Montee Ball is a touchdown machine. He set the NCAA Division I FBS career rushing touchdown record with an astounding 77 TDs. He was a beast that didn’t bother to juke or dodge, he simply ran straight through any defensive player who erringly decided to get in his way. They were speed bumps and he was a monster truck.
However, his college stats do not carry into his professional career and, after getting playing time in a few NFL games behind a legend named Peyton Manning, Ball has looked more rookie than Denver’s answer at tailback.
Most people are quick to judge a player by his stats. They especially enjoy accusing an “underperforming” rookie for mistakes common to first year players… mental mistakes and bone-head plays. But in Ball’s case… that superficial analysis doesn’t quite cut it.
Here are the real reasons Ball has yet to reach his true touchdown machine potential:
#1 Peyton Manning
We all know Manning’s super power… touchdown passes. Although running backs are definitely included in his end zone tosses, Ball’s chances or running in a bunch of touchdowns in a game are slim. The Broncos are going to rely on Manning’s arm until it falls off.
#2 Fumbles
After fumbling in two consecutive games, Ball needs to tighten his grip. Luckily, this has never been an issue for him. It is probably just a case of the rookie jitters. He has taken responsibility of his struggle with ball security and promises to run drills against the “ballblaster” until he solves the issue. But these early foibles opened the door for a former Bronco back of the future, Knowshon Moreno.
#3 Rock, Paper, Scissors
The Broncos have three backs that can pound the ball into the end zone. Against the Raiders Ball, Ronnie Hillman, and Knowshon Moreno played rock, paper, scissors to determine who received the honors of breaking the plane for six points. Hillman won. Ball either needs to freshen up on his roshambo strategies, or he is going to have to focus on the fundamentals, work hard, and create his own scoring opportunities. With things clicking right now for the Broncos and Knowshon in the saddle, the Broncos back of the future might have to wait for something to break.
