Tag: running back

What should we make of the Broncos’ running back rotation?

Sorry, fantasy football managers: Broncos coach Sean Payton didn’t provide clarity on the running back rotation.

For several weeks leading up to Week 10, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton had hinted that rookie running back Audric Estime could get more involved on offense.

Estime then led the team in snaps (26), carries (14) and rushing yards (53) against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10, and the hype went through the roof. Admittedly, Broncos Wire was at the forefront of the campaign to add Estime in fantasy football leagues. In hindsight, we might have overestimated Estime’s future workload.

Javonte Williams returned to leading the backfield against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11, rushing nine times for 59 yards and a touchdown. Estime got six carries for 16 yards and Jaleel McLaughlin rushed four times for 19 yards.

So, what should we expect from the team’s backfield rotation going forward?

“That’s the $6 million question,” Payton said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s difficult. We know kind of what we have with those three players and it’s just — it’s always hard to feed three. I’m used to — and it’s easy — to feed two. So we kind of do that a little bit.

“I thought Javonte had some really good runs. Certainly, the game ends and we’re like, ‘Gosh, we’ve got to get Jaleel more touches.’ So it’s a tough, but a good problem to have.”

That answer from Payton won’t provide much clarity.

Payton clearly likes Estime, but the running back has not leapfrogged Williams on the depth chart. It might be difficult to predict the utilization of the team’s three backs on a week-to-week basis.

After the win against Atlanta, Payton said, “We’ll figure it out each week though and kind of plan accordingly.”

Unfortunately, that’s not a very helpful explanation for fantasy football managers. At the moment, though, Williams seems to be the RB1.

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Gimme Him: One player the Chiefs would steal from the Panthers

Which Carolina #Panthers player would we pick to add to the Kansas City #Chiefs’ roster for the rest of the regular season?

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Week 11 action on November 24.

This matchup is expected to result in an easy win for the 9-1 Chiefs, who are looking to bounce back after their first regular season loss. The 3-7 Panthers have struggled all season and would need to mount a heroic effort to hand Kansas City its second defeat.

On Chiefs Wire, we are conducting a thought experiment. We’ll call this game of hypotheticals ‘Gimme Him.’

Let’s imagine that the Chiefs could make a trade for any one of Carolina’s most valuable players for nothing in return.

Which Panther would make the most impact for Kansas City through the rest of the season?

Carolina’s offense focuses heavily on the ground game, which has given running back Chuba Hubbard an opportunity to make a name for himself as one of the NFL’s most reliable rushers. Hubbard has carried the ball 161 times this season for 818 yards.

While Kansas City already has stellar running backs and the Chiefs are often more inclined to let Patrick Mahomes throw the ball than rely on their run game, having a breakout rusher like Hubbard could be a great asset for Andy Reid’s offense.

When Kansas City visits Carolina this weekend the defense must keep Hubbard’s yardage limited.

Sony Michel explains the Super Bowl culture he learned while playing with the Patriots

Sony Michel explains the Super Bowl culture he learned from the New England #Patriots w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Sony Michel, a Two-time Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriots running back.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Michel discussed teaming up with Kingsford to host the ‘Kingsford College Football Tailgate Tour’ at the Georgia vs. Tennessee game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.

He revealed his grilling preparation technique and reflected on learning the ‘Patriot Way’ as part of the Super Bowl culture in New England.

“As far as prepping it, man, we prep the meat, season the meat easily, and you slap it on. It’s the feet. It’s super simple, so cliche to say, but you’re talking about the easiest process and also super safe, man, because you’re talking about, I got two little ones.” said Michel. “So easy to use while they’re around. They don’t get too close. But you’re talking about easy and safe. So there’s no way that you know I would feel more comfortable with it, especially since I have experience of it working for me.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCZbpBVpH0g/?igsh=MWs5cGl6MXphZTdtZA==

The preparation didn’t end at the grill for Michel, who was focused during his game preparation while he was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams. The first team he learned the culture as a rookie in New England.

“So many different factors come into play, and the biggest one is teamwork. Everyone is doing their job,” Michel explained. “It’s like one big puzzle, and the goal is to complete it so you can see the outcome. So it’s all about everyone being a piece of the puzzle, coming together to connect, and no one feeling bigger than the team. No one, feeling like, Hey, man, my stats matter.”

In his rookie season with the Patriots, Michel was a key factor on offense, playing efficiently throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.

“It’s about the end goal, and that’s to win championships for the most part. I think the biggest thing for us is we relied on each other when it came to playing. That was huge in those little pieces coming together to get that finished product. That was kind of the ‘Patriot Way,’ like we didn’t do anything outside the box. We did everything fairly textbook, consistent, and we knew what we wanted.”

For more information on Kingsford, log on to Kingsford.com and follow on Instagram & X

Bo Nix had a great quote on Javonte Williams’ touchdown run

Javonte Williams’ touchdown run demonstrated “one united team that is going for one goal,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s 38-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams was stood up at the five-yard line and then pushed into the end zone by his teammates for a touchdown.

After the game, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a great comment on how that play exemplified the team bouncing back from Week 10.

“It is effort,” Nix said of the touchdown. “I think that play is kind of the epitome of this week. I think we have been wanting to get over a hurdle. He stopped there for a minute and everybody just kind of pushes around him and gets him in the end zone. Those are the plays you love to see from an offense and a team. It almost looks like one united team that is going for one goal.

“Nobody who was pushing or blocking cared who got the touchdown. They were just pushing from behind. I think it was a great team effort that pictures what this week has been for us. Find ways to get effort and intensity and maximize the opportunity that we have. We have to continue to build, grow, keep fighting and finding ways to score touchdowns and find success.”

That’s exactly the kind of mentality Denver needs going into the final stretch of the 2024 season. Up next is a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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It’s a shame that Audric Estime’s crazy hurdle was called back

Broncos rookie RB Audric Estime had a great hurdle against the Falcons that was unfortunately negated by a Garett Bolles penalty.

In the third quarter of Sunday’s 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime caught a pass from Bo Nix and went 10 yards in style, hurdling Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips to pick up a first down.

Here’s video of the play:

Unfortunately, the impressive hurdle was negated by an unnecessary roughness penalty called against Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles.

That means Estime’s beautiful run officially doesn’t count in the NFL’s record books. We’ll always have the video, though.

Estime also showed off his hurdling skills against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, but he fumbled on that play. Despite that fumble, coach Sean Payton has not discouraged Estime’s hurdling.

“I don’t coach against that,” Payton said in September. “I don’t ever want to take away from their instincts.”

So we could see more hurdles from Estime going forward. Through seven games this season, Estime has 173 yards from scrimmage on 38 touches.

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Javonte Williams had a great reaction to being pushed into end zone by teammates

“The cavalry came,” Broncos RB Javonte Williams said of being pushed into the end zone. He knew Quinn Meinerz was involved.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams met Falcons safety Justin Simmons at about the five-yard line and was stood up.

Williams kept his legs moving and teammates soon arrived to help push him into the end zone for a touchdown.

“They just seen me and J-Sim one-on-one kind of at a stalemate and after that, the cavalry came,” Williams said of the play after the game.

Williams was picked up by his teammates and escorted into the end zone.

“I was in the air,” Williams said after the game. “That was all the o-line. From like the five-yard line on, that was all the o-line because my feet were in the air. So all the credit to them.”

After an eventual 38-6 victory, guard Quinn Meinerz detailed how pushing the pile dates back to his time in college.

“Pushing the pile, I’m going to give a shout-out to my offensive line coach at [Wisconsin-] Whitewater, Coach Brent Allen,” Meinerz said. “That was something that was instilled in us as Whitewater offensive linemen that — it was push the pile every time. Get to the pile, push the pile. We had tons of plays like that in college.”

Denver’s social media team had Williams break down the play after the game:

Williams knew Meinerz was involved during the play.

“Yeah, when my feet came out the ground and I was still moving, I said, it must be Quinn and somebody, because I know Quinn is going to be the one push,” Williams said.

Williams ended the day with nine carries for 59 yards and one touchdown. He also added four receptions for 28 yards as the Broncos improved to 6-5 with a convincing victory at home.

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Broncos could give Marvin Mims more snaps at running back

“{We’re] just trying to find ways to get him touches,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Marvin Mims getting snaps at running back.

The Denver Broncos unveiled an unexpected twist on offense against the Kansas City Chiefs last week.

Marvin Mims, a wide receiver and Pro Bowl returner, spent a few snaps lined up in the team’s backfield. The 22-year-old speedster ended the day with three carries for 17 yards and four receptions for 13 yards (plus a 28-yard punt return).

During his mid-week media availability, Broncos coach Sean Payton noted that it’s not the first time we’ve seen this happen. Payton referenced Deebo Samuel and Kordell Stewart as players who were also utilized in unique ways.

“One of the things that we are tasked to do sometimes is, ‘Are we missing anything from an attribution [standpoint]?’” Payton explained. “When you watch him [Mims] return, you see him put his foot in the ground and you see his speed. Just talking to the offensive staff, [I said,] ‘Let’s come up with a tag that puts him…’ We’ve seen this before with different type of players. Whether it’s been Deebo [Samuel] or Kordell [Stewart]. He gives us a different speed element. There’s certain running schemes that he would be very comfortable with.

“Then the other thing what’s interesting is when you send him in the game with two other receivers, a tight end and a fullback. You think you’re in base, but you’re getting a nickel defense because they get — they’re looking at it as three receivers, a tight end and [Michael] Burton is playing halfback. It was just creating a package that some weeks we can expand on. Just trying to find ways to get him touches within the framework of what we do. I told him last week, you’re not changing positions but there are some things that I think he can help us with and we’ll try to look at it weekly.”

Mims isn’t switching to running back full-time, but this is a way for the Broncos to get him some more touches while also making scheming more difficult for defenses. So the receiver will likely continue to get occasional snaps at running back.

“He did a really good job,” fellow receiver Courtland Sutton said. “There were a couple of times I was on the backside on a couple of his runs. You’ll see him catch the edge and it was kind of like a punt return. You’ll see him catch the edge and he has that get up. To see him carry the ball and to handle those carries that they gave him that responsibility of carrying the ball, the way he handled it was really fun to see.

“He is explosive and dynamic with the ball in his hands. We get to see it on punt returns and kick returns. When he gets the ball on offense, he has those glimpses of the excitement he brings because of his speed. Watching him carry the ball is pretty fun and seeing him get some yards. I think there is more to come. It will be nice to see him continue to grow in our offense for sure.”

Through ten games this season, Mims has 15 touches on offense for 103 yards from scrimmage plus 389 yards on returns. We’ll see if he starts getting more opportunities in the final stretch of the season.

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Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt is excited to play alongside Isiah Pacheco: ‘One-Two punch’

Kansas City #Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt is excited to play alongside Isiah Pacheco: ‘One-Two punch’ | @EdEastonJr

The emergence of veteran running back Kareem Hunt since returning to the Kansas City Chiefs has provided another dynamic for the offense this season. The heavy workload focused on the run serves the team well while the team eagerly awaits their injured starter.

Hunt spoke to reporters on Wednesday before practice, expressing his desire to play alongside starting running back Isiah Pacheco soon.

i think that’s great, man. I’m happy for him (Isiah Pacheco), and i know he’s excited to get back and get out there.” said Hunt. “I think it’s gonna be a heck of a one-two punch.”

The 29-year-old running back spent five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, working primarily alongside Nick Chubb. He is confident he can work well with Pacheco once he’s available to play.

“I think it could be very similar, man. I’m excited,” said Hunt. I’m used to working with other great backs and stuff like that. So, I feel like it’s gonna be another great one-two punch.”

Pacheco returned to practice to continue his ramp-up process after being taken off the injured reserve. He has been out of action since fracturing his fibula in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Should the Oklahoma Sooners redshirt running back Xavier Robinson?

Should the Oklahoma Sooners redshirt true freshman running back by holding him out of the final two games of the season?

The Oklahoma Sooners have a predicament ahead of them. If Xavier Robinson takes a snap against Alabama or LSU, he’ll lose his redshirt year in 2024.

He played a couple of snaps against Texas and Ole Miss and then got more opportunities against Maine and this last week against Missouri. Against the Tigers the Carl Albert High School product led the Sooners in rushing, carrying the ball nine times for 56 yards and had one reception for seven yards.

Robinson has emerged as a productive player for the Sooners over the last few weeks. His work allowed the Sooners to tie the game at 16 in the fourth quarter as the Oklahoma offense rode the true freshman running back.

He has a bright future ahead of him for the Sooners and could be an integral part of the running back rotation next year, competing for the opportunity to start.

On the season, he has 15 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. He’s’ averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Robinson has also shown his prowess as a pass catcher with four receptions for 65 yards.

He’s a part of a running game that has been the best part of the offense over the last four weeks. With a pair of tough matchups ahead, the Sooners will need to ride their running game. But using Robinson in either of those two games will take his redshirt off the table. Is it worth it?

The Oklahoma Sooners have a difficult decision ahead of them. The Sooners have expressed interest in redshirting a number of individuals but injuries have forced them into action. A lot will depend on the availability of Jovantae Barnes who sat out last week’s game against Missouri. If Barnes is back to 100% after suffering an ankle injury against Maine, then the Sooners might be able to afford not playing Robinson.

But as the Sooners look to finish the season on a high note against Alabama and LSU, the offense could use all the help it can get.

Robinson will help this team in the long run. Keeping his eligibility for the future intact may be more important to the Sooners’ future success than any win they could get this season.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Fantasy Football: Audric Estime seems to be the Broncos’ new RB1

Broncos coach Sean Payton liked what he saw from Audric Estime on Sunday. “I was encouraged. He’ll continue to get more reps,” Payton said.

The Denver Broncos appear to have made a change in their backfield.

After coach Sean Payton hinted last week that Audric Estime would be more involved in the second half of the season, the rookie led the team’s running backs in snaps (26), carries (14) and rushing yards (53) against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

“We keep wanting to get him involved,” Payton said after the game. “He is a handful.”

Estime’s production was modest as he only averaged 3.8 yards per carry, but if he remains the team’s primary running back going forward, the rookie will quickly become relevant for fantasy football managers.

“I thought he ran well yesterday,” Payton said Monday. “I thought [Marvin] Mims gave us some juice as well. [We’re] just trying to find different roles and different ways to utilize these players. I was encouraged. He’ll continue to get more reps.”

Estime, who was picked by Denver in the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft out of Notre Dame, appears to have leapfrogged Javonte Williams in the RB rotation. Williams will likely remain involved in passing situations (he is the team’s best blocking RB) and Jaleel McLaughlin will continue to mix in, but Estime appears to be the new RB1.

This week, Estime will face an Atlanta Falcons defense that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL against the run, allowing 4.5 yards per carry and 129.4 rushing yards per game. Take note, fantasy football managers.

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