What has six legs, 1,804 yards and uneasy tension in its eyes?
The three-headed monster that is Denver’s running game.
The football is not big enough for three tailbacks to share.
They’ve had a great run. But it’s over. Time for this committee of Broncos to adjourn.
Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne have all played nice, respected the authority of coach Mike Shanahan and taken turns being the hero in victory.
But three’s a crowd, as Bell can tell you.
The team’s running attack has been hit with a slump, despite the recent emergence of Dayne.
And patience appears to be wearing thin, if the consternation on Anderson’s face is any indication.
“You can’t be enamored with stats, not on this team,” Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson said Tuesday. “The stats are great, and they make great memories through the years, but you’ve got to play for the team, play for the win.”
What’s the problem here? There’s a fine line between competition and envy. I’m afraid the Broncos might have pushed Anderson, Bell and Dayne over it.
Somebody needs to grab a seat on the dark end of Denver’s bench, put on a brave face and accept being a spectator as his teammates run to daylight.
Four quarters divided by three ball carriers equals no time for anybody to establish a rhythm.
Could Anderson, the team’s leading rusher, be falling out of favor? I hope not. But the recent trend is not good, and indicates Shanahan has lost some confidence in him.
Although Anderson has started all 13 games, his playing time and productivity have recently dropped off.
In the past three weeks, Anderson has averaged a meager 29.7 yards per game, contributing less to Denver’s rushing attack than either Bell or Dayne.
“I want to make sure my boys continue to be productive and pave the way for them, so they can make plays when the time to make plays arises, but they don’t become stagnated or frustrated in the meantime,” Johnson said.
The Broncos arrived at first place in the AFC West by traveling a road seldom taken in the NFL. Shanahan embraced the unconventional wisdom of running back by committee.
Anderson was the thunder, a Marine veteran fighting for tough yards.
Bell was the lightning, with young legs capable of quick-strike scores from long distance.
Dayne was the wild card, thrown in the mix to bust defenses when they expected it least.
It worked because the Broncos won and the committee established a pecking order. Anderson was the chairman. Bell was second in command. Dayne was happy to be along for the ride.
There were no flaws or any reason for complaint, so long as the roles were well defined.
The responsibilities, however, have grown fuzzy as the season enters the stretch run.
Try to split the carries three ways in any single game, and there’s not enough football for any proud player.
The role of Bell seems the most secure, because he offers guaranteed speed to a Denver offense with a shortage of big-play capability.
So Shanahan’s tough choice is whether to assign the grunt work to Anderson or Dayne.
While all NFL coaches preach every player’s job status is week to week, it’s more than a sermon from the Broncos. We know Shanahan will shake up his lineup as quickly as former starter and ex-Denver cornerback Lenny Walls can clean out his locker.
Dayne broke the big run that beat Dallas in overtime. Anderson got stuffed on a crucial fourth down in the loss to Kansas City.
Results have always meant more than sentiment to Shanahan. Draw your own conclusions.
But here’s hoping Anderson gets the call as the No. 1 back for Denver’s playoff run.
Competition at running back is good. Controversy is bad.
When the going gets tough, I’d send in the Marine. Every time. To re-establish the muscle in this offense, the Broncos should put the rock and their trust in the hands of Anderson.
Of course, what are the chances of Shanahan being receptive to advice from an ink-stained wretch like me?
Raiders owner Al Davis has a better chance of receiving an invitation to Christmas dinner at the Shanahan home.
Watch Mark Kiszla during “Classic Now” on ESPN Classic. He can be reached at 303-820-5438 or mkiszla@denverpost.com.
