Denver Bronco Free Agent Running Back Breakdown

This past years super bowl is still tough to watch. Not so much that we lost, but the fact that Denver didn't even seem to show up. One of the things I think we saw through the playoffs, and especially the super bowl is you have to be able to run the ball, and not just when you need to pick up a first down. Next year I think Denver will still play at the frantic pace it played with this past season, but I hope we see more of an attempt to get the rushing attack going early, and often. Knowshon Moreno had a very good year, but he is somewhat injury prone. I do not think he should be resigned. That leave Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman, and CJ Anderson as our running backs. Ball looks to be the real deal, but he has had fumble problems since he got to the NFL. Ronnie Hillman also has big problems with holding on to the ball, and is more of a change of pace back than anything. Finally CJ Anderson who had great showings in the preseason before he got injured, but he too is very young and unproven. With Denver wanting to win a super bowl now I am not sure Denver has time to wait until one of these guys sets himself apart from the others. 1) Ben Tate from the Houston Texans. Tate has managed to make a name for himself while running behind Arian Foster. Ben Tate runs hard, blocks well, and would be the feature back on just about any other NFL team. The problem with getting Tate is he is going to ask for a lot of money. I would say he is worth it, but Denver has other needs and doesn't need to break the bank on bringing in a RB to split carries with Montee Ball. Still, in my opinion Tate is the best free agent back available. 2) Maurice Jones-Drew from the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a move that probably makes more sense than any other. While MJD is not the perennial pro bowl player fantasy owners are use to seeing he can still play the game at a high level. Also, as far as the risk vs reward goes I think it should be noted that MJD has put up the numbers he has in Jacksonville, and done so while being the only offensive threat on the entire team. I think if he came to Denver where he isn't responsible for carrying the entire offensive load he could get back to being the force he once was. He has connections here through Jack Del Rio, and he has to know that Denver will give him the best chance to win a super bowl. 3) Legarrette Blount from the New England Patriots. Blount is 6 feet tall and weighs 250lbs, but still has good speed and quickness. While he never was really a feature back anywhere he would fit into the mold of what John Fox likes at running back, and that is a guy who doesn't do anything real fancy yet can get the tough yards and punish a teams defense. With Denver looking to incorporate their running game more into their game plan each week getting a 250lb work horse would seem like a no brainer. Blount paired up with Montee Ball would give us two solid runners, and Hillman would be a good change of pace back. Blount would be able to keep the clock going, and the other teams offense off the field after Denver jumps out to a lead. Knowing that they have to make their running game more of a priority next year. All three of the above mentioned players are physical, hard nosed players who have shown they can get the job done. Bronco fans would probably like nothing more than to go back to how this team won its super bowls in '98 and '99, and the way they won was Elway and the offense would jump out to a lead, and then it was time for TD to take over and run the clock out. Denver proved it had the best offense in the history of the game last year, but overlooked their running game and I think that ended up really hurting them. I firmly believe that one of these backs would be the only missing piece on the Broncos offense.