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Published on 03/24/2009 at Tue Mar 24 09:16.
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All Bronco RBs are being “shopped”

Posted Tue Mar 24th by

Selvin Young at Houston

Selvin Young

The Denver Post reports that all of the Bronco running backs are on the trading block. Yes, this includes Peyton Hillis. The Post writes:

Two NFL executives say the Broncos have been asking teams if they are interested in acquiring one of their running backs. It makes sense after the Broncos signed three free-agent tailbacks: Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and LaMont Jordan.

The Broncos’ holdover running backs who can be had for trade: Selvin Young, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis.

Personally, I have been pretty trusting in Josh McDaniels, but I swear I’ll lose it if Peyton Hillis is not a Bronco this season. However, barring a strong offer I don’t see Hillis or Torain leaving because of their low round costs, both 2nd year players will get paid $385,000 this season if kept on the team. Selvin Young is most likely the odd man out.

  • Riverscanbl&wme

    I really don’t understand these running back moves. Arrington is only good as a returner but you can find that in the later rounds of the draft. I like Buckhalter but his injury problems are a concern. I really don’t care for the Lamont Jordan signing and was looking for the team to go after defensive guys particularly the front seven. Hillis is down and dirty good old boy who showed his ability last year catching and running for tough yards (i.e. see game vs. Falcons, 4 and 1). McDaniels might be a great teacher, motivator, and play caller but his personell decisions including alienating our franchise quarterback has been sub par to say the least. I know Shanahan had the Dale Carters and Claretts of the world but he never created this much trouble before his team even played a game.

  • kerry

    you will lose it if Hillis isnt a Bronco but could care less if Cutler isnt? um ok sure. since when did Hillis suddenly become more valuable?

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Just a personal bias kerri, I like Hillis as a player and a person. I believe he’ll be a great offensive weapon next year.

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    i’m off to registes keeppeytonsackjosh.com

  • Katch22

    Den running backs 2009
    1)Buckhalter
    2)Torain
    3)Arrington
    FB)Hillis

    Cut)Jordan, Young, & Hall

    Watch we draft a running back 12th overall! Wouldn’t surprise me now days.

  • Katch22

    I’m with you Big E, I like the fact that Payton knows it a privilage to play in the NFL and is greatful for it. That’s what makes a good football team and not a bunch of bitchy millionares. Plus Hillis is a beast! He better not go anywhere but starting FB at least.

  • stav

    Katch22 – What has Buckhalter ever done to merit being our #1 RB?

    I don’t get this. The only one who you could really see going would be Young and Jordan. Hillis should be given every opportunity to win the #1 spot, as I’m sure we all agree Hillis is the hardest runner in this group, even if it based on a limited sampling. Who knows what Torrain is but in this offense the receiving skills of Hillis and Buckhalter will standout over everyone else.

  • Richard

    I think it would be a big mistake, but trading Hillis for something better than a 7th makes some kind of sense, especially before you get to know him. But keeping Jordan makes none. He’s just a boat anchor. Getting a late round choice for Young or Hall would be bonus territory. Neither of them are NFL caliber guys. Too many injuries.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    You’re delusional if you thinkg Hillis is anything other than a FB next year. He did pretty good in emergency start duty, but that doesn’t warrant untouchable status.

    Hopefully Selvin goes…along w/ the weeping Lamont Jordan.

  • Plato

    HercRock – Actually I believe hillis will be alot more than a FB. I agree with mr. east that hill will be a huge offensive weapon. new england used kevin faulk as screen pass threat all the time. hillis is better than kevin faulk so this could be a great weapon next year.

  • TD30isMVP

    All I know is his offense worked and worked well, we have had fan favorites get traded before and we will again. I want to see the team in a few games before I cry that the sky is falling. Bottom line, we stunk up the joint last year and I am ready for somebody else’s vision of the Broncos to take the field. Yes, I know the offense was ranked 2nd, but not in scoring. The play calling has been suspect for a few years and frustrating to watch in the red zone, let’s just get on with it.

  • JRODZ

    I think we all agree that Hillis proved to be a great “Fill-in” last year, but his true talents are at FB, not tailback. He will be an absolute weapon in the new offense. Will the new guys prove to be better at tailback? Hopefully, but I’m guessing this is more about the continuation of testing the trade waters and posturing that McD’s in charge. He’s made clear that everyone is trade bait. I think keeping the trade doors open up until draft day is what any good, aggressive team needs to do in the current market. Do I think he’ll move anyone? Who knows? Hillis is a big carrot to be dangling. Of the group, I hope he stays, but maybe somebody gets crazy and offers a bigger carrot to us. We won’t know until it’s out there!

  • CJ

    I do agree with this we do need to get rid of some of these backs. But Peyton Hilis would be an excellent advanced fullback that could very well expand our offensive scheme with him and a talented tailback in the back field. I think Selvin Young is the odd guy out like said he had his opportunity and blew it. And JJ arrington shouldnt be on this list because we just signed the guy and now we want to trade him?? Thats not right plus he can add more explosiveness to the kick return game without risking Eddie Royals chances of possibly getting injured which would be a tragedy.

  • Fleschman

    Hey Mr. East, what has Peyton Hillis done. He hasn’t led this team to the playoffs either. Was it the 343 rushing yards he had last year that you love?

  • steve

    heres my take on the depth chart this next season, or what it should be.
    starter: buckhalter (is good)
    backup: torain (has potential)
    fb starter/short yardage: hillis (big, strong, a beast)
    3rd down: arrington (fast as sh*t)

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    Plato –
    Sure, Hillis could be an offensive threat from of the fullback position (swing passes, screens, an occasional misdirection handoff). I’m talking about the guy starting at tailback and getting 20 carries a game. It’s not going to happen.

  • http://portal.adams.edu ryan mcbroncofan

    i’m pretty sure hillis is listed as a FB. i’m pretty sure he’s the only one relevant in that position on the roster.
    peyton leaving would make no sense but neither does tony scheffler…
    both would flourish in patriots-style offense.
    and correl buckhalter as the starter? lets be realistic…

  • Katch22

    STAV-

    Young and Jordan??? Are you for real? Jordans a bum and Young can’t stay healthy even when he was in school.

  • BroncoTrevizo

    Young & Jordan That for real?

  • http://bungie.net BroncoLover4Life

    Trading some RB’s for some much needed D sounds like a good plan to me.

    I doubt Hillis is going anywhere. I don’t see a team offering much for him and we already know what a asset he really is.

    I wouldn’t miss Torain whatsoever. I doubt he’ll ever make it in the NFL. He’s been injury prone since college and I don’t see it getting any better.

    Even with all the drama going on i’m very excited for this season. I can’t see us being any worse than last year.

    P.S. PR moves by NE slime balls don’t impress me nor do they somehow make me believe the situation is magically fixed.

  • broncoNM

    If i was in charge of the backs it would go like this:
    Buckhalter (60% of carries)
    Hillis (40% of carries)
    Arrington (3rd downs)
    Jordan/Torain (depth)
    Hall/Young (cut)

    I actually think Hillis could make an impact in this league at RB. He is talented.

    Also, Looks like McD is taking baby steps to get Cutler back…I wouldnt look into it too much but atleast its not a Simms #2 jersey.

    http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2009/03/24/mcdaniels-jays-our-quarterback-photo-proof/

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Fleschman,

    Are you implying I cannot like a promising young rookie? Or did you not read that I said I liked him as a player and a person? Did you expect Jay Cutler to take the Broncos to the playoffs as a rookie (even though he just had to beat the 49ers)?

    I like Peyton Hillis for far more reasons than his 343 yards. I think he shows a lot of promise and every interview he’s had he has came off as a genuine person.

    BroncoLover4Life,

    I agreed with everything you said until you called McDaniels a slime ball.

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    I’ll tell you what Hillis has done.

    In 16 games last year, the only game where our run offense actually scared anyone enough to change the defense was the one where Hillis pounded the rock. When he was the truck it looked like our offense would finally be balanced.

    None of our other starting backs was capable of doing that.

    That’s what Hillis did, that’s why he deserves to stay on. He’s a good fullback and I think he can have a long, productive career doing that and as a change of pace/goal line ball carrier. Run a lot more 2 halfback positions, call him a fullback if you like, and not let the defense know which way the ball might go.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Well put Earl.

  • Fleschman

    Well Mr. East, it’s a good thing Cutler isn’t a good player or good person because that would make you a hypocrite. And no i didn’t expect Hillis to lead the Broncos to the playoffs as a rookie(even though he just had to beat the Bills).

  • MisterMister

    You all are sleeping on JJ Arrington. When he’s your starter putting up 100 yards/week everyone will remember why the Cardinals are the Cardinals and quit blaming him for the NCAA-quality O-line his first two years.

  • Roy

    I like Hillis as much as the next guy, except maybe you East… I think you have a bit of a man-crush ;) Really though, I would love to give him a shot. He could really turn into Bronco Alstott. If we were offered a 1st rd pick for him though….Moreno would look good in Orange…

  • NathanH

    Lol, why would someone offer a first for Hillis, Roy? I’d expect a 4th at best but likely a 5th. Which is probably why we won’t trade him. None of them will get traded for anything more then a 5th imo really.

  • Roy

    I am not saying that anyone would offer a first for Hillis. That is about the only way I see him leaving, though. There is no other FB I would rather have.

    He is our highest rated, imo, rb we have. The only wildcard is Torain. He has to stay healthy to prove he can tote thet rock though.

  • Brian

    Not to get off the beaten track however, is it me or did our kicker really suck last year especially from 30-45 yards out! Our defense was embarrassing so why aren’t we addressing what needs to be fixed. If your car has transmission problems you don’t change the spark plugs and say its all better! Leave Hillis alone and lets right this ship cause all I see is some very questionable moves by out front office and coaching staff.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Fleschman,

    Hillis didn’t play that game, he was injured. I never said that I didn’t think Cutler was a good person by the way, I obviously just like Hillis more. Sorry for my opinions.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Brian,

    By trading one of the running backs for draft picks Denver can then require defensive players in the draft, fixing what needs to be fixed.

  • Broncoholic

    I don’t think Hillis is going to get traded. McD loves versitile players and that’s exactly what Hillis is. He can block, he can run, and he has excellent hands. He will be our starting FB but I think he will line up all over the place seeing time as FB, HB, slot back, and even TE. Here’s a great article about the possibility of using Hillis as our H back in a formation known as the Magic 3: http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/2/19/761326/the-h-back-using-the-magic

  • Tom9798

    Mr. East . . . your comment in the thread . . “Personally, I have been pretty trusting in Josh McDaniels, but I swear I’ll lose it if Peyton Hillis is not a Bronco this season. However, barring a strong offer I don’t see Hillis or Torain leaving because of their low round costs, both 2nd year players will get paid $385,000 this season if kept on the team. Selvin Young is most likely the odd man out. . . .

    You are right on . . . all the other RB’s are fighting for a job . . . I was so impressed with Hillis and Torain that I was shocked that we signed this many RB’s with our glaring defensive needs . . . .

    Please try not to close the thread you’re opening! . . . . T

  • Tom9798

    I’m going to throw a curve ball here . . . . stay with me until I’m done . . . I want nothing more than Cutler to stay with the Bronco’s . . . but let’s hypothetically say that it is not going to happen . . . .

    Rationale: . . . Jay asked to be traded . . . it has been a hundred years since Jay has responded . . . . he is not working out with his team-mates in off-season . . . he is not learning the new offensive system . . . he does not answer Pat Bowlen’s phone calls . . .

    Now if you did not answer your boss’s phone calls . . . maybe your boss would call you an “unhappy camper.” . . . . or maybe he’d trade you . . .

    McD has put on the three-ring-circus for the media with the jersey and all but he is not feeling the love . . . no kidding . . .

    You want this settled before the draft. Period. if you’re going to trade Jay . . . there is only one team to trade him to . . . and you don’t need his permission . . . that is Detroit. .

    Rationale: . . . Detroit has the 1st, and 20th in the first round . . . and the 1st (33) in the second round . . .

    The Bronco’s trade Cutler, Scheffler, and Stokley to the Lions for the 1st, 20th and 33rd . . . now the Lion’s offense has just improved 200%. . . Bus Cook is thrilled and he will convince Jay that he is thrilled also . . . they will turn around an 0-16 team to a contender . . . Miami did it last year . . . an abstract plus is that Jay is in the NFC . . .

    That gives the Bronco’s the 1st, 12th, 20th, and 33rd draft picks . . . I’ll bet you’re starting to salivate now . . . but it get’s better . . .

    You offer the Ram’s Ryan Harris at tackle and the 12th and 20th draft pick, two first rounders, for their number 2 draft pick . . . .

    Now the Bronco’s have the 1st, 2nd, and 33rd pick . . .

    To answer the obvious . . . I’d give the ball to Chris Simms . . . I know he’s not Cutler . . . but he’s with his teammates in offseason . . . he’s learning the new offense . . . he wants to be the first father and son to win a superbowl . . . need any more motivation? . . . he could be the plug-and-play QB that McD wants and he is already there . . . with a ton of offensive weapons . . .

    Who would you pick? . . . . Ragi? . . Orakpo? . . . Jackson? . . . Curry? . . . you really could build our defense for the future . . .

    Obviously the Bronco’s could throw the whole draft into another realm of reality . . . .

    What do you think? . . . I’ll paste this onto the other blogs to get some reaction . . . no hippy lettuce or left-handed smokes here . . . just Fat Tire and Hornitos . . . T