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
Looks like BFE was having his usual drunken fun…
Von Miller was on ESPN Classic last night, and it was fun to watch him and his A&M teammates… Gray did not look NFL ready… that was a full season ago, but he repeatedly missed his blitz pickups…
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!!
Sorry I have to ingnore you when you’re drinking BFE… but it’s the only way bro…
I love to talk to you when you’re sober, cause your funny and sometimes you even contribute to a conversation, but when you’re wasted please don’t be offended if I simply ignore you like last night…
It’s closer…
http://wdigespmms.vo.llnwd.net/kip0/_pxn=1+_pxI0=Ripod-h264:Xi+_pxL0=undefined+_pxM0=+_pxK=18203+_pxE=mp4/espnvideo/2012/0406/dm_120406_nfl_ontheclock_broncos.m3u8?t=/ad/nfl/nfl_draft_ontheclock/&_kip_vmt=1333978567938
Says a lot if Dilfer says that, as he loves to hate.. I’m so pumped up!!!
17 days until the draft…..
Lol @ BFE … Im pretty sure I didn’t call you out lol. Haven’t been on myself in a while lol.
Thx for the link sndvl. 17 days to Draft. Looking forward to it. Hope everyone had a great easter. We shall call today good monday lol
Later days. TRB
More and more i read about Jones the more i want the kid. Part of why is to keep him away from the Patriots and Chargers. I dont in particular want to see a kid of JPP caliber on a division team or conference team we have a hard time against already. Also he has so much upside. The fact that he can do just about anything from the DE position (Run stop, Pass rush and pass cover) is great.
Then get Winn at 57 and trade up to early third to get Ta’amu (without trading our original third) grab a RB and go from there. We can have Ayers bulk up and move him inside or have him sub in and out with Jones.
If we sign a DT then I wouldnt want to see a trade up for Ta’amu but grab Winn at 57 and trade up to early second for Martin if he isnt there then trade up to early 3rd and grab a RB or LB.
Me too, I think Jones has the potential to be a real game changer in this league. I hope our FO can see that, and thinks outside of the box. There are plenty of DT and RB options in this draft class, not so much as far as elite pass rushers go..
Agreed OT. I cant think of a whole lot of great pass rushers in this years draft. Let alone any that are compared to JPP. Coples Ingram Upshaw Jones Mercilus McClelin Curry Branch and Brown. Thats about it for real great pass rushers. Yet DTs its such a strong draft class and we only need guys who can plug the middle against the run which i think there are some really good ones after round 1. Plus whoever we have will look real good against the pass with three great pass rushers.
With what Fox did with Peppers and Miller i cant even imagine what Fox and JDR can do with Jones.
Back off my vacation had to get away for a min.
With the move to manning now I say the Broncos take ASU’s big O to be the next guy in 2 to 3 yrs.
BFE You were going hard last night.
Howdy Greatness. You have missed a lot of talk. Have a great vacation?
I think DJ might be traded. HE is being shopped right now.
Oh wow. That makes me wonder who they will draft to replace him or if theyll let Woodyard. Or even move Mays or Irving to the outside. Thats very interesting news greatness.
My sources tell me KC is looking at Brandon Weeden to compete with Cassell.
Alask it was great. Went to Nigeria in Africa and got away from everything. lol
Thats great greatness. Its always good to get away from everything.
KC being interested in Weeden thats interesting also. I knew they were interested in a QB but didnt know who.
Thanks for the info Greatness.
Guess were not going http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8282d15e/article/derek-landri-returns-to-eagles-on-oneyear-contract?module=HP11_headline_stackto get any FA DTs,
No problem!!!
Do you have any info on players Denver is looking into at 25?
Man been working hard. Been getting a lot of mocks in for the mock draft bet. My buddies is rather interesting read. Only 10 teams staying put in round 1. He has Denver trading down to #29 with the Ravens then trading down again with the Colts. Its three rounds. I may post it for you all to enjoy but will only do a round at a time.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82830b98/article/peyton-manning-throwing-it-great-broncos-wr-decker-says
This should help some of the doubters (like myself) become a little more comfortable.
Yes the Broncos will take a DT at 25. No word on which will be their at 25 but they like them all. The real question is the surprise qb that will be drafted in the 2nd rd. I will save that lil nugget.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8282b127/article/thomas-to-be-limited-during-broncos-offseason-conditioning
See he was hurt people think he couldn’t pick up the offense. lol
Its a shame about JT. High ankle sprains. Dealt with a couple of those when i was younger.
Man a QB that early? Hmmm not sure how i feel about that lol.
I figured it would be a DT. My hope is that its not Worthy or Still. But like ive said many times before, no matter what they do i will support it and still cheer for Denver.
Mornin AB, that Decker and Manning article really made my morning. Good to see hes coming around.
This Blog is dead, come on draft already geesh!