State of the Roster – Running Back

With the long offseason ahead, BroncoTalk begins its look forward to the 2008 season by looking at the current state of the Broncos roster, position by position. We’ll take a look at the players signed through 2008, and give you our opinion on the need this position represents for the Broncos this offseason. Today we’re looking at running back. Enjoy.

2006’s running attack left a bad taste in most fans’ mouths. RB Tatum Bell struggled near the end of the year, and the offensive line did not play to the level most fans were used to. Traded away were RT George Foster and Bell, and many fans (including myself) believed the offensive line would play better with LT Matt Lepsis returning healthy and OT Erik Pears moving over to right tackle. With the high-profile signing of Travis Henry added to the mix, most believed the running game would return to its dominant ways.

Well, we were wrong. Injuries to both the offensive line and the running back positions were heavily to blame. For only the second time in Mike Shanahan‘s tenure as head coach, no running back rushed for over 1,000 yards. That being said, the Broncos still finished 9th in the NFL in rushing with over 120 yards per game. It’s a shame the rushing touchdowns didn’t match that number – just 10 for the year, good for 20th in the league, and the real indicator of how our once-dominant rushing offense has stumbled in the past two seasons.

Travis Henry

Contract Status: Signed through 2011.

I still believe Travis Henry has the potential to gain over 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns as a Bronco next year. He started out the year as the league’s leading rusher and showed no signs of slowing before his various injuries sidelined him. The real question with Henry now is financial. His issues with marijuana were a huge distraction this season – with a $6 million bonus due him in a few months, there is no way he stays on the team without agreeing to restructure his deal. Tuesday morning he announced his full intentions to stay on the team, saying he’s “so hungry” and “owes” the Broncos organization and fans. We’ll see if this equates to a contract restructure.

In 2007: Started strong, but a pending suspension and a horde of injuries slowed him down. He ran for over 400 yards in the first 4 weeks of the season; he would rush for less than 300 more in the final 12. He was suspended for a year by the NFL but won his appeal.

In 2008: Henry told reporters that he was planning on adjusting his training regimen in preparation for the upcoming season. Hopefully this can help him stay healthy, but none of it will matter to the Broncos if he doesn’t restructure his deal. By order of Lord Goodell, Henry also never rotated out of the NFL’s substance abuse system – one slip and he’s suspended for a year.

Selvin Young

Contract Status: Signed through at least 2008.

Mike Shanahan said that he doesn’t believe Selvin Young is an every down back for the NFL. It seems like he was right – after starting a few games in Henry’s absence, Young went down with his own injuries. He even underwent minor knee surgery after the season was under wraps. He’s a big play threat whenever he touches the ball, but with durability issues he’s best suited as an explosive #2 behind an every-down back like Henry.

In 2007: A lot of fans saw a little bit of young Terrell Davis in Young’s first game action. While Henry was leading the league in rushing, Young was coming in for under 10 plays per game while averaging a whopping 10 yards per run or more. Once he became the feature back after Henry went down, his production tailed off. He finished the year with 729 yards, a healthy 5.2 average.

In 2008: He should be good to go following his minor knee surgery. If the position on the roster remains status quo, he’ll remain the #2 and hopefully do any little things he can to stay healthier next year.

Andre Hall

Contract Status: Signed through at least 2008.

Andre Hall played mostly special teams in 2007 but had a huge game against Tennessee. He started the next week against Chicago and played well. This is “Jonathan’s guy,” someone J.D. hopes will see more time on the field next year.

In 2007: Returned kickoffs during the last 9 games of the year. He also had explosive games in the third quarter of the season vs. Tennessee and at Chicago.

In 2008: Will fight for a roster spot. Coach Shanahan indicated the Broncos will be looking for a returner this offseason – he’ll need to show his value as both a runner and returner to merit a spot next season. I think he will.

Mike Bell

Contract Status: Signed through 2008.

Mike Bell went from potential starter in 2008 after Tatum was released to frequently finding himself on the game day inactive list. The coaches tried to switch him to fullback with little success; rumors are rampant that the Broncos will try to deal Bell and will ultimately release him either way.

In 2007: In both rushing attempts and receptions, Bell tallied a total of 10 yards of the Broncos offense while appearing in only 5 games.

In 2008: I’d be shocked if he’s still on the roster next year. He’ll be dealt if possible but will be cut if not.

Cecil Sapp

Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent 2008.

The current trend in the NFL is the two tight end set, which many “experts” claim responsible for the sudden decline in the importance of the fullback on a team’s roster. That is definitely the case with the Broncos – just looking at Daniel Graham‘s hefty $30 million contract is all you need to do to know where the coaches’ priorities lie on this roster. Sapp was competing for time at tailback during training camp but ultimately found himself as the starting FB in replacing Kyle Johnson.

In 2007: I actually became more impressed with Sapp as the season wound to its final few weeks. That being said, he still left something to be desired. Against San Diego on Christmas Eve I still remember Sapp getting several chances to pound the football into the end zone – he failed on all those attempts.

In 2008: He may want to test the market as his former teammate Kyle Johnson did a year ago. I wouldn’t mind letting him go and finding an upgrade at the position.

Paul Smith

Contract Status: Signed through 2009.

The Broncos signed free agent fullback Paul Smith this previous offseason with the sole goal of fortifying their special teams. Despite being sidelined with a few injuries, Smith did his part on the special teams squad, playing in 14 games.

In 2007: Special teams ace

In 2008: I think he’ll still be a Bronco next year, once again seeing most of his action on special teams.

The Draft
For years the Broncos have always drafted a running back in the later rounds, finding gems like Mike Anderson and, of course, Terrell Davis. In the past two seasons they’ve neglected to select a RB in lieu of signing undrafted free agents – while these players had brief impacts on the team, it’s apparent that this approach will not yield a long term solution for the club. The Broncos may rest on their current squad of guys, but if Henry were to be traded or released I could see the team spending a mid-round pick on a RB in the draft. Either way (in the later rounds or through another undrafted free agent), several young guys will be brought in to compete for Mike Bell’s former roster spot.

All that being said, I do not believe the future running back for the Broncos in 2009-10 is currently on the roster. Drafting a running back to groom in the system while Henry and company play the RB-by-committee approach could definitely pay us dividends in the years to come.

The Bottom Line

Signed through 2008: 5
Offseason Priority: Depending on the status of Travis Henry and Mike Bell, this could become very high. Right now I would designate it as Mid.