Bronco RB merry-go-round

[Bronco Billy]

LINK

 

Great insight into how the Broncos view RBs. Some selected cuts:

 

"Free agency," Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said. "To me that's the factor. Do you want to hand a guy a $10 million to $15 million signing bonus, knowing he's going to take more physical pounding than probably any other player on the field?

 

"There are some situations where teams get caught up in the emotion that surrounds the position, certainly the good ones. But their shelf life is not the same as some other players offensively." ….

 

"Here, it's about the offensive system," Dayne said. "They feel they can put whoever back there as a runner, as long as they have their system."

 

When it comes to the Broncos' vaunted running game, the Tom Nalen-anchored offensive line has endured less turnover than at running back.

 

"There's always more running backs than there are offensive linemen," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.

 

One reason the pool of running backs is so vast is it can be filled with rookies. At positions such as offensive line and receiver, the terminology and pro technique are so sophisticated, formidable players such as Nalen and Rod Smith, respectively, had to start their careers on the practice squad.

 

But at positions like running back and cornerback, the younger the better.

 

"Not to take anything away from the learning curve at either one of those positions, but there is a lot of opportunity to use natural ability," Sundquist said. "Running is running. If I'm standing here and got to get to that goal line, it's the same whether in high school, college or pro."