Possible replacement for Peyton Hillis?? RB Toby Gerhart
The 6-foot, 231-pound Gerhart stormed onto the scene this past season after he had 343 carries for 1,871 yards and 27 touchdowns. Often compared to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott, the winner of the 2009 Doak Walker Award, Gerhart surprised scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine with his athleticism and straight line speed; he ran a 4.55 in the 40 and recorded a 38-inch vertical in Indianapolis.
The Broncos will conduct a private workout with Gerhart on March 24th
almost 2 years ago
John Bena
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YES!!
Did you know that Toby Gerhart once killed two stones with one bird?
Hey kiddies.... I have Internet candy in my van...
by papigrande on Mar 15, 2010 8:31 PM MDT reply actions 3 recs
Someone once told Toby, ‘You are what you eat.’ He took this very seriously which is why his diet consists of only bricks, steel, and the tears of Chargers fans…
by DaBikePro on Mar 16, 2010 12:21 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Finally some news to get excited about!
this is great to hear. At least just the idea that McX knows we need some extra ummffff in the running game that o-linemen alone can’t produce. Would love if we drafted this guy. Can’t wait!
I'm beginning to believe that McD will not make any move
unless it’s an upgrade. That can only go on so long before Lombardi Trophies rain down in Denver!
-Harvey J. Neptune
"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi
PAPI's BACK
Actually I wouldn’t mind!
Moreno/ Buckhatler/ Gerhart Combo would be a nice threesome!
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
With a vengeance, Jon
Though it was a little tampered by the mental image you just conjured up. No way I want to be near that threesome.
Hey kiddies.... I have Internet candy in my van...
they are in your van PAPI
ah now I can contribute more regularly knowing the van is parked out back!
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 15, 2010 11:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Don't forget Mr. Arrington
This is good news in the wake of losing Hillis.
"All credibility, all good conscience, all evidence of truth come only from the senses." Friedrich Nietzsche
I love Toby
he’s a hard working guy, the only prob was his knee, but he battled through that and clearly conquered it.
I love Gerhart. I think he will be a great QB. Just not sure where we would have to draft him.
by black_knight101 on Mar 15, 2010 8:44 PM MDT reply actions
Mark my words, he's a player, same as Spencer Larsen
I follow pac 10, even from out here in the desert, we get this guy, it’s a HUGE plus
Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime.
"Losing stinks" - Josh McDaniels
This would make me very happy
Whenever I saw a Stanford game this past year, I swear it took like seven guys to take him down each play, he just ran them over!
I agree!
I watched him plow over USC defenders as if they were 5 year old girls. He is a HARD runner. He could thrive in short yard situations for our team. I can’t even count how many times last year we couldn’t convert on 3rd and short. Especially in the red zone, he could be a touchdown machine
Replace What?
Our offense never used Hillis. What needs replacing?
It seems to me that McDanials only wants running backs that have the potential to break a long run from any situation, and Gerhart isn’t that.
On a side note, I love how white players in the draft always have to be compared to other white players. It’s an unwritten rule of scouting players it seems. Always makes me laugh.
by aldawg33 on Mar 15, 2010 9:20 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Good point
If McD wouldn’t use a fullback type like Hillis, why bother replacing him with a lookalike.
Gerhart...
ran for over 1800 yards last season…He’s not a FB….He is the tough, inside runner many thought Hillis was/is/supposed to be. That is the comparison.
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
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Agreed. Gerhart is an upgrade
over hillis (whom I liked). He’s superior to Hillis. I hope people wondering what the difference is will ask any football scout.
This is not to say that Gerhart is a given or without flaw, but he’s a terrific runner, both tough and talented. It would be a real boost to RB depth to add him. Keep in mind that as much as I love Buck he’s never consistently stayed healthy and is getting older; and that the Broncos had issues running inside and for short yardage last year. Some of that was the interior line’s issues, but Gerhart would really help in that regard.
Of course this is assuming they can even draft him, which may make it all moot.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
(Btw as a Bay Area resident
I saw Gerhart run both on TV and in person multiple times. I know what he brings more than I do many other RBs mentioned in the draft, just from firsthand viewing.)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I could not agree with this more.
Only Peyton was faster (if memory serves) and a better receiver, and he couldn’t get on the field. Why would we spend another draft pick on someone to fill his “role”? We already have a bunch of guys not playing….
- Nick
"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu
If the interior of the line collapses in short yardage situations like they did last year...
It won’t matter who has the ball.
Thanks V
Like I said below…Coach last year said NO ONE could have converted the 3rd down/goal line situations that Moreno didn’t get. So why do we think Toby is some magic cure to the interior O-line sucking?
- Nick
"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu
The Fault was mainly McD's
Sick of the o-line hate. First, McD changed the blocking system that our personnel was specifically crafted to run. Second, McD called plays that ran right into the strength of the defense, sometimes there were more defenders than blockers. Third, this left Moreno one on one in the hole with a safety, guess who won that battle the entire season until the last game? In short yardage situations Moreno was every bit as bad the o-line was until the last game of the season. How many of those short yardage situations could have been converted if McD had made a call any high school football coach can make such as a play action fake? Damn those defenses would have bit all over that. Orton was clearly a better producer with the ball in his hands than Moreno in short yardage. Or if you are going to insist on running, how about a sweep for crying out loud. Anyone ever thought to ask a very simple question, “Just how the hell did the broncos convert those short yardage situations a year before with the same personnel?” The line was the same, they had a proven short yardage runner in Hillis, so why were we so bad last year? Might it be Shan ran a system those o-lineman were perfect for? Could it be Shan did not coach like a moron in short yardage, he mixed it up passing and running and even where he ran?
by Keyworthpunch on Mar 16, 2010 9:04 AM MDT up reply actions
Let's be clear about one thing...
Knowshon (and every other RB) is not a miracle worker. No one, I repeat, NO RUNNING BACK is going to get you those precious short yards when he’s constantly attacked and hit behind the line of scrimmage. It’s obvious the offensive line sucked. The offensive line was basically nothing but a speed bump for defenders. While I do agree that a sweep run would have helped solve some of the issues of a weak line, it doesn’t change the fact that the line sucked regardless.
Comparing Michael Lombardi to Bill Williamson is like comparing an In-N-Out Cheeseburger to a sh## sandwich.
Williamson would probably eat both – no questions asked.
i dunno...
…i watched mike alstott doing some pretty amazing stuff behind the line of scrimmage and gerhart reminds me of him
What bothered me was when Moreno was one-on-one with a DT
It did frustrate me that McDaniels went to the power running well so often when it clearly didn’t work- Einstein’s definition of insanity.
But for a team to be successful, they need to be able to pick up one yard on a dive when everyone knows it’s coming. It’s a high-percentage play with a low risk for sacks, fumbles, or interceptions.
Here’s hoping that Josh is putting together a team that can do that.
You draft Toby
to be a tailback and not a fullback. He is not Tommy Vardell, he will be better than that, but then I am not a smart man.
All Hail St. Harold, Patron Saint of Designated Hitters!
This is expected
and I am relieved to hear that McX is doing this. We need a FB who can carry the rock.
"All credibility, all good conscience, all evidence of truth come only from the senses." Friedrich Nietzsche
Comparison -
Hillis – 40 in 4.57 and 4.58, had a 30-inch vertical jump, 4.24 short shuttle
Gerhart – 40 in 4.53, 38" vertical jump, 4.25 short shuttle
Many similarities…. What we do know, however, if you go back and look at the scouting reports, was Hillis was a good fit in the WCO. Even back then, he was scouted as such. It is up to the Broncos scouts to decide if Gerhart is a good fit for this offense….
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
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by John Bena on Mar 15, 2010 10:02 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for the info, John.
And I think you make the best point here. Peyton could be special in a WCO. (I personally feel he could excel in most systems, given his versatility, but I digress….) I honestly have no idea what kind of system Stanford runs.
I have to admit, the thought of # 7 from Stanford does make me smile a little bit….
- Nick
"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu
toby reportedly scored a 30 on the wonderlic
the wonderlic is not as important for RBs, but my gut tells me the broncos are interested in those football smarts
Yeah Stanford guys are smart
(except for Tiger Woods) See John Elway and Ed McCaffery.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
by KaptainKirk on Mar 15, 2010 10:50 PM MDT up reply actions
lol
dude made close to a billion dollars in endorsements, i would say tiger is really smart :P
Making tons of money and being smart don't correlate.
Anyone can win the Lottery. Q.E.D.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
by KaptainKirk on Mar 16, 2010 10:29 AM MDT up reply actions
i would say they do...
… lottery winners and al davis are outliers ;)
HS GPA
This is the stat I love — 4.6 GPA in High School.
Here’s some other stats that aren’t too bad — HS Soph. – 3.035 yds., 33 TDs, Jr. – (he was injured) – 2,210 yds., 27 TDs, Sr. – 3,233 yds., TDs – 39.
He was good enough in football at the college level to rush for 3,522 yds. but it wasn’t the only sport he played. He’s a speedy, defensive minded outfielder on a Stanford baseball team that has historically been one of the best in the country. He’s good enough at baseball to have a choice of which sport he wants to play professionally.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/sports/ncaafootball/19stanford.html
His athletic ability is impressive but I’m even more impressed with his academic prowess.
Their biology professor implied that her classroom was no place for a 13-year-old. She graded Gerhart’s first exam in front of all the students. To her disbelief, he had aced it, earning the highest score in the class.
no goats, no glory.
We could get Gerhart and Myron Rolle
And have an all-academic draft class:
In the news today, the Denver Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers, cured cancer, unified the laws of physics, and figured out women.
by Velveeta on Mar 16, 2010 5:44 AM MDT up reply actions 3 recs
Hahahhaahhaha
“figured out women”? C’mon, let’s keep it in the realm of reality here. Cure cancer, beat the Chargers? I can see that, but the other part….
- Nick
"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu
30 is nothing special.
I scored a 30 on the… oh wait… that was the IQ test.
by Velveeta on Mar 16, 2010 5:41 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
in the red zone
Gerhart will pick up those yards, he is a freight train and anyone that thinks he doesnt have the foot speed or agility to be an effective RB has not watched the man run over his/her college defense. I would support this pick wholeheartedly
We would have our own thunder/lightning combination with Gerhart/Moreno in our backfield.
by uclabruin34 on Mar 15, 2010 10:09 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Didn't the coach himself say the RBs were not the problem?
The O-line was, and the coach himself said NO RB could have succeeded in those conditions. That’s why I’d rather use the draft to beef up the line, and then we can see if Moreno is the goal line back he’s supposed to be.
- Nick
"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu
Definitely
I’m sure Gerhart is a great player, but I don’t think he fits the Broncos’ offense. And I don’t think you use a third//fourth round pick on a goal line back.
oh god yes
best player in college football last year
free special ed.
I really like this big kid too! But...
Isn’t Lagarrette Blount more of the real Power RB addition we need to compliment Moreno/Buck and move the ball in short yardage situations? He’s 6’2, 241. He runs downhill and MEAN! He may not be the character pick but this kid may have learned his lesson? Maybe?
"Attitude reflects Leadership" Hogblog...aka KSM
if he learned his leason
then im a fu@#ing dinosaur
free special ed.
Skipping one of the best character guys and best RBs in the draft
for one of the most questionable character guys at RB? I’ll stick with Gerhart.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Im all for Gerhart
But which round? I seriously think may have to get him in the 2nd cuz im pretty sure he wont be in the 3rd when we pick.
by Cali_BroncosFan on Mar 15, 2010 10:55 PM MDT reply actions
Toby would be a great pick!
What would we do with ourselves with Moreno, Buckhalter, Arrington and Gerhart?
Sounds like a law firm.
Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe. =)
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
by KaptainKirk on Mar 16, 2010 10:30 AM MDT up reply actions
Waste of any pick
Clearly, if the person Toby would be replacing wasn’t worth holding onto, Toby himself is not worth drafting. Unless we’re looking to get an underachieving 1st rounder 3 years after he was drafted.
If we’re really looking to replace Hillis, a zero contributer under McD, you could resign LaMont Jordan.
I miss Al
what about replacing the RB that hillis was SUPPOSED to be
i.e. the third guy who would get reps in 3rd down situation and take over when buckhalter retires (which’ll prolly happen in the next couple of years)
This whole belief that we don’t have a good RB for short yardage is rediculous! KM is more than capable. Our short yardage problems came from our Swiss cheese line. As for replacing Hillis? We can replace him with an undrafted free agent, cut him and still get the same amount of production we got from Hillis this last year. I don’t know why but there is a huge group of posters here that can’t stop talking about him.
by TR3X on Mar 15, 2010 11:44 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
to be fair
we coudl use a good tandem at young ages
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
We could use a line to block for the Back we have.
by TR3X on Mar 15, 2010 11:59 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
so lets spitball here
you have drafted a DL/LB in round one and a OL in round two and Gerhart is on the board but a OL who is ranked below Gerhart is there as well,
DO YOU REACH FOR THE OL? OR DO YOU SNAG GERHART?
the way I see if the kid is out there waiting and we have addressed what ever needs you see fit why not grab him?
IF Buck goes down who do we tandem with KM? I forsee Arrington as a 3rd down/ KR. My thoughts anyway
Im not saying draft him with #11 but in the 2nd or 3rd round? I think its hard to pass the guy up too many times!
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 16, 2010 1:36 AM MDT up reply actions
BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE
I think that if we can take anything from last years draft, it’s that McX will take the best player off their board.
by TR3X on Mar 16, 2010 1:50 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Not totally sure we learned McD's draft strategy last year..
too rushed doing everything else that a new coach had to do when he first got here.
also, last year, nearly every position was a position of need
we’ve pretty much improved at every position across the board since McD got here (except at OL – hint?).
until he has his type of players at every position, everywhere was in some degree a position of need.
by bailey disciple on Mar 16, 2010 7:43 PM MDT up reply actions
I don’t know if I can handle drafting Gerhart. We just saw what an average white RB did to the poeple here at MHR. I think all of
the Rediculous Hillis lovers would blow a load if we drafted Gerhart.
by TR3X on Mar 16, 2010 1:55 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
There you go
Play that race card. People couldn’t possibly like him just for the flashes he showed in 08, right? HAS to be race…
- Nick
"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu
+1
No need for it.
I will always have a fondness for Hillis after that Miami game. He essentially came in as a scrub and played his heart out. (The Mile High Salute didn’t hurt, either.) Yes, last year was unfortunate, but I’m always going to hold a player that gives his all in high regard. Effort may not correlate with production, but everyone knows I’m crazy, anyway, so I might as well admit I’m sometimes irrational.
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
"Brandon Marshall isn't as good as you think he is." - a random hobo I met
by Tempestuous Binary on Mar 16, 2010 4:51 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hahahahhaha
You’re crazy! I’m with you, though. He reminded me a lot of Reuben Droughns, only a MUCH better receiver. I think most fans will get behind a guy who comes from out of nowhere and seems to have success through hard work. PLUS, he brought back the Salute, as you so astutely pointed out. I personally think that’s where the cult-like following started. Then the team really started clicking once he started getting the carries. Maybe that was a coincidence, but his running style, the salute, the hard work, and the team’s success coming at the same time created a perfect confluence of events, making the conditions ripe for a likable guy to become a folk hero. Especially when his likable, humble demeanor seemed to contrast with the huge ego belonging to someone with whom he shared that backfield.
And I still maintain…at least in the Shanny zone-blocking scheme…his vision and decisiveness in picking and making the cut was a vastly underrated part of his game.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but this is why I am so fond of the guy, and refused to jump on the “Let’s bash Hillis because other fans like him” bandwagon.
- Nick
"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu
Did you see Gerhart play at all last year?
He was beastly, took forever to take him down.
by Broncoman27 on Mar 16, 2010 10:15 AM MDT up reply actions
I like this
Bring in a thumper
You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace is it?....Did Caesar live here?
You know where I wanna go? I'll tell you where. Someplace warm. A place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking about a little place called Aspen
Agreed
Gerhart may be a smarter version of Hillis. I think McD wants really smart players. This would be a good move if he is used properly.
by Baltimore Bronco on Mar 16, 2010 6:00 AM MDT reply actions
Need to address the OL first...
Knowshon would get those hard yards on 3rd down had he a decent inside OL.
I’m all for taking this guy as a sledgehammer back, provided we already fixed the OL issues.
"Brandon Marshall will be a happy BRONCO WR in 2010"
Broncotodd - 2009
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
John Adams
I wouldn't mind this
I’m a Pac-10 dude so I can attest to Gerhart being a stud.
To those that are wondering why McD would make a “lateral move” in drafting this guy, check this stat. 671 carries, 0 (ZERO) fumbles!!!!!
Plus we don’t have any insight into Hillis’ attittude. He and McD may have not gotten along that well.
power running, baby
ya need it, so let’s get us some, already. why must i wait…
taste my blitzkrieg!
sign doom now
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