Can the Denver Broncos replace Clinton Portis?

Yes. And they will. The Broncos operate under the same philosophy as San Francisco, namely that you can plug virtually anyone but the Venus de Milo in at running back and get 1,000 yards. They did it with Terrell Davis, sixth-round pick. They did it with Olandis Gary, fourth-round pick. They did it with Mike Anderson, sixth-round pick. Heck, put Indianapolis on the schedule more than once last year, and Quentin Griffin -- another fourth-round pick -- might have wound up with 1,000 yards.
The Broncos made the trade for Champ Bailey because they needed an elite cornerback more than they needed an elite running back and because they believed they could -- no, would -- find a suitable successor to Portis. Take your pick: There's Garrison Hearst, Griffin, Anderson and, oh yeah, Tatum Bell. Rookie running backs thrive in Mike Shanahan's system, and Bell might be the next Portis. Or Anderson. Or Gary. Or Davis ...

posted by Anonymous @ 12:43 PM

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