Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: Bubby Brister
by KaptainKirk on Mar 23, 2011 2:00 PM MDT
in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
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The Candidates -
Jay Cutler, QB -- 2006-2008
Jason Baker, P/K -- 2004
Joe Nedney, K -- 2000
Bubby Brister, QB -- 1997-99
Ralph Giacommaro, P -- 1987
The list of players who wore the #6 sweater for the Denver Broncos is fairly short. Three Kicking specialists and two quarterbacks. It was easy to break down the entries from there. The quarterbacks always get the girl and one of them gets the nod here. Some may believe Jay Cutler, but I feel that Bubby Brister is the obvious choice here by virtue of the hardware he owns. Two Super Bowl Rings states the case rather well since that is the ultimate achievement.
The Greatest Denver Broncos Player To Wear #6 Is..
Brister played briefly for the Eagles and Jets, but ended up sitting out the 1996 season. Mike Shanahan signed him after a tryout at the suggestion of Bill Romanowski, his former teammate in Philadelphia. Bubby became the #3 quarterback for the Broncos in 1997, backing up Elway and Jeff Lewis. The only action he saw that year was in a 38 - 3 blowout during week 17 against the San Diego Chargers.
So a big MHR and Mile High Salute goes out to Bubby Brister.
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A real quick fix KK
You wrote “The Greatest Denver Broncos Player To Wear #5 Is…” But this is #6. Other then that, I’m glad we still have this going. Brister, while not really a great quarterback, did get a little screwed when Elway left. And now the more that I think about it, and when you said this line "Bubby was known for a rocket arm, excellent mobility and ability to run for a first down when needed. " He does remind me of Cutler a bit, the number is similar as well.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Absolutely
Bubby is “the man” to back up “The Man”
Dear Santa- All I want for Christmas is a Stud NT and David Harris- Thank you!
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
Thanks for bringing this back Kapt'
Rec’d
"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"Leadership is like porn, you know it when you see it. In this case, Tebow is a pornstar."
-BroncoPH
It will be interesting to see who #7 is
I can’t think of anybody who wore that number except maybe Craig Morton.
Okay just seeing if your awake.
so Craig gets #7?
Awesome I don’t think there is anyone on our rosters ever more deserving…
Dear Santa- All I want for Christmas is a Stud NT and David Harris- Thank you!
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 23, 2011 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Morton is possibly the best #7 in league history
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Oh iffy
But I mean his name was Craig Morton, you don’t get more manly then that.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
by Topher Doll on Mar 24, 2011 12:06 AM MDT up reply actions
I would have cried if you listed Cuter here
We have a starting QB and two recent first-round QBs all three on the roster; Now we're gonna reach for another 1st round QB.. a year after spending a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round pick on a QB. Yeah, you betcha.
Hard to comapre
a guy who knew he was a back up and worked hard at his job and a guy who throws INT’s and pouts!
Davis and Smith to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 23, 2011 2:22 PM MDT up reply actions
While I'm far from a Cutler fan...
he’s a much better player, and did a whole lot better/more for the Broncos than Bubby.
Bubby’s a nice guy, good role player, etc…. and Cutler is a whiny baby who left in such a way that it created huge discord for the team. But in terms of performance, in Shanny’s scheme Cutler was a top-tier QB that carried the team through an injury plagued year to a mediocre record (when it could have been much worse)… Bubby was a replacement level backup who got beat out by Brain Griese.
Sorry, but I just can’t agree with this.
I kind of agree with you
I recently said on the post about redoing all McD’s trades that Cutler was the best of the big three, but I do agree, while Bubby is a safer pick, and going to be more accepted, Cutler, despite his attitude, was a great player. I guess I’m tied between the two, Bubby had the better attitude, Cutler was the better player.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Bubby Played his part without complaining and did it well
can that be said about Cutler?
in teh end i think that John went with the guy who WAS a bronco not who wore a uniform!
Davis and Smith to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 23, 2011 4:09 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
The list is greats
If it were best teammate award or overall player, sure, but look at greats in the NFL, they usually have attitudes.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
by Topher Doll on Mar 24, 2011 12:06 AM MDT up reply actions
but it also says BRONCO greats
i.e. those who did the most for Denver!
Davis and Smith to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Mar 24, 2011 2:33 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
When it came down to it...
Bubby could be relied on to win games. When we needed Cutler most (the end of the 2008 season), he couldn’t close out just one of last games. If he had, no telling how different the last couple years would have looked…
I know our D was also to blame, but it’s a National Football League stud that can put the team on his back and drag them into the playoffs. If only we had someone on the roster with that “it” factor to start for us next year…
J
Manning is the only QB in this league currently that consistently
Gets his team to the playoffs on his own. Brady maybe, but the talent level around him is great, same with Brees. To expect any QB to win by himself is too much to ask.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
by Topher Doll on Mar 24, 2011 12:07 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
and the other 52 guys didn't have a little bit to do with that?
gimme a break. Everything doesn’t revolve around the QB. Cutler played fine in a number of those games… plenty good enough to win (he also played poorly in a couple). The TEAM collapsed… not Cutler. It’s not like we lost each game 3-0.
This takes us right back to the exquisite pain that was rooting for (and defending) Jay Cutler
There is absolutely no doubt that he is a gifted athlete. Eventually, we needed him to be more than that. But Jay is who he is. After being a huge Jay supporter, then an occasionally snarky detractor, I’ve finally made peace with the fact that Jay has a right to be who he is. He’s quiet, leaves a lot open to interpretation, and rarely defends himself. However bumpy his learning curve, whether that curve is on the field, in the front office, or in his private life, he is who he is. He is a small town Indiana guy with a midwestern constitution. That’s not a knock or a criticism. It’s just who he is.
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 23, 2011 10:03 PM MDT up reply actions
As a fan Cutler would put you at a 5 :o)
After a hard look at it, I would have to do a split here. Did you consider this a possibility KK?
You can be dumb... that's ok! There are many dumb people.
You can be an %&*hole... that's ok! There are many of these as well.
Unfortunately you cannot be both...
Ok... prove me wrong.
Not really.
Like I said, the record speaks for itself. 4-0 as a starter and two Rings. Cutler can’t touch that. And he didn’t get beat out by Griese, Shanny screwed him just like he did Plummer. Pretty much the same case too. Two confident headstrong QB’s getting replaced by rookies that could be controlled by Mike, who was a control freak.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
Not very accurate in your assesment of the Brister benching. Or Plummer.
Shannahan and several players stated that Brister just didn’t know the playbook. That’s fine for a Back-Up. You can dumb it down when he is needed. But the starter needs to have it down. By all accounts Griese was ahead of Brister when it came to knowing the playbook. How sad is that.
Shannahan’s issue with Plummer was his work ethic during the week. Jake himself said he loved Sunday, but the rest of the week…not so much.
I still like Brister over Cutler.
No
Brister was literally promised the job from Shanahan. Griese had only made an appearance in 1 game in 98. He was 1 for 3 for 2 yards passing. He wasn’t ready to start and in no way beat out Brister. That was all Shanny.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
With all due respect that is just your opinion.
Here is an article from the NY times.
PRO FOOTBALL; Griese Takes a Step Ahead of Brister to Replace Elway
Published: August 31, 1999
Brian Griese is the new heir apparent to John Elway after his promotion today as the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback ahead of Bubby Brister.
‘’It is not that Bubby Brister has not played at the level I think he can, it’s that Brian Griese has played so well throughout camp and preseason games that I think he deserves that opportunity,’’ Coach Mike Shanahan said.
Brister had inherited the job after winning four straight games as a starter last year when Elway was out with injuries. The 37-year-old Brister has struggled in the preseason, however, twice throwing interceptions on his first pass of a game.
Notice that Shanny didn’t throw him under the Bus. The info about Brister not knowing the playbook didn’t come out until much later and most of it I will admit came from Shannon Sharpe. Still there is footage shown all the time of Brister not hitting the right receivers and Shanny coming down on him.
Brister wasn’t a young man at that time as well. 37 is considered past the prime if you know what I mean. He didn’t start for the Vikings the following year and was cut by the Chiefs the year after that.
thanks for this
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
by KaptainKirk on Mar 23, 2011 11:00 PM MDT up reply actions
Who the hell is Jay Cutler?
W.W.T.T.D.?
by TheMastermind on Mar 23, 2011 3:10 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
He's a body builder.
The ignorant redneck formerly known as kentuckybronco.
by Troy Hufford on Mar 23, 2011 10:16 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
Bubby’s a way better interview than Cutler, but I’d have probably gone with Jay here.
I'm just like everyone else, only way better.
Should I add a Poll?
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
Add it Kapt
My vote’s for Brister. Cutler left a bad taste for most of the fans. Greatness is more than just stats, IMO
"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"Leadership is like porn, you know it when you see it. In this case, Tebow is a pornstar."
-BroncoPH
Done
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
Thanks Kap! I may be the only vote for Cutler haha. Oh well.
I'm just like everyone else, only way better.
You're welcome bud
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
I know, right??
Best punter Passaic ever produced!
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 23, 2011 10:07 PM MDT up reply actions
To me, the measure of greatest Bronco to wear a number is not just who was the most talented player
It is also a matter of who would I rather have in a Bronco uniform. I would rather have Brister on the roster over Cutler any day. Brister was a team guy who put the good of the franchise as a whole over his own personal desires. Cutler is in my estimation a cancer to team chemistry. Your qb is supposed to be your leader, the one the rest of the team follows. If you have a team that actually follows Cutler, you get a soft, weak team that throws in the towel and pouts as soon as something doesn’t go their way. Brister is the easy choice for me.
Never let them see you bleed.
by the_prodigal_fan on Mar 23, 2011 5:53 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Who doesn't hate Cutler, but come on....seriously?
Brister was a career backup. Cutler is a pro-bowl caliber starter. Not a winner, but pro-bowl caliber. To say Brister is better is to just use this theme as jab at Cutler.
While the jab is deserved, I think you do your series some injustice by picking Brister. Sorry, but he wasn’t that good, he just played a long time.
by charlesnelsonreilly on Mar 23, 2011 7:14 PM MDT reply actions
Maybe its not who is better talent wise
The way I see Broncos by the numbers, its how these guys are remembered. And like I said above, Cutler left a bad taste in the mouths of the fans here. He whined about McD wanting to shop him around, and then he called us fans in Denver a 6. Lets not forget his statement about having a stronger arm than Elway. Cutler couldn’t hold Elway’s jock strap. IMO Cutler is a better QB than Brister, but Brister is a better Bronco. So that’s why I think the better choice is Brister
"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"Leadership is like porn, you know it when you see it. In this case, Tebow is a pornstar."
-BroncoPH
how these guys are remembered/blockquote>
Exactly — let’s remember, this is not about the greatest player. This is about the greatest Bronco. Cutler is a very good player. But he never really became a great Bronco. Maybe he’ll be a great Bear someday.
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 23, 2011 10:09 PM MDT up reply actions
bite me, blockquote.
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 23, 2011 10:11 PM MDT up reply actions
Hopefully he wont be a great Bear
They say everytime he throws an interception an Angel gets its wings and a lost puppy finds a new home (2 for 1 deal)
Dos Equis!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BRONCOS
I HATE CUTLER and seriously if he was listed the best #6 player IDK people would go insane
Dos Equis!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BRONCOS
Brister?
Get Real. Should be Cutler here. You all need to quit crying about Cutler too. Get a Life!!!!
and GO BRONCOS!!!!!
The only crying I hear
is from people who wish he was still here. But look, Cutler’s ranking high in the voting. He’s right about what he earned, IMO.
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 23, 2011 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah, Cutler had more talent, but Brister contributed more.
This isn’t a who-had-the-most-talent question. This is a who-made-the-most-contributions-to-the-Broncos question and the results aren’t even close. Brister going away.
Remember, those last two Super Bowl years Elway was hurt a lot more than he ever was before. Brister stepped in and kept the juggarnaut that was the Broncos at that time, running smoothly. Would we have won those Super Bowls without him? I’m not so sure.
And though Cutler is a phenominal talent, he was still very young when he was a Bronco. He was still learning the pro game and about to come into his prime when traded.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Mar 23, 2011 7:30 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Only tangentially related
I’ve got a pair of modern-uni Broncos away pants with the number 6 written in Sharpie on the waistband. They’re from the Nike era, so to my knowledge, they were either Bubby’s or Joe Nedney’s. They’ve become my lucky gameday pants, and look truly awful paired with vertically striped socks.
by mr.migglesworth on Mar 23, 2011 9:05 PM MDT reply actions
WOW!!!!........Creepy!
Do you have to go door to door and tell your neighbors that you like to dress this way?
My favorite Bubby memory, his long TD scramble against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football.
You got the wrong TV, silly head
A classic moment.
The guy was quick, sort of.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Mar 24, 2011 9:41 AM MDT up reply actions
That was a great game
isn’t that the one that featured The Meltdown? : )
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 25, 2011 9:45 AM MDT up reply actions
Do you mean when the Chiefs lost all discipline and got a bunch of penalties?
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Mar 25, 2011 11:55 AM MDT up reply actions
Yup : )
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 26, 2011 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions
The Broncos were cruising toward an easy 30-7 victory in Kansas City when Derrick Thomas, the late linebacker, was the culprit in one of the most infamous implosions in “MNF” history. Five times in Denver’s final touchdown drive the Chiefs drew personal foul penalties, three of them by Thomas, each one blatant and intentional and each, if you believe him, inspired by Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe said he had memorized the phone number of Thomas’ girlfriend, and that he was reciting it number by number across the line of scrimmage. “I knew at that particular time, at that stage of the game, I could say some things to him and it would bother him,” Sharpe said. Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt declared his organization “disgraced,” head coach Marty Schottenheimer was reduced to tears, and Thomas was suspended for the next game.
This happy memory brought to you by Chiefs Planet. Looks like they still want to punch Shannon in the mouth. : )
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 26, 2011 4:08 PM MDT up reply actions
LOL
Excellent. Winning by intimidation.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
yup : )
Sure glad 84 was a Bronco! LOL
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 27, 2011 12:39 AM MDT up reply actions
I think the Numbers speak for themselves
Bubby Brister 61% Jay Cutler 36% they guys a punk even Bears fans are iffy on him after he punked out of the NFC championship game
Dos Equis!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BRONCOS
Well it's not intended as a popularity contest
But who did the best job as a Bronco.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
by KaptainKirk on Mar 23, 2011 11:49 PM MDT up reply actions
I know we hate him, but Cutler was a much better player than Brister.
But looking at the list, I think it’s fair to say #6 is not a number that should hold a speical place in our hearts.
But I am curious whom we pick for #7. A couple good options.
Kyle Orton is currently one of the ten most talented Denver Broncos. And that is precisely the problem and why he shouldn’t start in 2011. We are rebuilding from the very bottom so that = Tebow.
Here would be my reasoning...
In 1998, Brister started four game for the Broncos, winning all 4. He also came into a game against the Raiders Week 3 and brought the Broncos back to win – on the road. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, that was huge – it cemented home field advantage for the Broncos.
His stats that year – 59.5%, 10 TDs, 3 INTs, RAT. 99.0 Were actually better than Elway.
In true Shanahan fashion, the Broncos also threw the ball more with Brister(32 per start) than Elway(29 per start).
Brister’s wins in 1998 -
Week 3 @Oakland – Broncos are down 10-7 after Brister throws 94-yard pick-6. The Broncos rally, behind two Bristers TDs to win 34-17
Week 4 @Washington – Brister gets the start, throwing two TD passes in Broncos 38-17 win
Week 5 Vs. Philly - Brister throws 4 TD passes in 41-16 win over Eagles
Week 10 Vs. San Diego – Brister Throws 2 TDs in 27-10 win over Chargers
Week 11 @ Kansas City - Brister opens the scoring with a 38-yard TD run – the longest TD run by a quarterback until Tebow’s 40 yarder in 2010. Broncos win 30-7
There is ZERO doubt that the most talented player to wear #6 in Denver is Jay Cutler. That isn’t what this list is about. The Broncos went 14-2 in 1998 and won a Super Bowl. Bubby Brister played a huge part in 5 of those wins, including road wins in Oakland and Kansas City and a home win against the Chargers.
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
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by John Bena on Mar 24, 2011 8:05 AM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Thanks Guru.
You said it so much better than I.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Mar 24, 2011 9:44 AM MDT up reply actions
Cutler
and if McDaniels was never hired as coach, its probably safe to say we would still have cutler. and everyone on here talking crap about him would be praising him.
honestly
I think I’d probably be criticizing him right now for the same things they’re criticizing him in Chicago for. I defended him to the teeth for two years. But even my patience has its limits.
Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.
Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!
by broncosmontana on Mar 25, 2011 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions
I'm sorry but...
This is a perfect example to me that fans have the most biased opinions out there. I hate Cutler worse than an ex-girlfriend after what he did…but seriously, Brister? You CAN NOT argue the 2 superbowl rings thing and say, “period”. You could make that argument about 52 other players who played from 97-99 and be done with this numbers game if you are basing it on team players who won super bowls. Just because a BACK-UP won 2 super bowl rings does not make him the best Bronco to wear #6…period
by BlueandOrangeinmyblood on Mar 29, 2011 1:54 PM MDT reply actions
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