MHR's Forgotten Broncos -- Lionel Taylor

I knew Lionel Taylor was good, but it’s great hearing about it from someone who knows more than I. Thanks!

You really get my heart rate up! Lionel Taylor was simply amazing. Like Little, he was the only offensive weapon the Broncos had at the time. Opponents double and triple teamed LT (yes, he was the ORIGINAL LT) and he still put up those numbers! Thanks for the great post.

...as Taylor’s career was winding down. My memory is a little vague for those years but I do remember some things. For one, I loved his first name, Lionel, just like the toy trains that were so popular back then. I wanted to be named something like Lionel instead of some boring old name like Jack. For another, he made the most amazing catches. I believe I heard the terms “circus catch” and “soft hands” for the first time in my life when the announcers were referring him. It was like he disdained using both hands. The ball would float in, he’d stick up one hand and it would either stick, like velcro or he’d knock it down to his stomach where he’d latch onto it. I remember my coach telling the team he didn’t want to see anybody trying to catch a ball like that.

I guess he wasn’t fast but I think he had game speed. More than once it seemed like the quarterback would lob the ball up toward a tangle of players, most of them defenders, then at the last moment Taylor would pop out of the mess, seperate himself by a yard or two behind the defenders, and catch the ball. Does that sound about right, firstfan?

I think Zappa is right about the reason he’s not in the h.o.f. (de-emphasis added), especially when I look at the other players on the list of contemporaries. I remember most of those guys. He was much, much better than Biletnikoff, who relied so heavily on sticky gel that he looked like a chia pet at the end of a game. He was a much better receiver than Don “I used to play the grease bowl” Maynard even without Joe Namath throwing to him. He was at least as good as Alworth, albeit a different type of receiver.

Good job Zappa, especially for not being there.

Of course he did not get in, the HOF election clowns, err “sportswriters” and such have always dissed the Broncos. Little has said that over and over again. Ya ol Freddy was a stickum user. Look what happened to Hayes after stickum was banned. HAHA
But another reason Lou Saban was not a good coach he traded him and Wille Brown away. Taylor was such a great WR, any QB threw the ball to him he was gonna catch it. But another great read. Plus when he caught 100 balls in was in a 14 game season. That was when the DB’s could maul WR’s down the field. There was illegal contact and such as there is now

Lionel Taylor was another one of the guys with character. You didn’t see him doing end zone celebrations or arguing with the coach or demanding to be traded to a championship caliber team. He showed up for work every day did a damn fine job.

...who was the first ever to put up a thousand yard season as a wide receiver. He caught passes from a bunch of no-name QB’s. He made miracle catches. He was the only offensive weapon the Broncos had at the time. He was often double and even triple teamed. He made these fenominal catches during a time when the rules allowed receivers to be mugged from the time the ball was snapped until the whistle blew. He did this for several seasons in a row over a remarkable ten year career. He was equal or superior to any of his contemporaries who are in the h.o.f. (de-emphasis added). And top top it all off, he was the epitome of class.

Does that about sum it up?

Do we need any more proof that the h.o.f. (de-emphasis added) is a joke?... or as the Zap said so well, an almost meaningless popularity contest?

I’ve been preaching for years that the HOF worthy Denver Broncos should be in Chronological order. Lionel Taylor is more than deserving of the HOF. It is a trajedy that he isn’t in. Personally, I am very conservative as to who should make the grade and many early Bronco greats like Goose Gonsoulin is short of the honor. Albiet he was a great player, but not deserving of the Hall like Taylor is.

Next in line is Floyd Little and Rich Jackson; These guys have much better stats than several players already inducted. Then we get to guys like Gradishar, Billie Thompson, and Louie Wright having the credentials. Many people believe that Mecklenburg deserves the Hall, but I believe he falls short. Mecklenburg never scared the hell out of anyone like when Stonewall Jackson lined up against you. Too bad they didn’t record sacks and hurries in the days of Stonewall, we would probably be surprised.

War Taylor, Little and Stonewall Jackson for the HOF.

...have to be at the top of any list. Maybe then I’ll be placated enough to call it the… you know. Many of the others, especially guys like Rich Jackson and TD are worthy of very serious consideration.

I’ve been thinking that the rules of selection should be changed. Given the serious bias of so called sports writers, control should be given to the clubs and fans. Who better to know who is truly worthy of enshrinment?

...can always pass a “cold hard judgment” standard, whatever that might be. I think one thing I’ve learned in the courtroom and the classroom is that it isn’t really hard to create some objective measureables like statistics or # of facts memorized, but ultimately the real measure is always subjective. I know that can be disturbing, especially when somebody’s life is on the like, as in a courtroom situation, but I believe it is true nevertheless.

Consider Floyd Little’s case. Statistically, he was number seven on the list of career yardage. We can measure that. Perhaps that should be enough to get him into the h.o.f., perhaps not. But I submit that nobody else on that list or any list, with the possible exception of Jim Brown, meant more to his team, his community, and football. His value is not objectively measurable but it is that significant. And when you factor in that intangible, it becomes clear just how offensive the oversight is.