ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — They run from big to small, strong to fast, experienced to mostly young.
There are running backs who can catch, those who can block and those smart enough to recognize who to block.
Some run better between the tackles while others need to get out on the perimeter before they can demonstrate their ability.
Some running backs have trouble finding a helmet large enough to cover their swollen egos while others only communicate through their legs when the ball is in their arm.
For Broncos running backs coach Lou Ayeni, the challenge is getting the best from a group of various styles, personalities, abilities and body types.
“It’s always interesting,’’ Ayeni said with a smile in a sit-down interview Thursday with 9NEWS. “The biggest thing is trying to see what fits them. How they can help the football team and try to put them in positions where they can make plays for us.”
Ayeni was asked to take it back by back:
Javonte Williams
The Broncos’ lead running back, Williams was sluggish at the end of last season as the toll from his ACL recovery seemed to catch up to him. Williams, though, has seemingly discovered renewed burst in training camp after dropping 11 pounds during the six-week summer break.
“Last year, coming in, Javonte had the knee brace on, he’s coming off a knee (injury),’’ Ayeni said. “I always like to say there’s a big difference from having the opportunity to prepare for the season to rehabbing for the season.
“You can see the difference in him this year. When he had the opportunity to prepare for the season – work out, train the right way, get ready for this thing, you lose that 10, 11 pounds, he’s a different guy right now.”
Samaje Perine
He’s the veteran who’s most dependable in handling the myriad of a running back’s third-down responsibilities.
“The elder statesman, he’s steady Eddie every day of the week,’’ Ayeni said. “You can count on him. He’s going to get the tough yards and he’s going to pick up those protections and he’s going to catch the ball out of the backfield.”
Audric Estime
The fifth-round rookie from Notre Dame is only 21 years old. Youth served him well in his quick recovery from an offseason arthroscopic knee procedure.
“He’s young and eager,’’ Ayeni said. “He’s exciting to be around. Smart kid. Really wants to be out there and do the best he can – he wants to play.”
Jaleel McLaughlin
As an undrafted rookie surprise last season, he led all Broncos’ rushers with 5.4 yards per carry. Based on how well he’s performed from OTAs, minicamp and through the first three weeks of training camp, McLaughlin hasn’t slowed down any in year two.
“He’s relentless,’’ Ayeni said. “Coach (Sean Payton) always talk about him, he’s the first one here every morning and last one to leave. He’s got a lot to prove and he’s going to make sure you don’t forget about him.’’
Tyler Badie
There are bigger and there are faster. But he’s underrated because he does just about everything well.
“It’s funny, every time I make cutups for our new install, new play, he’s always on there because he’s doing stuff right,’’ Ayeni said. “So he’s got a chance as well.”
Blake Watson
The undrafted rookie is off to a slow start because he missed the first week-plus of camp with an offseason lower leg injury. His best practice, though, may have been Thursday.
“He’s starting to come along,’’ Ayeni said. “You miss two weeks and everybody’s kind of moving up this way (hand moving up) and he’s trying to play catchup. But he can catch up because he runs a 4.38.”
Ayeni has a unique background for a running backs coach. While he was a star rusher at Woodbury High School in Minnesota and a freshman running back on Northwestern’s 2000 Big Ten Championship team, he finished his college career as safety and played safety and linebacker in the NFL.
But since switching from player to coach, he has primarily been with the running backs again. How has his defensive background helped him coach running backs?
“It’s been awesome because I can tell them what the defense is doing, how they’re going to fit certain run plays or play certain coverages, their techniques that help them what they’re seeing offensively,’’ Ayeni said. “When I played running back I never had the opportunity to learn that stuff. And you just give them that extra knowledge, it helps them play faster and make more plays.”
When Payton assembled his first staff last year, offensive line coach Zach Strief and assistant offensive line coach Austin King were among the first hires. Ayeni came along after he received strong endorsements from Strief and King.
“We all played at Northwestern together,’’ Ayeni said. “I’ve known those guys over 20 years and it’s been one of those things that’s been a great relationship that’s continued on through life. And to have the opportunity to join those guys and help coach Payton build this thing, couldn’t pass it up.”
Joe Lombardi, the Broncos’ offensive coordinator who has been on Payton’s staff at various times over the years, said Ayeni has been a welcome addition.
“A good demeanor about him, the way that he interacts with his players,’’ Lombardi said. “He’s a good coach. His guys are always at practice prepared. He has a history with Zach Strief and Austin King. They have a little Northwestern posse. He fits in well with the staff and coaches his guys up real well. He has a lot of coaching experience, so he’s a real asset to us.”
Ayeni understands, though, there is pressure for his running backs group to produce better than last year, when the Broncos finished 18th in the league in rushing yards and 21st with 4.0 yards per carry.
“Absolutely. All of us know there’s more meat on the bone in the run game,’’ Ayeni said. “The fundamentals, the details, the techniques, we’re all focusing on that right now. We know we can be better. The players know we can be better and we’re focused on that throughout this camp.”
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