MHR Poll of the Week for August 7, 2011: Running Back(s)
by Topher Doll on Aug 7, 2011 2:00 PM MDT
in MHR Poll of the Week
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PrintSo last week we nearly doubled the previous best in terms of votes, and I hope we can keep these numbers up, the more votes we have, the better picture of what Broncos fans think we can get. So after reviewing last weeks question, in which I asked what off-season acquisition you thought was best, we had some results that went fairly predictably. With such a great turnout to the voting booths, we got a good look at what you thought:
| Answer: | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Signing K Prater | 431 | 35% |
| Signing LB Woodyard | 93 | 8% |
| Signing DT McBean | 49 | 4% |
| Signing RB McGahee | 463 | 37% |
| Signing WR Anderson | 22 | 2% |
| Trading WR Gaffeny for DL Jarmon | 180 | 15% |
| Total: | 1238 | 100% |
During the first two days of voting McGahee and Prater were swinging back and forth for the top spot, but it looks like adding McGahee edged out our kicker extraordinaire by around 30 votes. Both moves make sense to me, adding McGahee will hopefully boost a struggling running attack and Prater has been one of the steady players on the team these past two years. Overall, returning players (Prater, Woodyard and McBean) took 47% of the vote. The addition of Anderson to our wide receivers received the fewest votes, about as many votes as he has receptions actually, well not really, he has almost four times as many receptions as he got votes. The trade of Jabar Gaffney for Jeremy Jarmon came in third with 15% of the votes.
With that covered, let's get to this week's question:
This past off-season we've added four new running backs, most of whom may not make the roster, but Willis McGahee is the start of these new arrivals, and is expected to make an instant impact. So with running backs on my mind, I wanted to ask you about running backs and how they are used in the NFL. So this weeks question is about one back or two back systems and which works the best. We as Denver fans saw TD take the stage and be a premier back, growing up I wouldn't take him out of the game ever, but we saw the effect that took on his game, and his body. In recent years, tandem backs have ruled Denver. So the poll of the week is this: If you became a NFL head coach, what type of running back system would look to use?
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Personally,
I think Moreno + McGahee + White will work out very nicey. Got the speed, power and talent between those three backs to do special things.
Orlando Fraklin opening up holes will probably help too.
Can’t wait until Thursday, Go Broncos!
by jonmark93 on Aug 7, 2011 2:03 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
+1 on Orlando Franklin
Fox is a run-to-set-up-the-pass coach. Unless the run keeps working, then you wear the other guys down by ball control. 2 or 3 first downs in each possession running, sets you up for a nice 4th quarter when the other “D” starts to put their hands on their knees between plays and tries to catch their breath.
Two pounding running backs makes the rest of the offense click.
- If you're so certain, maybe you're just proving the Dunning-Kreuger Effect
I think we will see a lot of different alignments and formations.
Having a huge TE in Daniel Fells could help extremely if he can play FB. What is Fells, 272 lb? That’s like a defensive lineman running the ball. The possibilities are almost endless…
I think we should do that last vote again.
If you put Warren/Bunkley in there, I bet they’d win. The broncos are under the radar in terms of building a good d-line. Warren and Bunkley are just as good as Mebane or Cofield—if not better. Remember Bunkley is only 27 years old—similar to Mebane— and Warren would be like picking up Cullen Jenkins. This is to me, is one of the best off-seasons the broncos have had in a long time. Talking in terms of solid draft picks, adding good coaching, getting rid of the dictatorship, and having a solid free agency period. That’s a B + if not an A for an off-season grade for the broncos.
To the running back situation. The broncos are still missing a homerun threat. However, I do believe McGahee is an upgrade over Buckhalter. Also it’s important to note that both McGahee and White have had double digit rushing TD seasons. So those guys know how to get in the end zone. I’d say McGahee/White alone would make a good combo. Defenses are going to get tired tackling those two by the 4th quarter. Also I see Moreno having the same type of season he had in his rookie year where he actually had another RB that can come in and give him a breather—when Buckhalter was still good. And really if Moreno has that type of season with McGahee/White, then the broncos are going to do some good things this year.
Just a note about the home run threat idea
Moreno was actually among the best in the league in rushes 10-20 yards, 9% of his total runs (which was better than Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Frank Gore, MJD, and Chris Johnson) and faired well against some big names in the 20+ yard runs metric. While he’s no Darren McFadden, last season’s best big run back, he does well at breaking big runs.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
I didn't know that. Thanks for the information!
by tiderfootball09 on Aug 7, 2011 9:36 PM MDT up reply actions
No problem
Moreno doesn’t have breakaway speed, and he won’t hit a home run all the time, but he is, surprisingly, one of the better backs at getting big yardage.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
His hurdles and spins downfield thrill/scare me :)
He really does have great vision once the initial hole has been breached. If the OL could be more predictable with opening the holes, he could do very well.
No matter who starts at QB, we will be 8-8 or better (8-2-11)
"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’m hoping that the four backs are Moreno, McGahee, White, and Jeremiah Johnson.
I voted for one-back because a versatile tightend can line up out of the backfield anyway. Although I guess that’s up for interpretation if that becomes a two-back alignment.
Kyle Orton: there for you until you need him most.
I think the OP was...
polling about our preference for a featured back or a running-back-by-committee approach.
Maybe I misunderstood.
Regardless, I’m non-plussed by Moreno, McGahee and White. But I haven’t seen JJ run.
Remember the good ol’ days when we could draft someone in the 6th round or scavenge another team’s discards and Bobby Turner and Alex Gibbs would turn them into something special? Too bad they’re gone.
Truth shall be known.
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 8, 2011 7:35 AM MDT up reply actions
I agree tune
when I think of tandem backs, I think of the traditional TB an FB in the backfield. At least that’s how I took it. But, it seems the committee approach is what was really meant.
"I cannot give you a formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure: Try to please everybody."
KM does look like he stepped in an hole.
Seriously…he is i the foreground of the picture, which should make him look larger, and yet he looks like Sproles….hmmmmm.
I was thinking the exact same thing
I was just a little confused. Foreground, check. Listed only an inch shorter than mcGahee, check. Not sure what’s happening here.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Knowshon + McGahee = very good combo
This year, specifically for the Broncos? Tandem backs without a doubt.
In general, in a perfect world? Give me Terrell Davis as 1 primary back.
Reports are that McGahee looks hyuuuge next to Moreno.
Moreno handles the 1st and 2nd down stuff, and McGahee gets the push forward in a pile of dust and the goal line handles.
Sounds good to me.
by Rob Burson on Aug 7, 2011 2:57 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Don't care..
because it should vary by game plans. I would trust Fox to run the best scheme he can for whichever team he is coaching against…..
Its the only way 2 go
Knowshon and McGahee
No save ammunition all bullets in gun now- Bruce Campbell
Stand up straight a man looks more confident when he is erect- Taj
I don't always drink and drive, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis- BroncoPH
BRONCOS 4 LIFE
Jeremiah Johnson is quietly having the best camp of any back on the team. Now that’s not saying much because McGahee and White haven’t been practicing, but he too me looks much better than KnoMo
I wonder how fast he can skin a bear...
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
by rubincarterrocks on Aug 7, 2011 5:02 PM MDT up reply actions
I voted "one primary back" system. Of course I do this if I have Terrell Davis or Barry Sanders or Earl Campbell, etc. You didn't say if
it had to be with our existing backs! lol.
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
by rubincarterrocks on Aug 7, 2011 5:01 PM MDT reply actions
It all depends
On weather I had two good backs or one.
One is enough for me.
Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and Michael Turner get it done flying solo. I don’t really like RB by committee, as I think it disrupts the timing of the different RBs rotating in and the offensive line blocking for them.
Even college teams are showing
some multiple back tendencies nowadays. The timing thing may be obsolete if that trend expands…and in my mind it is up to the back to get to the hole, not for the line to time the hole to the back. If the 18 game schedule ever makes an official appearance, this debate would be over, in my opinion.
Two back system for me
It gives us a change of pace throughout the game and keeps the RBs legs fresh since neither one will carry the load. There are teams that have a one back system, however the NFL seems to be moving toward two RBs.
Floyd Little: HOF Class of 2010.
2009-10 back-to-back NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009-10 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant
Are they standing on a hill? lol
"The only thing I’m addicted to right now is winning." -Charlie Sheen
"I'm going to be a Bronco forever" -Rahim Moore
Moreno
When Mcd came in and said he was bringing in the power run game I thought,"thank God no more scat backs. Then I saw moreno
Depends on who the backs are...
I certainly prefer to let one back take almost all the carries, since rhythm and momentum are such big factors. But that also requires a somewhat bigger and more durable back. As you aptly mentioned, that kind of workload does bad things to a back’s body.
It’s clear that a back like Arian Foster thrives on being in the lineup, and the team suffers when they take him out. We need to find our next TD before attempting that. With the guys we have now, I’d be perfectly comfortable going tandem with the idea that whoever is the hot hand gets the majority of the carries. That could change week to week of course.
No matter who starts at QB, we will be 8-8 or better (8-2-11)
"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
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