Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #77

by KaptainKirk on Jun 18, 2011 10:30 AM MDT in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers

Fifteen men wore #77 for the Denver Broncos in franchise history. When this number is evoked some folks will think of a certain player and some will think of another. The fact is, two very dominant players had very good careers for the Broncos wearing this number and a third was very successful as well. But before we get to them, let's take a look at the other twelve players. The list of candidates is comprised of five Offensive Linemen, four Defensive Ends, four Defensive Tackles, a Tight End and a Linebacker.

Brandon Gorin T 2009

Dylan Gandy G 2008

Larry Birdine DE 2007

Dwayne Carswell TE 2005

Tony Jones T 1997-2000

Karl Mecklenburg LB 1983-94

Greg Boyd DE 1980-82

Lyle Alzado DE 1971-78

Alden Roche DE 1970

Larry Cox DT 1968

Jim Thompson DT 1965

Dick Guesman DT/K 1964

Anton Peters DT 1963

Jack Mattox LT 1962

Carl James Larpenter RG 1960-61

Carl James Larpenter was signed by the AFL Broncos out of Texas in 1960. He played 2 seasons in Denver. In his rookie year, Larpenter played 14 games at Left Tackle. The next year, he started 14 games at Right Guard. Carl spent 1962 with the Dallas Texans.

Jack Mattox went Undrafted out of Fresno State. He started 8 games at Left Tackle for the Broncos in 1962.

Anton Peters was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 6th round (45th overall) of the 1963 AFL Draft and the Los Angeles Rams in the 8th round (99th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft. He played 10 games at Defensive Tackle for the Broncos in 1963.

Dick Guesman was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 6th round (67th overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft. He played for the New York Titans/Jets from 1960-63 and joined the Broncos in 1964. Dick started all 14 games in 1964 at Left Defensive Tackle and Kicker. Guesman was 13 for 15 (86.7%) on Extra Points and 6 for 22 (27.3%) on Field Goals. Needless to say, Dick had to look for work in 1965.

Jim Thompson was signed by the Broncos as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Southern Illinois. He played 4 games at Defensive Tackle for Denver in 1965.

Larry Cox was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 10th round (85th overall) of the 1966 AFL Draft. He spent 3 seasons with the Broncos from 1966-68, but only wore #77 in 1968 when he played 9 games as a reserve Defensive Tackle.

Alden Roche was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2nd round (37th overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft. He played 9 games in 1970 at Defensive End for the Broncos. He went on to play 8 more seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Greg Boyd was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th round (170th overall) of the 1976 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with the Patriots before joining the Broncos in 1980. Greg played 3 years in Denver from 1980-82. He appeared in 40 games, recovering one Fumble and registering a Safety.

Dwayne Carswell was signed as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent by the Broncos in 1994 out of Liberty University. He played 12 seasons with the Broncos from 1994-2005. The first 11 Carswell wore #89. He only wore #77 in his final year in the NFL. Known as "House" by his teammates, Dwayne suffered season-ending internal injuries in a car crash 4 days after a Week 7 loss to the New York Giants in 2005. Carswell did play in the first 7 games, recording 2 touchdowns on 2 receptions and fielding a kickoff (0 yards). As a result of his recovery from that crash, Dwayne received the Broncos' Ed Block Courage Award. *Note: Carswell will receive further attention when #89 is considered.

Larry Birdine spent weeks 10 through 17 of the 2007 season with the Broncos, though he remained inactive for those 8 games. He made it through Training Camp and was waived by the Broncos during the final cuts in August 2008.

Dylan Gandy was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 4th round (129th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He spent 3 years with the Colts and was released on May 2, 2008. On May 16, Gandy signed with the Broncos. He was released on September 9, 2008, then re-signed on September 25 after Tom Nalen was placed on Injured Reserve. He was released again on October 7 when the team re-signed Tight End Chad Mustard.

Brandon Gorin was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 7th round (201st overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft. He debuted with the New England Patriots in 2003 and stayed for 3 years, winning 2 Super Bowl Rings. Gorin was signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent by the Denver Broncos on April 17, 2009. The move reunited him with Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. He started one of six games for the Broncos in 2009. Brandon is currently a Free Agent.

Tony Jones

Tony Jones was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Cleveland Browns in 1988. He stayed with the Browns for 8 years, playing both Tackle spots. Tony was a member of the inaugural roster for the Baltimore Ravens in 1996. Before the 1997 season, the Broncos signed Tony to bolster their offensive line. He started all 16 games at Right Tackle and was the 2nd option on Left side. Jones made his only Pro Bowl appearance that year. In 1998, Tony moved to Left Tackle to protect John Elway’s blind side. He was also a part the the Offensive Line that opened holes for Terrell Davis' 2,000 yard season. Jones started all 60 games in his 4 years with the Broncos (1997-2000). Better known as "T-Bone" by his teammates, Tony started and won 2 Rings in Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII with the Broncos.

Lyle Alzado

Lyle Alzado was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 4th round (79th overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft. He played 8 seasons with the Broncos from 1971-78. Lyle started 98 of 99 games at Defensive End and Tackle, recovering 14 Fumbles and recording a Safety. Those are the official NFL numbers. Now for the rest of the story.

When starting Right Defensive End Pete Duranko (I believe) was injured in 1971, Lyle stepped in and never gave up the position. He made various All-rookie teams for his 60 Tackles and 8 Sacks. In 1972, Alzado began to get national attention for his intense and intimidating style of play as he produced 10.5 Sacks to go with 91 Tackles. In 1973, Lyle posted another great season and the Broncos had a winning record for the 1st time in franchise history with a 7–5–2 mark.

1974 saw Alzado gaining significantly more notice as one media source named him All-AFC, with 13 Sacks and 80 Tackles (8 for a loss). His name was being mentioned among the NFL's top Defensive Ends -- Elvin Bethea, Jack Youngblood, L. C. Greenwood, Claude Humphrey, and Carl Eller. The Denver Broncos posted their 2nd consecutive winning season, going 7–6–1. The 1975 season brought about a change and Alzado moved to the Defensive Tackle spot. He responded with 91 Tackles and 7 Sacks, but the team regressed with a 6–8 record.

On the 1st play of the 1976 season, Lyle blew out a knee and missed the entire campaign. This forced Defensive Coordinator Joe Collier to switch to a 3-4 Base Defensive scheme and the "Orange Crush" was born. The Broncos went 9–5 but it was reported that the players lost confidence in coach John Ralston. Ralston was dismissed and Red Miller came on board in 1977.

The 1977 campaign, up to that point, was the most successful in franchise history. The Broncos had one of the NFL's best defenses, went 12–2 and then beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders in route to Super Bowl XII. They were stomped by the Dallas Cowboys 27–10. The season was still a big success for Alzado, who was voted consensus All-Pro and consensus All-AFC as well as winning the UPI AFC Defensive Player of the Year. He also led the Broncos in Sacks with 8, while making 80 Tackles.

The Broncos went to the AFC playoffs again in 1978, losing in the 1st round to the eventual champion Steelers. Alzado had 77 Tackles and 9 Sacks and recorded his 1st NFL safety. He was 2nd team All-Pro and a consensus All-AFC pick.

After making the Pro Bowl for the 2nd consecutive year, Alzado - who had led the team in Sacks in 5 of the last 7 years - and the Broncos had a contract dispute. He flirted with the idea of becoming a pro boxer and in July 1979, he went 8 rounds with heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in an exhibition. A month later, Alzado walked out of Training Camp. The Broncos Front Office responded by trading him to Cleveland for draft picks.

He played 3 seasons in Cleveland and went to the Pro Bowl in 1980. In 1982, Lyle became an Oakland Raider and finally achieved a Super Bowl Ring in 1983. Alzado retired at the end of the 1985 season.

His nicknames included "Rainbow" and "Three Mile Lyle." The former referred to Alzado's mood swings and the latter to his volcanic temper. Lyle was famous for his intense and intimidating style of play, which could have been due to his admitted Steroid and HgH use. According to some reports, he was using natural growth hormone, harvested from human corpses, as opposed to synthetic growth hormones. However, shortly before his death, Alzado recounted his steroid abuse in an article in Sports Illustrated.

"I started taking anabolic steroids in 1969 and never stopped. It was addicting, mentally addicting. Now I'm sick, and I'm scared. 90% of the athletes I know are on the stuff. We're not born to be 300 lbs. or jump 30 feet. But all the time I was taking steroids, I knew they were making me play better. I became very violent on the field and off it. I did things only crazy people do. Once a guy sideswiped my car and I beat the hell out of him. Now look at me. My hair's gone, I wobble when I walk and have to hold on to someone for support, and I have trouble remembering things. My last wish? That no one else ever dies this way."

Alzado died a very ugly and public death after a battle with brain cancer in 1992 at the age of 43.

Unofficially, Lyle amassed 479 Tackles and 64.5 Sacks, but the NFL did not recognize Tackles and Sacks as recordable statistics until later on. He even inspired the league rule against throwing a helmet after having done so himself to an opponent's helmet.

1972 - Led the NFL in Fumbles Recovered (5)
2-Time Pro Bowler (1977, 1978)
1st-Team All-Pro (1977)
Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award (1977)

Now I'm going to let you decide the winner, but my vote for the Greatest Bronco to wear #77 is...

Karl Mecklenburg

Karl Mecklenburg was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 12th round (310th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft and the Chicago Blitz in the 21st round of the USFL Draft in 1983. Karl opted for Denver and it was a wise choice. He played his entire 12 season career in a Bronco uniform. The "Snow Goose" or "Albino Rhino" was an essential component of the Broncos' Super Bowl teams of the 1980s, playing above and beyond his draft selection. He helped Denver to 7 postseason appearances (1983-84, ‘86-87, ‘89, ‘91, ‘93), 5 division titles (1984, ‘86-87, ‘89, ‘91) and 3 Super Bowl berths (XXI in 1986, XXII in ‘87, XXIV in ‘89). Karl started 141 of 180 total games in Denver. He is listed as Defensive End, Left Inside Linebacker and Middle Linebacker, but the fact is, Mecklenburg played all 7 defensive front positions, sometimes all 7 in one game. He played standing up and with his hand in the dirt, wherever a mismatch could be found. Karl harassed many NFL quarterbacks as witnessed by his 79 career Sacks. His season high 13 Sacks were a franchise record at the time. He recorded 11 multiple-sack games and is the only player in team annals to record 4 Sacks in a game twice in his career. Karl registered 1,118 Tackles, including a career and team-high 143 stops in 1989. He also made 5 interceptions, Forced 16 Fumbles, Recovered 14 Fumbles (returning 2 for touchdowns) and recorded one Safety in his time as a Bronco.

Since retiring from pro football in 1995, Karl divides his time between motivational speaking and his ongoing charity involvements.

6-Time Pro Bowler (1985-87, 1989, 1991, 1993)
4-Time Newspaper Enterprise Assn. (NEA) 1st-team All-Pro (1985, 1986, 1987, 1989)
3-Time 1st-Team All-Pro (1985, 1986, 1989)
1-Time 2nd-Team All-Pro (1987)
5 consecutive 100+ Tackle seasons (6 total)
8 seasons with 7 or more Quarterback Sacks
Broncos Ring of Fame (2001)

He is also in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and serves on the Broncos Alumni Council.

Like I said, you get to choose this one folks. You've seen the evidence presented. I submit three choices for you to select from. I've made mine, so what do you say MHR?

Go Broncos!

Poll

Who was the Greatest Bronco to wear #77?

Tony Jones

2 votes

Karl Mecklenburg

489 votes

Lyle Alzado

22 votes

513 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

After having read this, deciding on my vote was harder than I thought it would be – in other words it took me a whole two seconds to click Meck.

by mikebirty on Jun 18, 2011 10:43 AM MDT reply actions

meck for sure, but alzado was great and jones was really kind of an unsung hero. 77s a good one.

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on Jun 18, 2011 10:50 AM MDT reply actions

Yes it is Meck...

…..but in the end with Meck, Alzado, Jones, and Carswell, this could be one of our better groups to have a number. Maybe in the end we can have a vote like that.

"Pain don't hurt" - Swayze (Road House) -- We miss you man!

by bonaire on Jun 18, 2011 11:04 AM MDT reply actions

To me it's the Snow Goose

Although I loved Alzado I can not say he would have been as great of player without the steroids. Mecklenburg played eleven years and should be a hall of fame player and he did it with out the use of steroids .

by ultraclassic04 on Jun 18, 2011 11:18 AM MDT reply actions

I voted for Lyle Alzado

I hope he’s somewhere that he can appreciate it. Really, except for the shortness of his career with the Broncos, compared to Karl, he is close to a tie with Meck. Alzado was one hell of a player, and a real character. I’m not going to worry about the steroid use – another era, and I believe him when he said almost everyone was using them also, so it evens out. Plus, he paid the price for it. Enough said.
Still, Mecklenburg was the best 77 we’ve had. Just tremendous.
And didn’t Tony Jones luck out to land with the Broncos at the perfect time? He was one of our best tackles ever. I wish we could get him for two years right now, while things settle in on the O line.

See everything. Overlook a great deal. Improve a little.

Pope John XXIII

by bradley on Jun 18, 2011 11:48 AM MDT reply actions

BTW

Great write-up, Kirk.
My memory says that it was Tombstone Jackson that Alzado replaced, instead of Duranko. But no matter. I remember groaning when a great player went out, and this unknown from Yankton College (WTF?) came in. But he was great from the get go.
Damn shame the Broncos let him go. That was a screw up of monumental proportions.

See everything. Overlook a great deal. Improve a little.

Pope John XXIII

by bradley on Jun 18, 2011 12:03 PM MDT reply actions

You may be right

I seem to remember something about Tombstone’s name popping up somewhere. I think I guessed Duranko because of the clues left on Pro football reference. They aren’t totally accurate all the time. I do try to crosscheck as best I can to fill in the gaps though. Thank you for the response.

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 Jun 18, 2011 12:47 PM MDT up reply actions

Agree with your choice Kaptain and

thanks for the story. After the Superbowl appearance against the Cowboys, Alzado went a bit crazy promoting himself, at one point he was even publishing a paper about himself, it was crazy. He was doing all types of bizarre promotions and the fight with Ali was the topper. It was sad that he had to go but the FO had no choice, the July Ali fight was way out of bounds, so close to camp and the season, it had become all about Alzado and he had lost his sense of “team first” and I remember reading how his me first attitude was causing issues in the locker room. It was not the teams fault that he was traded.
On Meck, Gradishar, Meck…in that order as far as linebackers on the team over history. The one thing that all the coaches said about Meck was he had an unnatural ability to navigate through traffic and always fill the right hole at the right time. Great football IQ, best feet on the team. I think he was going through med. school during his playing years, guess he chose to not pursue that ultimately.

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

by rubincarterrocks on Jun 18, 2011 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions

I have enough data to do a story on Alzado

If this lockout persists past #99, I will probably get to it.

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 Jun 18, 2011 2:21 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

I will read that if you post it man

No save ammunition all bullets in gun now- Bruce Campbell
Stand up straight a man looks more confident when he is erect- Taj
I don't always drink and drive, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis- BroncoPH
GO BRONCOS

by Taylor K on Jun 18, 2011 4:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Meck

Alzado did replace Duranko in ’71 for that year. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1971_roster.htm The next year, Jackson and Costa were gone. Costa was traded to Buffalo, I believe, and Jackson ended up in Cleveland (?) after his knee injury. Duranko was back in ’72 and Voss filled the other spot.

Great core group for this number. Alzado was tremendous and he helped make the DL a force, but he didn’t play for the Broncos as long as Meck and his other issues (for me) are negatives. I remember his fight promotion being very disruptive for the Broncos and in the community at large. I believe it was held in late July.

Meck was just outstanding for a long time, orange and blue wire to wire. He did everything at high intensity. HOF caliber. Great representative of the organization. Everything Broncos fans could want in a player. It has to be him in this vote.

There are some awfully interesting votes coming up. I’m especially interested in seeing how #87 turns out. Two Ring of Fame members and one who should be.

by orangenorth on Jun 18, 2011 4:33 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm going with Meck,

honorable mention to Alzado

by RockCzar on Jun 18, 2011 2:08 PM MDT reply actions

meck, in a landslide

one of my favorite players of all-time, regardless of sport. first-ballot hall-of-famer, in a normal world. alzado had the balls to fight ali, t-bone was an excellent tackle, and House was simply an inspiration and very underrated player, at te or ol. still, meck is the man. great number, here

taste my blintzkrieg!

by davecheffy on Jun 18, 2011 2:57 PM MDT reply actions

My vote goes to Tony Jones

by bronco4ever15 on Jun 18, 2011 3:12 PM MDT reply actions

If Alzado didn't become a Raider, it would be a hard choice

Meck the Quintessential Bronco

by 3nS on Jun 18, 2011 4:04 PM MDT reply actions

This

Otherwise, it has to be the Rhino.

by BroncosBassist on Jun 20, 2011 5:25 AM MDT up reply actions

Karl Mecklenburg

is arguably the best Linebacker/lineman in Denver Broncos history right up there with Tom Jackson and Gradishar

by Taylor K on Jun 18, 2011 4:18 PM MDT reply actions

Mecklenburg

Yet another Orange Crush member whose exclusion from the Hall of Fame should be a crime.

by alacy9513 on Jun 18, 2011 5:53 PM MDT reply actions

Actually, I guess he techinically came a little after the Crush

But still a HoFer as far as I’m concerned.

by alacy9513 on Jun 18, 2011 5:55 PM MDT up reply actions

Another player said to be too slow

yet all he did was make play after play after play.

by orangenorth on Jun 18, 2011 5:58 PM MDT up reply actions

I was out with the family eating at a restaurant the other night

When this lady came in wearing an Orange Bronco jersey. I only caught a quick look at first and then I noticed it was was a number 77 jersey and when she turned her back to me I saw it was a Mecklenburg jersey. As we were leaving I stop by her table and commented that that was jersey from a distant time. She said yes it was and that she had, had it for that long. It was still in very good shape and I was kinda jealous.

Yes Meck is the right choice here. Lyle was good but the fact that he lost the team first mind set dropped him somewhat in my view.

Tony Jones’s two super bowl appearance’s 32 at right tackle and 33 at left tackle if I remember right.

by papasteven on Jun 18, 2011 7:16 PM MDT reply actions

# 77? Who Else but the Albino Rhino!

Kaptain, is there a photo available to post of Meck without his headgear. With his light complexion and blonde hair his team mates (and press) called him the Albino Rhino. He certainly was a monster presence on the field, and opposing teams feared this agile and hard hitting wrecking ball of a guy. Also Meck was not a “rogue” like Alzado off the field but was a man of class who received respect from all who knew him.

by lobouno on Jun 19, 2011 12:22 AM MDT reply actions

"My friend went to Florida, met Karl Mecklenburg and all I got was this CD"

Yes, my friend – who, at best, is a fair-weather Eagles fan – was at the pool on vacation and struck up a conversation with the guy next to him. He returns home and tells me this guy said he played for the Broncos…. “Did you ever hear of a Maguire, Mechanic, Meckenburger….?” “Mecklenburg?!?” says I. “Are you kidding?” “Yeah, he says he’s doing team-building and motivational speaking. I got a CD – here you can have it.” So yes, I have a Meck CD (now we can just look here http://www.karlmecklenburg.com/homepage.html ). Sadly, I never persuaded my friend (and now boss) to bring Mecklenburg out for a session.

by MakeCents on Jun 19, 2011 1:01 AM MDT reply actions

Snow Goose!!

Meck all the way. 12th Rd pick, quite possibly the most versatile defensive player this, or any other NFL, team has ever seen, plus longevity?? No brainer. Sympathetic towards Alzado’s battles with steroids and cancer (link?), but any vote for him is tarnished by the Raiders link! Is that too harsh??? Maybe so. Sorry, don’t mean to offend.

by MileHighMan on Jun 19, 2011 3:24 AM MDT reply actions

I propose

Lyle Alzado and Karl Mecklenberg be co-champions! Mecklenberg was drafted in a round that doesn’t exist anymore and he was STILL an All-Pro. We have good luck with ex-Gophers, well, more with Eric Decker than Ben Hamilton….

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 Jun 19, 2011 1:54 PM MDT reply actions

Mecklenburg was the defensive Elway to me

When I became a Broncos fan, I was drawn to two players — #7 and #77. I had a hero on either side of the ball, which at 10 is important, I guess. Ah, the days when the defense had teeth. Meck is just behind Atwater as my favorite non-Elway Broncos of all time.

by BroncosBassist on Jun 20, 2011 5:30 AM MDT reply actions