Broncos’ crowded backfield welcomes back Anderson

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | 9:49 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

Tatum Bell. Ron Dayne. Quentin Griffin. Maurice Clarett. Somewhere in that mix, Mike Anderson thinks he'll fit in.

In fact, he thinks he'll fit in right at the top.

A nearly forgotten man among Denver's growing stable of running backs, Anderson returned to the field Monday at the team's minicamp, fully recovered from a groin injury that sidelined him for all of 2004.

In 2000, Anderson was the runner du jour for the Broncos, gaining 1,487 yards. He says now that he's healthy again, he feels a repeat is possible.

"Yeah, of course, I've always felt that way," Anderson said after the first of eight practices the Broncos will hold during their camp at Dove Valley.

"Every year, coming back, starting off a new year, I've always felt that way," he said. "I feel that today. I'll feel that tomorrow when I wake up. I'll give it 100 percent, compete against everyone, and may the best man win."

For one of the few times in his brief and oft-interrupted pro career, the Texans tight end was going about his business as just another one of the guys.

Then, in an unfortunately familiar scene, something went terribly wrong.

Attempting to make a cut in the middle of the field, Joppru tumbled to the ground and clutched his right knee. He tried to get up, but thought better of it and immediately was surrounded by trainers. Within minutes, Joppru had been helped off the field and loaded onto a cart, quite possibly the victim of a third season-ending injury in as many years.

Poole tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during minicamp earlier this month. The second-year pro was the leading candidate to replace Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain, traded last month to Kansas City.

A fourth-round draft pick, the 5-foot-10 Poole played in 15 games last season, making 31 tackles and one sack.

The news broke on Wednesday that Smith was caught at the Twin Cities airport on April 21 with an elaborate contraption designed to beat drug tests.

A search of a bag Smith was carrying turned up several vials of dried urine and a device called "The Original Whizzinator," which includes a fake penis, bladder and athletic supporter. An NFL spokesman said using the device during a drug test would be a violation of league drug policies, but it still is not clear whether there are penalties for possessing one outside of a testing situation.

Smith, who told police he was taking the vials to his cousin, took part in a developmental camp Monday, but did not speak to the media.