The Facts: Ball, once the Broncos' starting tailback, has changed. A trying 2014 season took him out of the game physically, but left him with a renewed vigor heading into 2015. "Sitting on the sideline in street clothes, knowing that I have the ability to be out there and play, but I couldn't with my health -- that was the hardest part," Ball said. "That was my starting spot. But tip of the cap to C.J. for filling that spot, and like the old slogan, being the next man up."
Diehards Line:
As Post staffer Nicki Jhabvala reminded readers, last August, Ball underwent an appendectomy that sapped his strength and sidelined him for most of the preseason. He started the first four games of the season, but a groin injury in Week 5 took him out again. He returned in Week 11 at St. Louis only to aggravate it on his second play of the game. In mid-December, the Broncos placed Ball on season-ending injured reserve. He played in only five games, running for 172 yards on 55 carries. After working diligently to prove his value his rookie season, and to earn the starting tailback job when veteran Knowshon Moreno left, Ball's career had suddenly taken a U-turn. He sat helplessly on the bench as C.J. Anderson racked up 167 then 168 yards in back-to-back victories, and took his starting job. "I want my starting spot back," Ball said. "I want to rush for 1,000 yards. ..." That's only happening if Ball beats out Anderson this summer (or if Anderson is hurt); fantasy owners shouldn't bank on either of those. That said, things can change and Ball is still a player to keep on your radar should circumstances change.