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.
Today we will blog about number “2″.
There have been eight players to wear uniform number “2″ in Denver Broncos history, and we’ll list them before discussing a couple.
They include three quarterbacks (Chris Simms in 2009, Will Furrer in 1994 and Joe DiVito in 1968), two punters (Sam Paulescu in 2007 and Mike Horan from 1986-92), two placekickers (Steve Lindsey in 2000 and Bob Humphreys in 1967-68), and one fullback (Cookie Gilchrist in 1965).
There are some interesting elements to the number “2″ for Denver.
Chris Simms was trying to come back from injury and had a lot of rust on him — fans did not get to see him at anywhere near his peak play. To be fair, Will Furrer and Joe DiVito (not related to the actor who had a stint with The Three Stooges) were backups, and most of the special teams players had nondescript careers.
But that still leaves us with two who were superb players — Mike Horan and Cookie Gilchrist.
Horan wore number two because it is one of those single digit kicker numbers, but no one ever had more grace in Broncos history as a directional punter who could be called upon to put the ball out of bounds inside the 20 or 10. Mike was one of the nicest, most gracious guys we have ever had. He kicked for us in three Super Bowls, and in the year that I represented the Broncos and the AFC in the Pro Bowl ( in the 1989 game following the 1988 season — I had also been selected in 1986 and 1987 but could not go due to us being in the Super Bowl both years — a pretty good reason!!) he was our Pro Bowl punter.
Absolutely nothing but class. Horan had 107 punts inside the 20 in regular season play for the Broncos and was a terrific performer in the postseason games that put Denver in those three Super Bowls during the 1980′s. It is fun just to type his name once again. He was a great number “2.”
Now, as for Cookie, where do I begin? Where does anyone begin? First of all, I did an extensive blog on Cookie Gilchrist earlier, and he was AND IS one of the giants of the game’s lore — not just in Denver, but in pro football overall. In fact, I think where the question is asked, can you write the history of pro football without making mention of a given player, Cookie is one who makes the cut.
If he does not make the cut, you go cut him. I want no part of that.
He actually played for the Broncos twice, but right now we focus on number “2,” which was his 1965 season. He had played for two American Football League championship teams in Buffalo, leading the league in carries twice (232 in 1963 and 230 in 1964), in yards twice (1,096 in 1962 and 981 in 1964) and in rushing touchdowns all three years (13 in 1962, 12 in 1963 and six in 1964 — remember, it was a passing league).
Cookie was a character.
The Broncos had the AFL rookie-of-the-year in 1964, a 250-pound fullback named Billy Joe, and Buffalo had grown weary of Cookie’s requests to get paid like he most likely deserved, so there was a trade-Buffalo got Billy Joe, Denver got Cookie.
Billy Joe had worn number “3″ for Denver, and Cookie never lacked for color. He announced that like in golf, he would go one digit better than the guy for whom he was traded, and announced he would wear number “2.” This was before the uniform number in pro football had been standardized, so it was not a problem.
He showed up at the Broncos’ Colorado School of Mines training camp driving a golf Cadillac, and no car ever matched a player’s personality any better than that. In 1965 Cookie again led the AFL in carries (252, for 954 yards) and in rushing touchdowns once again with six.
I would not describe him as a battering ram type of fullback. More like The Terminator in shoulder pads. A STUD.
The next year the Broncos moved him on to Miami — at that time teams were more reluctant to work with talented players who made demands, and often times they just traded the player.
But he helped immortalize number “2″ in Denver, as did Mike Horan, even though their personalities could not have been more opposite from each other.
Cool story, I always enjoy the Broncos History!
sorry to post this again but I am trying to get it on the most current blog so it is seen. sorry guys.
brian_schneider
There is a web site called tickets finest that people can list there tickets for sale. I think it is like stub hub. It has tickets for all sorts of events. you go to ticketsfinest.com choose the sports tab, then NFL football then actually choose the Minnesota Vikings link. This will bring up alll the tickets available to Vikes games. then you find the broncos game and click on view tickets. This will bring up a picture of the stadium you click on which section you want to sit in and it shows available tickets. I just bought some tickets to the Broncos Chiefs game, front row endzone!! This is the first time I have used this site but it seems to be on the up and up. I looked at stub hub and the exact same tickets I was looking at here were on there, stub hub just had a bigger personal fee. I hope this helps. also cool to know you are in Brookings, I am in Sioux Falls.
Its almost here guys, all the long waiting the analyizing the discussions Bay unofficially being the beat writer the Tebow phenom Broncos Country growing with some more Orange and Blue (Gator Nation just want to say welcome and give a Mile High Salute) the trades the rumors the competition heating up a second year under McDaniels a rebuilt defense with more depth than in years, an offense that could just be this years sleeper a division thats getting better and better every year (Minus the Charders yes I said charred-they’ve burned out) Doom need I say more A new defensive coordinator heck a new coach staff in general. Soon the air will be crisp and cool and the sounds of pads will echo in our ears. Millions of fans screaming their lungs out. The tailgaiting the parties the beer the chicken the grill!!!! Revenge on Jamal Charles, The chance for Orton to show his ability or Quinn to take the spot, Lets not forget that phenom Tim lol. Yes I hear it already
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBAL!!!!!!!!!
Is it just me or did we skip number 1?
Because a great player that wore number 1 comes to mind……Jason Elam.
Well ty Jim for the history lesson. Also I am hoping for the signing of Decker and Olsen soon, both the people above them and below the have been signed. So hope we get this done soon.
Here is a link that is up to date on all rookie signings.
http://backseatfan.com/2010/04/2010-nfl-draft-rookie-signing-status/
lol @ florio… I was thinking the same thing. Maybe he’s starting with numbers that haven’t been worn very often?? Either way, interesting stuff. Thanks Jim!
And I’m beginning to think since we’ve had to wait so long and we have quite a few rookies to sign and Doom… I get the feeling when they sign these guys it will all happen at once. One right after the other.
SO excited for TC to start. Man, am I anxious!! lol
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
Horan was great, Elam was better, we’ve been pretty lucky to have such great kickers both on the punting side and kicking side of the ball.
88, I have been paddling on this dead slow part of the river for what seems like forever now, just going nowhere floating about aimlessly with no real direction to be steered in but I think that if I really try hard and stretch my ears I can start hearing the sound of something like a rapid somewhere up ahead. We better prep up all our gear because once we embark onto that rapid there will be no time to catch our breath or hold onto our beer, just holding onto our raft with our dear life is all that will get us through, whether it will be a successful pass remains to be seen, a lot of obstacles on that course, many of them waiting right there to derail us, let’s hope the rafting guide knows the landscape and can get us through safely with the help of the paddlers, because I’ve experienced nasty flip overs on the river and they are nothing to take lightly, you can litterally get killed out there, but then again if the guide is on top of it, you will be hard pressed to ever experience anything as exhilarating as passing a monster rapid with flying colors, making you feel as if you are champions of the world, at least until the next rapid.
Chance is like the NFL season, it takes forever to get here, and when it does you only have a short time to grab it. Here is to McD and Co making the best of it. GO BRONCOS. See I can be nice and positive sometimes, LOL.
Well, I guess I’m going for a swim because I aint lettin go of my beer!!!! lol
With Orton as the rafting guide we are sure to be taking a float on the lazy river. Nary a splash of water on that ride….
Yup I’m swimmin too, but with Orton I’m sure it’ll a little bumpy lol. Na I think its gonna be a great season cannot wait. We almost there.
Bay-
I did not think that was at all possible but if that can happen we can win it all this year!?!?! Any given Sunday
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!
whats up guys… well the fever is upon me and i felt like posting. well, i read an article that predicted us as having 10 wins this season! yay!
here is the link: http://www.whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxscore/default.asp?article=2010NFL_AFCWestPreview
ive been reading the blogs these last few months but not much to talk about so i didnt bother posting. anyone hear anything on clady’s recovery? we are DEFINATELY going to need him if we are going to make any kind of run! well, enough for now. im salivating at the thought of broncos football.
Go Broncos!!!!!
“THE BATTLE IS WON IN THE TRENCHES”
Figure of speech, figure of speech 88, just had to embellish my story to make it exciting, sort of, but back out of the river and on solid ground: no way no how can we claim to have a world champion caliber team, we are and have been a 500 team for 4 years, one playoff game would be a fantastic achievement in itself, but hey, this is the time to get carried away, like when we were 6-0 last year, we haven’t lost a game yet, we could go 16-0, but I’m thinking getting struck by lightning or winning the lottery would be a thousand time more likely than that to happen, and you know what the odds of lottery winning and getting hit by lightning are, pretty darn dismal. See I can be a realist or even being construed as a pessimist sometimes, LOL.
You guys got me on letting go of the beer though, you know I wouldn’t do that, beer guy I a’m, again it was a prop for the rafting story… but that was funny OC.
Ray, thanks for the link, they have us at 10-6 like you said but problem is they have the Chargers at 13-3. Weird article, they have “absolute” records, giving us 11-5 and the Chargers 16-0, yeah, right, the Chargers always lose about 4 of their first 6 games for the last 4 years, that sounds about right, but now that they are faced with star players no longer there and others in trouble or wanting out, they could be perfect!?!?! Whatever….
My turn to madness predictions:
Chargers 11-5
Broncos 9-7
Raiders 7-9
Chiefs 5-11
I think the chiefs will outdo the raiders, they could be another sleeper in the division. They are starting to build up pretty well just very young
4 of our first 6 opponents were over .500 last season. As I mentioned on previous blog, Chargers only have one opponent over .500 in first 6 games and that’s the Cardinals, who will be without Kurt Warner. It’s a new season and would love to see the Chargers start slow again. The loss of Jackson will hurt them. What I’d really love is to see them have a tough ending as they always seem to finish strong. The middle of their schedule will be tougher. AFC West also improved, so hopefully Chiefs and Raiders can take ‘em out at least once.
rayjr: I asked the same question about Clady not long ago. baylinor posted an article by a Miami columnist and broncofanlvnm stated the injury report will be released to just prior to the start of the season, I believe. Not much at all on his status/progress just yet. Thanks for the link.
Last year it was ‘Orton hears a boo’ This year Orton hears a ticking……tick tock tick tock Tebow time is near!!
Don’t get confused…Orton is just one of the guys with a paddle. The guiding position belongs to McD!
The Chiefs showed alot of promise towards the end of last season and added some great playmakers in the draft. Also believe they have a better Head Coach in Todd Haley vs. Raiders HC. Raiders have alot of talent.
All three AFC West opponents beat us at home last year. Of course we won on their turf. We’ve got to take care of homefield advantage this season.
You can even say DOOM is “without a paddle”…
Quinn has the golden paddle….
And Tebow has Two paddles…
Great story from the annuls Mr. Sacco!
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!!
So I take it even if we end up going up a creek, at least we’ll have a bunch of paddles… And of course you are correct McD was the guide in my raft analogy, OC just had Orton as the guide so he could make a joke at his expense, no big surprise there, LOL.
Orton’s paddle is an old wooden one and it has been damaged by termites with a bunch of holes in it, not very efficient paddling….
OC, that one was for you, LOL.
Yeah bay, you might think it’s funny but really I slipped and flipped in our swimming pool twice over the last week and both times I went under but the beer stayed nice and unlathered above the surface of the water…barely..lol I have my priorities….haha
broncolorado… I agree 100%!
sndvl,
Quinn is up the long creek with a golden paddle.
Tebow is up the short creek with two heavenly oars.
Orton is on a slow boat with a chinese hand fan.
Doom doesn’t need a paddle, he carries a cheap aluminium bat. maybe the Broncos will step up to the plate and buy Doom a solid Ash Louisville Slugger?
ILMSDB!!!!
Well, I figured out that I don’t have to be concerned about Orton playing another slow and sputtering season……
The only outcome I see is that he will try too hard to be physical and get hurt or that he will play too conservative and be ineffective and replaced once the real footballs start flying.
My main concern now is how much of a mistake is it for Josh to start a QB that is absolutely going to be replaced somewhere in early to mid season??
Ort is a Stud in the flilm room and on the practice field but he is a total pud in the heat of battle. I sure hope Josh sees this as clearly as I do? My eyes witnessed this for 15 whole games last year… just sayn… jomho
@S.D.Bronco30: Good to know there are some Broncos fans in SD and not just all Vikings and Packers. I’ll have to give those sites a looksee.
Thanks to all for you help.
You skipped #1, Jim.
I don’t know why some bloggers seem to think Jim has to go by numbers or even wants to go by #’s, I personally think he will do it however he wishes and might close with # 1 for all we know, and who cares how it’s done anyway, I think it’s cool he does it however he does it.
I am not really looking forward to the list of Bronco players who wore #4:
Britton Colquitt P present
Darrell Hackney QB 2007-2008
Micah Knorr P/K 2002-04
Ruben Rodriguez P 1992
Chris Norman P 1986
Robert Thompson WR 1987
Rick Duncan K 1967
Hopefully Colquitt can pick up the slack at that number.
And of course greatest # of them all is #7, a select list which will never grow bigger since it has been retired:
John Elway QB 1983-98
Craig Morton QB 1977-82
Mickey Slaughter QB 1963-66
Just to think, every single superbowl we played in was quarterbacked by a #7! Bummer, we are going to have to remedy that if we want to get to another one. Anybody says 8? Or 15? Maybe 9?
Speaking of number #7, here’s a link from ESPN on Elway attending camp. Something most of us already knew about but for those who would like to read on it, here it is….
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5402282
It seems as if the teams with the deep pockets have no problem signing their draftees, the Cowboys just signed their first round pick Dez Bryant and we still haven’t signed one of our late rounds pick Eric Olsen, drastically different approach, don’t you guys think… Of course we haven’t signed Decker, Demaryius and Tebow either, not to mention Doom long term, oh well, it is what it is…
Eric Olsen, 6th round pick, only one of two 6th rounder who haven’t been signed out of 38 players, I would venture it’s a good bet he will be our next signee, better late than never I guess…
Oh and I forgot Zane Beadles remains unsigned also.
Here’s what it reads at NFL network..
“Bryant’s five-year deal could be worth roughly $12M total and includes more than $8.5M in guaranteed money, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported, citing a league source”.
Negotiations should be going on now with our players.
Sure would like to see Elvis Dumervil signed soon……
Talking about Elway, here are some of his views of things Broncos, as related to us by Klis today:
About Tebow,
“The thing about Tebow is they’re focusing too much on his release, as long as he can get it in a timely manner, I think he has plenty of arm there. … He’s not going to change his release. He may get better. Obviously, by throwing you get more accurate and more accurate and you may shorten it up as time goes on but if it’s long and quick, that’s OK.”
About the team,
“I think there’s going to be a learning curve for them because they are so young. Defensively, I think they feel better about where they are. Those defensive linemen should be able to come in and help them right away. Maybe they make eight, nine, 10 wins would be a good year I would think. But show a little more consistency and finish the season out. The Broncos have had such a tough time the last three or four years finishing the season. That’s going to have to one of the things they’ll have to break, play better at the end of the year.”
Well, that makes me feel pretty darn smart about my 9-7 prediction, smack in the middle of his take on it. Also glad to see he thinks Tebow’s throwing motion is not much of a hindrance the way he looks at it, I only hope McD is listening when Elway says they are focusing too much at correcting Tebow’s throwing motion. PLEASE, DONT MESS THE KID UP!!!
Elway also share this information from ESPN link:
“Elway said Tebow is in the perfect place to begin his pro career because of McDaniels’ experience working with quarterbacks, but he said fans are going to need plenty of patience”.
Elway said he hasn’t been around the Broncos enough but said eight to 10 wins would be a successful season. “I look for Kyle to have a good year.” Elway said.
No! No! No! Not you to JE???
I’m all alone on an Island??? Everyone has relegated this season to being a success if Orton plays well and we get 8 wins……wow…. even JE content with mediocrity???
We’re happy to be 8-8, we’re happy to have a cold steak and warm beer? Soo happy to have the glass half empty?? huh?
I wish Josh could be more like Rex Ryan who is not afraid to aquire players and let them play. We seem to sell the farm for players that we have to nurture for a year before we let them try to play with training wheels on….
Maybe I’m impatient but I have been waiting patiently six years for the Broncos to become relevant again. Looking forward to another 8-8 season being called a “success” is just not realistic for me. Sorry for having to disagree with the Great JE.. jomho, sir.
We need to have better than 10 wins and be in the playoffs or this whole year will have been waisted on Orton.
I would rather be 4-12 with Tebow than 8-8 with Orton.. Both records would result in no playoffs but at least if Tebow plays he gets experience needed to lead us to the playoffs in 2011.
If Orton somehow wins 11 games and leads us to the playoffs I will fart and fall over and bonk my head. When I wake up I’ll go out and buy me an Orton jersey!!!
Good to see Elway praising Tebow’s arm. Now all Tebow has to do is comeback that by saying he has a stronger arm then Elway and find out he is a type-1 diabetic.
I agree 100 percent OC, but u also gotta understand, McD has named Orton the undisputed starter of now because he has earned it. JE will only speak on what he knows for sure so as to not rock boats.
I would also rather see a less than .500 season with Tebow or even Quinn than a .500 season with Orton. And to be frank, short of a Miracle or a Stingy, scoring Defense, I believe he have lost alot and wont be back in TRUE fighting for for another like 2 years. Marshall was a Beast. Cutler might have been a cry baby but his chemistry with Marshall AND Royal was amazing. And he developed it with Royal in such a short time. Also his chemistry with sheff, We are gonna have to rebuild Chemistry, and Chemistry is usually built better with people who came in the same year as u, eargo, Tebow with Thomas and Decker like it was with Cutler Marshall and Sheff. But I still have hope that I will at least have a very enjoyable year of football.
btw, Dez Bryant signed.
Bryant’s five-year deal could be worth roughly $12 million total and includes more than $8.5 million in guaranteed money
Sounds like a good base line to know what Thomas will be payed and a deal should be done soon, and soon after Tebow and the rest will fall in line……
Have a good one all. TRB out.
Seriously doubt our highest pick will be next to sign, I see Olsen signed first, then Decker, Beadles, Tebow and finally Demaryius. And the pay this year is so far right on line with last year, Dez with 12 mil in the #24 spot is about exacltly what the 24th draftee was paid last year so why wait to see what everybody else is paying, we already know, plus Olsen hasn’t been signed in the 6th round, yet all but one of the other 37 sixth round draftees already have been signed, so I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to sign players, other than using the excuse of the labor issue for next year, but it hasn’t stop the teams with deep pockets to sign their draftees, wish we were able to be more frugal with the money, money is always the issue and this is no exception. Elway needs to be allowed to buy into the team since he said he wants to, that could be a good first step to provide better cash flow, just my opinion. Can’t wait to get all this business end behind us so I can concentrate on football again, and that’s probably how the players feel too.
doom just signed a deal, yes.
FYI
The Broncos have agreed to terms with LB Elvis Dumervil on a contract extension. Details shortly at DenverBroncos.com
At least now the pay doom campaign can stop lol. Im glad this organization still knows how to do things right and give players what theyve earned. 1 down, a couple to go. Cheers! TRB out….
now decker and olsen will sign next
Olsen also signed now.
Decker, thomas, tebow then beadles next
“Elvis is a very talented player who will help lead our defense and is also an outstanding person and teammate,” coach Josh McDaniels said in a release. “The way he has handled this lengthy negotiation this offseason is a great example of the type of player and person we want on our team. We look forward to Elvis’ impact for many years to come.”
Good of you Josh!! Loyalty and paitence is rewarded…. Elvis gets his Louisville Slugger after all…. Awsome news!!!!
Alright Team, that a way to get Doom signed!! Now Doom, show the organization how good their money is and make the NFL record for sacks this year. I know you can do it and I am looking forward to you always being a bronco!!!
I love me some Denver Broncos Country!!!
Very excited to see doom getting his deal.
The dez bryant deal will play a major part in the signing of DMT.
DOOM SIGNED… Wheeeeeew!!!!! (I wonder if I could find a custom blue and orange louisville slugger???)
I can finally buy my jersey. Coincidently, Im taking my Colorado vacation next week. Wonder if I can squeeze in a practice at Dove Valley?
I dont buy into the fact that we will have a mediocre year with Orton at the QB helm. Just as Elway pointed out, it will take the entire team to show some consistency, and CLOSE out the year. Emphasis on team. Not just one player. Or one position. TEAM. And if any ONE person will be to blame for “another prospective mediocre year”, that my fellow Broncos Brethren lies soley on McD! Maybe this year he can accept that responsibility….
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, a girl steps away from the blog for a day and all the sudden there’s big news! ha
Of course, I’m loving that Elway is being positive about us drafting Tebow. He sees a promising future with him and the Broncos and the fact that Elway said is a HUGE compliment to the rookie. The one thing Elway said though that everyone needs to keep in mind (myself included) is this: “Elway said Tebow is in the perfect place to begin his pro career because of McDaniels’ experience working with quarterbacks, but he said fans are going to need plenty of patience.”
As much as I’d love to see Tebow play right away, it wouldn’t go very well. He needs to gradually get used to playing in the NFL, and he will. When Tebow finally gets his real big chance to be our starter or even play a little bit this season, I will expect a lot of people to expect no mistakes from him but he will make mistakes and when he does a lot of those same people will automatically put him on the chopping block. He ain’t perfect and the best example of comparison I can give is a young, rookie Elway. He wasn’t perfect and he still isn’t but he came through for us and had a heck of a career. No one gave up on him. NO, I’m not comparing Tebow to Elway in terms of talent, stats, blah blah blah… I’m talking about when Elway first started in the NFL he made mistakes and continued to do so… Tebow will do the same. Thing is, we all had patience for Elway and it paid off. To have that same ambition for Tebow and patience as he progresses would show a great deal of support for the guy as a QB. Alright, that was a lot to say to defend a guy who hasn’t even played a down in the NFL yet but its something to keep in mind. Tebow is the closest I’ve seen to a QB of multiple talents that could really benefit the Broncos organization. When it comes time to give him a chance, I say its all a matter of backing him up 100% (through his mistakes and bright moments).
I think it would be best for Denver if Orton remains our starter for at least the beginning of the season… he knows the system, he’s got experience with the system and he EARNED his spot as starter. Again, as much as I’d love to see Tebow start, I’m not gonna let the excitement of having him on the team get the best of me. He’s gonna have to EARN his way up the ladder. Its only fair and that’s the way it should be done anyway. Since no one listens to me… read what Elway had to say about Tebow… “fans will have to have patience”. Thank you, John Elway! lol
Now to continue this little novel, haha… now, I can really sleep in peace knowing Doom will remain with Denver for quite some time. I got to hand it to him, very very very impressed with how he has handled this whole thing with such class & respect. Thanks Doom for making me a VERY happy Bronco fan over here for sticking with your team and not letting your ego take over you just because you didn’t get the biggest contract ever right away. The Broncos are truly blessed to have a player like you on the team. Dictionary definition of a “class act”. Go get ‘em this season! Alright, I’m done. lol
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!