One of the current movies generating a lot of Oscar buzz is “The Blind Side,” with Sandra Bullock deservedly receiving an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of the mother in this film about a young man who overcomes the worst of circumstances to achieve football and lifetime success.
Really, this is Sandra Bullock’s movie. It does not go without her.
But that puts me mindful of one of my favorite sports films of all times, one that broke new cinematic ground and has a Denver Broncos connection as well.
“Everybody’s All-American” was made back in 1988, with Dennis Quaid starring as a legendary college football player.
There are a number of things I love about this movie, most notably the realism and the fact that nothing is really sugar-coated in the story.
It covers 25 years in the life of the football star, and in the movie he plays for a “real” school, LSU, and the game scenes were shot at LSU’s Tiger Stadium during the halftimes of actual LSU games. They actually altered the goalposts so they would look like the old-time “H” goalposts that were prevalent during the time in question.
Dennis Quaid also did a great job in the baseball bio pic, “The Rookie,” and he played Jerry Lee Lewis in “Great Balls of Fire,” so Quaid really has had the market cornered on playing a historical figure well.
In “Everybody’s All-American” he actually had his collarbone broken by Tim Fox of the New England Patriots during filming, which stopped shooting on the film for a few weeks.
One of the elements that gave great visual credibility to this movie was the fact that for the action scenes after he became a pro player, actually NFL Films game footage was used, with the actors doing their close ups and then game action switching back to real football action.
This gave a very realistic tone to the movies, as did the fact that his career was not perfect. It included injuries, and showing him and other players play through pain and injury.
For a part of the story Quaid’s character, Gavin Grey (“The Grey Ghost” — whom some have suggested was based on Billy Cannon, but that claim has been refuted by the writers) played for the Denver Broncos.
His uniform number is number 41 in Denver, and that was because the best football action footage for the era in question of a Bronco running back similar to Quaid’s character was Rob Lytle.
Lytle finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting while at Michigan and then came to the Broncos as a second round draft choice in 1977.
So, the action sequences showing The Grey Ghost running the ball for the Broncos are as authentic as cam be, because it is actual game footage of Rob Lytle.
This was made back in 1988, so one has to appreciate the extra effort they went to at that time to give the movie as much authenticity as possible.
Every moment of “Everybody’s All-American” is not happy time, but I have always considered it a superior football movie and worth a look by any fan of both our game and the cinema.
Great story Jim!!! I’ll have to check out this movie.
How have I never heard of this movie??? A diehard LSU and Broncos fan???
Never heard of the movie either but then again i was born in 1988 lol
To The Jets— How do you guys just release a 1400 yard rusher in Thomas Jones?
I think Thomas Jones would be a great addition in Orange and Blue. True he is getting on the older side (31 years) but the guy can still produce at a high level. He had 1400+ yards last season and the year before he was the AFC’s leading rusher. He would be a nice addition to our backfield and would help Moreno out a lot.
Thomas Jones also had 14 rushing TD’s last year and 13 the year before. Thats 27 TD’s in 2 years….so he clearly knows how to find the endzone!!!!
I know we have way more pressing needs than RB but he would help this team out regardless…..
Its a great movie, and it doesent hurt your eyes any to look at Jessica Lange back then.
Thomas Jones would be a much better compliment to Moreno than Bucky (to injury prone).
Codybleedsorangeandblue, I can’t beleive you have never seen this film, a self proclaimed LSWho? fan LOL. The movie is about Billy Cannon and his famous kick return against Ole Miss to win the National title in 1958. Neve met an LSWho fan that didn’t love this movie.
FYI, Ole Miss beat the s*#! out of LSWho a month later in the sugarbowl.
first time for me ever posting. i`m a life long bronco fan, win or lose. and i do bleed orange. looking forward to the draft.
Great to have you strandoftds
Is it the in thing this season to drop your Veteran star RBs? I mean seriously. LT, Westbrook, Thomas Jones. Something must be in the water, and FA aint officially started yet. I can understand injury prone westbrook but still
Dunno about thomas Jones in blue and orange, woulda preferred shonn greene…Thomas jones runs with power but he is not the power back that we need and he weighs less than Moreno. Shonn Greene on the other hand is someone we coulda used….
I totally agree Jim!!!This movie is fantastic and it rates as one of my all time favorites too…
Nothing about yesterday DL combine, nothing about the Williams trial, nothing about upcoming tenders or why we haven’t had any, nothing about what’s relevant today, so I guess that leaves an open spot for an 1988 obscure movie, which I like by the way, but was a box office flop which is why some bloggers here have never even heard of it. I guess this is a good time to give my fingers a rest until something that is relevant to our Broncos today pops out on the blog…. It’s not like there is nothing of interest going on now, but I guess from the point of view of the Broncos organization, it’s probably too controversial, but I still don’t see why yesterday they didn’t have a day 5 combine report, which I believe included the DL’s, the single most important aspect of our game to address, IMO.
I read that Kyle said day 4 was the last day for them at the combine, so that’s my answer, they’ve gone back home, can’t really figure out why, hopefully it’s because they have something better at hand here that they will produce to us any minute now, like who gets what tender would be a good start. Here we are Tuesady and after tomorrow is the tender deadline for our RFA’s which include players like Doom, Marshall, Orton and Scheffler. I guess McD will make eveyone wait until the last minute, I don’t see what purpose that serves. Is it because it gives less time for other teams to know who will be open game on our team and at what draft pick cost (the higher tender the higher the picks). Or that he doesn’t want to tip his hand as who he doesn’t intend to keep because that would reveal who he is going to go after in FA? I don’t have a clue, none of it seems to matter much, wouldn’t it be the fair thing to do to let his players know where they stand with their tenders (hence their future), I guess this is not a caring for players feelings type of league, so be it. I still don’t get this last minute thing, most teams have already posted their tenders… Maybe somebody can explain it to me.
bay,
I think you are right about McD not wanting to tip his hand, but from what Klis said in his article yesterday, he is going to jump on who he wants in FA immediately. He says Denver will sign as many as 3 to 6 (significant) UFAs this weekend. I guess we won’t have to wait much longer to see what direction we will be headed. I posted this yesterday on the previous blog but nobody wanted to address it.
It’s soo quiet around here you could hear a flea fart!
I think Dumervil and Orton will be back. If you listen carefully to McDaniels interview he talks about Orton and Dumervil being in the system for a 2nd year but nothing about Scheffler or Marshall being in the system for a 2nd year, makes you wonder if it’s a decoy or if that’s the straight forward truth. Just something I notice in his last interview and the one he had before the combine interview ( mentions Orton in 2nd year of system )
lvnm, yeah I saw that post of yours yesterday but when I read the list that Klis put out, as he said, about who we “may” be interested in, I figure it’s probably just as wild a guess as any of us, not worthy of too much commenting, just his opinion. Here it is:
Quarterback — David Carr, Chris Redman; tight end — Alge Crumpler, Benjamin Watson, Brandon Manumaleuna; receiver — Kevin Walter, Arnaz Battle, Josh Reed; guard — Stephen Neal, Kendall Simmons; center — Wade Smith, Rex Hadnot; defensive linemen — Jarvis Green, Justin Bannon, Fred Robbins; and outside linebacker — Tully Banta-Cain.
QB, I guess he figures with Simms likely gone, we will need a veteran back-up.
TE, obviously he expects Scheffler to be gone also and he is looking at a good blocking TE.
Guard, that’s the first spot I would agree we need to find someone, Neal would be great.
Center same thing, I’m surprised he doesn’t list Rabach in there, probably because the word has it the Skins are trying to keep him.
DL that goes without saying.
OLB, don’t know why he is so concerned about that considering we have Doom and Ayers and he does not list a need for ILB.
broncosrmyreligion. To me, listening to McD, the only players on the bubble he has basically assured a job next year through his comments are Orton and Hillis. The others, even Doom to an extent, have not been given that type of backing, IMO. That being said, I expect Marshall and Scheffler gone and Doom my question mark, listening to McD that is.
Somebody’s got to fill up this blog, LOL.
About Klis, forgot his receiver need on his list, obviously he also expects Marshall to be gone.
That’s why I posted that yesterday. I figured it would be good for some discussion. I wonder if he can add another NE player and get Ben Watson. I wouldn’t mind that. Good linemen are going to be hard to come by with so many other teams needing to improve or “beef” up there. Probably most of our help there will come in the draft. With the DL and OL being so deep in the draft this year, I am beginning to see why McD waited until this year to pick any up.
At least I hope this will be his focus.
I guess that I have not been monitoring all of McD’s statements. I find it hard to believe that he has been saying positive things about Hillis. I know Baylin keeps a close eye on things so it must have some validity. If he is keeping Hillis then PLEASE USE HIM. Hllis has the tangeables to be an excellent power back. We need to use him more in short yardage situations. If not then I say pick up Gerhart and use him as the power type back. I sure hope we can keep Marshall and Doom, if not then I feel we will be taking steps in the wrong direction. If we can keep all of our stars and build upon that we will be real contenders. IMO
Can’t wait until this weekend because then we will start to see the direction that McD and company are going with the broncos. I really hope us fans get some unexpected positive surprises
GO BRONCOS…..
big d 44, I do my best, thanks for noticing… This is what McD said about Hillis this past week at the combine:
Following his press conference, McDaniels talked to a few reporters on the side and was asked if he still had plans for running back Peyton Hillis, who has a cult-like following among some Broncos fans.
“Yeah, we do,” McDaniels said. “There’s a few players that the productivity they had the year before, they didn’t match it again last year. We’re not happy about that either. Eddie Royal is in the same boat. We want those players to continue to work and get better at what they do. And then we need to try to find a way to integrate them in. Because they are skillful players and we need to try and meet in the middle on that and create a role and find some things we can do more often.”
Do you still have plans for Hillis? Yeah, we do. Case closed. If Hillis is let go, there will be some serious explaining to do…
Interesting, I will give this movie a shot, thanks for the background Coop.
As for Free Agency, I think we can kill a couple birds with some big money stones. Grab Richard Seymor- DE- from the Raiders and Derrick Brooks- ILB- from the Chiefs. The questions is, Do we have the stones? HA, HA.
Seriously, that probably wont happen. But what an exciting weekend this will be. I don’t blame the Broncos organization for playing this close to the chest, “loose lips sink ships”.
Hometeam007, Seymour has been franchised by the Raiders, Derrick Brooks is not listed anywhere I see as a UFA or even a RFA and Mr Saccomano is the writer here, not Coop. Just thought you should know.
You must be thinking Derrick Johnson, but he will be a RFA.
Whew! Did anyone catch Mays run that unofficial 4.24? I’ve been watching it over and over timing by hand. After 10 times it looked closer to 4.27.
But wow what an athlete.
Yeah, too bad that’s the only time in his life he’s going to run a 40, LOL.
Bay, thanks for the corrections. I did mean Derrick Johnson (there have been a number of great linebackers named Derrick) and I’m not sure why I was thinking Coop.
As for the the chances of taking Seymor not likely because of the franchise tag, I know, thats why it was a joke. “HA, HA” But not impossible. It just urks me alittle to see our competion in the west getting stronger.
He is one of the most athletic players come out of college. 6’3 230lbs and that fast.
The only problem with him is that he never plays the ball, he would just rather wait for the WR to catch it so he can kill him. But at the senior bowl he proved he can play the ball, he just doesn’t want to. On that play where he picked it off, he could have destroyed that guy.
Thing about Mays is he is one of the guys we don’t have to worry about in the draft since he is a safety and we are better stacked up at safety than at just about any other position, IMO, with Dawkins, Hill, Barrett, Bruton and McBath, so I guess Mays will be fun to keep an eye on on another team.
About Derrick Brooks, the long time Tampa LB, he had a try out in mid season with both the Raiders and N-O, but I don’t think anything came of it, I don’t think he is on anyone’s team now, we might have seen the last of him.
rebelbronco:
I know of Billy Cannon and his famous kickoff return; just didnt know there was a movie. One of 4 numbers to be retired by LSU. Only LSU player to win a Heisman. And I am not just a self proclaimed LSU fan, I was born and raised in Baton Rouge and am an LSU alum.
BTW – Since I am assuming you are a Ole Miss fan, how many championships has Ole Miss won in the last decade? NONE! LSU? 2!
speaking of those other guys….I hope their playing time increases, they showed quite a bit of potential.
It kinda worries me that Coach McDaniels says that he has to find a way to get Royal and Hillis involved with the gameplans next year? What???? !!!! What!!!!!????
How hard can it be to get Royal into the gameplan? I thought we looked really one dimentional last year on O. I hope Josh is kidding or something becaus I thought he was a lot smarter than that? How can you be a Head Coach in the NFL and not be able to make a gameplan that gets all of your best players involved ALL THE TIME???
All you have to do is THROW the ball at Eddie! Duh! And Hillis… All you have to do is HAND the ball to him a few times a game????? I just don’t understand the dilema??
Oh yeah thats right! I forgot you have to have a QB who can THROW and HAND OFF……Sheesh!
Does anyone see McDenver possibly drafting a FB to free Hillis up to be a RB. Are only other FB is S.Larsen who also plays ILB. And didn’t he get hurt and Hillis carried the load of Fb last year ( could be wrong ). But thats the only way I see the nation getting Hillis more carries @ RB. Would be a surprise move that McD showed in last years draft. Is there any good or decent blocking FB’s in F.A. or the draft?
Would be great if McD did something like that and moved Hillis to 2 or 3rd string RB. And we all know it should be 2nd behind Moreno for the 1-2 punch.
OC, I knew that’s where you were heading all along with that post, it had to end up with a poke at Orton, LOL. …who can THROW AND HAND OFF, LMAO.
broncosrmyreligion, since Hillis is a FB, I would rather keep him there and draft Gerhart as our power back since that’s what he does. Looking for a FB and making Hillis into a RB seems to be a longer shot.
Officially Mays ran a 4.43 or something like that. Still fast for his big frame…but then again we all remember another really fast big athletic safety that ran a 4.3 officially and is on our team only to end up playing special teams…you guessed it…Josh Barrett…. Athleticism is fine on paper but how it transfers to the field is another thing…I believe I would do well in the Combine (minus the 225 bench lol) but I have never played on a team so my athleticism would be just that…athleticism. Dont get me wrong, Mays has video to back it up, but so did Barrett.
With how deep the line is in this years draft, I would not fault McDaniels for picking the best available player first. I wouldnt mind a QB. but my guess at this point is just as good as yours.
some guys i kept my eye on in the combine that arent exactly top draft pics that i would like are
Rennie Curren – He coulda done better in the combine but he did well and is built solidly. Short for a OLB but this man is a tackling machine. He gets all over the field, saw tape on him and it was impressive
Brandon Ghee CB – Wake Forrest CB considered to be a good cover corner w/ fast feet to boot. Credits all he learned to Phonzie…while phonzie hasnt shown it here yet, I still believe he soon will, he was too good in college to suck in the pros. Ghee could be another young leg added to our veteran CB ranks….
Thats about it. Have a good one Broncos Country
I think Doom will have a new contract when it is all said and done. BM and Sheff are gone they will be franchised to get the most out of them, if they cannot be traded before the dead line.
If they can get a late 1st and 3rd for BM the Broncos will draft Dez B. with their 1st pick and a QB with the late 1st round. In rounds 2 and 3 they will go D. They will get a RB, and OL in the late rounds maybe another WO.
In FA they will try to get two of the top guards and maybe Wilford to take care of the middle. It would be nice to get Brackett.
Those are my thoughts as good or bad as they may be.
Thanks,
Ya I know, me as well. Just seems every few months the Hillis issue pops back up. I too was upset that he wasn’t getting carries until 1 blogger stated that if it was not until 7 RB’s on IR that Hillis would of still been fulfilling his FB duties and we wouldn’t be saying “were’s Hillis?”.
I just though I would throw that out there for the Hillis fans that haven’t realized what he was drafted as, and stir them up some more lol. But it is a long shot to see something like that happening but something McD could do and surprise us.
bay,
you know whats really funny is i didn’t mean to jab at Orton. I just asked why enough times to get to the root cause….lol
In my playbook, the FB gets the ball handed off to him and gets passed at a few times…. He’s not just a blocker and nothing else.
The problem is that we don’t use a FB very often. McD loves to use the single back plays. We really need to quit having a FB on the roster and just have several in the FB/HB catagory. Great runners and blockers who can catch. that makes Hillis PERFECT to fit the position. imho
BroncosRmy- We are in Broncos Country, not nation. That moniker belongs with another team in our division.
As for Hillis and his draft position or the fact that he only got his chance because everbody went down in front of him…TD was a 6th round pick… when players get the opportunity due to injuries, they either hold the spot until the injured player becomes healthy or, as is the case with Hillis, make the most of it and showcase their skills. Tom Brady is another 6th round pick that got his opportunity because of injury….
Baylin- McD tipped the scales a little with his comment about “plans for Hillis”, unless his plans are to get a draft pick…then that scale will be tipped back the other way, lmao!
OC- What with the verbally menstrual talk about Orton?!?
The guy dealt with injuries pretty much the entire season. And still had a productive year. The finger thing, then the ankle. Like McD said, he still hasnt been in the system for a year. That wont come until April! There is no indication he wont have an impressive second year in the system. You must have been in love with Cutler!!!!
Well, maybe there will be one indication Orton wont have a successful 2nd year. The contract issues…..I dont get why we havent tendered anybody either. Two days before the deadline.
Maybe a couple of POWS, WHAMS, BOINKS and THUDS will get the dynamic duo going! Probably not………
I dont think Hillis was our savior or is all that but the fact remains, no matter when he was drafted, when he took the field, he performed….In the world of the NFL we call that a steal in the 7th round. The only reason I wanted Hillis to grace the field was because he is more of a power back and when all else fails (like it was last year with Moreno, buck, jordan on short gains and in 08 when all our RBS went down0 It doesnt hurt to give the kid a shot.
As far as Orton, he did well, but he is a average player who excelled in a system that is decieving stats wise…How many times did we watch a game and say, wow Orton was sucking, only to look at the stats at the end of the game and be like “HUH?!?!?” that wasnt what i saw with my own eyes? I would personally be happy if we drafted a new QB in this deep draft or maybe Locker next year. Or give Brandstater a shot if he is “the future”. The man has already held the clipboard for a year, he has experience in the system as well.
Make no mistake, whether we draft a QB or drop sims and get one in FA, there will be a “competition” for the starting position once again. who comes our on top is anyones guess.
ps: im also not a fan of this secrecy and last minute thing that goes on in our organization now a days whether its injuries or personel decisions. Information period. but we wanted change right? this is part of that change…
I’m constantly on google googling (lol) stuff about the Broncos. That way I won’t have the “half-stories” the sports analysts normally give. I’m also very observant of things that go on.
I have a question though…How many people up here have an an account on The Denver Post website? (www.denverpost.com)
I’m from Virginia but I know the Dever daily news as if I reside there lol.
I think we are good enough at the skill positions, even if B Marsh goes. If a steal come along a QB, then grab him. Big lineman on both sides of the ball is where we need to be looking. pushing people out of the way will help the running and passing game. Beef is where it at.
Go Broncos