I'm taking an awful risk Vader ...

With the Broncos acquiring Peyton Manning today the Star Wars character Grand Moff Tarkin (as Denver owner Pat Bowlen) comes to mind saying to John Elway, "I'm taking an awful risk Vader. This had better work!"

And the Manning acquisition is very risky for several reasons:

1. Manning is 36 years old coming off of missing an entire season due to a neck injury.

2. You don't see teams replacing a young quarterback in Tim Tebow who led the team to a division title and playoff win over the defending AFC Champions. With Tebow now likely to be traded, will he come back to haunt the Broncos?

3. Trading for an aging veteran quarterback has yet to lead a team to a Super Bowl title. Back in the 70's it didn't work for Joe Namath or John Hadl, and more recently it hasn't worked for Joe Montana or Brett Favre.

4. Tebow is extremely popular with the Denver fans.

Yes, for these reasons and more the Manning move is very risky for the Broncos. That said, I like it!

Broncos President John Elway was never afraid to take a risk in his playing days, often throwing the bomb unexpectedly for a big play. As a football executive in his first gig, Elway fired one of his Dad's best friends as coach of the Arena Football Denver Crush in what at the time seemed like a questionable move. Yet the new coach was to lead the Crush to the championship.

I like that the Broncos are focused on winning the Super Bowl. Not just on more division titles. Not just on a playoff win here and there. Manning is the type of quarterback that can win a Super Bowl. As exciting as Tim Tebow was in the 2011 season, I still have doubts Tebow can lead a team to the title with his physical style of play and erratic passing.

And is the move really that risky?? If Manning gets hurt or fails to meet expectations, all the Broncos are out is a huge chunk of guaranteed money in Manning's contract. They'll still have all their draft picks. I think the Redskins Mike Shanahan trading three #1 draft choices and a #2 for the unproven quarterback Robert Griffin III is a far riskier move.

Another line comes to mind from the Star Wars movies. Bronco coach John Fox in the role of Obi Wan saying to Elway/Yoda in regards to Tebow's disappointing performance in the New England playoff loss, "That boy is our last hope."

"No", Elway replies, "there is another ..."

Remembering CU Football with my Dad

In 1968 at the age of 12 I was a rabid Denver Bronco fan. As I wrote about in a previous post I bought Bronco season tickets with my friend Greg that year (tickets I still own to this day).

My Dad was never that much into the Broncos, though. Instead University of Colorado football was his favorite spectator sport. In the late 60's and early 70's he took me to a number of games at Folsom Field on the CU campus. Back then the Buffs had discount tickets for sale at 9 a.m. on game days. My Dad and I would leave our south Denver home early on Saturday morning to make sure we'd be in line to get a chance at these tickets.

"I always liked the college game better," my Dad would tell me when comparing the CU experience to the Broncos. "I like the enthusiasm of the college kids," he said.

The CU Buffs in the late 60's and early 70's had some very good teams - with much better won-loss records than the Broncos. While going to Buff games with my Dad did not change my preference for pro football, I came to learn that going to CU games was pretty cool, too! We saw some great players on those Colorado teams, like the Anderson brothers and Cliff Branch. I remember a high scoring 1969 game against Kansas State that had more offensive fireworks than any Bronco game I had seen (the Buffs won that day 45-32).

We always sat past the goal line on the east side of the stadium (section 121). In a family with five kids I didn't get that much alone time with my Dad, except on those CU football Saturdays. With our tickets in hand at 9 a.m., we'd talk for hours as we waited for the 1:30 p.m. kickoff. Just me and my Dad. I remember after one game my Dad got lost driving home (he wasn't the best at following directions), and we ended up in this little town called Louisville. We called home from a pay phone outside a gas station to tell Mom we'd be late for dinner.

I cherished those CU football Saturdays with my Dad. Years later, in the mid 80's, I found myself living in that little town we had stumbled upon years before. As a young software engineer working at Storage Tech and living in Louisville, I would frequently drive up to Boulder for game days. Watching CU football rise to prominence under Bill McCartney was a thrill in those years. My Dad didn't go to any games in the 80's. Except for one.

On October 28, 1986 I treated my Dad to the CU/Nebraska game. I splurged and bought sideline tickets. I drove down to Denver to pick him up. We had lunch out together, just like old times. I wanted to thank him for all those CU football games he had taken me to in my childhood, and the Buffaloes did not disappoint us that day. Nebraska came into the game ranked #2, but CU upset the Cornhuskers 20-10. This still is the greatest Colorado game I have ever attended in person, and my Dad and I loved every minute of it.

There will be no more CU football games for my Dad, as he passed away last week at the age of 90. I will always remember those Fall afternoons at Folsom Field as some of the best times I had with him.

A new addition to the top 12 Bronco plays of all time

What a game yesterday! The Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas winning TD pass in overtime has to crack my top 12 list of all time Bronco plays. I posted these videos in 2010 on different blog posts after going through some old video tapes. I'd rate the Tebow to Thomas TD around 5a on this list:



I saw #12, #9, #7, #6, #2, and now #5A in person (yes I was in the North Stands yesterday - the biggest thrill at the new Mile High since Champ's big pick of Tom Brady #7)


Here again is my list of the previous top 12 bronco plays of all time:

Craig Morton throws the clinching touchdown to Jack Dolbin on December 24, 1977 to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Broncos first playoff game ever:



#11: John Elway throws a touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel on the Broncos first offensive play in Super Bowl 22:




#10 Gradishar's Long TD. Randy Gradishar intercepts a pass from Cleveland's Brian Sipe and runs 93 yards for a touchdown - the longest interception return for a td in Bronco history:



#9
Louie Wright returns a field goal blocked by Dennis Smith to beat San Diego in Overtime in this 1985 game:



#8 Immaculate Deflection



#7 Champ picks off Brady



#6 Morton to Moses AFC Championship Game



#5 Elway to Jackson to end "The Drive"



#4 Elway to Rod Smith Super Bowl 33




#3 Jim Turner scores a TD



#2 Floyd Little makes a great catch after being "fired"



#1 The Helicopter and post game celebration, Super Bowl 32



which led to:

Broncos/Steelers playoff history

The Broncos are in the playoffs for the first time since January 2006. All time Denver and Pittsburgh are 3-3 in the playoffs in their matchups. A look back at those games:

Dec. 24, 1977 - AFC Divisional - Denver 34, Pittsburgh 21

This is the one I wrote about on Christmas Eve, and still one of my favorite Bronco playoff wins. Why? Because it was the first, and because the 70's Pittsburgh team was one of the best in NFL history.

Dec. 30, 1978 - AFC Divisional - Pittsburgh 33, Denver 10

The rematch the next year. This one wasn't even close, and Pittsburgh went on to win the Super Bowl. I remember an awful official's call in this one. Broncos cornerback Steve Foley goes up with the Steeler's John Stallworth at the back of the end zone to contest a Terry Bradshaw throw. Both players were out of bounds. The ref ruled Foley pushed Stallworth out and called it a td. Foley was going for the ball, not pushing Stallworth. Still this call didn't matter in the big picture. The Steelers were clearly the better team.

Dec. 30, 1984 - AFC Divisional - Pittsburgh 24, Denver 17

John Elway's first home playoff game as the Broncos won the division that year. This one was a bit of an upset, in a playoff series filled with surprises. I remember Elway throwing an interception close to the goal line and chasing down the Steeler player, tackling him before reaching the other goal line. Even though the Broncos lost, that play showed me Elway's heart for the game.

Jan. 7, 1990 - AFC Divisional - Denver 24, Pittsburgh 23

On paper this looks like one of the best games of the series, yet it didn't have the impact on me as the other five Bronco/Steeler playoff contests. Playing at home, the Broncos fell behind early 10-0. The Steelers were led by future Bronco QB Bubby Brister and current Tebow critic Merril Hoge (Hoge had a good game with 120 rushing yards, a td, and 8 receptions). The Broncos came back to win this one in the 4th quarter.

Jan. 11, 1998 - AFC Championship - Denver 24, Pittsburgh 21

The best game of the series for this Bronco fan. The Broncos were underdogs going into this AFC title game in Pittsburgh and with good reason. Denver had lost to the Steelers 35-24 in December and not many expected the Broncos to win in the same venue only a few weeks later. But led by Terrell Davis' 139 rushing yards and some clutch throws by Elway in the 4th quarter, the Broncos won.

Jan. 22, 2006 - AFC Championship - Pittsburgh 34, Denver 17

One of the most significant losses in Bronco history, and a game that still has ramifications to the current day. The Broncos were favored, Big Ben was hurting for the Steelers, and whoever won was going to beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl 2 weeks later. The Broncos lost, which led to Denver drafting Jay Cutler to eventually replace Jake Plummer at quarterback. If Mike Shanahan wins this game, and goes on to win the Super Bowl, does Pat Bowlen fire him after a disappointing 2008 season? I think not. 3 Super Bowl rings would have given Shanahan another year.

Today I see while the Steelers are favored the Broncos always have a chance playing at home. I also don't think this Pittsburgh team is as strong as the Super Bowl runnerup Steeler team of last year, or the great Steeler teams of the past. Could we see another surprise playoff result in this series? Stay tuned.

34 years ago today - greatest bronco home win ever

January 1, 1978. It was a cold day in Denver (18 degrees) as the Broncos hosted the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship game. Oakland dominated the game early and took a 3-0 lead before this play changed the entire game:



I posted this video in 2010 as part of my own "top 12 bronco plays of all time series". To consider how big a play this was, go back to the atmosphere before that game. Yes the Broncos had an amazing season up until that point, a 12-2 season and a first round playoff win against the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers. But there was a lot of doubt as to whether the Broncos could really beat the Raiders this day. For one Craig Morton was hurting - bad. With a painfully bruised leg there were questions whether Morton would even play. The Raiders had also beat the Broncos convincingly in their matchup in Denver earlier that season (Raiders 24 Broncos 14 in week 7)

This play turned the whole game around. It gave the Broncos confidence that Morton could play, and play well, despite his injury. Morton and Moses went on to have a huge game (Moses scored twice on 168 receiving yards)

For me personally this was the greatest sports event I have ever attended in Denver. I was there for all the AFC Championship home games, for the many John Elway comebacks, for Eric Young's opening day homer, for the Avs beating the Devils in Stanley Cup game 7. None topped this game. The excitement in the South Stands that day is something I will never forget.

Today the Broncos play their second ever game on New Years Day. While not as big as that game 34 years ago, it's still big - a win and Denver gets to host a home playoff game for the first time since 2006. I think the key to today's game for the Broncos is what Oakland didn't do 34 years ago - get pressure on the quarterback. If Kyle Orton gets time to throw he's going to pick apart Denver's depleted secondary. On that cold January day in 1978 the limping Craig Morton was not sacked - one big hit would have put Morton out of the game. As Bronco fans are well aware, Orton goes down easily or throws interceptions when faced with a strong rush.

Let's hope tomorrow we see a "playoff bound" headline celebrating a big Bronco win. On January 2, 1978 this was the headline in the Rocky Mountain News:

34 years ago today - broncos first playoff win

34 years ago today the Broncos played their first ever game on Christmas Eve, and their first playoff game. The key play of that game:

Craig Morton throws the clinching touchdown to Jack Dolbin on December 24, 1977 to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers:



I posted this video last year as part of my "top 12 all time bronco plays" series and since then the video has had over 4,000 views. This past week a surprise visitor commented on the play on youtube:

"The catch was a thrill but the reaction of Mr. Phipps was even more rewarding" - Jack Dolbin

I was a 21 year old sitting in the South Stands for this game. 34 years later this game still is pretty incredible when you think about it. The Broncos were playing perhaps the greatest team of all time that day. The Steelers were in the middle of their fantastic run of 4 Super Bowl championships in 6 years with Terry Bradshaw as their quarterback. Yet the upstart Broncos beat Pittsburgh on what will always be a memorable Christmas Eve in Denver.

In narrating the team highlight film that year Pat Summerall said at the end "I can't imagine anything more fun than being a Denver Bronco fan in 1977." There's been no other year like it, until ... this year! The improbable run from a 1-4 start to a possible playoff berth reminds me much of that 77 team.

Here's a picture of the December 25, 1977 Denver Post sports section. Let's hope Tim Tebow and the Broncos produce a similar headline as a result of today's game with Buffalo!

Bronco Quarterback Club Meeting with Matt Prater and Britton Colquitt

Life is good for Bronco kickers Matt Prater and Britton Colquitt. Prater was the hero of last week's improbable Broncos comeback victory against the Chicago Bears, with a 59 yard field goal to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation, and a 51 yarder to win it in overtime. Colquitt is having a pro bowl type season as the Broncos punter, in March he married Nikki, a top Denver model (see her on the cover of Trice Jewelers catalog here), and the couple is expecting their first child in the spring.

Prater and Colquitt were guests of the Bronco Quarterback Club on Monday night. They shared many interesting insights about the Broncos and kicking in the NFL.

"You're not going to kick those rugby's, are you?" the Bears Devin Hester said to Colquitt in a pregame conversation Britton relayed to the QB club. "Those rugby's won't help you get to the pro bowl." Hester added.

Colquitt proceeded to tell us kicking "rugby style" was exactly his strategy to limit the returns by Hester, one of the all time best NFL punt returners. Colquitt showed us how he holds the football for a rugby style kick, and said it results in greater height and less distance than a regular punt. This style worked most of the time against the Bears, frustrating Hester, as Hester made a few fair catches. Hester's one good return of the game (which setup the Bears lone touchdown) Colquitt said he thought Hester would fair catch, but Hester didn't.

Colquitt added that he likes to use rugby style kicks when trying to pin a punt down inside the 20 yard line. "The spin is different, sometimes you can get the ball to spin back, and returners don't like it," Britton said.

Matt Prater described his game tying 59 yarder. "I was hoping we'd get a little closer, but if we get to the 40 yard line, I should make it every time," he said. "I was confident. I don't kick the long ones any harder than a 30 yarder. I keep the same technique, staying smooth. When I try to kick it hard the accuracy suffers," he added. Holder Colquitt was not as calm as Prater before the kick. "I almost had a heart attack holding that for you," Colquitt said. "A 59 yarder to tie???!!!"

Prater and Colquitt fielded a bunch of questions from the fans at the Quarterback Club and from host David Treadwell, former Bronco field goal kicker. Here is a sample of some of their answers:

How did you get your start kicking?

Prater said he played on a soccer team with one of the Gramatica brothers. He played safety and kicker. When he saw the success the Gramaticas had kicking he gave it a try himself. Colquitt's dad Craig was a punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Britton "used to kick a football back and forth with my brother Dustin" (current punter for the KC Chiefs). "Instead of playing catch we'd kick to each other."
Older brother Dustin didn't play football until he was a senior in high school. When Britton saw Dustin's success he thought "this is a family legacy - I can do this!"

To Britton: who has the best average between you and your brother?

"I do"

Who has the best net average?

"I do"

To Prater: how do you like the new kickoff rule, from the 35 instead of the 30?

"I don't complain, but it does take away from the guys with the stronger legs."

Do you think there are fewer kickoff returns?

"With our kickoff coverage team I like it when they return it."

To both: Have you ever used a sports psychologist?

Colquitt "In college (at Tennessee) I had a friend who was a psychiatrist"

Prater "My dad is a psychiatrist. He has helped me not to dwell on the negative. Dad says to forget about the bad kicks."

Colquitt: "Practice breeds confidence."

To Colquitt: Are you authorized to run a fake punt?

"Heck no! In college I tried to throw a pass once (at the swamp in Florida). It didn't turn out well."

To Prater: Is the high altitude an advantage?

"Not as much as people think. Most of kicking is psychological. When I'm in Florida I can kick a field goal from 70 yards too. In our stadium the wind swirls, making it tougher, though the winds were quiet yesterday."

To Prater: Does it affect you when an opposing coach calls a timeout to "ice the kicker"?

"It makes no difference. I actually like it. It gives me more time to make sure I am lined up right."

To Colquitt: Do you have a special game plan punting to the Patriots this week?

"For Chicago we had a special plan because of Devin Hester (rugby punts). For the Patriots I'll go back to punting it as far and long as I can."

Are you superstitious?

Prater "I have lots of superstitions. For home games I always eat breakfast at the Egg and I and have biscuits and gravy. I always listen to Carrie Underwood's song "Jesus, Take The Wheel" before a game. I never step on the Bronco emblem, even in the locker room."

Does a good rush affect you?

Prater: "I trust the guys up front. I only look up when I am lining up for the kick. I don't notice the rush unless they run into me."

Treadwell: "As a kicker you don't have to worry about the outside guys. If you get the kick off in 1.3 seconds or less they guys on the end have no chance to block it. You are most vulnerable up the middle to a strong rush."

========

Overall it was a great evening of NFL football talk with two of the heroes from Sunday's win over the Bears. Both Prater and Colquitt allowed plenty of time for autographs and pictures with the fans in attendance.

The Bronco QB Club has a special right now where you can get a 2012 membership, and be able to attend the last meeting of the 2011 season (in January) for the annual $40 price. Each meeting, at Red and Jerrys in Englewood, has an additional $20 meal charge which includes tax and tip.

In addition to hosting current Bronco players, the club this season has hosted Denver Post Bronco reporter Lyndsay Jones as a guest, former players, and members of the club were in the audience for the John Elway TV show one Monday night.

Joining the club is a great bargain for a Bronco fan! I've been working on a new website for the Quarterback Club which you can see here:

http://www.denverbroncosqbclub.com/

On the site you can ask for membership information. Club meetings are open to members only - hope to see you at the January meeting!