Denver RB hype? (1 Viewer)

[-Crippler-]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t=0&start=0

I dont mean to , but are we just re-living the Denver RB situation again? Tatum Bell was getting a LOT of love around here last year...eerily similar to Travis Henry lately.

What are the differences other than the bigger contract and maybe different running style? Convince me that I wont go through this again if I take him late-1st!

 

[AnonymousBob]

There are PLENTY of threads arguing why he will and why he won't be a great pick this year. Personally, I think the guy is going to have a monster season-all Denver rb's do. Shannahan does not like to use a RBBC if he has a competent and healthy rb. It comes down to if you believe Travis Henry will refrain from getting hurt or at least play through pain (his history shows he isn't injury prone and he plays went hurt) and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

 

[switz]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t=0&start=0

I dont mean to , but are we just re-living the Denver RB situation again? Tatum Bell was getting a LOT of love around here last year...eerily similar to Travis Henry lately.

What are the differences other than the bigger contract and maybe different running style? Convince me that I wont go through this again if I take him late-1st!

Henry's been a successful RB on multiple teams. And last year he was successful in a somewhat similar scheme.When is the last time Tatum Bell was successful in the NFL?

 

[Banger]

There are PLENTY of threads arguing why he will and why he won't be a great pick this year. Personally, I think the guy is going to have a monster season-all Denver rb's do. Shannahan does not like to use a RBBC if he has a competent and healthy rb. It comes down to if you believe Travis Henry will refrain from getting hurt or at least play through pain (his history shows he isn't injury prone and he plays went hurt) and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

This is the biggest issue to me. He's much better than either of those guys.

 

[AnonymousBob]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t=0&start=0

I dont mean to , but are we just re-living the Denver RB situation again? Tatum Bell was getting a LOT of love around here last year...eerily similar to Travis Henry lately.

What are the differences other than the bigger contract and maybe different running style? Convince me that I wont go through this again if I take him late-1st!

Henry's been a successful RB on multiple teams. And last year he was successful in a somewhat similar scheme.When is the last time Tatum Bell was successful in the NFL?

Define "successful". He had over 1,000 yards rushing last year.

 

[AnonymousBob]

There are PLENTY of threads arguing why he will and why he won't be a great pick this year. Personally, I think the guy is going to have a monster season-all Denver rb's do. Shannahan does not like to use a RBBC if he has a competent and healthy rb. It comes down to if you believe Travis Henry will refrain from getting hurt or at least play through pain (his history shows he isn't injury prone and he plays went hurt) and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

This is the biggest issue to me. He's much better than either of those guys.

Agreed. Which is part of the reason I see top 15 as his absolute floor.

 

[-Crippler-]

and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

But didn't everyone believe that Tatum Bell was better than Mike Bell last year? A LOT better? Just read most of the posts in that thread. By the time pre-season was over, Mike Bell had the job with almost no explaination. People seemed to be singing the same praises about Tatum last year, saying that all Denver RBs do great and that Shanahan wouldnt need RBBC because Tatum was so great...etc

 

[Phlash]

Travis Henry is the man, and has produced on every team he's been a part of. Shannahan realizes this and will give him the carries to produce. Many don't like him because he's not a flashy runner, but make no mistake about it, he has very good RB skills. I think he's going to be a beast this year.

 

[switz]

Define "successful". He had over 1,000 yards rushing last year.

Great scheme + average RB = mediocre results.1,000 yards is not a successful season in the DEN scheme - hence why TBell is not on the Broncos anymore.

 

[AnonymousBob]

and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

But didn't everyone believe that Tatum Bell was better than Mike Bell last year? A LOT better? Just read most of the posts in that thread. By the time pre-season was over, Mike Bell had the job with almost no explaination. People seemed to be singing the same praises about Tatum last year, saying that all Denver RBs do great and that Shanahan wouldnt need RBBC because Tatum was so great...etc

Some people felt that way. I'm sure some people believe Cobbs and/or Mike Bell have more talent than Henry.If you feel that way then grab the backup and hope he gets his chance. If you don't feel that way then grab Henry and laugh on your way to the playoffs.

 

[Banger]

and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

But didn't everyone believe that Tatum Bell was better than Mike Bell last year? A LOT better? Just read most of the posts in that thread. By the time pre-season was over, Mike Bell had the job with almost no explaination. People seemed to be singing the same praises about Tatum last year, saying that all Denver RBs do great and that Shanahan wouldnt need RBBC because Tatum was so great...etc

M. Bell is more of a run between the tackles, bruising type runner (compared to T. Bell) which suits Shanny's style more. Tatum had the breakaway ability but didn't stay healthy enough and couldn't gain the tough yards. The situations are night and day. There is no controversy, Henry is the man, no question about it. The only RB battle will be whether M. Bell can become the #2 back.

 

[-Crippler-]

Allrighty, I'm just not 100% sold yet on taking him in the 1st round.

I keep hearing "This year will be different. Travis Henry is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"

Then I look back 1 year and read: "This year will be different. Tatum Bell is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"

I guess thats how it goes though...it's not like anyone past pick #2 is a safe bet this year anyway

 

[az_prof]

and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

But didn't everyone believe that Tatum Bell was better than Mike Bell last year? A LOT better? Just read most of the posts in that thread. By the time pre-season was over, Mike Bell had the job with almost no explaination. People seemed to be singing the same praises about Tatum last year, saying that all Denver RBs do great and that Shanahan wouldnt need RBBC because Tatum was so great...etc

This point was already made but it is important: Bell had never been a featured back for a full season whereas Henry has done it several times, very effectively, for two different teams. Now he is in an offense that is clearly a better running offense than either Buffalo or Tennessee. Why wouldn't he do well? That's the difference as I see it. It's also the reason why I am skeptical about Bell in Detroit this year--he has never proven himself to be a featured back.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Allrighty, I'm just not 100% sold yet on taking him in the 1st round.

I keep hearing "This year will be different. Travis Henry is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"

Then I look back 1 year and read: "This year will be different. Tatum Bell is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"

I guess thats how it goes though...it's not like anyone past pick #2 is a safe bet this year anyway

Then don't draft him. It's fairly simple. We all have players we think are going to be studs while someone else may look at our list and think we're insane. Do a search for some Travis Henry/Bronco rb threads. There are quite a few of them and there are some compelling arguments in his favor.Check out the thread just a few spots below this one: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=330247

 

[-Crippler-]

Allrighty, I'm just not 100% sold yet on taking him in the 1st round.I keep hearing "This year will be different. Travis Henry is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"Then I look back 1 year and read: "This year will be different. Tatum Bell is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"I guess thats how it goes though...it's not like anyone past pick #2 is a safe bet this year anyway

Then don't draft him. It's fairly simple. We all have players we think are going to be studs while someone else may look at our list and think we're insane. Do a search for some Travis Henry/Bronco rb threads. There are quite a few of them and there are some compelling arguments in his favor.

Will do, but just for future reference, "Then dont draft him" is about as helpful as "because I said so" . Thanks for taking the time to respond though

 

[ILUVBEER99]

I've never been a big fan of Henry, but he is the kind of RB who can handle 300+ carries, whereas Bell can't.

300+ carries in the Denver system = Stud RB.

Henry is in the huge tier after the top 3 and if someone drafted him #4 it's as good a pick as any at that slot.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

One of the main questions is when will the scheme not be successful or the personel can is no longer talented enough to dominate?

 

[Jayrod]

Allrighty, I'm just not 100% sold yet on taking him in the 1st round.I keep hearing "This year will be different. Travis Henry is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"Then I look back 1 year and read: "This year will be different. Tatum Bell is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"I guess thats how it goes though...it's not like anyone past pick #2 is a safe bet this year anyway

Then don't draft him. It's fairly simple. We all have players we think are going to be studs while someone else may look at our list and think we're insane. Do a search for some Travis Henry/Bronco rb threads. There are quite a few of them and there are some compelling arguments in his favor.

Will do, but just for future reference, "Then dont draft him" is about as helpful as "because I said so" . Thanks for taking the time to respond though

If you don't know the difference between Tatum Bell last year and Travis Henry this year than you might want to think about taking up a different hobby because fantasy football might not be for you.HTH

 

[Colin Dowling]

I've never been a big fan of Henry, but he is the kind of RB who can handle 300+ carries, whereas Bell can't.300+ carries in the Denver system = Stud RB.Henry is in the huge tier after the top 3 and if someone drafted him #4 it's as good a pick as any at that slot.

 

[-Crippler-]

Allrighty, I'm just not 100% sold yet on taking him in the 1st round.I keep hearing "This year will be different. Travis Henry is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"Then I look back 1 year and read: "This year will be different. Tatum Bell is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"I guess thats how it goes though...it's not like anyone past pick #2 is a safe bet this year anyway :(

Then don't draft him. It's fairly simple. We all have players we think are going to be studs while someone else may look at our list and think we're insane. Do a search for some Travis Henry/Bronco rb threads. There are quite a few of them and there are some compelling arguments in his favor.

Will do, but just for future reference, "Then dont draft him" is about as helpful as "because I said so" . Thanks for taking the time to respond though

If you don't know the difference between Tatum Bell last year and Travis Henry this year than you might want to think about taking up a different hobby because fantasy football might not be for you.HTH

I would, but I would miss all of the prize $$$ that I've been winning over the past 2 years.I have never really been up on the Denver RB situation, just sort of steered clear of it. Travis Henry has also kind of flown under my radar until this season. P.S. you may want to visit these boards during a different time of the month from now on

 

[Chaka]

and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

But didn't everyone believe that Tatum Bell was better than Mike Bell last year? A LOT better? Just read most of the posts in that thread. By the time pre-season was over, Mike Bell had the job with almost no explaination. People seemed to be singing the same praises about Tatum last year, saying that all Denver RBs do great and that Shanahan wouldnt need RBBC because Tatum was so great...etc

There was a lot of Mike Bell hype going on last season, particularly after the pre season games started.I don't expect to see the same this season.

 

[moleculo]

and if you believe he is a better talent than Cedric Cobbs and Mike Bell.

But didn't everyone believe that Tatum Bell was better than Mike Bell last year? A LOT better? Just read most of the posts in that thread. By the time pre-season was over, Mike Bell had the job with almost no explaination. People seemed to be singing the same praises about Tatum last year, saying that all Denver RBs do great and that Shanahan wouldnt need RBBC because Tatum was so great...etc

I don't think that anyone thought that Tatum would win the job outright last year. i'd like to see a link.From the beginning, Cecil's camp threads indicated that mike bell was playing impressively, and mike bell was named starter early in camp. The explanation offered was that Tatum simply didn't fit the system like Shanahan wanted.Tatum was a 5th-6th round RB last year, whereas Henry should be a first rounder. The differences between Tatum and Henry are night and day WRT pre-season expectations.

 

[LHUCKS]

Quentin Griffin

 

[RBM]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t=0&start=0

I dont mean to , but are we just re-living the Denver RB situation again? Tatum Bell was getting a LOT of love around here last year...eerily similar to Travis Henry lately.

What are the differences other than the bigger contract and maybe different running style? Convince me that I wont go through this again if I take him late-1st!

Henry's been a successful RB on multiple teams. And last year he was successful in a somewhat similar scheme.When is the last time Tatum Bell was successful in the NFL?

Im confused how the two are even compared

 

[SSOG]

Copied from the other Travis Henry thread:

...if you look at the pro-rated totals (because, again, we're talking about what an RB could do in a full 16 games as the starter), in the seasons Denver's RB has been a workhorse, he has finished 7th, 5th, 4th, 4th, 5th, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, and 7th.

Let me repeat that. When Denver has had a workhorse RB, that RB has been 7th, 5th, 4th, 4th, 5th, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, and 7th. Travis Henry doesn't have to be good- Olandis Gary wasn't good, and he finished 5th. Mike Anderson wasn't that great, and he finished 5th (and then 10th while splitting time and missing a game). Reuben Droughns wasn't that good and he finished 7th. *NEVER* has Mike Shanahan coached a workhorse runningback who, over the course of a 16-game season, was on pace to finish worse than 7th. *EVER*. Nine instances, no finishes lower than 7th. Not only does the history of stud production hold value, but the CONSISTENCY holds value- much like Peyton Manning was the consensus #1 overall QB long before he was ever the ACTUAL #1 overall QB because of his consistency, or like Tomlinson was the consensus #1 overall RB long before he was the ACTUAL #1 overall RB.

One of the main questions is when will the scheme not be successful or the personel can is no longer talented enough to dominate?

Personally, I think it'll be successful as long as the current offensive philosophy is still in place. Denver devotes more time and resource to the Offensive Line. Other than KC, no team in the league devotes even close to as large of a percentage of the salary cap to the offensive line. Denver has one of the better OL coaches in the league, and has the best RB coach in the league. Perhaps most importantly, Mike Shanahan is very devoted to the run- a lot of coaches say that they want to establish the run, but when things get tough, they'll abandon it and move on. Shanahan has a proven history of running the ball a ton, whether it's working or not. He also runs to score (as opposed to Pittsburgh, which passes to score and then runs to kill the clock once they have the lead), which means the per-carry fantasy numbers are always going to be pretty solid.Unless Shanahan gets fired or goes through a dramatic shift in offensive philosophy, I can't see Denver becoming a mediocre running team.

 

[LHUCKS]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

 

[Chaka]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

Leave it to LHUCKS to not provide any context to his numbers.

 

[LHUCKS]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

Leave it to LHUCKS to not provide any context to his numbers.

Didn't have time...go ahead stat boy.

 

[CravenM]

I'm certainly not going to play the hindsight card and belittle Tatum Bell's skill. He's 5'11", 213 and has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over 3 years. He has breakaway Portis-like speed. He had 5 fumbles over 223 carries in 2006 which isn't great but not unheard of.

I don't think anybody REALLY knows why Shanahan started Mike Bell nor why TBell wasn't retained. I think there's a lot of teams that he could start for.

Regardless, THenry will score a lot of FFL points this year - period.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

 

[moleculo]

opinions on Bell last year

 

[Chaka]

I'm certainly not going to play the hindsight card and belittle Tatum Bell's skill. He's 5'11", 213 and has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over 3 years. He has breakaway Portis-like speed. He had 5 fumbles over 223 carries in 2006 which isn't great but not unheard of.I don't think anybody REALLY knows why Shanahan started Mike Bell nor why TBell wasn't retained. I think there's a lot of teams that he could start for.Regardless, THenry will score a lot of FFL points this year - period.

I think Tater is gonna get his shot in Detroit. We'll see what he does with it. On paper he is a great fit for Martz's offense.

 

[moleculo]

I'm certainly not going to play the hindsight card and belittle Tatum Bell's skill. He's 5'11", 213 and has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over 3 years. He has breakaway Portis-like speed. He had 5 fumbles over 223 carries in 2006 which isn't great but not unheard of.I don't think anybody REALLY knows why Shanahan started Mike Bell nor why TBell wasn't retained. I think there's a lot of teams that he could start for.Regardless, THenry will score a lot of FFL points this year - period.

I think Tater is gonna get his shot in Detroit. We'll see what he does with it. On paper he is a great fit for Martz's offense.

just like Trung Candidate.

 

[SSOG]

I don't think anybody REALLY knows why Shanahan started Mike Bell nor why TBell wasn't retained. I think there's a lot of teams that he could start for.

I agree that there are a lot of teams TBell could start for, and a lot of coaches who would be more tolerant of TBell's playstyle, but I think most people know why TBell was released- he wasn't consistent enough. Lots of home runs, but he couldn't consistently move the chains.

I think Tater is gonna get his shot in Detroit. We'll see what he does with it. On paper he is a great fit for Martz's offense.

How so? Doesn't Martz's offense feature more throws to the RB than any other in the league? Isn't TBell perhaps the worst receiving RB in the league?

 

[The Man with the Plan]

The Broncos got Dre Bly for Tatum Bell. It doesn't seem like Shanahan didn't have a use for him. He just had a greater use for a really good corner to go alongside Champ Bailey. Then he just goes ahead and signs Travis Henry.

I think Denver is overrated when it comes to RB success. Terrell Davis was great and no one can tell me different. Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns have both gone on to have 1000+ yards rushing seasons elsewhere. If Tatum Bell starts in Detroit he'll be another. I think they make good running backs better but they don't make bad players good. That's impossible.

Travis Henry will have a good season because he's a good player on a good team. No hype necessary.

 

[noneother]

A Denver RB thread, and no mention of cecil sapp?

 

[dapunisher]

I'm leaning towards thinking that Travis Henry could be a steal at the turn, though the hype is starting to build enough that he won't be under the radar.

 

[SteelerMurf]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

Someone does need to explain to me why if Henry is such a certified "stud" RB in any system....why in 2005 did he only run for 335 yards a year after he rushed for 326 yards? I know he took a back seat to Willis in his 326 yard season, but what happened in 2005? If I recall, didn't Henry have a hard time passing up Chris Brown on the depth chart? Henry hasn't been a stud since 2003

 

[corpcow]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t=0&start=0

I dont mean to , but are we just re-living the Denver RB situation again? Tatum Bell was getting a LOT of love around here last year...eerily similar to Travis Henry lately.

What are the differences other than the bigger contract and maybe different running style? Convince me that I wont go through this again if I take him late-1st!

Big difference being that Henry has actually put up numbers in the past in 2 different offenses. People seem to forget he had a couple of 1300 yd seasons in Buffalo.(In other words, he doesn't need a ploy to motivate him).

 

[corpcow]

Allrighty, I'm just not 100% sold yet on taking him in the 1st round.

I keep hearing "This year will be different. Travis Henry is a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"

Then I look back 1 year and read: "This year will be different. Tatum Bell is a might someday be a stud, he's better than the backups...take him early and ride it to the playoffs"

I guess thats how it goes though...it's not like anyone past pick #2 is a safe bet this year anyway

Fixed. Like I said, Henry has proven his ability two put up numbers before (and remember one of those 1300 yard seasons was with a broken f'ing leg). Tatum is all potential. That's the difference.

 

[Banger]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

Someone does need to explain to me why if Henry is such a certified "stud" RB in any system....why in 2005 did he only run for 335 yards a year after he rushed for 326 yards? I know he took a back seat to Willis in his 326 yard season, but what happened in 2005? If I recall, didn't Henry have a hard time passing up Chris Brown on the depth chart?

I'm not sure what releavance any of that has on today. Today, Henry is the starting RB in Denver, no question about it. Denver is an excellent system for RB's. The starting RB in Denver in a non-RBBC situation is gold. This isn't that hard. I don't think many are going to argue that Henry is some unreal back back with amazing talent because he's not but he doesn't need to be due to the situation he's in. He's a good back in a great situation.

 

[Broadway Danny Rose]

I'd like to see him in the preseason before I pull the trigger in the first round. Which is why I wait until the preaseason to draft.

 

[SteelerMurf]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

Someone does need to explain to me why if Henry is such a certified "stud" RB in any system....why in 2005 did he only run for 335 yards a year after he rushed for 326 yards? I know he took a back seat to Willis in his 326 yard season, but what happened in 2005? If I recall, didn't Henry have a hard time passing up Chris Brown on the depth chart?

I'm not sure what releavance any of that has on today. Today, Henry is the starting RB in Denver, no question about it. Denver is an excellent system for RB's. The starting RB in Denver in a non-RBBC situation is gold. This isn't that hard. I don't think many are going to argue that Henry is some unreal back back with amazing talent because he's not but he doesn't need to be due to the situation he's in. He's a good back in a great situation.

Well, I still want someone who knows the situation to explain to me Henry's 2005 season (or lack thereof)

 

[AnonymousBob]

I'd like to see him in the preseason before I pull the trigger in the first round. Which is why I wait until the preaseason to draft.

It's fun to draft before that time that way players are a bit more of an unknown...owners who do their homework are better rewarded.

 

[gianmarco]

Number of games not played by Henry in the last three years?

15

Someone does need to explain to me why if Henry is such a certified "stud" RB in any system....why in 2005 did he only run for 335 yards a year after he rushed for 326 yards? I know he took a back seat to Willis in his 326 yard season, but what happened in 2005? If I recall, didn't Henry have a hard time passing up Chris Brown on the depth chart?

I'm not sure what releavance any of that has on today. Today, Henry is the starting RB in Denver, no question about it. Denver is an excellent system for RB's. The starting RB in Denver in a non-RBBC situation is gold. This isn't that hard. I don't think many are going to argue that Henry is some unreal back back with amazing talent because he's not but he doesn't need to be due to the situation he's in. He's a good back in a great situation.

Well, I still want someone who knows the situation to explain to me Henry's 2005 season (or lack thereof)

Drug suspension.

 

[SSOG]

I think Denver is overrated when it comes to RB success. Terrell Davis was great and no one can tell me different. Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns have both gone on to have 1000+ yards rushing seasons elsewhere. If Tatum Bell starts in Detroit he'll be another. I think they make good running backs better but they don't make bad players good. That's impossible.

Olandis Gary was on the bad side of mediocre, and they made him pretty good (although if you look at his per-play numbers, it's clear that he's the red-headed stepson of the bunch, with just 4.2 ypc). Denver's offensive line is so dominant and Shanahan calls such a high number of running plays that yeah, they can make a bad player look pretty good. Other than that, I do agree that the rest of the Denver RBs have been better than everyone gives them credit for.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Maybe I’m the only one following step by step and drawing this conclusion, but here’s the way I’m seeing the events of the last 8 years or so…

Skeletor has a great system with a couple guys in Terrell Davis who in spite of the system, were actually probably pretty dang good RBs themselves. So of course he gets the notion that he can find a RB to plug into his system anywhere, and deals Portis for a stud CB. Ever since, it has been a shining example of inconsistency. No RB has maintained the featured roll from season to season, and the last few years have been marred by RBBC’s of guys who all had issues that kept them out of the feature roll. In short, it would seem that finding a reliable replacement has been much more difficult than Shanny expected giving the homeruns he hit with TD and Portis.

So, we’ve got a guy who’s spent nearly half a decade rotating unreliable RBs in and out of his doghouse and in and out of his starting lineup. Now, seemingly missing the days of TD and Portis being closer to plug it in and forget it guys, they go out and for pretty much the first time in his tenure give a big contract up front to a RB that has proven he can be a reliable featured back, and is a former pro bowler.

IMHO, Skeletor – who never goes out and pays for RBs – went out and paid for a RB because he wants things to be as they were when finding a starting RB wasn’t a half-decade long headache that he had to worry about each and every week.

This is all pure conjecture of course, but that’s certainly how it “looks” from the outside.

Crippler, honestly I don’t know what kind of reality you were living in last year. Sure, many people thought Tatum would take over in Denver, but to indicate it was with even remotely the same level of confidence as there is now with Henry is going way out onto a limb. There was concern all over the place with regards to Tatum. Questions of his ability to hold onto the ball, his durability, and the ever-present statistical argument of his rapidly declining YPC as his number of carries went up.

I mean, I don't want to be as harsh as the guy saying get a new hobby, but if you took 100 people headed into last season and asked them who was going to get the majority of the carries 50 would have said Tatum and 50 would have said Mike. Ask 100 people headed into this season and you'd be lucky to find 1 saying anything other than Henry.

 

[Chaka]

I think Denver is overrated when it comes to RB success. Terrell Davis was great and no one can tell me different. Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns have both gone on to have 1000+ yards rushing seasons elsewhere. If Tatum Bell starts in Detroit he'll be another. I think they make good running backs better but they don't make bad players good. That's impossible.

Olandis Gary was on the bad side of mediocre, and they made him pretty good (although if you look at his per-play numbers, it's clear that he's the red-headed stepson of the bunch, with just 4.2 ypc). Denver's offensive line is so dominant and Shanahan calls such a high number of running plays that yeah, they can make a bad player look pretty good. Other than that, I do agree that the rest of the Denver RBs have been better than everyone gives them credit for.

Portis in Denver 2002: 1508 yards, 5.5ypc, 15 TDs 2003: 1591 yards, 5.5ypc, 14 TDs.Portis in Washington 2004: 1315 yards, 3.8ypc, 5 TDs2005: 1516 yards, 4.3ypc, 11 TDs2006: 523 yards, 4.7ypc, 7 TDsDroughns in Denver2004: 1240 yards, 4.5ypc, 6TDsDroughns in Cleveland:2005: 1232 yards, 4.0ypc, 2 TDsI am pretty confident that being in Denver makes a big difference.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

I think Denver is overrated when it comes to RB success. Terrell Davis was great and no one can tell me different. Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns have both gone on to have 1000+ yards rushing seasons elsewhere. If Tatum Bell starts in Detroit he'll be another. I think they make good running backs better but they don't make bad players good. That's impossible.

Olandis Gary was on the bad side of mediocre, and they made him pretty good (although if you look at his per-play numbers, it's clear that he's the red-headed stepson of the bunch, with just 4.2 ypc). Denver's offensive line is so dominant and Shanahan calls such a high number of running plays that yeah, they can make a bad player look pretty good. Other than that, I do agree that the rest of the Denver RBs have been better than everyone gives them credit for.

Portis in Denver 2002: 1508 yards, 5.5ypc, 15 TDs 2003: 1591 yards, 5.5ypc, 14 TDs.Portis in Washington 2004: 1315 yards, 3.8ypc, 5 TDs2005: 1516 yards, 4.3ypc, 11 TDs2006: 523 yards, 4.7ypc, 7 TDsDroughns in Denver2004: 1240 yards, 4.5ypc, 6TDsDroughns in Cleveland:2005: 1232 yards, 4.0ypc, 2 TDsI am pretty confident that being in Denver makes a big difference.

It's not being in Denver that made the difference per se. It's playing in a good offense with a talented offensive line that made the biggest difference. Looking at those numbers though Portis has certainly held his own in Washington. Two great seasons on less than stellar offensive teams and one in which he he was injured. Reuben Droughns was the first running back to rush for 1000 yards in Cleveland in like 20 years. Maybe Shanahan will learn this time and keep Travis Henry for more than a season or two.

 

[jurb26]

Maybe I’m the only one following step by step and drawing this conclusion, but here’s the way I’m seeing the events of the last 8 years or so…Skeletor has a great system with a couple guys in Terrell Davis who in spite of the system, were actually probably pretty dang good RBs themselves. So of course he gets the notion that he can find a RB to plug into his system anywhere, and deals Portis for a stud CB. Ever since, it has been a shining example of inconsistency. No RB has maintained the featured roll from season to season, and the last few years have been marred by RBBC’s of guys who all had issues that kept them out of the feature roll. In short, it would seem that finding a reliable replacement has been much more difficult than Shanny expected giving the homeruns he hit with TD and Portis.So, we’ve got a guy who’s spent nearly half a decade rotating unreliable RBs in and out of his doghouse and in and out of his starting lineup. Now, seemingly missing the days of TD and Portis being closer to plug it in and forget it guys, they go out and for pretty much the first time in his tenure give a big contract up front to a RB that has proven he can be a reliable featured back, and is a former pro bowler.IMHO, Skeletor – who never goes out and pays for RBs – went out and paid for a RB because he wants things to be as they were when finding a starting RB wasn’t a half-decade long headache that he had to worry about each and every week.This is all pure conjecture of course, but that’s certainly how it “looks” from the outside.Crippler, honestly I don’t know what kind of reality you were living in last year. Sure, many people thought Tatum would take over in Denver, but to indicate it was with even remotely the same level of confidence as there is now with Henry is going way out onto a limb. There was concern all over the place with regards to Tatum. Questions of his ability to hold onto the ball, his durability, and the ever-present statistical argument of his rapidly declining YPC as his number of carries went up.I mean, I don't want to be as harsh as the guy saying get a new hobby, but if you took 100 people headed into last season and asked them who was going to get the majority of the carries 50 would have said Tatum and 50 would have said Mike. Ask 100 people headed into this season and you'd be lucky to find 1 saying anything other than Henry.

I'd agree with this stance. Only, Henry < Portis/TD and I don't think the Oline is as good as it was back then either. In short, Henry should do well but I think expectations are still too high.