In the spirit of Top 10 Tuesdays, which has looked at Peyton Manning’s Top 10 Touchdown Passes, Von Miller’s Top Ten Plays and the best offensive plays of the season, today is Top Five Friday.
Today, Broncos TV takes a look at the top five special teams plays of the season.
5: Irving’s Blocked Punt
Up just 10-7 in the rematch with the San Diego Chargers, linebacker Nate Irving followed a third-down sack by Von Miller with a big play of his own. He blocked Mike Scifres’ punt, giving Denver the ball at the San Diego 31-yard line. It took Peyton Manning just one play to find Brandon Stokley for a touchdown and a 17-7 halftime lead.
4: Bruton’s Punt Deflection
The second of the Broncos’ third-quarter touchdowns against Oakland was set up on special teams by safety David Bruton, who got a hand on a Shane Lechler punt, causing it to travel only 2 yards. The Broncos to start their ensuing drive in Oakland’s red zone, and running back Willis McGahee found the end zone en route to a rout.
3: Trindon Holliday Swings Momentum in Carolina
With the Panthers and Broncos tied at 7-7, Holliday took matters into his own hands. He raced 76 yards down the sideline on a punt return for a touchdown — his second return score in as many weeks. After Holliday’s touchdown return, Denver outscored Carolina 22-7 the rest of the way.
2: Holliday’s Quick Impact
In his first game returning kicks as a Bronco, Holliday took advantage. He took the second-half opening kickoff back 105 yards for Denver’s first kickoff return touchdown since the 2010 season. That gave Denver a 17-3 lead and helped the club dispatch the Bengals.
1: Holliday Makes History
In the Broncos’ Divisional Round game against the Baltimore Ravens, Holliday returned the first punt he touched for the longest punt return touchdown in NFL playoff history. He followed that up with what was the longest kickoff return touchdown in NFL playoff history in one of the best special teams playoff performances in franchise — and league — history.
What do you think of the list?
Tags: Broncos TV, Special Teams, Top Five Fridays
I bet deciding on the #1 in this case was a cake walk. Trindon was one of few who SHOWED UP against Baltimore.
My biggest complaint at the beginning of the season was Jim Leonhard (being on the team, let alone returning Punts!!!) When I read about Holliday I was Jacked, and then when he showed his skills I was estatic…
Thank You Trindon!!! Watching you take both those kicks to the house against Baltimore was something I won’t ever foreget as a fan…
Yea I wasn’t a big fan of leonard either … he is great in special teams coverage and as a designated fair catcher but thats about it. If we draft a safety like i hope or acquire a top tier one in FA, I wouldnt mind seeing him go. We would have the new guy plus, moore, adams, carter and bruton … I think thats enough safeties.
TRB
I’m not sure what’s more impressive, the returns themselves or the fact that on a couple of them weren’t overturned because he flipped the ball before the ball broke the plane.
1.Kenny Vacarro S, Texas A&M/Manti Teo LB Notre Dame
2.Arthur Brown LB, Kansas State/Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
3.Christine Michael RB, Texas A&M
4.Hugh Thornton, G, Illinois
5.Honey Badger CB, LSU
5 round mock … way ahead of time. Call it a wish list of sorts. Preliminary as we don’t know if DJ stays or goes. Or our RB situation. Or who we pick up in FA etc. But just a few guys i think are gonna be stellar. Can’t wait for the combine. My first round picks are reaches tho, they may or may not drop lol. But all fun lol.
TRB
ps:You guys hear about the craziness out west with the ex LAPD officer … crazy … LAPD has always been dirty but this aint the way to go about things
RH709, you are so right, our total team did not show up, man I was looking forward to the Broncos in the Super Bowl this year.
Interesting fact I just learned:
“@PFF: Peyton Manning threw at Demaryius Thomas 138 times this season (145 inc playoffs). Not one of those balls was intercepted.”
With Peyton Manning at the helm, our Denver Broncos will be back in the mix. I’m looking forward to the scouting combine, FA, and the draft. First things first, the NFL Scouting Combine.
any FA you thing Denver will try to target? I can see us getting a running back and signing a few of our DT’s. mostly Unrein and Vickerson. I would like to get Ed Reed but he probably is too expensive.
d
I’d like to get Reggie Bush RB/Slot WR. He’d count as two players at one position. I’d still re-sign Stokley. As for a Safety I like Jairus Byrd, he’s a young type Ed Reed but only 26 years old and no flaws in his game, a really sound player at that position.
i wonder how much jarius byrd would cost. We could restructure some contracts i.e. champs or dooms.
I’m not sure. I don’t know the going rate of the highest paid Safety’s but he would instantly make us a better in the backfield thats for sure.
I saw a few days ago on ESPN that the Panthers Johnathan Stewart RB might be cut due to costing too much against the Salary Cap. If he’s cut, does John Fox go after him being that he drafted him and knows how to utilize his talents? That could be a good fit for us at RB.
man, the blog is slow.
The need for another McG type running back by the Broncos is obvious. Is Bradshaw from the Giants really the answer? I saw not even hardly. Why pick up another RB that often injured? We already have two. Likewise Mendenhal (sp?) from the Steelers. Stewart could be interesting.
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
Its snowing in my neck of the woods.
Hiya Strandsky!
It snowed a little here yesterday, but just enough to cover the Dirt!!!
You know who ive been waiting for, to be a FA? Ben Tate of the Texans … granted he looks good because Texans have the Broncos zone blocking in place but he is a well sized RB with 4.4 speed. I think he could start on the broncos. Still 24, and fresh legs because Arian does all the running. Wont be a FA for another 2 years tho. I think he is worth the trade if the Texans wanna deal. He will get no shot in Houston.
TRB
There showing the 1997 season of the Broncos on NFLN and it just started.
Strand hate to break it to you but Bills will more than likely tag Byrd if they cant get a deal done.
According to reports the Vikings are looking into trades for Percy Harvin. Apparently he has had some off field arguments with coach Frazier and other staff members as well and players.
AB, your most likely right about that. If I’m the HC of the Bills, I’m placing the Tag on Byrd first priority.
AB, I wonder if the Broncos are going to cut a few players that are too costly such as DJ or players we don’t need such as Hanie, Gronk, or Virgil Green. I’m of the opinion that we’ll keep two QB’s this year and have a 3rd QB on the PS.
I’d trade a 3rd round pick for Harvin. That dude is a serious play maker.
DJ has never given us a hard time in the lockerroom or front office. Im sure they will find a way to come to terms with him. Not unless they are just ready to move on.
Hanie and Gronk yes. We have osweiler and Hester. And Brocks isn’t a rookie anymore so they maybe more confident with him as the immediate starter. Kids gotta grow up at some point. Sooner rather than later i suppose. Green, i think stays, sure tamme and Driessen did well but virgil still has upside and as a backup TE not to shabby. I believe he also plays special teams. Julius Thomas i think is more likely to go, i haven’t heard anything about him. Injured all rookie season and last year clearly wasnt good enough so we got TE help and I guess i just feel like virgils precense is more noticed. Maybe we will carry 4 TEs. Thomas has the build of a great TE but much like Mario Fannin, he is dissapointing. Shame too, he is wearing a legends jersey.
TRB
I’m not so sure the Broncos have given up on DJ Williams. He’s still a really sound player on the field. We know this, one more mishap off of the field and the Broncos will cut the cord. The Broncos can go either way I think to keep him and rework his contract or just let him go by trade or just waiving. We do need young players too.
Strand,
Gronk is most likely gone.
I doubt Green is going anywhere, he is a very talented blocking TE. Remember we got him late in the draft and he has shown flashes of great play making, he is still developing and I don’t see anyone cutting him after only two years when he is solid depth and only commands league min pay checks.
I can see them cutting Haine and keeping just two QBs if they think Oz has made good strides and I believe he has.
D.J. is on a bubble. He is a good Will LB but we already have two of those who are very talented and less expensive. He can play Mike but it isn’t an ideal/natural position for him. This one almost comes down to what JDR wants to scheme. Denver used a lot of 3-4 as its sub-package this year (maybe even as much as the base defense). In which case having Williams is more useful. Problem is his high salary for a guy you consider a sub-package player. You always want to ask the questions. Who would replace him? Is the replacement just as good? Does the replacement come at a lower cost? Anyway, D.J. is on a bubble and I won’t be shocked either way.
Having a sound blocking TE is a must, so I see can understand where your are coming from. I didn’t take that into consideration.
Except harvin is expecting a contract of like 10 or so mill a year. We don’t have that kind of money to shell out to a slot reciever and possible problem child. If we were gonna use him for his dynamic return skills maybe but holiday is doing just fine. he’d be a great addition dont get me wrong but its looking like the patriots are the front runners for his services. As they don’t know if welker and lloyd are coming back … but i doubt they care. Thier receivers are usually nothing more than hood ornaments. They got 2 of the best TEs doing it lol
TRB
I’d rather go after Reggie Bush RB/Slot WR in FA. IMO
I only said yes to Harvin because he may WANT 10 mill but he still has a year left on his current contract. If you trade a 3rd for him, you could finish his contract (2.9 million) for one year and then cut or tag him the next.
This would undoubtedly make him angry but maybe he would do it to be on a SB contending team.
If he won’t play for that then he isn’t worth the money to me despite being a extremely talented player.
The better option as far as long term success and would be to bring back Stokes and then draft a guy like Swope.
One thing DJ will always have on his side is that he has played every position for us. Will, Mike and ILB in the 3-4. And he has excelled at all his positions. He does what the coaches ask of him and i got to think for a coaching staff thats a great feeling. But like u all say, comes down to money, everything always does. He has restructured in the past he might again but if they trade him thats also fine. He is like 30 afterall, but much like Brooking, Ray Lewis, etc. MLB is less about age and more about Experience, IQ and leadership ability. Not a position u wanna put some young whipersnapper in if u don’t have too. DJ is not a leader to my knowledge but he has the experiece the IQ and the skills to boot. But there are also options like Rey Mauluga who is likely not returning with bengals and could potentially use a second chance else wear, or Jon Beason of the Panthers who might be ready to go with the draft and emergence of luke kuechly.
TRB
With Harvin’s history in dealing with migraine’s I wonder with the altitude in Denver if that will make things worse for him out here. Its a unknown with each individual. But we just went through a situation with Tracy Porter and his health problems. I do like Porter and feel bad for him in what a went through this year, he’s a fine CB.
It is a good point about the migraines
Looks like Vick is restructuring his contract with the Eagles. Interesting!
Vick really could be an ideal candidate for Chip Kelly’s offense. I postulated that Kelly could also want Alex Smith but I think money will dictate him having to go with Vick. Get some Oline guys and Kelly has a good shot at turning things around. I wouldn’t expect Vick to have huge numbers cause even though Kelly runs a spread look, it is a run first offense.
I bet that the Eagles will draft the top O-lineman in the draft. They are at pick at #4 overall and will most likely draft Luke Joeckel T from Texas A&M.
DJ IMO will be asked to redo his contract and if he refuses then we might see an attempt to move him.
I personally wouldnt want Harvin for different reasons. His contract demands after this upcoming year his arguing with coaches and as Strand pointed out his migraines and the mile high air.
Reggie Bush is wanting a big deal from what I have heard and have turned down extensions with the Fins in the price range we can afford him.
We do have some money but Clady is wanting Joe Thomas money. About 12 mil a year. Of the rough 19 mil we have right now we dont have the money to go out and get anyone wanting a lot of money atm. Cuts and restructures will most likely happen to add some money.
If we can make the extra cap space I personally wouldnt be surprised to see us go after Ed Reed. We have a tendency to target older safeties but that was previous staffs.
Strand I think Joeckel will go #1 to KC if they dont trade down.
Alex Smith is likely to be cut a little bit before FA actually starts.
Flacco reportedly turned down an offer before the season of around elite QB money (18+ mil a year) now he is likely to get 20+ mil. Last I heard Ravens have serious cap issues as is. Lewis retiring will help that but Ravens want to bring back Ellerbee and Boldin as well as Flacco.
I cant believe people actually thought we would trade/release Champ Bailey because he had one bad game. Multiple reports came out about it. How crazy IMO. I think a restructure will happen. He has a 10 mil cap hit this year.
Equally crazy is talk of Moore not being good. just saying.
Vick’s new contract is now a 10 million one year deal.
The Ravens also might lose Kruger who is a FA as well. They will lose some players that had an impact season for them. I don’t see the Ravens even making the playoffs this season with all their players and being well over the Cap. IMO
The Ravens with Flacco can tag him paying him 20.5 mil and only negotiate with them or non exclusive tag where they would pay 14.6 mil but he can negotiate with anyone. However is someone signs him besides the Ravens then they send 2 first round picks to Baltimore. This may end up being a very interesting interesting.
AB, And it has been said, there really isn’t a franchise QB in this years draft, so I can see Joeckel or Lotulelei being the 1st overall pick. This will get interesting to see who goes #1 this year.
I agree. I personally think that the Chiefs will go after Alex Smith and take Joeckel to and resign Albert and move him to RT. At least thats what I would be wanting/trying to do.
Ah, don’t listen to that noise. Champ will be good to go this season. We know that, those voices saying Champ is done are idiots.
That can very well happen. I can see that occur.
I know strand. It just crazy that people actually want him gone and reports actually came out that he might be.
AINT GONNA HAPPEN!!