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Published on 11/10/2008 at Mon Nov 10 16:14.
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Broncos Add RB Alex Haynes

Posted Mon Nov 10th by

Alex Haynes (Getty Images)
Alex Haynes runs as a Panther in December 2007. (Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos, decimated by injuries at the running back position, have signed RB Alex Haynes, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced on Monday. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Confirming rumors last week, the squad also placed rookie running back Ryan Torain on Injured Reserve, making room for Haynes on the roster.

Haynes (5-10, 230 lbs.) joins the Broncos in his fourth year in the NFL. He was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Central Florida (Brandon Marshall‘s school) who originally joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2005. The Carolina Panthers had him on their active roster from 2005-2007, and Haynes returned to the Ravens this offseason before being released just before the start of the season.

Haynes saw time in a career-high 10 games last season, rushing for three yards on three carries and catching three passes for 14 yards.

Little experience, but it’s not like the market is teeming with talent at this point in the season. Hopefully the combination of P.J. Pope, Haynes and Peyton Hillis can get the job done. Frankly, I have the most confidence in the fullback.

Thanks to T-Money for the tip. Broncos press release after the jump.

BRONCOS SIGN FREE-AGENT RB ALEX HAYNES;
PLACE RB RYAN TORAIN ON INJURED RESERVE

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Monday signed free-agent running back Alex Haynes, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

The club also on Monday placed rookie running back Ryan Torain on its reserve/injured list with a left knee injury suffered in Denver’s win at Cleveland on Thursday.

Haynes (5-foot-10, 230 pounds) is a second-year player who joins Denver from Baltimore, which waived him on Aug. 30. Haynes, who entered the NFL with the Ravens in 2005 as a college free agent from the University of Central Florida, has seen time on the rosters of Baltimore (2005, ’08) and Carolina (2005-07) during his NFL career.

He appeared in all nine career games played with the Panthers last season, rushing three times for three yards while catching three passes for 14 yards and posting three tackles on special teams.

Haynes spent the 2006 season on Carolina’s practice squad after competing in NFL Europe, where he rushed 37 times for 238 yards (6.4 avg.) with three touchdowns for Cologne. As a rookie in 2005, the running back saw time on the practice squads of the Ravens and Panthers.

Haynes finished his collegiate career at Central Florida as its all-time leading rusher, posting 3,356 yards on 742 carries (4.5 avg.). His 27 career rushing scores ranked second in UCF history.

Born Feb. 13, 1982, Haynes attended Maynard Evans High School in Orlando, Fla.

Haynes will wear No. 38 for the Broncos.

  • Awesome, Austin

    Any body have a film clip of this guy running?

  • T-Money

    I don’t know what to think, but as long as he is healthy at this point i don’t really care. Most people are saying that Peyton Hillis will get the bulk of the carries and I would not be surprised to see him start. It any sort of tradition is in Denver, look for the new guy on second and short.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Clips aren’t as exciting as Cory Boyd, but I don’t think Boyd can survive in the NFL. He looks like he’d snap under pressure.

  • flbronc

    i agree with kyle’s assessment- i like the fullback. i’ve never heard of this kid, and i am a pretty big college football fan and live just a few miles from ucf….. take that for what it’s worth.

    any word on potential availability of young this weekend?

  • (stuck in) raiderland

    Dude, why are people so hesitant? He was undrafted! Isn’t that a virtual guarantee of sucess in our system?
    I predict at least seven 120-yard games out of the guy.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    None yet flbronc. The Broncos practiced Monday, have Tuesday off (veteran’s day), then will practice Wed and Thu. We’ll know more starting Wed.

    stuck – AT LEAST. Y’know, cause that’s how many games we have left. ;)

  • (stuck in) raiderland

    I didn’t think about that, Kyle. I hereby change my prediction: he will run for no fewer than nine 125-yard games this year, in a feat certainly never seen before in the NFL.

  • jcampb72

    He will back up spencer larsen at fullback leaving p.j. pope, young, and hillis to be our RBs.

  • Person

    Hillis will probably get the bulk of the carries unless Pope or Haynes have better success running the ball. In this system it’s so hard to tell what will happen, just look at players in the past.

  • dee

    I believe if denver beats atlanta they make it to the playoffs…. beating the falcons with their rushing attack and the WR’s they have (R White) would amazing. That being said … I think they need to have a game where they can force turnovers I dont think they can just outscore them without getting them to cough up the ball 2-3 times. Also not settling for FG’s at all … we have to score TD’s because with Turner the Falcons can control the clock if they get ahead … thats what they did against the Saints … the Saints could have won that game, however they had too many turnovers and thats something we can’t afford I’m not banking on San Deigo losing , if they do it’ll be a bonus and give us a 2 game lead .. .and pretty much the division.

  • http://www.search-this.com mark

    Why not Mike Anderson? I think he’s available…

  • T-Money

    he’s old and washed up

  • Matt

    I like hillis running the rock. He runs the ball hard and falls forward for extra yards. I like the idea of him getting the bulk of the carries. Not to mention i think he has earned the opportunity. He has done the most with his chances and does his job. Im willing to give this haynes guy a shot. Who knows? Him and hillis might make a good one-two punch. Im sure torain is bumming. He had a golden opportunity to make an impression. Some people threw out tatum bell. I actually dont think that was too outrageous. Why not?

  • Awesome, Austin

    I would think Anderson wouldn’t be a bad choice if he is still in football shape, even if he has lost a step he still would smack some guys.

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    I’m surprised the Broncos didn’t face this issue the same way they do with the defensive issue and go out and sign a receiver.

    Hillis will start and will carry the ball well – I’m not predicting 100 yards or anything but if we get 60 yards from him in 15 carries then we’ll win. Hey as long as we put up more of a running game against the Falcons than the Saints did we should be ok. But then again the crazy way this season has gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if he went for 200 yards.

    I’m wondering if I should take a punt on Hillis in my Fantasy league…..

  • MikeY55

    whats the injury report of young? if hes 85% or higher he will get the start

  • flbronc

    i agree mike… i think people are being premature in calling for hillis as the starter. lets see what the deal is with young. if he’s close to 100% lets give him the ball. when healthy he was getting like five yds per carry… that aint shabby. have hillis back him up in that case.

    if he cant go, then i am in total agreement- give him the start and give him the ball a few times early to see what he can generate.

    an all out passing attack is going to be tough on atlantas defense. they held the saints pretty good until it didnt matter anymore.

  • http://www.getyourtinton.com precisiontint

    Mike Anderson has been suspended by the NFL for the year. Drug policy violation.

  • kerry

    ugh. another undrafted bum signed by the Emperor Shanahan. too bad our genius coach cant draft a RB who ACTUALLY has talent AND Durability.