The Greatest Broncos Of All Time....By The Numbers - #7 John Elway
by John Bena on Jun 25, 2008 7:17 AM MDT
in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
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The Candidates -
John Elway QB 1983-98
Craig Morton QB 1977-82
Mickey Slaughter QB 1963-66
With all do respect to Craig Morton, who himself was enshrined in the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1988, and was the first quarterback to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl, John Elway is perhaps the Greatest Bronco to wear any number, period. Can the #7 ever be talked about again, concerning the Denver Broncos, without the name John Elway coming next?
It was Elway that lead the Broncos to 5 Super Bowls, and those 5 starts are the most for any quarterback, ever. It was Elway that finally got the Broncos their first World Title, and Elway that was MVP of the last game he ever played, Super Bowl XXXIII.
via www2.jsonline.com
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8th, 2004, Elway became the first Bronco enshrined, something we have talked a bit about on this site.
He wrapped up his stellar career by posting the highest quarterback rating of his career (93.0) in his final campaign. At the close of the 1998 season, Elway ranked second among active NFL players for number of appearances with one team (234) and retired having played in and started more games (231) in more seasons (16) than any player in Denver Broncos history. Elway, who retired as the NFL's all-time winningest starting quarterback (148-82-1; .643) and currently trails only Brett Favre in career victories, was voted to a franchise record nine Pro Bowl appearances (1986 season, ‘87, ‘89, ‘91, ‘93, ‘94, ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98)-tied for the most ever by a quarterback (Favre, Dan Marino, Warren Moon)-and as a starter six times (‘87, ‘89, ‘93, ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98). He was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1987 and AFC Player of the Year in 1993, and he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week 15 times and AFC Offensive Player of the Month twice. Elway was named the Edge NFL Man of the Year for 1992 and was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 while also being named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1990s (first team). He ranks third behind Favre and Marino in most major NFL career passing categories, including passing yards (51,475), attempts (7,250), completions (4,123) and total offense (54,882). He also figures fourth in total touchdowns (behind Marino, Favre and Fran Tarkenton) with 334 (300 passing/33 rushing/1 receiving), fifth in passing touchdowns with 300 and second among NFL quarterbacks in career rushing attempts (774) while figuring sixth in rushing yards (3,407). Elway is the only player in NFL history to pass for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 200 yards in the same season for seven consecutive years (1985-91). He generated 4,771 of the 5,806 points (82.2%) scored by the Broncos during his 16-year tenure with the club. Elway ranks No. 1 in NFL history in fourth-quarter, game-winning or game-saving drives with 47 (46-0-1 record) and had 36 career 300-yard passing games in the regular season, third among active quarterbacks at the time of his retirement (Marino, Moon). He also caught three passes in regular-season play for 61 yards, including a touchdown of 23 yards from Steve Sewell in 1986. In 1997, Elway broke his franchise record for consecutive passes without an interception with the streak reaching 189 attempts. For his career, Elway had 19 games in which he completed 70 percent or more of his passes (min. 20 att.) and fashioned a 17-2 record in those games. He started 2,595 drives as a
pro and was replaced just 10 times due to injury (.039%).
In playoffs, Elway was usually at his best. Elway played in a franchise-record 22 postseason games (including five Super Bowls) with 21 starts and produced a 14-7 record (9-2 at home, 3-2 on the road and 2-3 at neutral sites). He is the only quarterback ever to start in five Super Bowls and has the NFL's all-time best record as a starting quarterback in Conference Championship Games at 5-1. The other quarterbacks with four Super Bowl starts are Tom Brady, Jim Kelly, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach. Elway owns or shares 18 Broncos postseason records, including most passing yards, most touchdown passes and total offense (combined rushing and passing yards). He completed 355 of 651 passes (54.5%) for 4,964 yards with 27 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He also rushed 94 times for 461 yards (4.9 avg.) with six touchdowns and caught one pass for 23 yards in postseason play. Elway ranks third in NFL postseason history in passing yardage (trailing only Montana-5,772 and Brett Favre-5,311), fourth in pass attempts (Montana-734, Favre-721, Marino-687), fifth in completions (Montana-460, Favre-438, Marino-385, Brady-372) and fifth in passing touchdowns (Montana-45, Favre-39, Marino-32, Bradshaw-30). In Super Bowl play, Elway ranks second in pass attempts (152), fourth incompletions (76), second in passing yards (1,128) and tied for second in rushing touchdowns (4) with Franco Harris and Thurman Thomas (Emmitt Smith has 5). Six of Elway's NFL-record 47 fourth-quarter, game-winning or game-saving drives came in the postseason.
Elway's #7 is one of only 3 retired numbers in Broncos' history, joining Frank Tripuka's #18 and Floyd Little's #44. He is now President and Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League, a franchise that he co-owns with Pat Bowlen and Stan Kroenke. The team was formed in June 2002 and began play in 2003. On June 12, 2005, the Crush defeated the Georgia Force 51-48 to capture ArenaBowl XIX.
I could go on and on forever about Elway, his impact on the team, the city or the fans, but I will leave that to you. Give your greatest Elway moments and enjoy the following video,
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I know we had only 4 choices to select from, but...
my personal favorite Elway moment was his 4th qtr comeback against the Houston Oilers in a divisional playoff game (1992). I loved it because it pitted Elway against-what I feel-is the most underrated QB in NFL history, Warren Moon. I loved seeing those two play.
I wish Woody Paige was our coach!
Mine too...I voted for "The Drive"...II ;)
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
Personally
The drive is a classic but it does not bet much more intense than the helicopter. Every moment of that play you were worried about something different. It turned around the game and was maybe one of the greatest moments in football history.
"Hey Raiders fans!!! If you leave now you can beat traffic!"
-Rod Smith
by GarretBarnes on Jun 25, 2008 7:45 PM MDT up reply actions
My favorite Elway play of all time:
(as I posted in Zapp’s thread awhile back)
That Seahawks game in Seattle, the Broncos are at the 50, a Seahawks LB comes flying up the middle untouched, Elway at the last second ducks causing the LB to go flying over the top of him, jumps up and fires one of the most beautiful bombs ever, to Sharpe, on the dead run at the goal-line.
oh let me amend my post ;)
That play was my favorite in terms of pure athleticism and skill on the part of Elway…
Of course, my favorite Elway moment would be the helicopter in terms of the emotions, the stage, and just pure awesomeness. lolz.
Elway moment
In his rookie year, Elway was booed mercilessly in Baltimore, because he had refused to play for them after they drafted him number one. Later that year (late November) the Colts came to Mile High (through a schedule quirk, we played them twice that year). Broncos got behind early, but Elway produced his first ever 4th quarter come from behind win, completing pass after pass, many to Gerald Wilhite. You knew then we had a quarterback.
Back then
The Broncos were playing a 5th place schedule so the 2 5th place teams in the afc played each other twice. Denver also played a 5th place in 1991 and beat NE twice. But that comeback was one of his best. For a guy who was in over his head for the most of that season to get that glimpse of greatness was AWESOME. I still get chills thinking about it. Especially when Gerald Willhite left early because there was nobody between him and the 5 yard line (I think the Broncos were on th 25).
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 12:00 PM MDT up reply actions
Favorite Elway moment
I voted for the helicopter in SB 32, but had I been much older than 16 months when The Drive occurred I may have voted for it. The helicopter was a gutsy move by Elway; it’s representative of Elway doing everything possible to finally win The Big One.
"Keep your head down, and inch toward daylight." - Blade of Tyshalle
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Favorite Elway moment
Helicopter run.
Favorite Moment,
Replay of reaction by Denver’s bench to the helicopter run.
I loved how big Elway's eyes got before he made the leap/dive for the first down....
he knew that he was gonna get hit.
fader nation is a conquered nation
My personal most emotional response
When Davis broke the run for first down and made the clock meaningless. I jumped up and screamed, ‘YESS!!!!!!!!!’, shocking most the people in a little sportsbar in Chewelah , WA. Years of frustration fell from my shoulders. I might have had tears-I was so excited I can’t remember. I just remember throwing my fist in the air and shouting, ‘YESS!!!!!!!!!!!, YES!!!!!!!!!!!, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!. Then I stepped outside and thanked GOD for lifting the pasts burden from our team-at that point I had tears—I was so happy.
Had to vote for the Drive
I wasn’t even born yet, but I have that game on tape and get goosebumps every time I watch. All time greatest quote ever from 1998: “This one’s for John.” That really signified his impact and what he meant to the Broncos and the city of Denver. Long live John, and long live the memories, and may there be many more moments like these ahead at the hands of young Jay!
Why do I live in Kansas City?
I am starting to feel old!
Russ was 16 months old, papigrande wasn’t even born! Ugh! The Drive still feels like yesterday to me….
-TSG
www.milehighreport.com
I still remember it
I remember the elation the city had and how it was the beginning of the Broncos run of owning the Browns
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 2:05 PM MDT up reply actions
and Marty!
"It's all over Fat Man"
- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
by DesertBroncoFan on Jun 25, 2008 2:27 PM MDT up reply actions
I was a wee lad. 8 years old.
I too had to vote for “The Drive”
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
Just wait young man!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson
me to Guru
I wasn’t young even when ‘The Drive’ happened.
I voted for the Helicopter run because I had a very emotional response. With our previous, ‘We had no chance this late in the game Superbowls’ it was just fun to still be in the game and see John giving his all. The replay of the response of Denver’s bench is still fused on my brain. I wonder if that one play is what caused our defense to rise and stop Green Bay on their final drive.
‘The Drive’ was just as important but my response was more like, ‘surreal’, at every play I was just waiting for something to go wrong. When we got the touchdown I thought, “we’ll blow it in overtime.”
Even the angles from the cameras made it look like the FG was wide left. It took me a day torealize that we were headed to the Super Bowl.
The response from the ‘Helicopter Run’ was instant. Watching the response of our defense, seen moments later in a replay, had my heart screaming, “Yes!!!!!!!!! We may just win this thing!”
Ahh the good ol days!
Where was everyone at when the Broncos won there first superbowl? After I stopped crying, We went for a walk downtown. The entire city was alive. It honestly sounded like war had broke out downtown. Fires, rolled cars, riot police. People scaling buildings and light poles. Pure madness!! My vote definetaly went for the Helicopter play. To me, it signified Elways career.
I was down in the Springs
watching with a friend from Englewood who is a HUGE Green Bay fan! I stayed up most of the night watching the replays and the reports from the local news guys reporting on the parties in La Jolla at the team’s hotel.
I was disappointed by the rioting, though. I thought that Denver had more class than LA when it came to winning a championship. People celebrating is cool, but the fires and rolled cars were just too reminiscent of things I saw in IMO lesser cities like LA and Detroit.
"It's all over Fat Man"
- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
by DesertBroncoFan on Jun 25, 2008 2:04 PM MDT up reply actions
That's what happens when a city gets it's first Championship EVER.
Did they riot after Super Bowl 33?
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
it was much more subdued......
a few fires in lodo if i remember right
fader nation is a conquered nation
yea, people tend to go apeshit when their favorite team finally wins a championship....
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
I had answered a Poll
It was entitled your favorite Brett Favre moment: I relplied by saying when he lost to Elway in Super Bowl XXXII
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 3:43 PM MDT up reply actions
One of my all-time favorite YouTube videos.
I have my three favorite on my MySpace page…good to hear Ozzy too.
My most memorable moment besides the 92 divisional playoff game against Houston would be May 2, 1999…my wife’s birthday, but also the day Elway announced his “graduation from pro football”. Coincidentally, also the last time I wept over a “sporting” event. Super Bowl 32 and that loss to Jax in the 96 playoffs are the other two times I shed tears over a sporting event.
Opps, I also shed some tears when Dale Earnhardt died…another legend.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
Oh and that picture of Elway holding up the trophy was the EXACT picture I was
hoping you would use for this one Guru. Awesome!
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
crying
I actually think I managed to hold back the tears for the GB victory… mostly b/c I was with a bunch of dudes and of course I can’t let them see me crying. ;)
I remember bawling like a baby for SB 24 (the SF one), I think I was around 12, if I’m doing my math correctly. My wife originally thought I was crazy for crying over a football game but after I described the game to her in as much detail as I could painfully recall… she eventually understood my pain. lolz.
I was like 11 during the 49er debacle and only watched the first quarter...
I live in norcal…no use letting the arrogant forty-whiner fans see me upset. I am man enough to shed tears over sporting events….I don’t cry at funerals or weddings though. Funerals especially…I prefer to grieve alone.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
I was in Japan
and had to listen to it on Armed Forces radio, I was crushed, and then the shit I had to take after that. BUT I got my revenge after #32
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 12:02 PM MDT up reply actions
hey, what the...
are you saying I’m not a man???
well, actually, you’re right… I’m only about half a man really. But if I can install this ceiling fan this weekend successfully, then maybe I’ll consider myself a full man!!! ;)
lol. I was not implying your not a man.
I was reinforcing my own manhood after admitting I shed tears.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
If it helps
(former NFL lineman) Rosie Grier thinks it’s okay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHrwcQrY-JM
I only remember the first quarter of XXIV
I was in San Diego and had a huge Super Bowl party (even though I knew we were going to get killed – doesn’t mean I wasn’t still cheering for them). If I remember right, we got a keg from Karl Strauss and I started during the pre-game. Luckily, I don’t remember much of the game :-P
"It's all over Fat Man"
- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
by DesertBroncoFan on Jun 25, 2008 2:08 PM MDT up reply actions
I remember his commercials
I almost had a job there at HQ, but I turned it down to work in a 90% female dept. Good move or bad I still dunno. But being the token male didnt suck
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions
His Beer Garden in Sorrento Valley
is awesome (used to be a Japanese restaurant with a koi pond).
Qualcomm employees called it Building K.
"It's all over Fat Man"
- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
by DesertBroncoFan on Jun 25, 2008 4:49 PM MDT up reply actions
Had to be the helicoptor
That one gave me goosebumps and I think at that moment every fan, teammember, and coach knew that we were gonna win that game. Thats the kind of thing great players do, they lift up the entire team in a certain moment that defines the game. If anyone had any doubt as to the outcome of that game, I think it was erased at that moment.
The player who thinks he can and the player who knows he can are two different players, which one are you???
Oh horseshit!!
How can you guys overlook Mickey Slaughter?
I mean seriously, you guys gonna overlook the Mickster?
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
He was just one of 25 different Bronco QB's in four years
from 66-70. Marlin Briscoe started all of 69 so actually it was 24 QBs in 3 years. lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
I wish there was an option for all of the above
Cuz they were all great, How about in 1992 with 5 minutes left KC was up 19-6 and lost to Elway and company 20-19. Denver scored 2 TD in less thna 3 minutes. Ahhhh it was awesome. Atwater hurt his ankle on Vance Johnsons game winning catch when he jumped up to celebrate and came down on his ankel wrong. Or earlier in that season. Elway led a last minute drive to score a TD and beat the LA Raiders 17-13. Offensively the Broncos were putrid in that game. Their only other TD was a Michael Brooks fumble return. HAHAHA I love beating the faders at the last minute
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 12:09 PM MDT reply actions
It was The Drive.
The comeback against the Oilers is a classic, the best in Bronco history. But there was never so much on the line as during The Drive.
The Broncos were the underdogs. It was their first chance to get back to the Super Bowl since the Orange Crush days. It was a shiny new unproven Quarterback. It was cold and snowy and icy. It was on the road. It was in one of the most hostile home fields in pro football history. It was 98 and 1/2 yards. It was the last chance. It was do or die. It was converting third and long. It was the ball bouncing off the receiver as he crossed behind the center. It was scrambling for just enough yardage one time but not another. It was a laser shot through upstretched arms for the TD. It was poetry. It was miraculous.
It was destiny.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
And by the way, I was thirty-two.
But I don’t think I was still in diapers. And I cried.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Jun 25, 2008 2:02 PM MDT up reply actions
Jack
You must be a mid-fifties baby like me.
I voted for the ‘Helicopter Run’ because of the response of the bench. I think it lifted our defense.
Yes I am.
Turned 53 on Father’s Day. One of my good daughters got me an original Ed McCaffery jersey and an Elway card from his fifth season.
These are all great moments and I can think of a couple more. It’s so hard to choose.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Jun 25, 2008 5:59 PM MDT up reply actions
Elway's career is full of memorable moments...the dude was one of the greatest of all-time.
I became a fan right around his rookie year, so I was so spoiled as a fan that when he retired in 1999 and the subsequent collapse of our team, I almost lost interest in football. I had only hieghtened interest in the early 2000’s, but it has steadily increased back into my present recovered status of Broncomaniac. I am as rabid now as I was during the Elway era…it only took about 5-6 years to recover from his loss. I think it was his Hall of Fame(emphasis added when referring to a Bronco enshrinement) induction that finally healed the wounds of my fandom. lol
Happy Birthday Jack and do you know how much that Elway card is? I have several of his cards from the mid 80’s…just curious if it has any value yet. :) Aside from it being priceless to me…how much to a non-Bronco fan? lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
I have a signed football
By Haven Moses from the 1977 season. To me they are priceless. They are gonna go to my grandkids if i ever get any
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 6:39 PM MDT up reply actions
I really don't have any idea how much, if anything, it's worth.
I just think it’s neat, which is probably how this whole collectable business got started.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Jun 26, 2008 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions
Jack
Be healthy my friend. I turn 53 in a couple of days. Back then it took a while to get to Park City and a couple more hours to get from Park City to Salt Lake. Now it takes 20 minutes to get from Park City to Salt Lake (they blew an entire mountain up to turn a canyon switchback into an 8 lane freeway.) I now live in Spokane,WA. You have to marvel at the way that someone is re-writing our history.
I think that’s why I love fotball…you can’t change, “The Drive” or “The Helicopter.”
Thanks for the good wishes.
Happy Birthday right back at you.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Jun 26, 2008 1:30 PM MDT up reply actions
to see the calmness in the offense
Was awesome. Then the defense stepped up and had a 3 and out on the Browns first drive in OT. Elway hitting Watson for a couple of 20+ receptions in OT. Karlis still making it close on the FG. To me that is the greatest moment in NFL history. The Drive its WAYYY better than the catch!
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 2:09 PM MDT up reply actions
We got 'em right where we want 'em
Classic Keith Bishop! I just read an article on Bish that since he’s been out of football, he has been working for the DEA in Texas bustin’ down doors of meth labs! Way to go Keith!
"It's all over Fat Man"
- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
by DesertBroncoFan on Jun 25, 2008 2:12 PM MDT up reply actions
The Drive II could have been destiny too if David freakin Treadwell
hadn’t missed 3 field goals to make us lose 10-7.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
Party??
Is anyone else having a party Saturday?? We have been doing it now for about five years. We have cake and ice cream and everything. It is a great tradition. We will probably have a BBQ this year as well.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson
What is special about Saturday?
Besides the fact that june 28th is the only day of the year when the month and the day are both perfect numbers?
A perfect number is defined as a positive integer which is the sum of its proper positive divisors, that is, the sum of the positive divisors excluding the number itself. Equivalently, a perfect number is a number that is half the sum of all of its positive divisors, or σ(n) = 2 n.The first perfect number is 6, because 1, 2, and 3 are its proper positive divisors and 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. The next perfect number is 28 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14.
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 25, 2008 3:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Elway's Birthday of course
I will send you a pic. It’s a great time. This year I have invited Danver and would invite Arctic Bronco if I could reach him. You are welcome too, if you want to sail up from POW.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson
300+ yards
i voted for SB XXXIII. that was vindication for all the naysayers telling people that elway was done, and the broncos were all td. shanny had enough of that talk, and who did he go after right away? eugene robinson, the official “minister” of the nfl, who got caught trying to get * from a cop for $40 the night before. rod smith burned him immediately for an 80-yard td. also, shanny was tired of griffith not getting any credit for td’s success, so he ended up with 3 td’s, i believe? another coincidence, i guess.
by the way, if you follow why some marginal players get their number called alot in a game, look at that players’ hometown, or college. shanny has a habit of letting his players play extensively in those games. i can remember about a dozen or so off the top of my head, but i think that is really cool that he utilizes that advantage with his players. they always perform well, too. keep an eye on that
thanks
i wasn’t sure on that one, mdierk, hence the ”?”. i remember howard getting a lot of well-deserved press after that game. these comments are sure bringing up some memories. just how mant games did elway steal, anyway? i remember one of my favorites was a 1988 steeler playoff game, i think they were up like 20-3. we won 24-23. their rb was running right through us all day. definitely a game we deserved to lose, but didn’t. ah, the memories!
btw, does anyone know where i can find historical info on the broncos(rosters, scores,...) the official website took all that down, and i got little help from other teams’ sites, as well. this sucks, i need some more facts
Try
This link, to get you started.
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 25, 2008 9:04 PM MDT up reply actions
thanks, styg!
it was the ‘89 divisional playoff game, and the rb was actually fb and current analyst merril hoge. we had no answer for that guy, until elway decided to pull the game out of his *. another great victory for the king, and one of my favorites. we were dominated in that game. wow
another good one
is pro-football-reference.com
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 26, 2008 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions
What I really wants
is play by plays for historical games. in a SQL compliant DB, preferably. What a geeky dream I have!
But I use pro-football-reference quite a bit in the meantime.
and thank you...
broncfanstuckinsd. i saved both of these on my favorites list. i would like to be more factual about events 20 years ago, and this certainly helps. my memory isn’t THAT good. thanks again guys, and damn the official website
I wish I could recommend NFL.com
but they really dont go that deep. If you really want some in depth info, the best is to get the Broncos media guide. I use to get those when I was at home, and that is the best. I also get the NFL record and fact book its not that indepth team-wise but has great info on the history of the NFL and prior seasons
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 26, 2008 3:41 PM MDT up reply actions
I will always love watching Rod Burn Robinson
I hate watching him on those highlights of #32 after TD scored to tie the game 7-7 and the Robinson to his fellow packers saying the Broncos were not even good. I know it was to fire up his team. But that pisses me off to this day. Then after receiving the Bart Starr award. (for High moral character) he got busted. I was laughing then Elway burned him for an 80 yd TD pass AWESOME
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 25, 2008 5:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Where are those guys?
Where are those guys that thought they would support Craig Morton as the best #7?
I’m certain I saw a couple comments that people were leaning that way. Now they didn’t show up. Saves me the trouble of trashing Morton.
As far as I’m concerned, Elway is the best QB I have ever seen that played during my lifetime, although I have a special place for Johnny U and would take him second.
"If Denver beats us, I'll walk back to Detroit" - Alex Karras
I'm hoping...
the best Elway days for the Broncos are stil to come. I hear his son is pretty good.
by ThorpeBroncosfan on Jun 26, 2008 12:02 AM MDT reply actions
that's right!
can we NOT draft the kid the year he comes out? i don’t think so. then again, he’ll have to beat out cutler. actually, now that i think about it, that could be a mess. maybe they could split snaps or something. i don’t know if i could get used to hearing elway playing for someone else, though. this is going to be strange, isn’t it?
My other favorite Elway moments...
Involves him off the field… I’ve always loved how damn goofy that guy is. From his car commercials to various NFL films footages to even his retirement speech! What a ham…
I’ve never in lived in Denver, but I’m sure you guys have seen even more displays of goofiness from the Duke.
=)
The Helicoptor....
in Super Bowl 32 was my favorite….well its the one i lived through. I was a baby when the drive happened so the only one I could vote for was the helicoptor. Elway winning the mvp was a close one.
I was mistaken...this above video is *not* my favorite of all time...this one is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWKgJKrj4hA
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
similar though. ;)
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
My favorites
were always Elways receptions. I remember just being in awe of the plays (as a kid). All of a sudden this guy who usually has all this protection from the big fellas is out there running in the flat catching passes. I am not sure I knew it then, but that kind of workman-like attitude is the same thing he showed the rest of his career, epitomized in the Helicopter…
I voted drive above, for basically the same reasons Trinidad Jack mentioned. To me it was the “opening of the door” on a new era of Broncos football. Showed grit, tenacity, fierceness. My memory may be hazy due to the fat and sugar rush from the Little Caesar’s pizza and 2-liter of Orange Crush my parents let us have for dinner that night….
Don't forget that Elway holds the all-time record for most times sacked... 500+ times (552 I think).
Far away the most of all time. What a stud….lose the yards, get ‘em right back on the next play. lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
Great stat
And a testament to how many tools Elway brought to the table. You don’t repeatedly convert 2nd and long, 3rd and long, etc. without some tricks up your sleeve. You also don’t get knocked on your ass 500 times and get back up without some serious cojones – similar to my relationship with a bar stool. ;-)
It sure would be interesting to see stats on what happened the play after each of those 500+ sacks. How many QB runs, passes, punts, etc. Oh how I wish I had an NFL play-by-play database I could query against…
lol, no doubt most of those 500 ended in punts, but its those special ones that made him great...
3rd and 18 in the AFC Championship game…in the Dawg Pound…the ball is snapped, hits the man in motion in the arse, but Elway snatches it down around his ankles…drops back…launches a twenty yard bullet to Mark Jackson for a first down. THAT is what made him special.
It’s not the actual stat that is impressive, it was how sacks didn’t necessarily end the drive…no matter how big of a sack. 18 yards is a long way to go one play in the AFC Championship game…
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
Context
Totally agreed – the stat is great in context – otherwise it just says #7 was a big slow galoot. ;-)
Throw the amount of success, and especially those special plays, he delivered on afterwards… and it becomes something special.
Was Elway greatest of all time operating in “unfavorable” (i.e. late down, long to go) circumstances? How do Unitas, Favre, Marino, Manning, et al. compare on that front? (I am leaving off Montana and Young cause it seems like those teams never had 3rd and long! lol. )
I am thinking Elway gets my nod as more of a dual threat – would love to compile some stats in that regard. Anyone know anyplace with situational stats like that?
This also excites me re: Jay Cutler’s future. Kid can definitely convert 10 yards with his feet. Here’s hoping he gets a chance to in an AFC Championship Game!
Cutler converted 4th and 10's several times to win games last year...
the kid is doing things that make me think he is following in the footsteps of the greats like Elway.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
Greatest Moment
September 95, against Washington at home. 6 seconds left. Elway calls out Rod Smith and tells him be “ready for a heater”. Blitz on, he scrambles on their own 46 and launches a rocket that hits Rod between the 8-0, 50 + yards downfield. I jumped off a barstool in disbelief. Luckily, I got to meet the man two months later after we rocked the Pats 37-3 in Foxboro!
Welcome to MHR dude!
I remember that game too…it was my introduction to Rod Smith. My Dad is a Redskins fan so I gave him crap for weeks after that game. He just said the Broncos were a bunch of lucky bastards. I think I was a junior in high school at the time…maybe a sophmore…who knows really. I just know there were no barstools for me back then. lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08
thanks to the coaching staff...
we will eventually lead the way for broncos followers the world over. all blogs will lead to mhr. seriously, though, it appears this site is getting some recognition, and it is well-deserved. now pat yourselves on the back. there ya go
"Defining moment" came before The Drive
While Elway gained the most notoriety for “The Drive,” Elway’s “defining moment” came before that, according to his coach at the time, Dan Reeves. It was way back in December 1983 that Elway led Denver back from a 19-0 deficit to win 21-19 against Baltimore.
Here is the play-by-play of the last three minutes of that game:
The Colts lead 19-14 when the Broncos take over on their 25-yard line with three minutes remaining.
First-and-10 at Broncos 25: RB Gerald Willhite gains 1 yard, but the Broncos are called for holding. Minus-10 yards from the spot of the foul.
First-and-19 at Broncos 16: Elway passes 5 yards to Willhite.
Second-and-14 at Broncos 21: Elway passes 18 yards to WR Steve Watson.
First-and-10 at Broncos 39: Elway’s arm is hit by Colts DE Henry Waechter. Pass incomplete.
Second-and-10 at Broncos 39: Elway runs for 14 yards.
First-and-10 at Colts 47: Elway’s pass intended for Watson is incomplete.
Second-and-10 at Colts 47: Elway passes 13 yards to RB Jesse Myles. Broncos timeout.
First-and-10 at Colts 34: Elway passes 8 yards to WR Zach Thomas.
Second-and-2 at Colts 26: Elway throws out of bounds.
Third-and-2 at Colts 26: Elway’s pass to Myles incomplete. Broncos timeout.
Fourth-and-2 at Colts 26: With 44 seconds remaining, Elway passes 26 yards to Willhite for a touchdown and a 21-19 win.
I saved that from a newspaper article. :)
isnt it amazing
He did this with no name WR’s and RB’s. Now Watson wasnt a no-name but he was all the Broncos had in 1983. I like Willhite a little, but its sad when you are know more for a back flip than for anything you did on the field
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 27, 2008 11:59 AM MDT up reply actions
Comments about Elway from Around the League
This is a great read, full of quotes from people who know football:
The drive.
They’re all great moments. But the one that showed his amazing versatility was the drive.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
Elway
Elway is, without a doubt, one of the 2 best QB’s that I have ever seen, along with Marino. I am on this blog called Football’s Future, and I can’t believe that people think that he was overrated. If anyone was it was Montana and Brady. If anyone says that, they should watch that KC game from 92(I have a copy of it) where he is getting assaulted by Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith because of the sorry protection pretty much all game and still takes them on 2 late TD drives to win, 20-19. If you see that and still think that he is overrated, you are crazy. I think that, he is infact, underrated considering everything he had to go through under Reeves.
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