I thought it might be fun to have a series of blogs (and, since it’s my blog, whatever I think might be fun seems pretty likely to find its way into print) on Broncos by the numbers.
The team has just completed 50 years of play, a milestone in any franchise history, and over that time a lot of players have made contributions, large and small, to what the Broncos are. It’s like family members, some more accomplished than others but when you are in a family, you are in for keeps. So too for the Broncos. Once a Broncos, always a Bronco.
Those players have worn a lot of numbers over the years, and we are going to take a look, over time, at various uniform numbers.
Let’s take a look at number 87.
It has been worn 15 times by different players prior to this season, mostly without notable distinction. On the other hand, three of the most productive Broncos in history are among those three.
It has most recently been issued to rookie wide receiver Eric Decker, a third round draft choice by the Broncos from the University of Minnesota. One of Eric’s heroes while playing for the Golden Gophers was the Broncos’ Ed McCaffrey, and he wanted to wear number “87″ for that reason. When Ed got wind of it he was honored and sent a signed number 87 jersey to young Decker.
Fans will see some obvious similarities when the rookie earns his playing time and gets on the field for game action, they will note that Decker is big like McCaffrey (6-3 and 220), has had a reputation for being very sure-handed, and very productive as well.
While at Minnesota, where former Denver tight end coach Tim Brewster now is the head coach, Decker caught 227 passes (his final three season totals were 67, 84, and 50) for a 13.7 career per catch average, along with 24 touchdown receptions.
But just as Eric Decker is not the first Bronco to wear number 87, neither was Ed MCaffrey.
In fact, the first two players ever to wear that number both are members of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
Lionel Taylor was the first Bronco to have 500 career catches, and he joined the team for game three of the inaugural 1960 season after having failed to make the Chicago Bears as a linebacker. I wonder how many players have been cut from a pro football team at linebacker and then went on to a great career as a wide receiver! My guess is that Lionel Taylor is the only one.
He caught 100 passes in the 1961 season and was a great star in the early years of the American Football League.
The next Bronco to wear 87 was Rich Jackson, who came to the Broncos as a linebacker from the Oakland Raiders in a 1967 trade. He was a complete unknown to all, but the Broncos switched him to defensive end and he was a pass rushing terror for Denver from 1967-72, wearing the number 87 that no longer is a legal one for defensive linemen. This was before they changed the rules to establish standards as to which numbers can be worn at different positions.
Rich Jackson was known as “The Sheriff” because he worked in law enforcement in the off-season, and also as “Tombstone.” The latter was a perfecting fitting nickname for Jackson.
The legendary pro football writer Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated, in naming his all-star team for the first 50 years of pro football, had Rich Jackson as one of his defensive ends and said he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, Jackson’s career was cut short by a knee injury, but not before he became one of the game’s legends at defensive end. He was capable of had slapping an offensive tackle to the extent that the helmet would get twisted on the blocker’s face. A devastating player, he and Taylor were among the players first selected to the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.
The next “famous” 87 was McCaffrey, who started and starred for the back-to-back world championship teams of 1997 and 1998, popularizing the chant of “E-d-d-i-e, E-d-d-i-e” by Bronco fans.
It remains to be seen what legacy Eric Decker carves out for himself, but he definitely has had the foundation set by some great players who have worn number 87 in Bronco history.
Tags: Denver Broncos, Ed McCaffrey, Eric Decker, Jim Saccomano, Lionel Taylor, Rich Jackson
Yeah Rich “Tombstone” Jackson was a beast, with Paul Smith, those were the days when our D line was one of the best. Here is to hope Decker can somehow stay free of injuries. And Eddie doesn’t have to worry about Decker making us forget about him anytime soon. Lionel Taylor, of course I heard of him, but he is the only 87 I actually didn’t get to see play, always glad to know they are older folks than me around when they talk about these guys, haha.
Definitely heard of Lionel taylor and if he was before Baylins time lord knows he was way before mine lol. When I see your blogs, I remember how young a bronco fan I am. But I shall speak on what I know and what I know is Ed McCaffery. The man was amazing, had the most sure hands I have ever seen in my life. Didnt matter how hard he got hit, once the ball was in his possesion, it was a gauranteed catch. Hopefully Decker can be as good and dare I say even better but like Baylin said, us forgetting about Eddie because of Baylin is virtually impossible lol. Great post Jim. Its appreciated.
Wow, that’s the best compliment I ever got TRB, forgetting about Eddie because of Baylin, hahaha, I know typo, but still, LOL.
BTW, check out the previous blog, at the end I got a good one about Bailey’s take on Marshall, a can’t miss!
Lol yea u definitely caught the typo, meant Decker. and yea, the post on Marshall was definitely a cant miss. Me missing “Marshall” “Brandon” or “Beast” in a blog post is virtually impossible
About this morning’s practice, by Klis:
Highlight
Remember all those rushing yards the Broncos’ defense surrendered against the likes of Jamaal Charles, Michael Bush and Ladell Betts in the second half of last season? There have been two “live” goal-line drills during training camp where the offense runs the ball and the defense knows it’s a run. There were several handoffs in this scenario Saturday night and several more today. The offense has yet to score. No doubt, the Broncos’ defensive front appears far stouter against the run this year with the likes of Jamal Williams, Ron Fields and Justin Bannan providing an interior push.
I think it’s absolutely wonderful, we have definitely made strides already against the run with Nunnely and the new guys, but on the other hand, could it be just me, or does it sound as if the new O line and the RB’s we have, granted pretty thin now, are just as inept at running short yardage as last year. And that was a game killer, but not stopping the run was also a game killer, so which is it, the D is now so good, only they can stop our O in short yardage and we will be able to get that short yardage against other teams, or the O still doesn’t got what it takes to make that short yard against anybody. To me that is one of the question I am looking most forward to get an answer to, we’ll know maybe just a tat more by Sunday night.
Tombstone was incredable with his devastating hand slap. It is a crime that he is not in the Hall Of Fame.
EDDIE MAC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!