"All-Time" Final 53 Roster Game

[UnderArmour]

Since it's still sort of offseason for another 2 weeks and final roster cuts are coming, I figured I'd post this for boredom sake. Feel free to give it a try, it was not easy.

Imagine you had every player in Bronco History to choose from, but you had to cut your roster down to 53. Salary cap doesn't exist. Using any combination of Broncos players from any year in NFL history, assemble your own final 53 and depth chart. I am personally going to cut mine off with the 1997 Broncos, but feel free to go back into the 70s/80s. I am also purely judging players on their production/potential while they were with the Broncos, so I'm not assuming I have 2005 Peyton Manning or 2005 Dawkins/2002 John Lynch.

Depth Chart:
Offense(26)
QB: John Elway, Peyton Manning, Jay Cutler
RB: Terrell Davis, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee
FB: Howard Griffith
WR1: Demaryius Thomas, Rod Smith, Trindon Holliday
WR2: Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Ed McCaffrey
WR3: Wes Welker, Emmanuel Sanders
TE: Shannon Sharpe, Dwayne Carswell, Julius Thomas
LT: Gary Zimmerman, Ryan Clady
RT: Matt Lepsis
LG: Mark Schlereth, Chris Kuper
C: Tom Nalen, Casey Wiegmann
RG: Ben Hamilton

Defense (24)
3-4 DE: Trevor Pryce, Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, Neil Smith
OLB: Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Demarcus Ware, Elvis Dumervil
NT: Terrance Knighton, Keith Traylor
CB: Champ Bailey, Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, Darrent Williams
SS: Steve Atwater, TJ Ward, David Bruton
FS: Brian Dawkins, John Lynch
ILB: Al Wilson, DJ Williams, Danny Trevathan, Wesley Woodyard

(3)
Punter: Todd Sauerbrun
Kicker: Matt Prater
Long Snapper: Lonnie Paxton
Returner: Trindon Holliday (counted under WR)

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Gary Kubiak
Offensive Coordinator: Adam Gase
Defensive Coordinator: Wade Phillips

Many players I placed on the roster for special teams value. Woodyard, Trevathan, Bruton, Holliday, and Darrent Williams are all versatile guys that can fit on on special teams in addition to being quality depth.

I went with Brandon Marshall, because even for all of his headaches, with Elway or Manning throwing him the ball he provides a huge mismatch. Went with Prater over McManus or Elam, and Sauerbrun over King. I'm going with Adam Gase and Wade Phillips as coordinators, so whether Manning or Elway is on the field, expect all of the receiving talent on the depth chart to be utilized. and expect the defense to ball out.

[aberdien]

No Chad Kelly?

[UnderArmour]

No Chad Kelly?

He would certainly be a candidate for the practice squad. I don't see him beating out Plummer, Griese, or even Orton (at their Bronco peaks) in camp at this point in his career.

[atwater27]

QB- Duh with Cutty 3rd string
RB- double duh. With a side of Mike Anderson
WR- Rod, Ed DT, Sanders with surprise Javon Walker sighting.
TE - Duh with Tony Scheffler as backup
O-line- stinky and the bunch
FB- Griffith and Peyton Hillis
DE- Rich Jackson and Doom would vaporize every tackle tandem ever.
DT- Trevor Pryce and Malik Jackson would blow up every play before the handoff.
OLB- Von and Simon Fletcher... fughetaboutit
MLB- Mecklenburg, Al Wilson
CB-Champ, Louis Wright, Chris Harris, Talib and Darrien Gordon for dime and kick/punt return
FS- Dennis Smith, Brian Dawkins
SS- STEVE ATWATER, John Lynch, TJ Ward
Coach- Shanny

[turftoad]

Trindon Holliday!? Really?
No way on gods green earth does he deserve a spot.

[MOtorboat]

Trindon Holliday!? Really?
No way on gods green earth does he deserve a spot.

It’s either him or Deltha O’Neil if you’re doing post 1997.

[BroncoWave]

It’s either him or Deltha O’Neil if you’re doing post 1997.

Darrien Gordon?

[MOtorboat]

Darrien Gordon?

I forgot about Gordon. He was only in Denver for a couple seasons, though, wasn’t he?

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

No Floyd Little?

C’mon man! There would be no team in Denver if it wasn’t for Floyd Little.

[spikerman]

You can definitely tell who was too young to see Randy Gradishar play.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

You can definitely tell who was too young to see Randy Gradishar play.

Floyd Little was pretty much done when I started watching, but still, I know the history.

There would be no orange crush without gradishar

[BroncoWave]

No Floyd Little?

C’mon man! There would be no team in Denver if it wasn’t for Floyd Little.


You can definitely tell who was too young to see Randy Gradishar play.

Read the first post again. He was limiting his list from 1997-Present.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

Read the first post again. He was limiting his list from 1997-Present.

Oops-a-daisy

[spikerman]

Read the first post again. He was limiting his list from 1997-Present.

I wasn’t just talking about him.

[spikerman]

Read the first post again. He was limiting his list from 1997-Present.

I wasn’t just talking about him.

[chanesaw]

QB Elway, Manning
RB Davis, Little, Portis, Mike Anderson
FB Griffith
WR Smith, Thomas, Lionel Taylor, Vance Johnson, Eddie Mac, Haven Moses
TE Sharpe, Odoms
OT Zimmerman, Clady, Lanier
OG Stink, Glassic, Paul Howard
C Nalen, Bill Bryan

3-4 D
DE Rich Jackson, Pryce, Barney Chavous, Rulon Jones
NT Kragen, Peko
OLB Von Miller, Simon Fletcher, Elvis Dumervil, Ware
ILB Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg, Tom Jackson, Al Wilson
CB Champ, Harris, Louis Wright, Talib, Crockett
S Atwater, Dennis Smith, Billy Thompson, Steve Foley

Elam
Rouen

[slim]

Read the first post again. He was limiting his list from 1997-Present.

Then maybe don't call it "all time"

[BroncoJoe]

No Rick Upchurch?

[The Glue Factory]

Read the first post again. He was limiting his list from 1997-Present.

Then the title of the thread is not exactly accurate. All-Time would be from 1960. Dang Millennials!

[MasterShake]

Plummer > Cutler

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mfE9lBLhXpFtPIHnCOqkhKhQo9M=/9x0:591x388/1200x800/filters:focal(9x0:591x388)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/651874/jake_plummer.jpg

[Jsteve01]

QB- Duh with Cutty 3rd string
RB- double duh. With a side of Mike Anderson
WR- Rod, Ed DT, Sanders with surprise Javon Walker sighting.
TE - Duh with Tony Scheffler as backup
O-line- stinky and the bunch
FB- Griffith and Peyton Hillis
DE- Rich Jackson and Doom would vaporize every tackle tandem ever.
DT- Trevor Pryce and Malik Jackson would blow up every play before the handoff.
OLB- Von and Simon Fletcher... fughetaboutit
MLB- Mecklenburg, Al Wilson
CB-Champ, Louis Wright, Chris Harris, Talib and Darrien Gordon for dime and kick/punt return
FS- Dennis Smith, Brian Dawkins
SS- STEVE ATWATER, John Lynch, TJ Ward
Coach- Shanny

When i saw no tombstone or louis i almost flipped. I like yours but How about Floyd little? No Gradishar?

[chanesaw]

My bad, Upchurch was a great returner as well.

[broncofaninfla]

QB Elway, Manning
RB Davis, Little, Portis, Mike Anderson
FB Griffith
WR Smith, Thomas, Lionel Taylor, Vance Johnson, Eddie Mac, Haven Moses
TE Sharpe, Odoms
OT Zimmerman, Clady, Lanier
OG Stink, Glassic, Paul Howard
C Nalen, Bill Bryan

3-4 D
DE Rich Jackson, Pryce, Barney Chavous, Rulon Jones
NT Kragen, Peko
OLB Von Miller, Simon Fletcher, Elvis Dumervil, Ware
ILB Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg, Tom Jackson, Al Wilson
CB Champ, Harris, Louis Wright, Talib, Crockett
S Atwater, Dennis Smith, Billy Thompson, Steve Foley

Elam
Rouen

Great list. I was working on my own list but it was identical to yours with the exception of the addition of Rick Upchurch as the all time returner.

[Northman]

Interesting that you put Cutler over Plummer.

[Northman]

I forgot about Gordon. He was only in Denver for a couple seasons, though, wasn’t he?

Yea, but he was better than anyone we have or have had.

[MOtorboat]

Yea, but he was better than anyone we have or have had.

If we’re including the entire history of the team, there’s no way he was better than Upchurch.

If we’re sticking to the post 1997 players, I think that’s still debatable.

Gordon had 3 TDs and a punt return average of 12.3 on 40 returns. He didn’t return kicks.

Holliday had 4 return TDs (2 punt, 2 kick), a 9.5 PRA on 64 returns and 29.1 KRA on 39 returns.

O’Neal had 3 return TDs (2 punt, 1 kick), 10.4 PRA on 128, 22.6 KRA on 55.

[Northman]

If we’re including the entire history of the team, there’s no way he was better than Upchurch.



If its team specific yes, but both Gordon and Upchurch were very close in comparison as far as careers are concerned. Also, Upchurch did not play in the NFL when free agency existed so its hard to hold that against Gordon in that regard.

[MOtorboat]

If its team specific yes, but both Gordon and Upchurch were very close in comparison as far as careers are concerned. Also, Upchurch did not play in the NFL when free agency existed so its hard to hold that against Gordon in that regard.

I think if we’re picking an all-time Broncos team we should only consider their time as Broncos. That’s obviously only how I’d do it.

[Northman]

I think if we’re picking an all-time Broncos team we should only consider their time as Broncos. That’s obviously only how I’d do it.

Fair enough, but then guys like Shannon Sharpe and Steve Atwater should not be on any lists at that point. Both spent time with other teams. IMO

[MOtorboat]

Fair enough, but then guys like Shannon Sharpe and Steve Atwater should not be on any lists at that point. Both spent time with other teams. IMO

No, I’m not saying I’d only consider career Broncos. I meant I’d only count their time as Broncos in my consideration.

[BroncoWave]

Fair enough, but then guys like Shannon Sharpe and Steve Atwater should not be on any lists at that point. Both spent time with other teams. IMO

Eh, I don't think Mo is saying anyone who ever played for another team can't be on the list. He's just saying all that should count on the list should be what those players did as broncos. Atwater and Sharpe did enough as broncos to make this list. Guys like Tony Dorsett and Jerry Rice didn't.

[Northman]

Eh, I don't think Mo is saying anyone who ever played for another team can't be on the list. He's just saying all that should count on the list should be what those players did as broncos. Atwater and Sharpe did enough as broncos to make this list. Guys like Tony Dorsett and Jerry Rice didn't.

Yea, but Tony and Jerry didnt really do anything for the Broncos. Maybe you guys are too young to remember Gordon and his impact on this team during those years. Again, my opinion but Gordon should be considered regardless.

[Northman]

Like i said before, just because a player happened to be a Bronco due to the lack of free agency at the time does not necessarily make them the best player for that team. It kind of comes across like the whole Davis didnt play in the NFL long enough when it came to his HOF credential argument for me.

[MOtorboat]

Yea, but Tony and Jerry didnt really do anything for the Broncos. Maybe you guys are too young to remember Gordon and his impact on this team during those years. Again, my opinion but Gordon should be considered regardless.

I’m not too young for Gordon, and I didn’t say he shouldn’t be considered.

[slim]

North, are you drunk?

[Northman]

North, are you drunk?

No why?

[slim]

No why?

Just checking.

Carry on.

[Northman]

Just checking.

Carry on.

Are you having a hard time following the conversation? Lol

[slim]

Are you having a hard time following the conversation? Lol

One of us is :yo:

[Northman]

One of us is :yo:

Im just glad you are finally catching up! :)

[UnderArmour]

Interesting that you put Cutler over Plummer.

I'm going as if all of these guys showed up to training camp, and were competing for a roster spot on a level playing field. Plummer could execute the Kubiak offense extremely well, but struggled when he was contained in the pocket and faced interior pressure. If an opposing team could shut down the running game, Plummer very rarely took over games with his arm to bring the Broncos back. In a shootout scenario, as we all saw against Manning, the Broncos had zero hope of keeping up. Cutler is a much better pocket passer and not somebody who can be as easily game planned against. Not to mention, Cutler was literally drafted to replace Plummer, and more than adequately did so.



The reason I cut my roster off at 1997 is because I can admit I am not as educated regarding the 70s/80s teams. My roster would probably still look similar, with of course Orange Crush Defense guys, and earlier standouts Floyd Little making the cut.

If you don't like my roster, post your own as was the intention of the thread.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

Rick Upchurch held the record for punt returns for touchdown in a season for close to 30 years when Devin Hester tied his record, which I believe was 6 TD’s in one season. O’Neal can’t touch that.

[sneakers]

lol Lonnie Paxton

[sneakers]

Where Tom Jackson? Floyd Little, Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith, Karl Mecklenburg?

[The Glue Factory]

Where Tom Jackson? Floyd Little, Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith, Karl Mecklenburg?

It seems that you (like me) didn't read past the thread title. OP started with '97, making the thread title very suspect.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

It seems that you (like me) didn't read past the thread title. OP started with '97, making the thread title very suspect.

I guess “all-time” is a very relative term.

[Hawgdriver]

If we’re including the entire history of the team, there’s no way he was better than Upchurch.

If we’re sticking to the post 1997 players, I think that’s still debatable.

Gordon had 3 TDs and a punt return average of 12.3 on 40 returns. He didn’t return kicks.

Holliday had 4 return TDs (2 punt, 2 kick), a 9.5 PRA on 64 returns and 29.1 KRA on 39 returns.

O’Neal had 3 return TDs (2 punt, 1 kick), 10.4 PRA on 128, 22.6 KRA on 55.

I'd go with Holliday, not because he's the right choice, but because I'd watch that damn game.