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New Broncos backs hit the ground running

Hillis, Pope, Bell out to be stopgaps for ailing backfield

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 12, 2008 at 9:51 p.m.

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Peyton Hillis ran eight times in the Broncos' 34-30 win at Cleveland. The converted fullback, who can't remember the last time he was a primary ball carrier, has been studying defensive schemes.

Photo by Chris Schneider / The Rocky

Peyton Hillis ran eight times in the Broncos' 34-30 win at Cleveland. The converted fullback, who can't remember the last time he was a primary ball carrier, has been studying defensive schemes.

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In the mid-1980s, while Bobby Turner was coaching at Fresno State, things got so desperate, he had to pull an offensive guard into tailback duties.

Turner's team was 5-0 at the time, then a succession of injuries hit.

"It was just one of those deals," Turner, now the Broncos' running backs coach, recalled this week. "So I've been through it before."

This situation isn't as dire - four Broncos tailbacks are on injured reserve - but it's the worst hand Turner has been dealt in his 14 NFL seasons.

At least guard Kory Lichtensteiger already has spent time as an H-back in the Broncos' oversized goal-line package.

"No. Right now, I'm not planning on that," Turner responded with a smile. "But at one point over the weekend, I was desperate. I was telling my wife and kids I might have to suit them up."

Season of change

It already had been a season unlike any other in recent memory for Broncos running backs, even before they began disappearing faster than Spinal Tap drummers.

The team had morphed into a pass-first team, even when healthy. The zone-blocking scheme that produced a long lineage of great performances had been replaced by workmanlike efforts, sometimes much less.

The Broncos, who have only one individual 100-yard rushing performance this season and rank 18th on the ground in the NFL, ran for 14 yards against Miami on Nov. 2, the second-lowest rushing output in franchise history.

Some equilibrium was restored four days later in Cleveland, where the Broncos churned out 123 yards on an average of 4.4 per carry.

And most of that production came from a running back, Ryan Torain, whose season would end in the first half because of a torn knee ligament, and his replacement, Peyton Hillis, a converted fullback who hasn't been a primary ball carrier in so long, he couldn't recall the last time that occurred.

That scenario serves as normalcy now for Denver (5-4), which Sunday at Atlanta (6-3) will be counting on a repeat performance from Hillis with an assist from practice-squad veteran P.J. Pope and, perhaps, newly signed Alex Haynes and Tatum Bell.

Bell, whom the Broncos re-signed Tuesday, is the most recent running back to gain 1,000 yards in a season, in 2006.

"Everybody's got issues, especially at this point of time in the season," Turner said. "And, hey, my philosophy is like it's always been: I'm going to coach whoever's out there. And we're expecting these guys to play."

Anthony Alridge (foot), Mich- ael Pittman (neck), Andre Hall (hand) and Torain (knee) certainly won't suit up, with their seasons officially over.

Selvin Young still is around but is bothered by a lingering groin problem.

Hillis known; Pope isn't

That leaves Hillis as the likely first option, a la Reuben Droughns in 2004. At 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, Hillis' body type is all fullback. But his foot speed and athleticism belie his size.

When the Broncos scouted him at the University of Arkansas, they didn't get many opportunities to watch him carry the ball; Hillis' career high in carries was 65 in 2006, playing behind future No. 1 picks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

But Hillis always ran well after the catch and particularly with his latest position switch, he has proved the ability to pick up the playbook quickly.

Hillis ran eight times for 24 yards in the 34-30 victory against the Browns and converted a key fourth-and-1. But he expects greater success with practice, where he can adjust his mind's eye to the cuts needed and regain his timing. He already has spent extra time this week studying defensive schemes.

"Trust me, you're going to see huge, tremendous change," he said. "I'm one of those players who just gets better, never gets worse. And if you put me in the rotation of things and know what to expect, and learn more about what I'm going to do, then it's a lot better for me. That's how it's always been."

Pope is a bit of an unknown figure. He is the first player in Bowling Green State history to rush for 3,000 yards and record more than 1,000 receiving yards, but he was signed Sept. 1, so he wasn't in the Broncos' training camp.

He has spent nine games on the Green Bay Packers' active roster. But that was in 2006. He also has kicked around the practice squads of Chicago and Denver before being placed on the Broncos' active roster Nov. 4.

"He's one cut, downhill," Turner said. "That's what we're looking for. It's no accident some of these guys come in here."

Bell seeks to be 'the guy'

But it is happenstance, at least, that brought Bell back into the fold.

His knowledge of the Broncos system, and the fact he had all working body parts, factored into his return. Bell's 42-game Broncos experience (with 2,342 yards) dwarfs the entire roster of tailbacks and fullbacks combined. But he also hasn't played since the summer after Detroit released him.

"I feel like I'm dusting off the cobwebs and look forward to playing," Bell told reporters Wednesday, adding later, "My goal is to be 'the guy.' But I have to work my way back into that role."

Bell, who signed a one-year contract, had been working at a T-Mobile store at Aurora Mall the past three months. He watched Denver's injury situation from afar and thought he might get called by the Broncos before the Browns game.

"I'm in decent shape," he said. "I can go out and play Sunday. Whatever my role may be, I'm ready for it."

The run plays are "pretty much the same," Bell added. "A lot of the pass plays have new terminology and I've got to get adjusted to that. But I think as soon as I get that down, it's full go."

Still, as the Broncos running game has shown, two steps forward usually is answered by one huge step backward.

"We're at a point where we don't have time to 'groom' people and give them three, four months," Turner said of the current situation. "We've got to accelerate everything."

Comments

  • November 12, 2008

    10:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Just go in, Tatum, and do the best you can. Don't try to force it. Go out and have fun. Hillis is still a stud on the field. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • November 13, 2008

    5:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jr_mcmillin writes:

    I agree Dave, I like Hillis and want to see him do great this Sunday. Looks like Tatum stayed in good shape, so I trust he'll step in and be a threat. I'm anxious to see how Pope does, he's the dark horse of the group and I hope he gets a few carries as well. This week will be a nice test for the run game.

  • November 13, 2008

    7 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    coachk writes:

    My money is on Pope surprising like so many others have. I have said since training camp that Hillis is the real thing and he is only proving it more and more each game. I love the try in these young guys. Now if we can get those young safties on the field to do the same. I am tried of the Non-tackling that goes on now that Champ is out in the secondary.

  • November 13, 2008

    8:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    JohnnyBallgame writes:

    Whats up DynamicDave, jrmcmillin and coachk, it is nice to hear some positive things about our Broncos. I think Hillis will be a threat but I heard Alfred Williams say on the local radio here in Denver that he thinks Tatum will be the difference for the Broncos going forward, cause when a guy gets cut and is humbled thinking his football dream and carrer are over and then they get that second chance they become a man possessed!! Tatum has a family to support and I think he will run like he has never ran before once he gets in football shape.

    GO BRONCOS!!! THIS WEEK IS HUGE!!!!

  • November 13, 2008

    9:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    nmbronco1 writes:

    I'm with ya, JohnnyBallgame. The past is the past, and even then, Tatum Bell was often a threat for serious yardage - didn't he lead the league in yards per carry twice while a Bronco? Sure, he fumbled a couple times at inopportune times, and he isn't big physically so when he does get hit he went down, but out of all the backs out there, Bell was the best choice IMO to be added to the team at this point. Hope Tatum and the Broncos tear up Atlanta come Sunday!

  • November 13, 2008

    10:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bradonkadoncs writes:

    Does anyone else think it's scary that the first quote out of Tatum is that he "wants to be the Man". How about "Just glad to be here, and do anything I can to help the team. Good to be back."

  • November 13, 2008

    10:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    J_easy writes:

    man i say just let this sunday speack 4 its self fans need to go out there and support and the athletes need to represent and 4 tatum its either u play hard or its back to T-mobile

  • November 13, 2008

    10:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Bradonkadoncs, I see nothing wrong with what Tatum said? He is going in "confident". I prefer that, rather then a "wishy washy" attitude. If you go in thinking "I hope I'm good enough", you won't be. You'll be doubting yourself and not focusing. I fought in the ring. I fought in war. I never went in thinking anything less then, "I will win. I will be the best." It's his time or it won't be. No middle ground.

  • November 13, 2008

    10:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coltgm56 writes:

    I like Hillis, he will be a tough runner with good hands. I also welcome back Tatum and wish him good luck. We need him as a change of pace.(sound familiar?) Tatum, take advantage of this new opportunity and hold on to the ball when you get your chance.

  • November 13, 2008

    1:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    This Offensive line has been transformed into a pass-blocking first line. No matter who is running the ball, the production will be mediocre. This group is magnificent at pass-blocking, mediocre at best at run-blocking. One of the beat-writers reported toward the end of last year that the Bronc's were going to transform the line into a pass protection first style due to Jay Cutlers supreme passing ability. (as opposed to Plummers inability to stand in the pocket and read the defense)

  • November 13, 2008

    3:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MGD writes:

    I hope Tatum is able to turn this into a chance to be a featured back again.

  • November 13, 2008

    5:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyMts69 writes:

    The last time we played Atlanta we lost. Plummer threw for 3 INT's that day. And we did'nt have much of a running game...

    But over all I have a lot of confidence with Denver this weekend. We have a lot of young eager talent that is hungry!

    Hillis is going to smash somebody in the mouth, Bell is going to bust one loose out of the backfield for a TD, Cutler will have zero picks for the day, and Elvis is will set a team record for the most sacks in one game!

  • November 13, 2008

    5:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    Broncos have re-loaded lets hope it works out; Hillis will be better than against Clevland since he has gotten the reps this week. I hope Tatum gets the ball on Sunday but not counting on it, he is not in football shape, Hillis I bet will get the load and he will respond both run and catch.
    GO BRONCOS

  • November 13, 2008

    6:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    R8R_H8R, yeah, I expected YOU to write something positive...Yawn...
    Brain, they will play Tatum some. he knows the system. He hasn't been sitting on his behind while not playing. He is a natural RB so his rust won't be severe. He'll make an impact. I want to see Pope. I want to see what he will do? And Haynes might even play a little.
    RockyMts69, That was Plummer. It's time for a changing of the guards. Better offense, now. Atlanta will be tough, but Denver can be tougher. We have a better offense, they have a better D. We'll wait and see what happens. With the RB situation, it's hard to know what we can expect? God, I love football........