Terrell Davis helped the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowls. He likes what he sees from C.J. Anderson. (Denver Post file)
The story goes that the last time the Broncos won the Super Bowl John Elway was quarterback. Terrell Davis also started at running back. Elway never won the big game without Davis. And the Broncos haven’t won since both retired.
As you can imagine, Davis, a Hall of Fame finalist, loves the Broncos’ reconfigured offense. From the NFL Network studios, he watches with interest as Denver makes a playoff push with undrafted bruiser C.J. Anderson complementing Peyton Manning.
“I am biased. But I love it. You need to run. We all know that Peyton is really good. But sometimes during games, he goes through a stretch where he needs help,” Davis said last week. “What better way to settle things down at home or on the road than to run the ball. It’s the perfect medicine.”
Anderson has run with urgency, attitude and fearlessness. He has rushed for 335 yards over the past two games, conjuring images of Davis’ 1998 season when he cut and plowed for 2,008 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“I see them doing some of the same zone blocking plays, but it’s different because they don’t use a fullback like we did with (Howard Griffith),” Davis said. “C.J. has good vision. I measure running backs in yards after contact. Can they get more yards than the play was intended for? C.J. does that. He has low center of gravity. You don’t see him getting taken down by the first guy.”
Anderson smiled when told of Davis’ assessment. He has long admired the former Broncos star.
“He said that? That really means a lot,” Anderson said.
Davis remains busy in his TV gig and with his wife expecting another child. He looks like he could still play, working out three times a week. He was running the media circuit last week, pitching Gillette Clear Gel.
“You know what I like, it goes on wet and keeps me dry. It works perfectly for me,” Davis said, sounding like a man with more commercials in his future.
Davis will keep monitoring the Broncos. Two weeks ago, they looked doomed as a postseason road team. Now, with Anderson’s emergence, Davis sees a dangerous team in the playoffs.
“They were dominating in New England last year (with Knowshon Moreno) before the turnovers hurt them. History shows you need balance,” Davis said. “We were committed to the run when I was there. I remember it was the first time in meetings that we had receivers and the offensive linemen in with the backs going over the blocking. It was a total commitment. Our philosophy was run, run, then run some more.”
