After Thursday night’s game against Arizona, the 50th season of Broncos football is upon us. I’ll preview this season next week before the Broncos open up in Cincinnati.
But I would like to encourage you to vote for your all-time Denver Broncos team. You can do so through tomorrow (Friday, September 4) at www.DenverBroncos.com/50th and I guarantee you’ll have a lot of fun.
Be aware, however, that you’ll be forced to make some tough choices! There have been some great, great players over the decades.
Here is the team I voted for:
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK – JOHN ELWAY
No doubt here. He is the greatest Bronco of all-time. His talent, accomplishments and longevity speak for themselves.
RUNNING BACK – TERRELL DAVIS and FLOYD LITTLE
I know his career was short, but Davis had an incredible impact. With T.D. rushing the ball, the Broncos’ offense went to the next level. He is the Broncos’ all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and he averaged a staggering 97.5 yards per game, third in NFL history.
Long-overlooked by the NFL Hall of Fame, Little rightfully took a huge step towards enshrinement recently. Until Davis came along, Little was the standard of excellence for Broncos’ running backs and is without a doubt one of the greatest Broncos of all-time. He only trails Davis in career rushing yards and holds the franchise record for all-purpose yards.
WIDE RECEIVER – ROD SMITH and LIONEL TAYLOR
For a guy that many thought would never make it in the NFL, Rod had an amazing career. He holds most of the Broncos major receiving records. But beyond the numbers, Rod loved being a Denver Bronco. He is orange and blue through and through. He cared about the organization, his teammates and community. He is one of a kind.
It was close with Ed McCaffrey but I give the nod to Taylor, one of the pioneers in the days when the Broncos were just getting started. Third in Broncos history with 543 catches, Taylor added 44 touchdown receptions. It is easy to overlook the guys who played a while ago, but Taylor gets my vote.
TIGHT END – SHANNON SHARPE
Amazingly, Shannon is second in franchise history in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. He was a difference-maker and forced teams to pay extra attention to the tight end position.
CENTER – TOM NALEN
Excellence and toughness over time. He was also a career Bronco who spent 15 years in the trenches.
GUARD – MARK SCHLERETH and KEITH BISHOP
It is hard to ignore a guy like Schlereth, who was a huge part of the Broncos’ dominating rushing attack. He was disciplined and devastating in the run and pass games. Bishop was a career Bronco who played throughout the decade of the 1980’s.
TACKLE – GARY ZIMMERMAN and KEN LANIER
The soft-spoken Zimmerman let his play do the talking and he anchored the left side of the line during the best years the franchise has ever had. Lanier earned the nickname “The Rock on the Right Side” and started three Super Bowls while playing 13 seasons with the Broncos.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE END – SIMON FLETCHER and BARNEY CHAVOUS
Sacks aren’t everything but they are important. These two guys happen to be two of the Broncos’ all-time leaders in this category (Fletcher first with 97.5, Chavous third with 75). Fletcher seemed to be everywhere. He played eleven seasons and appeared in two Super Bowls.
Chavous was a big part of the Orange Crush and helped lead the Broncos into the elite of the AFC.With both of these guys, excellence over time was a big reason they received my votes.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE – RUBIN CARTER and PAUL SMITH
It’s not a glamorous position but these guys flat-out got the job done. Carter started 151 of the 166 games he played for the Broncos. Smith racked up 55.5 sacks from 1968-78. Greg Kragen deserves honorable mention at this position, but Carter and Smith get the nod.
LINEBACKER – RANDY GRADISHAR, TOM JACKSON and KARL MECKLENBERG
Somehow I tried to find a spot for Al Wilson but we are limited to three linebackers. Gradishar, Jackson and Mecklenberg were all tough, all appeared in the Super Bowl and all went to the Pro Bowl multiple times. They are, in short, players who left a tremendous impression at their position.
CORNERBACK – LOUIS WRIGHT and CHAMP BAILEY
These are two guys you could leave alone on the other team’s best receiver, knowing your defense would be just fine. And they were dependable. Wright started 163 of the 166 games in which he played and Bailey has started all 70.
SAFETY – STEVE ATWATER and BILLY THOMPSON
This was the toughest position to pick. How in the world could Dennis Smith not be on my 50th anniversary all-time Broncos team? Well, he happened to play the same position as Atwater and Thompson. Atwater was always around the ball and was one of the most feared hitters in the NFL.
Thompson was incredible, piling up 40 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries while starting every game he played in except one over a 13-year Bronco career. Probably the reason that gave Thompson my vote is his continuing role in the Broncos organization. Hey, something had to break the tie.
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER – JASON ELAM
One of the great players and great guys who have ever played for the Broncos. Time and time again, he was Mr. Clutch for the Broncos.
PUNTER – TOM ROUEN
This was another tough one and Mike Horan was really close. But the edge goes to Rouen.
KICK RETURNER – RICK UPCHURCH
He is still the Broncos’ gold standard at this position. Others have been good; no one has been Upchurch.
You picked a good team there Mike… love the picture of Elway too. haha Why wouldn’t I? lol
I agree with all your picks except Lional Taylor over Haven Moses. I do admit I was too young to really remember Taylor. Haven Moses was spectacular. He is also one of the most gracios guys I have ever met. He worked for Coors a number of years ago. I was a driver for the Co Springs, distributer when I met him. He allowed me, a young very enthusiatic Bronco fan to tell him all my memories of the Broncos. He even shared some stories with me. I still cherish the autograph he gave me that day. Nice job on your selections. Don bassett
Pretty good picks. I have Trevor Price over Paul Smith and Tombstone Jackson over B Chavous. I would have to take Haven Moses over Taylor.
and Al Wilson too. I do think the safeties were the toughest picks. All these great players and yet only 2 are in the HOF. That is the biggest shame in the NFL.
Rice – no love for Goose?!? His stats at Safety are incomparable to anyone but Dawkins. Atwater, although was great, had none of his stats! See below:
Goose Dawkins Atwater Thomson
Seasons 8 14 11 12
Games 108 183 167 179
Interceptions 46 34 24 40
Int. Return Yds. 551 515 408 784
Yds. Per Int Return 12 15.1 17 19.6
Touchdowns on Int. 3 2 1 3
Forced Fumbles * 32 6 *
Sacks * 21 5 *
* = Forced Fumbles and Sacks were not recorded in these years.
I’m sorry, you may not know who Goose is…
Austin William Gonsoulin was nicknamed Goose, probably the best safety to ever play the game. I believe he holds some team records as well!
Elway? What? Why? Does anyone remember Bradlee Van Pelt? He should get top QB spot on potential alone. (j/k)
This list is pretty much spot on, I would have liked to seen an extra LB space for Al Wilson…but everyone can’t make an elite list like this.
hounddog…you make a good point about Haven Moses. I remember watching him when I was young and he could easily be on the team. I admit I never saw Taylor play but I picked him for a couple of reasons. 1) He was one of the great players from the early years. 2) His numbers still measure up. But I can’t disagree with Moses.
tnalen66…again, you make strong cases. I thought a lot about Trevor but ultimately went with Smith mainly because of longevity with the team. I think that has to count for something. Tombstone was really good, too. We could talk all day about how amazing it is that only two Broncos are in the Hall of Fame. To not have any of the early greats in there is tough to take.
broncs55…granted, Goose (Gonsoulin) was one of the great early Broncos, too, playing from 1960-66. There are only two spots! That’s why this is so much fun. You can make a great case for a lot of these guys.
Thanks for the comments,
Mike
I agree, I told my son that saftey was the toughfest to pick. As far as Goose, I didn’t know enough about him. It was hard to leave Dennis Smith also. He was as responsible for Elway’s comebacks for years. Some how he always created a late turn over to get John the ball back!! I wish there was some way to track that. Steve Foley was also hard to ignore. He had a knack for intercepting deep balls. He just played center field and didn’t allow them to get over his head very often.
I think we’ll be getting a few more HOF-ers in soon. Hopefully Floyd Little, Shannon Sharpe, Rod Smith, Champ Bailey (when he retires) Randy Gradishar, Tom Nalen and the way Clady and Royal play…who knows?
I agree this is a lot of fun. I’m also very frustrated that the hall of fame is more about super bowls and not the best players. An average player can get in because he had good numbers on a super bowl team. Has anyone read Floyd Little’s autobiography. I loved it. He shares a lot about this subject in it. John Elway was right when he called Floyd the franchise. If it wasn’t for him we would be fans of another team; because there wouldn’t be a denver broncos.
The Denver Broncos have been one of the best all-time franchises. Look at SOME of the players: JOhn Elway, Shannon Sharpe, Nalen, Zimerman, Scherleth, Atwater, Bailey, Rod Smith, Elam, T.D., Jackson, Little! There are a lot more to!
Am I sick or what??? I’m excited that I get to watch a game tonight, even though it’s preseason, my team currently sucks, the players I’ll be watching most I’ll probably will never hear of again. But, it’s football. And it’s my Broncos!!
DO you guys know how to use TVU. Please help me. want to see tonight’s game.
so do you guys think that if tom brandstater gets the starting job sometime this year the so called experts will say that McD is just repeating what new england did in 01 when they put tom brady in as QB to replace Drew B I know its not exactly the same but just thought about it and its like no matter what McD does he will be under bills shadow.
I have a tough time not putting Dennis Smith on the list along side Steve Atwater. I loved that guy!!!
hey knowshon27 try justin.tv they usually have it on their.
i think T.D should be in i know he had a short time playing but 2,ooo yard rushing season and M.V.P of a superbowl he should be going in.
I voted for denis smith as well….AND Al wilson
thank you broncofan96. i appreciate it.
no problem I live on the east coast so i had to find something till sunday ticket clicks on.
I had McAffrey for reciever on one side and Smith on the other.
Two Superbowl wins baby
@96 Yes im sure the media will say that mcd is trying to do just the same but when we draft Tom thats what i was thinking just because of the name lol. If Tom comes out and play as well as i expect him to do he will get the job, Orton just seems to nerves in the pocket im sure Tom will be our starter it gives us hope; as we can see the kid can throw the ball deep just like we bronco fans like it.
ya wahleaf that was what i was thinking because the name tom i was like great so if he starts their going to be like oh look Mcd misses tom so much he has to start his own tom
lol yo 96 thanks for the info on justin.tv never knew about it but its sweet.
no prob but i think Dynamicdave was the one who posted it back in preseason week 1
knowshon27, go to the previous article. I gave you some help, I hope, for TVU.
Yeah, actually, I posted TVU because one of the other bloggers mentioned it. He watched the Broncos on it. I have not had to use it because all the Bronco games are being broadcast here in Vegas (preseason games). I have never actually used it.
Broncofan96 if JMAC wins a Super Bowl he will not be in the shadow. Belechick is not in the shadow of Bill Parcells anymore as Shanahan was no longer in the shadow of Bill Walsh.
Tom Brandstater looks pretty good… You see how the deep ball opens up the run. When you only throw the ball 6 yards down the field every down the running game suffers.
whats good sight to watch the game on? mine crapped out
Many of these names belong in the NFL Hall of Fame as well. Nice job Mike! We have arrived!
Mike, gotta agree that safety is the hardest pick and thats saying something with the history of this club. Had to pick Thompson for his clutch play and Atwater for his ability to be around the ball (not to mention that clothline hit on Christian Okoye, classic). I also really had a hard time with DE, how the hell can I leave Neil Smith, Alfred Williams, and Trevor Pryce off my list. Only because of Simon Fletcher and Tombstone Jackson. That Rod Smith seems to be making so many fans list is heartening to me. If there is one player that our current players should be looking to emulate it is him, he played for the right reasons and he didnt allow the money or the glory to get in his way of doing his job. Heck, only injuries slowed him on the field. Anyways, we all know Elway is the best QB in franchise history, but who would you guys rank as the second best. I can see a lot of good arguments for at least 3 different QBs.
Great choices Mike. Most coincide with my picks with a few exceptions.
Dennis Smith over Billy Thompson… (tough choice).
Haven Moses over Lionel Taylor ….Moses play during our 1st SB run was MVP magnitude! He helped get us to the promised land. (Sorry couldn’t resist that one).
Mike Horan over Tom Rouen…(tough choice).
Keith Bishop over Mark Schlereth…(Bishops’ play during our first two 2 SB’s with Elway was awesome!!! Bishop was a Pro Bowler as well. His famous words….”Now we got em where we want em”, are forever wretched in Bronco History. This took place before the 98 yard drive in the 1986 AFC Championship… the beginning of “The Drive”. Schlereth was good but he was not here very long… not a true Bronco. (Can’t stand the guy lately as he is a Bronco Basher at ESPN…. (politics — I know).
Oops… meant “etched” in Bronco History.
Excellent list, Mike, except for one position, IMO. For defensive end: Rich Jackson. I just don’t believe he had a peer at that position, who ever wore a Broncos uniform, and few peers who ever wore a football uniform, period.
I would’ve liked to have seen Al Wilson at linebacker, John Lynch at safety, Trevor Pryce at D tackle and Niel Smith and Alfred Oh I forgot Alfred’s last name. Geez? Anyways He was on the Superbowl team. I would’ve liked to have seen them in your list. If there was a Back-up QB I would’ve picked Jake Plummer. But it was a good list.
Oh yeah and Edy Mac at Wide out. Him and Rod Smith were good together.
What about Dennis Smith?
My bad Mike, you do have Schlereth and Bishop. I actually voted for Paul Howard and Keith Bishop at Guard position.
Same except Claudie Minor at OT over Lanier, EddyMac over Taylor, Trevor Price over Paul Smith at DT, and I took Smith over Thompson at Safety thought that was a toss-up. I agree there was never another Ricky Upchurch but Glenn Milburns 400+ all purpose yards in one game earned his spot as return man.
Like your work on 850. Not a bad team. So many great players and some that wore the Bronco’s #s first for the team had to be left off!
Tom/Denver via Roanoke, Va.
wtcraft
I am also from Roanoke, Va.
Life of Bronco, Claudie Minor, are you kidding? I swear that guy got called for a penalty on every other play!
I made my picks a couple months ago, we had the same on most but differ as follow:
Offense
I have Moses instead of Taylor
Howard instead of Bishop
Defense
Rulon Jones instead of Fletcher
Alzado instead of Chavous
Trevor Pryce instead of Smith
Wilson instead of Jackson
Dennis Smith instead of Thompson
ST
Horan instead of Rouen.
Either way I’d take either team any day…
Mike, besides one or two i pick realy close to what you did, i did my picks week ago. Would have to go back and see spot for spot but i think we are close.
Thanks for your comments. They’re great.
patientbronco…DE was tough, too. Tombstone deserves to be on there. And I think you’re right on with your thoughts about Rod Smith.
royalbroncofan1…it’s tough to argue with Moses or Smith. They were great players. And while I’ll stick with Rouen over Horan, it’s really close, as you said.
topscribe…Thanks. Again, it is really tough to leave Jackson off.
the life of bronco…good choices, too. While Milburn was really good, when I hear the phrase “Bronco return men” I immediately think of Upchurch because of how good he was over a long time. That’s why I went with him.
wtcraft…Thank you for the kind words. You’re right, the Broncos have had a lot of great, great players over the years.
baylinorcrush…Alzado and Jones are also good choices on the d-line. I gave both consideration. And leaving Al Wilson off was really hard.
Seeingisbelivin…thanks for taking part. Fun stuff!