Broncos Have Crowded Running Back Position Battle

Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (28) runs with the ball during the first half against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Montee Ball

Ball had a really good rookie season after getting rid of some fumbling issues, which have been well documented around here and everywhere else, but it was close to the start of the pre-season in 2014 that the wheels came off for the former Heisman Trophy snub.

Ball was so dominant in college, I think there were some pretty unfair expectations on him coming into Denver. He backed up a thousand yard back in Knowshon Moreno in 2013, and was expected to improve a running game in 2014 with a more prominent role as the team’s lead ball carrier.

The Broncos put all their eggs in Montee’s basket, and he ended up getting an appendectomy not far off from the first pre-season game. He was expected to miss the entire four-game pre-season to recover, but ended up coming back and starting, not looking to bad considering you can’t do much — if any — physical activity while recovering.

But, he clearly came back too early.

Ball was not the explosive one-cut back we had seen the year before, and even though speed was never the name of his game, he wasn’t making decisive cuts at the line of scrimmage and was getting caught up in the backfield. He suffered a groin injury and missed some time while trying to fight through the pain.

It wasn’t a good idea.

By the time the Broncos took on the St. Louis Rams, Ball’s body had seen enough, and he shut it down for the rest of the season. I personally still have high hopes for Ball, and I think he’s going to be a significant contributor this season.

Next: Ronnie Hillman