Image: Steven Jackson with the bat signal

[Stash]

His starting job was taken by a far superior rb. CJ Anderson. That dude was an absolute beast! Great vision, power, and hands. Ball might not even be as good as Ronnie Hillman.

Take a look at this article and see if it changes your opinion at all.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/...rability-at-wisconsin-to-mr-fragility-in-nfl/

Ball is averaging 3.1 yards a carry, a significant drop-off from the 4.7 he averaged as a rookie.

It's not all his fault.

Behind a reconfigured offensive line and with a bevy of backs who came into the season with zero NFL starts on their resumes, the Broncos (3-1) have had two dozen carries this season that went for no gain or negative yardage, an alarming one-fourth of their runs.


By the time Ball got hurt Sunday, the Broncos' ball-carriers had been hit behind the line of scrimmage on 30 of their 70 carries, including on five of seven first-half carries, which resulted in a measly 4 yards.

That number improved in the second half, when the Broncos, behind a resurgent Ronnie Hillman, rushed for 90 yards on 19 carries, minus two kneel-downs. The backs were hit in the backfield on just four of those 19 runs.

"I thought Ronnie came in and gave us a burst and there were better holes in there when Ronnie came in for whatever reason," Manning said.

Well, a big reason was defensive end Calais Campbell had been knocked out of the game by tight end Julius Thomas' chop block, which drew the ire of Cardinals coach Bruce Arians. But Hillman also hits the hole faster than Ball.

"I thought the running game improved throughout the game," Manning said. "(Hillman) averaged something like 5 yards per carry. So we'll continue to work it to be balanced because it's still an easier way to play football and it puts more pressure on a defense."

Juwan Thompson chipped in three carries for 15 yards, including an 8-yard run up the middle for his first career TD. C.J. Anderson was inactive for the game.

At one point, the Broncos thought enough of Ball that he was the starter and they let Knowshon Moreno leave town. And Anderson was inactive.

 

[cej757]

Steven Jackson had a great career and out lasted all those Rb's in that draft.

Chris Perry
Kevin Jones
Greg Jones
Julius Jones
Tatum Bell
I mean these guys have been out of the league for years.
Still can't believe Parcells passed on Steven Jackson.

 

[Stash]

Steven Jackson had a great career and out lasted all those Rb's in that draft.

Chris Perry
Kevin Jones
Greg Jones
Julius Jones
Tatum Bell
I mean these guys have been out of the league for years.
Still can't believe Parcells passed on Steven Jackson.

One of his biggest blunders for sure.

 

[jrumann59]

Adding him we would need to shine this above the stadium.

Hell with Lee, DMC, Ro, Free it already should be up and running.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

Might as well bring Barber back.....

 

[Hoofbite]

How do you like Montee Ball?

Don't know much about him. Don't pay much attention to college outside of a couple teams.

 

[Stash]

Don't know much about him. Don't pay much attention to college outside of a couple teams.

He's the former Wisconsin Badger who I believe holds the record for TD's scored and was the heir apparent at starter in Denver. He had a really good rookie season but had an appendectomy last offseason and never got healthy. His replacement CJ Anderson came on strong and looks to have taken the #1 spot so Ball might now be available at a reasonable cost.

I think he's worth looking into.

 

[jrumann59]

He's the former Wisconsin Badger who I believe holds the record for TD's scored and was the heir apparent at starter in Denver. He had a really good rookie season but had an appendectomy last offseason and never got healthy. His replacement CJ Anderson came on strong and looks to have taken the #1 spot so Ball might now be available at a reasonable cost.

I think he's worth looking into.

Ok he had an OK rookie season, Denver got lucky when Ball was floundering Moreno stepped up. Early his rookie season he looked lost but when he came in to relieve Moreno he was pretty good. I just have to wonder about RB from Wisconsin.

 

[Stash]

Ok he had an OK rookie season, Denver got lucky when Ball was floundering Moreno stepped up. Early his rookie season he looked lost but when he came in to relieve Moreno he was pretty good. I just have to wonder about RB from Wisconsin.

Ball started slowly, but came out at the end of his rookie season, finishing strong, with a YPC average in the 5 range over his last 6 games if I remember correctly. He looked good enough for the team to send Moreno packing and to have the job over the current starter CJ Anderson.

I feel his early struggles last year were a combination of injury and ineffective offensive line play. He was just never healthy. And once Anderson got the job and the line got it together, it was all over.

Ball's not a burner, but I think he can be a dependable, workhorse back. And with the injury issues with McFadden, and the specialty status of Dunbar, he might be something this team needs.

 

[CATCH17]

He's the former Wisconsin Badger who I believe holds the record for TD's scored and was the heir apparent at starter in Denver. He had a really good rookie season but had an appendectomy last offseason and never got healthy. His replacement CJ Anderson came on strong and looks to have taken the #1 spot so Ball might now be available at a reasonable cost.

I think he's worth looking into.

I hate Monte Ball.. We can do better than that.


At this point I want to see what Randle has. You watch his college highlights and his season from last year and he has done nothing but look the part. Now he just needs a chance.

 

[Stash]

I hate Monte Ball.. We can do better than that.


At this point I want to see what Randle has. You watch his college highlights and his season from last year and he has done nothing but look the part. Now he just needs a chance.

I'm all for Randle getting that chance, and the early returns look good. I just wonder about his pass blocking. He doesn't have a lot of live experience there at the pro level.

My concern is more about a more reliable alternative to the perpetually injured McFadden. Can't help the club in the tub.

 

[Doomsday101]

Based on some comment from Jones, it seems as if they want to wait and see the current group of RB over the next week or 2 before they make any moves on getting a RB from the outside.

 

[CATCH17]

Based on some comment from Jones, it seems as if they want to wait and see the current group of RB over the next week or 2 before they make any moves on getting a RB from the outside.

Some of the teams are loaded with RB's as well so they'll have to cut somebody.


The Jets have like 5 RB's.

Juwan Thompson with the Broncos may get cut.

Someone will be available and of course Chris Johnson is still there.

 

[Doomsday101]

Some of the teams are loaded with RB's as well so they'll have to cut somebody.


The Jets have like 5 RB's.

Juwan Thompson with the Broncos may get cut.

Someone will be available and of course Chris Johnson is still there.

True, in the meantime Cowboys have a chance to give these current guys the reps they need and to work on areas they need to improve on.

 

[Stash]

Based on some comment from Jones, it seems as if they want to wait and see the current group of RB over the next week or 2 before they make any moves on getting a RB from the outside.

I think that's reasonable. But, for me, if McFadden doesn't get out on the field and stay there, I'm going to start looking more seriously at alternatives.

Even if it's assumed that Randle is the starter, Dunbar is a specialty, niche running back that you wouldn't want for your backup. So even in terms of depth, if McFadden can be relied upon, he's no good to this team. His issues would either force you to keep four running backs, or risk not having a true backup to the starter.

 

[Stash]

Some of the teams are loaded with RB's as well so they'll have to cut somebody.


The Jets have like 5 RB's.

Juwan Thompson with the Broncos may get cut.

Someone will be available and of course Chris Johnson is still there.

I've been following the Broncos' situation with interest, and I've read that Thompson is actually making a nice push for the backup role.

And that leads to believe even more that Ball may turn out to be the player available. Based on draft position and pedigree, he would probably have the most value in a trade.

 

[Fletch]

Just think, after Demarco gets cut before his contract is up in Philly, he'll put up a #29 bat signal in hopes for a reunion. Oh I just can't wait.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think that's reasonable. But, for me, if McFadden doesn't get out on the field and stay there, I'm going to start looking more seriously at alternatives.

Even if it's assumed that Randle is the starter, Dunbar is a specialty, niche running back that you wouldn't want for your backup. So even in terms of depth, if McFadden can be relied upon, he's no good to this team. His issues would either force you to keep four running backs, or risk not having a true backup to the starter.

For the most part I agree. McFadden is a concern but this current issue seems to be more of a coaching move than on McFadden part. I would be surprised if McFadden is not back in the lineup this week unless the situation is more serious than the coaches are leading us to believe.

 

[jrumann59]

Ball started slowly, but came out at the end of his rookie season, finishing strong, with a YPC average in the 5 range over his last 6 games if I remember correctly. He looked good enough for the team to send Moreno packing and to have the job over the current starter CJ Anderson.

I feel his early struggles last year were a combination of injury and ineffective offensive line play. He was just never healthy. And once Anderson got the job and the line got it together, it was all over.

Ball's not a burner, but I think he can be a dependable, workhorse back. And with the injury issues with McFadden, and the specialty status of Dunbar, he might be something this team needs.

Yes he started slowly, I think letting Moreno walk was more about his locker room presence. Ball had some nice performances and maybe it was the peyton effect but he had a lot of highs and a lot of lows stat wise his consistency was lacking, again it could be the peyton effect.

 

[Stash]

For the most part I agree. McFadden is a concern but this current issue seems to be more of a coaching move than on McFadden part. I would be surprised if McFadden is not back in the lineup this week unless the situation is more serious than the coaches are leading us to believe.

I hope so, but this isn't just once, but twice already. He's been unavailable for important work twice already running against air in the most favorable conditions a player can ask for.

Although they might not say it publicly, I have to believe that the staff and ownership are more than a little eager to see McFadden get out on the field.