Broncos place Ryan Torain on I/R, Sign RB Alex Haynes

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on Nov 10, 2008 4:04 PM MST in Roster Moves Comment 20 comments

The Denver Broncos on Monday signed free-agent running back Alex Haynes, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

The club also on Monday placed rookie running back Ryan Torain on its reserve/injured list with a left knee injury suffered in Denver's win at Cleveland on Thursday.

Haynes (5-foot-10, 230 pounds) is a second-year player who joins Denver from Baltimore, which waived him on Aug. 30. Haynes, who entered the NFL with the Ravens in 2005 as a college free agent from the University of Central Florida, has seen time on the rosters of Baltimore (2005, '08) and Carolina (2005-07) during his NFL career.

He appeared in all nine career games played with the Panthers last season, rushing three times for three yards while catching three passes for 14 yards and posting three tackles on special teams.

Haynes spent the 2006 season on Carolina's practice squad after competing in NFL Europe, where he rushed 37 times for 238 yards (6.4 avg.) with three touchdowns for Cologne. As a rookie in 2005, the running back saw time on the practice squads of the Ravens and Panthers.

Haynes finished his collegiate career at Central Florida as its all-time leading rusher, posting 3,356 yards on 742 carries (4.5 avg.). His 27 career rushing scores ranked second in UCF history.

Born Feb. 13, 1982, Haynes attended Maynard Evans High School in Orlando, Fla.

Haynes will wear No. 38 for the Broncos.

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Comments

So who is going to start at tail back?

by Sneaky Sean on Nov 10, 2008 5:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I'll take Hillis--Franco in the making.

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Nov 10, 2008 5:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

whats the word on young's injury

by broncofan91 on Nov 10, 2008 6:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

don't know--I would like to hear also

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Nov 10, 2008 6:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

OK....

What is this guy bringing to the tabel when Najeh Davenport was out there?
What has he got that PJ Pope and Cory Boyd dont have?
This seems to be a signing for a signings sake!
I hope I am wrong and this guy is a late bloomer!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Nov 10, 2008 6:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I was hoping we would grab Hajeh myself.

If this guy can stay healthy and contribute then I will be happy.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 5

by weazel on Nov 10, 2008 6:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

What has he got that PJ Pope and Cory Boyd dont have?

Well, size for one! LOL

by TheMastermind on Nov 10, 2008 11:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't imagine...

…starting some one who’s not familiar with the system. He’ll some in as an occassional backup, at least at first.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Nov 10, 2008 6:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Feels like we are throwing jello at the wall

just to see what sticks

by Sneaky Sean on Nov 10, 2008 7:21 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Alex Haynes

Is the answer! He’ll save our running game!

by Greyson on Nov 10, 2008 7:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

hey,

he has some size, and maybe he can stay healthy. 2 things we are missing at the moment. to use a hockey analogy, i would like to see more of a north-south approach, finally, as opposed to the east-west game we feature now. if he can run between the tackles, then we can use him. hopefully that is his game. we are ignoring the middle of the field on both sides of the ball, and getting hurt doing it. it’s time for a change with that philosophy. we have a lot of speed on the bench, what good is it?

hear me, perpetrators of bread crime, your punishment is at hand.
taste my blintzkrieg!

by davecheffy on Nov 10, 2008 7:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Central Florida? That makes 3...

Bmarsh, “Perfect” Prater, and now Alex “I’m wearing your underwear” Haynes.

On a side note, signing him as a FB seems to be an indication that Larsen will not be starting at MLB against the Falcons. Try not to be too disappointed, guys, and put on your best Broncomaniac hat for the guy who WILL be trying his best out there to give you some hope, Niko.

I am assuming no Larsen at MLB because it is obvious with the signing of a FB instead of a RB that Hillis will be staying at tailback with Selvin. That leaves only Larsen at FB, with Haynes backing him up.

One could make the argument that Haynes is ready to start. He is second year and his game experience is with Carolina who runs a zoneblock system. Personally, I doubt he will be ready to start, but we’ll see.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by styg50 on Nov 11, 2008 12:17 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

HAHA!

Alex “I’m wearing your underwear” Haynes

That made me laugh out loud. Nice.

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Nov 11, 2008 7:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm confused

where did it say that he was signed as a FB?

If he was signed as a FB, wouldn’t that free up the position for Larsen to move to MLB (not that it would ever happen)?

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano

by DesertBroncoFan on Nov 11, 2008 9:55 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

My assumption

is that they need a starting AND a backup fullback. As it stands it certainly isn’t definitive that Larsen won’t be MLB, but I think it is certainly leaning against it.

Under Shanahan we have always had a backup FB, and recently (2007, 2006) the backup was also a backup TB. If we can assume that Hillis is the main RB for the next game, then he would be the lead RB and backup FB…not a likely combination, but not impossible. So that is where I get Larsen as lead FB.

It should be noted that this move does insure down the line that Denver will have the OPTION of moving Larsen to MLB, if Hillis should ever move back to primary FB. In the choice between washed up or underacheiving RBs and a young, big FB, I think Denver made the ideal choice, and gained the added benefit of roster flexbility when guys start gettting healthy.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by styg50 on Nov 11, 2008 12:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Styg...

I will take Niko over Nate ANY DAY.
I just want us to stay true to the youth movement, thats why I want Larsen.
There is nobody…repaet…NOBODY that hits like Larsen on our team. I want him let loose in the back field.
Nice comments as always.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Nov 11, 2008 6:35 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Hello

Hi all! I’ve been lurking for quite sometime and post regularly on the broncos website but I though it was time to join. I love the site, which is way more informative than the Broncos site.

Anyways, I’m not too thrilled with this signing. We already have Hillis as a fullback. Why do we want two bruiser fullback/running backs. I would like to see Pope or Byrd get the rock.

Great site, keep the posts coming!

"Vegetarians are cool. All I eat are vegetarians - except for the occasional mountain lion steak "

Ted Nugent

by Idaho Nate on Nov 11, 2008 10:29 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

What part of Idaho?

I’m from Salmon.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by styg50 on Nov 11, 2008 12:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome aboard!

by Arctic Bronco on Nov 11, 2008 6:50 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome Idaho Nate

This is a great website,nice guys,and very smart.Tons of Info.
Thanks for your hard work Men You make this a class act.Next to none of distinctive and superior Quality.

by Shiiver on Nov 11, 2008 11:03 AM MST reply actions 0 recs