Training Camp Breakdown – Runningback

Part 3 of my training camp breakdown involves the runningback position, where the Broncos have historically been great. But great isn’t good enough in Denver, and the tandem of Tatum Bell and Mike Bell left a sour taste in most fans’ mouths last year. Signing the biggest free agent contract ever for a Broncos runningback, in came Travis Henry, who has a virtual lock on the first spot.

But the second spot, once thought to be easily filled by sophomore runningback Mike Bell, has been stirring a little news lately. Cecil Sapp, our backup fullback over the past few seasons, has been stealing some snaps from our undrafted, Terrell Davis‘ number-stealing runningback. It’s a regular camp battle for the #2 spot at RB, and I’m here to break it down for you (including the other no-names that could steal some spotlight as well).

Backup Runningback

Mike Bell

Bell exploded on the scene just about this time last year – he did very well during training camp practices, and all of Denver was talking about this new emergence of youth at the runningback position when Mike Shanahan surprised everyone, announcing Bell would compete with… Bell, for starting snaps. Some were asking if he’d be the next Mike Anderson or Reuben Droughns – but we now know that he didn’t break out to the point of the afforementioned once he got his opportunity. Bell did admirably for the Broncos last year – he just didn’t excel, and he left something to be yearned for Broncos fans and staff alike.

At 6-0, 220 lbs., Bell should be faster than his current speed. He had trouble in pass protection and blitz pickup last year. While his first preseason game last year saw him dramatically fumble the ball, it actually wasn’t a sign of things to come, as many (including myself) suspected. He only fumbled once during his entire regular season… but Bell doesn’t have the speed to break away, and he leaves something to be desired in his blocks. The offseason work can help him with his blocks, but he’s not big enough to be considered a bruiser, and he’s not fast enough to be considered a speedy, big-play back. He’s somewhere awkwardly in the middle – great at the goal line with his insane leaps, but he’s not a bruising third down back either.

What he lacks on the field he makes up for, to some extent, in his desire. Growing up a Broncos fan (and a huge T.D. fan), Bell has been dreaming for running for the Broncos his entire life. It’s a feel-good story that everyone can root for. Now that his dream has come true, he has to step up his game if he hopes to stem the tide against the likes of the other RBs catching up.

Cecil Sapp

Another undrafted player, Cecil Sapp has been filling in the Broncos depth chart as the all-coveted “tweener” – part tailback, part fullback, Sapp is a bruiser who can run with power and make the big blocks, too.

At 5-11, 229, Sapp is bigger than Bell and runs with more power. The news broke during OTAs that Sapp was actually running with the second team – a move some thought might be more of a motivational move by Shanahan to push Bell. While this theory makes sense, I’m beginning to believe that Sapp has a real shot at #2.

Of course, injuries are a concern – it was only in Week 13 last year that he suffered his broken left fibula. But he’s lost weight since then (around 12-15 lbs.), and he’s been informed that he will be expected to do more work at tailback.

I haven’t gotten this many reps since my rookie year. I’m just trying to take advantage of it, and that’s what I’m doing right now.

If he can stay healthy, he could provide invaluable depth at both tailback and fullback, and he will undoubtedly continue to leave his mark on Special Teams. I’m rooting for him to push Bell and possibly supplant him at #2.

Selvin Young

At 5-11, 207 lbs., Selvin Young comes to the team as an undrafted rookie who only needs to “want it” to burst onto the scene. I already wrote a report on Young back in May, and I stand by what I said then – the kid just didn’t want it bad enough in college. He has all the physical skills you could hope for in a runningback, particularly in Denver’s sytem – he knows how to hit a hole and drive to daylight.

Honestly, the prospect of Young excited me probably more than any of the other backups on the roster, but I don’t want someone on the team who doesn’t want to work his ass off for the job. He had plenty of opportunities to be “the man” at Texas, but due to injuries or whatever, he just couldn’t step up. Physically, he can make the blocks needed. He has the ability to outrun the competition to the endzone, and he can find the holes to put himself in that position to begin with. He caught 23 balls last year, showing that he has good hands – he’s not exceptional in any area, but he has the potential to be. He was even a bit of a Special Teams ace at Texas, and could push Quincy Morgan and Domenik Hixon for return reps.

The more I think about it, he’s the virtual opposite of Mike Bell – all the athletic tools we would want in a runningback, but none of the drive or passion of Bell. If healthy, I can see Young making the team and competing for third team reps at runningback and making a solid contribution to Special Teams. If someone can light a Mike Bell-esque fire under his ass, he could even shock Denver and show up at #2.

Andre Hall

A big time performer at a small-time school, Andre Hall walked away with all sorts of records and honors when he left South Florida. In his first season as a Bull, he set the school rushing record with 1,357 rushing yards. He went on to get more accolades and honors, but I’m not thrilled at the prospect of this young runningback.

He never showed the speed or elusiveness to make it to the next level, and he moved from Tampa Bay’s practice squad to Chicago’s in 2006 before joining the Broncos in November of last year. His hope to make the team would be in Special Teams, but if the Bears didn’t see something in Hall in their elite unit I can’t see how he would impress the Broncos Special Teams staff – if we want to improve our Special Teams another team’s leftovers shouldn’t be good enough for us. I expect Hall to be waived come training camp, and I’d be floored if he made the 53-man roster in lieu of Selvin Young.

Predicted Depth Chart

Halfback

1. Travis Henry
2. Mike Bell
3. Selvin Young

Fullback

1. Kyle Johnson
2. Cecil Sapp
3. Paul Smith

I could see situations where Cecil Sapp, Mike Bell and Selvin Young flip around in every position, 2-4, of our runningback depth. I could make a case for Sapp or Young being the premier backup, and I could make a case for Young to fail to make the team at all due to his lack of drive. At fullback, it’s much more straightforward, with one of my personal favorite players Kyle Johnson leading the way (hopefully returning to 2005, big-play form). Cecil Sapp is a lock at #2, and recent acquisition Paul Smith is a mammoth among Special Teams and will have a big impact there this season. Sorry, Thump Belton fans, I don’t see this movement being a “success.”

All this aside, Henry is our man and Broncos fans are counting on him having a huge year in the orange and blue. Anything short of 1,500 yards would have to be considered a bit of a disappointment for the level of hype he has received this year.

[tags]Denver Broncos, Broncos, Travis Henry, Mike Bell, Selvin Young, Cecil Sapp, Training Camp, NFL[/tags]