Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #78

by KaptainKirk on Jun 19, 2011 10:30 AM MDT in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers

Fourteen players wore #78 in Denver Broncos history. Seven Offensive Linemen, five Defensive Ends, a Defensive Tackle and a Linebacker. Here are the candidates for the Greatest Bronco to wear #78.

Ryan Clady LT 2008-Present

Matt Lepsis T 1998-2007

Larry Jackson DE 1995

Don Maggs T 1993-94

Archie Harris OL 1987

Winford Hood G 1986-88

Rich Stachowski DE 1983

Bruce Radford DE 1979

Marv Montgomery T 1971-76

Ken Criter LB 1969-70

Jim White DE 1976

Tom Cichowski T 1968-69

Marvin Davis DT 1966

Leroy Moore DE 1964-65

Leroy Moore went Undrafted out of Fort Valley State (GA.). He signed with the Broncos in 1964 after spending the previous 4 years with the Buffalo Bills and the Boston Patriots. In his 2 seasons with Denver, Moore played 26 games at Right Defensive End, made one interception and returned it 70 yards.

Marvin Davis was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 15th round (205th overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft. He played one game with the Broncos in 1966.

Tom Cichowski was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 2nd round (30th overall) of the 1966 NFL Draft. He played 13 games at Right Tackle for the Broncos from 1968-69.

Jim White was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round (73rd overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft. He played for the Patriots, Oilers and Seahawks before joining the Broncos in 1976. White started 1 of 7 games that year and recovered one Fumble.

Ken Criter signed with the Broncos in 1969 as an Undrafted Free Agents out of Wisconsin. Criter had a 6-year career with the Broncos, wearing two different jerseys. In his first 2 seasons, he wore #78. Ken started 1 of 28 games, returned 5 kickoffs for a 10.2 average and recovered one Fumble. Criter wore #53 from 1971-74.

Bruce Radford was drafted by the Broncos in the 3rd round (77th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft. He played 16 games for Denver in 1979, recovering one Fumble. Radford spent the next 2 seasons with Tampa Bay and St. Louis.

Rich Stachowski went Undrafted out of California. He joined the Broncos in 1983 and played 14 games at Nose Tackle.

Archie Harris was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 7th round (193rd overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played in 3 games for the Broncos that season, his only one in the NFL.

Don Maggs was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 2nd round (29th overall) of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft. He played six seasons for the Oilers before joining the Broncos in 1993. Don started 3 of 16 games in his two years with Denver.

Larry Jackson career spanned 4 seasons playing in both the NFL and NFL Europe. Jackson played for the Denver Broncos (1995), Arizona Cardinals (1996) and Miami Dolphins (1996-97), and later was allocated to NFL Europe where he played one season for the Barcelona Dragons (1998). He is now the Director of Sports Performance at the University of Houston.

Winford Hood was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 8th round (207th overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft. Hood wore #74 during his first 2 seasons in Denver, then changed over to #78 for the final 3 years of his career. From 1986-88, Winford started 4 of 15 games for the Broncos.

Marv Montgomery was drafted by Denver in the 1st round (12th overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft. He played 5 years and part of a 6th with the Broncos, starting 32 of 57 games, mostly at Left Tackle from 1971-76.

Ryan Clady

Ryan Clady was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1st round (12th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was inserted at Left Tackle from the get-go and has started all 48 games since. Clady is credited with allowing the fewest sacks (0.5) in the NFL among all 16-game starting tackles in 2008 according to Stats Inc. and was called for just 3 penalties on the year (2 false start, 1 holding). In fact, he didn't give up a full sack in his first 20 career starts, an NFL record since STATS Inc. began tracking the statistic in 1994.

Ryan made the Pro Bowl and was a 1st-Team All-Pro in 2009. This made him only the 5th Tackle since the 1970 NFL merger to be named a 1st-team Associated Press All-Pro by his 2nd professional season. Clady was just the 11th tackle in NFL history to earn Pro Bowl honors by his 2nd professional season. He joined Gary Zimmerman (1995-97) and Tony Jones (1998) as one of 3 Tackles in Denver history to receive Pro Bowl honors.

There is no reason why Ryan Clady cannot become the Greatest #78 in Broncos history, but with only 3 years in to what appears to be a very good career, he has a little more to attain that level.

The Greatest Bronco to wear #78 is...

Matt Lepsis

Matt Lepsis was signed by the Broncos as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Colorado in 1997. He played 11 seasons in Denver from 1997-2007. After sitting on the injured list in 1997, Lepsis made his debut with the Broncos in 1998, playing in all 16 games on Special Teams. In 1999, he became the starting Right Tackle. From then on, Matt started 122 of 123 games at Right and Left Tackle through 2006. In Week 7 of the 2006 season, he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee Oct. 22 at Cleveland. The Broncos defeated the Browns 17-7, but Lepsis landed on Injured Reserve. He recovered from the torn ACL to start all 16 games in 2007, but felt that his performance slipped. On January 1, 2008 he announced to the team that he would be retiring.

Lepsis had signed a 4-year contract extension in March 2006 that was to pay him $25 million. He left more than $9 million on the table, but walked away on his own terms. He officially retired on February 12, 2008.

For his career, Lepsis appeared in 150 games and started 133. He recorded 5 Tackles on Special Teams and recovered 4 Fumbles. He won a Ring playing in Super Bowl XXXIII and was named Sports Illustrated All-Pro in 2005.

MHR gives a Mile High Salute to Matt Lepsis as the Greatest Bronco to wear #78.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Is Matt Lepsis the Greatest Bronco to wear #78?

Yes

250 votes

No

69 votes

319 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Matt Lepsis would have handily won many of the other numbers

But Clady is a legend in the making. He is already regarded by some as the best LT in football, and we have not yet seen him at his best . . .

IMHO
-

BILLY THOMPSON GOT SHAFTED!!

by AZDynamics on Jun 19, 2011 10:44 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

If we were to revisit this in 5 years, I might change my vote, but for now, even with what Clady has done over the past few years, I have to go with Lepsis.

by DoubleJay on Jun 19, 2011 6:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Well . . .

You wouldn’t get too hard an argument from me. Lepsis does have more of a resume at this point . . .

BILLY THOMPSON GOT SHAFTED!!

by AZDynamics on Jun 19, 2011 11:57 PM MDT up reply actions

Gotta say Lepsis

Clady will eventually be better.
And I just have to put a negative on Lepsis – he’s the guy that fell on Terrell Davis and ruined his knee. Damn! Not really Lepsis’ fault, but Damn!

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

Pope John XXIII

by bradley on Jun 19, 2011 10:58 AM MDT reply actions

let's place the blame for that one where it belongs

they were both chasing down a Greise interception. So I blame Josh McDaniels.

by rwg on Jun 19, 2011 12:50 PM MDT up reply actions 5 recs

I stand corrected

McD was a real disaster. My apologies to Matt Lepsis.

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

Pope John XXIII

by bradley on Jun 19, 2011 1:05 PM MDT up reply actions

Matt Lepsis is the only one that should be doing the apologizing to the Denver Broncos.

The Lockout bores me.

by McGeorge on Jun 19, 2011 8:55 PM MDT up reply actions

LMAO rwg!

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 19, 2011 3:47 PM MDT up reply actions

I didn't like McDaniels . . .

But it wasn’t McDaniels’ fault, or Lepsis’ fault, or even Griese’s fault. It was just a football thing.
-

BILLY THOMPSON GOT SHAFTED!!

by AZDynamics on Jun 20, 2011 12:00 AM MDT up reply actions

why would you McDaniels

Look I hate Josh McDaniels as much as anyone, but TD got hurt in 1999 I don’t think McD was even coaching then. If you wanna blame somebody for what happaned to Davis, well it’s that simple, Shanahan was coaching, Brian Griese was the QB who threw the INT which ended up getting Davis hurt. We as fan have enough reasons to hate McDaniels, we don’t need to makeup ones. I’ve a Broncos fan since Lou Saban, I was at the imfamous Half Loaf Game, and still I hate McDaniels more.

by Wallace Clemons on Jun 20, 2011 12:55 AM MDT up reply actions

Although you missed the sarcasm, your point is still correct. We don’t need more reasons to hate McD. We already have dozens of great ones.

rwg’s attempt to make Bronco fans that don’t like McD look like finger pointing fools is far more subtle. McD wasn’t all evil like he was portrayed by the MSM and some at the DP, but he was still a terrible coach in Denver, he set us back, made us worse and tarnished the franchise. His era produced far more negative than positive even though it did produce some good things (not Cutler, no BM, Tebow, Lloyd).

But the rwg’s are still out there lurking. Too proud or ashamed to admit they supported a crappy coach with so much gusto and effort. McD let his die hard Bronco supporters down the most, but for some strange reason, many of them are still behind the man. Or should I say, myth.

The Lockout bores me.

by McGeorge on Jun 20, 2011 8:00 AM MDT up reply actions

nope, I wasn't being all that crafty

Just clownin’ around, just clownin’ around. I’m a “big tent” broncos fan my friend.

by rwg on Jun 20, 2011 6:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Dohhh!!

I thoroughly whiffed that one, didn’t I?
-

BILLY THOMPSON GOT SHAFTED!!

by AZDynamics on Jun 20, 2011 9:49 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

I was wondering if anyone would recall this. It wasn’t his fault, just a freak thing. It’s the one thing that’s keeping TD out of the HOF.

by So Cal Bronco Fan on Jun 19, 2011 2:17 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Clady

Clady is a legend coming on strong….unbelievable talent…

Coach Steve Tucker
www.football-tutorials.com

by CoachSteveTucker on Jun 19, 2011 11:05 AM MDT reply actions

Clady is better

by Adam Manter on Jun 19, 2011 1:43 PM MDT reply actions

I say Lepsis

but Clady can have this distinction if he really wants it. No more pickup basketball games Ryan!

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 1:58 PM MDT reply actions

I know you don’t mean anything really, but I just gotta say this. Anytime someone gets hurt doing something other than football, that’s always the immediate response. And it bugs me. The guy was shooting some hoops, and he got hurt. But that should not cause anyone to say he should never play basketball again. That line of thinking is tremendously stupid and annoying. If I were a professional athlete, and I want to play a little basketball, I’m going to, just like you or I or anyone else would.

Low-cut blouses are looked down upon in this establishment.

by wtnelson on Jun 19, 2011 4:03 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

It has to be Matt Lepsis, until Clady takes it away.

But we will always owe him a lot.

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

by Trinidad Jack on Jun 19, 2011 2:50 PM MDT reply actions

Lepsis for now

Like others, I think Clady will claim this number, but for the first 51 years of the organization it’s Lepsis’ crown to wear.

by orangenorth on Jun 19, 2011 4:59 PM MDT reply actions

Criter's Critters

It’s Lepsis now but one day it should be Clady … but there was a time when there was a small push … maybe before the Orange Crush … to give the defense the nickname .. “Criter’s Critters” after Ken Criter!!!! Thank God that name never took off!!!!

by SouthBroncs on Jun 19, 2011 5:04 PM MDT reply actions

Dust off an old memory

I never would have remembered that without your reminder. Criter didn’t last long, but fans did like him.

And while I’m at it, Marv Montgomery deserves some love too.

by orangenorth on Jun 19, 2011 5:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Criter got some recognition at 53

and well deserved. He was a maniac on special teams. and Marv Montgomery was a good Bronco also.

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

Pope John XXIII

by bradley on Jun 19, 2011 6:22 PM MDT up reply actions

Just glad someone else remembered ...

It was the first thing that hit me when I saw the list. You’re right about Marv Montgomery too. Great players! Great memories!

by SouthBroncs on Jun 20, 2011 11:07 AM MDT up reply actions

Lepsis for now

If Clady stays healthy, he will be HOF. Lets wait and see. I think I remember Critter’s Critters refered to the special teams.

by danelama on Jun 19, 2011 7:45 PM MDT reply actions

Matt Lepsis is a drug addict loser. No Fing way any self respecting Bronco fan should vote for a guy that admittedly played several NFL games high as a kite on whatever he was using at the time.

It’s a shame that any of you would vote for this loser. His drug habits put guys like Jake, Elway, Grease and Cutler, not to mention TD, Portis, Anderson and several others in harms way. This guy was the worst possible teammate. Selfish and foolish all rolled up into one.

Screw you Matt Lepsis.

The Lockout bores me.

by McGeorge on Jun 19, 2011 8:50 PM MDT reply actions

Kaptain, you gotta include the whole truth, even when it hurts.

http://www.aolnews.com/2008/12/26/matt-lepsis-used-drugs-on-the-field-and-then-retired-because-he/

The Lockout bores me.

by McGeorge on Jun 19, 2011 8:52 PM MDT up reply actions

The full Matt Lepsis story.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/lepsis-45326-drugs-season.html

The Lockout bores me.

by McGeorge on Jun 19, 2011 8:53 PM MDT up reply actions

point taken

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 19, 2011 10:34 PM MDT up reply actions

I guess I don't really understand

How did Lepsis being high put so many in harms way? Is it commendable? No. Was it incredibly stupid? Yeah probably. But he still played at a pretty high (no pun intended) level his entire career, was known as a pretty good team mate, and never got into off the field problems. Brett Favre was addicted to painkillers for years. Didn’t Elway go through a period of some pretty heavy drinking? It’s not much of a stretch that being hungover would have more of a negative impact on someones game than being hopped up on painkillers and whatever else. He wasn’t some burned out meth head or anything close.

by Warren Todd on Jun 20, 2011 9:01 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Am I the last to know

about Lepsis’ drug use? I try to read multiple sources regularly (daily when things are active) and until McGeorge’s post, I was unaware of this fact. What Lepsis acknowledged in those articles is appalling. Obviously, even one guy playing high can cause havoc (not to mention endanger teammates).

If I remember correctly, Mecklenberg stated that one of the reasons things went so badly in the Super Bowl against the Redskins is that one defensive starter was using during the game. I don’t know who (Hunley?), but the implication is that there were a lot of missed assignments as a result. To find out Lepsis was using regularly is disturbing to say the least. The coaches didn’t know?

Still, as you stated, Lepsis seemed to maintain a high level of play. He played 10 1/2 years for the team and was just rewarded with a new contract before he blew out his knee. The regular drug use was the year after (probably because of pain initially) and he retired because of his play that year.

Given his play over his career, the fact as you stated, that he seemed to be a solid teammate, and there is really no one with qualifications close (yet), he still is the only choice.

by orangenorth on Jun 20, 2011 9:29 AM MDT up reply actions

Who knows what drugs Lepsis was on since he won’t say. Maybe he was high, maybe he was wet, maybe he was tripping.

The fact remains that Lepsis played several games while on drugs. And he is ashamed of this so he knows just how terrible that is. He knows he put his teammates last and drugs first. He knows he put his teammates in harms way with his selfish actions.

No F-ing way I remember this guy fondly and no F-ing way does he get honored as a Bronco great.

The Lockout bores me.

by McGeorge on Jun 20, 2011 10:10 AM MDT up reply actions

Drugs aren't the best thing to do

but if he was high on the chron, we can say it wasn’t performance-enhancing and he still played well. All drugs are bad, but it’s better if he din’t take supplements that gave him an edge.

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Jun 20, 2011 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions

I usually enjoy McGeorge's posts, but...

I think you are a little off base in your criticism of Lepsis. Should he be held accountable..sure, but not dragged through the mud. These guys are trained to be modern day gladiators, and use their bodies as weapons. They are going to get injured, and it sucks when they develop a habit after using the drugs. I choose to appreciate the 9 years Lepsis played, and played well, rather that the 6 games he played high.

by NormanDale33 on Jun 20, 2011 9:50 PM MDT reply actions