Hillis the hammer in 2009? (1 Viewer)

[Couch Potato]

With the cutting of Alridge and Pope, it looks to me like Hillis and Selvin Young (productive when healthy) and maybe a rookie or cheap FA pickup, will start the season getting carries. Boyd is under contract for 2009 for cheap ($310k) and Andre Hall is a RFA. I suspect one of these two, but not both, will make the 2009 roster (probably Hall with Boyd not making it).

Torain will be part of the mix (maybe the major part if Terrell Davis is correct in his reporting that the Broncos' staff still likes Torain best), but we don't know when he'll be healthy enough to fully contribute.

Michael Pittman's contract has run out, he'll be 34 before the start of the season, and I've heard nothing about them re-signing him. Tatum Bell was only on a short term contract so he's also a free agent, I doubt he was more than a desperation pick up, and he won't be back.

With the offensive coaches returning other than Shanny, and McDaniels being happy with not using a workhorse back approach, I don't see Denver making a big splash in either the FA market or early in the draft at RB.

So, to me, it looks like Torain (when ready), Hillis, S Young in RBBC (Young perhaps in the 3rd down back role) sharing time. Depth of Hall + one of rookie/FA/Boyd.

 

[doubletrouble]

That would be just fine with me

 

[BuckeyeArt]

With the cutting of Alridge and Pope, it looks to me like Hillis and Selvin Young (productive when healthy) and maybe a rookie or cheap FA pickup, will start the season getting carries. Boyd is under contract for 2009 for cheap ($310k) and Andre Hall is a RFA. I suspect one of these two, but not both, will make the 2009 roster (probably Hall with Boyd not making it).Torain will be part of the mix (maybe the major part if Terrell Davis is correct in his reporting that the Broncos' staff still likes Torain best), but we don't know when he'll be healthy enough to fully contribute.Michael Pittman's contract has run out, he'll be 34 before the start of the season, and I've heard nothing about them re-signing him. Tatum Bell was only on a short term contract so he's also a free agent, I doubt he was more than a desperation pick up, and he won't be back.With the offensive coaches returning other than Shanny, and McDaniels being happy with not using a workhorse back approach, I don't see Denver making a big splash in either the FA market or early in the draft at RB.So, to me, it looks like Torain (when ready), Hillis, S Young in RBBC (Young perhaps in the 3rd down back role) sharing time. Depth of Hall + one of rookie/FA/Boyd.

Nice summary.It's funny, of the 9 you mention in your post, Alridge doesn't appear in a game or have a carry so you think he'd be considered the 9th (certainly no higher than their 6th). So, Denver releases it's 9th best RB, he is claimed by 2 teams (Wash and Minn), yet some people are still convinced that Denver needs to draft a RB in the 1st round.

 

[Buffaloes]

Nice summary.

It's funny, of the 9 you mention in your post, Alridge doesn't appear in a game or have a carry so you think he'd be considered the 9th (certainly no higher than their 6th). So, Denver releases it's 9th best RB, he is claimed by 2 teams (Wash and Minn), yet some people are still convinced that Denver needs to draft a RB in the 1st round.

Alridge was on IR since the final preseason game due to a foot injury.

 

[moleculo]

link

Klis: Healthy Hillis would have changed everything

By Mike Klis

The Denver Post

Posted: 02/08/2009 12:06:42 AM MST

Updated: 02/08/2009 04:25:54 PM MST

HONOLULU — There were injuries to each of the Bailey brothers.

There were injuries to all three starting linebackers.

There were injuries to both receiving tight ends.

There were season-ending injuries to seven tailbacks.

The one injury that hurt the Broncos more than any other in 2008?



"I still think if Peyton stays healthy we make the playoffs," said Broncos center Casey Weigmann.

As in Peyton Hillis, the Broncos' fullback turned tailback who played inspiringly until he tore a hamstring while making a sensational catch against the Kansas City Chiefs in the season's 13th game. It was no coincidence, Wiegmann said, that Chiefs' game was the Broncos final win of the season.



"He just ran so hard," Wiegmann said. "Ran people over. It was just a mentality. He gets everybody else fired up. There's no way Buffalo should have beaten us."

Up 13-0 against the Bills in Game 15, the Broncos did not have the power running game required to secure leads. The Broncos eventually lost to Buffalo, lost the AFC West title, and lost Mike Shanahan.

 

[One]

HAMMER BUMP

 

[DrJamesAndrews Fan]

Drafted him in the 17th round