Knowshon Moreno could be headed for reduced role in Broncos backfield

AP

The Broncos didn’t draft a running back this year, but that doesn’t mean Knowshon Moreno’s status as the team’s primary running back is safe.

Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post writes that the Broncos want a “big back” and now envision Moreno as being “more of a situational player.” Legwold thinks Moreno is headed for a third down role.

If that’s the case, the Broncos will be active in free agency.  They should be in the mix for DeAngelo Williams, Fox’s old buddy in Carolina. Legwold also expects the team to show interest in fullback Mike Karney.

Moreno has the pedigree of an elite running back — he was taken No. 13 overall — but we can’t argue with this plan.  Injuries have been a problem for Moreno and he could benefit from splitting the workload.

Some “big backs” that could be available this offseason include Cedric Benson and Ronnie Brown.

30 responses to “Knowshon Moreno could be headed for reduced role in Broncos backfield

  1. He carries the loser stink of Josh McDaniels. Release him before another cornerback can arm-tackle him.

  2. McD drafted and coached the Broncos like he was sent there to destroy the franchise and his first draft choice Moreno is good evidence of that. Moreno’s only shot to be successful in the NFL will be as a third down back, he falls down before he can hit the hole on running plays. Worst collection of RB’s in the league BY FAR!

  3. cornerbacks never had a shot at him. The entire DLine was in the backfield to greet him everytime the Broncos line attempted to run-block

  4. poppleton is absolutely right. It’s actually amazing that KM has a postive average after last year. He usually had to break 2 or 3 tackles just to get back to the line of scrimmage.

    But, I agree with the write-up. Knowshon will be a better back with someone to compliment him. He’s a workhorse, but that eventually takes its toll. Getting another back and Fox’s committment to the run will be a big boost for Knowshon.

  5. They should use tebust as a big back. At least get some use out of him before the whole league figures out he cant play qb, if they haven’t already. Yet another of McDimmwitts draft bust..

  6. The Broncos definitely need a primary ball carrier they can rely on. DeAngelo Williams would be a great addition.

    Moreno is far too injury prone. How John Fox must wish that he still had Peyton Hillis. Thanks McDaniels, you bloody idiot.

  7. sc5000, I’ve been sayin that since before JMD got fired. There were not many good moves made by his regime, and he dumped ALL the talent we had on offense. I mean, Scheffler, Brady Quinn for Hillis, BMarsh, the Cutler/Cassel fiasco, trading a 1st rdr+ for Alphonso Smith? Tebow? Moreno? Ayers? And the main reason I think so? Because Bowlen hired someone he knew he could trust (Elway) immediately after his firing. I’m just saying.

  8. ‘… he could benefit from splitting the workload.’

    And Bronco fans could benefit from his splitting the scene altogether.

  9. There is a reason Broncos fans call him “No Show” or “No Gain” Moreno…just saying being a Broncs fan

  10. Makes me realize that the Texans got the best RB in that 2009 draft in Arian Foster, and the Eagles got the second best in Lesean McCoy. So much for those draft pundits and their meaningless pre-draft rankings.

  11. bcjim says:
    May 24, 2011 4:24 PM
    Id bench or cut him because of his ridiculous name. Does he have a brother named Yesshon?

    good one…

  12. @ davikes – Funny stuff. Sad thing is Hillis was a bigger loss to the organization than Cutler and Marshall put together.

  13. Moreno is a good kid but he can’t stay healthy and he runs with too much finesse. An improved OL should help, but I don’t see any indication that KnoMo is a consistent playmaker. Denver used a first round pick on a guy who is giving us fourth round production.

  14. glennmcahill says: May 24, 2011 4:10 PM

    I challenge you to name 12 players drafted before Moreno that year. You can’t do it. Nice research PFT.
    ———-
    He was drafted 12th….soooo 11? I’m just happy the Raiders took DHB and started the (short) freefall of Crabtree. Before that pick my skins had no chance to get Orakpo. The 49ers needed def help but couldn’t pass up crabtree being there at 10. The Bills totally S the bed and picked Maybin. Then the Broncos (who also needed def help) took Moreno. Not even Vinny could F up picking Orakpo at 13. I almost hurt myself jumping off the bed when Goodell announced Moreno @ 12.

  15. Put Knowshon behind the Broncos’ back to back championship line and you have the same thing you have now: a supposed breakaway back with no fourth gear who gets arm-tackled by 170 pound CBs.

  16. As a Broncos fan I would really love to get Deangelo Williams. Two back tandems really do help a lot. And I still believe that Moreno has something to show us. I mean the dude was amazing in college. Denver hasn’t had an O-line capable of giving him holes to run through. He needs to work on his decision making to choose where to hit his line, but once he does I think he’ll surprise some people. Plus having big ol’ Orlando Franklin is going to help TREMENDOUSLY! Go Broncos! And go Tebow!

  17. If only they could find an RB like Peyton Hillis… those guys don’t grow on trees, if only they were lucky enough to find a guy like him….

  18. The Broncos had powerful offensive line last year.
    Not even their own RB’s could get through it.

  19. Only McDaniels could look at Noshow and see talent and look at Hillis and see none.

  20. @parasonic

    The article stated that he was taken 13th overall which was incorrect hence my challenge to PFT to name 12 players taken before him which is impossible since he was taken 12th.

  21. Why does every article have to degenerate into 1) Tebow’s not gonna make it 2) Josh sucked )3 and, Hillis was better than anybody we have?

    Regardless of whether those things are true or not, hate speech is the product of small minds.

    Let it go. we all know what happened.

  22. So Knowshon didn’t pan out to be Adrian Peterson or Maurice Jones-Drew. He’s still had some very good games for Denver and he continues to improve each year. He is dedicated to the team and his future in Denver. He’s never been a short-yardage smasher and we’ve all known that. Pairing him with a “big back” like DeAngelo Williams, Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown or even Mike Tolbert (a little big back) could keep him fresh and dangerous, more in the line of Reggie Bush or Chris Johnson (who hasn’t benefited from being a one-man show).

  23. the broncos line was so bad last year and the playcalling so stale it is truly amazing he avg mor than 4 ypc,he is also very good catching the ball.
    i think if the broncos shore up the line he will surprise people.
    he is still very young,most backs take 2-3 years to show what they are capable of….i think the kid has alot of upside if he can just stay healthy.
    with Fox’s heavy on the run style…he could be the broncos leading scorer this season

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