Could Kapri Bibbs become the greatest-ever NFL running back born in Colorado Springs?
Could Devontae Booker and Bibbs become the league's best running back duo who played college football in Utah? Will D.B. and K.B. become the Broncos' Killer B's?
Is this Gary Kubiak's Plan B?
With C.J. Anderson out, possibly for the rest of the season, the Broncos must rely on their Kiddie Korps backfield.
Even though Bibbs is in his third season with the Broncos, he is 5{ months younger than rookie Booker. Bibbs is 23, Booker 24. Fullback Andy Janovich is 23; Trevor Siemian won't turn 25 until Dec. 26, and Paxton Lynch is 23. Juwan Thompson is 24.
Youths and a Ute.
(Wade Phillips has Broncos' sweatshirts older than these guys. He began coaching in Denver in 1989.)
With 437 yards rushing this season, Anderson had 93 more than all the other players combined. He will be missed. Anderson produced the Broncos' first 100-yard rushing game this season Monday. In the second half of last season, he accumulated more total yardage running and receiving than any other NFL back.
B&B become Bread & Butter.
Even though they've carried only 55 times (Bibbs just four), Booker has averaged 4.8 yards per and Bibbs 5.3. It seemed as if Booker was equal to, if not surpassing, Anderson, and we've been waiting for a Bibbs Burst since he left Colorado State prematurely (after his lone, sophomore season).
Kapri did dart and dash for 1,741 yards in 14 games for the Rams and became only the third running back in Division 1 history with at least 30 rushing touchdowns.
It is generally unknown that Bibbs, like Booker, played collegiately in Utah _ before Booker got to the Utes (from junior college) in 2014. Bibbs spent a year at Snow College (how appropriate) in Ephraim, Utah, before he was academically eligible to play at CSU.
The last (and only) Broncos' runner who came from the state contiguous to Colorado to the west was Mike Anderson (also a Ute), who rushed for 3,822 yards in six seasons. In 2000, as a rookie, he finished with 1,487, including a 251-yard outpouring in New Orleans (where the Broncos play soon).
If Booker averages 86 yards a game in the final nine, he would reach 1,000. Bibbs needs, uh, 979. Kubiak would be exhilarated if the Bees blend for 150 yards a game. Booker will get the bulk of the load _ probably 17-20 rushes _ and Bibbs 7-10 calls. The Broncos are committed to run Sunday, even though the Chargers are ninth in rushing defense and 25th against the pass.
Bibbs has been forced to remain patient. He declared for the 2014 draft, believing he would be picked. He wasn't. The Broncos signed Bibbs as a street free agent for the princely bonus of $2,000. He ended up on the practice squad in both '14 and '15. Kapri was activated for one game last season (to keep suitors away), but didn't get a sniff.
This year, though, Bibbs basically beat out veteran Ronnie Hillman for third string and finally received a nice payday _ $525,000. He has become a special teams player, and was given the ball once against Indianapolis and three times in the Houston game (with a long run of 9 yards).
"Book is ready to play. I'm ready to play. I don't think there's going to be any drop-off," Bibbs proclaimed confidently three days ago.
The difference for him is "pure maturity," he said.
Now, he must make the Springs proud.
Bibbs was born in Colorado Springs in 1993 to Stacey Griffin and Keith Bibbs, but his mother moved the family (he has four brothers, three sisters) to Chicago when he was a small child. As a high school dynamo, Kapri set Illinois records with 520 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in one game.
Is he the best running back of all time born in Colorado Springs? More than two dozen players from these parts have reached the NFL. Cullen Bryant, Terry Miller, Burnie Legette, Daryl Clack and Steve Bartalo were five of the area's legendary high school players, became exceptional college running backs and played professionally.
But all five were born in other states.
Bibbs was born to run in Colorado Springs.
