Thread: Who is the greatest Broncos defensive player of all time?

With Atwater going in today, I was thinking of where he ranks all time in terms of Broncos defensive players. Feels like we have a pretty clear top 5. What do you guys think?

Man, that is tough.


I love Atwater, my favorite player of all time but I concede that Ronnie Lott and maybe Ed Reed were better overall safeties. Atwater was a beast and I love him so much, but Champ Bailey is the best overall CB that has ever played the game.

Champ was as good in coverage as Deion and one of the best tacklers in the history of the position.

My vote has to go to Champ just because he is the best at his position to ever play and I don't think I can honestly say that about any of the other guys.

Originally Posted by chazoe60

Man, that is tough.


I love Atwater, my favorite player of all time but I concede that Ronnie Lott and maybe Ed Reed were better overall safeties. Atwater was a beast and I love him so much, but Champ Bailey is the best overall CB that has ever played the game.

Champ was as good in coverage as Deion and one of the best tacklers in the history of the position.

My vote has to go to Champ just because he is the best at his position to ever play and I don't think I can honestly say that about any of the other guys.

I think that's who I'd have to pick as well. If Von keeps at am elite level for another few years I think he could surpass him, but Champ was just so completely dominant.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

I think that's who I'd have to pick as well. If Von keeps at am elite level for another few years I think he could surpass him, but Champ was just so completely dominant.

To me it just boils down to the fact that no one has ever done it as well as Champ. Champs willingness to tackle separates him from alot of the other "shutdown" corners.

But I love Atwater more than any player ever.

Originally Posted by chazoe60

To me it just boils down to the fact that no one has ever done it as well as Champ. Champs willingness to tackle separates him from alot of the other "shutdown" corners.

But I love Atwater more than any player ever.

For me personally it's neck and neck been Von and Champ, but I admittedly only caught Atwater at the end of his career.

I think ultimately the Von/Champ argument will be similar to Brady/Manning. Von will wind up being a more accomplished Bronco than Champ with his Super Bowl MVP (like Brady with his titles), but Champ was probably the better player, much like Manning in my opinion.

But yeah, I can definitely respect having Atwater right in that class as well. Wish I could have seen more of his career.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

I think that's who I'd have to pick as well. If Von keeps at am elite level for another few years I think he could surpass him, but Champ was just so completely dominant.

But Von was never at any point the best pass rusher in the league. Champ all day. His 2006 season is the best ever by a corner. So good as to be ridiculous. Thrown at 35 times, allowed 4 yep 4 catches, defended 21 balls, had 10 int, 6 picks inside the 10 and 3 in the endzone. Tossed in 98 tackles for good measure. I love Von Steve and Al meck and Randy but Champ man wow

Originally Posted by Jsteve01

But Von was never at any point the best pass rusher in the league. Champ all day. His 2006 season is the best ever by a corner. So good as to be ridiculous. Thrown at 35 times, allowed 4 yep 4 catches, defended 21 balls, had 10 int, 6 picks inside the 10 and 3 in the endzone. Tossed in 98 tackles for good measure. I love Von Steve and Al meck and Randy but Champ man wow

Say what, say what?

Originally Posted by Jaded

Say what, say what?

Thats just cray-cray.

Originally Posted by Jaded

Say what, say what?

Depending on what metric you use, it's not the most crazy thing to say. He's never led the league in sacks.

Originally Posted by chazoe60

Man, that is tough.


I love Atwater, my favorite player of all time but I concede that Ronnie Lott and maybe Ed Reed were better overall safeties. Atwater was a beast and I love him so much, but Champ Bailey is the best overall CB that has ever played the game.

Champ was as good in coverage as Deion and one of the best tacklers in the history of the position.

My vote has to go to Champ just because he is the best at his position to ever play and I don't think I can honestly say that about any of the other guys.

Champs peers is Revis and Sherman. Look at their stats and how many more Tackles Champ has as opposed to theirs. He has more than them both combined.

I wish Champ had a Ring!

Originally Posted by Shazam!

Champs peers is Revis and Sherman. Look at their stats and how many more Tackles Champ has as opposed to theirs. He has more than them both combined.

I wish Champ had a Ring!

Sherman got absolutely smoked in this last SB. He gave up 77 yards and a TD and Mahomes had a perfect passer rating against him. That’s now part of his legacy - along with being a real ass his whole career.

He’s is (was?) elite - but I don’t think he’s in Champ / Deion company.

Von Miller.

If some of our elder statesmen in here would like to come tell us stories of Meck and Grad I'm all ears.

Joe? Dread? Where are you guys?

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

If some of our elder statesmen in here would like to come tell us stories of Meck and Grad I'm all ears.

Joe? Dread? Where are you guys?

RE: Meck - this says it better than I could:



Also

https://www.denverbroncos.com/video/...nburg-17236823

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos...rl-Mecklenburg

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

If some of our elder statesmen in here would like to come tell us stories of Meck and Grad I'm all ears.

Joe? Dread? Where are you guys?

Same with Gradishar -





https://www.denverbroncos.com/video/...broncos-career