Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #97

by KaptainKirk on Jul 8, 2011 10:30 AM MDT in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers

Ten players wore #97 for the Denver Broncos in team history. With one exception. All-Pro Defensive End/Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg wore the number for a single game. During week 12 in Los Angeles. The Raiders shut out the Broncos 24-0. Legend has it that the number was cursed and the Bronco organization reversed the Mojo by changing their uniform design. It obviously worked because the team promptly won two Super Bowls. They also brought in a Lucky Charm to get them back to the Big Game. His name? Well, you'll have to read through the article, because he is the Greatest Bronco to wear #97. The rest of the lineup goes like this.

Justin Bannan DE 2010

Le Kevin Smith DL 2009

Boss Bailey LB 2008

Kenny Peterson DE 2007

Simeon Rice DE 2007

Demetrin Veal DT 2004-06

Keith Washington DE 2001-02

Mike Lodish DE 1995-2000

Darren Drozdov DT 1993-94

Bruce Klostermann LB 1987-89

Simeon Rice was drafted by the Cardinals in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played 5 seasons in Arizona winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Simeon signed with Tampa Bay as a Free Agent prior to the 2001 season and earned a Super Bowl Ring in 2002. Halfway through the 2006 campaign, the Bucs placed him on Injured Reserve with a shoulder ailment. After he refused to take a pay cut, the Buccaneers released him. On September 3, 2007, Rice signed a 1-year deal with the Broncos. Unhappy with his lack of playing time, he asked to be released. Simeon started 1 of 6 games, with 8 Tackles and 2 pass deflections. Rice made the Pro Bowl 3-times and 1st-Team All-Pro once in his career.

Darren Drozdov was signed by the Broncos as an Undrafted Free Agent in 1993 out of Maryland. He started 2 of 6 games that season and remained on the team without seeing any action during 1994. Drozdov gained notoriety, and also the nickname "Puke", when he vomited on Monday Night Football. Darren hurled all over the football before the center could snap it. It was later reported that he threw almost every game and saw a psychiatrist for chronic vomiting. Apparently, the stage was set for a career with the World Wrestling Federation. Darren competed as a professional wrestler in 1998 and 1999 under the ring names Puke and Droz. On October 5th, 1999, Drozdov broke his neck during a match against D. Lo Brown and was paralyzed from the neck down. He has since regained the use of his upper body and arms. More can be read about his wrestling career here.

Kenny Peterson was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 3rd round (79th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent 3 seasons with the Pack and became a Bronco in 2006. Although he stayed with Denver through 2009, Kenny wore #90 in 3 of those 4 seasons. In 2007, he wore #96. Peterson played in 7 games, with 10 Tackles, 1 Sack and 2 pass deflections.

Rodney "Boss" Bailey was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 2nd round (34th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played 4 years in the Motor City. In 2008, he had the chance to join older brother Champ in Denver and signed a 5-year, $17.5 million contract. He started 6 games at Outside Linebacker in 2008, with 40 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble and one Fumble recovery. Boss suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 20th. He underwent micro-fracture surgery and spent the entire offseason rehabbing in Denver with team doctors and trainers. Bailey didn't get healthy enough to go through OTA's and he was released on June 17, 2009.

Le Kevin Smith was drafted by the Patriots in the 6th round (206th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played 3 seasons in New England through 2008. Le Kevin (le-KEE-van) was acquired by the Broncos on August 17, 2009 along with a 7th-round pick (from Philadelphia) in the 2010 NFL Draft for the Broncos' 5th-round pick in the 2010 draft. That pick turned into Cam Thomas for the San Diego Chargers. Le Kevin made his first 2 career starts and notched his 1st career sack in 2009. Smith started 2 of 14 games as a Bronco, with 10 Tackles, 1 Sack and one pass deflection. He was released on September 7, 2010, resigned in late October before being cut once and for all on November 9th.

Bruce Klosterman was drafted by the Broncos in the 8th round (217th overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft. He played 3 seasons in Denver from 1987-89, starting 5 of 37 games. In 2009, Klosterman played for the St. Louis Rams.

Keith Washington was signed by the Detroit Lions as an Undrafted Free Agent in 1996 out of UNLV. The following year, he signed with the Ravens and spent 1997-2000 in Baltimore, winning a Ring in Super Bowl XXXV. Keith joined the Broncos in 2001 and played 2 seasons in Denver. He started 16 of 26 games, with 45 Tackles, 4 Sacks, one interception, one Forced Fumble and one Fumble Recovery. Washington played for the New York Giants in 2003-04.

Justin Bannan was drafted by the Bills in the 5th round (139th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. He spent 4 years in Buffalo from 2002-05 mostly as a versatile backup. Bannan joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2006 and played for them until 2009. In the 2008 season, he set a personal-best with 56 Tackles, one Sack and 3 interceptions. On March 5th, 2010, Justin signed a 5-year, $22 million contract with the Denver Broncos. The deal contained $10.5 million guaranteed, including a $6.245 million signing bonus. 2011: $3.5 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2012: $3.5 million, 2013-2014: $3 million, 2015: Free Agent. Bannan notched 35 tackles, four passes defensed, one Sack and a Forced Fumble while starting all 16 games at Right Defensive End last year. On March 3rd, 2011, in a cost-cutting measure, the Broncos released Bannan making him a Free Agent. He loved being in Colorado, since playing college at CU, but after being spurned by the Broncos, Justin would love to return to Baltimore in 2011.

Demetrin Veal was drafted by the Falcons in the 7th round (238th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie year in Atlanta, playing 3 games. Veal missed most of training camp in 2004 with a hamstring pull and was released on September 5th. 3 weeks later, the Baltimore Ravens signed him to their Practice Squad. In December of 2004, the Broncos poached Demetrin from the Ravens Practice Squad and he stayed with Denver through 2006. Veal started 1 of 35 games, with 57 Tackles, 2 passes deflected and one Forced Fumble as a Bronco. He last played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans in 2007. Demetrin resurfaced in the United Football League with the Florida Tuskers in 2009. He currently plays for the Omaha Nighthawks.

This isn't a difficult choice as there is not much competition. I think that is because of the dearth of drafting Defensive Linemen to develop. Only two out of these nine players were drafted by Denver. Anyway, the Greatest Bronco to wear #97 is...

Mike Lodish

Mike Lodish was drafted by the Bills in the 10th round (265th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. He spent 5 seasons in Buffalo from 1990-1994. After joining the Broncos via Free Agency in 1995, Mike started 19 of 92 games over a 6 year career as a Bronco through 2000. He made 76 Tackles, 4.5 Sacks and one Fumble recovery. Not bad for a guy who had only been a full-time starter once (1996) and never been to a Pro Bowl.

Lodish's biggest claim to fame is the fact that he is the only player in NFL history to play in 6 Super Bowls during an NFL career -- 4 in a row with the Buffalo Bills and 2 winners with the Broncos. If that wasn't a Lucky Charm, I don't know what is.

Mike also ranks 33rd All-Time with 21 Career Playoff games played.

Played in Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXXII and XXXIII

Super Bowl Champions XXXII and XXXIII

Lodish now works as an NFL player agent at Ethos Sports Management. He is representing TVS Studios in Troy, Michigan as a Communication Consultant.

MHR gives a Mile High Salute to Mike Lodish as the Greatest Bronco to wear #97.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Who was the Greatest Bronco to wear #97?

Mike Lodish

230 votes

Keith Washington

6 votes

Demetrin Veal

3 votes

239 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Lodish is the only choice here......

is there a reason that the Broncos players with 90’s numbers have only been around since the 1980’s?

Jerry Jones is Al Davis with a smile!

CHICAGO...Where Quaterbacks' careers go to die!

Why would anyone want to live in Oakland?

by mdierk on Jul 8, 2011 10:52 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Good question

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 Jul 8, 2011 12:28 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm not sure why

but I think it had to do with roster size changes etc. Also back in the 60’s and 70’s a lot of receivers (Flankers and whoever lined up in the “backfield”) wore numbers from 10 to 49. some where in the late 70’s or early 80’s they standardized numbers and had recievers where numbers 80 to 89. This necessitated a lot of D-lineman changing from a number in the 80’s to something else. Most linebackers and O-lineman wore numbers in the 50 to 79 range and the need for additional numbers for D-line and linebackers was needed and they authorized 90 to 99 for them.

This is just a guess and It will be interesting to try and research this.

by papasteven on Jul 8, 2011 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions

The Kevin!!!

eh, not really. Lodish here.

by oxmouth on Jul 8, 2011 10:52 AM MDT reply actions

You Forgot Justin Bannan

Not that he is the greatest Bronco to wear the number 97, but he was solid for the Broncos in 2010. In fact, I was surprised the Broncos cut him. I think we will miss him next season.

by RSH089 on Jul 8, 2011 10:58 AM MDT reply actions

I think he will be resigned when the CBA haggling is over...

by bfree2bronc on Jul 8, 2011 11:29 AM MDT up reply actions

O Crap.

He got lost in the cracks, probably because he is not on the Roster on the Team site and isn’t in the Media Guide. I will remedy the situation very soon. Thanks.

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 Jul 8, 2011 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions

Fixed

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 Jul 8, 2011 1:13 PM MDT up reply actions

That settles it...Karl Mecklenburg! He wore it once...

by bfree2bronc on Jul 8, 2011 11:28 AM MDT reply actions

LoL!

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 (perhaps and then some)!!!! ( =

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Jul 8, 2011 2:00 PM MDT up reply actions

Drozdov

Any guy who vomiited on people in the game gets my vote, a close second is Mr. Glass, aka Boss Bailey.

"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 Jul 8, 2011 12:11 PM MDT reply actions

I never knew Droz was a footballer before his WWF days. And even worse, I never knew he was a Bronco.

But it has to be Lodish

by mikebirty on Jul 8, 2011 12:18 PM MDT reply actions

thats cool

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
BRONCOS 4 LIFE

by Taylor K on Jul 8, 2011 1:42 PM MDT up reply actions

Pretty amazing to have played in 6 Super Bowls.

Figure in a ten-year career, that’s more than one every other season. Must be nice.

Bronco Champions are being forged as we speak.

by BroncoRick69 on Jul 8, 2011 12:31 PM MDT reply actions

Mike Lodish

is a champion and a stud, much like Hasselbach before him. Dutch black guys are awesome, Harald and Francisco Elson!

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 Jul 8, 2011 12:47 PM MDT reply actions

Thanks Kirk!

Lodish was a great rotational player for sure! Would’ve definitely been consistent starter quality the entire last couple seasons… Probably even further back than that.

Who is that at the beginning of the post, in that first pic?

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 (perhaps and then some)!!!! ( =

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Jul 8, 2011 2:03 PM MDT reply actions

It's Boss Bailey

If I had not forgotten Justin Bannan, he would have been in the top picture.

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 Jul 8, 2011 3:59 PM MDT up reply actions