Rooking Running a Little Late

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Rookie running a little late
Torain carrying hype into delayed debut with Broncos
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 10/28/2008 03:02:11 AM MDT


Hear that buzz, Broncos fans?

It's the hype building about rookie running back Ryan Torain, who is preparing to finally make his NFL debut, perhaps as soon as Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High against the Miami Dolphins.

Since when has the midseason debut of a rookie — especially one drafted in the fifth round — been so highly anticipated?

"I think a lot of people are putting pressure on his back by predicting him to do things when he's just trying to come out and do his job," veteran running back Michael Pittman said. "I think he feels it, but as a young guy, you want that opportunity."

Consider that when Torain dislocated his left elbow and damaged ligaments during training camp in early August, he had been steadily moving his way up the depth chart and likely would have been in contention to earn a starting job by September.

At that point, the coaches were so impressed with their rookie tailback that head coach Mike Shanahan even offered up a comparison to Terrell Davis.

"He's one of the most gifted running backs I've been around for a long time. He is very similar to Terrell Davis when he came in," Shanahan said Aug. 6, the day Torain was carted off the practice field.

Rookie running a little late - The Denver Post