Montee Ball says he should have skipped senior year

As the sharks of uncertainty circle Montee Ball, give the man credit. He’s stood up and faced every question like a professional and answered them honestly, perhaps even too honestly for the Broncos’ liking. While the Broncos are reportedly attempting to execute a trade of their 2013 second-round pick, they are (perhaps desperately) hoping to convince a willing trade partner that Ball simply isn’t a fit in their new offensive system under Gary Kubiak. What they don’t want is the perception that Ball has nothing to contribute to an NFL backfield.

In a candid interview with Eric Goodman, host of Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports AM 1340, following Thursday’s preseason finale loss to the Arizona Cardinals, a game that saw Ball hit in the backfield on 9 of his 16 carries en route to just 27 yards, Ball admitted that the heavy workload he was asked to carry while at Wisconsin might be weighing on him now as a professional.

In four years with the Badgers, Ball tallied 5,140 rushing yards and an NCAA FBS record 77 rushing touchdowns in 924 carries. Ball, a consensus All-American in 2011 and 2012, now fears that workload may be slowing his game in the NFL.

In the interview, Ball told Goodman if he had it to do over again, he’d likely skip his senior year.

Denver is expected to make a decision on Ball, who was competing for the Broncos fourth-string running back slot against Kapri Bibbs in Thursday’s game, by mid-day Saturday. The team has already announced that head coach Gary Kubiak and general manager John Elway will address the media around 1 p.m. MDT to discuss the team’s roster transactions.

Ball did his best to tell the Broncos he wants to be a part of the team, long-term. “I’m a Bronco at heart,” he said.

Kubiak and Elway have a tough decision to make before Saturday’s final rosters are due.

Listen to the full conversation with Montee Ball, along with reaction from Eric Goodman and Zach Fogg, in the podcast below.

Listen to Afternoon Drive with Eric Goodman and Zach Fogg every weekday afternoon from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or Listen Live any time online for the best local coverage of what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.