
Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman.
Yes, it is a big deal that Ronnie Hillman, he of all of the pass blocking issues last season, has seemed to have solved them satisfactorily enough to rise to the top spot among running backs on the Broncos first depth chart released last weekend.
But it is only a big deal to us. Broncos coach John Fox isn’t fazed and won’t be strapped to the depth chart when deciding who trots out on the field first at the position on Sept. 5 against the Ravens.
“Again, it’s going to be based on performance,” Fox said. “We’ve got four preseason games to take a look at them. We have a depth chart. We released a depth chart only because the league makes us, but as it sorts out they’ll define where they fit on the depth chart.”
Hillman, who talked for the first time since appearing No. 1 on the depth chart shrugged it all off.
“We haven’t even had a preseason game, so you just take the reps and take it for what it is,” Hillman said.
Hillman insisted it wasn’t his actual blocking that was a problem last season, it was his ability to recognize where the rush was coming from. Now, he says, that’s less of an issue.
“Now I’m seeing a lot more and it’s just being able to stand them up and being able to stall them,” he said.
Follow Chris Dempsey on Twitter @dempseypost or email him at cdempsey@denverpost.com