Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #43

by KaptainKirk on May 15, 2011 10:30 AM MDT in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers

Eleven players have worn the #43 for the Denver Broncos in team history. Three Defensive Backs, three Safeties, three Cornerbacks and a Running Back. In my mind there is a clear-cut winner here, but don't worry, you will have your chance to vote. Here are the candidates for the Greatest Bronco to wear #43...

Herana-Daze Jones S 2008

Roderick Rogers S 2007-08

Izell Reese S 2002

Derrick Clark RB 1994

Steve Foley DB 1976-86

Lonnie Hepburn CB 1974

Pete Jaquess DB 1967-70

Bob Richardson DB 1966

Charles Marshall HB 1962

John Nocera CB 1963

Frank Bernardi CB 1960

Frank Bernardi was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in the 4th round (38th overall) of the 1955 NFL Draft. He appeared in six games at Left Cornerback for the Broncos in 1960 without compiling any stats.

John Nocera was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 16th round (182nd overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft. He appeared in 9 games for the Broncos in 1963 and didn't compile any stats.

Charles Marshall appeared in 5 games for the Broncos in 1962 and didn't have any recordable stats.

Bob Richardson appeared in 9 games for the Broncos in 1966 and didn't compile any stats.

Pete Jaquess was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 20th round (158th overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft. He played two seasons with the Oilers and went to the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. Jaquess spent a year and a half with the Miami Dolphins before joining the Broncos in 1967. He started 13 of 36 games in Denver from 1967-70, intercepting 5 passes and recovering one Fumble. Pete also returned 6 Punts for 18 yards and one kickoff for no yards.

Lonnie Hepburn was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 13th round (333rd overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft. He started 4 of the 14 games for the Broncos in 1974, but didn't produce any stats.

Derrick Clark started 4 out of 16 games at Running Back for the Broncos in 1994, his only professional season. He ran fir 168 yards and 3 touchdowns on 56 carries and caught 9 passes for 47 yards. Clark also returned 3 kickoffs for a 11.3 average.

Izell Reese was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th round (188th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played in Dallas for 4 years before coming to Denver in 2002. Izell started all 15 games in his only season as a Bronco, making 51 Tackles and a half Sack. He went on to play in Buffalo for 2 years before returning after the 2004 season.

Roderick Rogers was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted Free Agent in 2007. He spent the first 14 games of the season on the Broncos' practice squad before a promotion to the 53-man roster for the final two games of the season. Rogers also began the 2008 season on the Broncos' practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on November 4. The Broncos waived Roderick on November 25 after his first career start against the Oakland Raiders. In all, Rogers played in 5 games with 1 start for the Broncos and made 7 Tackles. He spent the next two years on the Practice Squads of the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots and is currently a Free Agent.

Herana-Daze Jones signed with the Denver Broncos on December 3, 2008. He was waived a week later when the team re-signed Tight End Jeb Putzier. He was then re-signed by the Broncos 6 days after that when Running Back Cory Boyd was waived. Herana-Daze (pronounced like 'Hernandez') appeared in 2 games and was released for good on June 18, 2009.

That brings us down to one logical choice.

The Greatest Bronco to wear #43 is..

Steve Foley DB 1976-86

Steve Foley was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 8th round (199th overall) of the 1975 NFL Draft. He played his entire 11-year NFL career (1976-1986) with the Denver Broncos after one year (1975) with the Jacksonville Express of the World Football League. As a member of the Broncos, Foley played in 150 games, starting 136. He played at Tight Cornerback for 4 years before transitioning to Free Safety. Steve recovered 4 Fumbles, returned 5 punts an average of 8.4 yards and ran the ball 14 yards.

Foley scored two career touchdowns, both in 1984. A 22-yard Fumble Return on October 15 against the Packers and a 40-yard interception on December 15 against the Seahawks. Both touchdowns were key contributions to Broncos' victories. Steve holds the Broncos Team record of 44 career interceptions. He was an All-Pro selection in 1978 and played in 2 Super Bowls (SB XII and XXI).

MHR gives a Mile High Salute to Steve Foley as the Greatest Bronco to wear #43.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Is Steve Foley the Greatest Bronco to wear #43?

Yes

330 votes

No

2 votes

332 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 27 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Foley, absolutely . . .

He would win this over much stiffer competition than I see for that number, IMO. The only things keeping him from being the best CB the Broncos ever had are called Louis Wright and Champ Bailey (well, there was Willie Brown, but he is largely disowned since he went to the Raiders).

Really enjoying your posts, Kap . . .
-

BILLY THOMPSON GOT SHAFTED!!

by AZDynamics on May 15, 2011 10:38 AM MDT reply actions

I agree he was a good CB but

he was an even better safety! I believe he was a QB in college and he attributed much of his success as a FS to being able to think like a QB.

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on May 15, 2011 2:13 PM MDT up reply actions

I remember hearing

that he was considered the Broncos “Disaster” QB in case the others got hurt.

by papasteven on May 15, 2011 2:42 PM MDT up reply actions

I think you're right.

Those were very, very good Bronco defenses. I wouldn’t mind seeing some more of that under John Fox.

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

by Trinidad Jack on May 15, 2011 7:46 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

good call.

him and rod smith.

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on May 15, 2011 9:22 PM MDT up reply actions

And Eddie Royal

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 16, 2011 9:28 AM MDT up reply actions

LOL Kap

playing with the font today? Edit, hightlight the offending text, select the font you want and save. should change that.

Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.

by Sean in Pa. on May 15, 2011 11:01 AM MDT reply actions

another great.

and another class act as well. in my little world he’d be a hall of famer but AZ is right, foley was probably a “not quite”. still great though. he’s a new orleans guy and i always liked hearing him talk because he’s got that hint of cajun accent.

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on May 15, 2011 11:02 AM MDT reply actions

Foley has zero competition in this numbers game

But he’s one of the very best DB’s in Bronco history.

Religious wars are fought to determine who has the best imaginary friend.

by bradley on May 15, 2011 11:36 AM MDT reply actions

Another No brainer

When I saw 43 pop up I new I would be voting Foley all the way. I have very fond memories of watching him play. when they were trying to place the all broncos team together it was hard to choose the safety’s. Between Atwater, D. Smith, Foley and J. Lynch it was hard to choose.

by papasteven on May 15, 2011 12:12 PM MDT reply actions

Don't forget

Goose Gonsoulin and Billy Thompson.

Religious wars are fought to determine who has the best imaginary friend.

by bradley on May 15, 2011 1:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Yes thanks

We’ve had quite a few excellent hard hitting safeties.

by papasteven on May 15, 2011 2:45 PM MDT up reply actions

If you look at the history of the Broncos,

for the majority of our existance as a professional football team, we have had outstanding safeties. Goose established strong safety play as part of the Bronco culture. I am optimistic Rahim Moore and Quinten Carter will continue this.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on May 16, 2011 12:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for doing these. Enjoying it a lot.

by Orange Rush on May 15, 2011 12:42 PM MDT reply actions

you are welcome

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 May 15, 2011 3:56 PM MDT up reply actions

Herana-Daze Jones = Hernandez Jones

Wow Momma, learn how to spell!!! LOL!!! I’m sorry but that safety core that old Hernandez was a part of was a horrendous thing to behold. Steve Foley is hands down the best of that bunch!

"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."

"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.

by PaleHorse78 on May 15, 2011 2:01 PM MDT reply actions

your momma.

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on May 15, 2011 2:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Steve Foley by far...

by bfree2bronc on May 15, 2011 2:11 PM MDT reply actions

As a man who likes...

… players who really love their teams, I always tend to vote for the nice players with more time home. So YES, Foley is the greatest #43

I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Brazil on May 15, 2011 3:32 PM MDT reply actions

I do think it's Foley!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

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 15, 2011 4:06 PM MDT reply actions

Foley hit someone so hard he broke his own arm.

Gotta respect that!

by 3nS on May 15, 2011 5:11 PM MDT reply actions

2 votes no?

childish

by Clompy on May 15, 2011 10:11 PM MDT reply actions

You can't blame Herandez Jones for voting for himself twice...

"To be honest, I will wear whatever number they want me to wear. If that's 15,
I'll wear 15. If that's 95, I'll wear 95. I don't really care, just as long as
I can wear a Denver Broncos jersey. That's my approach and my attitude."
TT 4/23/10

by Biffster on May 16, 2011 6:09 AM MDT up reply actions

lol

by Clompy on May 16, 2011 6:52 AM MDT up reply actions

Foley

And Dennis Smith, were two of my mother’s favorite all time Broncos (and Eddie Mac), and for good reason.

Thanks Kaptain, another great edition of this series.

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 16, 2011 10:05 AM MDT reply actions

Good call on this one!

Steve Foley was great.

Each tweet hand dipped in awesome sauce!
Twitter: @jezru

by Jezru on May 16, 2011 11:18 AM MDT reply actions

Love Foley

Although unfortunately my biggest memory of Foley was him getting trucked by Earl Campbell, still pretty brave to go head on with Campbell back in the day.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on May 17, 2011 10:22 AM MDT reply actions