Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Broncos sign second-year RB Haynes

Rocky Mountain News

Published November 10, 2008 at 3:09 p.m.
Updated November 10, 2008 at 3:39 p.m.

Text size  

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

More Denver Broncos

More stories »

ENGLEWOOD — The Broncos on Monday tried to restock their running back corps by signing free agent Alex Haynes.

The Broncos also worked out five other running backs -- LaBrandon Toefield, Musa Smith, Marcus Thomas, Andrew Pinnock and Steve Baylark.

In another, expected roster move, the team placed rookie running back Ryan Torain on its reserve/injured list. Torain suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee in Thursday's win at Cleveland.

The 5-foot-10, 230-pound Haynes is a second-year player whom the Broncos worked out last month. He was waived by Baltimore on Aug. 30. Haynes, who entered the NFL with the Ravens in 2005 as a college free agent from the University of Central Florida, has also been with Carolina (2005-07).

He appeared in all nine career games played with the Panthers last season, rushing three times for 3 yards and catching three passes for 14 yards. He made three tackles on special teams.

Haynes spent the 2006 season on Carolina’s practice squad after competing for Cologne in NFL Europe, where he rushed 37 times for 238 yards and with three touchdowns. As a rookie in 2005, Haynes spent time on the Raven's and Panthers' practice squads.

Haynes will wear No. 38 for the Broncos.

Comments

  • November 10, 2008

    3:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    philvysor writes:

    Well, don't even know how to comment? Except WOW what a JOKE!

  • November 10, 2008

    3:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoFaninLA writes:

    Maybe he played with B-Marsh at UCF. Hopefully he can also play left corner for a few weeks.

  • November 10, 2008

    3:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cutlerscannon13 writes:

    Haynes? Haven't heard of him too much, but I hope he decides to play with some heart. Even though Hillis doesnt quite have the speed of an NFL RB ... we all know he has the heart of 2-3 of them!!

  • November 10, 2008

    3:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    El_Braino writes:

    Wow -- hopefully Haynes works out. Maybe he comes in and plays hard because of the opportunity. I'm kind of surprised they didn't bring in either Mike or Tatum Bell (since they already know the offense) or that they didn't work out Davenport. Looks like they went for cheap.

  • November 10, 2008

    4 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    atfisher writes:

    Huh? Why!

  • November 10, 2008

    4:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tdcolorado writes:

    I think it's time to make it a major priority to get a big-time running back- at least by next year. This offense deserves to have a beast at tailback, in the TD or Portis mold. This business of thinking any back can be great in the Broncos system is getting old and is losing credibility fast!

  • November 10, 2008

    4:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    isiddiqi writes:

    Its seems to me that we are planning to use Hillis/Young at RB this season... Haynes is actually a FB

  • November 10, 2008

    4:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    chipman writes:

    Why? I'm sure Broncos management knows enough about Tatum Bell and Mike Bell to know they will not help the team in any way. They didn't just go "cheap" to save money. There truly is not any real good free agents walking around out there.

  • November 10, 2008

    4:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cutlerscannon13 writes:

    Yeh from what I have seen Haynes is more of a FB type of RB... hes stocky and not super fast... and I think we would be great with throwing in Hillis at the HB position and let Larsen stand in front of him ... that would definately make some safeties heads hurt!!

    Lets see what we got planned for ATL!

    GO BRONCOS!!

  • November 10, 2008

    4:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    chaynes writes:

    not sure they are going the cheap route, the never heard of nor to be heard from again approach maybe....m smith has always been serviceable....had success in the league...and is from Georgia!!! We should have taken the UG connection.

  • November 10, 2008

    5:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    IBleedOrange writes:

    I remember Haynes from UCF down here. He was a serviceable, move the chains type, but not a home run threat, and yes, he was a teammate of Marshall. I'd consider him an upgrade from Mike Bell, if that tells you anything.

  • November 10, 2008

    5:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    paul_79_97 writes:

    The Denver Post claims that Haynes is a fullback and that the running back job will be shared by Young and Hillis. Haynes will backup Spencer Larsen.

  • November 10, 2008

    5:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mccaffreyfan writes:

    Isn't Cory Boyd (from South Carolina) on the practice squad? That kid can play. Put him in there!

  • November 10, 2008

    5:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ORBroncoFan53 writes:

    what a joke, oh well at least if (of course i mean when ) we turn the ball over maybe he can make the tackle considering he had as many tackles last year as he had rushing yards.

  • November 10, 2008

    5:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Swick writes:

    The joke is listening to people chastise Denver after signing a player we know nothing about. They worked all these players out. Were you guys watching the workouts? I trust the coaching staff as far as picking RBs and FBs, now picking up FA defenders is another story. Next year's draft will consist of a bigtime RB to relieve some of the pressure on Cutler and the rest will be all about defense.

  • November 10, 2008

    7:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    denmex writes:

    next year, next year, next year,next year, next year, next year, next year, next year, next year, next year 10 years since last SB i am tired of next year, it seams every year we are one year away we still have a chance to get to the play offs where any thing can hapen( ask the giants) and we sing an fb/rb that any body knows, comon mr bowlen please do somethig.
    p.s.
    as always sorry for my grammar and go borncos

  • November 10, 2008

    8:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Oklahoma22 writes:

    two words, Marcus Dupree

  • November 10, 2008

    8:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Swick, right with you, brother. I know nothing of these guys, but then, who knew about Mike Anderson, Terrell Davis or the rest? If Shanahan knows one thing, it's RB's and I trust his judgement.
    georgemealer, whatever you say, man.
    mccaffreyfan, yes, he's on the practice squad, but they just brought P.J. Pope off the PS to play so I wonder if he will start? As far as Hillis, He is still listed as a FB but he has proven he is a game player. I just don't see him busting the big one for a long gain. He is a bull for the short yardage, though. He is also great on pass routes. I think with all the people we are bringing aboard is more to restock our RB supplies, rather then looking for an immediate starter.

  • November 10, 2008

    8:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    philvysor, do you ever have ANYTHING good to say?

  • November 10, 2008

    11:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ORBroncoFan53 writes:

    sorry if i offended swick, and dynamicdave but come on guys when all of your rb's are hurt i don't think it makes sense to sign a n undrafted fb that has been cut by three teams in tree years. Oh and did i mention had three yards on three carries last year. Also td, and anderson were great finds by shanny, but he also found mike bell, m. clarett, and a lot of undersized guys who either aren't here anymore or on injured reserve.

  • November 10, 2008

    11:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Swick writes:

    No problem George and not offended at all. Guess I'm just tired of all the negative spin people put on things especially Cutler's up and down year(mostly due to his youth and Denver's lack of a running game). I thought Prater was a risk with his previous stats too, but he's turned out really well so far. Royal didn't pile up receptions at VT either. The coaches look at the skills and the system they played in and make a judgement from there. What do us fans really know about these players? Not much usually unless they've had extended playing time which Haynes does not have. At least he's big and hopefully durable. The rest we'll have to see about.

  • November 10, 2008

    11:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    georgemealer, sometimes, when a RB comes to the league, he doesn't pan out for a particular team because they run a system that is not suited for their particular talent and ability. Also, think of how many colleges out their are small and the players go unnoticed, because of it. But many have raw talent that just needs a bit of developing and "fine-tuning". This happens a lot. It's a big country with a lot of colleges and usually you see the drafts coming from the bigger ones. They got noticed because of the media. A coach with a good eye will see that. An example is John Mobley who came from Kutztown University. Shanahan saw him, though, and he came to Denver. Shanahan has an eye for offensive talent. He gives the "less known guy" a shot. Look at Terrell Davis. 6th round. He started out as ST player and look what he turned into? My point is, don't sell a RB short because he wasn't drafted. Rod Smith wasn't drafted, he was a FA. It's not always "who you know" or "where you come from", it's "what you can do, once you're there".

  • November 10, 2008

    11:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ORBroncoFan53 writes:

    dynamicdave i understand what you are saying about small school guys and late round picks but all the guys you just named have something in common. Mobley, Terrell Davis, and Rod Smith were all drafted or signed by a team and played with that team they weren't cut numerous times before they made it. Hey man don't take me wrong i am a die hard bronco fan, have been for over thirty years it's just that it seems like here we go again we're up by only one game and seem to be barely holding on with some tough games ahead.Hopefully we get yards on the ground from some one.

  • November 11, 2008

    12:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ORBroncoFan53 writes:

    swick i get what you're saying about Cutler and the lack of the production we've gotten from our run game, but that's my point we need a guy with some speed to free up Cutler and keep our defense off the field. If you remember after last season shanny said that Selvin Young wasn't his guy and that he was a ten carry a game guy, not big enough to carry much more than that.Well i guess he was right. I just think we needed a better plan going into the draft last year because all year we've been small and thin at the position and now it's caught up with us in a big way.

  • November 11, 2008

    9:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    georgemealer, Rod Smith was not drafted by anybody. He was a free agent rookie.

  • November 11, 2008

    5:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ORBroncoFan53 writes:

    dynamicdave i know that's why i said drafted or signed. i guess i should have said signed as a undrafted free agent. I'm sure he didn't play for free.