Only 11 NFL running backs in Week 1 gained at least 70 yards. The Broncos had two.
And only 19 running backs had at least 15 carries. Again, the Broncos had two.
Those statistics are football music for offensive coordinator .
On a team with proven performers in quarterback and receivers and , the Broncos enter Sunday’s game against Oakland content to lean on rookie running backs and . Both players had 15 carries for 71 yards in the season opening win over Seattle last Sunday.
“We’re going to have to play our style to have any type of success against (Oakland),” Musgrave said after practice Thursday. “Our style is a rugged style. We have to play rugged. We have a rugged group.”
If Musgrave is using “rugged” as a public buzzword, itap a good bet he’s using it in-house, too. T-shirts can’t be far behind.
“We’re not very fancy and as we saw the other day, we’re rough around the edges,” Musgrave said. “But we can overcome a lot if we play rugged.”
Freeman earned the starting spot over .
“Royce did well,” Musgrave said. “He was solid for us. He’s someone that we trust. He’s done a super job day in and day out so we feel we can trust him and count on him.”
The same goes for Lindsay, who showed promise as more than a change-of-pace player, capable of running base offense plays between the tackles.
“They’re good players, both of the backs,” Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther told Bay Area reporters. “(Freeman) is more of a one-cut runner and (Lindsay) has good speed and quickness coming out of the backfield on routes and on perimeter runs.”
