C.J. Anderson Clearly ‘Gets’ Broncos Country
All of the talk is on who the Denver Broncos will re-sign or sign.
The speculation is fun. The rumors get people excited. The debate gets people fired up – one way or the other. When it comes to the Broncos, everyone is an expert. That’s what makes Broncos Country what it is. That’s how much the fans care. That’s how much the fans know.
For the next few minutes, let’s buck the trend. Let’s not focus on what could or should happen but what Denver has now. One of those people is a special player in the making who John Elway, Gary Kubiak and the organization have on their roster today.
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That is running back C.J. Anderson. The second-year back from the University of California had his breakout season for Denver. He only finished with 849 yards on 179 carries but he only played half of the season as the starter. And it’s not as if Anderson got much help from the porous offensive line.
Anderson got little to no help from the Broncos offensive line yet he still left an impact. Even though he was the starter for eight games and the playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Anderson was a Pro Bowler.
But what showed the organization and Broncos Country what he’s really made of came in that playoff embarrassment. Anderson was one of a few players who played with heart in that game. He was one of a few who put it, pardon the cliche, all on the line. He did his part to will Denver to a win.
His run on fourth-down late in the game speaks volumes. Demaryius Thomas wants to throw his teammates under the bus and say they may have looked past the Colts. He needs to look in the mirror because it looks like he did the same with his lack of effort blocking for his teammate. Had Thomas done his job on that play, Anderson would have scored.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In terms of who Kubiak and new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison peg as the No. 1 running back, it better and should remain Anderson. The No. 2 guy is Juwan Thompson. Where it falls from there doesn’t matter because this new system won’t use more than two backs. Unlike the system of John Fox and Adam Gase, you won’t see one running back one series, a new running back the next series and then in a key point in the game, a running back who hasn’t played the whole game. Anderson has earned the right to be the starter in the new system.
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All of that is secondary to what we saw the last few days. This week Broncos Country got more proof of the type of guy Anderson is. He changed his Twitter profile just so he could interact with fans more. Like Emmanuel Sanders has done since he signed in Denver, Anderson is taking the same approach.
Anderson doesn’t have to do that. It’s not a requirement but it shows that he “gets it.” Anderson knows how much the Broncos mean to the fans.
What he does on the field is his job. It’s what he’s paid to do. It’s fun to watch him blossom, and this next season he could become one of the best in the NFL. With his running style, a better line and the scheme now in place, Anderson could explode.
It’s what he does off the field that defines him as a man. Often times players forget that and think it’s the other way around.
Anderson is yet another example of what Broncos Country is really about: It’s not just a phrase or place, it’s a way of life.
Next: Orlando Franklin is crucial to the Broncos offseason puzzle, is he the most important?
Next: Broncos' free agent wish list: Centers
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports