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Inside the NFL

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Trade Deficit  

The Broncos have a talented running back to deal, but no takers

By Peter King

Here's one thing that's hard to figure out about the NFL and its win-at-all-costs mentality: Why aren't there more trades? In three deals last year Packers general manager Ron Wolf exchanged mid-round draft picks and/or roster flotsam for running back Ahman Green, linebacker Nate Wayne and returner-cornerback Allen Rossum, all of whom became key players on a surprisingly strong 9-7 team. But 99 times out of a 100, teams act as if the only ways to improve are through the draft and free agency. That's silly and shortsighted.

Case in point: The Broncos are willing to trade running back Mike Anderson, the league's offensive rookie of the year last season, for one of the first 15 picks in the April 21 draft. Actually, Denver would listen to offers for either of its other 1,000-yard rushers, Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary. As of Sunday, though, coach Mike Shanahan had received only one lukewarm bid.

Anderson averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2000, but critics say he benefited from the system he played in. John Iacono

Three teams drafting among the top dozen -- the Browns (third), the Bears (eighth) and the Panthers (11th) -- are considering taking a running back in the first round, but none are pursuing Anderson. What hurts Anderson's trade value is that Denver's backs seem almost interchangeable; a series of low-round draft choices have all turned into stars running behind one of the best lines in the game. Davis, Gary and Anderson were chosen in the fourth round or lower, and all rushed for more than 1,100 yards as rookies. Cleveland coach Butch Davis, whose club had informal talks last week with the Broncos about dealing for a back, says, "Mike Anderson's got very good numbers, but he's in a great offense behind a great line. When it comes to draft choices, you'd rather give up your firstborn than a high pick."

If Shanahan can't swing a trade, he says he'll move one of the running backs to fullback. "It's pretty odd," he says of the lack of interest in Anderson. "You could have three more years, at minimum salary, for a guy who rushed for 1,500 yards [in 14 games] and averaged five yards a carry."

Issue date: April 9, 2001

For more Inside the NFL see this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, on newsstands Wednesday, April 4. Click here to subscribe to SI.

 

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