Denver Broncos vet Melvin Gordon aims for consistency in battle for carries with Javonte Williams
- Heinrich Griessel
- 18 August 2022
Melvin Gordon knows young gun Javonte Williams is likely to take more carries in the 2022 season, but the experienced Denver Broncos running back won't give up so easily.
The 29-year-old shared the load equally with Williams last term, with both men being afforded 203 attempts.
They also appeared to be evenly matched as Gordon averaged 4.5 per carry and Williams put up 4.4 in his rookie season.
The Broncos did, however, seem to trust the 22-year-old's hands more as he had 43 receptions to Gordon's 28.
Under new Denver coach Nathaniel Hackett, Gordon is well aware the up-and-coming Williams will probably be given more opportunities as he has more room to grow given his age.
"I think they have a plan on what they want heading in, but as far as the rotation goes, I really don't know," Gordon said on Wednesday, as quoted by NFL.com.
"I think they want 'Vonte' to be the guy, but we do rotate. He'll take the first series and then the second series with the [No. 1 offense], I'll take.
"Sometimes we switch, but you know kind of how it is. I don't know how they will do the rotation. I have to go back and look at how they did things in Green Bay with the carries and things like that.
"My mom says just go out here and compete and go as hard as I can. I don't know what the future holds other than that, but I just want to put my best foot forward so when I do go out there, they go, 'OK, we need to get him out there more.' I know I have the game; I know I can play and I still have the juice, but we'll see."
The former LA Chargers running back has remained philosophical about the situation, and will simply maintain his work ethic and put in the hard yards to ensure he keeps the youngster on his toes.
"Just be consistent. Be consistent. You never know how the future will play out with anything, but you just have to go out there and ball out," he added.
"You have to make every opportunity count, whether it's the same or less as last year. I know when I get in there, I have to make it count and that's all that matters."
Denver will travel to Buffalo for Saturday's pre-season clash with the Bills.
