A few weeks back I wrote an article titled, “My Cardinals Dream Team: 1995-2020.” I reached out to a few friends of the Anything But Credible Network to see if they would be interested in writing a similar article for their favorite sports franchises. A Network favorite, Thomas, wrote an article on his favorite NFL franchise, The Denver Broncos. This is going to be split into two articles so make sure to check back for the defense!

I was born on February 8, 1988, 8 days after a disastrous 42-10 loss for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII to the Washington Football Team. This included a 35 point 2nd quarter for Washington. I didn’t know it in utero, but I was already hooked despite the loss. Denver (and Colorado as a whole) only had two true professional teams at the time: the Broncos and the Nuggets. The Nuggets, perennial losers outside of their own 1988 playoff run later, were not a team my family followed. The Broncos, though? They were our lifeblood. It helps that I was born a few years into John Elway’s run, arguably still the longest sustained run of Denver’s very productive existence (9th highest winning percentage including playoffs). What followed was a borderline obsession, not just with the Broncos, but with football as a whole. I knew every team by logo when I was 2 years old.

As with Kyle’s Cardinals team, I will form a lineup. I will create positions for offense, defense, specific special teams players, and a coach. These will not be full starting lineups. I.e. I will only pick one person for each position (only 1 WR, etc.) I will not do a full bench because of the pure numbers of football roster spots. I will list out potential players and who I chose, including the reasons for the selection.

Quarterback

Nominees: John Elway (83-99), Jake Plummer (03-06), Peyton Manning (12-15)

QB: John Elway - #1 overall pick (1983), 51,475 passing yards, 300 passing TDs (record at the time), 148 wins (record at the time), 2 Championships, Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP, 9x Pro Bowl, 2004 Hall of Fame

If this were considered full career regardless of team, Manning might be my pick. When you look at success with the Broncos, no one has (nor will anytime soon) surpassed John Elway. Elway and Randall Cunningham are early blueprints for success you see with many NFL QBs today. Strong arms and quick legs, Elway led the Broncos to 5 Super Bowls, winning the last 2 and going out on top.

Running Back

Nominees: Terrell Davis (95-01), Clinton Portis (02-03), CJ Anderson (13-17)

RB: Terrell Davis – 7,607 rushing yards, 60 rushing TDs, 2,008 yards in a single season, 46 franchise records, 2017 Hall of Fame, NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP

This is probably the easiest position to pick because of the carousel of running backs Denver has, but if Portis had stayed in Denver instead of the trade for Champ Bailey, would this be a closer race? Terrell Davis only played 6 years, but really only 4 full years as a starter and is a bonafide hall of famer. With speed and power, he was unstoppable before his injuries and still holds the record for most rushing TDs in a single postseason.

Full Back

Nominees: Aaron Craver (95-96), Howard Griffith (97-00), Andy Janovich (16-19)

FB: Howard Griffith – 2x Super Bowl Champion

I am aware that so many of these are during my childhood and the Elway run but that really was an absolutely stacked team. Terrell Davis said it best with this quote about Griffith: “If you watch him play, it speaks for itself. You notice the games Howard didn’t play. With Howard in there, I think I’m more confident and feel better once he’s in the game. When he isn’t in the game, it’s like my shield is gone.”

Wide Receiver

Nominees: Ed McCaffrey (95-03), Rod Smith (95-06), Demaryius Thomas (10-18), Emmanuel Sanders (14-18)

WR: Demaryius Thomas – 9,055 receiving yards, 60 receiving TDs, 72.4 ypg, 5 Pro Bowls, 1x Super Bowl Champion

This one was razor thin between DT and Smith. Ultimately, DT gets the run for a couple of reasons. 1. Rod Smith had John Elway and Jake Plummer for most of his career. While DT had Manning for four of those years, he also had Tim Tebow, Kyle Orton, Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch, Trevor Simian, and Case Keenum and still finished his Denver career only 8 TDs behind Smith and a full 10 yards per game more than Smith.

Tight End

Nominees: Clarence Kay (84-92), Shannon Sharpe (90-99, 02-03), Julius Thomas (11-14)

TE: Shannon Sharpe – 8,439 receiving yards, 55 receiving TDs, 2x Super Bowl Champion (3x overall), 7 Pro Bowls, NFL 1990s All Decade Team, 2011 Hall of Fame,

I said running back was the easiest but let’s be real here, this is definitely a landslide. To this day, Sharpe is 3rd in receiving yards and touchdowns in franchise history and by far the biggest personality the Broncos have ever had. Sharpe, along with Tony Gonzales, set the stage for the receiving tight end and seeing the tight end as superstars, not just an extension of the offensive line. At the time of his retirement he was the all time leader for tight ends in receptions, yards, and receiving TDs.

Center

Nominees: Keith Kartz (87-93), Tom Nalen (94-07), Ben Hamilton (02-06, 08-09)

C: Tom Nalen – 2x Super Bowl Champion, 5 Pro Bowlx

Mr. Consistency and a quiet leader. Behind Nalen and his offensive line, the Broncos had six different 1,000 yard rushers. The Broncos have been trying to replicate his success since his departure.

Offensive Guard

Nominees: Mark Schlereth (95-00), Dan Neil (97-04), Louis Vasquez (13-15)

OG: Mark Schlereth – 2x Super Bowl Champion (3x total), 2 Pro Bowls

Schlereth was a master of his position and another big personality, leading him to a long career as an analyst and color commentator. Schlereth already had a Super Bowl victory when he came to Denver and undoubtedly provided leadership to a young core and helped bolster that line for the two Elway led Super Bowls.

Offensive Tackle

Nominees: Gary Zimmerman (93-97), Tony Jones (97-00), Ryan Clady (08-15),

OT: Gary Zimmerman – 1x Super Bowl Champion, 7 Pro Bowls, NFL 1980s All Decade Team, NFL 1990s All Decade Team

A very tough choice here. My personal favorite is Clady, but he made no difference in the two Super Bowls during his tenure due to injuries. Zimmerman and Jones both led the ‘97 team to a Super Bowl victory and Zimmerman was already well on his way to the Hall of Fame with the Vikings before landing in Denver.

GOT Blog

My Broncos Offensive Dream Team: 1988-2020