Today on DenverBroncos.com, we began a new series titled “Top 10 Tuesdays,” where we will count down the top 10 plays in various categories over the next five weeks.
The first list looked at Peyton Manning’s top 10 touchdown passes of the season.
Here’s the order we came up with:
10: Manning’s 400th TD pass and first as a Bronco vs. Pittsburgh
In Denver’s season opener against Pittsburgh, Manning hit Demaryius Thomas on a screen pass and the wideout raced 71 yards to the end zone for the score that put Denver ahead 14-13 in the game it would go on to win 31-19. The pass marked Manning’s longest of the season.
9: Manning to Decker for a 51-yard TD at Baltimore
Manning hit Eric Decker in stride on a 51-yard bomb to put the Broncos ahead 31-3 against the Ravens in Week 15.
8: Manning to Stokley for a 38-yard TD vs. Houston
In the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in Week 3, Manning went over the middle to Brandon Stokley, who made the 38-yard catch over the Texans’ safety. The score started Denver’s comeback, but the Broncos would end up losing the game 31-25.
7: Manning to Decker for an 11-yard TD vs. Kansas City
Manning found a narrow window between the cornerback and the safety to hit Decker for an 11-yard scoring strike in the regular-season finale. The play put Denver ahead 14-3 in the game that it would win by a final score of 38-3 to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
6: Manning to Decker for an 4-yard TD at Cincinnati
Manning hit Decker on a back-shoulder fade to give Denver a 31-20 lead against the Bengals with 3:36 to play in the game. Decker made the catch despite drawing a flag for pass interference against the Bengals and the 31-20 score would wind up being the final margin of the Broncos’ victory.
5: Manning to Moreno for a 14-yard TD vs. Baltimore
Manning floated a pass over the Ravens linebacker in coverage on Knowshon Moreno, who came up with a diving catch in the back corner of the end zone. The touchdown put Denver ahead 21-14 in the second quarter of the AFC Divisional Round game that the Ravens would go on to win 38-35 in double overtime.
4: Manning to Thomas for a 10-yard TD vs. Tampa Bay
Manning found Thomas despite double coverage over the middle in the end zone for a 10-yard score. The play gave the Broncos a 21-10 lead in the Week 13 game it would win 31-23.
3: Manning to Thomas for an 8-yard TD vs. Tampa Bay
In the same game as No. 4, Manning and Thomas connected for an 8-yard touchdown. This pass was another one fit into a tight window and put the Broncos on top 14-10 in the third quarter. The play marked Manning’s 28th touchdown pass of the season, which set a franchise record.
2: Manning to Thomas for a 22-yard TD vs. Cleveland
With a pass that couldn’t have been placed any better, Manning hit Thomas in stride for a 22-yard touchdown pass that opened the scoring against the Browns in Week 16. Denver went on to win that game 34-12 to improve to 12-3 on the season.
1: Manning to Stokley for a 21-yard TD at San Diego
Manning put the Broncos ahead for good in the team’s historic comeback win at San Diego on Monday Night Football in Week 6 with a 21-yard pass to Stokley. Manning audibled as the final seconds ticked off the play clock before throwing a pass where only his receiver could come up with the ball. That’s exactly what happened as Stokley went over the defender to make the catch and drag both feet in bounds to give the Broncos a 28-24 lead in the fourth quarter.
Let us know what you think of the list in the comment section below. Did we miss any plays? Were any ranked too high or too low? What would your top 10 list look like?
Tags: Peyton Manning, Top 10 Tuesdays
Denver needs a 3-4 type NT. I know everyone is going to flag me and claim we are a 4-3 defense, but are we really? What is nice is that we don’t actually need the traditional size of a NT but we do need a DT that is good at playing a two gap role.
OL depth and a good MLB are next. Everything else is gravy.
Not sure why so many of you want a Safety?
RH, I agree on your first need, but I also think that a big top tier safety must follow or the best available player on the board before we go to the next need of OL depth or MLB.
I appreciate your insight.
Great to see Bay on here more again and to read all the Bronco blog family. Enjoy!
Denver’s pending unrestricted free agents are Ryan Clady, Tony Carter, Brandon Stokley, Kevin Vickerson, Justin Bannan, Jim Leonhard, Keith Brooking, David Bruton, Dan Koppen, Jason Hunter, Tracy Porter, Ty Warren, and Matthew Willis.
Obviously Clady will get paid big.
I would group them like this…
Staying, without question: Clady and Carter
More than likely sticking around: Stokes, Big Vick, and Bannan
Could go either way: Leonard, Brooking, Bruton, Koppen and Hunter
Not likely: Porter, Warren and Willis
Joe Mays is due 4 million and I think Denver may try to trade him.
Britton Colquitt, Mitch Unrein, Chris Clark, Lance Ball, and Chris Gronkowski are due to be restricted free agents, and will need to be tendered by that same March 12, 4pm ET league year/free agency deadline.
Keep Unrein and Colquitt. Say bye to the others.
For as much as I’m upset with our safeties I don’t think we need to give up on them yet. This is their 2nd year and learning safety probably isn’t near as easy as it was in the past, before it became a passing league. Before it was you just make the tackle or you lay out the WR/TE trying to make the catch. Now since the league has put an end to laying guys out you have to make up for it in coverage skills. I think they just need to develope and work on coverage skills and not getting tricked. That’s Moore’s biggest deal is he gets tricked a lot with playaction and which guy to cover. Those are all things that can be improved on.
I think we need to add depth to our offensive line. We have a young line, and Koppen and Ramirez both did good to step in, but the whole key to this who SB thing is keeping Manning upright. We did a good job of that this year for the most part, but we also need to work on run blocking too. Gaining one yard is just as much on the offensive line as it is the HB, probably more on the offensive line.
The biggest need on defense is definitely on the front 7. Interior DL and MLB. We need a field general at MLB like Al Wilson used to be. I think Mays could be workout but with his lack of production and his injury he very well could be traded.
Oh and HB, MaGahee might have a little left in the tank, Moreno just can’t seem to shake the injury bug, and the rest of the guys on the roster have questionable running or blocking abilities. We need a well balanced back to compliment Hillman as he continues to develop.
RH Unrein is a Exclusive Free Agent. Either he stays for the vet min or retires.
An Exclusive-Rights Free Agent is an NFL player who is not under contract, but has only two years of NFL experience. If his former club makes him an offer at the three year veteran minimum salary, then that’s it, he has to take it or leave the NFL. These guys have no right to negotiate with other teams. They are “free” only in the sense that they’re free to quit.
As for our other FAs/RFAs, Clady is a no question. I am not worried about him being gone. He is one of the most valuable players on our team. T Carter Stokes Vickerson are guys I see also coming back. Leonard Porter Warren and Willis I dont see coming back. Brooking I think we will bring back and if we dont he retires. Bruton I think we being back for his ST play. Koppen and Hunter are big questions. Walton coming back from Injury can have us keep Koppen just in ase or have Koppen stay and start or go back to Walton. With Hunter he is coming back from injury so that can mean his end.
Colquitt the only RFA oming back and Unrein with is ERFA I think will be back. Hester made Gronk and Ball expendable.
Joe Mays I think might be attempted to be traded as well.
I also dont see the need for a safety. Moore blew a big play but he hs improved over last year and had a rather good year this year. He especially got better as the season went on. We also will have Q Carter back from injury and he showed good stuff last year.
We need a big DT to plug the middle and a DE and move Wolfe inside where he an push the interior pocket.
Also need Depth on the OL but I wouldnt say anything in a early round as we didnt see Blake this year and many of us had/have high hopes he can become a good starter or backup. His ability to play either interior position helps.
MLB is a no question. Same with a younger bigger back. I saw Strand like Lacy along with a few others. I like like Stepfan Taylor. I have questions on what we will do at RB sine Moreno had a good year and Hester came along to play well for us and helped cover what we were missing when McGahee went down (Short yardage back) I wouldnt mind La’Veon Bell either. He is a huge back 244 isnt super fast but still has some good speed. (4.6 40) He is really good between the tackles.
Oh and I forgot the guy who has to go the most in the QB. He was hated on so much before the season and even when we brought him in. Surprised people have forgotten about him. But Hanie really needs to go.
I think the only reason we got Haine was he more a veteran than Osweiler. If Manning would’ve gone down for any length of time he may have gotten the nod over Osweiler purely for his game experience.
I think that next season we’ll have Manning and Osweiler as our only 2 QBs.
Fannin still exists. I know he has been injured the last two years but he is both big and fast. They have kept him around so far. Which means when they did see him, they saw something they liked.
Agreed RH. I forgot about Fannin.
That very well may be Brian. I sure hope that is the case.
I’m with you on that too Brian. Haine will probably be gone.
I stayed away from the blog for a few days after our loss cause I knew it would be nuts. Like like you regulars but am not so much for the knee jerk reactions that happen after a loss like we had.
Anyway, were people calling for Moore’s head after that last play? If so, that is absolutely nuts. He did have the bone head play of the year but he really has been nothing short of a solid starter all year. Him and Adams are good.
Having Carter back next year gives us good depth and Carter can fill in at both strong and free safety. Omar is an unproven commodity. Leonard is aged and limited. Bruton is one BA special teams player and a marginal safety.
I can possibly see getting a lower round guy if both Leonard and Bruton are gone but if we keep even one of them, then that need is no longer there.
What is really nice in this whole thing, is Denver has about 18 million in cap space. That is a lot of cap space for a team of this talent. Bodes well going forward. Thank you John Elway.
Bruton has his place on the team and I really think that’s on special teams. Maybe it will turn into something more just as Woodyard did.
I wish Brian but at this point I think that isn’t going to happen. Trust me, I like Bruton because his ST play is almost other worldly. He really is that good on ST. However, after 4 years, he hasn’t been much of a safety. With WW, I could make the argument that he could have been a starter at year 2. Unfortunately, if you haven’t developed after 4 years in, it probably isn’t going to happen.
Don’t get me wrong, if he will take the league min and stay, (Which he probably will. I don’t see another team making him much of an offer) I’d keep him without hesitation.
The Broncos needs for next year:
1) A play call that can gain 7 yards
2) A play call that can stop a 70 yard pass
Pretty sure we already have both of those things. Doesn’t mean they work 100% of the time.
I get your annoyed but the comment is not productive.
you’re*
It’s funny as hell is all it was meant to be obviously, you’re so serious it’s scary.
Reading your stuff is like going to football school and yet I don’t hear a bunch of folks criticizing you for it, why don’t you extend the same latitude to others, it might be therapeutic for you, just saying.
Safety
The reason I say safety is because you will not win in this league as it is today … with sub par safety play … and sure we can say it only really sucked in ravens game but not quite. Our safeties don’t impose their will in the run game or the pass game. Our safeties don’t invoke the fear of running a polamalu does, or the fear of an INT a Ed Reed does.
Between both our safeties in 2012 … 1 INT … kind of sad in a passing league with a God Like pass rush.
I don’t blame Moore for the loss. If anything i think he will never forget that play and get better. He improved drastically from his rookie season. But he is also a Free Safety that runs a 4.67 … not ideal coverage speed. Nor have they been instrumental in covering TEs as we still suck against TEs
MLB
Definite need. Mays is average and owed too much. assuming DJ doesn’t mind switching to MLB … he is a stellar weakside LB but as a Vet might better be served at MLB especially since he has played ever LB position for us. Also an important need.
DT
Still a need … not necessarily a big boy. More so a Pierre Paul. Inside rusher with great height and long arms to batt the Ball down.
OL
Just for depth … doesn’t need to be our first second or third pick. More of a diamond in the rough pick.
At the end of the day, im pretty sure these guys will draft the best player available but this is how i see things personally.
Later days,
TRB
I am aware we have Bruton, Leonard, Carter behind our starting safeties. But Carter is yet to be proven but has potential. Cant wait forever. much like MLB (Nate Irving) … i see them as quality special teams contributors … and we already know that leonard is our designated Fair Catcher lol
TRB
I welcome the criticism.
I also welcome a joke or two.
If it was a joke then my apologies. Problem is too many people actually think like that.
You can criticize me all you want Bay. Since you don’t like my stuff
LMAO, fair catcher!
Relax….
Good stuff TRB. Thank you for the explanation.
We did get better against TE as the year went on. I agree that you need strong safety play to win in this passing league. Unfortunately the Ed Reed’s and Palomalu’s don’t come along often.
Adams was assigned to cover tight ends pretty often with hit and miss results. Maybe having an off-season with Champ Bailey can improve that some.
I think our safeties were darn good against the run. Moore’s tackling improve 10 fold over last year. I also agree that he will me highly motivated this off-season and next year.
TRB, I think everyone will be looking for the tall, long arm DT this year. After what JJ Watt did and all. Just thinking we may want to go against the grain on this one because it could give us the pick of the litter while everyone else is trying to match measurable against JJ.
At this point I can’t figure out what JDR is trying to do. I know he wants to be able to change the defensive look without changing the personnel on the field. So you are right, he might be looking for a rusher. My thinking was he was looking for a body to occupy multiple blockers and command attention to free up our other guys.
I’m an engineer, Bay. Dissecting is therapeutic for me. So I’m pretty relaxed.
Well if JDR and Fox have proven one thing time and time again … they dont care about DT or inside rushers. Thats what wolfe was supposed to be and ended up only playing DE and DT in Nickle situations. They can’t neglect it for too long but I do know they are looking for height … thats why they passed on Paea last year. Thats why they were also looking at Brockers last year cuz of his height. And the year before they were looking at someone else who the redskins snagged right before we eventually picked orlando frankling and moore back to back. JJ Watt is a DE folks have wanted edge rushers for a long time … and im sure inside rushers too … but I believe a pierre paul would change our Dynamic … i know those are rare … along with polomalus and ed reeds but gotta try … i cannot name one quality DT we have gotten in YEARS … That includes under Shanahan, McLoser and even Fox the D mind. And we don’t exactly address it with quality FA signings (No offense to our DTs this year, they held it down). But Trevor Price is the last beast DT I remember. (Bunkley did pretty well for us too)
TRB
Safety used to be just that. Make sure nothing gets behind you and lay out anyone who tries to catch the ball. With the rules now that is no longer an option. So safeties have to be smarter and have better converage skills. The days of having a John Lynch or Brian Dawkins type safety are over. They need to be able to hit, tackle, and cover. They need to be smart, all players need to be smart, but with the league becoming a passing league top notch play by safeties is very valuable.
That was Jarvis Jenkins TRB.
You need to be able to generate some type a pressure with your front four, especially when you play teams like the Patriots. Look how well Baltimore did in generating pressure with just their front four. They didn’t always end in sacks but batted down passes and forcing Brady out of the pocket and errant throws.
You’re right TRB. Price was the last great pass rushing DT we had. From what I could tell this year, it didn’t seem like JDR was looking for the DTs to pass rush so much as occupy other blockers.
Maybe that is cause the personnel we had was better suited for that and he will be looking for a pass rushing DT. Or maybe he wants the DT to command a double team to free Doom, Ayers, Miller. Hard to tell at this point. Makes for good discussion for sure.
You guys are right about safety play. The Atwater/Lynch days are over. Seemed like Lynch even sensed it and knew what he was and wasn’t good at so retired. Miss that guy on the field.
The last great pass rushing DT denver Drafted was Bertrand Berry… but Shanny the GM (the flawed part of him) wouldn’t pay him and he took his talents to ARZ
Lies… sorry, he was drafted by Indy… but was in Denver, and should have been kept
I’m putting my two cents worth on the DT need. I think we need the big man to occupy blockers and stop the run. My vote is for Jenkins from Georgia. This allows our outside rushers to get to the QB. We had very little pressure on Flacco all game.
We didn’t get much pressure on Flacco. This is true but we led the league in QB pressure this year.
I, and many others, still think we need a DT but don’t be surprised if we keep, Vick and Bannan and don’t draft or pick up another DT. Wouldn’t be the first time amiright?!
Logan Mankins and Wes Welker withdrew from the Pro Bowl. Demaryius Thomas and Zane Beadles are replacing them.
If they don’t trade up to grab an impact player, I can see them trading out of the 1st round again.
As for DL… How about bringing in Richard Seymour to fill the role at DT. I know he’s on the older side, but it worked when Neil Smith came over from KC. Ty was supposed to be that guy, but two upper body injuries later, no way he can be counted on, let alone counted on for 16+ games.
Awesome highlight reel btw. Can’t wait to see round two!
I thought our O-line did pretty awesome all year..Ramirez is very serviceable.. Kup had some tough penalties in the last game. bt it wouldnt be a bad idea to get that late round depth.
Must: Huge/Mauling DT
Long Speed Demon DE
FAs: Strand mentioned SS Byrd….worth looking at. although i am still comfortable with our DBs. Just more experience and better technique. Glad Quintin Carter is coming back..** Chris Harris is a shutdown CB no doubt!!
Porter is good, but Harris and Carter(Tony) are proving themselves. Bolden I’d like to see develop.
MLB- we need a true MLB. We’ve been shifting Brooking and DJ back and forth.
this kid is making noise at the senior bowl week. Margus Hunt DE at 6’8 277lbs…thats size and reach to bat down balls..
Word is Kuper is going to beed more surgery on his leg. Maybe ManRam should have played against Balt. Kupe was not having a good game, undoubtably because of pain.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he needed more surgery but I would love to see what these free agent O linemen could do this off season along with the reserves.
Correct Bay Jarvis Jenkins.
TRB
its been awhile since i have been on the blog. finally getting over our lost. i was at my cousins house this weekend wathching the games. he is a big 49ers fan and he had about 10 49er friends there. when they celebrated after they won, it made me think about my Broncos. oh well. it also reminded me that last preseason we wondered if manning would be healthy or even able to play like he use too. he exceeded those expections and more. and with another year under his belt and chemistry with the team. i think we thought we would breeze right into the superbowl. we also forgot that the ravens were a good team. dont forget that the 49ers and ravens were both 1 play to getting to the superbowl last year. actually that should have been the superbowl last year instead of the patriots and giants rematch. so when i think about it, we did great this year. from a miracle worker like tim tebow to a future hall of famer like manning who no one thought he would play the same. we weren’t even expected to win the division. i love my Broncos and i will be rooting for them next season. and after this season i will expect them to go to the superbowl next year. and to the 49ers and ravens, congratulations these are the 2 teams that belong in the superbowl. we were not ready this year but we will be. this is what the NFL is all about people, good story line, brother vs. brother. and overall i am a football fan. just had to get that out.
DENVER BRONCOS 2013!
http://www.milehighreport.com/2013/1/22/3903636/2013-nfl-draft-inside-linebacker-production-ratio-denver-broncos?utm_campaign=snsanalytics&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com
This years draft prospects MLB production ratio.
The top 3 MLB/ILB in this years draft are all pretty stellar. But before they get to us at 28 …. at least 2 of them will be gone. Gauranteed. One Most likely to the bears and another earlier on. And if we do not take one in the first, the ravens will take the one right after us too.
MLB is a need, but i am still a fan of moving DJ to MLB. He has already played MLB, ILB(3-4), WOLB for us. He can and has played every LB position. With the emergence of Woodyard too, it only makes sense as the play the same position. DJ is the more senior and most experienced so he is likely most qualified to be th general from an experience standpoint not a character stand point.
I think our staff is still stuck on Irving tho. Interested in seeing what they do with mays too. Feel bad for brooking and the vets. No superbowl shot this year
Later days,
TRB
Think Kevin Minter makes it down to 28? and if he does, do we take him?
We had the #25 spot last year and we traded out of the first round to get more picks. This year we have #28, wouldn’t be surprised if we trade out of the first round again this year. I’m all for making sure to select the right guy for your team/system but sometimes you just need to draft an impact player. I was a bit surprised last year the Broncos traded out of the first round.
While our defense played well last year for the most part, it is missing that nastiness that puts fear into the opponent. We need to draft a few defenders with a real mean streak, who still are smart enough to stay out of trouble off the field… I think Wolfe is of that mold, we just need a few more like him IMO.
I think we need a leader among our defensive front 7. Just seems like we’re missing that.