Knowshon Moreno Carted Off Field

[theFRANCHISE]

Add Broncos 2nd-year RB Knowshon Moreno to the list of young players being carted off the practice field as of late.

According to Broncos beat reporter Josina Anderson on Twitter, Moreno was carted off the field just minutes ago and was visibly upset. He was not putting any weight on one of his legs after being helped by trainers. ([url="http://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/20071975715"]LINK[/url])

Normally, something like this wouldn't merit its own posting, but the fact that Moreno was upset indicates that the injury might be serious, as players are usually the first to know if they've done serious damage as they're the ones feeling it.

More updates as they come...

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'm not a fan of Moreno's attitude (I'm sure we remember last year's game against them), but the guy has what it takes to be a good back in the league. You hate to see anyone go down, especially young, up and coming players like Moreno, Jackson, and Harvin.

What's with all these players being carted off the field this year? First there was Gaither, then Harvin followed by Jackson, and now Moreno. And it's only training camp.

[darklight1216]

He wasn't putting any weight on one leg... If he were a Raven, I'd say it's probably the big one.

I hope it isn't serious.

[hawkprey]

Well it doesn't look like they'll get that 18 game season passed any time soon.
Hope it's minor. Maybe Tebow can fill in.

[JO_75]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='01 August 2010 - 12:20 PM' timestamp='1280679619' post='442219']
I'm not a fan of Moreno's attitude (I'm sure we remember last year's game against them), but the guy has what it takes to be a good back in the league. You hate to see anyone go down, especially young, up and coming players like Moreno, Jackson, and Harvin.

What's with all these players being carted off the field this year? First there was Gaither, then Harvin followed by Jackson, and now Moreno. [b]And it's only training camp.[/b]
[/quote]

Yeah that is the part that worries me, it's only training camp. I think at this rate if we have 1 or 2 more people carted off the field we may have to merge all the thread on players getting carted off the field into 1 thread lol. So let's see Moreno, Harvin, Jackson, all key guys when it comes to FF, does their value drop now because of the injury? Judging off Moreno's reaction, it may take him out of the season on IR.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='JO_75' date='01 August 2010 - 11:28 AM' timestamp='1280680105' post='442228']
Yeah that is the part that worries me, it's only training camp. I think at this rate if we have 1 or 2 more people carted off the field we may have to merge all the thread on players getting carted off the field into 1 thread lol. So let's see Moreno, Harvin, Jackson, all key guys when it comes to FF, does their value drop now because of the injury? Judging off Moreno's reaction, it may take him out of the season on IR.
[/quote]

I don't see Jackson's value being damaged, Philly is saying he's day to day. Still no word on Harvin, but people will still grab him if they need a good number two wide receiver. Moreno's value will probably take the biggest hit as it doesn't look good, but we'll have to wait and see what Denver says about the injury.

[theFRANCHISE]

Part of me believes that some players are pushing themselves harder with an uncertain fate on the horizon. There's no guaranteed football in 2011 so there's probably players concerned that this could be their last shot at a championship or a big payday for the foreseeable future. Some of them could be trying to make a good enough impression to warrant a pay raise when football starts up again, assuming there is a lockout in 2011.

[H8R]

KM seemed like a nice versatile back last year, he was a bit cocky but who isn't in the NFL? Though I loved when ER20 blasted him and forced a fumble on a screen pass last year. I hope he's OK, he seems to have a nice future in the league.

[berad]

Hope he's okay, never want to see a player injured.

Especially a player that I was targeting as a sleeper in fantasy football!

[Wacko4Zacko]

Whats with the 2009 rookies? First Andre Smith, then Harvin, now Moreno.

[Ed_Reed20]

Not only is Moreno down but backup RB Correll Buckhalter has been [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=703&line=176609&spln=1"]sidelined with an injury too[/url].

[Wacko4Zacko]

1 word. Brian Westbrook to Denver.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='01 August 2010 - 03:19 PM' timestamp='1280690368' post='442326']
1 word. Brian Westbrook to Denver.
[/quote]
That's four words.

[theFRANCHISE]

There are conflicting reports right now about Moreno's injury, ranging from a sore hamstring to a torn hamstring. The only confirmation is that it is, indeed, a right hamstring injury and [i]not[/i] a knee injury.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I thought I read that Buckhalter had a sore hamstring and Moreno's status was still unknown.

Edit: Nevermind, I just read the latest about Moreno. Indeed, it is his hamstring.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='01 August 2010 - 03:29 PM' timestamp='1280690981' post='442339']
I thought I read that Buckhalter had a sore hamstring and Moreno's status was still unknown.
[/quote]
Buckhalter had back pain and was complaining about numbness along his left side from the neck down. He was shuttled to the hospital via ambulance. ([url="http://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/20082430883"]LINK[/url])

[Wacko4Zacko]

Damn. I need to learn to count.

I bet Westbrook will be a a Denver Bronco before this friday.

[Ed_Reed20]

Denver's RBs appear to be cursed much like the Ravens' CBs.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='01 August 2010 - 03:40 PM' timestamp='1280691609' post='442352']
Damn. I need to learn to count.

I bet Westbrook will be a a Denver Bronco before this Friday.
[/quote]

Maybe, if Knowshon ends up on IR than certainly yes Westbrook will be a Bronco, but if Knowshon is only going to miss a couple weeks and be back in time for the season Westbrook may not be signed. I wish they would hurry up and tell us his status, because I have already took Moreno and moved him down my big board for tonight's draft, and it would make it easier if they said he would be on IR.

[JO_75]

No Hamstring tear for Moreno... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/08/01/no-hamstring-tear-for-knowshon/

[quote]Josina Anderson of FOX 31 says via Twitter that the MRI revealed that the injury wasn't as serious as the team had feared. More specifically, there's no tearing of the muscle.
[/quote]

Well that's good for Moreno, it seems like he'll miss a few weeks and be back.

[JO_75]

Update: Moreno Out 3 Weeks and should be ready for Week 1

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=176652&id=5163

[quote]Updating previous items, the Denver Post reports that Knowshon Moreno will miss three weeks due to "minor fraying" in his right hamstring.
By all accounts, Moreno should be ready for Week 1. Citing a league source, the Post's report seconds CBS 4 Denver's story that Moreno's hamstring is "slightly," but not completely torn.

Assuming no setbacks, Moreno should still be viewed as a top-20 fantasy back in non-PPR leagues and roughly top-15 in PPR.[/quote]

[theFRANCHISE]

That's good to hear. Even though running backs are a dime-a-dozen, the next generation of great RBs hasn't really taken shape yet; there's maybe a handful of guys like Ray Rice and Chris Johnson, and then there's a significant drop-off after the top 5. As football fans, we need more RBs to live up to their potential just for the sake of entertainment. It's good for the game when there's lots of good players, period.

Though I wish he'd drop some of the cockiness, I wish Moreno well and I hope he doesn't exert himself too hard in recovery.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='01 August 2010 - 10:08 PM' timestamp='1280718511' post='442638']
That's good to hear. Even though running backs are a dime-a-dozen, the next generation of great RBs hasn't really taken shape yet; there's maybe a handful of guys like Ray Rice and Chris Johnson, and then there's a significant drop-off after the top 5. As football fans, we need more RBs to live up to their potential just for the sake of entertainment. It's good for the game when there's lots of good players, period.

Though I wish he'd drop some of the cockiness, I wish Moreno well and I hope he doesn't exert himself too hard in recovery.
[/quote]
I'd say that it's closer to having a drop off after the Top 10 rather than the Top 5. RBs like Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, DeAngelo Williams. I'd also throw a healthy Michael Turner in there, who averaged 147 yards over the last 3 contests before going down with an injury.

[lowrider]

Who isn't getting carted off the fields these days? Glad the hamstring isn't torn. Although I don't like the Broncos or Moreno (fantasy wise), I would never want an injury before the season to end a guys season. Take your time kid, hamstrings don't go away easily. And only get worse if you push it.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='-Truth-' date='01 August 2010 - 11:57 PM' timestamp='1280721472' post='442650']
I'd say that it's closer to having a drop off after the Top 10 rather than the Top 5. RBs like Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, DeAngelo Williams. I'd also throw a healthy Michael Turner in there, who averaged 147 yards over the last 3 contests before going down with an injury.
[/quote]
We could agree to disagree on that, but either way, it's generally agreed upon that there is a significant drop-off at some bracket, regardless. It's not like the most recent golden age of RBs in the early 2000s when there was an above-average or superstar back at every turn and very few teams were without a quality RB. Records were being broken regularly and unknowns became stars overnight every season.

These days, there's still questions about whether some of these backs will go on to continue their success long-term, or will simply be a one-hit wonder. Now, I'd argue that these backs today are more talented than in that golden age, but they just don't have the longevity, which would diminish their greatness in hindsight.

[thewarden86]

This kid is a hometown hero. Even though he played for the South side HS, I wish him well.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='02 August 2010 - 03:43 PM' timestamp='1280781785' post='443263']
We could agree to disagree on that, but either way, it's generally agreed upon that there is a significant drop-off at some bracket, regardless. It's not like the most recent golden age of RBs in the early 2000s when there was an above-average or superstar back at every turn and very few teams were without a quality RB. Records were being broken regularly and unknowns became stars overnight every season.

These days, there's still questions about whether some of these backs will go on to continue their success long-term, or will simply be a one-hit wonder. Now, I'd argue that these backs today are more talented than in that golden age, but they just don't have the longevity, which would diminish their greatness in hindsight.
[/quote]
Well I would then have to argue that the drop off may not be as significant as you may think. A 1,000 Yards Rushing has been a bench mark for an above average player, or at least an above average Season. Considering that 15 players were able to surpass this pinnacle, not too much has changed. Now what was truly remarkable, is the number of RBs who did so with in their 1st Season as starters. Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jamaal Charles, Rashard Mendenhall, and Fred Jackson. Jonathan Stewart did so without starting all but 3 games. Ryan grant has quietly rushed over 1,200 yards in the last 2 Seasons. Ronnie Brown would average over a 1,000 yards per Season, if it weren't for his injuries. Thomas Jones was released after compiling over 1,100 yards for 5 straight Seasons.

Statistically, longevity isn't that much more of a concern than it has been, because the majority of the RBs who were successful last Season have less than 3 years of starter experience. A number of marquee names have either dropped their names out of the hat, or have are playing with diminished abilities, so it may seem that way. I'd say it more of a youth movement. We've only began the decade. I'll give this young talent a couple of years before I can judge them on their endurance.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='01 August 2010 - 03:40 PM' timestamp='1280691659' post='442354']
Denver's RBs appear to be cursed much like the Ravens' CBs.
[/quote]
At least they haven't torn any ACLs.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='01 August 2010 - 11:08 PM' timestamp='1280718511' post='442638']
That's good to hear. Even though running backs are a dime-a-dozen, the next generation of great RBs hasn't really taken shape yet; there's maybe a handful of guys like Ray Rice and Chris Johnson, and then there's a significant drop-off after the top 5. As football fans, we need more RBs to live up to their potential just for the sake of entertainment. It's good for the game when there's lots of good players, period.

Though I wish he'd drop some of the cockiness, I wish Moreno well and I hope he doesn't exert himself too hard in recovery.
[/quote]
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that passing has started dominating this league. Guys like MJD, Sproles and Rice, players that can both run and catch very well, are only becoming more important and increasing in value because they fit todays typical NFL offensive system. So rushing numbers are decreasing.

I also think that some teams out there may be starting to shift focus from getting offensive lineman to getting QBs and WRs. When this happens, running that ball becomes even harder.

But despite all that, each year there is one RB that just dominates and clearly establishes themself as the best.

2005: Shaun Alexander 1,880 yards
2006: Ladanian Tomlinson 1,815 yards
2007: LT/Adrian Peterson
2008: Adrian Peterson 1,760 yards
2009: Chris Johnson 2,006 yards