Willis McGahee celebrates a score in the playoffs. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Willis McGahee put together one helluva season. His performance garnered him Pro Bowl honors and in some games, he carried the Denver Broncos on his back until the passing game could get going.

The 8-year veteran had 1,199 yards on 249 carries (4.8 yards per carry) in 15 games. He had seven 100+ yard games this season and he relieved a lot of pressure off of Tim Tebow.

The issue surrounding McGahee is that he is a relatively healthy back, and that’s how the Broncos would like to keep him. He is 30 years old, but he has younger legs than that because before coming to Denver, he backed up Ray Rice in Baltimore. That’s the benefit of having a two-back system. It keeps guys healthy and the team has fresh legs on each down.

Because John Fox is a run heavy coach, the Broncos will need to pick up a running back in the off season who is able to come in and contribute immediately. Yes, the team has Knowshon Moreno, but he hasn’t played an injury-free season yet. He was placed on the IR Nov. 15 with a torn ACL.

The team needs another reliable back.

Here’s a list of the available free agent running backs:
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Willis McGahee bats away A.J. Hawk as he works for the extra yards. (Mike Roemer/AP Photo)

On a team with a 1-3 record, it can be difficult to find the beams of light. Ranked 24th on offense and 23rd on defense, last season and this season appear to blend together for the Broncos. If they keep at their current pace, they will be 4-12 at season’s end, exactly where they were one year ago.

What a Mc-Disappointment.

To look at the Mc-Upside, the Broncos appear to be on the other side of a bad running game.

Trading one Mc (Josh McDaniels) for another Mc (Willis McGahee) has the Broncos’ offense more balanced.

Against the Packers’ 2nd ranked rush defense, Willis McGahee had 103 yards on 15 carries. Against the Bengals’ 7th ranked rush defense, he had 101 yards on 28 carries.
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DeAngelo Williams is already familiar with Fox's system. (Sun Sentenial)

I don’t know about you, but I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve. The excitement is building in one area in particular. With one time images in mind of Terrell Davis dancing down the field for long runs, my excitement builds for an established running back that the Broncos are due to pick up in free agency.

Who will be the guy to share carries with Knowshon Moreno? Who will be the guy to put an end to the team’s woeful third and short conversion rate? Who will be the guy to take pressure off of the passing game? Who will be the guy to keep drives going and convert in the redzone?
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