Heading into training camp, former first-round RB Knowshon Moreno appeared to be on the Broncos' roster bubble. Coming off a torn ACL, Moreno had missed 10 games over the past two seasons, but he is listed as the team’s No. 2 back as the 2012 season gets under way.
We heard that Moreno would ideally be the team’s third-down back, using his receiving abilities as an outlet for Peyton Manning — Moreno had 37 catches in 2010. It appeared rookie Ronnie Hillman had the edge to be the No. 2 back, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the first two preseason games and set him back. Lance Ball, who is listed as the team’s No. 3 back, is a player we hear the Broncos value.
Moreno comes to the Broncos cheap this season, making a base salary of $855,000, which might have given him an extra opportunity to shed the “bust” label. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy told reporters on Thursday that Moreno has “worked extremely hard and he deserves a lot of credit for that.” As for Moreno's blocking abilities, an important asset on third down, McCoy said, "He's always been a pretty good blocker. He's never been afraid to stick his nose in there and fit up someone who's coming through. We've always liked the way he's blocked."