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View Full Version : Who are YOUR G.O.A.T. Broncos by position?



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07-11-2012, 01:36 PM
MHR recently conducted a "Greatest Denver Broncos Team" (http://www.milehighreport.com/2012/7/3/3135394/the-greatest-denver-broncos-team-wrap-up#107278170) voting
among their posters. Having watched the Broncos since their inception,
I disagree with a few of the results. But, of course, it's just my opinion.
Having seen them doesn't necessarily make me right. So here are my
selections:

QB: John Elway (duh!), Craig Morton
RB: Terrell Davis, Floyd Little (or vice versa)
FB: Howard Griffith, Cookie Gilchrist
WR: Rod Smith, Lionel Taylor, Haven Moses
TE: Shannon Sharpe, Riley Odoms
C: Tom Nalen, Larry Kaminski
G: Keith Bishop, Mark Schlereth, George Goeddeke
T: Gary Zimmerman, Ryan Clady, Tony Jones
DT: Trevor Pryce, Lyle Alzado, Rubin Carter (Honorable Mention: Dave Costa)
DE: Rich Jackson, Elvis Dumervil, Rulon Jones (Honorable Mention: Alfred Williams)
MLB: Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg (Honorable Mention: Al Wilson)
OLB: Tom Jackson, Bill Romanowski, John Mobley
CB: Champ Bailey, Louis Wright, Willie Brown
S: Steve Atwater, Billy Thompson, Dennis Smith

Okay, so what do you think?
.

Ravage!!!
07-11-2012, 01:44 PM
hard to argue with any of those. I would have to really think about it over the years. Hard to put Bishop in front of Shlereth for me, but Bishop was here longer. Also I think, purely because of the amount of time that Elvis has been here compared to Rulon, I would list ahead of him.

also forgot punter and kicker :D

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07-11-2012, 01:57 PM
hard to argue with any of those. I would have to really think about it over the years. Hard to put Bishop in front of Shlereth for me, but Bishop was here longer. Also I think, purely because of the amount of time that Elvis has been here compared to Rulon, I would list ahead of him.

also forgot punter and kicker :D
Good points. For me, it is a close call among all three OGs. Goeddeke
was a stud.

Come to think of it, Goose Gonsoulin would have to be an Honorable
Mention at safety, IMO.


Okay, here are the rest:

K: Jason Elam. (Jim Turner was Mr. Automatic, but Elam had the leg.)

P: Billy Van Heusen. (There were better pure punters, but this guy was
a threat to take off at any time, and the coaches had given him the
green light to do so.)

ST: Rick Upchurch. (One of the most explosive players in all of football.
I can't see a list without him here somehow.)
.

Simple Jaded
07-11-2012, 02:09 PM
Simon Flecther over Rulon, Schlereth over Bish, Bryan over Kaminski, Wilson over Meck and Mobley over Romanowski (who never gets a whiff of my list).......

vandammage13
07-11-2012, 02:13 PM
I know many wouldn't agree, but I would would replace Morton with Jake Plummer at QB. I really liked what JP brought to the table and wished things would have worked out with him.

Also, I would at least have to write in Eddie Mac as an honorable mention at WR (as you did for Alfred Williams and Dave Costa).

Don't think Clady belongs on the list yet, but on the other hand I can't really think of another OT worthy of replacing him.

Glad Alzado made your list, although I think he was better on the Destroyer than on our DL.

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07-11-2012, 02:24 PM
I know many wouldn't agree, but I would would replace Morton with Jake Plummer at QB. I really liked what JP brought to the table and wished things would have worked out with him.

Also, I would at least have to write in Eddie Mac as an honorable mention at WR (as you did for Alfred Williams and Dave Costa).

Don't think Clady belongs on the list yet, but on the other hand I can't really think of another OT worthy of replacing him.

Glad Alzado made your list, although I think he was better on the Destroyer than on our DL.
Can't really argue with you on Jake. He and Morton could easily be 2a and 2b, IMO. One should have been HM.

I also wouldn't argue with Claude Minor or Matt Lepsis at T, but I chose Clady out of pure talent, IMO.

At WR, I'm a huge fan of Eddie Mac's, but if I had an HM there I would have to go with Al Denson.
.

Magnificent Seven
07-11-2012, 02:30 PM
MHR recently conducted a "Greatest Denver Broncos Team" (http://www.milehighreport.com/2012/7/3/3135394/the-greatest-denver-broncos-team-wrap-up#107278170) voting
among their posters. Having watched the Broncos since their inception,
I disagree with a few of the results. But, of course, it's just my opinion.
Having seen them doesn't necessarily make me right. So here are my
selections:

QB: John Elway (duh!), Craig Morton
RB: Terrell Davis, Floyd Little (or vice versa)
FB: Howard Griffith, Cookie Gilchrist
WR: Rod Smith, Lionel Taylor, Haven Moses
TE: Shannon Sharpe, Riley Odoms
C: Tom Nalen, Larry Kaminski
G: Keith Bishop, Mark Schlereth, George Goeddeke
T: Gary Zimmerman, Ryan Clady, Tony Jones
DT: Trevor Pryce, Lyle Alzado, Rubin Carter (Honorable Mention: Dave Costa)
DE: Rich Jackson, Elvis Dumervil, Rulon Jones (Honorable Mention: Alfred Williams)
MLB: Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg (Honorable Mention: Al Wilson)
OLB: Tom Jackson, Bill Romanowski, John Mobley
CB: Champ Bailey, Louis Wright, Willie Brown
S: Steve Atwater, Billy Thompson, Dennis Smith

Okay, so what do you think?
.

Don't forget The Three Amigos.

Magnificent Seven
07-11-2012, 02:34 PM
What about RBs Robert Delpino and Rod Bernstine? :D

Ravage!!!
07-11-2012, 02:39 PM
On pure talent alone (and not longevity as a Bronco, since Mac wasn't here long either).. Marshall is probably the most Talented WR Denver has ever had.

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07-11-2012, 02:42 PM
Don't forget The Three Amigos.
I'm not really all that high on any of the three. They were good, but not great,
IMO. Their greatest asset was John Elway, IMO.

I think my top six would be Smith, Taylor, Moses, Denson, Eddie Mac, and Steve Watson.

One receiver who had superstar talent was John Embree. The guy had long
arms, long legs, superglue hands, and lightning speed. He just wasn't around
long enough to consider on the list. I don't know what happened to him, but
some of the stuff he did was jaw-dropping.

Another WR who is etched in my memory is Mike Haffner. I still remember how
he would totally sell out to catch a pass. If heart and effort were the only
criteria, he would be a no-brainer G.O.A.T. He just over-performed his talent.
.

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07-11-2012, 02:45 PM
On pure talent alone (and not longevity as a Bronco, since Mac wasn't here long either).. Marshall is probably the most Talented WR Denver has ever had.
Absolutely. If the guy had between the ears half of what he had below the
neck, he could have been the greatest Broncos WR ever, IMO.
.

Simple Jaded
07-11-2012, 02:45 PM
Does Poorti$ or Otis line up 3rd at RB?.......

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07-11-2012, 02:49 PM
Does Poorti$ or Otis line up 3rd at RB?.......
Portis wasn't here long enough, IMO. Armstrong just tore up the defenses
with his running. The guy was sheer joy to watch (unless maybe one was
rooting for the other team). He definitely was the third best RB, IMO. He
actually took Little's starting job away from him, although Little was then
a bit past his prime.
.

vandammage13
07-11-2012, 02:51 PM
Simon Fletcher would have to make my DE list as well...would even be willing to replace Dumervil with him.

He was a pretty consistent beast for about a decade.

Simple Jaded
07-11-2012, 03:20 PM
Portis wasn't here long enough, IMO. Armstrong just tore up the defenses
with his running. The guy was sheer joy to watch (unless maybe one was
rooting for the other team). He definitely was the third best RB, IMO. He
actually took Little's starting job away from him, although Little was then
a bit past his prime.
.I never saw Otis play and I only put that out there because, like Poorti$, Willie Brown only played a few seasons for Denver too.......

Magnificent Seven
07-11-2012, 04:06 PM
Portis wasn't here long enough, IMO. Armstrong just tore up the defenses
with his running. The guy was sheer joy to watch (unless maybe one was
rooting for the other team). He definitely was the third best RB, IMO. He
actually took Little's starting job away from him, although Little was then
a bit past his prime.
.

Agreed! Armstrong was a beast. He was torching the Raiders for 146 rushing yards. He RAN OVER the raiders and won the AFC championship in 1977.

MOtorboat
07-11-2012, 04:34 PM
The starters on my All-Bronco team would be:

Offense
QB - John Elway
HB - Terrell Davis
FB - Howard Griffith
WR - Rod Smith
WR - Lionel Taylor
TE - Shannon Sharpe
T - Gary Zimmerman
G - Keith Bishop
C - Tom Nalen
G - Mark Schlereth
T - Ryan Clady

Defense
DE - Trevor Pryce
DT - Rulon Jones
DE - Rich Jackson
OLB - Simon Fletcher
ILB - Al Wilson
ILB - Randy Gradishar
OLB - Karl Mecklenburg
CB - Champ Bailey
S - Steve Atwater
S - Dennis Smith
CB - Louis Wright

Special Teams
K - Jason Elam
P - Mike Horan
KR - Rick Upchurch
PR - Darrien Gordon
LS - Mike Leach (Frau bonus pick)

turftoad
07-11-2012, 05:35 PM
Simon Fletcher would have to make my DE list as well...would even be willing to replace Dumervil with him.

He was a pretty consistent beast for about a decade.

Fletcher played LB dude.

Dzone
07-11-2012, 05:37 PM
Bob Swenson, Linebacker. Was undrafted and made the pro bowl in 1981.
Center-Bobby Maples

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07-11-2012, 06:26 PM
I never saw Otis play and I only put that out there because, like Poorti$, Willie Brown only played a few seasons for Denver too.......
Yes, you have a valid argument. The reason for this was that Brown was with
the Broncos for four years, while Portis was with us for two. Also, while Portis
made the Pro Bowl for us in 2003, Brown made Pro Bowl and All-Pro in 1964
and Pro Bowl again in 1965. After Brown was traded to the Raiders :mad:, he
went on to earn Pro Bowl honors seven more times and All-Pro four more.
Portis made the Pro Bowl twice in his nine years, and never All-Pro.

I know the real issue was what they did with the Broncos. But even then,
Willie Brown was already on his way to greatness, while Portis was good but
never in the same class with TD, Little, or Armstrong, IMO.
.

Canmore
07-11-2012, 06:32 PM
Yes, you have a valid argument. The reason for this was that Brown was with
the Broncos for four years, while Portis was with us for two. Also, while Portis
made the Pro Bowl for us in 2003, Brown made Pro Bowl and All-Pro in 1964
and Pro Bowl again in 1965. After Brown was traded to the Raiders :mad:, he
went on to earn Pro Bowl honors seven more times and All-Pro four more.
Portis made the Pro Bowl twice in his nine years, and never All-Pro.

I know the real issue was what they did with the Broncos. But even then,
Willie Brown was already on his way to greatness, while Portis was good but
never in the same class with TD, Little, or Armstrong, IMO.
.

I liked Portis, I'll never forget his five touchdown game against Kansas City. But I like Champ Bailey a whole lot more.

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07-11-2012, 06:33 PM
Fletcher played LB dude.
You are mostly right. He was listed as DE his last two years with the Broncos.
But he did most of his damage as a LB, of course.
.
.

Northman
07-11-2012, 06:42 PM
MHR recently conducted a "Greatest Denver Broncos Team" (http://www.milehighreport.com/2012/7/3/3135394/the-greatest-denver-broncos-team-wrap-up#107278170) voting
among their posters. Having watched the Broncos since their inception,
I disagree with a few of the results. But, of course, it's just my opinion.
Having seen them doesn't necessarily make me right. So here are my
selections:

QB: John Elway (duh!), Craig Morton
RB: Terrell Davis, Floyd Little (or vice versa)
FB: Howard Griffith, Cookie Gilchrist
WR: Rod Smith, Lionel Taylor, Haven Moses
TE: Shannon Sharpe, Riley Odoms
C: Tom Nalen, Larry Kaminski
G: Keith Bishop, Mark Schlereth, George Goeddeke
T: Gary Zimmerman, Ryan Clady, Tony Jones
DT: Trevor Pryce, Lyle Alzado, Rubin Carter (Honorable Mention: Dave Costa)
DE: Rich Jackson, Elvis Dumervil, Rulon Jones (Honorable Mention: Alfred Williams)
MLB: Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg (Honorable Mention: Al Wilson)
OLB: Tom Jackson, Bill Romanowski, John Mobley
CB: Champ Bailey, Louis Wright, Willie Brown
S: Steve Atwater, Billy Thompson, Dennis Smith

Okay, so what do you think?
.

Pretty much how mine would play out.

Northman
07-11-2012, 06:48 PM
I will say this. If Von continues to play like he has he will move up into that list pretty quickly.

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07-11-2012, 06:53 PM
I will say this. If Von continues to play like he has he will move up into that list pretty quickly.
I don't ordinarily like such predictions, but if someone were holding a gun to my
head I would say that I expect Von to become the greatest Broncos OLB ever
and to deserve being mentioned in the same breath as Derrick Thomas. But
that's only if someone had a gun to my head. :D
.

TheReverend
07-11-2012, 06:55 PM
I'd sub in Dan Neil in his prime and bump Dennis Smith up the depth chart but otherwise it's pretty identical to what I'd say.

rationalfan
07-11-2012, 07:28 PM
Any list like this without Simon fletcher (regardless of position) is incomplete.

Canmore
07-11-2012, 07:35 PM
Any list like this without Simon fletcher (regardless of position) is incomplete.

Kind of like the Pro Bowl voting for Fletcher, incomplete.

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07-11-2012, 07:39 PM
Any list like this without Simon fletcher (regardless of position) is incomplete.
Yeah, I've been thinking about that. If I were doing the list again, I think
Fletcher would be there at OLB . . .
.

MOtorboat
07-11-2012, 07:52 PM
The all-time Broncos team HAS to be a 3-4 defense. I know the two Super Bowl defenses were very good 4-3 teams, but the most memorable and epic players in team history played in a 3-4. Ironically, Trevor Pryce, who I chose to play DE later played in a 3-4.

Simple Jaded
07-12-2012, 01:33 AM
Dumervil played both DE and OLB too, having his best season in/best suited for a 3-4. MO makes a good point about defensive alignment, but imo Fletcher and Dumervil make both teams anyway.......

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07-12-2012, 08:38 AM
The all-time Broncos team HAS to be a 3-4 defense. I know the two Super Bowl defenses were very good 4-3 teams, but the most memorable and epic players in team history played in a 3-4. Ironically, Trevor Pryce, who I chose to play DE later played in a 3-4.
Good point. I think it could go either way, so I went with 4-3. The Broncos
seem to have more great DLs in their past than they do LBs.
.

Chef Zambini
07-12-2012, 09:33 AM
Simon Flecther over Rulon, Schlereth over Bish, Bryan over Kaminski, Wilson over Meck and Mobley over Romanowski (who never gets a whiff of my list).......I saluted you for your romo comment!
his name does NOT belong amongst bronco greats.
dispicable human being, on and off the field.

Chef Zambini
07-12-2012, 09:45 AM
TOPSCRIBE, I cant ARGUE WITH MOST OF YOUR LIST, THOSE who dont choose rulon jones just dont know
tom ruen deserves a mention at punter,colquitt is maybe the most consistent , effective punter we have ever had !
great list, great exercise for the off season.

MOtorboat
07-12-2012, 10:30 AM
Why am I the only one giving Mike Horan love?

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07-12-2012, 12:43 PM
Why am I the only one giving Mike Horan love?
Actually, he would be my choice as a punter alone. It's just that Van Heusen
was so dangerous from his position. If he saw an opening from his punting
position, he would take off, and he seldom if ever got caught without at least
a first down, and a few times he took it to the house.

But as a pure punter, Horan's the man, as I implied . . .



TOPSCRIBE, I cant ARGUE WITH MOST OF YOUR LIST, THOSE who dont choose rulon jones just dont know
tom ruen deserves a mention at punter,colquitt is maybe the most consistent , effective punter we have ever had !
great list, great exercise for the off season.

You may be right about Colquitt. However, in my mind he needs another year or
two to become known as the "greatest."

It's the same kind of thing that gave me a little bit of pause regarding Doom
(and I still have mixed emotions). He had superstar years in 2007 and 2009, but
rather mundane years otherwise, and, of course, there was the year off
because of injury. So his career has been somewhat up and down. If I were
to redo the list, I might make him Honorable Mention, but I wouldn't have him
higher than Rulon on the depth chart at DE, or even Alfred Williams, perhaps,
especially after being reminded by a couple posters here. (I'm not waffling; I
just listen to others, is all.)
.
.

Simple Jaded
07-13-2012, 10:06 PM
Tom Rouen was flat out horrible, far too often if the ball was on the Broncos 20 he'd shank it off the side of his foot, or if the ball was on the opponents 45 and you needed it inside the 20 he'd kick it through the uprights. Colquitt is already better.......

Chef Zambini
07-14-2012, 09:15 AM
I had a brain fart on rouen, I plead guilty!