Even before he knew Garett Bolles would be unavailable to play, Calvin Anderson was making plans for the Broncos’ game Sunday at Dallas.
A native of Georgetown, a whole bunch of Andersons were planning to make the 175-mile drive to Arlington, Texas.
“I wasn’t a Cowboys fan, but it’s still a homecoming,” he said during an interview with The Denver Post.
And the ticket count now that Anderson will start at left tackle?
“It has gone way up in the last 24 hours,” he said with a laugh before practice earlier this week.
Anderson, 25, will make his third career start as Bolles (ankle) misses only the second game of his five-year career. The Broncos, though, don’t foresee a drop-off because Anderson had a strong training camp at right tackle.
“I need to see Calvin play the way he’s capable of playing, which I think is at a good level,” coach Vic Fangio said. “I have a lot of confidence in him and have for a long time. He knows that. I expect him to go out there and play well.”
Said offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur: “He’s tough, he’s instinctive and he’s a battler. We anticipate he’ll have a good game.”
Anderson, 25, started 36 games at Rice and earned his degree, which allowed him to play at Texas in 2018 as a graduate transfer (14 starts). Despite his experience, he wasn’t drafted. He spent 11 days with New England and 3 1/2 months with the New York Jets before signing with the Broncos.
Anderson did not play as a rookie but played every game last year as a reserve save for two starts (one apiece at left and right tackle).
In this year’s training camp, Anderson competed with veteran Bobby Massie for the starting right tackle job. When the Broncos opted for Massie, Anderson returned to getting snaps at left and right tackle in practice.
“In general, right and left tackle are different positions and it’s difficult to learn how to play both,” Anderson said. “But since I came here, I’m glad that (offensive line coach Mike Munchak) has practiced me at both, telling me, ‘Your time is going to come at one of these spots, you have to be ready for it.’”
Anderson’s time has arrived, even if only temporarily.
“It’s time to put all the things I practiced at left tackle to work,” he said.
The work at right tackle during the preseason remains beneficial. Anderson said his biggest “mental leap,” was immediately post-snap.
“I’ve always been a more athletic guy — I know my feet are fast and I know I can get out to guys quickly,” he said. “But especially against good defensive ends, you don’t want to overset or let your athleticism take over too much.
“100%, you can hop out too fast. It’s like a chess game. If your feet are too quick, they will go straight inside. You have to make split-second decisions so you look at their feet, see if they’re leaning in or out and watching their tendencies on film.”
A benefit for Anderson this week is being able to prepare for the start. Last December, Bolles was a pre-game scratch (illness) and Anderson’s get-ready time could be measured in minutes, not days. He has been in constant contact with Bolles, who is a close friend.
Bolles advice?
“Aside from all of the preparation stuff, it’s to play calm and don’t ride the emotional wave,” Anderson said. “In his personal journey, Garett has told me that’s something he’s grown in and he’s been able to stay at an even keel. At offensive tackle, it’s about being patient and consistent.”
