Hey Denver, Where’s the Love for Josh McDaniels?

His tenure started with a bang. Down goes Cutler , in a way, is what should have rang in the ears of NFL fans everywhere.

Of course, you had your Jay Cutler haters, who shrugged off the bold move by new head coach Josh McDaniels to challenge the rising superstar quarterback.

Bold? Yes, you’d say.

Stupid? Hell no.

And in the end, that may have been the correct assumption.

But then, after the trade that for all intents and purposes landed them Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers came the Brandon Marshall saga.

It poured into our media outlets for the rest of the summer, quietly drowning out the pain (or happiness?) of the so-called prima dona Cutler exiting Denver.

And then the Broncos started the season with an extremely unlucky (and dare we say lucky?) win on a tipped pass that was scooped-up by Brandon Stokley and raced in for a 12-7 Denver win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Victory bred emotion. Emotion bred momentum. Momentum bred more victories, and then the hugging began.

Oh, the jumping, the hand-holding, the swearing on camera, and all that jazz.

The Broncos were 6-0, McDaniels and his odd team of no-names and over-achievers were winning the hearts everywhere, er, in Denver.

It wasn’t stylish. The offense wasn’t always pretty. But they were getting it done McDaniels’ way.

Naturally, as we’ve already learned, it’s his way or the highway.

Then came the bye week and a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Then a loss to the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oh, but these were two “good losses”. Losing to the defending champs can’t hurt one’s stock, right?

Maybe so, but it only got worse from there.

Not only did the Broncos go on to lose to the Washington Redskins the following week, but they even dropped a fourth straight game in a huge divisional match with the San Diego Chargers, and it wasn’t even close.

In fact, all four of their losses after starting 6-0 were by 10 or more points, and three of them were by 18 or more.

Josh McDaniels had apparently lost control of his team and was staring at a full collapse as the Broncos entered a pivotal Thanksgiving showdown with the New York Giants, who had already endured their own four-game losing streak.

Denver escaped that game victoriously and lived to fight another day—several other days, in fact—and were alive in the AFC wild card race until the very final week.

But it’s that final week that has developed into the most concerning aspect of Denver’s season.

Forget about the second four-game losing streak that ended their season, as they blew a close contest with the Kansas City Chiefs and then watched as a lesser team kicked them to the curb and out of the playoff race.

That happened, and it’s over and done with.

The question now is who is responsible? Do we blame Kyle Orton for not doing what Jay Cutler maybe could have done?

Do we blame Brandon Marshall for causing another rift between himself and the coaching staff? Do we question his motives (or lack thereof) for sitting out the final week?

Or do we start pointing the finger at the very man who we promised not to question?

Josh McDaniels sent Jay Cutler away, and the Denver fans asked no questions. They gladly accepted the two extra draft picks (and another in 2010) and had high hopes for a Kyle Orton-led offense.

And when Brandon Marshall stood in the way of what McDaniels was trying to accomplish, many agreed that he, too, should be sent elsewhere. Let the coach be the coach, the players be the players, and so on.

As hard as it is to admit that the seemingly egotistical McDaniels is to blame for Denver’s fallout, Denver fans need to suck it up and give some much-deserved applause.

McDaniels is a rookie at this, but he didn’t coach like a rookie. He beat his former boss, started 6-0 with his first NFL team, showed a cocky quarterback the door, and lived to tell about it.

Then when his prima dona receiver started making a fuss about a sore hamstring, he calmly informed him that he’d be sitting out and didn’t guarantee him a spot in the starting lineup if the Broncos were to make the playoffs, either.

McDaniels didn’t do much to stop his team from sliding from 6-0 to 8-8, but there’s a strong argument that there wasn’t much he could do, either.

The fact is, this wasn’t (and probably still isn’t) a very good football team. McDaniels over-achieved in his first season, and he took a bunch of over-achievers along with him.

Kyle Orton isn’t the long-term solution. The defense is progressing but is inconsistent.

And as for Brandon Marshall, well, they call him “Baby T.O.” for a reason. It’s because he’s a joke when it comes to character, but he’s a phenomenal player that can change games.

Josh McDaniels knows everything we know and then some. He knows Marshall (and Eddie Royal) could have helped his team get into the playoffs.

But he also knows that guys like Marshall are what keep his team from winning it all.

It’s about the big picture for McDaniels, and it always has been.

It’s time we all start looking in the same direction he is.

This and more NFL articles can be found here .

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Oh, Peyton Hillis, Where Have You Gone?

Josh McDaniels lied.

He said in the off-season that he would utilize any of Mike Shanahan’s holdover offensive talent, and that anyone that had the ability to help the team would be used in his offense.

True, after the Denver Broncos started the season 6-0, there wasn’t much one could argue with McDaniels over. The defense was playing at a phenomenal level, the offense was doing what it had to do, and the Broncos were taking the league by storm.

But a 2-5 record since has changed the tune a bit in Denver. And after experiencing a tale of two seasons after 15 weeks, this writer is finally ready to unleash on McDaniels and any Denver fans that have been unwilling to come forward and say what needs to be said:

Where the hell is Peyton Hillis , and why hasn’t he been involved in this offense?

Granted, the Broncos realized a flaw in their roster after last year’s on-going list of injuries to the running back position left them depleted and scratching at free agency for talent, but with solid players returning for the 2009 season still on the roster, McDaniels did a complete overhaul, originally bringing in J.J. Arrington, Lamont Jordan, Correll Buckhalter, and drafting Georgia running back, Knowshon Moreno.

It begs the question; where’s the room for that white guy who kicked some serious ass at tailback last year?

Hillis took the league by storm in 2008, rushing for 329 yards and five touchdowns in a five-game span towards the end of last season, and even ran for 129 yards against the New York Jets, one of last season’s top run defenses.

He averaged five yards per carry, topped 4.4 yards per carry in four straight games, and was even an asset as a receiver. A bit more than just an asset if you watch the tape and look at the numbers, as Hillis was able to haul in seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in a game against the Miami Dolphins before he was called to duty as an emergency tailback.

However, we know where the story goes from here. Hillis tore his hamstring in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs, and his season was over.

Still, even with all the running back additions, fans and writers alike questioned the rookie coach all off-season on what Hillis’s role would be, and how often he’d be used. McDaniels claimed that Hillis would have a decent role, as he is a versatile and talented player, yet McDaniels seemed unwilling to switch his position, and opted to keep him at fullback.

When McDaniels was questioned on why he wasn’t using Hillis more, he simply referenced the current rushing attack, and said he wasn’t needed .

He even made the weak excuse that he wasn’t being used in short yardage situations because fullback Spencer Larsen was injured, even though it was only for one week, and doesn’t explain Hillis’s lack of offensive duties for the other 12 games.

While Hillis is still technically listed at running back on some depth charts across the web, he’s still primarily playing the role of a fullback, and for the most part in 2009, hasn’t really played a role at all.

When finally given a chance as a ball carrier for the first time in nine weeks, Hillis took seven attempts for 47 yards (6.7 yards per carry) against the Chiefs two weeks ago.

This isn’t an open announcement that Hillis should be starting over Knowshon Moreno and/or Correll Buckhalter. It’s not a promotion for him to switch positions. It’s not even a deliberate attack on Josh McDaniels or the Denver Broncos.

What it is, though, is a friendly reminder that the Broncos have a very versatile and talented player wasting away on their team. And if they don’t want to use him, they should send him somewhere where someone will.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Denver Broncos Turning into Remarkable Story at 5-0

So, this is what redemption is like?

Josh McDaniels found himself dancing around like a nerd who just got a date to the prom, and his Denver Broncos went to 5-0 after he beat his old boss. Pretty impressive.

Actually, that’s impressive on it’s own. Undefeated. Beating the old boss, and all in your first year as a head coach.

But what’s even more impressive, is how he did it, and what led up to it. With all the media attention swarming around McDaniels and his operations over the Jay Cutler fiasco, this team looked destined for a nightmarish season.

The the trade happened, the Broncos landed Kyle Orton (who would compete with Chris Simms), and we had no resolution about this “new New England-style” offense that McDaniels was installing.

In fact, no one can be sure if he even was confident in it. However, looking at him parading around the field after Matt Prater’s kick was good, you get the feeling he knew it all along.

He just hadn’t felt it yet.

But this isn’t luck. The week one spectacular tip-pass-and-run by Brandon Stokley-that, that might be luck. But these other four games and the way they played-out; it’s not even close.

And the rest of the offseason, the solid drafting, the trades, the free agent signings, and the handling of the Brandon Marshall situation. It was all executed perfectly. Almost like it was all planned.

But now, look at where McDaniels and Marshall are. They’re high-fiving and hugging on the sidelines. The star receiver in getting more involved with each passing week, which is making Kyle Orton look more and more like a reincarnation of a bearded, noodle-armed Tom Brady.

And despite not topping 30 points as an offense yet this season, it’s hard to say there’s really anything wrong with the way this team goes to work. Their running game is sublime. The blocking is solid, the quarterback position is well-coached, and until the Patriots game, Orton hadn’t thrown a pick.

But how did we really get here? How is it, that entering week six, we’re still discussing who will be the first team this Denver squad loses to?

Defense. It’s all about the defense. And while the offense that moves the ball gets the glory, the quarterback who tosses for 300+ yards gets the pictures, and the receivers who catch the touchdowns go on the posters, it’s the league’s number one-ranked defense that should be getting most of the credit.

Denver has completely suffocated opponents, shutting down team’s hefty rush offense, and only allowing four touchdowns through five games.

They have yet to give up more than 17 points. They have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. My friends, these Denver Broncos have yet to lose.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Jets Trade Talks For Brandon Marshall Heat Up

Talks between the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos regarding disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall heated up on Wednesday night.

Well, sort of.

The Broncos’ initial asking price was said to be a first round draft pick (at the minimum), and considering their apparent distaste with their defensive depth (especially at linebacker), they are interested in acquiring defensive help.

Unfortunately for the Jets, that “help” is turning out to be quality linebacker, David Harris.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Broncos appear to be willing to make the swap, but only if Rex Ryan and the Jets defense can handle losing one of their best defenders.

While the Broncos are not content with Andra’ Davis on the inside, the Jets are fairly thin at the position themselves, as second-year man Vernon Gholston is being thrust into the line-up while Calvin Pace serves a suspension to start the season.

Still, talks remain on-going, despite “tampering” rumors that surfaced within the past 24 hours.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Jay Cutler Versus Kyle Orton: Why Does Either Player Have to Be Bad?

Jay Cutler is overrated, and Kyle Orton is a system quarterback.

Or is it: Cutler is a wimpy cry baby, and Orton is a simple-minded game-manager?

How about none of those?

Why do either of these guys have to be regarded as fantasy (or real world) busts for 2009 just because they are switching teams?

Yes, they both have new offenses, new coaches, new cities, and new weapons.

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t good or can’t play at an elite level.

Even though both of these players have a hate-wagon following them to every city they go to, I beg of you to relax, sit back, and read an unbiased approach to both of their new situations.

Life is about change, people. Remember the song? “Change, change…will do you good.”

No?

Well, still, both of these guys are talented enough to make things happen in their first year in new colors, and I have evidence as to why I believe so.

 

Jay Cutler

Cutler took over for Jake Plummer midway through the season three years ago, and he showed enough to Mike Shanahan and Co. that they knew they had done the right thing.

Trouble is, they stopped at the quarterback, and never built a new defense.

John Lynch, anyone?

Cutler went on to form a bitter and exciting rivalry with Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, routinely dominate the Oakland Raiders, and finally turn himself into a sure- fire Pro Bowler in 2008.

You don’t pass for 25 touchdowns and over 4,500 yards on a whim. The guy is talented.

He’s got a Brett Favre-moxie that you can’t teach, a rocket arm, and excellent mobility.

To anyone who doubts his ability to win, or his fading at times in clutch situations, I have some news for you.

The guy is 25-years-old.

He just started coming into his own last year. And while a change in scenery could potentially affect that growth, I believe he’s already reached a confidence and talent level too high to be knocked back down to where he was as a rookie.

In Chicago, he will find no Brandon Marshall’s, no Eddie Royal’s, and no Mike Shanahan.

But he still has weapons.

Devin Hester’s speed and explosiveness could make both players look like magicians in 2008, and Greg Olsen’s size and speed could make Tony Scheffler look like a baby Mark Chmura.

The point is, Cutler may not be quite as “great” as his Denver weapons and numbers made him out to be, but he also isn’t anywhere close to the wimpy, cry baby, drama king that the trade to Chicago made him out to be either.

He still knows how to play football, and he’s talented enough to make things happen with the few weapons that Chicago does have.

Oh, and this time around, he’ll actually have a supportive defense.

 

Kyle Orton

Orton is entering into a system that gave Matt Cassel the quickest quarterback makeover we’ve ever seen.

Cassel had no experience to speak of at any level, and he hadn’t started a football game since high school. We may find out fairly soon in Kansas City that, while the guy is talented, he is nowhere near as good as this system, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker made him out to be.

Do you see the common theme here? Nothing is what you think it is. At least, not when you’re discussing Cutler and Orton.

Orton tossed over 2,900 yards and 18 touchdowns with those average weapons everyone keeps talking about. But he is now walking into Cutler territory, where he has the luxury of having Marshall, Royal, and Scheffler at his disposal.

So, really, which is it?

Did those talented receivers make Cutler, or did Orton’s lack of talent make him? Or is it both?

I say neither.

Orton proved—on a bum ankle for the final four weeks—that he can manage games and is talented enough to put up solid numbers, despite not having polished weapons around him.

With a new cast of friends sharing the load on offense, Orton’s numbers could get halfway to where Cutler was last year.

And as far as that whole “system quarterback” label is concerned—so what?

If he is indeed a system quarterback, then that’s all the more reason to pull the trade that Josh McDaniels orchestrated to nab Orton—a guy who can clearly do what he’s told, when he’s told it, and do it well.

Denver won’t have the defensive support Orton had last year, at least, not immediately. But if McDaniels’ system is anything like Bill Belichick’s in New England, there should be some good results.

 

Fantasy Summary

If you’re looking to draft either of these guys as sleepers, good luck.

It’s becoming more and more obvious that both quarterbacks are getting very comfortable in their new environment, and with all of their respective offensive weapons healthy, there’s no reason to think they both can’t succeed.

Cutler has his defense backing him, as well as a fantastic weapon in Matt Forte, whom people tend to overlook when talking about Cutler’s supporting cast. And whether you like it or not, the guy is actually good.

Orton, on the other hand, is only going to play as bad as Marshall allows him to, and Eddie Royal is set to have huge numbers as the Wes Welker clone.

If those two receivers are putting up elite numbers, don’t you think Orton will reap some of those benefits?

 

Real World Summary

If we’re being realistic, it’s as simple as this:

Orton is good enough to help make the Denver offense go, but their offensive line is still aging, and their entire defense is, well, incomplete.

They are probably still a .500 team, but Orton is too smart and safe to have them lose more than nine games.

Cutler, on the other hand, has a good defense and special teams. And while some of his weapons aren’t necessarily elite or proven yet, the Bears have the athleticism and explosiveness needed to make that jump.

With Cutler’s arm guiding the way, the Bears could enter into the top 10 in the league offensively.

Even if they don’t, Cutler is still better than Orton, and Chicago won’t finish any worse than they did last year. That could equate to Cutler’s first “winning” season.

Brandon Marshall’s Top 10 Potential Suitors

(Above: Marshall is praying for a way out.)

I broke the news about Brandon Marshall’s trade demands shortly after rotoworld.com did, and before ESPN was able to.

But now we’re dealing with an entirely different type of monster. While owner Pat Bowlen led the rest of us to believe that Denver would try to resolve this matter, it appears the front office has already given up and will attempt to trade their star receiver.

Marshall wants a fat paycheck after turning in two seasons with 100-plus catches, and Denver wants him to show the world he can do it again.

Seems a bit unfair, no?

Marshall brings a strong argument to the table outside of his production as well.

After Josh McDaniels arguably drove Jay Cutler out of town, Marshall lost the guy who helped him put up his gaudy numbers. Now the receiver is in a new offense, with a new coach, and a new quarterback that isn’t horrible, but clearly is no Cutler.

So, really, we’re right back where we started.

Marshall has every reason to want a new contract, as a down year resulting from these changes may affect his contract positioning with Denver, as well as the rest of the league.

It’s because of this fact that Denver wants this over and done with. They know they have an explosive weapon in Eddie Royal, they just signed Brandon Lloyd, and they also have the wily veteran Brandon Stokley.

Regardless of your opinion on Marshall, Bowlen, McDaniels, or any other Denver Broncos employee, the fact that Marshall is already saying his goodbyes still exists, and it’s time to think about where he might be playing in September.

First, with this AFC talk…

 

Baltimore Ravens

Everyone keeps talking about Baltimore, but I just don’t see it happening. First, what can/would Baltimore part with that wouldn’t cripple them and Denver could use?

It would have to be on the defensive side of the ball, but if a trade went down, I wouldn’t be shocked if McDaniels tried grabbing former Ohio State product Troy Smith as a project player.

I still don’t see the Broncos dealing to anyone in the AFC. The Jets and Browns were both willing to pay a hefty price for Cutler, and the Broncos decided to send their former quarterback where he wanted to play.

Despite not coughing up the cash, it seem this Denver front office is actually fairly decent about where they trade their disgruntled stars.

 

New York Jets

Again, I don’t believe they’ll trade him to a team that could do damage to them in the future in the playoffs, and they definitely won’t even think about moving him within the division.

However, the Jets definitely need another receiver (probably two more, actually), and unless they’re sold on Plaxico Burress (they aren’t), Marshall could be worth the risk.

The Jets probably have some defensive players McDaniels would be interested in, while they could also package their slew of average slot receivers.

I still don’t see him landing in the AFC.

 

New York Giants

That’s right—we could have a duel in the Big Apple for a receiver with a busted hip, contract demands, and a domestic abuse past.

The Giants were rumored for some time to be interested in Braylon Edwards, so why not take the next superstar receiver available? Marshall is easily better than Edwards, and while his hands can also be suspect, they are nowhere close to as unreliable as Edwards’ are.

The Giants did just draft two impressive rookie receivers, however, and already have some solid youth and talent at the position.

But are we seriously saying they’d rather go into the season with rookies and unproven players than Marshall?

I don’t think so.

 

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones and co. may have learned their lesson, but lightning always strikes twice, at least in the NFL.

Jones hasn’t bitten on Matt Jones or Burress yet, and I’m impressed with his patience, but he can’t be as confident in Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton as he seems.

Heck, he can’t even be that confident in Roy Williams.

Marshall would give them a new type of receiver who is big, fast, and physical, while lacking the abrasive attitude of Terrell Owens. Well, not quite as abrasive.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

This is fairly unlikely, but by doing this, Philadelphia would finally be bringing in that true No. 1 receiver the Eagles have been lacking since T.O.

Donovan McNabb would be happy, and the offense would definitely be better because of it.

The Broncos could steal Kevin Curtis and a little-used Reggie Brown from Philly, both of whom McDaniels could turn into superstars in his offense.

McDaniels clearly likes former Eagles players, as he’s already added Brian Dawkins and Correll Buckhalter to his team.

Never say never.

 

Chicago Bears

Denver did Cutler a solid favor by shipping him to Chicago, which is exactly where he wanted to go. But will they do that for an upset player twice in one offseason?

The way McDaniels is running this team, it can’t be out of the question.

Chicago knows the chemistry Cutler and Marshall have is not something that can be replaced with the options they currently have. If they can talk Denver into it, it’s going to happen.

Chicago has some good defensive pieces they could send over to Denver, and they could even part with one of the rookie receivers they just drafted.

 

Minnesota Vikings

If Brett Favre is coming to town (and he is), then Minnesota better get serious and add a stud receiver.

After all, we don’t want a repeat performance of average receiver play, now do we?

While the Vikings may simply be waiting to pull the trigger on a Burress, Jones, or even Marvin Harrison, landing Marshall would make the most sense.

He’s only 25, and he solves two problems. First, this would impress Favre and give him a reliable option, and it would also rescue their receiver corps for the present and the future.

 

Atlanta Falcons

It’d be crazy—absolutely insane—to see a lineup with Marshall, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez.

But for the sake of Matt Ryan’s already booming future, it just might happen.

Atlanta could throw the solid Michael Jenkins in a trade with some picks, and possibly a defensive player or two.

This is, like Philadelphia, one of the more unlikely trade scenarios, but it’d be interesting to see what happens in Atlanta if Ryan has three Pro Bowl options.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OK, so Tampa Bay isn’t ga-ga about their quarterback situation.

I have a way to make them feel better. Add a second star receiver to the lineup, and see if your starter can fail.

Whether it’s Byron Leftwich or Luke McCown, it’d be awfully hard for him to falter with options like Antonio Bryant, Kellen Winslow, and Marshall.

Tampa Bay is rumored to be interested in Burress as well, but considering their dramatic youth movement, Marshall would be a better fit.

 

Arizona Cardinals

While it sounds crazy, this could be the best possible outcome for all sides.

Anquan Boldin and Marshall both want new contracts and wouldn’t mind new jerseys. At the same time, both Denver and Arizona don’t want to lose their star receivers without proper compensation.

It could be a one-for-one swap, but since Boldin doesn’t have anything that could possibly prevent him from seeing the field in 2009, the Broncos actually may have to give something up to make it happen.

That’s the thing that may stop McDaniels from pulling the trigger.

The goal is not to help other teams, but to make them think they are winning in the trade, while in turn, you are.

Clearly McDaniels knows all about winning, as he’s on his way to helping two Pro Bowl players leave his team.

Regardless, Marshall’s days are numbered, and these 10 teams look to be the most likely landing spots.

Denver Broncos’ Receiver Brandon Marshall Requests Trade

In the name of Jay Cutler, what the heck is happening in Denver?

After a meeting with owner Pat Bowlen on Friday, Brandon Marshall emerged with trade demands. The story was originally reported by NFL insider, Adam Schefter, who is generally an extremely reliable source.

Marshall has been griping about not wanting Denver’s medical staff to treat his injured hip for some time now, and the word has been out for even longer than he is unhappy with his contract.

After the way Josh McDaniels and co. treated his former quarterback, he has reason to be in a fit.

Marshall has had off-field problems since he’s been in Denver, but they risk has been worth the reward the past two seasons, as Marshall as notched at least 102 catches, 1,100 yards, and 6 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.

It’s debatable whether or not Marshall will be as effective in a new offense and without Jay Cutler, but it is still very unwise for Denver management to be treating this manner so carelessly.

Owner pat Bowlen has reportedly asked Marshall to go home and think about the request some more, in an effort to calm the receiver and hopefully have him change his mind.

Marshall appears intent on getting out of Denver, however, as he was fairly upset over the treatment and subsequent trade of Cutler, and is now experiencing his own form of mistreatment with the new regime.

If Marshall does in fact become available, which is the absolute last thing Denver wants to happen, Chicago would clearly be a favorite to vie for his services. However, considering his talent and young age (25), Marshall would be an extremely hot commodity, and would simply go to the highest bidder.

There’s no doubt he would be dealt out of the division, as well, and possibly even out of the AFC.

This will be rookie coach Josh McDaniels’ second angry Pro Bowler and potential loss in his first off-season at the helm, which already doesn’t bode well for his prospects toward returning for a second season, let alone finishing 2009 on a good note.

It’s still to early to grind out a definitive answer or possible end result between the two sides, but like the Cutler situation, this doesn’t appear to be something that will go away by Brandon Marshall merely “sleeping” on it.

Memo to Josh McDaniels: Let Peyton Hillis Play Tight End

(Above: That’s the body language of a guy who just lost his job.)

Peyton Hillis, the country boy known best for blocking at Arkansas, rather than running over linebackers, had his chance.

And no, he didn’t blow it. At least, not by performing poorly or turning the ball over.

It was just plain, bad luck.

The fact is, Hillis was Mike Shanahan’s last resort when running backs started dropping like flies in 2008, and by some miracle, plotting the former fullback into the starting lineup turned out to be the best coaching move Shanahan made last season.

Hillis ultimately found his way on IR, but before he did, he was an absolute magician on the field, making spectacular catches, running through and around defenders, and always having a nose for the first down or goal-line.

It’s as simple as this: Hillis is a gamer. The kid can play.

He’s stocky and doesn’t have 4.4 speed, but he is ultra athletic and versatile, and actually runs in the low 4.5’s, making him an ideal prospect for a bruiser at running back.

However, after Shanahan was shown the door, so too were Hillis’ dreams of ever starting at tailback again for the Denver Broncos.

Rather than hold steady and give Hills a chance, after he ran for over 340 yards, five touchdowns, and averaged five yards per carry, new coach Josh McDaniels brought in several washed-up veterans to compete, and then drafted Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno.

This, all coming from the guy who drove Jay Cutler out of town.

A regular Ted Thompson.

But I’ve already made my gripes about all of that. I get it; Hillis isn’t a running back in Denvers’ mind, and probably not for many other teams, either.

That’s fine.

But what isn’t fine, is wasting this guy’s heart and talent as a blocking back, trying to create a poor man’s Mike Alstolt, or worse, not letting him touch the ball at all.

Game tape alone shows how versatile and athletic Hillis is, but a quick glance at the numbers also show his potential to be dominant in several different facets.

So, I say this: If he can’t tote the ball, then let him catch it, dance around, and score some touchdowns.

There’s just one problem, and his name is Tony Scheffler.

But I’ve got the perfect solution for McDaniels. Do away with Scheffler, just as he did with Cutler. After all, Scheffler wants more money and is already upset about losing his friend and quarterback.

So kill two birds with one stone. After all, Hillis has great hands, excellent body control, and is a better overall athlete than Scheffler.

Hillis has solid size for a tight end at 6’2”, and at 250 lbs, clearly has the mass to take on defensive ends and linebackers.

We already know he can block, help out in the running game, and after seeing him destroy Miami with seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown last November, he clearly can catch in traffic, and can get yards after the catch.

The point is, if McDaniels doesn’t do something with this kid other than line him up as a blocker, he’s making his second dumbest move in only his first season.

Despite Hillis still being on the team, if he’s not used properly and allowed to display his abilities, it will be the second complete waste of talent by Denver management and coaching in just one year.

It’s perfect, really.

One look at Hillis, and you instantly think-Dallas Clark and Chris Cooley.

That, or one-man wrecking crew.

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