Is Montee Ball Done in Denver?

Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (23) runs the ball during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t expect to see Montee Ball anytime soon.

The expectation from the Denver Broncos is the second-year running back will miss up to four weeks with a groin injury. That’s not much of a change from the first three weeks of the season, considering Ball’s output so far.

After Ball went out with that injury, the Denver running game found life with Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson. Most predicted half that sentence. The other half still has Broncos Country caught off guard.

Who would have figured Hillman was the answer to the Broncos inability to run the ball?

The question on everyone’s mind is: Is this a fluke or the real thing?

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All we’ve heard for five weeks is that we can’t give up on Ball. It’s not his fault. The offensive line has done a terrible job.

In terms of the line, that’s right. Prior to the Arizona Cardinals game, Denver backs were hit behind the line of scrimmage close to 40 percent of the time.

Prior to Ball’s injury, it was much the same for that ground attack. It was terrible. There was no purpose to it.

Then when Ball got hurt, it seemed the Broncos flipped the switch. The line blocked. Running lanes were open and Hillman and Thompson picked up positive yardage.

The nonsense of the Cardinals being tired is just that. This was more about Denver. Arizona still had life prior to Ball’s injury. The Cardinals didn’t have any problem up to that point. In fact, with a guy cold off the bench, they should have continued to dominate.

Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

That doesn’t bode well for Ball.

Unlike him, Hillman didn’t hesitate to hit the lane his line opened up. Hillman didn’t question himself. He took his first cut and went. Thompson did the same.

For whatever reason, Ball doesn’t and can’t do that. He hesitates just about every time he gets the ball. He doesn’t trust himself or the line.

Again, two guys come off of the bench cold and were more effective. Far more effective.

For the first time this season, the Broncos have some legitimate confidence in their running game. They can see what they did well and how they can improve upon that this week before they head to New Jersey to play the terrible Jets. That’s huge for offensive coordinator Adam Gase and the offense. It’s huge for Peyton Manning. It’s huge for Hillman and Thompson.

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That doesn’t bode well for Ball.

Expect CJ Anderson to be active against the Jets on Sunday. When he was active the first three games of the season, Anderson also had some success when he got carries. The reason Thompson was active over Anderson is Thompson is the more complete player, especially on special teams.

There’s no need at this point to sign another running back. What’s the point? This is the first time all season the Broncos have success running the ball, and they shouldn’t mess with that. That means you stick with what worked, which was Hillman and Thompson. Anderson is active but only for emergency situations.

When you have success, you don’t mess with that mojo. You don’t touch it; especially when success has been near impossible to find for this offense.

The offensive line stayed the same.

The guy calling the plays stayed the same.

All that changed was the guy who carried the ball for Denver.

Time will tell whether what happened against the Cardinals is a fluke. One would think the Broncos should be able to run the ball against the Jets. The hope is Denver would build on that as the season goes forward.

If so, you won’t see Ball anytime soon – even when he’s healthy.

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