Moreno’s signing gives McDaniels all the game pieces

It’s over. There are no more Denver Broncos draftees roaming the unknown purgatory of the unsigned.

Knowshon Moreno agreed to a five-year, $23 million contract with the Broncos on Friday, and he finalizes the puzzle that Josh McDaniels has been so fervently piecing together since his arrival in Colorado.

The Broncos made Moreno the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft on April 25. Since then, the Broncos have survived Brandon Marshall’s self-attempted trade and legal issues, Jarvis Moss’ declaration of lost interest in the game, and the shorter holdout of fellow first-rounder Robert Ayers.

Moreno racked up 2,734 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in only two years at the University of Georgia before foregoing his final years of eligibility and beginning the journey that led him to Denver.

Now McDaniels has his choice running back, and more importantly he can focus all of his attention on the on-field actions in Dove Valley.

This is especially uplifting news for an organization whose players were unfairly and selfishly booed by their own fans at practice Friday. Kyle Orton is the quarterback, and the last time I checked, booing him won’t do any good. In fact, it won’t do anything at all. So here’s a side note to the “fans” attending training camp – Orton’s the quarterback. McDaniels is the coach. And now Moreno is the running back. Trust me, there are worse situations for an organization that hasn’t made the playoffs in three years than having a veteran passer, a disciple of Bill Belichick running the show from the sidelines, and a top-15 pick carrying the ground game.

Of course, it’s not just the spectators who will rejoice over Moreno’s presence. McDaniels has praised the rookie for his pass protection abilities, an underrated aspect of his offensive system.

“One of the things that nobody will talk too much about is his pass protection. For a college back, that is something that doesn’t get a lot of recognition. This guy stands in there, and he can put his face right in their numbers, and he’ll keep them off the QB. So certainly on third down, as the player grows in our system and he becomes more comfortable with what we are doing, I think he could definitely give us that versatility.”

So the next time you feel like tugging your belt and bellowing your dissatisfaction, take a breath, save your energy, and focus on some good news here because by my count the athletes whom the man in charge selected are finally all in one place.

Every player whom McDaniels has picked to become a part of his team is a member of the Denver Broncos. There are no more reasons to glance over any shoulders. From here on out, it’s all about moving forward, coming together, winning some games, and for Knowshon, protecting the quarterback.

See more from Hunter Ansley at DraftZoo.com