Josh McDaniels-Running the stats.

by Bron#1 Fan on Jul 5, 2010 2:30 PM MDT

Josh McDaniels was hired in 2001 by New England to assist with the scouting department and the defensive staff. That lasted for 3 years until he got promoted in 2004 to QB coach. Then in 2006 he was promoted to offensive coordinator where he was in charge of play calling. Then in 2009 the Denver Broncos cut loose there long time Head Coach, Mike Shannahan. Bowlen hired McDaniels as Denver's new Head Coach.

So, I went back and looked at what each positon has done under McDaniels play Calling. More after the Jump.

First I wonted to look at the Running Backs. Knowshon Moreno was a 1st round pick for the Denver Broncos. He also rushed for more yards then any other RB under McDainels. Yep, tops among RB's under McDaniels. Here is the list (only running backs) with the top producers in bold:

Running Backs
Player	Year	G	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Td
Knowshon Moreno	2009	16	9	247	947	3.8	7
Laurence Maroney	2007	13	6	185	835	4.5	6
Corey Dillon	2006	16	13	199	812	4.1	13
Laurence Maroney	2006	14	0	175	745	4.3	6
Corey Dillon	2005	12	10	209	733	3.5	12
Sammy Morris	2008	13	7	156	727	4.7	7
Correll Buckhalter	2009	14	7	120	642	5.4	1
Kevin Faulk	2008	15	3	83	507	6.1	3
Sammy Morris	2007	6	2	85	384	4.5	3
LaMont Jordan	2008	8	0	80	363	4.5	4
BenJarvus Green-Ellis	2008	9	3	74	275	3.7	5
Kevin Faulk	2007	16	8	62	265	4.3	0
Patrick Pass	2005	12	4	54	245	4.5	3
Heath Evans	2005	6	1	51	192	3.8	0
Kevin Faulk	2005	8	2	51	145	2.8	0
Kevin Faulk	2006	15	1	25	123	4.9	1
Heath Evans	2007	16	1	34	121	3.6	3
Heath Evans	2006	16	3	27	117	4.3	0
Laurence Maroney	2008	3	3	28	93	3.3	0
Kyle Eckel	2007	12	0	33	90	2.7	2
LaMont Jordan	2009	9	0	25	86	3.4	0
Peyton Hillis	2009	14	2	13	54	4.2	1
Heath Evans	2008	16	4	11	23	2.1	0
Patrick Pass	2006	3	0	6	21	3.5	0
Amos Zereoue	2005	3	0	7	14	2.0	0

And as the NFL is turning into more of a 2-back system, here is the top Combo's under McDaniels:

Ttop two rushing combo's
Dillon and Pass	2005	24	14	263	978	3.7	15
Dillon and Maroney	2006	30	13	374	1557	4.2	19
Maroney and Morris	2007	19	8	270	1219	4.5	9
Morris and Faulk	2008	28	10	239	1234	5.2	10
Moreno and Buckhalter	2009	30	16	367	1589	4.3	8

Moreno 1st in attempts and yards, and tied for games played. His TD was alot lower then most of us wonted but for a rookie not bad. Speaking of rookies, McDaniels has had only 3 rookies play under him, Moreno, Maroney, and Green-Ellis. Moreno rushed 72 more times for 202 more yards (averages where 3.8 for Moreno and 4.3 for Maroney) and 1 more TD. Moreno and Buckhalter where 1st in Games, Starts and Yards. But also last in TD's.

And as far as a team as a whole here are the stats for that:

Year	Att	Yds	Avg	Td
2009	440	1836	4.2	9
2008	513	2278	4.4	21
2007	451	1849	4.1	17
2006	499	1969	3.9	20
2005	439	1512	3.4	16
Avg	468	1887	4.0	17

I look at our team this year and see 3 backs that should make the team. I also see three different type of backs. Moreno is more of the battler in the middle of the field. I see him really taking it to opponents this year with our new power blocking scheme. Buckhalter more of the homerun treat. I just remember him against Cleveland running for his only TD of the year. I also hope he stays health this year. In Arrington I see Kevin Faulk. A 3rd down specialist, who gets first downs and just plays his heart out for the team.

1)Moreno should have a beater year, but since he is the top runner on the list, he will have to be better then last year to beat himself. I think he will. Projected stats for Moreno:258-1051(4.1)-12.

2) Buckhalter projecting that he stays health should rush for :117-572(4.9)-4.

3) Arrington who should surprise alot of people this year should rush for: 72-305(4.2)-2

That would account for 447 att.(27.9/G), 1928 yards(120.5/G) and 18 TD (1.1/G) It looks a little high to me also, but this is if all stay health for all 16 games.

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July and hope to see you at TC. GO BRONCOS!!!

Poll

Which top three runners would you wont on your team?

2005 version: Dillon, Pass, and Faulk.

2 votes

2006 version: Dillon, Maroney, and Faulk

22 votes

2007 version: Maroney, Morris, and Faulk.

2 votes

2008 version: Morris, Faulk, and Maroney.

5 votes

2009 version: Moreno, Buckhalter, and Hillis.

34 votes

2010 version: Moreno, Buckhalter, and Arrington.

67 votes

132 votes | Poll has closed

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

I'm split on the poll...

Arrington or Hillis…would love to have them both with Moreno and Buckhalter.

by Bron#1 Fan on Jul 5, 2010 2:58 PM MDT reply actions

McD seems more focused on running the ball

in Denver than he was in NE. Maybe this was/is because of the difficulty in picking up his offense or because of personnel. Anyway, my question is, should we pick up Harvey Unga in the supplemental draft? Big, athletic back with good hands would be a nice addition IMHO.

by adub on Jul 5, 2010 4:32 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

If you look at 2008's numbers...

they where the best under McDaniels…Cassel was the QB…not Tom Brady.

by Bron#1 Fan on Jul 5, 2010 10:49 PM MDT up reply actions

I see deep trouble

if we can only generate 4.31 ypc.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 5, 2010 5:37 PM MDT reply actions

That was the first year for Buck And Knowshon in this system (and in the NFL in KnoMo's case)

4.31 is just dandy with me in that case

by SoCalBronco1998 on Jul 5, 2010 6:26 PM MDT up reply actions

Dillon Maroney and 19 TDs

Much better than what Denver has. Sorry homers.

Now that that is over.....

by 3nS on Jul 5, 2010 6:11 PM MDT reply actions

2006

easy decision, though i am a hillis fan. arrington, really? am i to be pleasantly surprised this season? hmm…

taste my blitzkrieg!
sign doom now

by davecheffy on Jul 5, 2010 9:30 PM MDT reply actions

I just think he reminds McDaniels of Faulk.

by Bron#1 Fan on Jul 5, 2010 10:50 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for writing that up for us.

The trend is definitely that he is running the ball more in Bronco games but there has been only 1 year, so possible that trend wont stay the same!

Would you consider doing this type of post for other position types? QB? WR? TE?
They could all be interesting ways to look at projections for the team. Obviously Brady at NE makes things different, but we could also look at difference between before McD got his hands on a position and after.

However, that aside, its interesting to look at the production of RB while he is on staff. Hopefully Moreno can contribute really well this year and merit the amount of carries he gets and exceeds our expectations even!

"The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game." - Derek Robinson
"You've got to get your first tackle in early, even if it's late." - Ray Gravell

by Rugbywits on Jul 5, 2010 9:56 PM MDT reply actions

Ya. just wonted to start with my favorite position.

by Bron#1 Fan on Jul 5, 2010 10:51 PM MDT up reply actions

Dillon and Maroney were to good to vote against.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Jul 6, 2010 1:02 AM MDT reply actions

Agree that Dillon and Maroney where good, but...

I think that Moreno and Buckhalter while out do all who have gone before them. This is going to be a good year for them.

by Bron#1 Fan on Jul 6, 2010 6:23 AM MDT up reply actions

Moreno and Buck did well

They would have been better behind a better line, and that’s this year’s focus. Even so, a top 5 combination is pretty good. Arrington is a nice pickup, and Toney Baker could provide that power running when you need it. It’s worth giving this group a try.,

Gnothi Seauton

by Doc Bear on Jul 6, 2010 10:06 AM MDT reply actions

Awesome post man. It gets me excited for this season.

If that’s what his running game looks like WITHOUT the line he wants and extensive knowledge of the system (as Brady/Cassel frequently audible in the run under McD’s system), then I can’t wait to see how they do WITH the power O-line and a year of experience, not to mention a true 3rd down back in Arrington. I think too many people underestimate Arringtons pass-blocking and receiving skills for 3rd downs, plus the homerun threat of his breakaway speed (as long as his injury has fully healed, which taking a year off may have beeen just the medicine he needed for it). Think back two Superbowls ago with the Steelers/Cardinals… and WHO did they bring in consistently on 3rd downs in the 4th quarter (when they Cards needed to really gunsling it for points)? If you answered J.J. Arrington, then you answered right. They trusted his pass-protection skills, and his threat to nab the first down from a check throw. I would say our running game is going to be the highlight of our offense this year, but then… it’s going to be so consistent and dependable (maybe not explosive) that its REALLY going to open up the passing game. We’ll all be talking about in a few months. Just you watch. Arrington may have the smallest production of the three, but he is almost the most important back to the way this offense is designed (a modification of what McDaniels started developing in NE out of Weis’s system).

"I have no right, by anything I do or say, to demean a human being in his own eyes. What matters is not what I think of him; it is what he thinks of himself." - Antoine de Exupery

by Alexander Wall on Jul 6, 2010 12:42 PM MDT reply actions

First thanks for the comments.

Ya the more I think of Arrington the more I get excited. And the more I think of the running game, well we will have to see, but if opp. D’s focus on the run, the more the passing lanes will open up. The passing game is the most interesting part of this. Can we take advantage of teams stacking the line, and throw it over there heads to Thomas or Decker or Royal or Gaffney? Hope Orton is ready to air it out some this year.

by Bron#1 Fan on Jul 6, 2010 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions