Six Is a Crowd? Who Will Be In Denver's Backfield in 2009?

When the free-agent signing period started, very few people, if any at all thought that the Denver Broncos would go after running backs first. With the serious needs coming from the defensive side of things, it was really surprising when Broncos fans heard of their team's first acquisitions of the new offseason.

Right off the bat, Josh McDaniels brought in former Philadelphia Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter. If you ask either Bryn or Cody Swartz, they will tell you that Buckhalter is one of the most valuable backup running backs in the NFL. 

In fact, Bryn made Buckhalter the "heart" of his Ultimate NFL Player a while back.

"Listen to me. You can call me biased. But any backup running back who returns from three season-ending knee surgeries has the heart of a champion in my book. Three full seasons, 48 games missed, and Correll Buckhalter is still in the NFL.

"And he's good, one of the best backup running backs in the NFL, who has successfully filled in for Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook on several occasions."

Buckhalter's NFL career has been marred by injuries, but the fact remains: He still performs. For a very good rushing attack at that. The new number 28 for the Denver Broncos averaged nearly five yards per carry in 2008, had over 700 all-purpose yards, 26 receptions, and four total touchdowns.

You want to tell me Josh McDaniels doesn't know what he's doing?

As important as Buckhalter was to the Philadelphia Eagles, the same can be said about J.J. Arrington for the Arizona Cardinals. 

Arrington was mainly a third down back for the Cardinals, but made great use of his playing time. He averaged six yards per carry, and accumulated 29 receptions for 255 yards, averaging nearly a first down every time he made a catch.

If Arrington can bring the Broncos the same seven yards per play that he gave to the Cardinals, the offense will have a much needed safety valve on third downs.

Along with Arrington and Buckhalter came the arrival of LaMont Jordan, a former Jet, Raider, and Patriot.

Jordan signed a big contract with the Oakland Raiders way back when, but a series of injuries caused him to be let go. It is speculated that when Jordan was released from Oakland, Al Davis advised him not to go to two teams: New England and Denver.

Now that he has tried his game in New England, Jordan brings some powerful running to the Denver Broncos.

In 2008, Jordan was a workhorse at the end of the season for the Patriots. Over the last three games, he accumulated four rushing touchdowns, nearly 280 yards, and provided New England with a very powerful goal-line option.

For the Broncos, if Jordan can stay healthy, he will likely be the starting running back. He's not the fastest, but he can move the sticks with the best of them.

Of course, in addition to these three backs the Denver Broncos have some solid players of their own. 

Rookie Peyton Hillis, a seventh round pick out of Arkansas, was thrust into the starting running back role after the Broncos sent six other backs to injured reserve. Hillis did not disappoint.

In fact, some even feel that Hillis did well enough to warrant the starting running back job for the Broncos in 2009. 

Last season, Hillis averaged five yards per carry, and added six total touchdowns for the Broncos' offense. I do not usually play the "what if" game, but if Hillis had not had a freak injury against Kansas City, the Broncos would have made the playoffs.

In 2009, Hillis will be back as the Denver Broncos' starting fullback and will be used much like Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins.

Fellow rookie Ryan Torain will also get a look from the Broncos in training camp.  Torain battled injuries all season long, and in the minute amount of playing time he had during a regular season game in Cleveland, he looked pretty good. 

It will likely be a battle for the fourth and final running back spot on the roster between Torain and Selvin Young, who has also battled injuries. Young has become a fan favorite over the last two years, but his production is way down and his injuries are very frustrating. 

A position that once sent seven players to the injured reserve now appears to once again be very crowded for the Denver Broncos. It appears as though the team will once again be going with the "running back by committee" approach, and Josh McDaniels will keep us all guessing week by week.