Horse Tracks: Andy Janovich hopes to be utilized more in Broncos’ offense

Good morning, Broncos Country!

The proliferation of the spread attack in the modern NFL has relegated fullbacks across the league to dying breed status, but don’t tell that to third-year pro Andy Janovich.

He is already well aware of the uphill battle he faces to make the team’s final roster, but that isn’t stopping him from putting in the work on the field during OTAs and alongside Head Strength and Condition Coach Loren Landow in the weight room to help carve a role for himself in Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave’s offense.

“I think he’s changed quite a bit but at the same time, he hasn’t. We have a lot of the same runs, passes and whatnot,” stated Janovich in regard to the team’s offense. “A little bit of different terminology but he didn’t override anything. It’s still football.”

After showing flashes of play-making ability as a rookie in 2016, Janovich’s role appeared to diminish last season, leaving many to believe that he could have been utilized more to provide a bit of a spark on offense. Most modern day fullbacks are primarily brought in to block, but teams with a heavy West Coast influence have been known to use them quite often, and in a lot of cases, very effectively. That’s something Broncos fans have been witness to over the years (obligatory Howard Griffith shout out) and is an aspect of the game Janovich has demonstrated efficacy in when called upon in the past.

“Yeah, you never know with my position. There are only 20-21 of us or something like that. So, you just never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s a tough position to play. Not everybody uses them, but the teams that do use them tend to use them [a lot]. I feel like I’m getting used this year. You just never know. I hope so.”

With two rookie additions to the Broncos’ running back stable in the 2018 NFL Draft in Royce Freeman and David Williams, the competition for spots in their backfield will be stiff. The final spot or two may come down to who provides the most ability on special teams — an area the Broncos were absolutely dreadful at in 2017. Nevertheless, Janovich is confident that the unit will turn itself around this coming season.

“Yeah, last year was rough. But I think we’re going to have a great year with [Special Teams Coordinator Tom] McMahon. Just looking at what he’s done with the Colts, he’s been top-five the last three or four years. I think he’s going to turn this thing around for us.”

If the Broncos can turn things around on special teams, it will definitely go a long ward toward helping the Broncos reclaim their status as kings of the AFC West and a push into the playoffs they’ve been absent from the two past seasons.

As always, thank you for reading and here is today’s offering of Horse Tracks.

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