Broncos' like a late-round backfield - So Do I!

[TheFuture6]

You question what? I think more or less we had a bigger problem having big runs, we have gotten worse and worse since Portis left about the big run! Dayne had the longest of the season two years ago, that is sad that the biggest questionable back we had actually did what our top backs could not. Kenny Irons, Marshawn Lynch or even Peterson bring that big run capability here. The run scheme in Denver is not pounding it out every run, the reason why we use lighter lineman like fullbacks is so that the line opens a hole for a back to breakout into a long run, we usually end up pounding away as long as we continue to run. This is the same argument for Plummer! What counts - the ability to be accurate and throw long or short, or to be inacurate down the field and only capable on rollouts? The same goes for a running back, Shanahan wants a back that can do it all or break into stride and break long runs, something Tatum looked promising at when we drafted him, but he had his shot!

What do all of our successful former running backs have in common (with the exception of maybe Olandis Gary)? They all have a balance of speed and most importantly POWER. Look at the last 2 guys (before Tater) to run for 1000 yards. Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns. How often did this guys break the big run? Almost never. Neither guy is gonna outrun many safties, even some linebackers, but they had great power, and thus, great success. For these reasons, i think we should all start looking hard at some powerful backs coming out of this year's draft. I'm not talking about a first rounder like Peterson or Lynch because I believe our Dline is much less efficient than our running game is, and we are in a bigger need there (not only that, neither back will probably be there at 21). But how about round 2 or 3? Brian Leonard, a former FB at Rutgers has slimmed down as in looking to become a star RB at the next level. Now I know what you're thinking, why would we put a FB at our starting RB position? Well, how about his potential. He's switching to tailback and is still considered by most scouts to be one of the top 50 best players in this years draft. That's how talented he is. And since we are reminising on previous RB's, may I remind you that Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns were both FB's at some point during their stint with the Broncos... I'm just saying, this guy might fit our scheme more than any other back in this year's draft

[Cougarbait28]

He is one of my top backs, so I am not against him coming here...but I do question his football smarts, with how complex Denver's system is. If he would have stayed in school and had passable grades, Russell would likely be above Lynch as far as the consensus rankings.

My top 10:
A. Peterson (Oklahoma)
M. Lynch (California)
K. Irons (Auburn)
B. Jackson (Nebraska)
G. Russell (Minnesota)
C. Dawson (Harvard)
T. Clayton (Kansas)
D. Walker (Notre Dame)
A. Pittman (Ohio St.)
S. Young (Texas)

So no M. Bush out of Louisville in your top 10 running backs, eh?

Interesting point of view................

[lancane]

What do all of our successful former running backs have in common (with the exception of maybe Olandis Gary)? They all have a balance of speed and most importantly POWER. Look at the last 2 guys (before Tater) to run for 1000 yards. Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns. How often did this guys break the big run? Almost never. Neither guy is gonna outrun many safties, even some linebackers, but they had great power, and thus, great success. For these reasons, i think we should all start looking hard at some powerful backs coming out of this year's draft. I'm not talking about a first rounder like Peterson or Lynch because I believe our Dline is much less efficient than our running game is, and we are in a bigger need there (not only that, neither back will probably be there at 21). But how about round 2 or 3? Brian Leonard, a former FB at Rutgers has slimmed down as in looking to become a star RB at the next level. Now I know what you're thinking, why would we put a FB at our starting RB position? Well, how about his potential. He's switching to tailback and is still considered by most scouts to be one of the top 50 best players in this years draft. That's how talented he is. And since we are reminising on previous RB's, may I remind you that Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns were both FB's at some point during their stint with the Broncos... I'm just saying, this guy might fit our scheme more than any other back in this year's draft

Almost my entire list is power, but more speed - by the way, the last few 1,000 yard rushers are no longer here, and why? That is all they are, Shanahan wants his premier back - Irons is stronger then any on here credit cause he is smaller weight wise, but he has heart and runs bigger then he is. Pittman, Russell, Jackson and the rest are very much power and speed! If they wanted Droughns or Anderson, they would have kept them instead, think about it...it is not that hard to figure out!

[GridironChamp]

What do all of our successful former running backs have in common (with the exception of maybe Olandis Gary)? They all have a balance of speed and most importantly POWER. Look at the last 2 guys (before Tater) to run for 1000 yards. Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns. How often did this guys break the big run? Almost never. Neither guy is gonna outrun many safties, even some linebackers, but they had great power, and thus, great success. For these reasons, i think we should all start looking hard at some powerful backs coming out of this year's draft. I'm not talking about a first rounder like Peterson or Lynch because I believe our Dline is much less efficient than our running game is, and we are in a bigger need there (not only that, neither back will probably be there at 21). But how about round 2 or 3? Brian Leonard, a former FB at Rutgers has slimmed down as in looking to become a star RB at the next level. Now I know what you're thinking, why would we put a FB at our starting RB position? Well, how about his potential. He's switching to tailback and is still considered by most scouts to be one of the top 50 best players in this years draft. That's how talented he is. And since we are reminising on previous RB's, may I remind you that Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns were both FB's at some point during their stint with the Broncos... I'm just saying, this guy might fit our scheme more than any other back in this year's draft

Actually MA and Droughns both had some decently wrong runs. MA last season in
Denver he didnt break off as many long runs at all, but it was obvious it was because
of his age

Leonard is not a start RB at the next level. He has not declared he wants to play
HB, he will play whatever position he asked to play. He made the top 50 as a FB,
not a HB.

In this draft the 3 guys most suited for you system are Peterson (he would fit anywhere)
Irons, and Jackson. Lynch, Booker, and Pittman are next IMO. Then the next group
MIGHT contain Leonard, now Leonard might not be a bad choice to play FB for you
guys next year.

[lancane]

Actually MA and Droughns both had some decently wrong runs. MA last season in
Denver he didnt break off as many long runs at all, but it was obvious it was because
of his age

Leonard is not a start RB at the next level. He has not declared he wants to play
HB, he will play whatever position he asked to play. He made the top 50 as a FB,
not a HB.

In this draft the 3 guys most suited for you system are Peterson (he would fit anywhere)
Irons, and Jackson. Lynch, Booker, and Pittman are next IMO. Then the next group
MIGHT contain Leonard, now Leonard might not be a bad choice to play FB for you
guys next year.

Thank you Grid, impressive that someone actually can tell the backs that fit more then some of our own fans, the top of which are my top four - Peterson, Lynch, Irons and Jackson...I have to give you CP for football knowledge alone.

And yes we could use a fullback, but Leonard is an Alstott clone, we need a blocker not another Droughns.

[PurdueBronc]

Actually MA and Droughns both had some decently wrong runs. MA last season in
Denver he didnt break off as many long runs at all, but it was obvious it was because
of his age

Leonard is not a start RB at the next level. He has not declared he wants to play
HB, he will play whatever position he asked to play. He made the top 50 as a FB,
not a HB.

In this draft the 3 guys most suited for you system are Peterson (he would fit anywhere)
Irons, and Jackson. Lynch, Booker, and Pittman are next IMO. Then the next group
MIGHT contain Leonard, now Leonard might not be a bad choice to play FB for you
guys next year.

Exactly. My sig says it all.

[hardcorebronco]

Why Kenny Irons should be drafted at the 21st pick of the first round should he be availible.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9166443853180617087&q=Kenny+Irons&hl=en

Best i could find. But watching him in college you can tell this guy is going to be a good NFL back. His style definately fits our scheme.




Edit: Here is another video i just found of him. Its a list of potential Heisman winners, to see a highlight video of him just click the link on the right. It also give interesting facts about his college career there as well.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=572307

[lancane]

Why Kenny Irons should be drafted at the 21st pick of the first round should he be availible.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9166443853180617087&q=Kenny+Irons&hl=en

Best i could find. But watching him in college you can tell this guy is going to be a good NFL back. His style definately fits our scheme.




Edit: Here is another video i just found of him. Its a list of potential Heisman winners, to see a highlight video of him just click the link on the right. It also give interesting facts about his college career there as well.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/co...144&CID=572307

Nice find HCB! CP to you... He is very impressive and I love how he never quits!

[MHS]

the thing is im not basing irons... but every starting college has highlight reals... so to me showing thoughs does not help... what helps is watching game footage of a player to see how he does every play and how he runs moves... etc.

[hardcorebronco]

the thing is im not basing irons... but every starting college has highlight reals... so to me showing thoughs does not help... what helps is watching game footage of a player to see how he does every play and how he runs moves... etc.

Umm did you watch those? They werent flashy, spinning, juking, long runs. They were hard nose, power, speed and broke long runs bc he didnt quit driving. His emotion and desire are evident. They were not souped up: heres the 15 plays this guy made in his 4 years... they were a typical heres how he plays every game video.

He wasnt as flashy as Lynch or others, but he looked more powerful and decisive... That will help him in the pros more than lynch.... not like he looked slow either! I think Kenny Irons would do great in our system!

[lancane]

the thing is im not basing irons... but every starting college has highlight reals... so to me showing thoughs does not help... what helps is watching game footage of a player to see how he does every play and how he runs moves... etc.

Very true MHS, but if you watch Irons he was patient and mature about getting to the right hole, not always breaking for large gains, but he had the ability to keep focused till he did hit the homerun ball, just like Davis and Portis. He was a threat if you took him lightly. I worry about health sometimes, but overall he is up there with Lynch and even Jackson, Peterson is also known for injuries...but eventually you have to take the one you feel is best for the system and the team. I would be happy with any of those four and be elated that they got a top halfback. But Irons really got my attention again with his workouts and Senior Bowl performance.