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Montee Ball (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Buffaloes
- Start date
Gottabesweet
Footballguy
Ended up sending 1.3 for him. Hoping he's viable in PPR and down towards the goaline.
Skeletore Eh
Footballguy
Montee Ball - RB - Broncos
ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold expects the Broncos to be a "more efficient running team on the inside this season, especially in the scoring zone."
The optimism stems mostly from an improved offensive line. Left tackle Chris Clady is back from a Lisfranc tear, allowing powerful Orlando Franklin to move to left guard while Chris Clark and Winston Justice battle for the right tackle spot. New feature back Montee Ball is also a far better inside runner than departed Knowshon Moreno, and he'll be running against a league-high percentage of nickel and dime looks. Ball's upside is through the roof, especially in the touchdown category.
Source: ESPN.com
Jun 19 - 11:01 AM
ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold expects the Broncos to be a "more efficient running team on the inside this season, especially in the scoring zone."
The optimism stems mostly from an improved offensive line. Left tackle Chris Clady is back from a Lisfranc tear, allowing powerful Orlando Franklin to move to left guard while Chris Clark and Winston Justice battle for the right tackle spot. New feature back Montee Ball is also a far better inside runner than departed Knowshon Moreno, and he'll be running against a league-high percentage of nickel and dime looks. Ball's upside is through the roof, especially in the touchdown category.
Source: ESPN.com
Jun 19 - 11:01 AM
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
I believe that is Ryan Clady.
Clady and Franklin side by side is going to be devastating on the run. Franklin is an OT sized road grader whose feet aren't quick enough to protect the edge. OG is a perfect spot for him, and the size and strength on that side of the line with those two should provide considerable push.
Skeletore Eh
Footballguy
Montee Ball - RB - Broncos
ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold says the part of Montee Ball's game that showed the most improvement in recent weeks was as a receiver.
Upon tape review of Ball's rookie season, we actually thought he handled himself well as a pass-catcher. The Broncos did not change their running back route tree at all when Ball checked in, allowing him to run the simple flares and check-downs in addition to lining up wide and executing some gos and slants. He even caught a shovel pass. During offseason practices over the last month, Ball has "consistently shown he's ready to participate in long-yardage situations as a receiver" and has "shown better footwork" in pass pro. A projection of 45-50 catches in addition to a starring role in the run game is realistic.
Source: ESPN.com
Jun 19 - 11:24 AM
ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold says the part of Montee Ball's game that showed the most improvement in recent weeks was as a receiver.
Upon tape review of Ball's rookie season, we actually thought he handled himself well as a pass-catcher. The Broncos did not change their running back route tree at all when Ball checked in, allowing him to run the simple flares and check-downs in addition to lining up wide and executing some gos and slants. He even caught a shovel pass. During offseason practices over the last month, Ball has "consistently shown he's ready to participate in long-yardage situations as a receiver" and has "shown better footwork" in pass pro. A projection of 45-50 catches in addition to a starring role in the run game is realistic.
Source: ESPN.com
Jun 19 - 11:24 AM
ConnSKINS26
Footballguy
Top-5 this year. Moved a bunch of future picks for him to complete my lineup in a league where I was weak at RB and I'm pumped.
Greggity
Footballguy
cloppbeast
Footballguy
Ball >> Sankey/Hyde
In standard leagues I give up the 1.1 for Ball.
Strange bump?
az_prof
Footballguy
I agree. Ball is almost as young, is proven in the NFL, has secured a starting gig on one of the best offenses, and was very durable in college and so far in the NFL. Why would anyone think Sankey or Hyde or equal? If WRs are heavily valued over RBs, you may prefer Watkins or Mike Evans, but certainly Ball is worth more than the 1.3 and as much as the 1.1 depending on league rules and personal preference.
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Skeletore Eh
Footballguy
Montee Ball - RB - Broncos
During the offseason, the Broncos saw "vast improvements" from Montee Ball in his work as both a receiver and pass blocker.
In a Peyton Manning offense, protecting the quarterback is priority one, two and three. Ball got Peyton blown up during the 2013 preseason, allowing Knowshon Moreno to step in and steal all the fantasy glory. But Ball quietly progressed as the year moved along, and the Broncos now clearly trust him in all areas of the passing game. "If you're looking for a player for whom the Broncos have cleared the way to shine most, it's Montee Ball," says beat man Jeff Legwold.
Source: ESPN.com
Jul 17 - 10:36 AM
During the offseason, the Broncos saw "vast improvements" from Montee Ball in his work as both a receiver and pass blocker.
In a Peyton Manning offense, protecting the quarterback is priority one, two and three. Ball got Peyton blown up during the 2013 preseason, allowing Knowshon Moreno to step in and steal all the fantasy glory. But Ball quietly progressed as the year moved along, and the Broncos now clearly trust him in all areas of the passing game. "If you're looking for a player for whom the Broncos have cleared the way to shine most, it's Montee Ball," says beat man Jeff Legwold.
Source: ESPN.com
Jul 17 - 10:36 AM
ISUDESTROYERS
Footballguy
need2know
Footballguy
I can't decide who to rate higher between ball and lacey in redraft. Denvers schedule is much tougher this year. That combined with with den having a stronger def makes me want to rate lacey higher. Not to mention lacey showed quite a bit last season. Ball is still worthy of a first round pick though
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
Shutout
Footballguy
Lacy should be the choice here. He's shown it to us already, he has Rodgers coming back (In almost any thought imaginable, you have to like the scenario when an already good player gets one of the best QBs in the league under center).
cloppbeast
Footballguy
You may as well split hairs choosing between these two. They both will presumably fill feature back roles on potent offenses with dominant quarterbacks.need2know said:
I go with Ball though, since I like him more as a player. He has nimbler feet than Lacy, and all the power to go with it. Plus, Denver will run more plays, and won't spell Ball as often. I remember reading somewhere the Packers plan to save Lacy a little.
unckeyherb
Footballguy
I actually read the opposite. They want to up the tempo so they want him in more. Not subbing him out. Lacy is expected to be on the field more.http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8382/eddie-lacy
Don't do this kind of thing.ISUDESTROYERS said:
J
PinkydaPimp
Footballguy
what other rbs other than ball and CJ are on the roster?
Buffaloes
Footballguy
Hillman and a few UDFAs. I was sure they would pick up a vet over the summer, but it doesn't look like it is happening. The FO seems set on Ball and Anderson backing him up.
Adam Harstad
Moderator
Unless you listen to Jeff Legwold, who is predicting that C.J. Anderson won't even make the final roster.
(For what it's worth, I would not recommend listening to Jeff Legwold.)
I'd love to hear his reasoning behind this seemingly perplexing assertion. The Broncos kept him on the roster last year, despite the knee injury he suffered at the end of camp. I think Waldman or Cecil recently commented that he was the best all around RB on the roster.
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
Do you have some kind of documentation of this? I'd prefer not to comment on what appears to be a pretty ridiculous statement if they actually did not say this.
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
I believe you. Either one of these guys is fully capable of a statement like this and are well documented for having made similar types of evaluations in the past. I'll opt out until I hear the quote and context.
Shutout
Footballguy
People are going to be SO disappointed in Ball this year. Not because he won't be a valuable FF rb but you guys that are looking at this like he's going to be a top 5 RB are nuts.
TO do that, you are going to have to push some seriously ff-friendly rb talent to the side and I don't see it. Lightning in a bottle SELDOM repeats itself in ff with interchangeable parts. Sure, Marshall Faulk was God for a while but the thing is...he was always Marshall Faulk. You don't plug-n-play superlative talent in at RB often.
I get the drawing of the conclusion. People say Ball is so much better than Moreno and look what Moreno did. But, you know, the people with that line of thinking are likely the same people that sat here this time last year and said Moreno might get cut and it's Ball team..and watch out for Hillman.
This assumption that he would be top 5 or so basically means he has to come out here and do everything Eddie Lacy did last year, but a noticeable amount better. I just don't see it in terms of volume. Denver is just not one of those teams that says we are going to put a saddle on our RB and let him march us in. Forget the idea of "they will get leads and will want to milk the clock...blah blah blah." EVERY TEAM says that and I can tell you that Denver is not a team to practice that. If it were Pittsburgh, sure! If it were even San Diego or Tennessee, ok. But nobody in the league, from fans, to coaches, to the league office thinks the best way to showcase (and win) Denver on theire umpteen prime time games is to roll out the final days of Peyton Manning and handing it off 35 times a game. Manning is like a star gone super nova. He's burning hottest and brightest at the end and everyone knows he is to be ridden all the way. If they wanted to run that much, they could have kept Tebow.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Agreed. I own Anderson in one league and Ball in none, so while I'd like it to be true it's just a ridiculous statement. Ball was a second round pick (and if the Broncos did not take him there some one would have or in round 3 the latest) and Anderson was an UDFA. The odds against Anderson being a better running back than Ball are very slim - and it's obvious the Broncos don't feel that way which is MUCH more important than what anyone here thinks anyway,
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
Ball is in an ideal situation for a RB. He's a substantially better runner than Moreno and he's in an offense that forces a D to pick their poison. They can play conventionally and defend the run and pass equally, or they can play more unconventionally and try to take away more passing options. Given what Manning has proven, especially last year, teams are likely to choose the latter. That usually means lighter personnel on the field and more conservative alignments, with deeper second levels, deeper drops, more players outside the box, and playing pass first.
That ought to create larger seams and deeper second and third levels for running the ball, as well as better blocking angles. Ball is fully capable of taking advantage of that, and more importantly Manning is acutely aware of it also and will take what the D gives up - he's aware that a fully competent inside running game forces the D back to more conventional play, which he in turn can exploit.
Ball also has shown that he has grown into a fully capable 3 down RB as his play progressed last season, and given the competition he is well ahead of the other RBs in terms of projected workload. He also has proven he can handle a heavy workload, something else Elway public noted when drafting him, beyond that he is a complete back and a strong running presence.
When you have a RB in those circumstances, he's the logical bell cow, and most importantly he is capable of optimizing the opportunity, he ought to be on people's minds as being a high performance guy at a valuable FF position. IMO he's going to have to prove he has regressed and can't handle the job in order to drop out of RB1 territory, and given all those conditions he very well could end up in the upper half of the FF RB1s by the end of the year.
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That ought to create larger seams and deeper second and third levels for running the ball, as well as better blocking angles. Ball is fully capable of taking advantage of that, and more importantly Manning is acutely aware of it also and will take what the D gives up - he's aware that a fully competent inside running game forces the D back to more conventional play, which he in turn can exploit.
Ball also has shown that he has grown into a fully capable 3 down RB as his play progressed last season, and given the competition he is well ahead of the other RBs in terms of projected workload. He also has proven he can handle a heavy workload, something else Elway public noted when drafting him, beyond that he is a complete back and a strong running presence.
When you have a RB in those circumstances, he's the logical bell cow, and most importantly he is capable of optimizing the opportunity, he ought to be on people's minds as being a high performance guy at a valuable FF position. IMO he's going to have to prove he has regressed and can't handle the job in order to drop out of RB1 territory, and given all those conditions he very well could end up in the upper half of the FF RB1s by the end of the year.
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Noah Davis
Footballguy
Disagree. They don't want to run it 35 times but when it came to the Seahawks and Chargers it was apparent they would have been better served being able to control the clock a little more. Not ground an pound 30+ rushes per game, but enough to slow the tempo. I don't think Ball will be a lock for top 5 but the upside is there, and the confidence grows if you expand to Top 10.
I did not agree with the irrational exuberance exhibited last year around Ball, but I did make a trade for him during the middle of the season last year in a 4 year contract salary cap league. He's my RB2 and I am quite happy with him there.
socrates
Footballguy
Perhaps this is what FGITLOTR is referring to. In October, Waldman made the following statement: "Based on what I saw from Anderson this summer, I think he has the best combination of physical dimensions, agility, burst and balance of the backs on the roster."
http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2013/10/26/remember-the-name-c-j-anderson/
unckeyherb
Footballguy
without getting into detailed analysis, I think Ball will be pretty close to what Moreno was last year with potentially more TD upside.
250 carries at 4.5= 1,125/10 TD's
50 receptions at 8.5 ypr= 425/2 TD's
277 FF points in PPR leagues puts him at RB6 last year behind Lynch & Moreno and in front of Murray, Peterson, Lacy.
250 carries at 4.5= 1,125/10 TD's
50 receptions at 8.5 ypr= 425/2 TD's
277 FF points in PPR leagues puts him at RB6 last year behind Lynch & Moreno and in front of Murray, Peterson, Lacy.
VaTerp
Footballguy
This seems really off base to me. You say people are going to be SO disappointed in Ball based on two people saying they think he's top 5. I think Ball certainly has top 5 potential this year and have him ranked around RB8 which looks close to his current ADP from what I've seen. Where do you project him finishing if healthy this year? Outside the top 10, 15? What constitutes SO disappointing?
You then sight Marshal Faulk as some sort of example of lightning in a bottle not repeating itself. Not sure where you were going with that but it's worth noting that when Faulk was replaced as Manning's RB both Edgerrin James and Joseph Addai produced top 5 seasons. Now James, and to a much lesser extent Addai, were both talented guys but neither was Marshall Faulk. Obviously playing in a Peyton Manning offense significantly enhanced their FF value and opportunities. Which is further evidenced by Moreno's top 5 finish last year. Hell, Dominic Rhodes put up a top 5 pace over a 10-11 game stretch with Manning back in 2001.
Ball, IMO, is a better talent than Moreno and Addai, and will now have tremendous opportunity as the lead back in a Manning offense that is coming off a historically productive season. Of course we shouldn't expect a repeat of their record breaking performance but there is every reason to expect this to be a high octane offense that could see even more production on the ground.
And you talk about Denver not being a team that will pound the ball 35 times a game as if that's a requirement for Ball to finish top 5 or close to it. Again Moreno was top 5 last year averaging 15 carries a game. There is good reason to believe that Ball will have a similar, if not higher, workload and that he will be more effective with the touches he gets. He may not duplicate Moreno's 60 catches but I think 45-50 receptions is well within reason.
There are questions on Ball just like there are with every RB, particularly outside of the top 4. But FF has shown that opportunity, particularly at the RB position, can be equally important as talent. Ball has good talent and a great opportunity to produce as a top 10 RB with a realistic shot at top 5.
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Adam Harstad
Moderator
As would I. Legwold is more journalist than analyst, so if he's sticking his neck out like that, my guess is that he's hearing some whispers somewhere. Without knowing where those whispers are emanating from, I am disinclined to give them much credence. I think Denver's front office knows that Legwold can be relied on to act as a mouthpiece when called upon (to some extent, it's the deal with the devil that almost all well-connected reporters make to get their access). Let's just say I wouldn't be completely shocked if Legwold's projection was Denver's way of sending a message to C.J. Anderson that he needs to work a bit harder.
az_prof
Footballguy
This is a very reasonable projection. And as I look at last year's top 10 and top 5 in my PPR league, I expect Moreno, Reggie Bush, and Lynch to decline. Moreno for obvious reasons. Bush I think is 29 now and I think Joique pushes him for PT. Lynch is 28, Christine Michael is having a good camp, so I expect Michael to get more attempts too--Lynch will still be the lead dog but it will be more of a RBBC. Another top guy, Demarco Murray, I really like, but he has been injury prone so I wouldn't be surprised to see him fall although short of injury I expect him to be right in the top 5 mix again.
Basically, when I look at this I see two guys, Lacy and Leveon Bell as the only other guys who could push up and replace the people I mention above and get into that top 5 area. Lacy has the talent but Leveon doesn't IMO. I wouldn't be surprised if Lacy does but I also wouldn't be surprised to see GB use him in more of a RBBC than Ball will experience in Denver.
If Ball doesn't get hurt, it is hard to see him not being at least top 8 and possibly as high as RB5. I would put Lacy in the same tier with the same expectations. And I would drop Moreno out of the top 30 and Bush out of the top 10 and Lynch down to the RB8.
CA_7
Footballguy
Sounds like you are comparing Lacy's talent to Ball's talent. That is fun and IMO hypothetical, it is like saying how great Barry Sanders would have been with Emmitt Smith's OL. So much with fantasy RBs these days is the system and opportunities. It all started with Priest Holmes almost a decade ago and continued with Moreno last year. Ball is a pretty good RB in a GREAT situation.Shutout said:
Buffaloes
Footballguy
not necessarily true. I have that line of thinking and I drafted Moreno in both my redrafts and didn't take Hillman or Ball. I also had Moreno in dynasty. It wasn't far-fetched to envision Moreno getting carries last year considering Fox's history with rookie RBs, rookie RBs' learning curve RE: Manning O and pass blocking, and Hillman's general ineffectiveness the year prior.Shutout said:
Here are a few positives I see going into the season:
- Ball is a much better runner than Moreno.
- The OL is improved over last year's unit.
- Elway has said just recently the team realizes Manning can't do it on his own.
- iirc, Denver ran the ball more than any other team inside the 5 last year.
- Ball's fumble issued seem to have disappeared once Studesville got him to fix the way he carried the ball midseason.
- Ball averaged nearly 6ypc over the last half of last year.
- The team used trusted him to pass block for Manning as the season progressed.
- There are a bunch of unproven UDFAs and a COP RB behind him. Elway compared Ball to Terrell Davis.
- The sheer volume of plays the Denver O runs will lead to a large amount of opps.
- The sheer efficiency of the o, specifically the passing game, will lead to a lot of soft boxes.
- Ball caught 20 of 27 targets last year.
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Skeletore Eh
Footballguy
Montee Ball - RB - Broncos
Montee Ball performed well through the first week of training camp.
Ball has reportedly "shown vision in the run game, decisiveness in his cuts and consistent, quality work in the passing game." ESPN's Broncos reporter says the second-year back is "poised for a big season" and suggests 250 carries. We also know he's going to get all the goal-line work in the game's most explosive offense and is a solid pass-catcher as well. Ball is currently ranked as fantasy's No. 8 running back in our online Draft Guide
Montee Ball performed well through the first week of training camp.
Ball has reportedly "shown vision in the run game, decisiveness in his cuts and consistent, quality work in the passing game." ESPN's Broncos reporter says the second-year back is "poised for a big season" and suggests 250 carries. We also know he's going to get all the goal-line work in the game's most explosive offense and is a solid pass-catcher as well. Ball is currently ranked as fantasy's No. 8 running back in our online Draft Guide
Grahamburn
Footballguy
Montee is the guy I want if I'm not taking a WR at the back end of the first round.
unckeyherb
Footballguy
Ball to have appendectomy...not sure the recovery time but according to the link, he should be good to go for week one. Not super excited that Anderson will have the whole pre-season to get comfy.
Montee Surgery
Montee Surgery
Mr Non Sequitur
Footballguy
I'm sure this mean little to the Ball situation but I played football in HS and college, each stop I had a player who had to go the the appendectomy route and for some reason both were close to the start of the season. While both players did manage to make it back, neither of them were as good as they were prior to the injury or surgery that same season. I would not want to overreact but I think Ball might take a few weeks into the season to get rolling...Week 1 is not until 2nd Sunday in Sept? He might be OK but I would slide him down a couple spots on my board.
these are professionals and they bounce back more these days but it is a cause for pause I think. Hillman has had a great camp but he is Ronnie Hillman.
these are professionals and they bounce back more these days but it is a cause for pause I think. Hillman has had a great camp but he is Ronnie Hillman.
Mr Non Sequitur
Footballguy
Resume normal activities about 4-6 weeks everywhere I am reading. he has enough time, my question is can he go 100% week 1 or are we likely to see more of a split early on?
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
nice, might make him slide now
Faust
MVP
Montee Ball to have appendectomy, targeting Week 1 Broncos return:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24648149/montee-ball-to-have-appendectomy-should-be-back-for-broncos-in-week-1
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24648149/montee-ball-to-have-appendectomy-should-be-back-for-broncos-in-week-1
streamkeeper
Footballguy
Honestly, drops him 4 or 5 slots for me.
unckeyherb
Footballguy
Really? Why? Are you expecting a slow return? Non-game shape? Larger role for Anderson/Hillman?
Based on what I'm reading he should be back to see some action in the final preseason game.
Based on what I'm reading he should be back to see some action in the final preseason game.
