'Lavachebeadsman said:
'JFS171 said:
Guess we'll see how it plays out. It seems to me that Hillman doesn't have the ability to be what Cosell calls a sustainer, IE get the tough yards inside, keep drives alive, four yards a pop, etc. A "foundation" back is another term he's used.
I think Moreno is interesting here. Saw plenty of comments that the medical staff though Moreno would benefit from added recovery time, and other rumors that he's killing it in practice.
If its not Moreno, watch out for Ball IMO.
Seems odd to be a healthy scratch if this were the case.
Not necessarily - look at Pittsburgh. Dwyer was inactive with Rainey and Batch playing on special teams, Mendenhall handling early down work, and Redman the COP/third down. Moreno doesn't play ST, Ball does. Willis was clearly top dog, and Hillman was COP/third down. Moreno used the time to get his knee back to health, which quotes from Fox suggest the medical staff felt was very beneficial for Knowshon. Even if he was killing it in practice, he's got no role with the other three healthy.
Now, I could easily see him step into the Willis role.
This thinking assumes that Moreno is better than Hillman. They had no problem making Hillman inactive and letting Moreno play. Then, they switched. This team is invested in Hillman's success.
I don't think Moreno will "easily" step into the Willis role. I think it's possible, but not necessarily easy. Also, your contention that "they had no problem making Hillman inactive and letting Moreno play. Then, they switched" is true, but you are ignoring other variables.
1-Moreno was coming off of a significant knee injury. Perhaps he wasn't back to 100% (I don't know-I'm not on the Denver coaching/training staff, I'm only suggesting this as a possibility)
2-McGahee was the starting RB; it's not liked they switched out Moreno as starter for Hillman as starter. They had McGahee starting, with Moreno/Hillman as COP. They always had Lance Ball as another RB option on game days, if needed. So, the decision to activate Hillman over Moreno doesn't necessarily indicate major "investment" in Hillman's success.
3-Hillman is very slight in stature. While he might be able to run between the tackles, I'm not confident of that.
So, if I had a spot at the end of my bench, I'd pick up Moreno, but I wouldn't EXPECT him to become the starter. If it happens, great, if it doesn't, nothing lost.