Much of success in professional football is and always has been about the quarterback position.
The most recent and an all-time most notable example is that of Peyton Manning, already stamping the Denver Broncos organization merely through osmosis, with greater influences to come steadily, and constantly, an ever flowing example of the water rising to elevate all boats.
Manning is the only man to have been named the National Football League Most Valuable Player four times. He has passed for 54,828 yards and 399 touchdowns, third most in NFL history in both departments.
No quarterback has earned more Pro Bowl selections than Manning (11), produced more 4,000-yard seasons (11), posted more 300-yard games (63) or had more seasons with 25 or more passing touchdowns (13).
This is a staggering array of statistics that he brings to the Broncos, but always, there is a connection to the past at the quarterback position.
In the category of winning, Peyton Manning’s 141 victories as a starter rank fourth all time, with a winning percentage (.678) that is the very best among any of the five quarterbacks who have won 125 games.
Clearly, he is a winner almost without parallel.
But once upon a time, Broncos Ring of Fame wide receiver Haven Moses, speaking of another Denver QB, said, “He taught us how to win.”
Moses was speaking of Charley Johnson, and this is just a little jaunt down memory lane to remind us all that the foundations for current successes were built in the past.
In the Pat Bowlen Era (1984-2011) the Broncos have had 263 regular season wins, second only to San Francisco in the entire NFL. From that first winning season, 1973, Denver has had just seven losing seasons, second fewest in the NFL.
But prior to 1973, the Denver Broncos had never had a winning season.
They floundered like few franchises before or since, and it did not change until Denver acquired the veteran Johnson, and back in 1973 Denver started off with a 1-3-1 record, giving every suggestion that it would be another losing season for Denver.
But Johnson took the Broncos on a run that had them finish 7-5-2, losing out on the playoffs and division title on the basic of a tough, season-ending 21-17 loss to the Raiders in Oakland. Johnson led Denver to a 6-2-1 record after that shaky start, the absolute best nine-game stretch that Denver had ever had to that point in pro football.
It was at the end of that first winning season in 1973 when Moses uttered his comment about Johnson teaching the Broncos to win, surely the highest compliment that could ever be uttered toward a signal caller.
It all started in 1973. The Broncos reverted to a losing campaign in 1974, and then from 1975-2011 the Broncos have had the top home record in pro football, along with the Steelers the only two teams with over 200 wins at home.
That is a 39-year legacy of franchise success, and all success begins somewhere. Johnson was the quarterback to first led Denver to a stretch of six or more wins (six and a half, technically) in any nine-game span.
But success by accomplishment and by example has been part of Charley Johnson’s life and career.
A New Mexico State graduate who was inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame in 1986, he passed for 170 touchdowns and 24,410 yards in his pro career.
Admittedly, those stats pale by any modern standard.
But consider, while Johnson was having a 15-year career with the St Louis Cardinals (nine seasons), Houston Oilers (two seasons), and his final four in Denver, he was setting a standard in other ways as well.
While serving as the Cardinals’ starting quarterback, Johnson was on active duty as an officer in the United States Army for two years, stationed stateside. He actually spent significant parts of two years away from St. Louis during the week on Army duty, then joined the team as quarterback on Sunday. It seems crazy, I know, but is true.
It is true, but it is not all.
While playing as a pro quarterback Johnson earned both a master’s degree and a PhD in chemical engineering from Washington University of St. Louis.
So, name me another quarterback who played 15 years without interruption while at the same time being an active duty army officer, and then earned a doctorate in chemical engineering?
His is the only name on the list.
Today Charley Johnson is a professor of chemical engineering at his alma mater, New Mexico State University, enjoys his status as a Broncos Ring of Famer, and is forever linked to the Broncos as the quarterback “who taught us how to win.”
Tags: Charley Johnson
Yea AB it sucks, he is going to really miss out on working with Manning. Week 2 was forever ago, you’d think they could have determined the severity of his injury much earlier than this week. Not good for his development at all
I dont really see that as a negative. He may be underweight but 6-5 isnt undersized. And also Doom is a great DE and is “undersized” Ingram is said to be another great undersized pass rusher. IMO 260-275 is great size for a DE in a 4-3 scheme.
No it isnt. I mean even after the divisional lost you would think they would look at doing surgery then not 2 and half months later.
About Jones, he is a guy that looks like he could easily put on 15lbs though. He could really be a beast. Im ok with him at #25 as long as Ta’amu is picked up in the 2nd or 3rd
Doom also went from 248 as a rook to 260 and then back when he became a olb…
Miami Dolphins (from Colts) – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Cleveland Browns – Matt Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles (from Redskins through Rams) – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St
Jacksonville Jaguars – Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Indianapolis Colts – Morris Claibourne, CB, LSU
Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Buffalo Bills – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Kansas City Chiefs – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Seattle Seahawks – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
This is NOT my mock!!!! Broncotalk.net is where i found it…..
Atwater I would love to get Winn at 57 then trade up for Ta’amu. Those are two beefy guys that can plug the middle. That also would give Ayers time to bulk up.
I don’t see them having Ayers bulk up he is like Charles johson
As a pass rusher 260 isn’t bad. As a run stuffer it is. Especially with every Olinemen now a days being 300 plus. 22 reps on the bench isn’t all that impressive either
Doom is rare, his lack of height works to his advantage because of pad leverage.
Lots of Boise State love for this draft lol
Winn looks the part. I’ve always been skeptical of linemen from the small conferences. Obviously Clady as an Olinemen panned out it’s just always been a personal doubt.
This might be the most anticipated draft (from my standpoint) in a long, long time
Your skeptical of linemen from small conferences….im skeptical of Dlinemen from the big ten lol.
From what ive read and seen of Jones if he gets his hands on the ballcarrier its a tackle.
I think Jones long arms (like his brothers) will be an advantage along with his height. I think he could bulk up to about 270-275 easily.
I love my Broncos. Both Denver and Boise State. LOL
Like i said I would love to take Jones at 25 Winn at 57 trade a 3rd next year 4th and 6th this year to jump up to top 10 in the 3rd to get Ta’amu. Then take a RB with our 2nd 3rd.
This year’s big ten linemen are overrated you are right. Although I like Worthy over Still.
Jones is definitely a beast. Either way whether DT or DE or MLB, we will be improving our defense, especially run D, which is all I can ask for from EFX.
The draft is always crazy and who knows we could have Brocker or Cox fall to us at 25. I would pay a pretty penny to be in the war room on draft day. Coolest job on earth
Yea I like Reys Hightower and Jones any of those three i will be really happy. But Jones is my preference.
I prefer Worthy to Still also but dont care for either lol.
I agree. I would love to be a fly on the wall. Man that would be great. Brockers scares me but i like him. Cox i would love to see fall to 25!!!!
sandoval is that you who spoke about tebow in this article?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82829e1f/article/jets-tim-tebow-holds-qa-at-easter-service-in-texas?module=HP11_headline_stack
Yea i’ve literally heard nothing negative about Cox.
All i have heard is that he struggles against double teams at times but doesnt stop fighting and that sometimes he first step isnt consistently explosive.
I would love to see him fall but I doubt he will IMO He will be the first DT off the board followed by Poe and Brockers going to the Eagles or Chargers. Both IMO have a need for a DT and will take a chance at his rawness
Yea all the scout reports say these guys struggle against double teams. Hey ill be happy to draft a guy that warrants a double team.
I think some teams are backing off Poe and his combine performance. He may fall a little since he didn’t exactly dominate in college and he played in a small conference.
Poe was playing against a weak division but Cox was playing against the SEC!!!!!!!!!
BUD LIGHT ALL NIGHT~!!!!!!!!!!!
sndvl…I’ll post my mock soon…….beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll be coming for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BFE BUD LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manning to the tee……..TT glad he’s gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just give it to my son……………TT #!5…….100 DOLLAR Orange JERSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t mean a Damn thing to me!!!!!!!!!!!!…I would love to have a #18 Manning jersey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Von Miller on ESPN Classic right now… Tribute game…
Hehe… he just put out Whitaker… He Is A BEAST!!!
TURTLE……..YOU ARE ALL ABOUT YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU WANT BFE?????????????YOU GOT ALL OF ME…..TOO BAD YOU CAN’T HANDLE ME…….LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Godamn I’m drunk!!!!!!!!
I’m out losers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You wanted BFE in his finest hour……you got him……in his truest form!!
BFE better still be here~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BFE Lmao just laying in sorry I drank some captains and was looking at my screen like WTF all the colors! But Lax is now here hehe!
AWEEEE I Just missed all the fun!!!
Analysis: This was a tough call, because Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones just looks so much like a Giants pick. He’s a super-athletic, high-upside pass-rusher from Tom Coughlin’s alma mater. I mean, if Adams weren’t on the board, this would have been a slam dunk. And the Giants still could go this way, or with Nebraska LB Lavonte David or Stanford TE Coby Fleener. But there’s nothing wrong with Adams’ upside potential, either. He becomes the Giants’ starting right tackle right away, and if Will Beatty doesn’t pan out, Adams has the ability to someday play on the left side. (Dan Graziano)
Maybe Broncs needa draft this Jones fella Colts Giants west? LOL
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHA I can see Can’t promise how long I’ll be up ready to blackout!!! HAHAHa
Easter Rant is like 1000times better than friday nights lol
strand…….R&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Found a Taser today too hahahah
I thought people established there is no way to do such a thing!!!!
Tasers are expensive too! Its a good day
I think only Bay coming back could stop this haha
BFE Glad I caught you but I’m dead gonna pass out enjoy your evening!
ESPN has him listed at the wrong weight, as he’s already 265, but wow…
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ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay projects Chandler Jones as a first-rounder, predicting that the New England Patriots will select Jones with pick No. 28.
Here is what McShay had to say about Jones:
“I fell in love with him at the East-West Shrine Game, watching tape at night. I think he has so much upside and is just scratching the surface. … (Jones could be) the most underrated player, maybe in the entire draft but certainly in the defensive line.
Everyone says “the production is not there” but I see 6-5, 247 pounds, and potential to get up to about 270 pounds if you wanted. He’s proven he can play some inside. He’s played on the left side. The right side. He even can drop in coverage, he’s shown that on tape at times. I just think he’s strong, physical, but also has athleticism to get after the quarterback.”
Few day old article, but interesting take..
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/tim-tebow-insiders-worried-hollywood-may-be-downfall-040612
oh bfe……………you’re too funny man……….your drunken rants are classic! lol
Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend! Got to visit my folks with my family and see some friends so it was great………..but the 4.5 hr drive each way feels like forever……thank god for the mickey mouse clubhouse dvd playing in the back for my daughter! lol
again……..no real broncos news or even nfl news to discuss. I will say though, I listened to that audio from williams and I was taken aback. I knew coaches try to motivate their players, but that was taken just way too far. Sounded like something you’d hear from the guard’s lockerroom in “the longest yard.” lol
Pre-ordering of jerseys is just over 5 days away!