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When the Denver Broncos signed Jamaal Charles soon after the 2017 NFL Draft, some felt he would come in and take C.J. Anderson’s job. If anything, Charles’ signing is about preserving not only Anderson’s job, but his health. The same could be said of Charles, as well.
The running back is a brutal position and the Broncos have had to deal with injuries at the position every single year. By stacking the position with talented backs, Vance Joseph hopes to keep the offensive threat in the backfield strong throughout the entire season.
“Every position on our football team is going to be competitive and that’s the way you want it every year,” Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said of the running back competition. “You want guys to come in and compete for the job every year. Obviously, there are the guys that will win the job, and the guys who don’t will be capable backups. Every spot on the football team is going to be a competition. The running back position; you need two or three guys that can carry the load. It is no longer a one-guy position. I’m excited to have Jamaal, [RB] C.J. [Anderson], [RB Devontae Booker] Book, even De’Angelo in the mix there. It’s a good group. It’s going to be competitive, and that’s the way it should be.”
Mike McCoy figures to have specific play sets ready for each skillset. He seems to figure out ways to get the most out of the talent at each position.
As for Charles, he is on track to be ready for training camp.
“We’re hoping to get Jamaal full speed by training camp,” Joseph said of Charles’ health. “He’s going to rehab and have some time to get healthy during the entire OTAs and the entire summer. Our goal for Jamaal is to have him on the field during training camp.”
The coverage will be skewed towards the quarterback competition - and for good reason - but the most important outcome of 2017 will come down to how healthy this group of running backs will be come December and January.
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Note: Sorry for the late tracks. Long work week and needed the sleep!
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