“The key to that to me is staying healthy. Everything else, I believe in wholeheartedly. It’s not like I said something to try to get a laugh or to smile or to get people to pay attention to me. It’s something I believe is in me.”
-Selvin Young regarding him rushing for 2000 yards this season.
In 2007 Selvin Young had 140 carries, 729 yards, and 1 TD.
His Teammate well, former teammate, Travis Henry, had 167 carries for 691 yards and 4 touchdowns. And now the new backup Andre Hall had 44 carries for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2007.
Yes, I understand this is crazy for a running back to say before starting only his second season after being an undrafted longhorn. But guess what, he is on the Denver Broncos, and is on the most consistent rushing offense in recent football history.
2007 – Selvin Young 729 yards + Travis Henry 691 yards
2006 – Tatum Bell 1,025 yards + Mike Bell 677 yards
2005 – Mike Anderson 1,014 yards + Tatum Bell 921 yards
2004 – Reuben Droughns 1,240 yards + Quentin Griffin 311 yards
2003 – Clinton Portis 1,591 yards + Quentin Griffin 345 yards
2002 – Clintin Portis 1,508
2001 – Terrell Davis 701 yards + Mike Anderson 678 yards
2000 – Mike Anderson 1,487 yards + Terrell Davis 282 yards
1999 – Olandis Gary 1,159 yards + Terrell Davis 211 yards
1998 – Terrell Davis 2,008 yards
Guess what, it’s been 10 years and it is time for there to be another 2,000 yard rusher in Denver. They have the zone blocking scheme. And according to history, they seem to be a pretty good rushing team…
Kansas City, Oakland, and the Chargers are in their division… Guess who was #31 and #27 in the league in rushing defense in 2007, Oakland and KC, and the chargers were #16.
In 2008, the Broncos do not even play a 2007 top 5 ranked rushing defense; and they only play 1 team in the top ten! Which is #10 Patriots. They play #11 Jacksonville, and then the next hardest rush defense they play is #16 San Diego Chargers. Leaving 12 teams left to play ranked between #16 and #32.
So what I am saying, is that playing only two teams in the top 15 of the nfl’s rushed defense leaves him plenty of opportunity to do this feat. Do I think he will do it? No, I would put my money on Adrian Peterson, B-Westbrook, LT, or Steven Jackson, but that is why this kid just moved up a notch in my book. This season I will be drafting Selvin Young in Fantasy Football just because if he doesn’t rush for 2000 yards, I have a reason to hunt him down and send Mike Vick’s dog’s after him.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Very interesting. I am a big fantasy football player, and now I might have to think about drafting Young. I have stayed away from Denver RBs the past few years, because it has been so difficult to predict who will get the majority of the carries. Last year I am pretty sure everybody assumed it would be Travis Henry.
I like the bold prediction by Young. At least he is shooting for greatness.
June 12th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Yes, it was very interesting research while looking this up… At first I thought Selvin was crazy for saying this, but after a little research on the defense he play’s I thought differently. 2000 yards is a very bold statement by the player, it may not be a realistic goal, but it’s something to shoot for.
Like you said, the past 5 years it’s been a toss up on the starter. For a month you thought Maurice Clarett was the future, but we all know how that turned out for him. Clarett and the rest of the “national fugitive league” are hanging out together.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
No, he does play Pittsburgh who was third in rush defense last year.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Ya nevermind somehow I got the old schedule. I have him on one of my teams, I hope your prediction is right.
June 30th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
heh, it will be an interesting season for him…
November 12th, 2008 at 12:21 am
where’s the 2000 yard season jackass?
November 12th, 2008 at 12:36 am
ya, he pretty much was the loudest worst trash talker of all time that just miserably failed. And even worse is the broncos cripled running back committee.