This is the week in which wide receivers are being reviewed in advance of the 2010 National Football League draft.
In taking a look at the Denver Broncos’ 51-year history of the position, most of the team’s success at wide receiver has come from trades and free agency.
The prime examples are Lionel Taylor, the first 100-catch player in a single season in pro football — Taylor was signed by Denver as a free agent two weeks into the 1960 campaign and went on to catch 92 passes in 12 games that year; Rod Smith, the leading undrafted wide receiver ever statistically in terms of receptions, reception yardage and reception touchdowns — he was signed by Denver after a sterling career at Missouri Southern, but then being completely passed over by all teams in the draft; and Steve Watson, a Pro Bowl receiver and all-time fan favorite who was signed as a free agent out of Temple University.
Another all-time fan favorite and like Smith a starter for our back-to-back world championships, Ed McCaffrey signed with Denver as a free agent after San Francisco’s 1994 world championship season.
So the draft has not been where the best wide receivers in Bronco history have been acquired, but there have been some characters and interesting stories along the way.
I thought it would be a fun to look at a draft choice at the wide receiver position with which fans are mostly unfamiliar, but which had a monumental impact on the position and Broncos history.
This story also is a reminder that the draft is just one means by which teams improve themselves, and it is a fluid one at that.
A team drafts a player, and sometimes he goes on to greatness as a member of a championship organization. Other times, his contribution, that is, the contribution of that selection, is made by a trade that has great impact.
Such was the case with the 1971 draft.
To that point, Denver had never in franchise history had a winning season. John Ralston was the head coach and general manager and he had added positive thinking to the Bronco culture, but the team was still a loser.
In the second round of the 1971 draft, Denver selected wide receiver Dwight Harrison, who had played his college football for the Javalinas (great nickname!) of Texas A & I.
The Broncos followed up that second-round pick by taking someone from an even smaller school in round four, using a pick which Denver had acquired from Boston and selecting a defensive end named Lyle Alzado from Yankton College. Nobody had ever heard of this guy.
The only reason Denver had was that during the previous year’s summer vacation period, Denver defensive line coach Stan Jones and his wife were on a driving vacation in the Dakotas when their car had a minor breakdown. While it was being repaired Jones wandered over to a nearly college and asked to look at a little film of the football team. He did not see any players that interested him from that school, but he did notice that in a game played against tiny Yankton College there was a wild-eyed and crazy defensive end who caught his attention on film.
So in the fourth round in 1971 the Broncos took a flyer on Alzado. I knew Lyle Alzado every well, and he had a free spirited personality that was capable of really giving a fellow player the business in the locker room.
So now we move into 1972, year two in Denver for both Alzado and Harrison. Each is considered a long term player by this point.
For whatever reason, Lou Saban, back in Buffalo after his five year stint with the Broncos, was disenchanted with former Bills number one draft choice Haven Moses. Moses was one of the smoothest receivers in the NFL, but Saban was calling around to see if he could make a deal. One of the deals he was interested in making was Moses to Denver for Harrison, whom he planned to convert to cornerback, presuming a trade could be made.
But Ralston liked Harrison, and had no interest in making the trade. Amazingly, that would change quickly.
Sometimes locker room hijinks can take a nasty turn, and so it happened that byplay between Alzado and Harrison escalated into a nasty exchange of words, and eventually, to some genuine physical threats involving the two young prospects.
Ralston quickly determined that the best solution would be to send one of them packing, and he immediately went back to his office, called Saban and asked if he was still interested in Moses for Harrison.
Lou was, the trade was made, and that is how Haven Moses came to Denver where he became part of the legendary M & M connection with quarterback Craig Morton, leading Denver to the promised land of Super Bowl XII in 1977.
And, of course, Alzado was a teammate of Moses on that legendary first championship team.
Now, in all likelihood the two young prospects might have patched up their testosterone-fueled grievances soon enough, but the timing was such that instead Moses came to Denver and Harrison became a fine cornerback who went on to play eight seasons as a fine defender for the Bills.
So the trade benefitted both players, and it just shows that sometimes a couple of selections with which a fan is unfamiliar can ultimately benefit a team in a way that would have seemed unfathomable at the moment of the draft.
Tags: Ed McCaffrey, Haven Moses, Lionel Taylor, Rod Smith, Steve Watson
NEW BLOG!!!! woo hoo! 1,450 comments later!
Here’s to hoping Thomas joins this discussion someday as our best drafted receiver…. Actually, here’s to hoping he can stay healthy and actually play.
IN ROD WE TRUST!!!
Rod Smith was and always will be a serious STUD in my book!!!
THANKS #80
GO BRONCOS!!!
Agreed 3rd, Thomas has big upside, but first things first he needs to be more durable!
Yea, it seems that Thomas needs to drink a gallon of milk a day!!! He definitely has the potential to be the next Andre Johnson!!!
What? No mention of B Marsh? Lol. How bout Eddie Royal!
Perhaps Mathew Willis will have a breakout year in 2011. If Willis would not have gotten hurt and put on IR he might have had some big numbers last year. I expect him to be the surprise of camp. Thats if there is a camp this year come July. I doubt it though.
Since we are talking WR’s, I’m a Haven Moses dude first and foremost and a Rod Smith admirer later.
Haven Moses, now that’s a name you don’t ever forget! Specially if you witnessed his Bronco career, smooth as silk he was!
And in between Moses and Smith, I’ll give special mentions to the three amigos, Vance Johnson, Mark Jackson and Ricky Nattiel. Plus Steve Watson of course. And Eddie Mac was all heart.
I’ll let you young guys have Marshall who I don’t want my handle associated with, LOL.
And Thomas…. well, just being a first round pick hasn’t bought him one ounce of recognition in the NFL yet.
And I know Lionel Taylor was our first big time star receiver, but I wasn’t a Bronco fan back in the sixties yet.
It looks like if now Mr Saccomano is holding the fort for us. Thanks.
Here is something to talk about, With Brandon Lloyd coming off of his best season yet and Denver having plenty of talent hanging in the wings (Royal, Thomas, Decker, Gaffney, and Willis) When the CBA is reached would you trade him for value or let him play the rest of his “prime” career here?
I personally would trade him. I love Lloyd, but he is aging fast and Denver has plenty of talent at the WR position without him. I would wait to see how Royal and Thomas are recovering though. Also I feel that much of Lloyd’s success was brought on through McD’s offensive system, But thats just my opinion.
Don’t forget WR Jack Dolbin from Wake Forest who was the starter opposite Haven Moses during the Super Bowl XII run. Don’t believe he was drafted either.
Nice way to describe Haven Moses, bay… smooth as silk!
I’ll always remember Dick Enberg yelling out “oh my” as Moses was on his way to score the long TD vs. Raiders in AFC championship!!
Man I would not want to trade or get rid of Brandon Lloyd. Seriously, he os playing great here and why not be on the “receiving” end for once with a talented guy like that!
Lloyd not only put up record number for Denver last season, but he was (if I’m not mistaken) second all time in the NFL with his 2010 numbers!
I like Lloyd and he kept a GREAT ATTITUDE about it all too last season and he played well with both QB’s!!!
As far as I’m concerned he is the REAL DEAL and he can be a BRONCO as long as he want s too!
Plus, it’s been a long time since I saw body control like that huy has and showed!!!
KEEP Lloyd in Denver!!!
Lloyd is the man no doubt we would be crazy to let him go. Sure if Mc D- B@g was here he would trade Lloyd no question. And as far as Thomas goes I think he will be the man one day too as for his Injuries what do you expect from a player who was drafted with an Injury?
With what’s happened to Royal and Thomas I don’t see how we have the luxury to trade any WR now, and we can’t trade anybody anyway…
rbf1, yeah Dolbin did well for us but he benefitted greatly from Moses’ double coverage, I personally don’t put him up there with our best. However he was considered one of the most successful players that surged from the World Football League. Before his WFL career he played on sandlots for the semi-pro Pottstown Firebirds of the Atlantic Coast Football League and Schuylkill County Coal Crackers of the Seaboard Football League.
And Moses’ 70 some yards TD catch in the 77 AFC championship win against the Raiders and Rod’s 80 yard catch in the 98 SB win against the Falcons are to me the two biggest catches in Denver history.
Moses’s TD catch was 74 yds.
I can’t wait for TRB to come on and tell us the five biggest catches by a Bronco ever were all made by Marshall, haha.
Yeah, maybe not one of the best but I guess he just sticks in my mind from ’77 Team. Wow – he came over from defunct WFL….didn’t know that. Moses was the man back then.
The divisional playoff game where Dolbin made that great catch for a TD as Broncos beat Steelers, sealed the deal to advance to AFC championship. He was running full speed and arched his neck back as ball came over the top….. a great catch indeed.
Since you are taking me back to that 34 yd Dolbin TD winning catch against the Steelers, here is a rendering of the game for all the ones who never saw it:
1977 AFC Divisional – Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos – Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson’s 2 interceptions and a fumble return set up 17 Denver points as the Broncos defeated the Steelers. Denver scored first after John Schultz’s blocked punt set up running back Rob Lytle’s 7-yard rushing touchdown. Pittsburgh responded with quarterback Terry Bradshaw’s 1-yard rushing touchdown. But in the second quarter, Jackson picked up a fumble by Steelers running back Franco Harris and returned it 35 yards to the Pittsburgh 10-yard line. On play later, running back Otis Armstrong ran the ball into the end zone to give the Broncos a 14-7 lead. Harris later tied the game before halftime with a 1-yard touchdown run. After the teams exchanged touchdowns in the second half, Denver kicker Jim Turner made a 44-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 24-21 lead. Then on the Steelers ensuing possession, Jackson intercepted a pass from Bradshaw to set up another Turner field goal. Jackson later recorded his second interception of the game, leading to wide receiver Jack Dolbin’s 34-yard touchdown reception to put the game away. Harris finishd the game with 92 rushing yards, 4 receptions for 20 yards, and a touchdown.
One game later, Moses had 5 catches for 168 yds and 2 TD’s to get us in our first SB ever.
As long as Royal is healthy and he play the way he did in his rookie year we’ll be alright. Then if D. Thomas play like a monster with Brandon Lloyd doing what he does and the denfense gets together I see playoffs.
Oh yea I forgot…………GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for that great recap bay! Sure brings back some great memories.
Here’s a news update regarding Carolina Panthers:
“Panthers more likely to hold pick, take Newton”.
“Many believe the signs are pointing in one clear direction. The Carolina Panthers will select Cam Newton with the first pick in the NFL draft, or are working hard to convince the football world they plan to. If a team craves Newton and offers the appropriate picks, the Panthers could trade down — but not too far down — and take Patrick Peterson, the fine cornerback from Louisiana State, or A.J. Green, the tremendous Georgia receiver. Without a collective bargaining agreement, however, draft day trades become more difficult since only picks, and not players, can be exchanged. … The Panthers will return to Auburn for a private workout with Newton Wednesday. One group of Panthers was scheduled to have dinner with Newton and his family Tuesday, and another group is scheduled to have dinner with him tonight”.
The Charlotte Observer
And all the PP fans rejoice, LMAO…
Nice, this is a great piece! And very much appreciated thank you Mr. Saccomano.
Got to give this post a double thumbs up:
“And in between Moses and Smith, I’ll give special mentions to the three amigos, Vance Johnson, Mark Jackson and Ricky Nattiel. Plus Steve Watson of course. And Eddie Mac was all heart.” -Baylinocrush
Never truer words spoken PREACH!
This article is such a breath of fresh air and a great read!
-Royalty
Yeah, you are right Royalty, this blog has been refreshing after all the crap we endured lately, and it has refreshed my memory also.
Man it felt like the “bronco blog melt down” lol
no disrespect to japan or nothing like that, but yeah this is a good change of pace. A brain refreshening.
And whenever young Bronco fans see Tom Jackson on TV, they can now remember that he was a big part of us going to our first SB ever when he manhandled the Steelers in that divisional game in 1977 with two INT’s and a fumble recovery. He was a huge part of that team.
I wonder why TJ never gets mentioned for the HOF?
Tom Jackson was a defensive catalyst in that game, coming up with 3 turnovers. He along with Rizzo, Swenson and Gradishar were a great group of LB’s in 3-4 back then.
Good question OC. I’ve always wondered that myself.
Gradishar was also deserving, but now now I understand he’s not eligible anymore.
I sure as heck enjoy watching gameday on ESPN just to listen in on what Tom Jackson has to say.
haha! I just figured it out!
Elway is scouting Jake Locker for Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins to choose with their #10 pick in the draft.
In return, The Broncos will trade Eddy Royal to the Redskins for a #2 pick and Albert Haynsworth, and Elway gets to eat for free at Shannys steak house for a year…..lol
Even though there is no CBA in sight, I think teams are making aggreements for trades and deals now so that way when a CBA gets done then the deals can be completed right away.
I’ll bet those first few days after a new CBA is going to be a whirlwind of pre-arranged trades. All the news will come out at once.
Then the Broncos wont draft a DT with the #2 pick, they will draft Patrick Peterson…….
Our front four could be Doom, Ayers, Vickerson and Haynseworth with Baily and Peterson in the backfield… Use the extra 2nd round pick on a really good OLB and we could have a Dominating Doomsday Devense!!!!
Doominating Doomsday Defense
NFL
Jackson was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 1973 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a 14-year career in Denver where he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time All-Pro selection, and was voted Denver’s Most Inspirational Player six times by his teammates.
He also assisted the team to Championship appearances in Super Bowl XII and Super Bowl XXI. Jackson was one of only four players to play for the Broncos in both of the aforementioned Super Bowls, played 9 years apart.
Jackson finished his career with 20 interceptions, which he returned for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns, and 8 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 104 yards. He also recorded 13 sacks (with a season high 5-1/2) as a weak-side blitzer in Denver’s 3-4 defense according to Broncos records. Jackson ranks third only to Jason Elam and John Elway on the team’s all-time list of games played with 191.
In 1992, Jackson was inducted in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.
Tom Jackson was a great Bronco!
Looking at the numbers as a whole…Honestly it don’t really look like he stacks up with other NFL HOF’s at the LB position
That being said he is still one of the franchises most adored players and one of my personal favorites. A good guy. Tom Jackson exemplifies what it means to be a Denver Broncos player
-Royalty
That should have been the period to end my last sentence.
LMAO@TRB,dude the only reason I want Stocker over Rudolph is that Rudolph is a 1st rounder and we can probably get Stocker with a 3rd round pick,NO WAY we use a 1st or 2nd round pick on a TE,I do like having ex Volunteers on our team tho,lol.
No doubt Rudoplh is a better talent than Stocker,but we can’t afford to get Rudolph,IMO.Stocker can block and has great hands and size(6’6 250),worthy of a 3rd round pick,that we can afford to draft,IMO.
orange crusher i don’t want anithing to do with haynsworth, better to draft paea in the 2 round
Anyone heard of Cameron Jordan tightend from USC?
Patrick Peterson in the 1st then Stephen peia from Oregon state in the 2nd
It’s Stephen Paea… Sorry:(
We should go for Nick Fairly with the 2nd pick and get Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency. They can help are defense. Think about it Ayers, Vickerson, Fairly, and Dumervil on the front line then you have Bailey, Dawkins, and Asomugha in the secondary we cant be beat. PLAYOFFS!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to say but I don’t think Peae will be there in the second round. I doubt the patriots will pass on him three times. And we cannot afford to move back into the first to get him so I won’t even get my hopes up.
Also we had 2 elite cb’s a couple years ago when we had Bly. And I don’t believe we made the playoffs that year proving that having an elite cb tandum is not the answer.
Bly was FAR from elite…
He was a multi-time pro bowler. And one of the best players of Detroit while he was there.