Broncos report: Shanahan, Cutler await Torain's expected return

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 26, 2008 at 4:38 p.m.

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Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Broncos rookie running back Ryan Torain, who suffered a fractured left elbow and ligament damage in early August, is improving and could be in uniform for the Nov. 2 home game against the Dolphins.

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A secret weapon? Not exactly.

"Just maybe one people don't expect," Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said.

Somewhat lost in all the numbers the Broncos offense has put up in three games is the fact the guy who just might have been their starting running back is close to returning to practice.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Friday that rookie Ryan Torain is on track to return to practice in the days leading up to the Broncos' Oct. 20 game in New England. If all goes well, Torain could play after the Broncos' Oct. 26 bye. The Broncos will face the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 2 at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"From what we saw in camp, the kid is an explosive runner and in the second half of the season, guys get worn down and we're going to pop this fresh kid in there," Cutler said. "It's going to be exciting to watch."

Torain suffered a fractured left elbow and some ligament damage that required surgery in early August. At the time, he steadily was moving up the team's depth chart, with Shanahan saying, before any preseason games had been played, that Torain was headed toward being the team's starter.

At the time, Shanahan called him "one of the most gifted running backs I've been around, and I've been around for a long time, very similar to Terrell Davis when he came in."

Torain, who still is wearing a brace on his left arm for much of his day around the Broncos' Dove Valley complex, has been doing conditioning work and exercises to regain the range of motion in his arm.

"I'm excited, I'm just going to keep working hard and get back," Torain said. "I started running, and that's when it started to feel like it's getting closer, like I was taking some strides. It's going to be fun."

At 225 pounds, Torain is considered the team's best power/speed combination in the backfield. In two seasons at Arizona State, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and he rushed for 1,229 yards as a junior.

He played in only six games as a senior because of a foot injury that required surgery. Some teams didn't like his speed at the scouting combine - he ran in the 4.6s in his 40-yard dashes, 4.71 on the electronic clock - but others believed his speed would improve as he continued to recover from his foot surgery.

Shanahan consistently has pointed to Torain's ability to cut at nearly full speed during the Broncos workouts, which enable a runner to play faster than his timed speed. Torain showed enough in the first two weeks of camp that the Broncos kept him on the 53- man roster rather than place him on injured reserve for the season.

"The guys on defense were saying that all along," Cutler said. "He's going to have some impact for us."

For Torain, this week has been slightly disappointing. The back who went to high school in suburban Shawnee Mission, Kan., was hoping to play in Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. Torain almost certainly will face the Chiefs on Dec. 7 in Denver, but he will have to wait until next season to play in front of family and friends.

"It would have been great to play Sunday," Torain said. "It would have been great for the family to come out and watch me. But the Chiefs still have got to come here, and my family is still coming out for that."

Watchful eye

Broncos defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, who did not practice Wednesday, took about half the plays in the workout Friday.

"(He's) still a little sore," Shanahan said. "He still managed to take half. We'll see how he is (today)."

Defensive tackle Josh Shaw, a regular in the rotation despite having signed with the team just before the regular-season opener, already is out for the next two to three games because of a partially torn groin.

So the Broncos will have to adjust if Robertson cannot play Sunday.

Kenny Peterson will play plenty against the Chiefs, and Nic Clemons, a game-day inactive the past two games, likely will be in uniform as well.

The Broncos also would move defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban inside to one of the tackle spots on passing downs, and end Tim Crowder also can play tackle in some situations.

The Broncos also used a 3-4 look on defense, with only one defensive tackle in the middle of the three-man front, for 21 snaps against the Saints last weekend.

"So, we've got some depth there," Shanahan said.

Remember when

The Chiefs, 0-3, are squarely in the middle of a rebuilding effort that has left their roster filled with young players and a little thin in spots.

Coach Herm Edwards even compared it to when he was on Tony Dungy's staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

When Dungy was hired by the Buccaneers in 1997, the team had won more than six games in a season only once from 1983 to 1996, and that was a 7-9 season in '96.

"But we probably had more players left than we do (in Kansas City)," Edwards said.

Edwards maintained that it hadn't diminished his efforts, though, to push the team through its paces each week.

"When I don't prepare people, when I don't think we can win, then I'm gonna go get another job doing something else," Edwards said. "We put too much into it not to prepare to win, and that's the great thing about athletics."

Etc.

* Broncos tight end Nate Jackson suffered a rib injury in practice Friday and was sporting plenty of ice after the workout. He will be evaluated more today. Jackson has played in every game so far this season and has four receptions and a touchdown.

* With his team heading into its game Sunday as a heavy favorite, Shanahan was asked if Oregon State's victory against No. 1-ranked Southern California on Thursday night could be a red flag. "All it takes is . . . be a little off-key and not ready to play, that's how upsets are made."

* Cutler will be featured on ESPN's pregame show Sunday. He talks about how he deals with his Type 1 diabetes.

* Chiefs cornerback Patrick Surtain isn't expected to play Sunday because of an ankle injury. Kansas City likely will start two rookies at the corners - Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr.

30-30-30 club

If the Broncos defense has allowed the Chiefs the opportunity to hand the ball to Larry Johnson at least 30 times in a game, the Broncos have lost the game. Denver is 0-3 against the Chiefs when Johnson has had at least 30 carries in a game.

Date Attempts Yards TDs Result

Dec. 19, 2004 30 151 2 Chiefs, 45-17

Dec. 4, 2005 30 140 2 Chiefs, 31-27

Nov. 23, 2006 34 157 1 Chiefs, 19-10

• September 26, 2008

  5:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  nmbronco1 writes:

  Bronco fans should really look forward to Ryan Torain's pro debut, as he might have been the type of steal in the draft that Eddie Royal has shown himself to be. Torain's size and speed combo will make an already dangerous Bronco offense absolutely killer. It's going to be interesting to see what kind of numbers are put up in KC this week against arguably the worst defense Denver has seen yet this season.

• September 26, 2008

  5:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Torain will be the final link in an already potent offense. If he is everything that they say he is, we will be the new, "Greatest Show on Turf". We will put up a lot of points, this Sunday. There are those who disagree, thinking that we will "let down" or get a big lead, earlier, then rely on the run to use up the clock, but I think our running game will pop some big ones, as well.

• September 26, 2008

  7:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GJrodburner writes:

  The only way I can see this team letting down on Sunday is if Cutler allows that to happen with his on the field play. He can really dial up an emotinal pitch; he may not have that contorted facial look, but his jaw and his eyes give him away. As he goes on Sunday against the Chiefs, so will the rest of this team, and to some extent, the coaching and play calling too.

  So DD I hope that you are correct about the ground game this Sunday at Arrowhead, and that we do break off some yardage. I would prefer that the ground game be used as much as possible Sunday, given how bad K.C. looked in Atlanta last Sunday. Being that this is the "pros", I'm sure that K.C. has done a lot more in practice to shut down a ground game in their team-meetings, practices, and coaching schemes. This is why I can't wait to see how Ryan T. actually does in a live game situation. Would be a little premature to expect substantial yardage from him, especially against the Dolphins (if that is his first time out on the field with the team), but like everything else this season, who knows what can or will happen!

• September 27, 2008

  1:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  gylizard1 writes:

  Torain will be a fine compliment to Selvin Young and Andre Hall and will flourish with the Broncos blocking schemes..if he can pound it between the tackles..especially down on the goal line..that will make all the difference in the World. My question is this...does he catch the ball well out of the backfield? I would love to see the Broncos start throwing the ball to Patrick Hillis too..he may have the best hands on the team; rather unusual for a fullback. What a shame we won't get to see what Anthony Aldridge could have added to the team with his impressive speed and moves..makes one lick their lips in anticipation of next year when he returns..hopefully at full speed like Torain will very soon. Denver offense looks powerful for years to come..now please..GO OUT AND GET PASS RUSH!!

• September 27, 2008

  3:18 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  deepwater805 writes:

  All during training camp the buzz what about how talented both Eddie Royal and Ryan Torain were. The pundits really got it right about ER, and methinks that RT will be the big butt kicking back that the Broncos have been looking for since TD. What a great draft!

• September 27, 2008

  7:54 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  gatengreen writes:

  The 21 snaps that the defense used a 3-4 "LOOK" last Sunday didn't do so well. With no pressure, there is not a QB in the NFL that can't pick a defense apart.

• September 27, 2008

  9:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  oc60 writes:

  The game in KC is all about the AFC; 48 years of rivalry and for the bragging rights in the Western Division. Records means nothing in this rivalry and the Broncos must be prepared for a team desperate for a win and have nothing to lose. Just ask the Patriots and the Trojans who were huge favorites. My blood boils when we play the Chiefs & Raiders. Yes I agree with all Broncos fans and hope we keep scoring 40+ points but my guts thinks this game will be a low scoring game. Go Broncos!

• September 27, 2008

  9:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  dld writes:

  ( I know the pronounciation is off, but...)

  Torain (to reyn] - verb - 1. to send down in great quantities 2. to deal, hurl, fire, etc., repeatedly 3. a heavy and continuous descent or inflicting of yardage...

  Just a thought.

• September 27, 2008

  9:55 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Brain writes:

  "So, we've got some depth there," Shanahan said."
  At DT??? Shanahan is being a politcian saying that; they have very little at DT right now. I still think they should pick-up Dre Moore off of TB's practice squad; not necessarily for now but in the near future; we need something better than we have at DT. Marcus Thomas is good for a 2nd year player but he isn't going to collapse the pocket much. Robertson can slow the run and thats about it.
  When Torain comes back I hope he can stay healthy; his history isn't very good at staying healthy.

  GO BRONOCS; 38-10 Broncos

• September 27, 2008

  10:57 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Brain, yeah, I agree, Torain needs to stay healthy. We had a good RB in Henry but he was always hurt (plus his character was in question). I saw Torain play at ASU and he looked very good. As far as DT, I think KC is what we need to help the confidence of the D. We have some tough games ahead and they need to gel. I still don't understand why Shanahan hasn't gone to Jack Williams, yet, in place of Paymah? The only thing I can think of as a reason is that Williams, being a rookie, isn't prepared enough yet (like Paymah is, huh?). But I will trust the coaches in their decisions (like we have a choice, right?). Let's just do what we do best, sit from the sidelines, root for our team and hope that the coaches make the right choices.

• September 27, 2008

  11:48 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Brain writes:

  Paymah isn't a starter and only plays on pass situations; he did not play very well against S.D. but they obviously targeted him; thankfully he is not our starter. I would like to see more of Jack Williams too, but also agree that the coaches make the decisoins and so far this year they have made some good ones (E. Royal starting) and game plans have been effective. Using Jack more would not risk a whole lot considerng the D hasn't played very well anyway but Jack's confidence could be an issue if a team targets him being a rookie, we still have time for him to get prepared; I also don't really like Jack's size that much.

• September 27, 2008

  11:56 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Brain, his speed though, would be a plus. He is fast. He looked impressive in preseason. I want to see more. he also got that interception against the 1st string offense. I bet he is chomping at the bit, right now.

• September 27, 2008

  3:44 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Brain writes:

  Dave, my preference for CB's is to be a little bigger (he is 5'9" 180+) but I do like his talent/speed and Darrel Green was about that size and he was one of the best ever; it would be fun to have the oppurtunity to watch him instead of Paymah.

• September 27, 2008

  4 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jabberwocky writes:

  if peyton hillis had the best hands on the team they would be throwing to him,he has already dropped one pass that hit him right in the hands,and like i said before he can`t block,if you watch him try all he does is lay down at the feet of who ever is in front of him,the only reason the coaches say anything positive about him is to try and milk whatever they can out of him,before they cut him,I promise you he will not be on the field in november or even the team next season.razorback fan says the guy is no good and he is not a team player nor is he tough

• September 27, 2008

  5:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  jabberwocky, wrong, wrong, wrong.

• September 27, 2008

  7:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  TXBRONC writes:

  Jabberwocky, I've watched all three games and that's not what I have seen from Hillis.

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