Did Mike Shanahan play a practical joke on the Broncos after his dismissal? It appears that he might have placed a curse on the Denver Broncos Running Backs? Mike probably thought it would be funny hexing his former team, not realizing that he actually wielded such powers. I mean it only makes sense considering Mike is highly favored by the football Gods, especially those Gods who love the backfield.

Let's take a look back in history and see what made Shanahan so special.  Shanahan's blessing begin in 1995 with his 6th round draft pick Terrell Davis. Davis rushed for a 1,100 yards (in1995) and caught 49 passes in his rookie year. Terrell continued to tear it up with 1,500 yards in 96' (AP Offensive Player of the Year), 1,700 yards in 97' (NFL Super Bowl MVP), and then an incredible 2,000 yards in 1998 (AP & PFWA MVP, AP Offensive Player of the Year).   Without Davis, the Broncos Super Bowls wins probably (or definately) would not have happened.  The Terrell Davis era ended abruptly in 1999 with a serious injury.

Although, the Broncos didn't hesitate to hand off the ball to rookie running back Olandis Gary, who turned out to be another blessing from the football gods.  Gary was taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft, a late round draft pick for Mike Shanahan.  Olandis Gary rushed for 1,000 yards in 99',  not bad considering his production came from only12 games that year. 

Then another late round draft pick, named Mike Anderson, who took a disciplined approach to the game in 2000, producing over 1,400 yards that year.  Like Terrell Davis, he too was drafted in the 6th round (another late round draft pick).

The following year Shanahan decided he would take Clinton Portis in the NFL draft, but this time it was in the 2nd round.  Clinton Portis made a name for himself  at the University of Miami as their top running back.  Portis helped the Hurricanes win the National Championship in 2001, he rushed for over 1,200 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 220 carries (5.5 average yards per carry). In 2002, Clinton rushed for 1,500 yards and was named NFL offensive rookie of the year by Associated Press. The next year he nearly hit the 1,600 yard mark with 5.5 average yards per carry and attended his first Pro Bowl.   Then, Shanahan traded Clinton Portis to Washington for Pro Bowler and all-star cornerback Champ Bailey.   

Knowing that he could pick up talent in the draft, Mike Shanahan was never reluctant to move on to another running back.  Reuben Droughns was the next RB to excel under Shanahan, rushing for 1,240 yards in 2004. Droughns had been with the Broncos since 2002, but didn't play much.  Droughns was not guaranteed a starting position in 05' with the Broncos, so he requested a trade and was subsequently traded to the Cleveland Browns.  Droughns wasn't the last running back under the guidance of coach Shanahan to rush for 1,000 yards. 

Mike Anderson makes a comeback after his rookie debut in 2000 and rushed 1,000 yards in 2005. In 2006, Tatum Bell rushed for over 1,000 yards and was close to 1,000 yards in 2005 with 921, not  to mention over 100 yards receiving. 

You might be thinking enough already, 1,000 yard running backs are not that hard to come by in the NFL.  This is true,  although Shanahan's knack for picking running backs in the draft and his consistency year after year is notable.  Peyton Hillis is the next running back to watch.  The Broncos drafted Hillis in the 2008 NFL draft, 7th round, 227th overall. McDaniels traded Hillis to the Browns, concerned with how Hillis would fit into McDaniels offensive scheme.  Under McDaniels the Broncos have struggled at the running back position with injuries and lack of success in general. Let's hope Shanahan's practical jokes ends soon, if it hasn't already.

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