Archive for May, 2009

Jimmy Johnson, Gary Dunn and I

May 22nd, 2009 - 9:32am by mark_cooperOther posts by mark_cooper

Jimmy Johnson Coop & Dunn

Jimmy Johnson Coop & Dunn

Was in the Keys chasing tarpon (they won, by the way) and having a little get together for my wife’s 50th, fun stuff. You all know I’m an ole Miami boy so I get back to the Keys quite often to fish tournaments and fish on my own. While there this week, we did a Friday night radio show with Gary Dunn (former Pittsburgh Steeler) and Jimmy Johnson (everyone knows him) and Capt. Bill Kelly our host and myself.

It was a hoot. We discussed the fact that the U had a 14 year run of first round selections until this past draft and they have a long way to go to get back to the status we once had. A few fishing stories were told and and we got into a debate in which Jimmy agreed with me that when a defensive lineman (Gary Dunn) gets blocked they think they were held (me) cry babies.

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A Sharpe Addition

May 13th, 2009 - 10:37am by jim_saccomanoOther posts by jim_saccomano

The selection of tight end Shannon Sharpe to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame brings to 22 the number of former Bronco players (and one owner) represented within INVESCO Field at Mile High, and Sharpe’s entry probably precedes by just one year his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

If ever any player were a virtual lock for Canton honors, it is Sharpe.

There are seven tight ends in the Hall of Fame right now–Ozzie Newsome, Kellen Winslow, Jackie Smith, Mike Ditka, Dave Casper, John Mackey and Charley Sanders.

What each of those illustrious players has in common is that none of them has a single stat to match those of Shannon Sharpe.

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Smith a College Hall-of-Famer

May 13th, 2009 - 10:23am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Check one more honor off Rod Smith’s list — he’s now a member of the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the divisional class of 2009.

The divisional class includes players and coaches from Division I-AA (now called the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision) and Divisions II, III and the NAIA. This year’s class will be inducted July 18-19 at the Hall of Fame in South Bend.

Smith set six school records while playing for Missouri Southern State in 1988 and 1990-93. He went on to set Broncos franchise records in just about every receiving category, including receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.

Smith’s fellow inductees include the late Sam Mills, who played 12 years in the NFL, and Fred Dean, who was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008 along with Gary Zimmerman.

The final three members of this year’s class are Roger Brown, who played defensive tackle for Maryland Eastern in the 1950s, former Marshall coach Jim Donnan, and former Missouri Valley coach Volney Ashford, who died in 1973.

-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com

Sharpe Elected to Ring of Fame

May 12th, 2009 - 3:21pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Shannon Sharpe, who was named to the Pro Bowl seven times as a Denver Bronco and helped the club to two Super Bowl victories, was elected as the 22nd member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, it was announced Tuesday.

He’s the first player to be inducted since Terrell Davis in 2007. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20, at halftime of the Broncos’ home opener against the Cleveland Browns at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

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Meeting The New Guys - Part 1

May 11th, 2009 - 4:55pm by mike_riceOther posts by mike_rice

The Broncos have had a couple of mini-camps, the latest of which was in early May. That’s when the Broncos’ draft picks had the opportunity to work with the team for the first time.

This is part one of a question-and-answer series with some of the Broncos’ picks. We had the chance to speak with many of them when they first visited Dove Valley on April 26.

With the twelfth overall selection, the Broncos chose running back Knowshon Moreno from the University of Georgia.

MR: Knowshon, take us through the lead-up to the draft and your emotions leading up to the call from the Broncos.

KM: I waited throughout the week and finally it (the draft) gets here. I think at my place, the atmosphere was really calm and collected. Everyone was just waiting to see what happens because we didn’t know. We got that call and he said I’d be going with the twelfth pick to the Broncos and we all went crazy and I’m really enjoying it.

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Legacy Games Announced

May 5th, 2009 - 9:27am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

The NFL announced Tuesday the 16 AFL Legacy Games that will be played during the 2009 NFL season.

As most of you know, this year marks the 50th season for the eight original American Football League teams — which include all four teams in the AFC West.

For the two legacy games the Broncos will take part in, they will wear their original 1960 uniforms, which as you might have seen are yellow and brown.

Anyway, without further adieu, here are the games the team — and their opponents — will break out the retro jerseys, back-to-back:

Week 5 vs. New England (Sunday, October 11 at 2:15 p.m. MDT)
Week 6 at San Diego (Monday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m. MDT)

What do you all think? I for one am pretty excited about the eye-pleasing prospects.

-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com

Sunday’s Practice Recap

May 3rd, 2009 - 3:12pm by Kyle SonnemanOther posts by Kyle Sonneman

The Broncos concluded their three-day mini camp Sunday afternoon. Here are some quick hits from today’s practice.

SPIRITED COMPETITION: Even though there was no contact during mini camp, there was some spirited back and forth between the offense and defense. Most of the talk was between Wesley Woodyard and Daniel Graham, with some Darrell Reid thrown in as well. All of it was in good fun, but you could tell the competition was fierce even in early May.

TWO MINUTES: After several spirited 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, the team concluded practice with an 11-on-11 two-minute drill. Kyle Orton was five-of-six on his two-minute drive, completing three consecutive passes to Brandon Stokley before hitting Eddie Royal to set up a Matt Prater field goal. Chris Simms was up next, he was four-of-seven and completed two big passes to rookie Nate Swift to set up another Prater field goal.

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Broncos Rookies’ Numbers

May 1st, 2009 - 12:10pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Here we go, the list of jersey numbers to be worn by the incoming Broncos rookies, both drafted and free agents.

Tom Brandstater - 3
Britton Colquitt - 4
Kenny McKinley - 11
Travis Shelton - 13
Lucas Taylor - 17
Knowshon Moreno - 27
David Bruton - 30
Alphonso Smith - 33
Darcel McBath - 34
D.J. Johnson - 35
Tony Carter - 37
Kestahn Moore - 38
Braxton Kelley - 48
Lee Robinson - 51
Jeff Schweiger - 53
Robert Ayers - 56
Blake Schlueter - 63
Everette Pedescleaux - 64
Rulon Davis - 65
Stanley Bryant - 68
Seth Olsen - 70
Chris Baker - 71
Marcus Gordin - 75
Richard Quinn - 81
David Grimes - 82
Nate Swift - 83
Marquez Branson - 85

In addition, recent veteran linebacker acquisition Nick Greisen will don No. 58.

Just thought you all might be interested.

-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com