Most Denver Broncos fans are aware by now that rookie draftee Spencer Larsen made team history against the Atlanta Falcons by starting on offense at fullback and on defense at middle linebacker, while still taking his regular snaps on special teams. Meaning he is the first player in Denver history to be on the field for the first special teams, offensive and defensive snaps of the game.
And that’s how history seems to work, more often than not — you never know who is going to be a part of it.
In Spencer’s case, it could not happen to a nicer or more well-mannered young man, and he has a real proclivity for hitting as well, so he certainly has a chance to carve out a niche in the National Football League.
The idea of playing two positions at once is not new, it just seems so in this age of complete specialization in sport.
A lot of fans remember that Deion Sanders played both ways (all three ways, actually) during his NFL career, and he topped that by playing major league baseball as well.
Champ Bailey is another player who has started both ways in a game, doing so for the Washington Redskins earlier in his career. College fans might recall that during his time at Georgia, Champ was a great receiver and kick returner for the Bulldogs while carving out his name on defense, as well.
Going back to the middle of the last century, Chuck Bednarik of the Philadelphia Eagles was the last true two-way performer in the game, starting at center and linebacker every year for the Eagles in his Hall of Fame career.
Bednarik’s nickname was “Concrete Charlie,” and he earned it on every snap.
Going way, way back, the ultimate example of two way players might be Sammy Baugh and Bronko Nagurski.
Please, don’t say “who?”
“Slingin’ Sammy” Baugh was a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Washington Redskins, but he also played defensive back when the other guys had the ball, and he led their entire NFL in pass interceptions with 11 back in 1943.
But the wiry Texan was such a great athlete that he didn’t stop there: Baugh was the Redskins’ punter as well, putting him on the field in all three phases of the game every week for Washington.
Baugh led the NFL in punting four years in a row, from 1940-43, and his punting average in 1940 was 51.4 per kick, with a long of 85. Remember, his primary job was leading the Redskins to world championships as a Hall of Fame quarterback. Being a defensive back and punter were just “extras.”
Then, of course, there is Bronko Nagurski.
A humble yet astonishing physical specimen (his Hall of Fame ring is a record size 18, if you can imagine that), Nagurski has to be on the short list — the very short list — of the greatest players ever to play football.
His rushing, blocking and tackling abilities truly struck terror into the players against whom he played.
But perhaps the most unique statistic ever regarding Bronko Nagurski is that in his senior year at the University of Minnesota, the All-American team only had 10 players — Nagurski was the All-American fullback and also was All-American at tackle in the same season.
I was fortunate to be there for his final public appearance, when he agreed to leave his beloved Minnesota farm to toss the coin at Super Bowl XVIII in Tampa. I was working that game as part of the NFL public relations staff and was honored to be in the same stadium with a genuine legend.
So while Spencer Larsen is just beginning his career with the Broncos, what he did in those 66 total plays against the Falcons put him in some very special company as a two-way player.
Tags: Spencer Larsen
I have only one thing to say….when are the Larsen jerseys going on sale because I want my wife to get me one for Christmas. How bout the Hillis jerseys also. I need one of those too.
Again, what Larsen did on Sunday was just amazing. It takes alot of guts to do what he did. And I can’t say this enough – it just goes to show how much confidence Shanny has in this team and especially the younger guys like Larsen and Hillis. He’s got so much confidence in these young guys to step up and takeover for the more experienced. I applaud Shanahan so much because that’s exactly what these young guys need – someone, more specifically a coach like Shanahan, to have that much faith, trust and confidence in his rookies to have to take over and fill some really BIG shoes. And they haven’t let us down.
I’m very happy and proud of the way they have stepped up and played.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
Outstanding Performance Denver,
From our coaching preparedness to our rookies, we stepped up.
To: My Team, and little do you know, America’s Team!!
Your Playoff Journey has now begun, and you must beat the Jets, Bills and Chargers in your “string of victories” to come.
To: the Strength and Conditioning Staff responsible for the Poorest excuse in the training of Agility Reads, and Plyometrics in the NFL:
Your training or ‘lack thereof’ of in such plyometrics and “agilities conditioning” has led to the ‘poorest performance’ in Sound Tackling Techniques, the absence of Courage, and above all, INJURIES that have compounded almost an entire Depth Chart.
On behalf of the World of Bronco Fans I ask,
What do you have to say for yourself?
To: the Head Coach, and Operations Staff:
I would relish in the Opportunity to train and revitalize your warriors to a Performance level worthy of our Marines. As one who helped train and kept Marines performance ready, I welcome this Challenge and Task and would do it for .33 % Less than his Salary. I will do it gladly for it would be my Honor as a Denver Native to Illustrate through Passion what some are calling “Your Identity”. I have followed the heartbeat of Our Organization since 95, therefore I Remember ‘Your Identity’ and will help your Warriors,
“See it to Fruition”.
I’ve served Country Honorably, now it would be My Honor to serve your Denver Bronco Organization.
Confidently Yours,
c/o Sir Jeshua Jackson, Esq.
LB & DB Strength and Agilities Coach
former USN
prince.jackson2@ymail.com
p.s.
In ’08 the Giants benefited from a post IraqVeteran’s vision, and the result: Superbowl!!
What do you have to Lose, SUPERBOWL!!
It’s Your Move.
Go Broncos!
p.s.s.
LOLB -Woodyard
ROLB- Williams, (Winborn till he returns)
Mike – LARSEN
There’s your Identity at LB for 3 yrs solid!!!
LE- Moss
RDT- Shaw
LDT- Thomas
RE- Dumervil
Invest in 2 Safeties in the Draft: SS, FS
Lowry and Barrett just flat out don’t have it. Lowry can’t stop a kid going to recess, and Barret, he wants to be a Dentist, conclusion: life long desire to play football, low.
life long desire to add fillings and do root canals, high.
put two and two together and you get what?? figure it out!
barret…hasent even played bro!! how do u know he isnt cutting it…now manuel…lowry….and mcree can all go play for the boise burn arena team…maybe they can tackle there.
listen mate, just because you served doesnt make you qualified to run the fittness department and such. ald how would an “expert” like you stop williams knee from getting hurt(no matter how strong you are you cant stop that), T from Braking a bone and his knee, or even antthing anyone has been put on the ir for. if everyone is going down with soft tissue injuries then fine, look at the trainer, but if not, shut up and stop trying to blame someone for every little issue, and just take it as it is.
1ArabianKnight – I figured it out – you’re NUTS!!! Barrett hasn’t been given the time of day to play out there so how can you say he isn’t right for this team. We won’t know till we give him a shot. And as for the injuries, yeah they’ve hurt us but look at what some of these rookies have done. They’ve been given a chance by our GENIUS of a coach and they’ve done everything in their inexperienced power to get us 2 hard-fought wins. We’re going to have to go through some struggles every now and then to get better and as rookies I couldn’t have asked for 2 better performances than what they’ve done in the last 2 weeks. Injuries will always happen – that’s life, it happens to the best of players, your prime example, Champ Bailey!! Even the healthiest of players get hit with the injury bug every once in a while not because “agilities conditioning”. We’ve dealt with this injury situation like pros… gee I wonder why… they are pros and even for rookies I never would’ve guessed they were rookies b/c of what they’ve done to help this team out. Its just unbelievable to think what guys like Hillis and Larsen and Royal have done for us. Say hello to the future of the Denver Broncos!!
Keep the faith Broncos Country…
GO BRONCOS!!!
dude WTF was that arabianknight????????????
Believe me there are alot of good things said about Josh Barret even after watching him through pre season. He has the speed and power the only thing is he hasnt developed and ability to Read and React in the NFL yet, and that is the most important thing for a FS, to pursue the run or drop back and guard the TE. I think its good he still adjusting in practice instead of throwing him out there for him to lose his confidence. But on Larsen guy is the man, these are the players Denver cherise and build teams around players that prove themselves on special teams, but my opinion we should keep him under the radar for now, hes still a rook lets raise the beast up until we unlease him.
OH YEAH I DONT CARE WHAT ANY OF YOU GUYS SAY HOW BIG OF A FAN U ARE, WHATEVER AND I MEAN WHATEVER YOU GOT PLANNED FOR THIS SUNDAY DROP IT U GOT A GAME TO WATCH. IM FROM CALIFORNIA AND THIS SEASON I GOT THE CHANCE TO GO TO OAKLAND AND G0T A FRONT ROW SEAT TO WATCH DENVER KICK CHOKELANDS A$$ IT WAS GREAT BUT I WONT BE SATISFIED UNTIL WE BEAT THEM AGAIN THIS SUNDAY 2-0. GO BRONCO$$$$$
Elway 07
please try to read this objectively and open minded, (please, i like the comments you make for the most part, and yes I read everyones blog all the time, I just don’t say anything unless its a precise point to shed light on a topic.
With that said
No, i’m not NUTS, I’m reading between the lines, and I call it like I see it. I know Barret has skills, mad skills even, but one has to wonder why he’s still on the practice squad?
Lets see, there were injuries to Mcree and Marquand a few weeks back. Instead of giving the obvious choice “Barret” a shot, we sign Vernon Fox, and a no named kid in Lowry. 3 weeks later Lowry and Manuel are ineffective and we activated Roderick Rogers from the practice squad.
Why is the obvious choice being overlooked, his talent? No, his game maybe? I dunno?
I do know that to “want” to be a dentist takes a passion and desire to be be exactly that. Same with a podiatrist, you have to really be a foot focused person with a passion for metatarsals, arches, hammertoe and toejam in order to be one, period.
I think he’s using the NFL as a “stepping stone to his Dental Career. It would seem his heart isn’t in it. He is an extremely intelligent and articulate person. It just appears he just started “really playing safety” at ASU, and because of his “raw talent” and 40yd dash time, he was a draft pick.
For some reason he’s not “stellar enough” so that the coaches have agreed to take him off the Practice squad.
I think he’s smart enough to allow himself to get drafted, use his salary for a couple of years to invest in a house, and pay off college debt. Knowing that after the second year he could use the value of that home to fund his
own dental practice. In the meantime, he’s playing at his rate and doing just enough to keep a salary. In the military we called it “skating by” on your Duty. I like him, just don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from him even on another team after he gets waived next year. It must be that “learning curve” Shanny refers to so much.
Personally I like what I saw in him, He’s a Beast, “athletically speaking”! But for some reason the “eye of the tiger” is not in him or it would’ve emerged by now. For example, say he’s demolishing everyone at practice, surely by now that coach would’ve alerted Shanny and said “you’ve gotta give this kid a shot right now”
I’m just looking at the facts. Honestly, I hope he gets the “eye of the tiger”, someone on defense needs it besides Bly, Thomas, and Dumervil. Maybe Woodyard, Larsen, and Fox will have it, we’ll just have to wait and see.
In the meantime, Go Broncos.
Keep Your Eyes focused on the Prize.
Yes, Spencer Larsen is a stud. We Mormons aren’t that bad after all! Keep up the good work, Spencer and of course, GO BRONCOS!!!
ArabianKnight your points on Barrett are well put, but you also have to look at it as the learning curve that you stated! Just because someone has the talent, the determination, or even both does not mean that they will be in the game, starting or making an impact. You have to have the knowledge, maybe he is just using it for a few years to start up a dentist practice but do you know that?
Exactly, even being a beast of talent like that having no heart or a ton of heart, if the coaches think that he is just doing what you said then they would see into it and he would be cut. He has not yet been cut, and he has not yet been activated. Lowry wasn’t a no name, and neither was fox, Lowry played well for Carolina a few years did he not? The thing with Shanny has always been a rookie doesn’t start unless he hands down out performs the #1 starter. Royal got his starting job and position because he out hustled Marshall, he earned it. If you remember back, even Clinton Portis did not start right out of the gate, it took Mike Andersen saying I will move to full back and block for this talented kid, put him at half back before Shanny made the move.
Hillis being incredible that he is, was back up behind Larsen a MLB that lays hits so Shanny drafted him for FB duties. Wasn’t until Hillis got his shot that he shined and has now earned his spot. Larsen now got his shot, and showed what he can do, he wasn’t in the games previously even though he has every bit of talent that Webster or Niko have, because he hadn’t proven to have the “learning curve” there! He obviously showed something in the weeks practice and got his shot.
Every scout and coach on Barrett said he lacks determination and the ability to recognize and read plays. He has speed, power and hands yes, but that doesn’t always put you in position to make the play. When he shows he can make the read to be in position without having to exhert his speed he will be activated and playing. I’m not saying you’re wrong on his dentist practice and all, thats a smart move, but don’t rule out that he just hasn’t gotten the knock he needs to want a starting job. He may or may not get that determination, but Shanny is too smart to overlook a lack of determination in a player for a 40 yrd time! You can’t coach speed, but speed is not everything. That being said, Shanny is also TOO SMART that if there is a problem in the conditioning department, he is NOT going to go looking for a replacement on the broncoscountry blogs!
Maybe you need to stay on the practice squad a little longer and learn to develope your read of the situation! Determination only gets you so far, look at Rudy!
Last note, get off 07elway, she doesn’t really think youre nuts. She always has good points, and she too calls it how she sees it, you may say you do, but you are looking through the scope of your rifle backwards sir! Injuries happen just like accidents do, only so much you can do to prevent them. But an awkward tackle puts everything else to shame, that’s how a lot of our’s have happened. Maybe you should apply on the next blog for Shanny’s job, I mean it is him that has practices at half speed, half contact without pads, not preparing them for a real hit!
That be an idea for you sir? Makes me a little worried seeing real soildiers being stuck in the front lines next to someone without any common sense.
Maintain your gaps defense, hold onto the ball offense, and maintain the faith fans!
ArabianKnight your points on Barrett are well put, but you also have to look at it as the learning curve that you stated! Just because someone has the talent, the determination, or even both does not mean that they will be in the game, starting or making an impact. You have to have the knowledge, maybe he is just using it for a few years to start up a dentist practice but do you know that?
Exactly, even being a beast of talent like that having no heart or a ton of heart, if the coaches think that he is just doing what you said then they would see into it and he would be cut. He has not yet been cut, and he has not yet been activated. Lowry wasn’t a no name, and neither was fox, Lowry played well for Carolina a few years did he not? The thing with Shanny has always been a rookie doesn’t start unless he hands down out performs the #1 starter. Royal got his starting job and position because he out hustled Marshall, he earned it. If you remember back, even Clinton Portis did not start right out of the gate, it took Mike Andersen saying I will move to full back and block for this talented kid, put him at half back before Shanny made the move.
Hillis being incredible that he is, was back up behind Larsen a MLB that lays hits so Shanny drafted him for FB duties. Wasn’t until Hillis got his shot that he shined and has now earned his spot. Larsen now got his shot, and showed what he can do, he wasn’t in the games previously even though he has every bit of talent that Webster or Niko have, because he hadn’t proven to have the “learning curve” there! He obviously showed something in the weeks practice and got his shot.
Every scout and coach on Barrett said he lacks determination and the ability to recognize and read plays. He has speed, power and hands yes, but that doesn’t always put you in position to make the play. When he shows he can make the read to be in position without having to exhert his speed he will be activated and playing. I’m not saying you’re wrong on his dentist practice and all, thats a smart move, but don’t rule out that he just hasn’t gotten the knock he needs to want a starting job. He may or may not get that determination, but Shanny is too smart to overlook a lack of determination in a player for a 40 yrd time! You can’t coach speed, but speed is not everything. That being said, Shanny is also TOO SMART that if there is a problem in the conditioning department, he is NOT going to go looking for a replacement on the broncoscountry blogs!
Maybe you need to stay on the practice squad a little longer and learn to develope your read of the situation! Determination only gets you so far, look at Rudy!
Last note, get off 07elway, she doesn’t really think youre nuts. She always has good points, and she too calls it how she sees it, you may say you do, but you are looking through the scope of your rifle backwards sir! Injuries happen just like accidents do, only so much you can do to prevent them. But an awkward tackle puts everything else to shame, that’s how a lot of our’s have happened. Maybe you should apply on the next blog for Shanny’s job, I mean it is him that has practices at half speed, half contact without pads, not preparing them for a real hit!
That be an idea for you sir? Thanks for defending our country, but it makes me a little worried seeing real soildiers being stuck in the front lines next to someone without any common sense.
Maintain your gaps defense, hold onto the ball offense, and maintain the faith fans!
BradJamesBroncoFan: I prefer the term Latter Day Saint……
What is the problem with having a carrer lined up for when you finish playing ball. no mater how good you are, your not getting more than 15 years (and thats if your the best, Lynch) So what are you ment to do then. sitr around and live of your passed achievments for the rest of your life, or sit around a bar and get piessed. why not get a jobe fot the next 20 to 30 years of your life and actually have a life.
Get over yourself you obvious failed ball player who thinks if he really bitches on a blog enough he will get a job and then by some mirical be come a player. i’ll let you in on a little secret, its not going to happen.
Get over it
Go Broncos
to add to the comments bout josh Barrett, take in to consideration the fact that hes still a part of this team at all he obviously is doin a decent job or they wouldn’t keep him on the practice squad either. why pay some1 to practice if they suck. but i think back Y do we have Calvin Lowry still lol. so i guess i just contradicted myself
Maybe Shanahan sees too much talent in Barrett to play him. That being said let me explain myself, maybe Barrett does not put in all he can on and off the field. Shanahan is trying to show Barrett that just because he has all the measurables that he is going to play if he does it half heartedly. He is starving him so that next year or maybe later this season Barrett will be hungry, starving in other words at a chance to play. At the same time teaching him how to read and react so that he does not just go in the game and rely on his god given talents but to think and want it more than the other guy in other words the eye of the tiger as that guy up there put it. The Rod Smith mold starve him see how much he wants it. Not saying that they intended to do that to Rod Smith but hey now he is going to be a hall of famer so i guess it worked out.
2champ4picksix-
Thank you for actually reading through what I said, and again, I like the kid, I just can’t put a finger on “the obvious”. Perhaps you’re right
scottiebronco-
Top of the mornin 2 ya. Incidently, my ‘job’ at 7-11 does have a career path, and I’m not a failed ball player that thinks if i “bitch on a blog enough he will get a job and then by some mirical be come a player” to quote you exactly. I am however an ex-military football coach and a current pop warner coach with a successful record and my 8 yr olds are in position more and tackle with more intensity than some of our safeties!
Nonetheless I am also wanting our team to get that “eye of the tiger” soooooooo bad, I’m willing to make myself standout just to prove it!
ya know, kinda like the “barrel man”. As I stated before, “what do I have to lose”, my “career at 7-11, selling lotto tickets to people like you”. Think about Kurt Warner before your gums go-a-flappin’ aimlessly.
b4life-
Great point. You’ve actually made the most sense out of everyone concerning Barret. As a coach, I acknowledge that tactic. I believe you are right, as I approach your comments. That actually makes sense to “starve him” and get him hungry enough to ‘accidentally become a HOFr’ despite his dental ambitions. Again, don’t get me wrong, he probably could
revolutionize dentistry as he seems smart enough, it’s just that I’d rather see him in a jersey than a smock, and hope he’s up to it.
I guess let’s all hope he gets that spark of fire under his ‘mental tushee’ concerning that ‘learning curve’ and who knows, maybe he could be that one with some plays that are key enough to win some Superbowls, well that is ‘defensively speaking’ of course.
My best to all of you
Go Broncos!!
Spencer Larsen did a great job last week!
But I have to hand it to you for writing a great blog! Maybe some of the younger bloggers will take some interest & realize that there is quite a bit of football history before there was ever a Superbowl!
I work with a guy who is ignorant enough to say that there is no football history before the Superbowl! Aperently because it takes a little effort to look up who won those Championships that came before…..
Shame on anyone who calls themselves a football fan who doesn’t know the names you mentioned above!
WOW….Larson. aside from the fact that thats the best defense i’ve seen all season…for rookies like larson to lead the way was AWESOME!!!…lets bring that momentum against oakland
How is posible lost vs Raiders?
6-5
Mediocrity,medicrity , mediocrity and mediocrity
Fireee Shanahan
Don’t fire coach, fire the coordinators, on both sides. We have tons of talent just not the right coaches helping Shanahan. And thats the truth.