30 Picks in 30 Days - The 1981 NFL Draft - S Dennis Smith
by John Bena on Mar 28, 2009 10:00 AM MDT
in 2009 NFL Draft - Denver Broncos
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PrintWe continue our countdown to the 2009 NFL Draft with 30 Picks in 30 Days, Day #2. The 1981 Draft for the Broncos wasn't rich on quantity, but did have tremendous quality in their 1st Round pick, #15 overall Dennis Smith.
Playing in one of the best defensive backfields in the history at USC, Smith was collegiate teammates with Ronnie Lott and Joey Browner. Lott and SMith were first round picks in 1981, Browner a 1st rounder in 1982. Ironically, both Lott and Browner are NFL Hall of Famers.
It didn't take long for Smith to make an impact in the NFL. Quickly establishing himself as one of the League's hardest hitters, Smith was feared and revered for his play.
A ferocious hitter, Smith was voted to play in six Pro Bowls (following the 1985- 86, 1989- 91 and '93 seasons), was named All- NFL four times (1985- 86, '89 and '93), was named All- AFC four times (1984- 86, '98) and played on three Broncos Super Bowl teams (XXI, XXII, XXIV).
He was also named the club's Most Inspirational Player in 1992. Smith ranks fourth all- time in games played by a Bronco (184), fifth in games started (170) and sixth in both career interceptions (30) and interception return yards (431).
He is one of just three players in the history of the Broncos franchise to play at least 14 seasons with the club, behind John Elway (16) and tied with Tom Jackson. Smith's career totals include 1,171 tackles (794) and 14 sacks. He posted a career- high five sacks in 1983, a career- high five interceptions in '91 and a career- high 120 tackles in '92.
Perhaps my greatest memories of Smith are in regards to the way he passed the torch to another hard-hitting safety - Steve Atwater. That type of leadership has been a huge void for the Broncos and remembering players like Smith remind us all just how great the Broncos Greats truly are.
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Thanks again for the memories Guru!!
Dennis is another of my favorite players. He was also part of one of the wildest endings I’ve ever seen.
I can’t remember who we were playing—maybe one of you can—I just remember the play.
Here’s how it went:
We were behind by like four or five points and the team we were playing were on our 5 0r 6 yard line about to kick a game clinching field goal.
They started the play but Dennis shot in, blocked it, but was called for offsides. They lined up again started the play and Dennis blocked it again—this time with no penalty.
Not only that someone on our team pick the ball up—ran it back for a touchdown—giving us the lead with virtually no time left.
It was one the strangest endings I’ve ever seen—and one of the most fun.
13-3 Baby!!
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
The best defense is a good offense!
I was at that game.
The opponent was San Diego. My memory says the player running the ball back for a TD was Louis Wright, but that could be faulty.
Man, how in the world did Denver go from Smith and Atwater to Manual and McCree? Blah…….
But back up to Dawkins and Hill
At the least – a major upgrade in talent and leadership
Hillis in '09
plus I hear they can tie their OWN cleats!
http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif
"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 28, 2009 11:31 AM MDT up reply actions
I hear they can MAKE their own cleats
from the skin and bones of those rare fools who go deep.
"HE'S OUR QUARTERBACK." -- Josh McDaniels
by broncosmontana on Mar 28, 2009 2:02 PM MDT up reply actions
I think it was Wright that ran it back.
and you’re right—its really tough for us oldtimers to realize what we used to have for Safeties—and we’ve had lately.
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
The best defense is a good offense!
I think it was Wright that ran the first one back as well...
I remember being so pissed at Smith for being offside the first time because what are the odds that we would block back-to-back kicks?
As it turns out, pretty good! I remember Louis reaching the chain link fence on the North end of Mile High and getting mobbed by the crowd. I remember him saying how gassed he was after having to do it twice!
"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
"tough times don't last, tough people do" - Mike "The Mastermind" Shanahan
by DesertBroncoFan on Mar 28, 2009 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions
I didn't see the first blocked kick....
I think I had given up—gone to the kitchen—and barely made it back for the replay.
Got to watch the 2nd block and TD however.
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
The best defense is a good offense!
Also Jaffe
If jealousy was allowed in The Land this statement:
I was at that game.
would do the job.
lol
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
The best defense is a good offense!
+100
"HE'S OUR QUARTERBACK." -- Josh McDaniels
by broncosmontana on Mar 28, 2009 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions
;-)
We’ve had season tickets in my family since before I was born. But I would never try to make anyone jealous by mentioning specific games (I would never tell anyone The Fumble happened right in front of me, for example…heh heh).
On the other side I’ve been at some stinkers. Most recently last years Buffalo game. suddenly feeling ill
Ok, I guess you suffer some things we don't also...
LOL
13-3 Baby!!
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
The best defense is a good offense!
What Wonderful Memories...
I remember Dennis Smith and his hard hitting! Man he was fun to watch! Man, how I miss those days.
Thanks for a very fine trip down memory lane, we need to take this trip more often.
Strength and honor
by kybroncomaniac on Mar 28, 2009 11:52 AM MDT reply actions
Another favorite
Funny how I gravitate toward classic Bronco DBs… Louis Wright, Smith, Atwater, Steve Foley!
Here’s hoping the new guys can create some new memories, ‘cause other than Champ there hasn’t been much to get excited about back there in recent years.
Anyway, loved Dennis Smith. He gets no love from that Lott/Browning group, but was every bit as good.
smith to the hall?
I am always surprised that dennis smith does not recieve more credit for his career, i think he is the best defensive player the broncos ever had and one of the 3 or 4 best safties ever in the nfl and I think bronco fans do him a disservice by not making more noise about him.
He is a Bronco
Thats why he isnt in the hall of shame. But he wasnt the best Safety in team history. That goes either to Atwater or Billy Thompson. Smith wasnt a good player at coverage but could hit. Lott and Browner were both corner coming out of SC and Smith a hitting Safety thats the difference . I still remember him misplaying Brian Brennan in the 86 AFC title game in which Elway had to go 98 yards. Not to bag on him, but IMO there are reasons he hasnt had more discussions on why he inst considered more for the hall of shame
somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong
by broncfanstuckinsd on Mar 28, 2009 1:39 PM MDT reply actions
Agree that he's probably not a HOFer...
but he was good enough to get a sniff…
I agree.......but that doesn't make me like him less.
But I do think both Wright and Atwater should be in the Hall!!
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
The best defense is a good offense!
But Smith was a close third
But he wasnt the best Safety in team history. That goes either to Atwater or Billy Thompson.
My vote goes to Billy Thompson, but all three were great. God, would I like all of them back, in their prime.
Growing older is not for sissies. Jack Palance
There are several of us that agree Bradley
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
The best defense is a good offense!
+1---Would'nt that be great
Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM
Dennis Smith is My all time Favorite
I got round two’s mock Draft from Chris Steuber, at Scout.com He has The Broncos picking CB D.J. Moore, from Vanderbilt who can also return kick’s with the 48th pick barring any trades.
http://profootball.scout.com/2/850896.html
Does anybody think He could be That Guy?
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
Sorry CB HeHeHe
gotta laugh at myself on that one
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
I think DJ moore
might be Dre Bly part deux. he’s small, a dragdown tackler, and not nearly powerful or physical enough to hang with bigger receivers near the line. Add in that he isn’t very fast (but he is quick, which I like) and I’m not sure what the draw is… Punt returns alone don’t seem like enough, but that could be the forgotten third talking…
Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.
by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 28, 2009 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions
I agree with you
I’m not sure another 5’10" CB is what The Broncos Need. I actually miss posted that comment and was really thinking of S William Moore 6-1/223/ SR- Missouri
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
I do like Mizzou Moore
I hate it when a team guy gets a bum rap. He busted his butt playing up near the line for Missouri, and all he got as thanks from the analysts an pundits was “can’t stay healthy” and “looks like a LB”. He did what his team asked him to do, just like BMarsh did when he played safety in college. Brandon turned out to be just as much of a playmaker as he ever was when he was brought back to WR, and I believe that Moore’s instincts and intelligence in the secondary are just as good as they were two years ago.
He is a football player. Sometimes the analysts overlook that.
Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.
by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 29, 2009 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Can you imagine,
Dawkins mentoring a player like William Moore? or Nic Harris?
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
I was thinking of
S William Moore 6-1/223/ SR- Missouri who thinks this kid could be the next Dennis Smith?
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
He has potential.
He also is versatile. He’s got a shot to be a very good player. Better, he’s likely to be available in the 2nd round.
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