Broncos report: Pittman helps keep Cutler on his feet

The Rocky

Published September 24, 2008 at 5:42 p.m.

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Broncos running back Michael Pittman is used as a situational back on short-yardage plays and also is a devastating blocker. "I feel like my guy is not going to be the one to get a sack or a hit on (quarterback) Jay (Cutler)," Pittman said.

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Broncos running back Michael Pittman likes touchdowns just fine.

But he knows what else the Broncos want from him.

"When you look at running backs, you can't always find guys who can pick up linebackers when they block," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday. "You can't always find guys who know when to chip the defensive end on the way by, and the guys who can do that can't always get the ball in on the goal line.

"Michael can do all that."

Pittman leads the Broncos with four rushing touchdowns - they have come on runs of 3, 2, 1 and 1 yards - and has been the team's chief option in short-yardage situations.

But the 6-foot, 225-pounder also is the team's running back in several third-down situations because, not only can he catch the ball when he needs to, but he is the best pass protector among the backs.

And running backs coaches around the league will say a player cannot be in the game at the position on third down and other passing situations if he cannot pick up blitzing linebackers or safeties and at least slow defensive ends.

"I take my job seriously, no matter what I do," Pittman said. "One-on-one situations like that, I take it personally. I feel like my guy is not going to be the one to get a sack or a hit on (quarterback) Jay (Cutler).

"I refuse to let my guy hit Jay. You have to be able to block. I want to knock him down. If I see that left side or that right side open on him when I go into the flat, I'm going to try to knock him down. I have two knockdowns this year, and I want more."

The Broncos signed Pittman, an unrestricted free agent who had spent the previous six seasons with Tampa Bay, in May, two months into the free-agency season.

Pittman's role consistently fluctuated with the Buccaneers, with whom he had as many as 219 carries in 2004 but only 50 in 2006.

Shanahan, who this week called Pittman "our workhorse," said he was looking for a player who could play running back and fullback in the Broncos offense - which Pittman has - as well as be the short-yardage runner Shanahan believed the team needed.

In 2007, the Broncos struggled to power it in down close. They had more 1-yard scoring passes (three) than they did 1-yard touchdown runs (one) last season and more 2-yard touchdown passes (two) than 2-yard touchdown runs (one).

But with Pittman in his 11th season, Shanahan wanted to make sure the back could be that guy in training camp.

"I knew he could play both the halfback position and the fullback position, and those guys are so hard to find," Shanahan said. "I wanted to bring him in, get a look at him and see where he was. 'Was he too old? Did he still have it?' But he got here and I loved the look in his eye and the way he handled himself."

"Those guys in the NFC South - Julius Peppers and those guys - they all knew I was going to block," Pittman said. "Michael Strahan, the times I played him in New York, he would always be talking before the game, 'You ain't going to get me on a chip block,' but believe me, if I see an opening, I'm trying to take that left or right shoulder off. I do whatever it takes for a guy not to get to the quarterback."

Confidence game

The Chiefs squarely are in the middle of a rebuilding project, having disassembled what was one of the oldest teams in the league in recent years.

The Chiefs start two rookies on offense, left tackle Branden Albert and fullback Mike Cox, and at least two rookies on defense, cornerback Patrick Flowers and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.

They could start a third rookie on defense, cornerback Brandon Carr, if veteran Patrick Surtain, who did not play last weekend in Atlanta because of a shoulder injury, again is held out. Surtain practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.

It has made the team's 0-3 start a little rocky as those players find their way in the league.

"(You) can't assume they know anything," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. "Every time they play in a football game, it's a new experience for them. The problem is, when you're not winning, it becomes very tough. They think, 'Well, I'm not a good player.' You've got to keep breathing confidence into them."

Little special

Safety Vernon Fox is the newest Bronco, and if his playing history is any indication, it shouldn't take too long for the seven-year veteran to start playing some special teams.

Fox, who was signed Tuesday, takes Hamza Abdullah's spot on the roster. It also means both of the Broncos' backup safeties - Fox and Calvin Lowry - weren't with the team in training camp.

In his past three NFL seasons - 2006 and 2007 in Washington and 2005 in Detroit - Fox ranked third on his team in special-teams tackles. With the Lions in 2005, teammates voted him the team MVP on the special-teams units.

"I am very impressed with the way he has handled himself as a person and how he played on special teams," Shanahan said. "Now we will get a chance to see firsthand how he fits into our system. We will try to get him ready to play as quickly as we can."

Watch your jewelry

Cutler said he sent a text message to Saints punter/holder Steve Weatherford, a fellow Indiana native, whom cameras caught wearing his wedding ring and wristwatch during Sunday's game.

Cutler still is waiting to hear back.

"He hasn't texted me back yet. He wasn't wearing it during pregame when I talked to him, so I guess he just puts it on for the game," Cutler said. "Maybe his wife gets mad or something when he doesn't put it on."

Etc.

* Broncos defensive tackle Josh Shaw suffered a partial groin tear in the win against the Saints and will be out of the lineup for the next two to three weeks. Shaw already had been playing with 40 stitches in his lower leg from a cut he suffered in the team's win against the Chargers.

* Defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson was held out of practice Wednesday to rest his knee. Receiver Darrell Jackson also was held of practice.

* Edwards said he would start 35-year-old Damon Huard at quarterback on Sunday.

* The Broncos released receiver Travis Wilson from their practice squad Tuesday and filled the slot Wednesday morning with cornerback Josh Bell. Bell, a rookie, spent training camp with the San Diego Chargers.

Pat Rooney contributed to this report.

• September 25, 2008

  3:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Horvil_Tiki writes:

  Thats how we does it Pitman KNOCK DOWNED! THATS RIGHT GUY GO BAWL SOME BODY UP. That what you does to guy try hit the custler.

• September 25, 2008

  1:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cutlers_the_bomb writes:

  Agreed. That's what everyone should do. I would like to see us pull Clady and make him take on some of those big name DE's in the league on a run play, just to see him make the highlight reel for knocking him %^$ over tea kettle! That would be AWESOME! Also, I think we did make a good pickup in getting Pittman. Everybody was wondering why, but I know that you can never have too many running backs, because you never know when someone is going to get hurt badly (like Torain, who I can't wait to see run over somebody!). Also, the signing of Wieggman turned out to be amazing. What a great signing, especially now. Tommy "Nails" Nalen, we will miss your blocking ability, and while we have found a suitable replacement, no one can truly replace you. Good luck and God bless you in whatever you decide to do.
  On another note, what do you guys think of the Chargers? I want to hear what people think of their game against the Raiders, because I'm thinking that the Raiders may just pound the ball down their throats! After all, we averaged 6 yards a carry against them, and we only ran about 20 some odd times. Who here thinks that the Raiders actually can beat the Chargers? I'm betting that Chambers gets shut down, as well as LT, and that Rivers may face some pressure, while Darren McFadden will run them over for maybe a good 150 yards, possibly more. I think the Chargers' days of dominance are over, and that the Raiders are better than they have shown (after all, they dang near beat the Buffalo Bills; I think that counts as a good sign). Here's to the Broncos as the top of the AFC West!
  P.S. I know it's too early to say that, but I think that we have a very good chance to make it happen. Besides, our defense can slow down the run, and the Bills won't be able to keep up with us (also, last year Lee Evans only had 2 catches for 7 yards against us...).

• September 25, 2008

  6:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Cutlers_the_bomb, I think the Chargers will beat the Raiders. They have a better offense. They will score more points. I do agree, though, that there is a new sheriff in town, and he is wearing orange and blue.

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