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Moreno Signs With Dolphins; Ball's Stock On The Rise In Denver
After his initial visit with Miami resulted in Knowshon Moreno departing without a contract, subsequent reporting suggested the team was still interested. Now, fantasy football owners disappointed with the work of Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas can take heart. Those reports were true. Moreno agreed to terms with the Dolphins today on a one-year deal.

Despite the fact he's coming off a season in which he rushed for a career-high 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns, the Dolphins were the only team in free agency to express significant interest in Moreno, who had publicly expressed his intention to remain in Denver. In the end, however, the Dolphins proved to be the more aggressive team.

It's safe to assume Miller and Thomas are a big reason why.

Yes, head coach Joe Philbin praised Miller several times during his time with the media at the NFL owners meetings earlier this week, saying Miller has the three things needed in a back: He can run, catch and he’s solid in pass protection.

According to Palm Beach Post staffer Andrew Abramson, Philbin said he may have over-coached Miller a bit by continuously harping on ball security. But Philbin went on to note that at some point Miller needs to break tackles.

Now Moreno is in the mix. Philbin said he would consider Miller the team’s starting running back -- even if somebody was added. Philbin gave a slight praise to Thomas, but it wasn’t nearly as glowing as his praise for Miller.

I'm not sure either merits much in the way of praise. Given that, I'll co-sign on NFL.com's Dan Hanzus' contention that Moreno might not be the Dolphins' every-down back, but he'll likely see the most touches at the position. But I'll add Abramson's belief (albeit stated before Moreno's signing), that most of the newcomer's touches will come at the expense of Thomas.

Meanwhile, back in Denver, the path is now clear for Montee Ball to become the team's primary back -- something that's been in the works since the season ended.

As Denver Post staffer Mike Klis reported the first week of March, "The Broncos believe it's time to take the training wheels off their kid running backs, Ball and C.J. Anderson" -- with Ball first in line for the featured role.

Ball improved during his rookie campaign and began making his feelings about his desire for a greater role known shortly after the team's Super Bowl loss to Seattle.

"Of course, obviously I have no idea what's going to happen with him and this organization, but I do want to be a starter, and yeah, I want the football every time," Ball said in February. "I think I'm going to have a great offseason, and I'm going to have a better season next year for sure."

Ball, who fumbled only twice in 924 carries at Wisconsin, fumbled twice in his first 31 carries in the NFL. Once past his slow start, however, it was evident that he became the team's most decisive runner.

Ball averaged 0.4 more yards per carry than Moreno and became an effective relief option late in the season, although he struggled in the Super Bowl, gaining just one yard on six carries. He also blocked better on the whole as the season progressed, despite a mic'd up Peyton Manning screaming after a play in the team's Super Bowl loss to Seattle: "Montee, you got to stay with him!"

Still, Ball is a guy you'll want to have high on your fantasy radar this summer.