Since signing with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado in 2018, running back Phillip Lindsay has rushed for 2,048 yards and 16 touchdowns — excellent totals.
Lindsay has also caught 70 passes for 437 yards and one touchdown, averaging 6.2 yards per reception. Those aren’t bad receiving totals, but Lindsay could do better.
Pat Shurmur, the team’s new offensive coordinator, wants to see Lindsay make plays a receiver out of the backfield. He also wants to see effective running and good pass protection in 2020.
“I think it is important for a runner to be able to catch,” Shurmur said during his introductory press conference last week. “There are three elements to playing running back. No. 1, when you hand it to them, they have to have good vision, balance, body control, collision balance and they have to be able to run with the ball and score.
“[No. 2], you certainly need to be able to pass protect to protect the quarterback. If you can’t catch the ball out of the backfield [No. 3] or you can’t have an impact in some way — and it doesn’t mean down the field, but maybe it’s a check-down or something thing in the flat — then it’s hard to be a full runner.”
Lindsay made the Pro Bowl as a rookie two years ago and he averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season. He’s been a good running back for Denver but in Shurmur’s offense, he will likely be asked to take his game to the next level. The offensive coordinator believes Lindsay is up to the task.
“I feel like he can do those [three] things,” Shurmur said.