The second stop in the MHR Selects series will be a vote and discussion on the Denver Bronco player that best fits the "Overachiever Of the Year" label for the 2011 season. I found two Bronco players that fit the bill for this distinction. The word "Overachiever" is defined as:
1. To perform, especially academically, above the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.
2. To perform better or achieve more than expected, especially by others.
Cornerback Chris Harris went Undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Kansas. He joined the Broncos as a college Free Agent on July 27, 2011. Harris had 72 Total Tackles, six Special Teams Tackles, six Pass Break Ups and one Interception in his first year as a pro. He led the team in Special Teams Tackles on three occasions and also led the team in Total Tackles two times while being just one of four rookies to play in all 16 games (4 starts). That was unexpected out of a CFA Rookie, but not out of the Broncos Scouting Department. Last year, Cassius Vaughn went Undrafted and made the final 53 out of Training Camp.
Punter Britton Colquitt is the other candidate for Overachiever of the Year. In 2010, Britton had a decent year. He ranked 7th in the league in punts and total yards (86 and 3,835), 10th in Net yards and gross average (3,145 and 44.6). However, Colquitt's 36.6 Net average was a full 8 yards lower than his gross, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. He also forced 17 Fair Catches, a figure that placed him at #13.
This season, Britton bettered every one of those categories by a good, but unexpected margin. He was the #1 ranked Punter in Total and Net yards punting, 2nd in number of punts (101), 7th in gross average (47.4), 9th in Net average (40.2). Colquitt was the 2nd best punter in the league in dropping punts Inside the 20 yard line with 33 and #3 in forcing Fair Catches with 27. Britton had a terrific year and earned a Pro Bowl selection as an alternate. He is undoubtedly one of the major reason the Broncos Special Teams Unit improved from 27th in 2010 to 15th in the league in the this year.
Certainly both players are worthy of this honor, at least in my opinion. But what do you say MHR? Who gets the Mile High Salute?
Go Broncos!