Denver Broncos

Broncos RB Anderson wants to play smarter than Peyton Manning

Published Jun. 18, 2015 12:05 a.m. ET

foxsports

Peyton Manning is routinely hailed as a football genius who reads defenses with ease.

New starting running back C.J. Anderson wants to be even smarter than that.

"He (Manning) knows my whole goal is try to be smarter than him," Anderson jokingly told 9News Denver. "I try to keep him on his toes when it comes to certain situations. I can ask him questions to make sure he's alert. If he's still alert 18 years in, I think that's a good sign for us."

Manning has forgotten more about offensive football than Anderson will ever learn. But to the running back's credit, No. 18 praised his cerebral play and said he acts more like a 12-year starter than a newly-minted one.

It's Anderson's dream to just keep up with perhaps the brainiest player in league history.

"I feel like my football IQ has elevated my game," Anderson said. "I have learned a lot from Peyton and (running backs) coach (Eric) Studesville, even (former offensive coordinator Adam) Gase. If you can be as smart as Peyton, you can keep it going."

So Anderson tests his quarterback regularly. 'The Sheriff' does love a good challenge, though, so Anderson's pop quizzes are probably welcomed in the meeting rooms.

(h/t 9News Denver)

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