RBs for 2009.

Hillis
Torain
Aldridge
Bell if he gets in shape and stays in shape – he was too slow to the hole his first three games but started to look better towards the end of the season.
I have no names in specific from the draft but would draft 1 durable type every down back to compete and bring in at least one unsigned player of the same type. I would also entertain a change of pace back that could help with return duties. I am entertaining the idea of a real high quality back and what that adds to offense and keeping the defense off the field.

Hillis, Torain, Aldridge, Bell, and possibly getting someone like Ian Johnson from BSU, who flew under the radar this year, but he had a new QB and offensive line and Boise State went more in the air than on the ground, but I think he will be a good back, nice hands, and he runs hard.

He and Hillis had the most success last year.

LaMont Jordan seemed to play well when he got a chance and Evans was decent in spots from what I can remember (I didn’t watch too many NE games over the past few years). However, I would also expect for the team to draft a RB in the first three rounds or take a run at one of the top-shelf UFAs listed (Jacobs, Ward, Sproles (LT?), Rickey).

I would also stick with Hillis, Torain, Aldridge, and Bell (one thing that was lost in the SD debacle was the great first half Tater had before the game got out of hand). However, if that’s all we have, it won’t surprise me if the offense struggles mightily next year.

Hillis, Torain, Hall, Pittman

In the draft I go get Cutler his future Super Bowl buddy…Knowshon Moreno. The Broncos offense just became it’s own fantasy football team!

Marshall …………………… Clady, Hamiliton, Weigman, Kuper, Harris, Graham………………………..Royal
                                                                                 Cutler
                                                                                  Hillis
                                                                                Moreno

Who could stop your boys in Blue and Orange? Who you gonna cover? Who can key on? What can you key on, the run or the pass? Ohh I love the possiblities!!!

Outside of my dream, I wouldn’t mind Denver trading down and picking up an extra second or early third and get a quality RB after other needs are addressed.

I don’t think the Safety position should be addressed this year, next year the draft is loaded with Safeties.. I would go get Landry in Free Agency and work with Barrett, but if a quality guy falls on our lap, take him.

I am not even sure LB is as strong a need. If we get a LB all the sudden we have good players on the bench…Moss, Dumervil, WW, DJ, Larson…and the draft pick, some one will be riding pine and they can all play if used properly.

DT, yes that is an obvious need but if the first round pick is only 2-4% better than the second round guy why not wait?

Ahh the possibilites are endless…FA will open the window of insight a bit further, but for now it’s KM all the way!!

Tater Tot Tatum was NOT that good. The other team KNEW we were going to throw. Anyone here could run if the other team let us.

Hillis for sure, and I’d be happy to see us pick up Sproles or Ward. I also want to see Alridge get another shot.

Hillis
Pittman
Bell
Torain
Aldridge

(In that order)

Forget drafting someone new unless it is a late rounder who can sit on the practice squad.

Pittman if he is going to keep playing football needs to be back on our team. He is the perfect back-up for Hillis. If not used as a workhorse, he will stay healthy all season and spell us when Hillis is winded…plus he can do everything…catch in the flat, pass block, short-yardage. He is money.

Bell is solid…I think it is hilarious that people are knocking him for being “slow”…he had no semblance of a football program going on when he was signed. He was a cell phone salesman. I’m sure his workout regimen wasn’t up to NFL standards. The guy needs some love for coming back and doing his job and doing it well.

And to think when they signed him last year everyone was moaning about him fumbling. How many fumbles did he have? Also, go back and look at how he ran in the San Diego game (if you can stomach the performance of the rest of the team). He was absolutely superb…two great break-away touchdown runs. This is just what he brings…the ability to take it to the house on any given play.

as dangerous in the passing game as in the running game.

I see Hillis, Pittman, and Selvin Young all in the mold of what McDaniels likes to do.

I’m sure Denver will take a long look at Torain, but I don’t think he’s guaranteed anything other than a shot at earning 10 carries a game in the preseason and early regular season.

If Denver was going to pick up a FA back, I’d put Derrick Ward at the top of my wishlist, but there is NO WAY IN HELL Denver drafts a RB in the 1st round. Frankly, (IMO) I’m shocked that we are talking about it. I don’t even think the RBs in this crop are worthy of a 1st round status.

McDaniels will take brains over braun and ability any day of the week. Young may be injury prone, but Denver can use him similarly (not exactly) like Kevin Faulk was used.

Pttman is a tough-guy veteran and he’s cheap. And Hillis may end up getting the most carries next year, but I’d guess that Denver will tinker with his position as well as playing time. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him line up as Fullback, Tailback, H-Back, and TE at times next year.

 I would love to bring Pittman back for one more year. He is a great back up for Hillis and an option at FB. I would like to see Torain, Hall, and Alridge brought in to camp. Additionally I would like to see us pick up Shonn Greene 5’10", 233, Iowa ideally in the 3rd round. I wouldn’t take him in the 2nd round I think we have more important needs to address there. Like a defensive player or maybe a Center.
I think we should try to trade Young for a late round pick in 2010, if possible.

If we could get him in the 2nd Round. Did not get many receptions, however.

The only knock is that he only had 11 receptions in his short career. If someone tested him and found that he ran tight routes and had good hands, he’d be a great pickup. Spock is right – the offenses of Denver and NE require a dangerous receiving threat as well as a one-cut back.

and drafted all defense and used any FA money on defense, Denver would be a better team than they were last year.

I hope we don’t draft an offensive player until 4th round or later.

now, on to the d.

Tatum Bell – Better than most folks give him credit for, but not what I’m looking for.

Cory Boyd – No.

Alex Haynes – No.

Anthony Alridge – Folks give this kid a lot of credit based on a preseason game against a lot of back-ups. He also went down pretty quick. I give him an invite to camp and a 2nd chance. If he makes the team, I like him for a change of pace back.

Andre Hall – Same category as Selvin Young.

Peyton Hillis – My choice as starter.

Michael Pittman – Love his powerful style. If his neck injury is 100% cleared, I keep him in a heartbeat. If there is any doubt about re-injury to such a vital area, I wish him luck and advise him to retire.

P.J. Pope – No strong opinion.

Ryan Torain – Allow him to try out. One more injury and he’s a cut.

Selvin Young – A good possibility because of his hands. Like Torain, another significant injury cancels his value.

As for the FA and draft prospects, I won’t even start to consider a RB (for Denver) unless I know whether or not he’s a one-cut and downhill runner (I don’t even care so much if he’s power or speed oriented). But for what it’s worth, I think we have enough depth with the RBs to have a good season. Some injuries (like Hillis) were flukes, and not related to the team wide “ham string or torn groin” curse. I don’t think we need to go outside the team at this time.

Good thought provoking piece, and Rec’d!

I want to bring Hall back b/c people forget he played, the day after his mother died when we needed him. I also like that Bell came in and gave it all he had, so I think we bring him in to camp and give him a chance.

HT on a seperate note. Any chance you will be doing anything addressing how the coaches will assess our players. i.e. how do you determine if our current safeties will be any good in whatever new system they want to implement? I interesting in the process. Thanks.