We all should know by now that Mike Shanahan has a knack of bringing successful RBs to Denver.
Be it for the offensive scheme that he runs, be it for a well-built offensive line or just thanks to the ‘thin’ air that circulates in Denver; the fact of the matter is that any running back can be effective under Shanahan if willing to do the small things required.
However, Shanahan has never sat tight with any RB of his since Terrell Davis rushed for 2,008 yards in 1998.
This year, not only has a new starting RB emerged once again, but an interesting situation has risen as well. The Broncos just released RB Travis Henry because of numerous off-field issues that have surrounded Henry over the last several years and continue to occur.
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Selvin Young, now the Broncos’ clear-cut No. 1 RB, has made it be known that his goal for 2008 is to rush for 2,000 yards, and Shanahan came right back at Young saying that he’d like to see him try.
Could that possibly mean that Selvin is in for a huge 2008 year? It sure sounds like it. Mike Shanahan also commented that Selvin is no longer a mere 10-15 carry-per-game RB, (he gained 729 yards in 15 spot-games for a 5.2 average last year) after discovering his mammoth workout routine in the spring.
Considering all this, it appears as if Selvin will take on 20-25 carries a game, and is challenging himself to reach 2,000 yards. Another important fact to note is that Young trailed only Viking’s Adrian Peterson (1,341) and Bill’s Marshawn Lynch (1,115) in the 2007 rookie RBs category as far as rushing yards are concerned. That was by starting only eight games.
If he does complete his goal, or at least finish remotely close, it would be madness for Shanahan to yet again switch to another RB for 2009. All signs point to Selvin Young having a big breakout year in 2008 and continue to produce for years to come if he reaches this milestone.
Jonathan Tudor is a fantasy football columnist at Fantasy Football Maniaxs.com
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5 months ago
2000 yards, no shot in hell. 1300? Sure. Either way, chances are he won't get as many carries as he needs or he'll get hurt. He can have a good year, but not THAT good.
5 months ago
If Young runs for 2000 yards, I might shoot myself in the lip.
from 5 months ago
Why? Are you a faider fan?
from 5 months ago
No. A Viking fan whose opinion matters not.
5 months ago
The Broncos were a dissapointment last year, I really hope they do better.
5 months ago
As a Denver fan I enjoyed the piece, but the notion that any running back can do well for Denver is a myth that needs to be laid to rest. Just as Denver's zone-block system requires a certain kind of lineman, so too does it require a certain kind of runner, which Shanahan has been adept at finding. Not any kind of runner can be successful in Denver. Most can't. It requires a back who's partient, who reads blocks quickly and well, and who's decisive once he commits to the hole he thinks is going to open up. Most backs line up planning to hit a pre-designated hole. The Denver back doesn't know which hole he's going to hit until he makes his decision on the fly. This is not a common skill set, but it's one that most teams aren't looking for, and it's one that Shanahan is exceptionally good at recognizing. That's the secret of the Denver rushing attack.
5 months ago
Dale, thanks for sharing that with us!
Great analysis!
I know that not everyone can succeed in Denver as it as been proved in the past by other backs that have failed to find a groove in their offense.
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