| It was only four years ago that Denver running back Mike Anderson, just a sixth-round pick in the 2000 draft, won rookie of the year honors, rushing for 1,487 yards and 15 touchdowns after assuming the starting job when Olandis Gary went down with a knee injury. Next week, Anderson figures to be in the unemployment line, as sources have told ESPN.com that he will be released. Anderson, 30, has just 1,321 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in the three seasons since that incredible rookie performance and he has been deemed extraneous by Denver officials. The Broncos now have Clinton Portis, like what they saw of young backs Quentin Griffin and Ahmaad Galloway last year, and can use the $1.255 million salary cap rebate they will get by releasing Anderson to chase some free agents or perhaps dive into the pool of teams interested in acquiring Washington cornerback Champ Bailey. Anderson is scheduled for a base salary of $1.755 million in 2004, then bases of $2.16 million and $2.565 million in the ensuing two seasons. That's a lot of money to paid a backup and, as one Broncos official noted, Anderson is hardly a spring chicken. Even though he has played just four seasons in the league, Anderson is 30 years old, having served a stint in the armed forces before going to college. No one should be too surprised, either, if the Broncos jettison former first-round cornerback Deltha O'Neal some time soon. The 2001 first-round choice was moved from cornerback to wide receiver late last season and he is balking about going to camp on the offensive side of the ball. Denver officials have said that O'Neal's days as a cornerback are over and that he will either play wide receiver or not play at all for the Broncos in 2004.
Source: ESPN | |
