Bo Nix Explains the 'Edge' J.K. Dobbins Has Brought to Broncos
When the Denver Broncos signed veteran running back J.K. Dobbins, head coach Sean Payton thought he was getting a starting-caliber ball-carrier for his offense. Payton was definitely right about that, as halfway through the season, Dobbins ranks third in the NFL in rushing, but the sixth-year back has also been a tremendous leader and tone-setter for the Broncos.
Ask Bo Nix, who's been around since before Dobbins' arrival. There's an edge present on this offense that perhaps wasn't there last year.
“Just an edge. We’re going to be a top offense. We’re going to do the right things at practice. We’re going to play over again if we haven’t done it right," Nix said on Wednesday when asked what Dobbins brings to the table. "He just has those guys playing hard for him, and he’s running the ball really well."
Dobbins is averaging north of five yards per carry, and he's already rushed for 634 yards and four touchdowns. He's on pace to obliterate his previous career-high rushing marks.
More Than a Ball-Carrier
Beyond what Dobbins does when the ball is in his hands, his leadership and mentoring of the younger players in the Broncos' running back room have been indispensable, including rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey. These are the intangible traits the Broncos didn't realize they were getting when they signed him to a
He’s doing a good job. He’s out there helping RJ with different things. He’s being a great leader, and he’s just putting his head down and he goes to work," Nix said of Dobbins.
The other aspects of Dobbins' game, including his pass protection and pass-catching acumen, come as a welcome on-field bonus to Nix, who's only been sacked eight times this season.
"He plays really hard. I know I mentioned after the [Cowboys] game, but he protects well. He protects for the pocket, he runs routes, and catches the football out of the backfield," Nix said of Dobbins. "He runs the ball hard when he gets his chance. We always knew he was a complete back, but he’s really showing that off right now.”
Dobbins is putting together an All-Pro-caliber campaign. It would help Dobbins' outlook for end-of-season accolades if Payton would scheme him up a few touchdowns inside the 5-yard line, but Dobbins was probably happy to see Harvey score three times last week vs. the Dallas Cowboys, which earned him NFL
Dobbins Wants to Retire a Bronco
Dobbins is at the midway point of his one-year deal, and he already knows that he wants to return to Denver. Heck, the 26-year-old wants to finish his NFL career with the Broncos.
Although Dobbins wants an extension for those reasons, he's not allowing himself to dwell on it right now. If he can stay healthy throughout the season, the Broncos could start thinking seriously about an extension in December sometime.
"As far as [an] extension, and stuff like that, that doesn't cross my mind. But me just wanting to be here in Denver? Yes. I hope to end my career here and be here for the rest of my time in the NFL,"
Dobbins' next matchup is a doozy vs. the Houston Texans' fifth-ranked rushing defense. However, if he can eclipse the century mark again, he'll become the first Bronco since Melvin Gordon in 2021 to post three 100-yard games in a season.
Maple Leafs return to friendly confines to battle Penguins
The Toronto Maple Leafs resume their home-heavy early schedule Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Maple Leafs gained a split of a two-game road trip Saturday with a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers that featured the first NHL goal by their top rookie, Easton Cowan.
They now play their next four at home. At the end of the homestand, they will have played 12 of their first 16 games at home. The Maple Leafs had lost their first three road games before their success in Philadelphia.
The Maple Leafs played their second straight game, and third of their past four, without William Nylander (lower-body injury). The absence of Nylander, a 45-goal scorer last season, created an opportunity for Nicholas Robertson to play on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
Robertson had the game-winning goal and an assist against the Flyers, one game after posting a goal and an assist in a 6-3 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has five points in his past four games.
"It's a great opportunity," Robertson said. "It's a blessing, for sure. I think for me, I try to take advantage of it. They're just such good, talented players. I think with more minutes played, more pucks on my stick, just more confidence. Nothing's changed for me as a player or anything, I think it's just I got more of an opportunity."
"It's effort, right?" Toronto coach Craig Berube said of his forward. "You know, if you look back before he scored that goal (against Philadelphia), he had two big blocks in our zone. Just the speed, his shot, are dangerous, obviously, but his work ethic drives everything for me."
The Maple Leafs announced on Sunday that defenseman Chris Tanev was returning to Toronto following his discharge from a Philadelphia hospital, where he was evaluated overnight after being removed from the ice on a stretcher at 8:23 of the third period on Saturday.
Tanev collided with Flyers forward Matvei Michkov at the Maple Leafs' blue line. Michkov received an interference penalty. Tanev had just returned from a concussion and had an assist in the game.
Veteran center Scott Laughton could return to the Toronto lineup on Monday from a foot injury.
The Penguins had their eight-game point streak (6-0-2) stopped on Saturday with a 5-2 road loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Toronto game marks the end of a four-game road trip for Pittsburgh. In contrast to the Maple Leafs' schedule, the Penguins are playing nine of their first 14 on the road.
The Penguins fell behind Winnipeg 2-0 at 2:43 of the first period and did not recover.
"You get down, you start chasing the game a little bit," said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who scored one goal. "I think it's tough to fight that, but you've got to find a way to stay patient. You've got to understand there's a lot of hockey left. So, unfortunately, they got to build on that lead."
The lead reached 4-0 before Crosby scored on a power play at 19:48 of the second period.
"Definitely too many odd-man rushes, which really hurt us," said Penguins coach Dan Muse. "I think they came for different reasons. ... You also have a lot of situations where they're coming in, the numbers might be even, but they have a lot of space. And when you give a team like that too much space, you're not going to like the chances you're giving up."
