No matter who stays and who gets cut, the Broncos should have the youngest group of running backs in the NFL this season.
Or at least the youngest collection that has to operate Peyton Manning’s high-brow offense while its No. 1 back runs without an appendix.
“You don’t need it at all,” said a smiling Montee Ball, the Broncos’ top back. “I have no pain, just a little scar, that’s it. I wish it could have been taken out before it acted up and I had to have surgery.”
The Broncos will open the season with Ronnie Hillman as their most experienced back, in his third season, followed by Ball and C.J. Anderson in their second years, and possibly rookie Juwan Thompson or, as an even longer shot, rookie Kapri Bibbs.
The St. Louis Rams figure to tie the Broncos for the youngest group of running backs. The Rams’ senior runner is Isaiah Pead, who is in his third year, followed by second-year backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham and rookie Tre Mason.
But those baby Rams aren’t asked to please the meticulous Manning. They don’t even have to keep up with Sam Bradford after the Rams’ quarterback tore his anterior cruciate ligament again last week.
“We take a lot of pride knowing we’re not only the youngest group in the league, but we know this is also a complex offense,” Ball said.
After taking 2½ weeks to rest, Ball was put through a running back gantlet Saturday that made the old Oklahoma drill seem like a walkthrough. In the preseason game against Houston, Ball got four carries and four catches — in one series. The yards were tougher than the touches. Ball averaged 3.3 yards per carry and 5.3 yards per reception.
The carries were scripted. The receptions were checkdowns from Manning.
“I liked it,” Ball said. “I would even say that I loved it. I got the ball that many times because I was open on the checkdown. It’s part of the game. Running backs are part of the progression. I was open, and Peyton gave it to me.”
For their final preseason game Thursday, the Broncos are expected to rest Ball and Hillman and start Anderson. Thompson and Bibbs will get their share of reps.
“I’m treating it like I’ve got to win a spot,” Anderson said. “Try to get better every game. Clean up some small details. The last game I had with Peyton, it wasn’t missed assignments. It was ‘Get this much depth on your route.’ When you’re working a linebacker, work him a little bit longer because you have time.
“The week before, I was told I need to play a little bit faster. So I played faster and messed a couple details up. This week I want to play fast — with the details.”
Anderson can’t coast through the final preseason game, but he is the clear leader for the No. 3 running back spot. If the Broncos keep four backs, Thompson likely makes the team. The former Duke product not only has versatility as a back, he knows his way around all four special-teams units. Still, Thompson must play well enough against the Cowboys to convince Broncos coaches they need to keep four backs on their 53-man roster.
“It’s nothing but excitement,” Thompson said. “I look at this opportunity as nothing but positive. There is life at the end of the day. Every day you come out for a job, and that’s the way I’m going to treat it. I’m going to play hard, practice hard.”
Bibbs, who starred in his one season at Colorado State last year, has run well in the preseason, gaining 52 yards on 12 carries. A strong performance against the Cowboys could help him land on the Broncos’ practice squad, which has two extra spots this year.
“We’ve got a lot of depth here,” Bibbs said. “Lot of great players. We’re loaded right now. The coaches are going to have a hard time cutting down this roster because everybody is out there making plays.”
Said Ball: “We’ll know who’s here or not here very soon. I hope we keep everybody.”
Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis
Broncos’ baby backs
NFL reporter Mike Klis analyzes the five running backs on the Broncos’ 75-man roster. At least one, maybe two, will be cut by Saturday:
Montee Ball, 24, second year, 5-foot-10, 215 pounds. Seemed quicker in practice Tuesday as he moves into his fourth week since his appendectomy.
Ronnie Hillman, 23, third, 5-10, 195.
The lone “speed” back in the group. He might play as much as Ball in the opener vs. Indianapolis.
C.J. Anderson, 23, second, 5-8, 224.
A squat, muscular runner who has a slashing style. Has starter ability but must stay healthy.
Juwan Thompson, 22, rookie, 5-11, 225, Duke. Needs a good showing at Dallas to convince coaches to keep four backs.
Kapri Bibbs, 21, rookie, 5-9, 212, CSU. The former Colorado State star figures to be auditioning Thursday at Dallas for either a job elsewhere in the NFL, or for Broncos’ practice squad.
