What exactly happened to Karl Mecklenburg? [Archive] - The Orange Mane

rovolution

09-13-2006, 08:17 PM

I think i heard this somewhere (i dont know if it is true) that Shanahan cut him from the team during Training Camp for the 1995 season, but then i might of heard that he just retired after the 1994 season. Can someone please clarify how he ended his career? did he retire of his free will? did Romanowski, the big LB addition that year, and some of the others just outperform him , ala Carswell? thanks. (Pardon my ignorance for not knowing the answer).

Jason in LA

09-13-2006, 08:32 PM

From what I remember, he and Dennis Smith had retired after the '94 season, but Shanny convinced them both to come back for the '95 season. I think it was after the regular season had started. Then they both hung them up after the '95 season.

I could be wrong, but that's how I remember it happening.

Jason in LA

09-13-2006, 08:34 PM

If I'm remembering right, Romo didnt come until the '96 season, when Meck had hung them up for good.

-Slap-

09-13-2006, 08:37 PM

I thought Meck and Dennis Smith rode to the defense's rescue after we started 0-4 in 1994. They didn't make us not suck, but they made us suck a bit less horribly.

ClevelandBronco

09-13-2006, 08:41 PM

I think the Chiefs are taking a look at him.

-Slap-

09-13-2006, 08:42 PM

I wouldn't spit on Charlie Waters if his hair was on fire.

Dr.5280

09-13-2006, 08:42 PM

Meck retired under Dan Reeves tenure. Before Wade Philips. Before Shanahan. I remember an article about how he invited the defensive line out for sub sandwiches and skipped on the bill.

-Slap-

09-13-2006, 08:47 PM

He played his final two seasons in 93 and 94 under Phillips.

http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MECKLKAR01

gunns

09-13-2006, 08:59 PM

Seems to me Meck and Smith both just retired. It was after the 94 season, they did not come back for the 95 season. Seems that's when Braxton went from CB to SS and Atwater went from SS to FS.

manchambo

09-13-2006, 09:41 PM

I thought Meck and Dennis Smith rode to the defense's rescue after we started 0-4 in 1994. They didn't make us not suck, but they made us suck a bit less horribly.

That's the scenario I remember. Those were some sad days for our Donkeys. And Wade always seemed like a good guy. Just a very bad head coach.

ClevelandBronco

09-13-2006, 10:31 PM

That's the scenario I remember. Those were some sad days for our Donkeys. And Wade always seemed like a good guy. Just a very bad head coach.

Wade was a very good coordinator who was prematurely promoted to a position he hadn't been groomed to handle yet. It was a poor decision.

Bowlen, et al, rolled the dice hoping that Wade could wing it. IMO, Phillips was thrust into a role he wasn't prepared to deal with, and it greatly damaged his career.

_____

That's what happens when you promote a guy who isn't ready yet.

Does anyone have a thread addressing the readiness of, say, a guy like Jay Cutler, and the damage his career could suffer if he were to be promoted before he's ready?

If not, I'd be willing to start one...

Frair Tang

09-13-2006, 11:08 PM

That's what happens when you promote a guy who isn't ready yet.

Does anyone have a thread addressing the readiness of, say, a guy like Jay Cutler, and the damage his career could suffer if he were to be promoted before he's ready?

:notworthy Nice zinger! :notworthy

wabbit

09-13-2006, 11:08 PM

Atlas

09-13-2006, 11:13 PM

-Slap-

09-13-2006, 11:13 PM

Both Meck & Dennis Smith were told early in the 1994 training camp that they weren't going to make the squad...they retired without filing the papers.

If I re-call correctly, Mecklenberg worked out for a couple of teams, but Smith pretty much accepted the end of his career.

When it became painfully clear that Denver's defense sucked wind & few options were out there...even on a temporary basis, Phillips brought back both Mecklenberg & Smith for the remainder of the season...at a substantially higher salary than they would have earned under their original contracts....don't know the exact numbers though.

Did you know Mecklenberg took the Mensa test & scored a perfect 100%?? Never joined the organization for whatever reason.

Both of Meck's parents are doctors. His Wonderlic was pretty high, too. You figure he had to be pretty smart. He knew the assignments of every position on the front seven for every formation and defensive playcall. That's why he was able to roam around the field so much, especially along the line on passing downs.

Atlas

09-13-2006, 11:15 PM

Both of Meck's parents are doctors. His Wonderlic was pretty high, too. You figure he had to be pretty smart. He knew the assignments of every position on the front seven for every formation and defensive playcall. That's why he was able to roam around the field so much, especially along the line on passing downs.
I remember when he first came to the Broncos he was talking about becoming a Dr. after he retired but he soon realized his mangled fingers from the NFL would prevent that.

-Slap-

09-13-2006, 11:24 PM

wabbit

09-13-2006, 11:29 PM

Anybody remember Tommy Casanova (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/CasaTo00.htm)?

Outstanding safety for the Bengals in the mid 70s. He retired, essentially in his prime, to become an ophthalmologist.

http://www.bengals.com/images/history/casanova_tommy.jpg

Wasn't Casanova an Ivy Leaguer...Yale maybe??

At any rate, I think he graduated in three years & earned his masters in only his second year in the NFL.

He also was an excellent actor.

broncocalijohn

09-13-2006, 11:35 PM

That's the scenario I remember. Those were some sad days for our Donkeys. And Wade always seemed like a good guy. Just a very bad head coach.

There YOUR DONKEYS! Real Broncos fans remember our team as the Broncos. In the spirit of the DOnkeys, you are a jackass!

BTW: The worse was Meck, Smith and Fletcher all didnt get the rings they played so hard to get.

Clockwork Orange

09-13-2006, 11:37 PM

BTW: The worse was Meck, Smith and Fletcher all didnt get the rings they played so hard to get.

A real shame is that Fletcher, the Broncos all-time leader in sacks, isn't in the Ring Of Fame.

Atlas

09-13-2006, 11:50 PM

A real shame is that Fletcher, the Broncos all-time leader in sacks, isn't in the Ring Of Fame.

Fletcher got a lot of sacks but he didn't really impact Bronco games. I think Rulon Jones had a much bigger impact in Denver winning football games than Fletcher.

I don't think it would be a bad choice if Fletcher was put into the ROF but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it either.

Taco John

09-14-2006, 12:06 AM

I wouldn't spit on Charlie Waters if his hair was on fire.

What if his hair wasn't on fire?

BroncoBuff

09-14-2006, 12:06 AM

I wouldn't spit on Charlie Waters if his hair was on fire.

He is a handsome man, though. You will acknowledge that, won't you?

Atlas

09-14-2006, 12:39 AM

He is a handsome man, though. You will acknowledge that, won't you?

http://www.kicksfan.com/staff/waters/waters.gif

He's so dreamy

Orange4Life

09-14-2006, 01:53 AM

I was at Meck and Dennis Smith's last game at Mile High against the Saints. After the game as Smith was running into the locker room he tossed his helmet up to the fans in the south stands. There was a whole group of fans above the locker room cheering the players in. Some guy caught the helmet, unfortunatly for him there was a guy in the group in a wheel chair. Well the guy in the wheel chair went bitching to the cops that the helmet was intended for him, which was bull ****. The cops took the helmet away from the guy that caught it and gave it to the wheel chair guy. The guy was so pissed I'm pretty sure the cops ended up taking him to jail. When he realized they were going to make him give it up he tried to make a run for it but didn't get very far. True story, I've always felt bad for that guy.

anthonypacino

09-14-2006, 01:55 AM

I was at Meck and Dennis Smith's last game at Mile High against the Saints. After the game as Smith was running into the locker room he tossed his helmet up to the fans in the south stands. There was a whole group of fans above the locker room cheering the players in. Some guy caught the helmet, unfortunatly for him there was a guy in the group in a wheel chair. Well the guy in the wheel chair went b****ing to the cops that the helmet was intended for him, which was bull ****. The cops took the helmet away from the guy that caught it and gave it to the wheel chair guy. The guy was so pissed I'm pretty sure the cops ended up taking him to jail. When he realized they were going to make him give it up he tried to make a run for it but didn't get very far. True story, I've always felt bad for that guy.
OUCH! Nobody in the crowd would vouch for him? That may be worse than what the cops did.

The Moops

09-14-2006, 04:37 AM

Yale, Ivey leaguer? Hardly, Casanova went to LSU . . .

-Slap-

09-14-2006, 05:34 AM

What if his hair wasn't on fire?

Then I would cheerfully spit on him, or kick him to death.

-Slap-

09-14-2006, 05:36 AM

He is a handsome man, though. You will acknowledge that, won't you?

He looks like an old hooker's choncho.

Man-Goblin

09-14-2006, 06:08 AM

If you could give a thread rep, I would.

Billy Clyde Puckett

09-14-2006, 06:52 AM

Then I would cheerfully spit on him, or kick him to death.

When I grow up I want to be as cynical as Slap ROFL!

-Slap-

09-14-2006, 07:08 AM

When I grow up I want to be as cynical as Slap ROFL!

I'm not joking when I say I hate Charlie Waters more than Bin Laden.

SteveTensi13

09-14-2006, 07:13 AM

Karl mecklenburg. Now there was a linebacker who knew how to blitz!

~Crash~

09-14-2006, 07:16 AM

That's the scenario I remember. Those were some sad days for our Donkeys. And Wade always seemed like a good guy. Just a very bad head coach.

But dang I wish we could of keept him as a D Cordnator .

KipCorrington25

09-14-2006, 08:41 AM

http://www.kicksfan.com/staff/waters/waters.gif

He's so dreamy

But nothing compares to the chrome dome and porn 'stache of Cliff Harris. Chicks really go for those attributes.

http://users.conwaycorp.net/tstone/Harris.jpg

manchambo

09-14-2006, 03:01 PM

There YOUR DONKEYS! Real Broncos fans remember our team as the Broncos. In the spirit of the DOnkeys, you are a jackass!

BTW: The worse was Meck, Smith and Fletcher all didnt get the rings they played so hard to get.

A few points:

1. In 1994, the Broncos would have had to vastly improve to be worthy of the name Donkey.

2. We often use seemingly derogatory terms for those we hold very dear. For example, I sometimes call my 2-year-old (never to her face of course) "half-a-sack-of-crap" because she weighs 25 pounds, and crap comes in 50 pound bags.

3. My mother says I'm not a jackass.

broncocalijohn

09-15-2006, 03:26 AM

I was at Meck and Dennis Smith's last game at Mile High against the Saints. After the game as Smith was running into the locker room he tossed his helmet up to the fans in the south stands. There was a whole group of fans above the locker room cheering the players in. Some guy caught the helmet, unfortunatly for him there was a guy in the group in a wheel chair. Well the guy in the wheel chair went b****ing to the cops that the helmet was intended for him, which was bull ****. The cops took the helmet away from the guy that caught it and gave it to the wheel chair guy. The guy was so pissed I'm pretty sure the cops ended up taking him to jail. When he realized they were going to make him give it up he tried to make a run for it but didn't get very far. True story, I've always felt bad for that guy.

i remember that story. I think that was my first game at mile high. 10k no shows on xmas eve eve, and the place booed like crazy. In my home area of OC, the Rams last game in SoCal drew 33k. We had a chance to finish the year 8 and 8 after going 0 and 4 to start the year.

broncocalijohn

09-15-2006, 03:28 AM

A few points:

1. In 1994, the Broncos would have had to vastly improve to be worthy of the name Donkey.

2. We often use seemingly derogatory terms for those we hold very dear. For example, I sometimes call my 2-year-old (never to her face of course) "half-a-sack-of-crap" because she weighs 25 pounds, and crap comes in 50 pound bags.

3. My mother says I'm not a jackass.

KC and Faider fans call us Donkeys. Let them do it not you. It is degrating and we have enough trolls to cover the slammed name. It is one thing to let them say it, but our own fans? Come on. I guarantee if you set up a poll on this, you would be outnumbered 85 to 15 percent as maybe some dont care.
BTW: we were one win away from finishing 8 and 8. 7 and 9 record but 7 and 5 in last 12 games.

B-Love

09-15-2006, 04:51 AM

Meck was invited back before the season opener, and did play in all of the first three games of the season.

Dennis Smith was not brought back until the week 4 MNF game at Buffalo, and with only 4 days of practice under his belt, was rusty and caught out of position a few times. But true to his track record of crushing Thurman Thomas, he did give him a great hit that night.

Only Fathead Phillips could tell DS49 that he wouldn't make the team because Rondell Jones was a better option at Strong Safety.

I said Rondell Jones everyone. Repeat after me, ............ Rondell Jones.

Spider

09-15-2006, 05:48 AM

broncosteven

09-15-2006, 08:34 AM

I was at Meck and Dennis Smith's last game at Mile High against the Saints. After the game as Smith was running into the locker room he tossed his helmet up to the fans in the south stands. There was a whole group of fans above the locker room cheering the players in. Some guy caught the helmet, unfortunatly for him there was a guy in the group in a wheel chair. Well the guy in the wheel chair went b****ing to the cops that the helmet was intended for him, which was bull ****. The cops took the helmet away from the guy that caught it and gave it to the wheel chair guy. The guy was so pissed I'm pretty sure the cops ended up taking him to jail. When he realized they were going to make him give it up he tried to make a run for it but didn't get very far. True story, I've always felt bad for that guy.

I remember watching them lose that game. I could not figure out why I got it in Chicago when there were other games with playoff implications that they could have shown. They were awful that day. Good thing Pat went out & got Shanny!

manchambo

09-15-2006, 09:06 AM

KC and Faider fans call us Donkeys. Let them do it not you. It is degrating and we have enough trolls to cover the slammed name. It is one thing to let them say it, but our own fans? Come on. I guarantee if you set up a poll on this, you would be outnumbered 85 to 15 percent as maybe some dont care.
BTW: we were one win away from finishing 8 and 8. 7 and 9 record but 7 and 5 in last 12 games.

I'm sorry, but you're going to have to learn to spell better before I can take you very seriously.

BTW, one win away from 8 and 8 is dreadful in light of our Donkeys' proud history.

Tredici

09-15-2006, 09:24 AM

I'm not joking when I say I hate Charlie Waters more than Bin Laden.

And even worse Reeves kicked a decent backfield coach Charlie West to the curb in order to bring in that damn Dallas reject.

Speaking of Mecklenburg I think he still coaches at one of the regional highschools. Denver Kent maybe?

He does local commercials shilling for some environmental window company. This season Le-Lo Lang has shown up with him on the ads.

Billy Clyde Puckett

09-15-2006, 09:35 AM

Last I heard Le-Lo was managing a bank (or branch) in Parker I believe. I met him a couple of times when he was a player. Real nice guy, not a great player, but a quality human being.

baja

09-15-2006, 09:43 AM

I remember when he first came to the Broncos he was talking about becoming a Dr. after he retired but he soon realized his mangled fingers from the NFL would prevent that.

Actually that might have been an asset had he chosen Gynecology.

Atlas

09-15-2006, 11:38 AM

Actually that might have been an asset had he chosen Gynecology.

Women always say crooked is better

bronco militia

09-15-2006, 11:47 AM

I wouldn't spit on Charlie Waters if his hair was on fire.

bwhahaha...no doubt

broncocalijohn

09-15-2006, 12:20 PM

I'm sorry, but you're going to have to learn to spell better before I can take you very seriously.

BTW, one win away from 8 and 8 is dreadful in light of our Donkeys' proud history.

Listen school teacher do u want me to spell Raiders instead of Faiders or put a comma where it belongs. Will the comma help you break the sentence up in the same gasp of air you look for with excitement reading a chat post? Give me a break loser. And I think "before I can take you very seriously" would not be a correct phrase. Thank you teacher manchambo for an otherwise useless reply to an excellent point. You donkey!

manchambo

09-15-2006, 01:10 PM

Listen school teacher do u want me to spell Raiders instead of Faiders or put a comma where it belongs. Will the comma help you break the sentence up in the same gasp of air you look for with excitement reading a chat post? Give me a break loser. And I think "before I can take you very seriously" would not be a correct phrase. Thank you teacher manchambo for an otherwise useless reply to an excellent point. You donkey!

First, I would like you to put question marks at the end of questions.

Second, I would like you to correctly spell simple words like "degrading."

Third, I don't see why you would call me a donkey, considering that (i) I have never played for the Broncos, and (ii) I am an excellent poker player.

Fourth, I have no hope that you ever could put a comma where it belongs, so I will not ask that of you.

broncocalijohn

09-15-2006, 01:31 PM

good on your poker playing. We will see you at San Diego for the tailgate tournament. Please leave the dictionary, thesauras or any other reading material to otherwise correct us drunks. In light of bad grammer.... You aint got no hand to beat me at!

BTW: One question and one question mark. I hope you dont do this to all post unless it is mock and using his left handedness for bad, crazy linguistics.