Broncos Add More Talent to Backfield

It’s pretty standard for the Broncos to have a solid core of running backs. We all know it. We all expect it. So when Denver decided to sign veteran Michael Pittman (May 27), it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise.

Pittman will join Travis Henry and Selvin young in the backfield for the Broncos solidifying what should make for a formidable group.

What you can expect from these three is speed and muscle. Most importantly, however, could be Pittman’s experience and leadership. At practice on Wednesday, he spoke to Broncos TV and sounded like a man who knew what he wanted, knew what was expected and matter of factly sounded confident.

Pittman is a bruiser. He’s known for his muscle and his toughness. Even Jay Cutler made a remark about how massive Pittman’s biceps were.

So the Muscle Man is ready to play after having missed six games due to injury last year with the Buccaneers. It was the first season Pittman’s missed a game due to injury—so there’s no reason to panic or worry about his health.

Heading into his 11th season in the NFL (his last six were in Tampa), Pittman must learn a new system and seems encouraged to do so. After all, he wouldn’t just be playing with a team in his 11th year if he didn’t think they had a shot at some success. And Pittman made that clear according to DenverBroncos.com.

"Really with me I do whatever I'm asked to do," Pittman said. "I play receiver, I play running back, I played fullback at Tampa, and I returned some kicks on kickoff return. It's all about helping the team win…I just wanted the right team, the right opportunity," Pittman said. "I didn't want to go just anywhere to have a job, I wanted to go to a team that could compete for a championship, and that's definitely Denver. So when my agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called me up and said Denver was interested and wanted to sign me, I jumped out of my chair I was so excited," he said according to the team’s site.

Pittman, who won a championship in 2003, rushed for 286 yards with 191 yards through the air last season. But his career numbers tell a different story. He currently ranks second among active running backs with 3,400 receiving yards (8.2 yards per catch). His versatility is something the Broncos will rely upon. Whether it be bruising defenders up the middle, catching balls out of the backfield or returning kicks, Pittman can get it done.

With so much talent in the backfield it’ll be tough for the Broncos to rely on him to carry on the 1,000 yard tradition but no matter what the three RBs should all produce.

After all, it’s pretty standard.