SEATTLE — The last time C.J. Anderson stepped foot on CenturyLink Field, it was in the wrong direction.
The undrafted running back who was No. 3 on the Broncos’ depth chart last September, recorded only two rushing attempts, both in the second quarter of Denver’s regular-season loss at Seattle. His net yardage: minus-3.
Forgettable? He hopes so, and he likely made it so with his performance in the second half of the season.
Anderson returned to Seattle on Friday, in the Broncos’ preseason opener, with the intention of doing much more than erase the numbers of last season’s trip here — the only ones of his career in Seattle.
Now the No. 1 back for Denver and a Pro Bowler, Anderson is regarded as one of the top names at his position this season, despite boasting such a small body of work: seven starts, 179 carries for 849 yards and eight touchdowns.
WATCH:
But this time, even in the preseason, he’ll carry a bigger load in Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking, stretch-run offense. It’s a system installed in large part because of his play last season. It’s a system that should make him a more prominent piece of the Broncos’ offense.
“Well C.J., first off, he’s very, very smart,” offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said Tuesday. “He understands what we’re trying to get done. He has a great idea of concepts, both run and pass. He has been tremendous in protection. The thing that he is getting is confidence in what he feels and what he sees out there, and that’s a big part of what we do. If you feel that soft spot, go take it.”
With Peyton Manning and many key veterans sitting Friday, Anderson will get his time, and his reps. At least for the early going.
And this time at CenturyLink, he, and the Broncos, expect him to only move forward.
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or
