NFL Player News

Questions about how the Broncos might specifically use rookie Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman this season probably won't be answered until training camp wraps (and that's a best-case scenario), but I checked out a video on the Broncos' official team website that gets into the topic. 

Most notably, analyst Andrew Mason recalls how John Fox's running backs have been used in the past: as an interchangeable tandem. One plays one series, the other takes the next series and if one gets hot during a game he sees more reps. If both backs can do the same things then there's no need to replace one during a drive, keeping the offense in a no-huddle rhythm. Plus in the event a running back were to get hurt, the other would be prepared for every down and distance. 

Think about what happened last season when Willis McGahee went down. A lot of people thought Hillman would be "the guy" but it was Knowshon Moreno who stepped in. Why? Because he knew the pass protections better than Hillman and was an effective, experienced rusher too. 

If the Broncos continue to groom Ball and Hillman and are comfortable with both of them as pass protectors, it's very likely they'll rotate based on possessions and not down/distance during the course of a game. If one or both can't handle all of that, Moreno will jump into a decent spot.

All of this will only cause headaches for Fantasy owners since platooning reps not only limits potential but it also makes the running backs very unpredictable. If this scenario plays out I'm not sure I would spend a top-70 pick on a Broncos rusher. 

The Ravens are still planning to start Ray Rice at running back this season, but he's expected to lose carries to Bernard Pierce.

The Ravens' official team website reports that Rice will "get pushed by Pierce this season." The report says the two backs have different styles, so rotating them in and out of games will allow both to stay fresh and also mix up the looks for the defenses.

Rice had 257 carries to Pierce's 108 last year, but a strong showing from Pierce could balance out that distribution a little more.

Falcons backup running back Jacquizz Rodgers is not sure what his role will be this season with the addition of free agent Steven Jackson in Atlanta.

"When I get in the game, I'm going to try to make my plays and try to get my number called more often," Rodgers said in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I'll try to make every carry and every catch count."

Speaking with reporters following the Raiders' June minicamp, running back Darren McFadden seemed happy with the team's offensive progress and the O-line's updated blocking scheme. McFadden also said he's not focused so much on this year being a contract year for him as he knows "if I go out there and take care of my business on the field, everything is just to follow."

Where McFadden really made a statement is by telling the media that they have not seen the best of him yet. Through five seasons McFadden has 3,334 rush yards, 1,449 receiving yards and 23 total touchdowns but has missed at least three games every season including four last year. 

"You've seen a lot of glimpses," McFadden said, "but I can promise you that you haven't seen the best of (me) at all."

Browns running back Trent Richardson is expected to be ready for the start of training camp despite dealing with a shin injury all offseason, reports CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. 

La Canfora writes that "despite reports he would miss all of August recovering from injuries, I'm told there is every expectation that he will be taking reps when camp opens."

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said he's liked what he's seen from rookie Cordarrelle Patterson in the meeting rooms while learning the team's offense but that the learning process itself is still going on. It's something Patterson must accelerate if he wants to be a factor in 2013.

Musgrave told the media Wednesday Patterson must "get more familiar with the system and play faster. Less thinking, more reacting."

Patterson was one of the Vikings' three first-round picks in April's draft. According to ESPN, Patterson has looked very impressive during the spring practices and has set himself up to start gaining separation from defensive backs. 

Chris Johnson sounded satisfied with the improved run game the Titans have implemented this offseason. Speaking after the final day of minicamp practice, Johnson gave his personal seal of approval to the team's changes in the ground game. 

"I'm encouraged by (the progress)," Johnson said per the official team website. "Each day we're getting better and better, but we've still got to wait until we get pads on to see how it turns out. ... You just see everybody working hard and trying to prove a point, trying to get back to that old Titans team we were when we teams know we're fixing to run the ball and we still go out and do it."

Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar had a terrific offseason and could still finish as the primary backup to DeMarco Murray this fall reports ESPN. It's been presumed that Joseph Randle would land the gig but Randle's been sidelined following a pair of thumb surgeries while Dunbar has earned the trust of Tony Romo thanks to his pass blocking skills and hands out of the backfield. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman is out to prove he can be the starter in Denver this season. He knows people knock him because of his size and see him better suited to be just a change-of-pace back.

"You get that when you're a smaller guy," Hillman said, according to NFL.com. "You can't take the pounding, but I just brush it off. Of course you hear things. I'm not going to sit hear and say I don't hear what they say, but you just got to let it go. Obviously, getting 22 carries in negative 13-degree weather against the Ravens (in the divisional playoffs), they shouldn't have much else to say about that if they're paying attention."

The report says Hillman put on 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason and now weighs 200 pounds. He said the Broncos actually want him to drop weight and play in the 190-to-195 range.

Hillman is competing for the starting job with rookie Montee Ball. Knowshon Moreno is also in the mix for playing time now that Willis McGahee has been released.

Vikings receiver Joe Webb, who played quarterback for his first three seasons in Minnesota, said he has taken rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson under his wing in a mentoring role.

"I've been helping Cordarrelle out a lot, especially with the offense," Webb said, according to 1500ESPN.com. "Keeping him updated on what defenses like to do against certain routes."