Moreno Proving His Worth

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When the Broncos drafted Knowshon Moreno out of Georgia with the 13th overall pick, one couldn’t help but wonder why they didn’t use that pick to select the best available defensive lineman. Bill Simmons’ theory was that the Broncos had given up so many rushing yards in 2008 that they figured they should take the best available running back so that they wouldn’t have to play against him.

Moreno is playing well and proving that the Broncos made a pretty good choice. Josh McDaniels is the type of coach who doesn’t like to rely on one horse in the backfield, but Moreno is proving to be the man, especially with an injured Correll Buckhalter.

Moreno leads the Broncos in rushing yards with 337. He averages 4.2 yards per carry and scored his first and only rushing touchdown of the season against the Oakland Raiders. Moreno is also showing playmaking skill as a receiving back. He scored a receiving touchdown against the Cowboys last week, and he also had a 27-yard reception in Denver’s 98-yard drive that tied the game against the Patriots.

Moreno could probably be “the” guy for the Broncos (he carried the ball 21 times for 88 yards this past Sunday), but sharing the load helps take the pressure off of him. He is on pace, however, to gain 1,000 yards in the rushing department.