Today, we are going to give a little love to the guys who never seem to get any. The ones whose names can only be found on custom-made jerseys worn by their mother. The guys you’ll never see on a Papa John’s commercial.
I’m talking about the big guys up front: the offensive guards.
The top five guards in Broncos history might not be the most glamorous or star-studded list of athletes, but they are integral to any Championship-hopeful team — and that’s all 32. I dug deep into the vault of Broncos greats to pick these legends. Feel free to comment who you think I left out.
Here we go.
(To check out the rest of our rankings, click here)
5. Louis Vasquez
Drafted: 2009, 78th overall by the San Diego Chargers Career: 2009-present
Super Bowl Appearances: XLVIII, 50
Ring: Yes (Super Bowl 50)
In his short three-year tenure with Denver, Vasquez went 1-1 on Super Bowl trips and allowed just 5.5 sacks in those three years.
Granted, Vasquez faced some ups and downs in his final two years in Denver, but he may have been the best guard in the league during Denver’s first Super Bowl run in 2013. And if it wasn’t for the $7 million left on his four-year contract, he probably would still be on the team today.
Still, it’s difficult to argue with guarding Peyton Manning to two Super Bowl appearances in just three years. In the event that Vasquez does not find a forever home in the NFL, he just found one on my list
4. Tom Glassic
Drafted: 1976, 15th overall by the Denver Broncos Career: 1976-1983
Super Bowl appearances: XII Ring: No
Glassic, along with the rest of the 1977 Denver Bronco team, is a pioneer. They were the first Denver team to make it to the big game, Super Bowl XII, with a 12-2 record.
Despite losing the Lombardi to the Cowboys, the ‘77 AFC victory for the Broncos is still historically recognized as one of the greatest playoff moments of all time. If you don’t believe me, take a gander at this groovy video and see for yourself.
Glassic had the pleasure of blocking for the legendary running back Otis Armstrong, QB Craig Morton and a young John Elway in his eight seasons in Denver.
3. Dan Neil
Drafted: 1997, 67th overall by the Denver Broncos Career: 1997-2004
Super Bowl Appearances: XXXII, XXXIII Ring: Yes, both
Neil played out his entire career in the orange and blue, and came at just the right time. Denver won consecutive Super Bowls in Neil’s first two seasons on the team.
As a rookie, he did not play in Super Bowl XXXII, but he started in his second season, where he witnessed history at the close of Elway’s dreamlike NFL career in Super Bowl XXXIII.
As most of his team retired around him, Neil became the anchor of the offensive line, protecting a young Brian Griese, and remaining loyal to a team that experienced a backwards slide after the greatness that was 1997-1998.
After his 2004 retirement, he expanded his horizons to include a 2010 Republican bid for a Texas House seat, and hosting “The Morning Rush” in his home town of Austin, Texas.
2. Keith Bishop
Drafted: 1980; 157th overall by the Denver Broncos Career: 1980-1989
Super Bowl appearances: XXI, XXII Ring: No
Bishop was one of the blockers in what is perhaps the greatest drive in Broncos lore. The year is 1987, Denver is down by seven with mere minutes left on the clock in the AFC Championship game against the Browns.
Quarterback John Elway’s was just sacked — the Broncos needed a big gain if they wanted to tie the game; Elway needed blockers. Despite major leg cramps, Bishop, alongside legendary tackle Dave Studdard got Elway a 20-yard completion and then gave him room for a 9-yard scramble on the next play.
Elway’s pass to Mark Jackson with 39 seconds on the clock tied the game.
“The Drive,” 98 yards in five minutes, is a Broncos legend, and contributing to that makes you a legend too. According to teammates, Bishop often lightened the mood with his humor and general good nature.
After retiring in 1989, Bishop went on to be a police officer. Guess those protective instincts never really go away. We salute you, Bishop.
1. Mark Schlereth
Draft: 1989, 263rd overall by the Washington Redskins Career: 1989-2000
Super Bowl appearances: XXVI (with Washington), XXXII, XXXIII Ring: Yes, all three
Today Schlereth is better recognized in a suit on Sports Center or on the lid of his world-famous “Stinkin’ Good” green chili.
But back in the 90s, Schlereth was known for his vicious and somewhat disgusting nature on the field. Schlereth openly admits to peeing in his pads every Sunday on the field, earning him the moniker, “Stink.”
“Hey — I was miserable anyhow out on the field,” he said back in 2012. “I wasn’t going to hold it in and become even more miserable.”
Miserable or not, Schlereth played an incredible 12-year career as a guard in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl with Washington in 1992 before making the move to the Mile High City to grind out another six years.
During that time, he held the right side of the line that protected Elway to consecutive Super Bowl victories in ‘98 and ‘99. His fierce nature and immeasurable talent earned him two trips to the Pro Bowl and 1997 All-Pro honors.
After retiring in 2001, Schlereth immediately became an NFL analyst, and if you follow him on Twitter or tune in to NFL Live, his passion for the game is still alive and well. Always an entertainer, instead of peeing in his game-pads, he now sticks to issuing snarky insults to anyone who might challenge him.