Former Broncos Aqib Talib and C.J. Anderson reflect on going back to the Super Bowl

The Denver Broncos are not in the Super Bowl, but a couple of former Broncos who know about winning one are back there again.

Damnit!

Just kidding. Actually it’s nice to see two favorite players - and one beloved coach - enjoy success this season even if Broncos cannot.

Broncos’ GM John Elway traded Aqib Talib to the L.A. Rams a little less than a year ago, thinking the all-pro cornerback was on the wrong side of 30 and had a paycheck and cap hit he just couldn’t afford. Though No. 21 missed 10 weeks due to injury, his instincts and cover skills proved to still be unmatched as he was a force to be reckoned with in the Rams’ final push at the end of the regular season and into the postseason, as the Rams (and the refs) overtook the Saints to advance to the Super Bowl in Atlanta in two weeks.

C.J. Anderson, the oft-maligned running back for Denver from 2013-17, who had his first 1,000-yard season with the Broncos last year before getting cut, turned in a pathetic showing for the Panthers during the regular season but got picked up by the Rams in Weeks 16 and now finds himself in another postseason.

Orange and Blue Radio’s Brandon Krisztal caught up with Talib and Anderson after the Rams’ victory Sunday. Both veterans will be providing their young QB and a first-time head coach in his second year with much advice and experience as they endure the next two weeks before the big game.

“We all going to rely on each other, man. It’s a team. That’s what got us here - being a team Monday through Sunday,” Talib told Krisztal. “Great team, man. Great vibe, great city. It’s everything I expected. I’m excited.”

Anderson - who figured he might not play football again after getting cut by the Panthers - called this post-season with the Rams a “fantasy.” A week ago he turned in one of his best performances as a pro, filling in for Todd Gurley III, and propelling the Rams to a win over the Cowboys with 123 yards rushing and two TDs.

“It’s been up and down. But anybody who knows me, knows the grit and grind are relentless,” he said. “I kept pushing and I found a home. They kept pushing and things worked out.”

Anderson also believes his experience in two previous Super Bowls for the Broncos - SB48 and SB50 - will be a great resource for his new teammates.

“I think a lot. I got a little bit more snaps than Todd just because the moment is not too big,” he said of his role. “We understand what is [sic] trying to get done. Down here it’s all about wins. I’ll give my expertise when asked for like I’ve always done.”

It’s tough as a Broncos fan to watch two favorites leave the team, but it’s not hard to watch them have success this postseason.

So for two more weeks...GO RAMS!

BONUS LISTEN

If you’d like a little more Broncos-related content, the 1st and 10 @ 10 crew is at the Senior Bowl and is conducting interviews with multiple players all week. If you love getting to know college players - a few who could eventually become Broncos - these are must-listens!