Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #41

by Troy Hufford on May 13, 2011 10:30 AM MDT in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers

There are eleven players who have worn #41 for the Denver Broncos. For younger fans, like myself, the first thing that jumps off the screen is the position of Eric Crabtree and Jerry Tarr. FL means flanker and E means end. Today, the flanker is affectionately labeled the slot receiver. An end is exactly what it is today. However, in the past, Jerry Tarr wasn't called a defensive end or a tight end. He was only called an end because he played both the defensive end and tight end positions. Before writing this article and searching google, I didn't know that.

Here's the list of all eleven players who have worn #41 for the Denver Broncos:

Cassius Vaughn CB 2010-
Karl Paymah CB 2005-08

Johnathan Reese RB 2004

Deon Strother RB 1994
Greg Lewis RB 1991
Rob Lytle RB 1977-83
Leroy Mitchell CB 1971-73

Eric Crabtree FL 1966-68
George Burrell S 1969
Jerry Tarr E 1962

Bob McNamara HB 1960-61

Cassius Vaughn went undrafted in 2010 but went on to appear in 13 games for the Denver Broncos. He recorded 8 tackles.

Karl Paymah was drafted in the third round (76th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He played 4 years with the Broncos and notched 101 tackles and 3 INTs. After being released following the 2008 season, he was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings. In 2010, he was signed by the 49ers and never played a down with them. He was released in September of 2010 and was picked up by the Houston Texans who ended the year ranked 32nd against the pass.

Johnathan Reese was a runningback out of Columbia (the Ivy League college, not the country) who bounced around the NFL for a few years before ending his career with the Denver Broncos. He broke just about every Columbia record, rushing for 1,330 yards and 18 TDs while also posting an impressive 36.8 yard average on kickoff returns.

Deon Strother was a RB out of USC. He appeared in 2 games for the Broncos, but posted no statistics. 1994 was his only year in the NFL.

Greg Lewis was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 5th round (115th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft after an impressive college career in Washington. He played two seasons for the Denver Broncos, appearing in all 32 games and starting six of them. He rushed 172 times for 644 yards, a 3.7 average and 8 touchdowns. He also caught 6 passes for 39 yards and returned a kickoff for 20 yards. If you're thinking to yourself "he played two seasons, but at the top of the article he is listed only for 1991". The reason is because he switched numbers. You may remember him from "Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #20".

Rob Lytle was drafted in the second round (45th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. During his seven seasons with the Broncos, he rushed for 1,451 yards, had 61 receptions for 562 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He was the only player to score a touchdown for the Broncos in Super Bowl XII. Unfortunately, on November 20th, 2010 after suffering a heart attack. A few excellent memorial pieces on Rob Lytle can be found here and here.

Leroy Mitchell was drafted by the Boston Patriots in the 11th round (283rd overall) of the 1967 NFL Draft out of Texas Southern. After spending two years in Boston and a year with the Houston Oilers, he joined the Denver Broncos, where he accumulated 7 INTs for 70 return yards and a defensive touchdown playing the left corner position.

Eric Crabtree was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 13th round (112th overall) of the 1966 AFL Draft and by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th round (170th overall) of the 1966 NFL Draft. Since he had offers from both the AFL and NFL, he decided to go with the Denver Broncos, where he played 3 seasons and had 82 receptions for 1,355 yards and 10 TDs. He then spent 2 and a half seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and half a season with the New England Patriots.

George Burell played one season with the Denver Broncos where he played in all 14 games, returning 6 kickoffs for 108 yards and 5 punts for 56 yards. He also had 2 interceptions for 65 return yards and a defensive touchdown.

Jerry Tarr was drafted in the 17th round of the 1962 AFL Draft. He had 8 receptions for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns in his only NFL season.

Bob McNamara played 2 seasons for the Denver Broncos and had 7 interceptions for 143 yards and a defensive touchdown.

The Greatest Bronco to wear #41 is...

Rob Lytle RB 1977-83

All of us at MHR would like to extend a Mile High Salute to Rob Lytle for being the greatest Bronco to wear #41.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Who was the greatest Denver Bronco to wear #41?

Cassius Vaughn

12 votes

Karl Paymah

5 votes

Johnathan Reese

0 votes

Deon Strother

0 votes

Greg Lewis

1 votes

Rob Lytle

185 votes

Leroy Mitchell

1 votes

Eric Crabtree

7 votes

George Burrell

0 votes

Jerry Tarr

0 votes

Bob McNamara

0 votes

211 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

No Doubt

He was a hard nosed type of runner one of my favorite’s in the late 70s and early 80s

by DanjPike on May 13, 2011 10:59 AM MDT reply actions

Voted for Lytle...

Wasn’t Cassius Vaughn used as a return man at the end of the season running one back for a TD vs San Diego? I hope we retain the speedster and let him develop as he continues to play ST…

by bfree2bronc on May 13, 2011 11:42 AM MDT reply actions

I kind of feel bad for hoping this, only because Lytle deserves it, by far, at this juncture

But hopefully Vaughn will give us plenty of reasons to remember him as the greatest #41.

A pessimist sees the difficulties in every opportunity.
An optimist sees the opportunities in every difficulty.
- Winston Churchill

First (and only, in our lifetimes) team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! ( =

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on May 13, 2011 12:24 PM MDT reply actions

Easy choice here.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The artist formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on May 13, 2011 1:00 PM MDT reply actions

There really isn't any other choice.

What a great Bronco.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on May 13, 2011 2:18 PM MDT reply actions

I can't wait till we get to the good numbers

43, 44, 49 50s

by 3nS on May 13, 2011 2:23 PM MDT reply actions

HUH?

“However, in the past, Jerry Tarr wasn’t called a defensive end or a tight end. He was only called an end because he played both the defensive end and tight end positions.”

I don’t know what website gave you that information. Jerry Tarr was not ever a tight end. He was an American record holder in the high hurdles and a sprinter who wasn’t very good at catching passes. He got 97 of his 211 yards receiving because no one could catch him.

He certainly was not a Hewritt Dixon or Gene Prebola, who actually did play tight end. Al Denson, when he did play tight end rather than flanker, was much closer to Jerry Tarr’s actual size.

by Pinkster on May 13, 2011 3:54 PM MDT reply actions

He is only listed as an End

without any other adjective (Offense or Defense). Some of these players don’t even exist anywhere on the net, so it makes it hard to be definitive on a statement like that. Your input is encouraged, but please don’t shoot the messenger.

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by KaptainKirk on May 13, 2011 6:44 PM MDT up reply actions

I should have said 97 of his 211 yards on one (1) play...

by Pinkster on May 13, 2011 3:55 PM MDT reply actions

Lytle now

but it will be Vaughn, my favorite current Bronco along with Spence Larsen and Eddie Royal, guess who I’m voting for #46. Here’s a hint, he’s a stud fullback!

Brad James

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With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on May 14, 2011 12:12 AM MDT reply actions

Rob Lytle

A haftback who played like a fullback tough and hard to bring down.

by Wallace Clemons on May 14, 2011 11:22 PM MDT reply actions

Give me Crabtree or Mitchell anyday

Lytle was good, but not the best. Too bad many cannot see guys like Crabtree or Mitchell play. They get the bad rap of playing on obscure losing teams, but these guys were the fighters you would take into battle. I remember Mitchell fighting with Biletnikoff all over the field. Mitchell even stole an interception from Biletnikoff, who was covered with stickum, then return the interception when he is suddenly hit from behind. The ball SHOULD have flown out of Mitchells hand but the stickum held tight and Denver got the ball. The funny thing about it is that Mitchell was on his back, hand open, ball in his hand and two different Raiders ran by and tried to knock it out and the ball went nowhere. That is how much stickum was on the ball from Biletnikoff.
Crabtree was Eddie Royal before Eddie Royal. Small, tough (and I mean real tough) and fast. Crabtree had to face guys like ex-Broncos Willie Brown, Nehemiah Wilson, Fred “the Hammer” Williamson and Butch Byrd who would knock you for a loop before you left the line of scrimmage. Royal wouldn’t even get five yards downfield with the pounding these guys were allowed to dish out.
Lytle was good, but guys like Mitchell and Crabtree are one step above.

Make those miracles happen - Jon Keyworth
Truth has no agenda - Glenn Beck

by IgorBStrange on May 17, 2011 1:50 PM MDT reply actions