Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
The Greatest Broncos of All Time....By The Numbers -- #8
by John Bena on Mar 10, 2009 11:30 AM MDT
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
15 comments
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 vilified, one because he was drafted to replace a legend well before his time (Maddox), while another showed promise until a pickup basketball game got in the way (Lewis).
However, one #8 stands 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 backup and a coach to John Elway. He later tutored a series of quarterbacks including Brian Griese and Jake Plummer.
15 comments | 3 recs |
The Greatest Broncos of All Time...By The Numbers -- #7
by John Bena on Feb 6, 2009 9:15 AM MST
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
36 comments
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.
36 comments | 3 recs |
The Greatest Broncos of All Time....By The Numbers -- #6
by John Bena on Feb 4, 2009 4:03 PM MST
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
33 comments
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....
33 comments | 2 recs |
The Greatest Broncos of All Time....By The Numbers -- #5
by John Bena on Feb 2, 2009 5:27 PM MST
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
4 comments
The Candidates:
Brad Daluiso, K -- 1992
Matt Prater, K -- 2008
Well, so much for any discussion. A bit of a quandary, thought Prater's prolonged slump to end 2008 helped make my decision for me. No one really deserves this, but the fact that Daluiso enjoyed a prolonged career and got to play in a couple Super Bowls gives him the edge. Of course, I have to have the required pic of Big Brad --
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!
4 comments | 2 recs |
The Greatest Broncos of All Time....By the Numbers - #4
by John Bena on Jan 29, 2009 6:07 AM MST
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
17 comments
The Candidates -
Darrell Hackney QB 2007-Present
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.
Darrell Hackney is a fun choice, but I though I would go a different direction.
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.
17 comments | 0 recs |
The Greatest Broncos of All-Time.....By The Numbers -- #3
by John Bena on Jan 28, 2009 8:00 AM MST
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
21 comments
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!
21 comments | 0 recs |
The Greatest Broncos Of All Time....By The Numbers -- #2
by John Bena on Jan 26, 2009 1:00 PM MST
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
9 comments
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.
9 comments | 0 recs |
The Greatest Broncos Of All Time....By The Numbers - #1
by John Bena on Jan 25, 2009 8:43 AM MST
in Broncos Greats...By The Numbers
29 comments
The Candidates -
Jason Elam -- K -- 1993-2007
Darren Parker -- P -- 1992
Chris Normon -- P -- 1984-1985
Brett Kern -- P -- 2008-Present
The Greatest Bronco To Ever Wear #1 -
via starbulletin.com
Jason Elam, K -- 1993-2007
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.
29 comments | 0 recs |
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