The Candidates -

Matt Mauck QB 2004
Todd Husak QB 2001
Jeff Lewis QB 1996-97
Tommy Maddox QB 1992-93
Gary Kubiak QB 1983-91

Five different quarterbacks have worn the #8 in Denver, all five primarily backups during their careers.  Some have been villified, simply because they were drafted to replace a legend weel before his time(Maddux), while others showed promise until a pickup basketball game got in the way(Lewis). 

One #8, however, stood out from the crowd.   From trusted teammate to respected coach, Gary Kubiak was the consummate professional.  Seemingly comfortable in the shadow of greatness, Kubiak was a calming influence, both as a player then latere as a coach to Elway, and later a series of quarterbacks, from Brian Griese to Jake Plummer.

Continue reading this post »

The Candidates -

John Elway QB 1983-98
Craig Morton QB 1977-82
Mickey Slaughter QB 1963-66

With all do respect to Craig Morton, who himself was enshrined in the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1988, and was the first quarterback to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl, John Elway is perhaps the Greatest Bronco to wear any number, period.  Can the #7 ever be talked about again, concerning the Denver Broncos, without the name John Elway coming next?

It was Elway that lead the Broncos to 5 Super Bowls, and those 5 starts are the most for any quarterback, ever.  It was Elway that finally got the Broncos their first World Title, and Elway that was MVP of the last game he ever played, Super Bowl XXXIII. 

Continue reading this post »

The Candidates -

Jay Cutler, QB -- 2006-Present
Jason Baker, P/K -- 2004
Joe Nedney, K -- 2000
Bubby Brister, QB -- 1997-99
Ralph Giacommaro, P -- 1987

Enough with the kickers and punters already!  Even if one of the three listed above had spent more than a season each with the Broncos I would have excluded them on principle alone.  With Baker, Nedney and Ralphie out of the way I was left with a tougher than expected decision.  Of course, I am never one to sit on the fence and after thinking about it over a Coke Zero I came to a decision.

The Greatest Bronco To Ever Wear #6 Is....

Continue reading this post »

The Candidates:

Brad Daluiso, K -- 1992

Well, so much for any discussion.  Couldn't Miles take #5??  Anyway, I'll take the easy way out and go with the only guy to officially wear #5 as a Bronco.  Of course, I have to have the required pic of Big Brad --

via www.markusheon.com

Daluiso had already been on no fewer than 4 NFL rosters(Packers, Falcons, Bills and Cowboys) before Dan Reeves brought him to Denver to be the kick-off specialist.  That experiment lasted only one season as Reeves was sent packing after the 1992 season.  Daluiso went East with Reeves, joining the coach in New York with the Giants.  Fortunately for Brad, his career in NY lasted longer than the coach.

After heading to New York, Daluiso wore #3, and ended up having a decent career by NFL standards, playing 8 seasons for the Giants.

Brad Daluiso retired in 2000 as the Giants all-time most accurate kicker, and is the 2nd all-time leading scorer in the team’s history.  In addition, he was a four time NFC Player of the Week, 1994 Special Teams Player of the Year and three year Team Captain (1997-1999).  Brad played in Super Bowl XXVI with the Buffalo Bills and Super Bowl XXXV with the New York Giants.  In 2003, Brad was recognized as one of the ten most revolutionary special team’s players in the history of professional football (The Star Ledger. September 10, 2003).

Up next, the thrills continue with #6!

The Candidates -

Micah Knorr P/K 2002-04
Ruben Rodriguez P 1992
Chris Norman P 1986
Robert Thompson WR 1987
Rick Duncan K 1967

Do I really have to choose??  Sure, Micah Knorr could be a choice, simply because he was a Bronco the longest.  That's no fun, however, but neither is trying to find any information about the other guys on the list.

Thus, for me, when in doubt, revert back to the (not so) good ole' days in Broncos history, the 60's, and pick the place kicker that appeared in just 2 games for the Broncos, attempting a total of 5 FG's, converting only 2.  That's right, some teams have names like Brett Favre that top their list of greats that wore #4.  For the Broncos, it's almost as good....

The (not so)Greatest Bronco To Ever Wear #4 --

Rick Duncan, K - 1967

I know, you guys were hoping for a photo.  Unfortunately his stay in Denver, and the AFL/NFL was too short for anyone to get a confirmed sighting.  Such was football in Denver in the 60's.

The Candidates -

Paul Ernster K 2005-06
Scott Bentley K 1997, 2000
Rich Karlis K 1982-88
Bobby Howfield K 1968-70
Billy Joe FB 1963-64

The Greatest Bronco To Ever Wear #3 -

via cache.viewimages.com

Rich Karlis, K - 1982-88

Was there ever any doubt?  Sure, the list of Broncos to wear #3 isn't that awe-inspiring, but could anyone but Rich karlis get the nod?  Just based on the fact that the guy was a barefoot kicker makes him a great in my book, then top it off with the OT field goal against the Browns, in Cleveland, kicking in sub-zero temperatures on green-colored dirt, and he is as close to a sure thing as anyone on this list!

Continue reading this post »

The Candidates -

Steve Lindsey K 2000
Will Furrer QB 1994
Mike Horan P 1986-92
Joe DiVito QB 1968
Bob Humphreys K 1967-68
Cookie Gilchrist FB 1965

The Greatest Bronco To Ever Wear #2 -

via cache.viewimages.com

Mike Horan, P - 1986-1992

While the name Mike Horan my not get you as excited as some of the other names on the list, he did play in 3 Super Bowls for the Broncos, and actually ended up winning a Super Bowl as part of the Rams' Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Titans.

Continue reading this post »

The Candidates  -

Jason Elam -- K -- 1993-2006
Darren Parker -- P -- 1992
Chris Normon -- P -- 1984-1985

The Greatest Bronco To Ever Wear #1 -

via starbulletin.com

Jason Elam, K -- 1993-2006

Some of these are going to be slam-dunk, no-brainers.  Jason Elam was a stalwart for the Broncos for 15 years before leaving this off-season to play for the Atlanta Falcons .  While it is sad to think someone who has meant so much to the Broncos over the years would not be able to finish his career in Orange and Blue, I'll choose to think of all the things he was able to accomplish as a Bronco and just how good he was at a position that is so critical to the success or failure of a football team.

Continue reading this post »

He we go.  This series, starting with #0, will take us all the way until the Broncos and Raiders get ready to open the 2008 season.  It is my hope that it will inform, entertain, and create some debate among Broncos fans about different guys that have worn different numbers.  In some cases, there will be no debate because a number was only worn by one person.  That is the case with #0, who saw just one season of activity in a Broncos uniform.

The Greatest Bronco To Ever Wear #0 - John Olszewski, FB -- 1962

Johnny 'O' Olszewski was an All-American Running Back at CAL from 1949-1952 before being drafted with the 4th Overall pick in the 1953 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals.  Johnny O played for the Cardinals from 1953 – 1957 earning Pro Bowl honors in both 1953 and 1955 and Western Conference first team honors in 1956.

After being dealt to the Washington Redskins in 1958 Johnny O became the ‘Skins primary back for three seasons and was first and only player in Redskin history to wear the number "0".  In 1961 Olszewski played for the Detroit Lions before finishing his career with the Broncos in 1962, helping the Broncos to a 7-7 record, easily their best season in the 60's.

For his ten year pro career, Johnny gained 3,320 yards averaging almost 4 yards per carry and hauled in 104 receptions for 988 yards. He was inducted into the Cal Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named to the Sigma Nu’s All-Century Professional Football team.

Johnny 'O's Broncos Stats --

Rushing    - 33 Car. 144 yards
Receiving - 13 Rec. 150 yards, 1 TD

UPDATE -- Honorable Mention Goes To  - MILES!!!

Officially, only players are eligable, but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention the Broncos favorite furry friend.  Hat Tip to loyal MHR reader PSHIN8670 for bringing the oversight to my attention!!

I'll say it, right off the bat, this isn't what you think.  Well, acually, it is what you think.  A new series here on MileHighReport that will break down the best Broncos of all time, with a twist.  With just under 100 days until the Broncos and Raiders get their respective 2008 regular season's under way I figured I would find a way to pass the time and have some fun.

Here's what is going to happen.  I am going to break down the Greatest Broncos to ever wear a certain number.  Starting with #0(yep, someone wore #0 for the Broncos) and going all the way to #99 I'll give you who I think was the best player to ever wear a certain number.  A couple of gimmies, of course, will be the guys that have had their numbers retired.  Other easy ones will be numbers that were only worn by one player.  In that case, consider this a history lesson.

Of course, there is going to be a debate and I will include a poll, where applicable, to figure out if you agree with me or think I am completely crazy.  We'll get it going tomorrow, and continue every day until we get to the Season Opener on September 8th.  Thoughts, suggestions?  Put them in the comments!