Montee Ball to be Denver Lead Running Back?

With Knowshon Moreno prepared to test the open market, the Denver Broncos are fully prepared to get younger at running back.

Mike Klis of The Denver Post believes the team will furnish second-year runner Montee Ball with "the first chance" at becoming their lead back in his second season.

As +BRONCOS CR3W wrote in an earlier articles about this scenario with Montee Ball taking the lead role as Broncos RB next season.

Montee Ball being met by Coach John Fox after his 1st career
rushing TD as a rookie last season for the +Denver Broncos
Photo Courtesy: Denver Broncos (AP)

That scenario makes plenty of sense for Denver's offense after the way Ball closed last season.

After failing to top 40 yards rushing from Week 4 through Week 12, the rookie exploded for 117 yards on the ground at nine yards per clip against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. He closed the year by topping 70 yards twice down the stretch, and stealing carries away from Moreno deep into the postseason.

Ball went from averaging 6.6 carries over his first 11 games to 9.1 over the final eight, including Denver's Super Bowl run. After averaging three yards or fewer per tote in seven of his first 10 outings, Ball rumbled for five-plus yards per attempt in five of his six final regular-season appearances.

Broncos CR3W also put a piece together about Fox's faith in Hillman as a +NFL & Broncos RB.

Denver also has young C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman to feed the rock to, but Ball is an ideal candidate to take the lead and eclipse Moreno's 241 carries from 2013.

Broncos general manager John Elway said at the combine that he'd like to take pressure off Peyton Manning with a more powerful run game. In an offense that gives backs plenty of appealing looks from defenses wedded to stopping the air attack, Ball is a candidate for a breakout campaign.

H/T to +NFL - link here: Links of two articles: H/T +BRONCOS CR3W 

Montee Ball Ready for Role

Montee Ball ready to take over Denver's backfield

Broncos running back Montee Ball never had much of a chance to be the primary rusher for the team in 2013 because of Knowshon Moreno's exploits. But Moreno might be on the move this spring, and that would open up the chance at getting the primary workload.

Ball would jump at that chance.

"I do want to be a starter, and yeah, I want the football every time," Ball told the Denver Post. "I think I'm going to have a great offseason, and I'm going to have a better season next year for sure."  

Montee Ball runs vs the +Chargers in the AFC
Divisional Round playoff win.
Photo Courtesy: Denver Broncos (AP)

Ball might have to work on his pass protection, a huge deal in Denver since Peyton Manning is the quarterback, and he also has to hang on tight to the football after fumbling twice in his first 31 carries. But Ball knows he can take what he learned this season and apply it to what he does in the offseason to become a starter.

"It was a very unfortunate situation for us, obviously, in the Super Bowl, but it gave us a lot to work for," Ball said. "We understand how much it took to get there, and for me as a rookie, it was great to be a part of the process leading up to the Super Bowl, because I truly understand what it takes. And I'm going to play a huge role in next year's success, and I'm really looking forward to it."