These Are Not Your Father's Broncos: The Running Back Situation in Denver

The Denver Broncos are a storied franchise, having won two NFL titles and earning many playoff berths over their time in the mile high city. Denver has become famous for having an exceptionally strong running game, no matter how strong the rest of the team may be.

The zone blocking offensive line scheme has also become known for their unique play, and it has always benefited the ground game.

There have been great running backs that have come out of Denver, none other than the likes of Terrell Davis and Clinton Portis, but there have been many less known backs that have thrived during their time with Mike Shanahan. Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell, and Mike Bell are some of the short time wonders that Denver has churned out.

This season, however, things are quite different. The running game has struggled so far in 2008, and has struggled to find consistency or a catalyst-type player who might be able lead the crew of running backs currently getting carries.

Mike Shanahan has gone with a "back by committee" approach this season, and the numbers have been down. The Denver backs have averaged 118.3 yards per game this season, which ranks 20th in the league. Even last season, a season of frustration and a 7-9 record, the running game was ninth in the league.

Selvin Young came into the season expecting to get the majority of the carries. Andre Hall looked good through the second half of the '07 season, and expected to be the No. 2 guy. Michael Pittman was signed to be the third down guy, but was placed No. 2 on the fullback chart in the preseason depth chart. Good-looking rookie Ryan Torain injured his elbow in training camp, and has not yet played.

The preseason predictions have proven false, however. Pittman has been by far the most productive and reliable man out of the Broncos backfield. Young struggled to find consistency before going out with an injury in Week Five. Hall had an awful performance in the Patriots week seven blowout of the Broncos. He had two carries for minus seven yards and two fumbles lost.

The Broncos and their fans are excited to see Torain debut, and it is likely he will in the Week Nine game at home against Miami. Pittman has shown good power and consistency, but he cannot carry the whole load by himself.

The passing offense has struggled recently, after a big start. I think the reason for this is that over the first few games, teams were confused by what they saw from the Broncos, and were unprepared to cover both Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal.

Once opponents were able to watch film and take some aspects of the passing game away, Denver needed the running game to be dangerous to set up play action and force opponents to play the run and the pass. The running game did not step up, and the team has suffered.

I think that the best option for Coach Shanahan is to give Pittman the start, but give Torain a good amount of touches to see what he's made of. If it works out, it would be in their best interest to try to trade Hall for a draft pick or simply cut him.

Torain and Pittman could be the feature backs, with Young getting a few touches per game to see if he can get back into rhythm.

Either way, the Broncos need to get their offense together, and string together some wins in this easier stretch of their schedule, because they win with offense, certainly not defense.