Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson had our attention during training camp.
He wanted no part of it.
Mile High Sports Magazine Editor-in-chief Doug Ottewill summed up Anderson’s attitude during August in his feature story on the young running back for the September issue of the Mag. Here’s a sample:
“Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go!”
C.J. Anderson zigs and zags; he ducks and darts.
But he’s not on the football field. He’s coming off of it.
Just as he does between the lines, Anderson is making his way through a wall of people – his legs and his mouth in constant motion.
“Gotta go!”
He’s ducking and darting because everyone wants a piece of him. Like hole-plugging linemen, lunging linebackers or surging safeties, they’re all rushing at Anderson. But they don’t wear helmets. Nor do they sport pads, other than the ones they’re holding in their hands – as in note pads. There is no end zone, but there is a goal: Get to the doors of the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre, the state of the art facility of the Denver Broncos.
Now the first-string running back – a moniker worn since Week 12 of the 2014 season – the media would like a word with Anderson. Or two. Or 10 minutes. Maybe 15, if he’s willing.
He is not.
“Ain’t got time for ya’ll today!” he chirps, focused but still sporting his signature grin.
They need a quote. They’d like him for a short segment. They’ve got questions – “It will only take a minute, C.J.!”
“Can’t! Gotta go!”
It was, frankly, quite comical to see Anderson act the way he did when he started a grand total of six NFL games in his career prior to this season. Meanwhile, eight time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware would always grant interviews, stay humble and realize the fans can’t connect with the players unless someone tells their story.
Anyway, Anderson has received some flack for his training camp antics (rightfully so) and his incredibly slow start to 2015 has done nothing to help his cause. Through two games Anderson has just 56 yards on 24 carries, good for a very minuscule 2.3 yards per attempt. He hasn’t sniffed the end zone, either.
On Wednesday Anderson was asked about his attitude during training camp. In his words here’s C.J. Anderson on all of that (bold isn’t Anderson, just for context):
On if it matters when and where he plays
“I just enjoy having fun. That’s one thing I need to get back to, having fun, just enjoying the game, loving the game the correct way and just playing hard.”
On if he was too serious entering the season
“I think so. I can see myself and I wasn’t myself. My mom had to call me and say, ‘You’re just not having fun.’ I said, ‘You know what? You’re right. You’re absolutely right.’ We’re going to change that. I had a great day today out there on the field. I was laughing, being myself and joking around. I’m just getting back to that.”
Anderson deserves credit for admitting he wasn’t himself entering the season. Because, well, he wasn’t. The Anderson at camp was not one many grew fond of last season.
Let’s hope for the sake of Anderson and the sake of the Broncos this is a turning point. There’s still plenty of season left to get this thing on track.
