Willis McGahee reacts on the bench during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)
The Denver Broncos have four backs on their roster which is a lot considering one has to be inactive on game day.
The past two games, it’s been former first round draft pick Knowshon Moreno who has been inactive. Willis McGahee is 12th in the league in rushing, averaging 81.3 points per game. Lance Ball brings the receiving threat out of the backfield. Rookie Ronnie Hillman is a guy the Broncos drafted to compliment McGahee. He had 10 carries for 31 yards and 2 receptions for 32 yards in just his second regular season game against the Oakland Raiders.
Isn’t it time to let Moreno go then?
“We’re okay with that,” John Fox said of keeping four backs on the roster. “It’s a position that’s vulnerable. If you’re going to run the ball and run it as much as we do, you need a pretty big stable of them. We feel comfortable with where we are right now.”
‘Comfortable’ takes on a whole new meaning when McGahee is on your roster. He’s been like a fine wine, only getting better with age. After rushing for 1,199 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2011, he’s on pace for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012.
The way that McGahee (turns 31 years old in a few weeks) runs the ball doesn’t surprise Fox, however. It’s his character on and off the field.
“I think the thing that’s probably most surprising is his leadership ability, being a consummate pro, how he’s going about his business. I think it’s good for those young backs. I think it’s always important to have a good role model at a postion. They can really bring along and help, and show the right way to do things for young players. I think Willis has done that extremely well.”
The Broncos rank 14th in rushing with 109.0 yards per game.
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