Should Broncos use Phillip Lindsay as more a ‘change of pace’ back?
Jan 25, 2019, 3:18 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2019, 11:26 pm
Going from undrafted college free agent to Pro Bowler at running back, Denver Broncos rookie Phillip Lindsay had not only a memorable first season in the NFL but a profound impact on his team.
But could a reduced role in the Broncos offense actually serve the team, and Lindsay, better moving forward?
“Look at how great he was. But, when you take a step back you say, I’m not sure we want him to be our guy. Because our guy, we want him to carry the football, hopefully, 20-plus times a game. Do we really want that from Phillip Lindsay?” said “Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley on Friday.
Lindsay missed the Broncos season finale, and could be out three to fourth months, after suffering a wrist injury in Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders.
But Stokley insists he’s not advocating for putting Lindsay in “bubble wrap,” but he does want to protect the dynamic running back’s productivity throughout a 16-game season.
“You have to be careful how you use him because you want productivity from him for 16 games. Not for eight. Not for four. Not for 12. Sixteen games,” Stokley said. “So, I think you need to have that approach when you head into the season That, you know what, Phillip Lindsay is more of our change of pace guy. He’s not our every-down-back guy.”
That every-down guy, Stokley said, would likely be Royce Freeman.
Stokley did say he’d like to see Lindsay used more in the passing game, however, saying he wasn’t used enough that way in 2018.
“You look at this offense and you look at the way the running backs are mismatches in the passing game with linebackers or safeties, and Phillip Lindsay is one of those guys, you’ve got to use him more in the passing game,” Stokley said.
Last season, Lindsay had a total of 227 touches but only 47 from the passing game. In 15 games (eight starts), Lindsay had 192 rushing attempts for 1,037 yards. Comparatively, Freeman had 130 attempts in 14 games (also eight starts) for 521 yards.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
