Who's likely to be our starting RB when season starts.

[Nature Boy]

It's a little early but let's see what the consensus is on who will likely be our starting RB on day 1 of regular season. I'm not asking who you want for to be the starter, I'm asking who you think will likely be.

Post your selection if you don't mind.

[atwater27]

Anthony Aldridge? Yeah, if he injects steroids directly into his heart every day until kickoff...

Selvin Young. He has alot to prove with the things Shanny said about him last season. He performed awesome last season. He will build on it, work hard, get better and make Shanny eat his words. I wouldn't count out Andre Hall, he had a monster game when he played, and I bet he is hungry to be the man too.
Who would I like to see giving a shot at the tailback position? Hillis. Just for shits and giggles.

[TXBRONC]

Right now the odds on favorite would have to be Henry.

[D1g1tal j1m]

Henry is penciled in as the starter and will be when the season starts. But he will be closely watched and on a short leash.

[turftoad]

Henry.

Henry will start this year while Shanahan evaluates Torain to see if he's what he thinks he is. If Torain looks good in camp I see him getting a few carries this year. The more research I do on this guy the more I like him. (Don't tell Lex).

[Slick]

I think it will be Henry. Now that I say that, watch him be the first back cut.

[JONtheBRONCO]

I say Henry, but just because Tubby knows where I sleep. And I want to live till 25. No, but in reality, it will be Henry, unless Torain does something special in camp and really impresses the staff. It won't be Alridge, I see him as either a converted WR, or a KR specialist. We all know Shanahan doesn't think Young is capable of 20 + carries, so he will be the change of pace guy. Andre Hall I see as an insurance policy.

[Nomad]

As of now I wouldn't see why Henry wouldn't get the position.

[TXBRONC]

I say Henry, but just because Tubby knows where I sleep. And I want to live till 25. No, but in reality, it will be Henry, unless Torain does something special in camp and really impresses the staff. It won't be Alridge, I see him as either a converted WR, or a KR specialist. We all know Shanahan doesn't think Young is capable of 20 + carries, so he will be the change of pace guy. Andre Hall I see as an insurance policy.

I know a few guys seem to be excited about Alridge being here but he has his own up hill battle to win. He has to try and beat out a number two pick to be the team's return man.

[Ricky]

Henry is the logical choice. Otherwise he would have been cut already.

[LRtagger]

Obviously at this point it is Henry.

Henry will play the first series against the Raiders, but I doubt he has more than 20 carries in the game.

[East Coast Fan]

I think that they'll give Henry the shot at it but if he ****'* it up he's done; there's always somebody right behind you to take the next handoff so they won't hesitate to give it to someone else.

[Nature Boy]

Obviously at this point it is Henry.

Henry will play the first series against the Raiders, but I doubt he has more than 20 carries in the game.

As tough as the NFL is, I don't think any RB in this league should get more than 20-25 carries a game. It's just too bruising on their bodies.

Every back will get hurt no matter how good you are when you asked to carry the whole load on your own. Look at Adrian Peterson last year, Look at Larry Johnson, Look at Ladanian Tomlinson at the end of the season. It's not just Henry that is injury prone. It goes with the business of being an every down NFL RB. Hopefully Henry isn't asked to carry the full load again or he'll end up hobbled before the season gets into full swing.

[Broncospsycho77]

Aldridge.

Eh, why not.

[Buff]

Probably the guy we gave a $6 million signing bonus to... :coffee:

[Nature Boy]

Henry restructured his deal and he will no longer receive that $6 million bonus. I'm not sure what the restructured deal is but I'm sure Henry will have to earn every penny he'll get after last year's testing fiasco and injuries.

[tubby]

I say Henry, but just because Tubby knows where I sleep. And I want to live till 25. No, but in reality, it will be Henry, unless Torain does something special in camp and really impresses the staff. It won't be Alridge, I see him as either a converted WR, or a KR specialist. We all know Shanahan doesn't think Young is capable of 20 + carries, so he will be the change of pace guy. Andre Hall I see as an insurance policy.

Good call Panty Waist.

[Tned]

Henry is the logical choice. Otherwise he would have been cut already.

Exactly. With the question "who's likely to be..." the only answer is Henry. He was brought in as a high priced FA. He was leading the league in rushing early last year. He renegotiated to stay and has nothing but unproven to somewhat unproven talent around him.

Do I think he could be beat out? Yes. However, based on that question, the only vote I can give is Henry. It is his job to lose.

[Tned]

Henry restructured his deal and he will no longer receive that $6 million bonus. I'm not sure what the restructured deal is but I'm sure Henry will have to earn every penny he'll get after last year's testing fiasco and injuries.

Here are the details of his original contract:


3/5/2007: Signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract. The deal contains $12 million guaranteed, including an $8.5 million signing bonus. Also included is a stipulation requiring Henry to pay back $6 million of his signing bonus if he's suspended for drugs at any point during the deal. 2008-2011: $1 million, 2012: Free Agent

Then, here is the Rotoworld.com blurb about him giving up his $6 signing bonus he was due this year (part of the $12 million guaranteed I believe):


Travis Henry-RB- Broncos Feb. 21 - 8:51 am et

Travis Henry has agreed to a restructured contract that will keep him in Denver for the upcoming season.

He gave up his entire $6 million option bonus, according to NFL Network. It's a smart move for Henry. The Broncos aren't ready to pass the starting job onto Selvin Young, and Henry staying makes it far less likely that they'll use a high pick on an RB. Henry's style still suits the one-cut system, and he was productive in 2007 when healthy, leading the NFL in rushing for the first month. While we're skeptical he'll be a good fantasy option, he'll come more cheaply this year and is the favorite to start and get goal-line carries.

[shank]

wish shanny's comments, i don't think selvin is really in the running to be the 'starter' and get the large part of the load. it's between henry and torain, and i think henry will win out for now if he lives up to what he said, and plays hard to prove he belongs here.

that said, i hope our per game target is about 20 carries with henry, with torain and selvin spelling him often. i'm not a huge committee guy, but it seems necessary. and i'd rather see a committee that keeps all 3 healthy all year then henry going down in week 8 as the leading rusher and not coming back to form for the rest of the season.

[JONtheBRONCO]

I'll panty your waist!

[JONtheBRONCO]

Or waist your panty... wait. What?

[slim]

Gotta be Henry. A better question may be which RBs make the roster?

I would say Henry, Young, and Torain w/Hillis and Sapp at FB.

[TXBRONC]

Gotta be Henry. A better question may be which RBs make the roster?

I would say Henry, Young, and Torain w/Hillis and Sapp at FB.

Right now I would say this a pretty good guess.

[broncosfanscott]

It is obviously Henry with the money we are paying him. However you never know when it comes to RBs in Denver lately.

[TXBRONC]

It is obviously Henry with the money we are paying him. However you never know when it comes to RBs in Denver lately.

Didn't he have to take a cut in pay?

[shank]

yeah. henry is not making a ton of money any more. i'd guess he'll be the starter based on his past production as a proven NFl commodity and his success last year before all the problems. i won't be surprised if torain wins the job though.

i hope we get a true successor in 09

[Lonestar]

wish shanny's comments, i don't think selvin is really in the running to be the 'starter' and get the large part of the load. it's between henry and torain, and i think henry will win out for now if he lives up to what he said, and plays hard to prove he belongs here.

that said, i hope our per game target is about 20 carries with henry, with torain and selvin spelling him often. i'm not a huge committee guy, but it seems necessary. and i'd rather see a committee that keeps all 3 healthy all year then henry going down in week 8 as the leading rusher and not coming back to form for the rest of the season.


perhaps mikeys EOY press conference comment about Selvin not being a "STUD BUFFALO" was motivation to hit the weight room and become one..

[shank]

def not out of the question, and selvin strikes me as the type of guy who would accept the comment as a challenge and not a criticism. but i don't want him to try too hard and lose the explosiveness that he has. just like tatum, i think selvin will be at his best as a change of pace guy, and having him in there too much will just wear him down, cause injuries, and reveal his weaknesses.

i hope torain comes in strong enough to challenge henry, and after this year we do something with henry and get a 'franchise' back in the early rounds of the draft, but for now i think it'll be best to give henry the bulk of the carries.

[broncohead]

Henry is getting old for a RB. I wouldn't be surprised to see Torrain beat him out. I'd say Henry is the starter with Young and Torrain waiting for him to make a mistake.

[dogfish]

i've got a better question-- who's going to be the starting RB at the END of the season?

[shank]

the optimist in orange glasses says that ryan torain will finish as our starter with 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns.

the realist says that torain will finish as the starter with 700 yards and 6 touchdowns after henry gets banged up around week 8. :(

[Nature Boy]

41 of 51 people don't think Travis Henry is the odds on favorite to win the starting job as it stand right now. I would like to know why those 10 people do not agree with 81% of us. Can the 20% of those other than Travis Henry voters please explain why they made their selection? I really want to hear what they have to say.

[Nature Boy]

i've got a better question-- who's going to be the starting RB at the END of the season?

Travis Henry.

[Tned]

Gotta be Henry. A better question may be which RBs make the roster?

I would say Henry, Young, and Torain w/Hillis and Sapp at FB.

That is also the group I see as most likely to make the roster. That of course assumes that Torain's foot is fully healed and he runs like he did his Junior year and the start of his senior year before he got hurt.


i've got a better question-- who's going to be the starting RB at the END of the season?

This is a tougher one. Between staying healthy, not testing positive again, and then just being the best back on the roster, it is hard to say whether Henry will still have the job at the end of the season.

I hope Henry has the job at the end of the season, becuase that will mean he had a good year, and as a result, hopefully the Broncos will have had a good season.

[Nature Boy]

Let's reexamine this poll huh. Wow, 44 of 54 guys voted Henry and that's with 4 other guys to choose from. Guess Henry is the best back in Denver ain't he?

[broncohead]

Let's reexamine this poll huh. Wow, 44 of 54 guys voted Henry and that's with 4 other guys to choose from. Guess Henry is the best back in Denver ain't he?

We haven't been able to see what Torrain can do yet and Young has a season under his belt. We'll see. I'm not confident in seeing the starting job handed to Henry expecially after last season. He has to work for it.

[Nature Boy]

Of course, we're talking odds on favorite as it stands right now. Apparently some or most of the Henry Nay sayers are the ones not taking the poll.

[Colorado4Life]

I feel like a real jerk since I picked Travis Henry, but my adopted Bronco is Andre Hall and he has 0 votes... I'm sorry Andre... Please find it in your heart to forgive me.

[Nature Boy]

Can I adopt a Cheer leader? I have yet to adopt anything from the Broncos yet.

[Day1BroncoFan]

I'm going with Selvin Young. I just don't think Henry is the one. Selvin can do it if he puts his mind to it. We have a different situation on offense this year. Selvin will shine in preseason.

[LRtagger]

What people think at this point in time about who the starter will be is in no way indicative of who the best back on the team will be come week 1, week 8, and week 16. For Heaven's sake, camp hasen't even started yet. No one knows what Torrain will look like, no one knows what Selvin will look like, no one knows what Hall will look like, and no one knows what Henry will look like. Henry is the odds on favorite at this time based SOLELY on the fact that he is the only veteran back on the team. He could EASILY get beat out by any of the other 6 backs we have listed right now at any point in time. Unfortunately none of them have enough experience at this juncture to place full faith in them.

We will see what happens after camp and pre-season.

[Nature Boy]

OK, when the season starts and Travis Henry is the Starter, you have to say I was right all along and you'll have to use what ever I want you to use as your signature. and i'll do the same if Henry is not the starter by game 1. Deal?

[topscribe]

Gotta be Henry. A better question may be which RBs make the roster?

I would say Henry, Young, and Torain w/Hillis and Sapp at FB.

That's what I have envisioned, although I expect Alridge technically to be
listed in there, too, for his ST abilities.

-----

[broncohead]

Nature Boy give it up. He will start in game 1 (inless he gets injured which wouldn't surprise me) but he'll be on a short leash.

[LRtagger]

OK, when the season starts and Travis Henry is the Starter, you have to say I was right all along and you'll have to use what ever I want you to use as your signature. and i'll do the same if Henry is not the starter by game 1. Deal?

Are you dillusional? I said that I thought he would start game 1. :confused:

[dogfish]

That's what I have envisioned, although I expect Alridge technically to be
listed in there, too, for his ST abilities.

-----

i have a feeling that we'll end up keeping six backs total on the roster this year-- in the past shanahan has said that which position fills the last few roster spots is heavily influenced not just by need, but by the quality of players (as it should be). . . IMO our depth at RB is stronger than at positions like LB and TE, and special teams may not be a huge factor given that most of our backs can contribute there. . . don't ask me exactly where i think the additional fat will be trimmed, because i'm honestly not sure. . . :laugh:


i can easily see henry, young, torrain, sapp, hillis and either hall or alridge. . . mayyyybe they only keep one speed back, but i kinda doubt it. . . or, sapp could end up being the casualty if hillis impresses enough to win the job outright, but having only one fullback on the roster is sketchy. . .

[broncohead]

Aldrige could be on the roster as a WR. I don't see him being very productive at RB inless he puts on some weight.

[Nature Boy]

Are you dillusional? I said that I thought he would start game 1. :confused:

Then why are you trying to point out that Young is the better back? Or that henry isn't the best back in Denver? Arguing for arguing's sate?

[Fan in Exile]

i have a feeling that we'll end up keeping six backs total on the roster this year-- in the past shanahan has said that which position fills the last few roster spots is heavily influenced not just by need, but by the quality of players (as it should be). . . IMO our depth at RB is stronger than at positions like LB and TE, and special teams may not be a huge factor given that most of our backs can contribute there. . . don't ask me exactly where i think the additional fat will be trimmed, because i'm honestly not sure. . . :laugh:


i can easily see henry, young, torrain, sapp, hillis and either hall or alridge. . . mayyyybe they only keep one speed back, but i kinda doubt it. . . or, sapp could end up being the casualty if hillis impresses enough to win the job outright, but having only one fullback on the roster is sketchy. . .

I think our depth at LB is great, it's the starters I'm a little unsure of. I think the guys who will be playing second and third string will be some of the best second and third string guys around. It's the guys starting at MIKE and SAM that make me a little nervous. So I kind of hope they don't cut there just in case.

[topscribe]

i have a feeling that we'll end up keeping six backs total on the roster this year-- in the past shanahan has said that which position fills the last few roster spots is heavily influenced not just by need, but by the quality of players (as it should be). . . IMO our depth at RB is stronger than at positions like LB and TE, and special teams may not be a huge factor given that most of our backs can contribute there. . . don't ask me exactly where i think the additional fat will be trimmed, because i'm honestly not sure. . . :laugh:


i can easily see henry, young, torrain, sapp, hillis and either hall or alridge. . . mayyyybe they only keep one speed back, but i kinda doubt it. . . or, sapp could end up being the casualty if hillis impresses enough to win the job outright, but having only one fullback on the roster is sketchy. . .

Boy, I don't know . . . you mentioned three strong positions. TE with
Graham, Scheffler, Jackson, and Mustard; and LB with two of last year's
starters now likely at backup plus Larsen.

Anyway, it looks as if Henry, Young, and Torain are locks, and Sapp can go
both ways, plus he excels in STs. So I think you're right in its coming down
to Hall and Alridge. Ironically, the one who probably forces one of them out
is Fast Eddie because the Broncos will essentially have three returners there.

-----

[topscribe]

Aldrige could be on the roster as a WR. I don't see him being very productive at RB inless he puts on some weight.

If he makes it, wherever he is listed will only be a technical listing, anyway,
since I sincerely doubt we'll see much of him at either position. He will be
there for STs. That's it.

-----

[Nature Boy]

I would really like to see Alridge in a delay hand off or any play that get him him some open space. Hopefully he makes the team.

[dogfish]

Boy, I don't know . . . you mentioned three strong positions. TE with
Graham, Scheffler, Jackson, and Mustard; and LB with two of last year's
starters now likely at backup plus Larsen.

Anyway, it looks as if Henry, Young, and Torain are locks, and Sapp can go
both ways, plus he excels in STs. So I think you're right in its coming down
to Hall and Alridge. Ironically, the one who probably forces one of them out
is Fast Eddie because the Broncos will essentially have three returners there.

-----


technically, winborn only started two games, but i see your point. . . of course, IMO our starting 'backers not named dj williams were only starters by default, and are better suited as backups. . . to me, webster is just a guy-- the type of journeyman that is almost always available on the free agent market. . . winborn is a solid depth player, but he was essentially picked off the scrap heap as well (he was actually out of football before we signed him IIFC), and has bounced around the league a fair bit. . . not that i'm holding that against him-- i just don't think he's a guy that we'd be especially hard-put to replace. . . at this point in their careers, i wouldn't consider webster or nate jackson as any kind of big loss, or jordan beck or louis green either (note-- i'm not putting larsen in this category-- in fact, he may well have been drafted to replace beck). . . you can always find those types of end-of-the-roster players. . .

obviously JMO, but that's why i myself think it makes more sense to keep a talented young player like selvin young, ryan torrain or andre hall-- their upside and long-term potential is much greater. . . also, a guy like cecil sapp brings an awful lot of versatility that a player like webster (who doesn't play special teams) doesn't, and has been incomparably more durable than nate jackson-- i'd hate to see him get cut for either of those guys. . . also, if woodyard makes the squad, his ability to back up multiple positions may give us a bit more flexibility elsewhere. . .

also, one of my main concerns is that NONE of our running backs has much of a track record as far as staying healthy. . . henry's chronic injury problems are very well doumented, and he was dinged most of last year. . . young couldn't stay healthy in college, and got hurt his first year in the pros. . . hall and alridge will always face durability questions (fair or not) due to their size, and hall was dinged last year as well. . . torrain had his share of injury problems in college as well. . .

the depth we have at the position right now is our best insurance against injury at a position that takes an awful lot of punishment, and IMO we'd be wise to not dilute that depth too much. . . for example, given that we have two starting-caliber TEs, i'd rather cut nate jackson and take my chances that we might have to bring a guy off the PS (ours or someone else's) as the 3rd or 4th TE, than maybe have to look for a RB to handle significant carries in the middle of the season. . .


if nothing else, the number's crunch is always interesting. . . one thing we do know is that whoever gets the roster spots at RB will have earned them!

[TXBRONC]

Boy, I don't know . . . you mentioned three strong positions. TE with
Graham, Scheffler, Jackson, and Mustard; and LB with two of last year's
starters now likely at backup plus Larsen.

Anyway, it looks as if Henry, Young, and Torain are locks, and Sapp can go
both ways, plus he excels in STs. So I think you're right in its coming down
to Hall and Alridge. Ironically, the one who probably forces one of them out
is Fast Eddie because the Broncos will essentially have three returners there.

-----

How do you know this? :shocked:

[TXBRONC]

If he makes it, wherever he is listed will only be a technical listing, anyway,
since I sincerely doubt we'll see much of him at either position. He will be
there for STs. That's it.

-----

Royal could easily ended up being the punt returner and the kick returner since he has experience at both.

[Medford Bronco]

Just because we think he will start game 1 does not make us think he will finish the year

He has a good chance of always getting suspended with his less than stellar track record.

I will root for the uniform he wears but to me he is a scumbag loser deadbeat and will always be. :coffee:

[Nature Boy]

So what. Travis is still the best RB in Denver. Plain and simple. This is about football, not morality. Take that crap to the Politics room please.

[broncobryce]

Yeah, there is no way it's not Travis Henry. I expect him to have a good year, with Selvin Young being the change of pace. Torrain is the short yardage guy, and that leaves Hall out in the cold, with Sapp and the rookie to fight it out at FB. We had two fullbacks on the roster last year. As far as Alridge, I think they keep him too. It seems like special teams was more of a priority in the offseason.

[topscribe]

So what. Travis is still the best RB in Denver. Plain and simple. This is about football, not morality. Take that crap to the Politics room please.

Please don't play Mod. This is about the player, his character, everything.

Had I felt it inappropriate, I would have moved it by now.

-----

[Requiem / The Dagda]

Injuries are a part of the game. It's up to Travis Henry to make sure he's healthy and is ready to go on a game-by-game basis. He's had injury problems his whole career. It's a huge concern that has to be addressed sometime. It's not an excuse for his porous performances, and you shouldn't treat it like one. He's had reoccurring injuries that by in large have casted a big shadow of doubt on his ability to be a quality, dependable running back during his career. He's growing older, and so is his body. It's wishful thinking to believe that a guy who has rarely, if ever been healthy for a full-season of his career will be able to do so at a point in his career where most running backs break down.

[topscribe]

How do you know this? :shocked:

How do I know what?

-----

[TXBRONC]

How do I know what?

-----


That Sapp can go both ways. ;)

[topscribe]

That Sapp can go both ways. ;)

Because he has. He's not the best the Broncos have at RB, by far, but he
came to the Broncos as a RB, and he can still play it. But now he's a FB.
That's both ways, isn't it?

-----

[TXBRONC]

Because he has. He's not the best the Broncos have at RB, by far, but he
came to the Broncos as a RB, and he can still play it. But now he's a FB.
That's both ways, isn't it?

-----

No, what other connotation is there for someone who goes both ways? ;)

[ECBronco]

I voted for Torain although I wish it would Selvin. I just have a feeling Henry will get cut and Selvin would be the 3rd down/change of pace back.

Shanahan has not hesitated to start a rookie running back in previous years and I think Torain could surprise in training camp.

[Lonestar]

i have a feeling that we'll end up keeping six backs total on the roster this year-- in the past shanahan has said that which position fills the last few roster spots is heavily influenced not just by need, but by the quality of players (as it should be). . . IMO our depth at RB is stronger than at positions like LB and TE, and special teams may not be a huge factor given that most of our backs can contribute there. . . don't ask me exactly where i think the additional fat will be trimmed, because i'm honestly not sure. . . :laugh:


i can easily see henry, young, torrain, sapp, hillis and either hall or alridge. . . mayyyybe they only keep one speed back, but i kinda doubt it. . . or, sapp could end up being the casualty if hillis impresses enough to win the job outright, but having only one fullback on the roster is sketchy. . .


for many years it was just griff..

[topscribe]

No, what other connotation is there for someone who goes both ways? ;)

I have no idea because RB-FB is what I meant. That's both ways.

That's the only connotation I am concerned about.

-----

[Nature Boy]

Injuries are a part of the game. It's up to Travis Henry to make sure he's healthy and is ready to go on a game-by-game basis. He's had injury problems his whole career. It's a huge concern that has to be addressed sometime. It's not an excuse for his porous performances, and you shouldn't treat it like one. He's had reoccurring injuries that by in large have casted a big shadow of doubt on his ability to be a quality, dependable running back during his career. He's growing older, and so is his body. It's wishful thinking to believe that a guy who has rarely, if ever been healthy for a full-season of his career will be able to do so at a point in his career where most running backs break down.

You wanna have a signature bet that Travis Henry will be our starting RB from game 1 and will lead all RBs on the team in carries, yards and TDs?

[Lonestar]

I voted for Torain although I wish it would Selvin. I just have a feeling Henry will get cut and Selvin would be the 3rd down/change of pace back.

Shanahan has not hesitated to start a rookie running back in previous years and I think Torain could surprise in training camp.


not sure what year your talking about I know of none in mikeys regimen that a rookie started the 1st regular season game..

[ECBronco]

not sure what year your talking about I know of none in mikeys regimen that a rookie started the 1st regular season game..
Terrell Davis definitely started the first game his rookie year.

I thought Mike Bell also started, but I could be wrong.

Edit: Oops, I was wrong about Bell. He was named the starter in Training camp but then Tatum started the opener. I am almost 100% sure that TD started the first regular season game as a rookie.

[TXBRONC]

not sure what year your talking about I know of none in mikeys regimen that a rookie started the 1st regular season game..

Mike Bell did three years ago.

[BANJOPICKER1]

When he has his health, Travis is a machine!!:D

[TXBRONC]

When he has his health, Travis is a machine!!:D


Unfortunely that was the problem last year he couldn't stay healthy.

[TXBRONC]

Terrell Davis definitely started the first game his rookie year.

I thought Mike Bell also started, but I could be wrong.

Edit: Oops, I was wrong about Bell. He was named the starter in Training camp but then Tatum started the opener. I am almost 100% sure that TD started the first regular season game as a rookie.


I don't think T. Bell was named the starter until the New England game.

[Stargazer]

Why a poll and who is expected to start at RB opening day? It is going to be Henry unless something awful happens or Henry has a terrible camp.

[sneakers]

Something incredible would have to happen for Henry not to get it.

[Npba900]

As tough as the NFL is, I don't think any RB in this league should get more than 20-25 carries a game. It's just too bruising on their bodies.

Every back will get hurt no matter how good you are when you asked to carry the whole load on your own. Look at Adrian Peterson last year, Look at Larry Johnson, Look at Ladanian Tomlinson at the end of the season. It's not just Henry that is injury prone. It goes with the business of being an every down NFL RB. Hopefully Henry isn't asked to carry the full load again or he'll end up hobbled before the season gets into full swing.

I agree, the RB today inorder to take the bruising and beating of 25-30 carries a game with today's NFL Defensive athletes would need to be 6'3 or 6'4 and weigh 245-265, fast and elusive! Yes we are talking a Freak of Nature.

Something along the lines of the size of a Jim Brown in the 50's and 60's. Jim's measure were 6'3-230 to 235. Those are Freakish size for a RB in the 50's and 60's.

To understand Brown's size back then, one must understand oppossing teams defensive linemen weighed only 250 or 260! Brown was only giving away 20 or 30 pounds. This way he could take the pounding. And of course by the Jim Brown was on top of the linebackers in his era it was a mis-match b/c the linebackers weighed btwn 200-235 Lbs. Of course playing in 12-14 games also cut down on the wear and tear, and there were no wild card games and SB's.

Fast forward to the size of today's RB's in the 21st century and the avg size of Defensive linemen today and you can very well see, todays RB's in terms of size, speed, and strength has not kept pace with the heavier, faster, and athletic D linemen we see today.

Untill today's RB's catch up in terms of size and speed, you will see more teams employng Running Back By Committee.

[LRtagger]

I agree, the RB today inorder to take the bruising and beating of 25-30 carries a game with today's NFL Defensive athletes would need to be 6'3 or 6'4 and weigh 245-265, fast and elusive! Yes we are talking a Freak of Nature.

Something along the lines of the size of a Jim Brown in the 50's and 60's. Jim's measure were 6'3-230 to 235. Those are Freakish size for a RB in the 50's and 60's.

To understand Brown's size back then, one must understand oppossing teams defensive linemen weighed only 250 or 260! Brown was only giving away 20 or 30 pounds. This way he could take the pounding. And of course by the Jim Brown was on top of the linebackers in his era it was a mis-match b/c the linebackers weighed btwn 200-235 Lbs. Of course playing in 12-14 games also cut down on the wear and tear, and there were no wild card games and SB's.

Fast forward to the size of today's RB's in the 21st century and the avg size of Defensive linemen today and you can very well see, todays RB's in terms of size, speed, and strength has not kept pace with the heavier, faster, and athletic D linemen we see today.

Untill today's RB's catch up in terms of size and speed, you will see more teams employng Running Back By Committee.


That is a blanket statement.

LT is 5-10" 220. He has had over 300 carries and 1200 yards in every season he has played in the NFL (2001-present). Not to mention over 50 receptions in each of those years as well. He has missed one (yes ONE) regular season game in his entire career. This is because he is a SMART runner with great vision and open field speed.

AP who seems to be the second coming at the position is 6-1" 220. He is largely unproven, but I am willing to bet he will average over 300 carries per year when his career is over (barring an unavoidable freak injury).

Willie Parker is 5-10" 210. Another SMART runner who has great vision. He has had over 300 carries in the last two seasons and had over 250 in the season before that. He is only coming into his 5th year in the league. Not really sure what his role will be now after Mendenhall was drafted but we'll see.

Portis has only had one season in his career that he didnt rush for over 1200 yards and 270+ carries. And that one season was a dislocated shoulder which is not an injury that is indicative of size. Just a freak injury that could happen to even the biggest and baddest DT. Portis is 5-11" 220.

Even Willis McGahee who came off a major freak injury in college has managed to stay healthy in the NFL. He is 6' 230 and has over 250 carries per season in every year since his rehab off season.

There are plenty more that I could list. Fact is, Travis Henry is a very unreliable RB in the league. He is a huge risk at the position and it is quite obvious we made a terrible mistake in bringing him here and signing that huge deal. We were lucky he took the pay cut, otherwise he would have been the next Javon.

[ECBronco]

I don't think T. Bell was named the starter until the New England game.
You could be right, I was just going off this blurb...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bell_%28football_player%29


He (Mike Bell) had a very strong training camp, and before the Broncos first preseason game, Bell was promoted to the starting tailback position. This promotion shocked many, as it was presumed that either Tatum Bell or Ron Dayne would win the Broncos' starting job. However Tatum Bell ended up as the starter for the first regular season game, with Mike Bell also getting carries in a backup role.

[Lonestar]

I don't think T. Bell was named the starter until the New England game.

according to NFL.com he did not start a game 2004. I know the stats for former players are not absolute so they could be wrong. But I believe the current players are pretty accurate according to the NFL he did not actually start until final game 2005..

http://www.nfl.com/players/tatumbell/gamelogs?id=BEL598152&season=2004

[TXBRONC]

according to NFL.com he did not start a game 2004. I know the stats for former players are not absolute so they could be wrong. But I believe the current players are pretty accurate according to the NFL he did not actually start until final game 2005..

http://www.nfl.com/players/tatumbell/gamelogs?id=BEL598152&season=2004

Jr I'm talking about 2006. T.Bell didn't become a starter until the New England game in 2006. In 2005 he spilt carries with Mike Anderson.

[Tned]

It's Henry's job to lose, and Young and Torain will be in line to take it from him. Torain will have to prove he is healthy and capable. Young has to prove he can be more than a change up back.

If Henry loses the job, then I see Torain or even Sapp winning it, vs. Young. I see Young at the moment as a part time back, but would be pleasantly surprised if I was wrong.

So, if Torain impresses in TC and on special teams (assuming they will play him on ST with his foot injury), then while Henry almost certainly starts the season as the starter, any stumble and Torain could take over.

At this point, I see Hall and Bell off the roster (barring anyone going on IR), and Sapp and Hillis as the FB's, with Sapp not a shoe-in to get the starting FB job.

[TXBRONC]

It's Henry's job to lose, and Young and Torain will be in line to take it from him. Torain will have to prove he is healthy and capable. Young has to prove he can be more than a change up back.

If Henry loses the job, then I see Torain or even Sapp winning it, vs. Young. I see Young at the moment as a part time back, but would be pleasantly surprised if I was wrong.

So, if Torain impresses in TC and on special teams (assuming they will play him on ST with his foot injury), then while Henry almost certainly starts the season as the starter, any stumble and Torain could take over.

At this point, I see Hall and Bell off the roster (barring anyone going on IR), and Sapp and Hillis as the FB's, with Sapp not a shoe-in to get the starting FB job.

I agree with you it's Henry's job to lose, but if he is the starter I could easily see Henry split the carries with Young in much the same way Anderson and T. Bell did in '05.

However, if Torain impresses in camp Shanahan has shown in the past he's not afraid to make a change to an experienced player if he clearly better than the veterans in front of him.

[LRtagger]

Ttt

[GEM]

Ttt

Ohhhh Nature Boy....the pipes, the pipes are callllling.

:laugh:

[Northman]

How funny, only these clever individuals got it right. We ought to buy them beers. :)


Anubis, atwater27, Day1BroncoFan, Dreadnought, fcspikeit, HolyDiver, Inkana7

[GEM]

How funny, only these clever individuals got it right. We ought to buy them beers. :)


Anubis, atwater27, Day1BroncoFan, Dreadnought, fcspikeit, HolyDiver, Inkana7

I'll give you a high 5 instead. ;)

[NameUsedBefore]

And then there were 18...

[Nature Boy]

Ohhhh Nature Boy....the pipes, the pipes are callllling.

:laugh:

Ahhh Johnny Boy. I like that. How creative you are Gem.

Travis Henry would have tore it up this season in Denver. Too bad he couldn't lay off the Ganja. That's just too bad for him and the Broncos. Henry was the best RB in Denver since Clinton Portis.

[Den21vsBal19]

Ahhh Johnny Boy. I like that. How creative you are Gem.

Travis Henry would have tore it up this season in Denver. Too bad he couldn't lay off the Ganja. That's just too bad for him and the Broncos. Henry was the best RB in Denver since Clinton Portis.
Talent's worthless if the head ain't screwed on right

[Nature Boy]

Talent's worthless if the head ain't screwed on right

Correctomondo. But it's only weed...

[Ziggy]

Correctomondo. But it's only weed...

and only a multimillion dollar career lost because of it......

[claymore]

I think it will be Henry. Now that I say that, watch him be the first back cut.

This is prophetic! Now say there is no way in hell the Broncos will win the SB!

[Slick]

This is prophetic! Now say there is no way in hell the Broncos will win the SB!

There's no way in hell the Broncos will win the SB!

[elsid13]

Boy do I look smart now....

[claymore]

There's no way in hell the Broncos will win the SB!

Now I will bet my dad what you just said............:salute: and there is no way we can lose...........

[Slick]

Now I will bet my dad what you just said............:salute: and there is no way we can lose...........

Bet him enough money for a couple plane tickets to Cancun, and money to pay the babysitter!

[claymore]

Bet him enough money for a couple plane tickets to Cancun, and money to pay the babysitter!

Hell if I go to Cancun.......... I aint bringing the wife! :heh:

[Bronco Bible]

Selvin Young is the man too beat

[Inkana7]

Selvin's my boy.

[Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal]

Probably Selvin Young or Ryan Torain.

[Dean]

I guess that Travis Henry cast his vote for Selvin Young. That could well be the deciding vote.:eek: