What’s up, Broncos Country?
This is Ryan Torain, checking in for the first time. This season I’m going to be writing a rookie blog, just letting you all know how my first year in the NFL is going. So far it’s been going great, by the way.
Wow, so I’m here in Denver. I never thought I would come here — I didn’t really know every single team looking at me just because there is so much going on around that time with the NFL Combine and everything, but once I saw it come up on the screen I was like, wow, that’s a running team. I was definitely ready to get here and start showing I have what it takes to run in the Denver Broncos system, so I’ve been blessed. I actually lived here in Denver for a few months when I was in about 3rd grade, so I’m just getting used to it all over again. It’s good to see the mountains again.
Well, I’ve been in camp for a week now, and it’s pretty much what I expected. I’ve been through camps every year of college, so this is just another level. I won’t lie, though, it’s definitely greater speed and greater talent, but it’s a real good, positive thing, just having fun doing what I love — football.
For the first couple days, I felt like I was going cross-eyed because everything was going by so fast and I was just trying to read everything, but now I feel like I’m adjusting to the speed. Things are slowed down and I feel a lot more comfortable with myself as we’re running the plays.
The best part of camp so far has definitely got to be the afternoon practices. It’s either a quick one for special teams or a jog-through where we go over all our plays. It leaves us with one big practice in the morning where we really go hard and make sure we leave it all out there on the field. That’s huge. And the veterans are constantly reminding us rookies to be thankful for this because everywhere else it’s a lot harder. So most definitely this is huge and Coach Shanahan is taking care of us. It keeps us healthy and it’s just creating opportunities for us in the future, when we have our legs up under us during games and other teams are wearing down.
Speaking of veterans, I’m definitely enjoying myself with the group of running backs we have here. We all look out for each other and we all try to help each other because we look at it as a family, you know what I’m saying? We just want all of us be successful, because we need each other. But that doesn’t mean the vets don’t remind me I’m a rookie. There’s a couple of days where I’ve had to carry some helmets and shoulder pads, but I’m just trying to help out the older guys. Because when I’m older, best believe somebody’s going to be carrying my helmet. Alright? I paid my duty!
They’ve got me staying in the rookie hotel, too. That’s not so bad because it’s right up the road so between practices and when meetings are over I can just go grab a quick nap. And they provide everything for us. You’ve got Gatorade, you’ve got TV, you’ve got your bed and your playbook, that’s all you need. And it’s not like we’re out in the hall joking around too much, maybe we hang out for about 5 or 10 minutes, but then we’re hitting that bed. It’s exhausting out here. Most definitely we’re getting our rest.
I hear all these people talking about how hot it is right now, something about a record number of days above 90 degrees. Man, it feels breezy. This ain’t nothing. You have to remember I grew up in Kansas and went to school in Arizona. You don’t know hot until you’re in Arizona in the middle of July. This is great weather out here, you’ve just got to enjoy it and take advantage of it.
That’s what I’m doing, and time is really flying. From draft day until right now it feels like it’s been just a couple hours. Things are really rolling right now, and it’s clicking pretty well. I’m excited for it. I’m definitely ready for this first preseason game to get out there against another NFL team. It’s a dream come true, you’ve just got to keep setting goals for yourself and reaching them.
My goal personally is to help the team and make big plays. Training camp is going great, I feel positive about everything, I’m staying with the running back coach just getting the information and plays, just meeting with him a little extra, just staying on top of things. It makes me feel better as a running back to know that the coaches have confidence in me, and I’ve always had confidence in myself, but now the coaches are seeing my work ethic and what I’m trying to provide for the team, and they’re giving me and opportunity and I appreciate it. I’m just ready to go out and take it and make sure I do everything I can.
Alright, that’s all for this one. I’ll talk to you all next week, don’t forget to come out to training camp and keep watching me this season. I expect to do big things.
Tags: Rookie, Ryan Torain, Training Camp
Welcome to Bronco land Ryan. I am pumped and happy that you are with us. Looking forward to great thinks to come…Take care….West Coast
Ryan
P.S. Since I was your 1st post maybe you can send me an autographed ball as a prize? Just a thought. Thanks Ryan.
I agree, 90 is nothing. Thats like winter here in south florida. Though Arizona is a different level of hot.I heard people set themselves on fire to cool off in Arizona.
Hey Ryan! Thanks for taking the time to do this blog. The fans really appreciate it. I can’t wait to watch the team in action!
Go Broncos!!!
welcome to denver dude :] from what I’ve heard, you guys all look great so far in training camp, and I can’t wait to see what you guys do this season
The san diego games will be very interesting to see. Lets hope Phyllis Rivers can keep his mouth shut this year haha
-beth
hes not a quitter hes a guy who got talked into less money and competing for a job hes already earned pal. how many years has he been here?4 how many probowls?4!!!!!! how can he have “lost a step” whens hes been playing the same way since he got here. even champ said today the lynch is like a 4th lb out there. we knew what we had when we resigned him this offseason. if we wernt happy with his “pass defence”why resign him at all? the answer because something “better” in our eye came along so got tossed in the pile with plummer. whats next champ? dj? like i said lynchs game hasnt changed since hes been here its just for some reason shanny jumped all over mcress nuts
sorry that was for westcoast we were haveing a talk on the previous blog
90. man here in the lone star state were baking at nice 100 degress this whole week. Hey Torian you got any idea of when yall take of the skirts and start doing some real hitting this shoulder pads and skirts is getting boring
jmonk… No worries. Obviously we have different opinions. As long as we win on the field all is good.
Welcome to the team #42! Can’t wait to see you guys start the season. I’m feeling some big things this year!
Congratz! On being a Bronco! Hope you stay healthy and Good Luck. Read some very positive articles on you. Hopefully you can help the Broncos get wins this year!!
I guess we can expect a few “run on” sentences with a running back blogger, he guys? Thanks for bloggin’ for us!
hey ryan
ima big fan!!!!!!!!!!!!! i predict u will get 1,023 yards this year!!!!! tell me if u think im right cause im pretty sure that u will get within a couple yards of this number. hope to hear from u!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryan,
I am so happy you are a bronco!! I really hope you are successful here like so many of the backs before you and maybe you could actually stick around for a little while!
Anyways good luck this year and I look forward to reading your blogs!
Ryan, thanks for spending a few minutes with us, especially during this very exhausting training camp, and steep learning curve.
Our hopes are very high for you, as Shanny has referred to you as a 1st round talent! Not hard to live up to that huh?
I like to know how your injury is holding up? I believe it was the “Lis Franc” injury. I’ve heard it can be difficult to rehab, but that a new surgical technique shortens healing time, and better supports the injury over the long haul. Hope that’s the case…
We’re all pulling for you dude. We love our RBs in Denver. Hope you get at least 1,000 this year. May be tough with Selvin saying he’s going to get 2,000?
Yes, Ryan, I understand July heat in Arizona. I was a Mormon (LDS) missionary in Tucson, Arizona and El Paso, Texas several years back so I know all about the southwestern heat. With that said, it’s nice to have Arizona Wildcats (Spencer Larsen, Danny Baugher) on the team as well as ASU Sun Devils (you). It’s nice having you in Bronco Country, I’m sure you’ll be just fine in the backfield. You and Pittman provide power, while Selvin Young and Andre Hall (my personal favorite, no offense, Ryan) are splendid speedsters. Keep up the good work and we’ll see you against the Texans on August 9!
Mike Shanahan does have a keen eye for talent and if he chose you there is no doubt about your abilities. I have no idea about the weather in Arizona but what i do know is denver for me at least gets really hot and the high altitude sometimes challenges players. Hope you do good this year i really like what denver has in Selvin but if you beat him out in camp what can i say the best players always play. Hope you hold up for the season im pretty sure Denver will use you alot in short yardage or hey who knows you might be the starter i mean Mike is not shy about sitting his starters down. Hope you stick around for more than the two years Mike usualy keeps a back, and good luck this season.
Just to let you know…you are on the BEST nfl team EVER!!! Go Broncos!!!
-PARIS (#1 BRONCO FAN!!!)
Hey Ryan, My family and I were visiting from Illinois on Tuesday and got to see practice at camp. We had a lot of fun at the camp and you looked great. Keep up the hard work!! Can’t wait to see you help get some more wins this year! Good Luck and GO BRONCOS!!
man, here in arizona its so dang hot.
and just to say i loved watching you play great at ASU these past couple years, and im REALLY excited to watch you keep on the bronco tradition of 1,000 yard seasons. hopefully you and young both get 1,000 yard seasons.
#42 is the best number to have on a jersey. My gut says you are going to be something special here is Denver
When I heard we picked up another runningback I was curious to see what the Broncos saw. So far it sounds very promising. Glad to have you aboard.
I hope to read good things about you on gameday(won’t have access to the games live, out of the country).
Go Broncos!
Hey Ryan,
at the begining of the season, I was hoping that Selvin would be the undesputed starter and that he would get about 70% of the snaps. But as I looked into some tapes of you and got some information on your abilities, I realized that you have the ability to be the next TD. I hope with all my heart that you beat out Selvin by midseason as the starting running back. And if that happens (more like “when” that happens), PLEASE stay in Denver and not leave like every other running back. Good Luck!
PS - The weater here in Nebraska is to hot for me. It’s going to be in the 100’s today and with the midwestern humidity i will just be awful.
Welcome
Welcome aboard
I didn’t know we were gonna get 2 great guys blogging this year!!
Awesome!! Welcome to the team Ryan!! We’re pretty good fans here…but we expect a lot. Good luck this season!! See you boys at camp Wednesday!! 
Ryan, Nice to see you are doing good. This is Mike, your coach in Topeka. I was looking up Broncos stuff for my wife and there you are with a blog. Dude, I don’t know what to say but congratulations!!!! I will be keeping a better eye on you. I see you play the Packers in a few weeks. I will get to see you then. Have a great season and I hope the fans there love you.
That a good story boss, i see you with skills, do your thang man and youuuuu them defeners. See ya when u come out to az when u play the cardinals ill be watchin ol paris hilton boyyy!!
Beasy
ryan goodluck!!!!!!!!!!!!! go get your self some playing time. And make the chargers look like a bunch of talkers which is really all they are. your too good to hold back i give it less then a year till your either starter or getting 40% of the carrys
ROOMMATE whats good bro its ya boi Wes Downing just checkin up on ya seeing how your are doing i’m glad everything is going well for ya keep ballin i’ll be holding you down on sundays can’t wait bro
Just got word of your elbow injury…………THAT SUCKS! Hang in there and get well, man! We Bronco fans can’t wait to see you in action.
get better you can do it, best of luck
Hey guy I hope to see get better guy. They say bus run over throw people under bus. I want see guy throw under train guy. Come on guy get better and run over the peoples.
Ryan
I understand what you are going through with your arm. I ruptured my bicep tendon and had it surgically repaired and now have the same brace on my right arm. I wish you luck on a fast recovery.
My wife and I will be in Oakland to watch the Broncos beat Oakland.
JJ
PS If you see Josh Barrett please tell him hello from Patrice & JJ.
Whats up family! This is yo cuzin D’Shaun “Brian’s Son” I see you made it to the pros! i watched your games when you wus playin fo the sun devils and you wus killen em! i’m glad 2 see you doing it big man…and with the broncos, thats wus up. tell Chris i said wus sup.hit me back
Whats up family! This is yo cuzin D’Shaun “Brian’s Son” I see you made it to the pros! i watched your games when you wus playin fo the sun devils and you wus killen em! i’m glad 2 see you doing it big man…and with the broncos, thats wus up. tell Chris i said wus sup.hit me back.
P.S. good luck man an shake that injury off