Correll Buckhalter is a beastly bruiser of a running back.

At 6’0” 217 pounds, Buckhalter’s legs are like tree trunks and he is a shifty back with power.

But his biggest asset isn’t his physical ability; it’s his intelligence that he uses to learn about the defense every time he touches the ball.

Buckhalter increased that intelligence at the University of Nebraska where he studied Sociology and unlike nearly every other professional athlete, finished his Bachelor’s Degree before moving on with his life.

Despite not being the starter for the Cornhuskers, he was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2001 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent his next nine years with the team.

After a strong rookie year, Buckhalter tore his ACL in the team’s first mini-camp before the 2002 season but the strong-minded running back wouldn’t let the injury deter him. In 2003, Buckhalter was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award by Eagles’ teammates for team effort and individual performance.

But the adversity didn’t end there, as Buckhalter tore the patella tendon in his right knee in the next two consecutive years (2004-05) and missed both seasons.

Again he came back strong and split series with Brian Westbook, racking up 1,027 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and another 667 yards and two TDs through the air from 2006-08.

Getting the ball to Buckhalter in Philly was none other than the highly publicized Donavon McNabb. Buckhalter touched on the quarterback’s trade from the Eagles to the division rival, and Mike Shanahan coached Redskins.

“It was a bit of a shocker. Not because they (Philadelphia) were trying to trade him, but what they got for him. It was his 10th year, you know, so it’s kind of different for the Eagles with a new starting quarterback this year. But they’re still going to compete with the team they have.”

Making a transition to a new team after spending nearly a decade in one city is a massive move. Luckily, Buckhalter had an old friend to comfort him in his move to Denver.

Ex-Eagle Brian Dawkins joined the Broncos with Buckhalter last year, and Buckhalter discussed how important Dawkins was to him in that transition.

“Oh it felt great (to be reunited with Dawkins). It helps when you have a teammate that was one of your good teammates from your previous team. It feels good when you have someone you can talk to and you can really trust, that you played with for so long. And for Dawk to come out and not only help our team but be someone I can be able to trust and talk to (is great).

“Brian Dawkins is a great leader and he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame one day.

“It was great to come to this team with another member of the Eagles family.”

A change of scenery is said to help many athletes, and both Buckhalter and Dawkins profited from moving to the Mile High City. In Buckhalter’s case, moving from the hustle-and-bustle of the East Coast to the Rocky Mountain High Life of relaxation in stunning Colorado was a positive change for sure.

“You know, being in Philadelphia for so long and being in that city life, and coming to Denver where it’s quiet, clean, with nice mountain views, it’s a night and day difference.

“They have some great fans man. Mountain people want to watch football and it’s great to go to a city and play for people like that.

“It makes you feel wanted and feel great on Sundays when they come out and support you.”

Broncos’ fans have lots of reasons to love Buckhalter; he played quite well for Denver in 2009 in a backup role. And it wasn’t just the scenic changes that made him better; it was the coaching change as well.

“Josh (McDaniels) allows me to be who I am, running the ball but catching the ball as well. It’s about me using my skill in a variety of ways.

“And McDaniels, I think the guy is a genius and it’s only going to get better.

“You know, it was a learning experience for all of us last year, me trying to get cohesive with guys as well as Josh McDaniels’ first year as a head coach. And I think we have more things figured out and our offense is only going to be better.”

Buckhalter, “The General” as coined by ESPN’s Chris Berman, ran for a career-high 642 yards and a touchdown last season, with an additional 240 yards through the air. Buckhalter is a versatile back, a trait that has become a trend on the Broncos roster under McDaniels.

Another attribute that can be positively associated with the Broncos under McDaniels is strong character—a team-first attitude all the way.

When asked about competing with Knowshon Moreno for the starting running back position in 2009, he spoke about it more as a team effort than a grudge match.

“That’s my guy, that’s my buddy. I talk to him during the season and I try to help him in any way possible.

“I always tell him, ‘If you want to be around the league a while you have to handle your things.’ He listens to me. And I know that he’s not one of those kids that has a hard head or a big head.

“I told him he can be a great back in this league but it’s going to take you a couple years to really get a feel for reads in the NFL and to be patient and take your time.”

The chemistry between backs is strong in the Broncos backfield, a promising sign that may be a microcosm of McDaniels’ blossoming team.

When asked about how Moreno got a majority of the carries on the goal line, despite Buckhalter having a bigger body and seemingly stronger running style he explained a bit of the Broncos offense.

“Me and Knowshon actually had different packages. When we were down on the goal line that was mainly him. Knowshon he really fits that. But at the same time it’s a learning process. He just needs to get all the reads down, it’s a part of the game.

“He’s a strong runner but he’s young and was missing reads and stuff but he will be better this year.”

And Buckhalter followed that explanation of character, with another,

“And if Josh McDaniels wants to put me in short yardage or goal line then I’ll do my best to run it.”

Buckhalter’s not demanding the ball; he’s not even upset that he got half the carries the rookie did in 2009. Not only that, he’s doing his best to teach Moreno the ropes of the NFL game.

When describing his role on the team, Buckhalter continued that attitude, “Doing a lot of that third down stuff, other than that I don’t know that their plans are. But whatever the team’s plan is, I will be productive, whatever role I have on the team because I know the team needs me.”

Buckhalter is exactly the type of player McDaniels has shown he wants to stockpile—he’s selfless, a hard worker and intelligent.

After reminiscing about a decent season last year, “The General” shifted gears and discussed Denver’s upcoming season—starting with the draft, continuing with the changes in the locker room and finishing with expectations for the 2010 Broncos.

He began with his thoughts on the Broncos’ draft three weeks ago, “I’m excited. Especially for the receivers we got and the lineman that we got,” Buckhalter said.

“And with (Tim) Tebow coming in and I think they (Broncos front office) did a good job. We’ll see in about a week when we come in see how they compete and see how they fit on the team.”

Buckhalter on the many personnel changes, most notably the trade of Brandon Marshall, and how they will affect the team.

“I think everybody on the team will be on one accord, there won’t be any distractions. I feel like everybody on the team now knows what the goals are.

“Last year was a rough year with coach McDaniels and Brandon (Marshall).

“When you have guys thinking for themselves instead of the team and have distractions like that it doesn’t help you.”

If anything, Buckhalter knows his fellow teammates and is an optimist. He believes the Broncos will not only be improved with their new players but that they will make the postseason for the first time in five years—ending a streak that hasn’t been as long since the 1960s.

“I feel that way definitely. Last year, coach McDaniels was telling us some things that related back to coach (Andy) Reid, ‘It’s about what you do in the games that you play in November and December to be a good team and go to the playoffs and excel.’

“And we started strong but we didn’t finish strong and we can’t do that. And the guys that we have on the team I think they know that.”

Buckhalter, the seasoned veteran, gets it.

McDaniels’ it is somewhat simple, but something that’s lost in the multi-billion dollar business—the team comes first.

Buckhalter gives the game his all and more. There’s nothing in his contract that says he has to help the rookie Moreno along, but he does so gladly.

The team listens to the coach and his vision because the team can only move forward when they work in unison.

Buckhalter is happy to do whatever McDaniels and the rest of the coaching staff asks of him, looking to turn any opportunity into a positive gain.

A team is only as strong as its weakest link, and Correll Buckhalter will never be that.

Rich Kurtzman is a Colorado State University Alumnus and a freelance sports journalist. Along with being the Denver Broncos Featured Columnist on NFLTouchdown.com, Kurtzman is the Denver Nuggets FC on bleacherreport.com, the CSU Rams Examiner on examiner.com and a contributor to coloradosportsdesk.com.

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| 2010 Denver Broncos, Broncos, correll buckhalter, Denver, Denver Broncos, Exclusive interview, Josh McDaniels, knowshon moreno, NFL