ENGLEWOOD, Colo .– Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay said on Tuesday he didn’t need Melvin Gordon’s arrival to focus on the season and still saw his own big-game potential. in the team attack.
After initially indicating that they might consider making a new deal for Lindsay, a (Denver) South High School graduate who has exceeded 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, the Broncos have instead signed Gordon on a contract. of $ 16 million over two years. in free agency.
And how the team will distribute the workload between the two full-backs has fueled a lot of off-season discussions among the team’s loyalists.
“I don’t need another man to fuel my fire,” Lindsay said. “I know what I want for my family and that’s what feeds me. For me, honestly, nothing changes. I go out there and perform when my number is called. I play big games like I do. always did, and I’m taking it from there. ”
Lindsay became the first undrafted offensive player in league history to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2018 (1,037 rushing yards) and followed with 1,011 rushing yards last season. He led the team in those two seasons – 192 and 224, respectively.
But the Broncos said they also now see an important role in the attack for Gordon.
“At the end of the day, there is only a limited number of runs and passes you can do,” Lindsay said. “It’s about executing. It’s about being patient. It’s about developing a relationship with your linemen. For me, I don’t worry about that. I know what I’m going to do. do. I know I’m going to have explosive pieces, because that’s just who I am. ”
Lindsay said he added 10 pounds this offseason – he was listed at 190 pounds last season – and spent much of his time running and catching the ball as a catcher out of the backfield. Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has emphasized the importance of running backs in the passing game, and Gordon has had more of an impact there before in his career.
Gordon has four seasons with at least 40 catches and two seasons with at least 50 catches.
Lindsay underwent wrist surgery after each of her first two seasons.
“As far as catching the passes, I feel really good,” said Lindsay. “I feel like I’m back to myself. The year before [2019 training camp]I came out of my wrist injury and it was harder than I thought. I thought the wrist injury wouldn’t be as bad as it was. It was, but this year I’m feeling good. I feel great and at the end of the day I’m going to catch every ball that comes my way. “
“The fact that we now have two running backs who can be very explosive with the ball in their hands whether you throw it or run it, I think that’s a good thing,” Shurmur said earlier this offseason. “I really think you need more than a running back.… We’re going to try to use both… and try to use their skills.”
The last time the Broncos had two fullbacks each top 150 carried was in 2015 – Ronnie Hillman and CJ Anderson – when Peyton Manning missed seven starts this season with a foot injury. The last time the Broncos had two fullbacks each top 160 wore in 2005 – Mike Anderson (239) and Tatum Bell (173) – and the team ran it 542 times this season, 133 times more than 2019.
On how the two full-backs will fit in on offense, Gordon said: “We can be a great brace.”
When asked on Tuesday how they were going to work in the offense, Lindsay said, “I wish I could let you know and tell you now. I don’t know. In the end, it’s not my job to stand there and put myself or Melvin in the game. It’s their job. If they don’t want to have one of their game changers and playmakers in the game, it’s on them. I don’t get paid to sit down and call the games. It’s not my job.
“My job is when I get the ball and when I’m in the game to make an explosive play. This is how I think about it. For me, I never needed 15, 25, a bunch of groceries. I just need to have a few ports that suit me and that I’m explosive with. This is what I will continue to do. ”
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