Part 30 of a 32-part series; a running back position analysis of each franchise.
The Denver Broncos are coming off of a disappointing season with a 7-9 record that easily could’ve been a 4-12 record. When it comes to assessing blame for the7-9 season, coach Shanahan said it starts with him.
Understandably, the Broncos’ approach in free agency lately has left something to be desired, as several big-money investments on a plethora of free agents haven’t panned out. Denver hasn’t been aided by its draft selections, as only D.J. Williams remains on the team out of 28 players chosen from 2002-04.
That’s not good. The Broncos haven’t been big players in the free-agency market, but they’ll likely add a few components.
The Broncos have won just one postseason game in the past 10 years and will be coming off Mike Shanahan’s second losing season in his 13-year tenure.
Denver’s needs going into free agency and the draft are: DT, LB, OL, DE and S. The Broncos as a team rushed for 122.3 yards per game.
· Travis Henry: 5-foot-9, 215 lbs, 167 Att., 691 Yards, 4.1 YPC Avg, 4 TDs
· Selvin Young: 5-foot-11, 207 lbs, 140 Att., 729 Yards, 5.2 YPC Avg, 1 TD
· Andre Hall: 5-foot-8, 212 lbs, 44 Att., 216 Yards, 4.9 YPC Avg, 2 TDs
· Cecil Sapp: 5-foot-11, 229 lbs, 18 Att., 59 Yards, 3.3 YPC Avg, 2 TDs
· Mike Bell: 6-foot, 225 lbs. Six Att., 3 Yards
Young was the starter at the end of the year because Henry never recovered from a knee injury, but this position is up in the air. The addition of Henry was supposed to provide the vision, cutback ability, and toughness that makes Denver’s zone-blocking scheme so lethal when operated properly.
Henry was brought in to be the workhorse; he recently restructured his contract to come back. The Broncos don’t think Young can be a 25-carry-a-game tailback, based on the injuries he had last year. Cecil Sapp, a solid and versatile performer, re-signed on March 20.
Bell fell out of favor with the coaching staff and off the radar after a promising rookie year. The Broncos will draft a running back in this draft, but have been known to never draft a runner in the first round. The Broncos find runners in the middle to late rounds in the draft.
A few good targets would be Central Florida’s Kevin Smith, Oklahoma’s Allen Patrick, Rutgers’ Ray Rice.
In the first round, the Broncos will target Vanderbilt’s LT Chris Williams however, a solid first-round ,for the Broncos would be DE Phillip Merling.
The Broncos have to address the safety position which is one of their most pressing needs due to the age of their starters at the position. Miami’s Kenny Phillips or Arkansas State’s Tyrell Johnson are good fits.
The question for Denver: Will the Broncos reach for a DT or S in the first round? Will they make a trade to shore up the DT and DE positions?
10 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Dave Jones about 1 year ago
Although Denver has spent the majority of their draft picks last year on the defensive line, it still remains the biggest problem on the team. For a team that ranks 30th against the run, and 16th overall in the league in sacks, I think Denver might just still be looking to add to the d-line, Jeff.
After seeing Cecil Sapp, Andre Hall, and Selivn Young running the ball so successfully last season, it became evident to em that almost anyone can run the ball well in Denver. The offensive line could definetely use a boost at left-tackle, but the defense outweighs this need massively. In a division with backs like LT, Johnson (who should have a rebound year), and Oakland's combination of Jordan, Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, and possibly Darren McFadden, Denver could give their offense a chance to score and win games, if they could simply get their defense off the field.
Unfortunately, its Ellis, Dorsey, Long, and Gholston shouldn't be available at the 12th pick overall, but any Derrick Harvey, Phillip Merling, or Kentwaan Balmer could see Denver to their long overdue divisional champs title.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the feedback Dave, ah long overdue title??? Unfortunately Dave in football there are only two columns wins/losses. If you win your last game and can hold up the Lombardi Trophy you had a successful season otherwise you didn't and you need to improve. As far as the DE's mentioned Phillip Merling is bigger and better at holding up against the run than Harvey. I like Kentwan Balmer and he would be a good choice for Denver.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
Jordan is soon to be gone, and Bush is ready for his first term in OAK. Facts straight is we won't take McFadden, it will be a DL who will chase Cutler for 8 years, catching him frequently.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
WTF???
Edit Comment Cancel
Ron Walker about 1 year ago
Denver does not need another DE. At least none that will be around at any spot they can afford to trade up to. And, does anyone see a DT they should select at #12. I don't. Maybe a trade with Baltimore would get them to the right spot...MAYBE. Or maybe a trade down. I'd like to see them get protection for Cutler and run blocking for [fill in the blank]. I hate to hear people whine about a quarterback's inablity to throw touchdowns from his butt. I know the OL isn't a glamorous draft choice. But face it; if TD had played behind the offensive line that Sewell played behind there never would have been a mile high salute much less, back to back Super Bowl championships. Now THAT my friends was glamorous. I still get wood.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the feedback, I agree that a trade down does make since for the Broncos and that #12 is too high to draft a DT if Glen Dorsey & Sedrick Ellis are off the board. However, Idisagree with the team doesn't need a DE statement. Here is why, the team is fairly set at the position, but the teams best run-stuffing End, Ebenezer Ekuban, is coming off a major Achilles injury, while John Engelberger is a high-motor player but hardly a star. This is why I feel the Broncos could use another big-bodied end to help against the run. The 2008 Defensive End class has a lot of talent, this is another reason for bringing up the need as well as the question will the Broncos reach for D-Line help. I can sense that your answer to the question is no. Drafting O-Line help would work well and could be the teams target for the 1st round. Oh one last thing, whats up with the "butt" & "wood" reference in the same paragraph? Good points made by the way.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tabitha Algren about 1 year ago
Ummm well as far as the 10 years one play-off win goes, the Broncos won back to back Super Bowls in '97 and '98, so I think they have one more than 1....No doubt tho they havent been good lately, and they definatly need to improve their running game, but with the exception of Cecil Sapp and Travis Henry, these guys are still young and fairley new to the NFL. I believe that there is plenty of room for improvement, its just a matter of time before these boys are on top of their game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the feedback Tabitha, No one has forgotten that the your team won two super bowls in the 90's. Let's put it this way ... The Broncos haven't won a post-season game since the Super Bowl win on Jan.31, 1998. How's that? You raise a good point about the youth at the running back position but I think the that with Henry's knee injury and off-the-field issues has put his future in doubt. I honestly thought Mike Bell would be the guy but as stated he has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. The team could use a more punishing runner who can move the chains in short yardage. He is going into his 9th season but the team could bring back Mike Anderson but as a Bronco fan would you salute to that move? Or would you say No to the idea? Just a few thoughts, Thanks for the feedback and I wish your team well.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tabitha Algren about 1 year ago
Yes thats a great way to put the post season win. I think as far as bringing Mike Anderson back, it could go either way. He did pretty good with the Broncos before, but not so good with the Ravens, so I dont know. I didnt follow him after he left the Broncos. It might be good with the experience factor, but lets face it, hes is 35 and in my opinion that makes him more prone to injuries. Yet there are a few guys that are exceptions to my own opinion, but you never know. Its a tough one, what do you think?
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Mike Anderson is up there in NFL years at this point but the Broncos have been very good over the years at finding running backs in the late rounds of the draft. I think that they'll do the same this year and land a player like UTEP RB Marcus Thomas or West Virginia RB Steve Slaton. There is late round talent out there I can think of two guys that a lot of people aren't talking about that would be huge finds or what are known as Sleeper picks -- Xavier Omon of Nortwest Missouri State & Jamar Brittingham of Bloomsburg (PA). These guys won't go high in the draft but will both be late round finds landing in the right system and cause several people to ask the question "how did this guy go so late in the draft."
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.