Denver Broncos

 

As you can see in the League Champions chart on this blog’s sidebar, each of the original 8 AFL teams made it to the AFL Championship game at least once during the decade – except the Denver Broncos. Look at their history of ineptitude!

(Even the expansion Dolphins and Bengals made the playoffs by 1970.) 

 

The most obvious reason for this is their lack of a quality quarterback. While other teams were employing Len Dawson, Jack Kemp, John Hadl, George Blanda, Daryle Lamonica, and Joe Namath, the Broncos attempted to get by with the likes of Frank Tripucka, Mickey Slaughter, Jacky Lee, John McCormick, Steve Tensi, and Marlin Briscoe. This theory is reinforced by the Jets, who waited 6 years to get a good QB. Their first winning season wasn't until 1967.

 

The best AFL quarterbacks (in order of appearance) were: George Blanda, Jack Kemp, Tom Flores, Babe Parilli, Len Dawson, John Hadl, Joe Namath, Daryle Lamonica, and Bob Griese.  None of them ever played for the Broncos. 

 

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John McCormick was a backup quarterback for the Vikings as a rookie in 1962, then played for the Broncos from 1963-68 (although he missed the ’64 and ’67 seasons). He played every game from 1965-66, starting 6 and 5 games those seasons. 

 

Abner Haynes – Although picked by the Oakland Raiders in 1960, Haynes started his career with the Dallas Texans that season. He was the AFL Rookie of the Year in 1960, and was the Texans’/Chiefs’ featured back from 1960 to 1964, making 3 All-Star teams and having 2 first-team All-Pro selections in that time. Haynes played for the Broncos in ’65 and ’66, and split the 1967 season between the Dolphins and Jets. 

 

Wendell Hayes was a starting running back for the Broncos from 1965 to 1967, then played 7 seasons for the Chiefs. He was the Chiefs’ starting fullback from 1970-72, and parts of ’73 and ’74. 

 

Al Denson was the Broncos’ 6th-round pick in 1964. After 2 seasons as a backup wide receiver, he was their starting tight end in 1966. He moved back to flanker in 1967, starting almost every game there through the 1970 season (although he missed 6 games in 1968). He finished up with the Vikings in 1971. 

 

Bob Scarpitto – The Chargers’ 9th-round pick in 1961, after a season on their bench he was traded to the Broncos. Scarpitto was Denver’s starting flanker every season from 1962-66, and made the All-Star team in 1966. He was also his team’s punter from 1965-68, leading the AFL in punts and punting yards in both 1966 and 1967. (When you punt 105 times (like he did in 1967) I guess it’s easy to lead the league in yards!) He played his last season (1968) with the Patriots. 

 

Lionel Taylor played briefly with the Bears in 1959, then was one of the AFL’s top receivers, leading the league in receptions from 1960-63, and 1965. In his 7 seasons with the Broncos (1960-66) he made first-team All-Pro 4 times along with 3 All-Star games. He also played for the Oilers from 1967-68. 

 

Jerry Sturm played in every game for the Broncos from 1961-66, starting all but 12 games. He spent 2 years at tackle, 2 at center, and 2 at guard. He also played for the Saints from 1967-70, and was a starting tackle or center from 1968-70. After playing 1 season with the Oilers, he finished up in 1972 with 1 game for the Eagles. 

 

*Rex Mirich was drafted by the Raiders in 1963, and played 3 seasons for them (‘64-’65 as a defensive tackle, and ’66 as an offensive tackle). Joining the Broncos in 1967, he switched back to defense and was their starting left end in ’67 and starting left tackle in ‘68. After a season on the bench, he finished up with the Patriots in 1970, back on offense. 

 

*Max Leetzow was the Broncos’ 5th-round pick in 1965, and played 2 seasons. He was a sub in his rookie year, and the starting right end in 1966. 

 

Dave Costa – The Raiders’ 7th-round pick in 1963, Costa was their starting right defensive tackle for 3 seasons (making the All-Star team as a rookie). After 1 season on the Bills’ bench, he started every game at defensive tackle for the Broncos from 1967 to 1971, making 3 more All-Star teams. From 1972-73 he also started every game for the Chargers, then returned to the Bills for his final season (1974), that year as a linebacker. 

 

John Bramlett was the starting right linebacker for his team from 1965 to 1970, 2 seasons each with Denver, Miami, and Boston. He made the All-Star team in ’66 and ’67. He finished his career in 1971 as a Falcons’ substitute. 

 

Arch Matsos was drafted by the Colts in 1958, but did not play for them. He was a starting middle linebacker for his entire career: 1960-62 with the Bills, 1963-65 with the Raiders, and splitting 1966 between the Broncos and Chargers. In his first 4 seasons, he made 3 All-Star teams and was named first-team All-Pro twice. 

 

Nemiah Wilson was a starting cornerback for the Broncos from 1965-67, making the All-Start team in 1967. The following year he joined the Raiders and was a starting cornerback every season from 1969-1973. After 1 season backing up Oakland’s other goons, he played for the Bears in 1975. 

 

*Goose Gonsoulin was selected by the Dallas Texans in the 1960 draft, but was dealt to the Broncos before the season. He was their starting free safety every year from 1960-66, making 5 All-Star teams and garnering 2 first-team All-Pro berths. He was the 49ers’ free safety in 1967.

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

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