Broncos running back C.J. Anderson had a heck of a finish to the 2014 season. After stepping into a starring role following injuries to Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, Anderson wrapped up the season with 767 rushing yards and seven touchdowns (five rushing) in his final eight games.
Anderson's late-season push is why first-year Broncos coach Gary Kubiak is confident in the third-year back heading into Sunday's opener against the Ravens.
“I think that he’s earned every opportunity that he’s gotten, or the one he’s fixing to get," Kubiak said Wednesday, per ESPN.com. “I think that he’s had an excellent offseason and training camp."
In Kubiak's time as an offensive coordinator or coach at the NFL level, a running back has topped 1,000 yards in 15 of 20 seasons, leaving plenty of potential for Anderson to post big numbers.
“It’s a big stage," Kubiak said. “He knows that he has some help with Ronnie [Hillman] and Juwan [Thompson]. They both had good camps, but it’s time. If you’re one of those players, it’s time when you get that second year under your belt if you’re going to become a big-time player in this league; this is usually where you start to make those steps."