Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #94

by KaptainKirk on Jul 5, 2011 10:30 AM MDT in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers

Nine players wore #94 for the Denver Broncos in team history. All nine were Defensive Linemen. Let me rephrase that. seven so-so players wore #94 for the Broncos. One current player that hasn't really been evaluated, and the rightful winner of this accolade. So let's take a look at the candidates in line for the Greatest Bronco to wear #94.

Louis Leonard DL 2011

Jarvis Moss OLB/DE 2007-09

Luther Elliss DT 2004

Luis Almanzar DT 2003

Lional Dalton DT 2002

Leon Lett DT 2001

Keith Traylor DT 1997-2000

Jeff Robinson DE 1993-96

Jim Szymanski DE 1991-92

Jim Szymanski was drafted by the Broncos in the 10th round (259th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played in Denver for 2 seasons from 1990-91. Jim started the first 6 games in 1990, but broke his right leg in a 34-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 14th. Szymanski was waived on August 27, 1991 and then re-signed the next day. He appeared in Week 3 against the Seahawks and then went off the grid. Jim resurfaced in 1993 with the Steelers, but didn't appear in any games. In fact, he doesn't have any career stats other than 7 games experience. Szymanski's big claim to fame is that he married his girlfriend on the field after an exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 31, 1990. There have been many proposals at Mile High, but only one marriage: Jim and Michelle Szymanski.

Jeff Robinson was drafted by the Broncos in the 4th round (98th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played 4 years in Denver from 1993-96. He played 64 games starting none, made 6 Sacks and recovered 3 Fumbles. Jeff also returned a Kickoff 14 yards. After leaving the Broncos, Robinson played for the St. Louis Rams (1997-2001, 2005), the Dallas Cowboys (2003-04) and the Seattle Seahawks from 2007-09.

Leon Lett was drafted by the Cowboys in the 7th round (173rd overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played 10 years in Dallas from 1991-2000 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1994 and 1998. His 12th and final year was spent as a Bronco. Leon played in 12 games, with 12 Tackles and 2 pass deflections.

Lional Dalton was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. He played college ball at Eastern Michigan. Lional played 4 years in Baltimore and won a Ring in Super Bowl XXXV. He became a Bronco in 2002 and started 13 of 16 games at Left Defensive Tackle. Dalton made 29 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 pass deflections and a Forced Fumble. He then played for the Washington Redskins (2003), the Kansas City Chiefs (2004–2006), and the Houston Texans in 2006.

Luis Almanzar was signed by the Broncos as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Missouri State on November 26, 2003. He was Inactive for the last 4 games in 2003 and then waived the day after Christmas. In January of 2004, Almanzar signed a Futures contract with Denver, but an injured hip flexor kept him from practicing during Training Camp and he was released August 30, 2004.

Luther Elliss was drafted by the Lions in the 1st round (20th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played 9 seasons in Detroit and was a 2-time Pro Bowler (1999 and 2000). Luther joined the Broncos in 2004, his last year in the NFL. He played in 8 games, with 7 Tackles and 2 Sacks.

Jarvis Moss was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1st round (17th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. He had a "character flag" on his record stemming from a team suspension during his collegiate career, but that didn't keep the Broncos from trading up in the draft for him. A deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars was made and the Jaguars used the pick from the Denver to choose Reggie Nelson, a teammate of Moss' at Florida. Jarvis played in six games as a rookie, recording 12 Tackles and a Sack. He broke his shin in practice on November 1st and ended up on Injured Reserve for the rest of the season. Jarvis played 12 games in 2008, with 12 Tackles and 2.5 Sacks. In 2009, during Training Camp, Moss missed a week of practice and contemplated retirement, due to new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan moving him from Defensive Lineman to Outside Linebacker. Moss was having trouble with the move and wasn't sure if his heart was in it. After thinking it over, he returned to practice and made the 53-man roster. When All-Pro Elvis Dumervil's went down with a pectoral injury last year, Moss was pointed at as the top candidate to take the starting Outside Linebacker spot. Jarvis played in 9 games in 2010, but didn't start one and ended up with 3 Tackles. He was released on November 17, 2010 and a week later, he signed with the Oakland Raiders to play Defensive End, replacing the injured Trevor Scott.

Perhaps Jarvis has a better to be on the "Worst Broncos By the Numbers" instead of the Greatest, but he is, after all, part of Broncos lore.

Louis Leonard is the current wearer of the #94 jersey on the Broncos. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an Undrafted Free Agent in 2007, after playing college ball at Fresno State. He was a member of the Chargers Practice Squad for one week before the St. Louis Rams poached him for their active roster on September 12th. After being Inactive for 3 weeks, the Rams waived Leonard. The Cleveland Browns claimed Louis off waivers in October and he played in 4 games during his rookie season. In 2008, Leonard played in all 16 games with the Browns. He started 4 at Defensive End and finished with 25 Tackles. In September of 2009, Louis was traded to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 6th-round pick in the 2010 Draft. He played in 2 games, starting one for Carolina. Leonard picked up 6 Tackles before fracturing his ankle and was placed on Injured Reserve on September 22, 2009. He was re-signed as a Restricted Free Agent after the season but was waived after Week 2 in 2010. Leonard spent a week in December with the Patriots before being waived on December 21, 2010. The Broncos signed him on December 27, 2010.

It wouldn't take much to run past this field of candidates, but we do have a respectable winner. The Greatest Bronco to wear #94 is...

Keith Traylor

Keith Traylor was drafted by the Broncos in the 3rd round (61st overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played 2 years in Denver wearing #54 and then ran off to Green Bay in 1993 and Kansas City for the 1995-96 seasons, before returning to the Mile High City. This time Keith wore #94 and stayed for 4 years. Traylor started 61 of 62 games at Left Defensive Tackle from 1997-2000. He made 140 Tackles, 6.5 Sacks, 3 Forced Fumbles, recovered two Fumbles and had a 13-yard kickoff return. Keith also had a 62-yard interception return for a touchdown in 1997. He won 2 Rings with the Broncos for Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII. Traylor went on to play for the Chicago Bears from 2001-03. He made a stop in New England in 2004 and won a 3rd Super Bowl Ring with the Patriots. Keith played for the Miami Dolphins from 2005-07.

MHR gives a Mile High Salute to Keith Traylor as the Greatest Bronco to wear #94.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Who was the Greatest Bronco to wear #94?

Luther Elliss

6 votes

Lional Dalton

0 votes

Leon Lett

7 votes

Keith Traylor

300 votes

Jeff Robinson

7 votes

320 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Traylor was good

Worked very hard on every play. Interesting how he morphed from a linebacker to a run stuffing DT.

It’s really scary when you have a moment of temporary sanity.
Nelson DeMille

by bradley on Jul 5, 2011 10:44 AM MDT reply actions

A single battle here

Traylor x Robinson. And I take Traylor without thinking twice.

I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Brazil on Jul 5, 2011 11:56 AM MDT reply actions

I voted for Jarvis Moss.

Just kidding – voted for Keith Traylor.

by CompUser on Jul 5, 2011 12:03 PM MDT reply actions

Keith Traylor

honorable mention to Luther Elliss, because he did a lot of good for young kids in Utah even though his best years were with the Lions.

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 Jul 5, 2011 12:15 PM MDT reply actions

Lots of pizza and beer

If I remember correctly, he had a problem with keeping his weight down. He was a nice addition to the Broncos. He had a surprisingly long career. Good for him.

by NZbronco on Jul 5, 2011 12:19 PM MDT reply actions