DENVER -- The former Marine should have an advantage this week because the Denver Broncos running backs are essentially going back to basic training.

With Mike Anderson, Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary all healthy, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan put the starting job up for grabs Wednesday as Denver began preparing for Monday night's game against the Oakland Raiders.

Shanahan informed the three of his plan when he called them into his office before practice. The meeting was similar to the first week of September when they were competing to be the starter for Denver's opener.

"It was kind of like a deja vu situation," Gary said. "We were kind of kidding about it upstairs. Some things you've got to take in stride. That's part of the business -- competing -- and that's what we have to do right now."

Davis, the 1998 MVP, won the job out of training camp and ran for 101 yards on Sept. 10 before having arthroscopic knee surgery 10 days later. He has not played since.

Anderson, a former Marine, has started all six games in Davis' absence. He rushed for 155 yards against Kansas City but did not endear himself to the coaching staff when fumbled at a critical moment of Denver's loss to the Seattle Seahawks a week later.

Gary, coming off major knee surgery, has seen only limited action as Anderson's backup. Because of early deficits, Denver has thrown the ball more often, and Gary has just 31 carries in the last five games.

"When you look at the situation, obviously Coach Shanahan took a lot of time to think about it," Anderson said. "When you're really looking at it and trying to be fair to all three guys, it's the fairest way I see."

Shanahan said he will observe the three during practice this week and make a decision by Sunday. Whomever he chooses will bring solid credentials.

Before missing 30 of 36 games due to injuries, Davis was one of the NFL's most productive rushers. Gary ran for 1,159 in 12 games as a rookie two years ago, and Anderson was named the league's offensive rookie of the year after rushing for 1,487 yards last season.

"We've got three guys that obviously can do the job," Shanahan said. "T.D. told me Friday that he's feeling good and he's ready to go. Mike and Olandis have been there and we know what they can do. It'll be great competition."

Anderson, Davis and Gary all have incentive to play against the Raiders.

Davis has two 100-yard games against Oakland; Gary ran for 95 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown on a Monday night in 1999; Anderson set a Denver rookie record with 187 yards in Denver's road victory over the Raiders last year.

"I've seen them all," Oakland coach Jon Gruden said. "I can say I'm probably the expert on the Bronco backs. I wouldn't mind seeing them put (fullback Patrick) Hape at tailback and running him."

With only three days of practice remaining this week, it could be hard for one running back to distinguish himself. That was about the only drawback Gary could foresee.

"This far in the process, it's tough on a team to say that you guys got to compete during practice," he said. "Pretty much everything we do is controlled, so it's pretty tough to compete."