Former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball is doing everything necessary to become the starting running back for the Denver Broncos. As OTAs continue and Ball gets his first taste of NFL life, he is putting in extra time at practice and with quarterback Peyton Manning. While Ball is one of three running backs on the Broncos' roster, the team is grooming him to be the better player.
Ball has spent most of the voluntary practices working with Manning and learning plays. The quarterback is stressing the importance of Ball picking up the offense quickly as he plans on relying on the young rookie to take some of the pressure off the passing game.
"We're just kind of going through plays, going through games, getting him comfortable hearing audibles at the line of scrimmage. Because we are going to count on him in a big way this year. He's a rookie, but coach Fox isn't going to bring him along slowly," Manning said.
Ball will likely be competing with veterans like Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno for the starting spot. He is benefiting from both being absent from workouts as he gets more time with the offense. McGahee elected not to attend OTAs while recovering from a knee injury suffered during the 2012 season. He is staying in Miami to continue rehab.
Moreno is following the same path as McGahee. He has not been cleared by doctors yet to attend practices. He also suffered a knee injury during Denver's playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Due to the uncertainty surrounding both player's help, Ball will be expected to pick up the slack.
Ball will likely remain ahead of the two veterans even if they show up healthy to camp. Both McGahee and Moreno are possibly out after this season, so Ball will be the future. McGahee's contract runs through 2014 and will pay him $2.5 million this season. Both he and Moreno risk getting released if they continue to suffer from injuries and be ineffective on the field. Manning likes what he sees in Ball and that is really all that matters.
