Running back Ronnie Hillman has known Head Coach John Fox for years.
Sort of.
Fox played two seasons as a defensive back for San Diego State — where Hillman attended — before serving a year on the Aztecs coaching staff as a graduate assistant.
There’s a picture commemorating Fox’s time with his alma mater — right by the elevator — and Hillman saw it daily during his time at the school.
“He had actually met me before he’d met me,” Fox laughed.
Hillman said it was interesting to meet his head coach after seeing his picture every day for two-and-a-half years.
“He looks a little younger in (the photo),” he joked.
All joking aside, Hillman described Fox as a “fair, tough, hard-nosed guy.”
He said he’s talked with Fox a little about San Diego State, but for now, he’s more worried about preparing for the season.
Friday’s opening practice of the club’s rookie minicamp brought a few nerves for the rookies, but Hillman said he enjoyed finally getting back to football.
“It was real fun,” he said. “I just have to get used to the pace and learn the players and learn the blocking scheme and everything. It was kind of relaxing just to finally get out there and get all the jitters out.”
Putting on his jersey for the first time was a culmination of a lot of hard work for Hillman.
“It was just like you finally made it,” he said. “I’ve been playing this game since I was eight-years old. It’s been a goal for my whole life and finally to get to be here and the Broncos giving me an opportunity, and I plan on capitalizing on it.”
The running back will wear No. 34 in honor of his favorite running back growing up — Ricky Williams — and Walter Payton.
Hillman knows those are big names to live up to, and he said his very first step will be getting used to the speed of the game.
Fox said the team liked what it saw in Hillman in college. Now it’s on him to transition those skills to the NFL.
“He has some God-given abilities to, we think, play this game at a high level,” Fox said. “What he does with that is going to be up to him. We’re going to give him every opportunity to show his skills.”
-Gray Caldwell
Got this one!!!
I believe Ronnie Hillman is going to be a special player for the Broncos.
2012 Depth Chart (What i think it should be)
QB: Manning, Hanie, Osweiler
FB: Sylvester
RB: McGahee, Hillman, Moreno, Fannin
TE: Tamme, Dreessen, Thomas
WR: Thomas, Decker, Stokley, Caldwell, Willis
LT: Clady
LG: Franklin
C: Blake
RG: Kuper
RT: Harris
DE: Ayers, Beal
DT: Warren, Jackson
DT: Wolfe, Vickerson
DE: Dumervil, Hunter
OLB: Miller, Woodyard
MLB: Mays, Irvin, Haggan
OLB: Williams, Trevathan
CB: Bailey, Bolden
CB: Porter, Harris
CB: Florence, Vaughn
S: Adams, Moore
S: Carter, Bruton
all looks good but we could use another GOOD young Wideout, a Beast MLB, and a Ball Hawk at Safety
Von, you have 46 players on your roster. add Prater K and Colquitt P that makes 48 players with a 53 man roster. I like RB Jeremiah Johnson and JD Walton, so that makes 50 players. ALL IN FUN!!
strand – sure did bro! It’s a great movie… not sure if you’ve seen it yet check it out when you have time.
The 3 extra players gotta be O-line for depth. LOL
I wanna see it bad.
@von-dumervil…are you nuts? You have NO bu OL AND you keep a FB in our new offense scheme. ARE YOU NUTS?
And Haggan does not fit the LB mold. Willis and Stokley will be hard pressed to make the WR group which has HIGH
potential players. OH did you forget our best blocking TE Virgil Green? ARE YOU NUTS?
But I must admit, I have no idea how the final 53 will look.
Mr. Von-Dumervil, I have a question. How is Mario Haggan going to be a back up linebacker since he is no longer with the team?
Myers, a little too much caffeine bro, chill.
Question; Will B.F.E be on tonight?! STAY TUNED!!! The Friday Night Rock N Roll Show brought to you by________!
Hey Von Doom,
I’d honestly rather have Adam Webber be second string QB over Hanie. That guy is an Idiot, that I often wonder how he is still playing in the league.
So I think for QB. it should be:
Manning, Webber, Osweiler.
I think Adam Webber has alot of potential to be the next big thing, even over Osweiler. I think we need to get Hanie outta here tho he is trash.
@Von_Dum:
I like that depth chart.. offense looks great..
on defense,, it looks like you picked Vaugh over Squid???
Von_Dum
I would change a bunch of your depth chart:
LT: Clady / Harris
LG:Beattles / Blake
C: JD Waslton / Blake
RG: Kuper / Blakt
RT: Flanklin / Harris
RB Magahee / Moreno (plays well when healthy) / Hillman (also change of pace back)
TE: Dreessen / Thomas / Tamme
Your Defense looks fine, but where did you get the extra CB? (4-3-5???) Perhaps in the nickle package?
I also believe someone will beat out Mays at some point this season. He played great his first year, but tapered off last year IMO.
Again this is all my opinion too – take it or leave it.
Go Broncos!!!
@Von_Dum:
LS = Paxton
Haggan = gone
Green = Suspension -> gone
Team seems to like Lance Ball although I’m not a big fan
Walton & Beattles will probably make the team as will DT Ben Garland. Team is very bullish on this guy.
I also see Malik Jackson DE making the team.
My 53 man projection:
QB Manning Hanie Osweiler
FB Sylvester
RB McGahee Hillman Moreno L Ball J Johnson Fannin
TE Dreessen Tamme Thomas
WR Thomas Decker Stokley Caldwell Willis
LT Clady
LG Beattles Franklin
C Walton Blake
RG Kuper
RT Harris
LS Paxton
DE Ayers Beal M Jackson
DT Warren Garland
DT Wolfe Vickerson
DE Dumervil Hunter
OLB Miller Woodyard
MLB Mays Irvin
OLB Williams Trevathan
CB Bailey Bolden
CB Porter Harris
CB Florence S Thompson
S Adams Moore
S Carter Bruton
P Colquitt
K Prater
In my humble opinion.
all that remains for Hillman to do imprint his name on coach fox’s brain by giving it 1,000.00 % on the field