system for two years now. Between Bell and Pittman, both could certainly be cut but if one makes it - I'd like to believe Bell would make more sense as he's younger, still cheap, can play fullback and some special teams and had a productive season at HB. I look at Pittman as camp insurance and, while I like him as a player, I'd prefer to keep as many young talents as we have and I still believe Bell has some talent.

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by telluride

Both!

Best post in this Thread!

[24champ]

Originally Posted by socalorado

I think they both get the nod just like Bettis/Parker in PIT.
Or look at CAR. Stewart/Williams.
A 1-2 punch that can beat down opposing defenses as well as the clock.
This ultimately will help Cutler out in the passing game, and with his cannon, watch out!

Either way, this is going to be fun watching these 2 guys battle it out for the "starting spot"!!
I see Pittman as a insurance back up and a vet presence that isnt stoned..........hopefully.

Unfortunately I don't see Pittman making the squad. I see the third RB spot going to Andre Hall, he did a decent job last year filling in on special teams and toting the rock.

[DivineLegion]

I smell 2000 yards...or atleast 1500

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by DivineLegion

I smell 2000 yards...or atleast 1500

I hope and pray for 2,000

[elsid13]

OK I want some love - from 2/12/08

http://orangemane.com/BB/showpost.ph...2&postcount=27

and 2/16/08

http://orangemane.com/BB/showpost.ph...2&postcount=17

[Old Dude]

RBBC.

Selvin is a bit like Tatum Bell. Very fast, capable of hitting the home run, but questionable size & durability.

Torain ... okay, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's in the Mike Anderson / Reuben Droughns class of player. Does he start all season? Probably not.

Pittman? I have a feeling he WILL make the squad. For fantasy players, doesn't this guy have touchdown vulture written all over him? And he's a good receiver which will net him some additional playing time.

Hall? ... darkhorse at this point, but who knows.

Finally, the Broncos may bring in someone else at the 11th hour.

[elsid13]

I still wouldn't rule out Bell sneaking into the rotation if he has good camp.

[DenverBrit]

Here's a clue.


Henry gone, but Young is just getting started
By Jim Armstrong
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 06/02/2008 02:52:04 PM MDT

Selvin Young: The Broncos' new presumptive starting running back.

Now that he's retired and all, the Packers are sending Bret Favre his locker as a career keepsake.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? I'm wondering, now that Travis Henry is gone, if the Broncos will send him his specimen cup.

Mike Shanahan didn't just show Henry the door. He sent out a press release questioning Henry's commitment. If only he had done that a year ago. While he was at it, Shanahan could have questioned Henry's character and common sense, too.

Let Henry's exit serve as a symbol, as a reminder of all that's wrong with NFL free agency. Let him be the last problem child Shanahan signs. Enough already with the Dale Carters, Daryl Gardeners and Henrys of the world.

Not that Henry wasn't a talent. In the end, that was the problem. He was so talented, so tantalizing, Shanahan rationalized signing him despite all the red flags. Sure, he was leading the league in rushing four games into the 2007 season, but Henry always was an injury, a paternity suit or a positive drug test waiting to happen.

But he wasn't the biggest story of the day on Monday.

Selvin Young. There's your story. By the time Henry left, he had been reduced to a guy who was getting a look-see, and only because he agreed to a huge pay cut.

Young? Henry's departure tells us all we need to know about Shanahan's confidence in the second-year tailback. If he weren't so confident in him, Shanahan might have hauled Henry into his office for another stern lecture and given him yet another chance.

It's Young's job to lose - Young's and only Young's. Yes, stuff happens in the Broncos' backfield. Just because you're the starter in training camp doesn't mean you'll stay there. But that's the plan.

Monday's announcement came just after I had talked at length with Shanahan about the big picture at tailback. Two things came through loud and clear during the interview. First, Shanahan is sky high on Young. Second, Henry was yesterday's news. He was going to be given a chance, but only if he toed the company line.

Shanahan once said Young was too small to handle a steady workload at tailback. But that viewpoint has changed. Young's workout-warrior routine has helped him increase his weight to 212 pounds from 207, engendering hope that he can carry the ball 20-25 times a game.

Unlike Henry, Young gets it. He knows the history of the tailback position in Denver. He doesn't just want to be the flavor of the month at the position. He wants to be a star. He wants to run for 2,000 yards this season. He wants to be back there for years to come.

Said Young, "I feel like, if I come out here and take care of business, I'm talented enough to be the guy for this team and lead this team for years and years and years."

It remains to be seen if Young can withstand the test of time, but, when it comes to assessing his talent, his coach agrees with him.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

Shanny wasn't, he clearly is looking for something more in a running back. We need somebody to carry the rock 20 times a game and can wear down defenses.

Yeah, shanny is CLEARLY looking for something more. After all, he cut his main competition last year and waited until the 5th round to draft someone.

[Cool Breeze]

Henry was yesterday's news. He was going to be given a chance, but only if he toed the company line.

I'd like to know which straw exactly it was that broke the camels back... or if they were just looking for an excuse - obviously there were plenty.

OH! just found this -

****FYI I Just found out this is related to Henry missing workouts. One of the big issues with Shanahan is making the offseason training program, and since every player gets a pretty decent bonus for participating in it, it makes it one of those must-attend deals. Skipping on it and not trying put Travis in Shanny's dog house from whence there is no return. The skipped OTA's put the nails in the coffin.

[DivineLegion]

Originally Posted by Old Dude

RBBC.

Selvin is a bit like Tatum Bell. Very fast, capable of hitting the home run, but questionable size & durability.

Torain ... okay, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's in the Mike Anderson / Reuben Droughns class of player. Does he start all season? Probably not.

Pittman? I have a feeling he WILL make the squad. For fantasy players, doesn't this guy have touchdown vulture written all over him? And he's a good receiver which will net him some additional playing time.

Hall? ... darkhorse at this point, but who knows.

Finally, the Broncos may bring in someone else at the 11th hour.

Please dont compare Selvin to Tatum Bell that is probably the worst comparision I have ever seen.

Selvin has a very ellusive style with great vision, where Tatum relied heavily on his speed to try and hit holes. Two way diffrent styles...

[Old Dude]

Originally Posted by DivineLegion

Please dont compare Selvin to Tatum Bell that is probably the worst comparision I have ever seen.

Selvin has a very ellusive style with great vision, where Tatum relied heavily on his speed to try and hit holes. Two way diffrent styles...

I disagree about the styles being all that different. But the main point is that both of them have durability issues. Can Selvin really tote the ball 20+ times a game through the course of the season without getting hurt or worn down?

His YPC definitely dropped as last season wore on. He had a golden chance to TAKE the starting spot from Henry LAST year, but couldn't do it.

Maybe he's added enough muscle & conditioning to make a better showing this year. And if the O-Line stays healthy, that could be a big help too. Let's hope so.