As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the
game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that
players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided
to defy that notion.
Considering that the Denver Broncos were founded in 1960, the task
becomes enormously challenging. Today, I have taken on the daunting
task of compiling an Broncos Dream Team. Though the Broncos have
had their down periods, for the most part, they have given an honest
effort to be a perennial contender. The franchise has been to eight Super
Bowls, winning three. The five Super Bowl losses came by an average
of 29.6 points, four of those defeats came to historically great teams. In
1997-1998, the Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowls (31-24 over
Green Bay and 34-19 over Atlanta). In 2015, the Broncos, led by a
historically great defense, defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 to win
their third Vince Lombardi Trophy.
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player
needed to have played for the Broncos for a minimum of four seasons
-- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that
standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of
All-Pro seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going
to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Broncos during a season of being a contender does not get
you a hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level
performers get considered.
To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,
which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to
make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be
there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to
put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that
position?”
OFFENSE
QB -- First team: John Elway. Honorable mention: Peyton Manning.
The Broncos have an embarrassment of riches at this position with two
Hall of Famers. Despite Elway's greatness, there were many peaks and
valleys. Elway led the Broncos to three Super Bowl appearances in four
seasons with each one resulting in blowout losses that led to him having the
dreaded, “can't win the big one,” label. Elway, however, finished his career
leading the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl championships including
a Super Bowl MVP performance in his final NFL game. Elway was a nine-
time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro (one as a first-teamer), NFL MVP in
1987, two-time AFC Offensive Player of the Year and holds numerous
Bronco franchise records. Elway is also the seventh leading rusher in
franchise history. Manning is known for his 13 seasons as an Indianapolis
Colt but his four campaigns (2012-2015) as a Bronco were quite memorable
as well. The Broncos signed him as a free agent in 2012, when he won
comeback Player of the Year honors followed by an MVP campaign in
2013. In 2015, the Broncos won the Super Bowl thanks to historically
stout defense but on offense even a physically broken down Manning's
brain also played a role in them winning that championship.
RB -- First team: Terrell Davis, Floyd Little. Honorable mention: Sammy
Winder, Otis Armstrong.
In a sense, Davis' Hall of Fame legacy is “what could have been” because
his career was cut short based on a serious knee injury. From 1995 to 1998,
however, Davis was the best in the business. His presence gave Elway the
dominant running game that he lacked for much of his career. Davis was a
member of back-to-back Super Bowl champions, Super Bowl XXXII MVP,
three-time Pro Bowl, three-time first-team All-Pro, NFL MVP in 1998 and
two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year. At the time of retirement, Little
was the seventh leading rusher of all time in NFL history On the way to
his Hall of Fame career. Little what is a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time
All-Pro (one as a first-teamer). Winder is the third leading rusher in franchise
history. His “Mississippi Mud walk,” touchdown celebration is still
remembered to this day. In his nine seasons as a Bronco, Winder made the
Pro Bowl on two occasions. Armstrong is the fourth leading rusher in
franchise history. He was a two-time pro bowler and was an All-Pro once.
Armstrong led the NFL in rushing in 1974.
FB -- First team: Jon Keyworth. Honorable mention: Howard Griffith.
Keyworth was drafted as a tight end by the Washington Redskins before
being traded to the Broncos. In eight seasons, Keyworth rushed for 2,653
yards. Griffith spent the last five seasons of his 11-year career with the
Broncos. Griffith played the role of personal escort for Davis and helped the
Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Griffith was
nicknamed “The Human Plow.”
WR -- First team: Rod Smith, DeMaryius Thomas. Honorable mention:
Lionel Taylor, Ed McCaffery.
Smith made the team as an undrafted free agent and had an enormously
productive 13-year career. Smith holds numerous franchise records and was
the first undrafted player in NFL history to amass over 10,000 receiving
yards. Smith helped the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowls. He was a
three-time Pro Bowler, two-time second-team All-Pro and led the NFL in
receptions in 2001. Thomas played nine seasons (2010-2018) with the
Broncos and was a member of the 2015 Super Bowl champions. Thomas
recorded five consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons, is the third leading
pass catcher in franchise history, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-
team All-Pro. Taylor was a Bronco for seven years (1960-1966) and was
the first professional receiver to record 100 catches in a season (1961),
needing only 14 games to accomplish that feat. Taylor is the fourth-leading
pass catcher in franchise history. He was All-AFL five times, led the AFL
in receptions five times and was a three-time AFL All-Star. McCaffrey
played nine seasons (1995-2003) with the Broncos and is the franchise's
fifth leading pass-catcher. McCaffrey helped the Broncos win consecutive
Super Bowl championships. McCaffrey’s best season was 1998 when he
made the Pro Bowl and was All-Pro.
TE -- First team: Shannon Sharpe. Honorable mention: Riley Odoms.
Sharpe was known for his loquacious personality but also had a remarkable
14-year career that culminated with a Hall of Fame induction. Sharpe had
two different stints (1990-1999; 2002- 2003) with the Broncos. Sharpe,
who was a seventh-round draft choice, is the third leading pass catcher in
franchise history and was an underrated blocker. Sharpe helped the Broncos
win back-to-back Super Bowl championships and helped the Baltimore
Ravens win another. Sharpe was an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time
All-Pro (four first-team). Odoms played 12 seasons (1972-1983), all with
the Broncos. Odoms was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team
All-Pro. He caught 396 passes and 41 touchdown passes.
OT -- First team: Gary Zimmerman, Ryan Clady. Honorable mention:
Ken Lanier, Matt Lepsis.
Zimmerman, who once starred in the USFL, spent the last five seasons of
his 13-year career with the Broncos (1993-1997). He was a member of the
1997 Super Bowl championship, the first in franchise history. In his five
seasons with the Broncos, Zimmerman was a Pro Bowler three times and
All Pro twice (one as a first-teamer). Clady played eight of his nine seasons
with the Broncos (2008-2015), including the 2015 Super Bowl champions.
Clady was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro (two as a first-
teamer). Discipline and reliability were his long suits. Lanier was a trusty
starter for 13 seasons (1981-1992; 1994) with the Broncos. Lanier
provided solid pass protection for Elway and helped the Broncos reach
three Super Bowls in a four-year span from 1986-1989. Lepsis played 11
seasons (1997-2007) with his first two being back-to-back Super Bowl
champions. Lepsis made the team as an undrafted free agent and in 2004
was part of a Broncos offensive line that yielded a franchise-low 15
quarterback sacks. That season Lepsis did not miss a single snap.
OG -- First team: Mark Schlereth, Dan Neil. Honorable mention:
Keith Bishop, Paul Howard.
Schlereth played 12 NFL seasons, six each with the Washington Redskins
and Denver Broncos. The latter of which he helped win back-to-back
Super Bowl championships. He was a vital cog on some outstanding
offensive lines. Though Schlereth only made two Pro Bowls in his career,
he probably should have made many more. In his career, Schlereth
endured 25 surgeries. Schlereth was a 10th round pick. Neil spent eight
seasons (1997-2004) as a Bronco. His first two were members of back-
to-back Super Bowl champions. Neil played sparingly as a rookie in 1997
but became a reliable starter thereafter. Bishop was a Bronco for ten
seasons (1980-1989). Bishop was a two-time Pro Bowler who helped the
Broncos reach three Super Bowls in a four-year span. Howard spent all
14 years of his NFL career with the Broncos (1973-1986). Though
Howard never earned any postseason accolades he was a very reliable starter.
C -- First team: Tom Nalen. Honorable mention: Billy Bryan.
Nalen played 15 seasons (1994-2008), all with the Broncos. Though Nalen
is not in the Hall of Fame, a very strong case can be made that he should be.
Nalen was the linchpin for the Broncos offensive line when the franchise
was in its Golden Age, winning back-to-back Super Bowl championships.
Nalen was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro. Though Bryan
never received any postseason accolades, he was a reliable starter for 14
seasons (1973-1986).
DEFENSE
DE -- First team: Barney Chavous, Rulon Jones. Honorable mention:
Elvis Dumervil, Maa Tanuvasa.
Chavous played all 13 of his NFL seasons (1973-1985) with the Broncos.
Chavous never earned any postseason recognition but was an excellent
pass-rusher. His 23.5 career sacks, however, are a deflated total because sacks
did not become an official statistic until 1982. Jones played nine seasons
(1980-1988) with the Broncos and recorded 52.5 career sacks but that total
was probably higher because sacks were not an official stat until 1982.
Jones was a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All Pro who played for two
of the Broncos Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s. Dumervil played
seven of his 12 seasons with the Broncos (2006-2012). This Elvis made
sure many quarterbacks left the pocket. In his time with the Broncos,
Dumervil recorded 63.5 career sacks, was a three-time Pro Bowler, first-
team All-Pro in 2009 and NFL sacks leader in 2009. Tanuvasa played six
seasons with the Broncos (1995-2000). He was a member of back-to-back
Super Bowl championships and led the Broncos in quarterback sacks in
1998-1999.
DT -- First team: Trevor Pryce, Rubin Carter. Honorable mention: Paul
Smith, Greg Kragen.
Pryce played nine seasons with the Broncos (1997-2005). Pryce was a
member of back-to-back Super Bowl champions in his first two seasons.
Pryce was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. Despite playing
a position that is not the most stat friendly, Pryce recorded 60 quarterback
sacks. Carter played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Broncos (1975-
1986). Carter never earned any postseason accolades but was a very
underappreciated player because of the position he played. As a nose tackle
in the Broncos “Orange Crush” defense, he consumed a lot of double-teams
to allow other players to make plays. Smith played 11 seasons with the
Broncos (1968-1978). Smith was a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time
second-team All-Pro. If you are looking for an underdog story, look no
further than Kragen. He spent nine seasons with the Broncos, three of
which were Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s. Kragen was an
undrafted free agent from Utah State and recorded 28.5 career quarterback
sacks from his nose tackle position.
OLB -- First team: Von Miller, Simon Fletcher. Honorable mention:
Bill Romanowski, Tom Jackson.
This is a versatile group. Miller and Fletcher could fit either as 4-3 ends
or 3-4 linebackers. Jackson and Romanowski could be 3-4 inside ‘backers
or 4-3 outside ‘backers. Besides Elway, is there a better player regardless of
position in Denver Bronco history than Miller? He will enter his tenth
season with the franchise and already has a lion's list of achievements.
Miller is the franchise’s all-time leader with 106 quarterback sacks -- and
counting. He is also an eight-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro (three
as a first-teamer), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and Super
Bowl MVP in 2015. Fletcher never earned any postseason accolades but
not because he wasn't worthy. Fletcher is second in franchise history with
97.5 career sacks and he forced 20 fumbles in his career. Some people
might cringe at Romanowski being on this list because he was such a
controversial figure that many label a dirty player. Romanowski played
15 years for four different teams but his best football came in his six years
as a Bronco. Romanowski helped the Broncos win consecutive Super
Bowl championships and made his only two Pro Bowls as a bronco. One
generation knows Jackson largely as a studio host for ESPN but he was
also a very consistently solid performer at outside linebacker 14 seasons
(1973-1986). Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All
Pro. He intercepted 20 career passes
ILB -- First team: Karl Mecklenberg, Randy Gradishar. Honorable
mention: Al Wilson, Jim Ryan.
Mecklenburg is one of the best players in Bronco history regardless of
position. Mecklenburg, who was a 12th round pick in 1983, played 12
seasons and was an incredibly versatile player. Mecklenburg was a six-
time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro and his 79.5 career sacks
ranked third in franchise history. He was nicknamed “The Snow Goose”
and “The Albino Rhino.” Gradishar excelled for 10 seasons as a Bronco.
He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro. Gradishar was a
member of the 1977 Orange Crush defense. Wilson played eight seasons
(1999-2006) and was a Pro Bowler five times. Wilson was an All-Pro
twice, once as a first-teamer. Ryan played for 10 seasons, including two
Bronco teams that made the Super Bowl. Ryan made the team as an
undrafted free agent in 1979 and became a solid starter for a decade.
CB -- First team: Louis Wright, Champ Bailey. Honorable mention:
Chris Harris, Tyrone Braxton.
Wright played for 12 seasons and was a “Shutdown Corner” before the
term was fashionable. Wright is not in the Hall of Fame but a case could be
made that he should be. Wright was a five-time Pro Bowler and five-time
All Pro (four as a first-teamer). Wright was nicknamed “Lou-dini.” He
recorded 26 career interceptions. Bailey played 10 of his 16 Seasons with
the Broncos and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bailey
recorded 52 career interceptions and reached 12 Pro Bowls, the most by a
defensive back in NFL history. Bailey was also a seven-time Pro Bowler
(three as a first-teamer). Harris recently signed a free-agent contract with
the division rival Chargers. Harris, however, spent nine highly productive
seasons as a Bronco including a significant role in the 2015 Super
Bowl championship season. Harris recorded 20 career interceptions in a
Broncos uniform. He was a Pro Bowler four times and All-Pro on three
occasions (one as a first-teamer). Braxton spent 12 of his 13 NFL seasons
with the Broncos, experiencing two Super Bowl losses and back-to-back
Super Bowl victories. Braxton could fit on this team either as a cornerback
or safety. With 36 career interceptions, and four touchdowns, he belongs
in this team somewhere.
S -- First team: Bill Thompson, Steve Atwater. Honorable mention:
Dennis Smith, Steve Foley.
Thompson's 13-year career spanned three decades (1969-1981). That time
included being a member of the famed “Orange Crush” defense. Thompson
was a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro (one as a first-teamer), All
AFL in 1969 and set the NFL record with four fumble recoveries returned
for touchdowns. Thompson also recorded 40 interceptions for a franchise
high 784 yards. Atwater was a Bronco for 10 seasons, the last two of which
we're back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Atwater was one of the
hardest hitting safeties in NFL history. He was an eight-time pro bowler and
two-time first-team All-Pro. Though Davis was rightfully the Super Bowl
MVP of Super Bowl XXXII, Atwater's play on defense was no less valuable
in that contest. Smith played 14 seasons with the Broncos, including three
Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s. Smith was a six-time Pro Bowler
and three-time All Pro (two as a first-teamer). Foley played 11 seasons
including being a member of the “Orange Crush” defense in the late 1970s.
He was first team All-Pro in 1978. Foley remains the franchise leader with
44 career interceptions.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- First team: Jason Elam. Honorable mention: Jim Turner.
Elam was a Bronco for 15 seasons including back-to-back Super
Bowl championships. Elam is the franchise's leading point scorer with
1,786 points. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time second-team
All-Pro. Elam is one of three kickers to have initially tied Tom Dempsey’s
NFL record for the longest field goal in NFL history at 63 yards. That
record was later broken by the Detroit Lions Matt Prater. Turner split his
career with two teams, seven with the New York Jets and nine with the
Denver Broncos.
P -- First team: Tom Rouen. Honorable mention: Britton Colquitt.
Rouen played for several different teams but his biggest impact came as
a Bronco (1993-2002). Rouen was an All-Pro in 1994 and punted for
two Super Bowl champions. He had a career average of 43.1 yards per punt.
Colquitt punted for seven years (2009-2015) as a Bronco. He was a member
of the 2015 Super Bowl champions. Though Bronco defense did a lot of
heavy lifting, Colquitt gave the defense many field position advantages.
RETURN -- First team: Rick Upchurch. Honorable mention: Deltha
O’Neal.
Upchurch was a threat to either go for a touchdown or significantly change
field position every time he touched the ball. Upchurch is a five-time All-
Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. In his nine-year career, Upchurch compiled
5,363 return yards and eight touchdowns. He holds several Bronco franchise
return records. O'Neal was a solid cornerback and also a genuine threat as a
returner in his four seasons. O'Neal averaged 10.4 yards on punt returns and
22.6 yards on kickoff returns. He returned three kicks for touchdowns.
HEAD COACH -- First team: Mike Shannahan. Honorable mention:
Dan Reeves.
Shanahan was a Bill Walsh protege while Reeves was from the Tom Landry
tree. Shanahan ran a run-heavy version of the West Coast offense. He was a
master at getting unheralded running backs and getting them to produce in
high volume fashion. The Broncos went eight years without a postseason
victory after Elway and Davis retired but Shanahan is the winningest coach
in franchise history and delivered back-to-back Super Bowl championships
in 1997-1998. In 12 seasons, Reeves guided the Broncos to six
postseason appearances, five division titles, three AFC championship games
and three Super Bowl appearances. Though the Broncos lost on the big
stage each time, they also lost two to historically great teams, the New York
Giants in 1986 and San Francisco 49ers in 1989.
TEAM -- 1998. This choice is not even close. Coming off the first Super
Bowl title in franchise history, beating Green Bay 31-24 as a 12-point
underdog, the Broncos threatened to be the NFL’s first unbeaten team since
the 1972 Dolphins. The Broncos went 13-0 before losing back-to-back
regular season games. In the postseason, the Broncos smashed the Dolphins
(38-3), outlasted the New York Jets (23-10) and dominated the Reeves’
coached Falcons (34-19), who upset the Minnesota Vikings in the
NFC Championship Game two weeks prior. Davis was NFL MVP,
cracking the 2,000 yard mark in the process, and the Broncos had nine Pro
Bowlers.
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