I think we can add Peyton Hillis to another interesting list...

[PlaygroundLegend]

So I was browsing away on the internet today searching for potential offensive coordinator/head coaching candidates. Because I was such a big fan of how the 2008 broncos played ball (on the offensive side), that I decided to look into some coaches that have learned under Mike Shanahan. I did this by looking at his coaching rosters over the years and reading Wikipedia bios and such.

While reading Shanahans bio on wikipedia I came across this little Gem

Shanahan is known for a run-heavy variation of the West Coast offense he coached in San Francisco. He has often found unheralded running backs from later rounds of the annual NFL Draft and then turned them into league-leading rushers behind small-but-powerful offensive lines. Examples of this phenomenon are Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns and Tatum Bell, all of whom have had at least one 1,000-yard season in a Denver uniform over the past 10 years.

Looks like Hillis is another late round stud drafted by Shanahan



Did we trade for Droughns or was he a FA? I remember all the hoopla around when he had a 1000 yard season for us, everyone blew it up into a big deal because we hadnt had any offense until then...

[DaBrowns41]

We traded Droughns for Tim Carter, to the Giants.

Carter was amazing for us catching 8 balls for 117 yards and a touchdown for us in 16 games played.

/endsarcasm

[PlaygroundLegend]

He was traded to the Cleveland Browns by the Denver Broncos on March 30, 2005, for defensive linemen Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers. In his debut season with the Browns, he earned the nickname "The Party Starter," as he became the first Browns player to gain 1,000 yards rushing in a season since Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack both achieved the feat in 1985.

Found that on wikipedia, then we got Tim Carter for him? Hmm

Hope Hillis isn't a one or two year back then done, seeing as how his running style can take a toll.

But then again Jerome Bettis (*pukes*) played until he was 34, so you never know

[Alo]

This year, Shanahan is getting solid productivity out of UDFA Keiland Williams (4.0 YPC, 30 catches). He knows what kind of back fits his system, which allows him to get quality RBs for going out of business prices.

[mohican]

Clinton Portis was a high pick. 1st or second round. Just too expensive a RB for Shanahan's taste, I guess.

In the woulda, coulda, shoulda category, Paul Davis passed up Clinton Portis to Pick Willie Green. Go Figure. And Paul Davis coached Portis at Miami, and knew how good he was.

[DaBrowns41]

Originally Posted by mohican

Clinton Portis was a high pick. 1st or second round. Just too expensive a RB for Shanahan's taste, I guess.

In the woulda, coulda, shoulda category, Paul Davis passed up Clinton Portis to Pick Willie Green. Go Figure. And Paul Davis coached Portis at Miami, and knew how good he was.

Portis was drafted by Shanahan. Then was shipped to Washington in the Champ Bailey deal. Shanahan was just reunited with him.

Portis was a 2nd round pick. I believe Shanahan's only drafted two running backs higher than the 3rd round. Portis was one, and I think one was Tatum Bell.