The Denver Broncos might rely heavily on the arm of Peyton Manning, but 2013 saw a boost in the eam's run game that resulted in a trip to the Super Bowl. Knowshon Moreno put up career-high numbers despite the pick-your-poison passing offense the Broncos put up. Moreno is no longer on the roster, opting for a contract with the Miami Dolphins, leaving backup Montee Ball to take the reins of the run game. However, just because he is the best returning back does not mean the Broncos are just handing him the starting job.
According to ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the Broncos are not ready to just let Ball enter as the presumed starter. They are looking to push him and get him to earn the spot. Manning has already endorsed Ball as the starter, but the running back had some rookie issues last year that simply cannot be overlooked. He struggled with ball security at times and the Broncos need him to prove himself as a reliable option before they give him the job.
"I know for a fact they're not going to hand it to me, they're going to make sure we all get our opportunities throughout camp and throughout OTAs ... but it's going to be who's the most productive," Ball said, via ESPN.com. "But for me, my mentality is that it is my job."
If Ball is going to be challenged for the starting job, it will not be by anyone currently on the roster. Behind Ball is Ronnie Hillman and CJ Anderson, both of whom do not have the numbers to warrant a starting role. As a result, the Broncos look poised to add a running back in some form before training camp. The team succeed on the one-two punch of Moreno and Ball, but do not have that this year. The Denver Post is reporting that the Broncos could make a trade over drafting a rookie like Tre Mason or Jeremy Hill.
The running back that is all but guaranteed on the market is LaMichael James of the San Francisco 49ers. The team no longer has a need for James and the running back has already requested a move before the new season starts. James essentially has the legs of a rookie after the 49ers buried him in the roster. James would likely come cheap, possibly a mid-round draft pick which is what the Broncos would use on a rookie in the first place, so the deal makes sense.
Another option could be trying to get Mark Ingram from the New Orleans Saints. The team has opted not to pick up Ingram's fifth-year option as a way to push the running back who will be the starter next season. However, if the Saints are preparing to move on from Ingram in a year, they could take a trade in order to get more draft picks. The Saints have been looking to make a few moves to be more productive in the draft and this would be the ideal way to do it. However, Ingram will not be cheap considering he is a former first-round pick. The Broncos will not give up enough to get him.
Ball is not looking for a running back to be added to the roster. He understands the team is looking for depth and options, but he remains confident that he is the guy for the job.
"I don't want them to bring another running back in," Ball said. "I want it to be my job and that's how I'm approaching it, in the most humble way possible. Like I said, I understand they're not going to hand it to me, but I'm going to work really, really hard to contribute."
