Broncos Running Game

I'm hearing Portis this, Portis that. While I think Portis is a great back, I don't think he could have done what he has without the superb play of the Broncos offensive line. I think if our offensive line doesn't play well next year Portis will be avarage at best. I firmly believe that the Bronco's offensive line can make any back look great and they have proven that over the past 8 years.

As for Champ, thanks for the memories and good luck.

Here, here! I concur!

Portis is tough for his size, picks up a blitz, and is fast as hell. He'll do fine. If we can get him into the open field now and then, he'll make his mark known.

Do people think about the possibility that the Broncos are good at evaluating running back talent? Some teams are good at particular areas of evaluation. And the Broncos have a good line - which is true of any team that has a runner go for 1,500 yards in 13 games like Clinton Portis.

But if you want more evidence of the extraordinary rare talent of Clinton Portis:

From Dave Krieger in Rocky Mountain News:

"But back to Shanahan's argument that he can get 1,500 yards out of anyone he sticks back there. The year Anderson ran for 1,487 yards, the Broncos had a scary passing game, ranked third in the league. Last year, the Broncos' passing game scared only their own fans. Sharpe and Ed McCaffrey are at or very near the end of the line. Rod Smith remains an excellent player, but he, too, is getting on.

The passing game was ranked 22nd in the league last season. The running game, with Portis, was second. Portis was the offense.

It's not his total yards so much as the average - 5.5 yards per carry - that tells you Portis is one of a kind. Of the top 20 rushers in NFL history, only two averaged 5 yards a carry - Brown (5.2) and Sanders (5.0)."

I think Denver's O-line played a big part of it, and the fact that Portis played in that altitude was a factor. Not having such a home field advantage, I will be happy if Portis can rush for 1,000 yards. I'm not sure if he'll reach 1500 here. I hope I'm wrong, though. :D

Well, adapting to a new system you have to give a little leway.

Forget Champ. He was a good player, but he didn't want to be here and so I say thanks and don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. I KNOW he didn't want to be here so I'm not going to cry over his departure.

That said, I think that Portis IS a monster. I also think that the Broncos offensive line is not as good as it was several years ago. I also think that you could say that a number of backs would not do nearly as well without their olines (i.e. Jamal Lewis). But I'll tell you what, Portis is special and anyone who doesn't think so ought to get their eyes checked.

I could be full of it, but that's my two cents.

I'm with ya, Ramseyfan. He's a great talent, and Shanihan does have a knack for spotting talent. Terrell Davis, Portis, Anderson. This isn't a lucky streak, or all O line. He picks up good runners.

Forget Champ. He was a good player, but he didn't want to be here and so I say thanks and don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. I KNOW he didn't want to be here so I'm not going to cry over his departure.

That said, I think that Portis IS a monster. I also think that the Broncos offensive line is not as good as it was several years ago. I also think that you could say that a number of backs would not do nearly as well without their olines (i.e. Jamal Lewis). But I'll tell you what, Portis is special and anyone who doesn't think so ought to get their eyes checked.

I could be full of it, but that's my two cents.

Portis a monster? Isn't he small in comparison to the backs Gibbs had in the day? I just watched the video of the link JCrisp put up there in regard to the Bailey trade. He mentioned having a "BIG" back like Riggins, who was a bruiser in his day. Like all positions, guys are getting bigger and bigger. I know Gibbs is a smart guy, but liking him to a big back of the 80's, to somebody like Portis know, doesn't seem like a great analogy. Or did he mean "big" ,as a big game breaker? Thoughts on that.

I do hear alot about Denvers O-Line, but we have a pretty good Oline too. Look what happened last year when we were actually allowed to run the ball, we had some damn good games. I think Portis will do just fine here.