March 1 was a salary cap purge day for the Denver Broncos.
Longtime standouts such as defensive end Trevor Pryce and running back Mike Anderson were some of the most high-profile victims, as the pair found themselves cut from the team.
Recommended Stories
Within a few weeks, each was signed by a Ravens organization trying to restore its prominence in the NFL, after a 6-10 season.
Anderson was the Broncos leading rusher last season in Denver, while Pryce is a four-time Pro Bowler.
“When the new guy is new, no matter who he is, he has to kind of find his place in it without going in and beating on his chest,” Pryce said. “I?ve been around guys that came in and tried to be that guy, and when they stepped on the field (they) found out that?s it?s not working; it goes backwards.”
Pryce, who had 64.5 career sacks with Denver, said he has learned the hard way about team chemistry in nine seasons.
“It?s not so much the names, because every year in Denver we brought free agents in with (big) names, and we?d be OK at best,” Pryce, 31, said. “But, it?s when you buy into the team thing that you?re really good.”
Pryce already displayed humor about his shift to Baltimore.
“It?s a little confusing. I really don?t know where to line up. Other than that, once I get that straight, we?ll be great once I figure out where the hell I?m going,” he said.
Anderson usually knows where is going. Even though he is 32 years old, an age when most elite running backs are worn down, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has said Anderson is in the team?s plans beyond this year. Anderson got a late start to his career, serving in the Marine Corps following high school and before he played college football at the University of Utah.
He burst onto the scene with the Broncos in 2000, earning Rookie of the Year honors, running for the first of two 1,000-yard seasons.
It remains unclear how the team will manage to get carries between Anderson and the team?s all-time leading rusher, Jamal Lewis. Nevertheless, Anderson feels a comfort zone in the Baltimore offense.
“Just being thrown in the mix and being a part of the run game,” Anderson said. “Just looking at the Ravens over the years, they?re a lot like the team I came from: very committed to wanting to run the ball.”
The veteran thinks the pieces are in place for a contender.
“It?s one of those things … it?s hard to speak of it right now. You just sit back and just enjoy the ride, as things unfold and take place. But you know some great things are going to take place,” Anderson said.
