The 1977 Denver Broncos: The Real Orange Crush

[dragondawg]

The 1977 Denver Broncos:
The Real Orange Crush
By Stan Dyer

Recently, there was a show on cable recounting the top Colorado sports stories. It was an enjoyable program, and an excellent list, but there are many in Denver who would put a different story in the number one position. If you were a Bronco fan in the 60's and 70's, few experiences will ever rival the "Orange Crush" season of fall 1977, 30 years ago. Despite lacking the perfect ending, the season was so special because it was 16 years in the making, lasted over four months, and filled the city with magic and excitement.


January 1, 1978 was sunny, but cold. Thanks to my Uncle Al Strong, my Aunt Helen Strong, (now Helen Anderson of Westminster), and their unbelievable generosity, I stood at the 35 yard line just 15 yards behind the Oakland Raider bench and "The Snake", Ken Stabler. I could see the faces of the opposition. My toes were cold as I ate spoonful after spoonful of black-eyed peas, (a family, and New Year's Day tradition). I watched as the teams warmed up down on the field and I gazed at the wild crowd around me. This was something special. It was difficult to believe the Broncos were in their first ever AFC Championship game, it was at Mile High Stadium, and I was a witness. It was Denver's wildest New Year's party ever.


In their first ten years, the Broncos won just 39 games while losing 100 and tying three. The AFL had some good teams and three of them were in the Western Division with the Broncos. San Diego had Jack Kemp, Lance Alworth and John Hadl. Kansas City, (Dallas Texans), had Otis Taylor, Len Dawson, Willie Lanier and a cast of many. Oakland had Tom Flores, Daryle Lamonica and Clem Daniels, to name a few. The Broncos had some very good players too, the most notable of whom were perennial Pro-Bowl selections Floyd Little and Rich Jackson. The Broncos just didn't have the "magic", and they didn't have a consistent quarterback. Do you remember the "Quarterback Carousel" in Denver? They were always looking for that elusive talent. Things got a little better in the 70's.


By 1972, John Ralston was the coach and, although many people don't remember it, he actually posted a winning record in his five years as coach. The Ralston led Broncos posted 34 wins, 33 losses and 3 ties in 70 games. He even posted a number of second place finishes within the division, but never a playoff berth. Fans just could not forgive the "hand-holding" defensive huddles we all found offensive, and "the half-loaf" games. Yet, the team that took the field in the fall of 1977 was due largely to the work of John Ralston, and what a team it was.


With Ralston gone and new coach "Red" Miller at the helm, most experts expected only mild success again for the Broncos and their new quarterback project, Craig Morton. Morton became expendable when Roger Stauback joined Dallas, and the Broncos worked the deal that sent Steve Ramsey to the Giants and Morton to the thin air of Mile High. One of the best trades that year involved sending Bobby Howfield to the New York Jets for aging veteran, Jim Turner and his black, high-topped football cleats. I guess fans half-expected things to work, but their enthusiasm was tainted by 16 years of disappointment. Who knew? In the end, who cared? The Broncos started winning and the fans loved it.


People talk about the great "Orange Crush" defense that year, and they were worthy of all accolades, but it surprises me how many people forget the many nay-sayers who cried "foul" at every victory and called the Broncos the "luckiest team in football". Few people remember all the magic, all the miracles, and all the "unusual" events that went into the miracle season. Those Broncos could have just as easily finished seven up and seven down, if not for the hand of fate.


Call it luck if you choose, but how many times did they call just the right play at just the right time to win a game? How many times did Randy Gradishar jump at just the right place in the line to stuff a leaping fullback for no gain? How many times did that team produce an interception, a fumble recovery or a return for a touchdown when they needed it? Rick Upchurch set a league record for returning four punts for touchdowns in a single season. Jim Turner laced his high-tops just tight enough to catch a touchdown pass on a fake field goal attempt in a victory over the Oakland Raiders. The "coup de grace" was Rob Lytle's fumble, (or not, depending on when you think the play ended), at just the right time to set up the winning touchdown in the AFC Championship game and send the Broncos to New Orleans to face the Cowboys. The only teams to defeat the Broncos that year were the Oakland Raiders, who did it one time, and the Dallas Cowboys, who, unfortunately, did it twice. The second loss hurt the most.


Sure, the Broncos lost in Super Bowl XII, and every Bronco fan was disappointed. They were used to disappointment. They had 16 years of specialized training. All good things must end, and even a Super Bowl victory would have ended that season. What fans really wanted then was the season to last forever, and, in a way, it did. Many still smile when driving by the parking lot that used to be Mile High Stadium. They think to themselves, "That's where I was standing when Rob Lytle "didn't fumble", and Jon Keyworth took it in on the next play right over there". It was a different age, a different time and a different team, but all Bronco fans remember the magic of that special season.


The game ended and my black-eyed peas were gone. I watched fans tear up pieces of turf for souvenirs and then bring the goal posts down. In my short life, I never before witnessed such a scene of pandemonium. In the time since, few things have even come close. At the time, no one knew the Broncos' season would have a "less-than-happy" ending. All they knew was that 16 years of frustration ended with four months of magic and excitement. To many, the ride was worth the pain. I put my ticket stub in my pocket and walked my cold feet toward the exit knowing there is no better way to learn about history than to live it. Those of us who lived the Orange Crush season of 1977 know it remains Colorado's number one sports story since 1960.

http://denver.*******.com/Montbello/...ry~315349.aspx

[CBF1]

I agree.... the original and only Orange Crush ever!!!

[B-Love]

Howfield for Turner occured in 1971, and Upchurch took 4 punts to the house in 1976, but still a good read!

I can't see that Top 10 Denver Sports Memories show as it's blacked out for me here in New york.

Can anyone make me a copy and send it to me?

Thanks.

[AlienBronco]

As a student from a very small country few people in Colorado heart of(thats way back in 1976) I landed smack in the middle of Broncos Orange Crush era, that's when and how I became a football fan, watching Gradishar and company gang tackle opposing ball carriers into the ground.

[Spider]

The Original orange Crush , never has been a defense like it since .....
we crushed the steel stomped the Snake , Dallas will be a piece of cake or so we thought
I have made joke after Joke about Morton after SB 12 ,8 turnovers in the fist half alone .... Denver had the best defense of the ages ....... I would love to see it come back

[dsmoot]

Originally Posted by §Pide®

The Original orange Crush , never has been a defense like it since .....
we crushed the steel stomped the Snake , Dallas will be a piece of cake or so we thought
I have made joke after Joke about Morton after SB 12 ,8 turnovers in the fist half alone .... Denver had the best defense of the ages ....... I would love to see it come back

I thought the defense was productive at every position that year. There wasn't anyone who didn't contribute all year long. It was no accident Randy Gradishar knew which hole to fill.

[cdesignmaster]

Be honest now... The "Orange Crush" defense put the Broncos on the map for the first time ( they were never taken seriously previously), but look at history and some of the great defenses, the Orange Crush don't come out on near the top. With a DL this year, with the corners we have, the Broncos Defense could have a new name for the history book.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by cdesignmaster

Be honest now... The "Orange Crush" defense put the Broncos on the map for the first time ( they were never taken seriously previously), but look at history and some of the great defenses, the Orange Crush don't come out on near the top. With a DL this year, with the corners we have, the Broncos Defense could have a new name for the history book.

The Orange Crush has been the best defense the NFL ever saw , stats, scoring you name it , and whats even more amazing is the Orange Crush D lasted for 10 years ..............to say different you dont know Shít

[Spider]

Originally Posted by dsmoot

I thought the defense was productive at every position that year. There wasn't anyone who didn't contribute all year long. It was no accident Randy Gradishar knew which hole to fill.

Randy was bad ass but yeah there were no let downs anywhere on that D ....

[Spider]

People talk about the great "Orange Crush" defense that year, and they were worthy of all accolades, but it surprises me how many people forget the many nay-sayers who cried "foul" at every victory and called the Broncos the "luckiest team in football". Few people remember all the magic, all the miracles, and all the "unusual" events that went into the miracle season. Those Broncos could have just as easily finished seven up and seven down, if not for the hand of fate.

Howard Cosell was a hated man in Denver for many years , Howard would call Denver lucky all the time , in fact Howard was on TV people in Denver threw rubber bricks at the tv screen .......... But nothing will ever take away the Memory of Tom Jackson shouting No more Fat man ( to Madden on the sidelines) in alot of respects 77 was Denvers coming out year ............

[Northman]

Yea, the real Orange Crush that got Crushed by Dallas.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Yea, the real Orange Crush that got Crushed by Dallas.

did you even pay attention to SB 12 ? our D showed up ........ 8 turn overs in the ist half alone , what that means is our Offense gave Dallas the Ball 8 times in the first half , just what do you expect the Orange Crush D do ?

[Hogan11]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Yea, the real Orange Crush that got Crushed by Dallas.

No D stands a chance when the offense turns the ball over like they did.

I'll always love the Broncos teams of the 70's....the ones I grew up with..they had my fave players, my fave uniforms, my fave everything.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by §Pide®

did you even pay attention to SB 12 ? our D showed up ........ 8 turn overs in the ist half alone , what that means is our Offense gave Dallas the Ball 8 times in the first half , just what do you expect the Orange Crush D do ?

That makes it worse. Where was Plummer when we needed him?


Side Note: i was like 7 when that SB was played. I wasnt paying attention to any football at that point.

[Hogan11]

Charley Johnson would've won that game had he been under center.

[Spider]

Hell I dont think we even ran 60 plays on offense the entire game

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Anubis

That makes it worse. Where was Plummer when we needed him?


Side Note: i was like 7 when that SB was played. I wasnt paying attention to any football at that point.

Makes it worse ? How so ? Defense was on the field the entire game , offense didnt even on the field for 60 plays ... Defense only gave up 27 points ........

[Northman]

Originally Posted by Hogan11

Charley Johnson would've won that game had he been under center.

So Morton wasnt the starter?

[Northman]

Originally Posted by §Pide®

Makes it worse ? How so ? Defense was on the field the entire game , offense didnt even on the field for 60 plays ... Defense only gave up 27 points ........

You know im pulling your leg dont you?

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Anubis

You know im pulling your leg dont you?

I do now but that is a touchy subject ...... we lived with that for years .....
I really believe Cowboys had the Better QB and offense , but Denver had the better defense , but experience was on the cowboys side ...........I remember Ed too Tall Jones and other cowboys smashing orange Crush cans on the sideline...tore me up ........ I still hate the cowboys

[Northman]

Originally Posted by §Pide®

I do now but that is a touchy subject ...... we lived with that for years .....
I really believe Cowboys had the Better QB and offense , but Denver had the better defense , but experience was on the cowboys side ...........I remember Ed too Tall Jones and other cowboys smashing orange Crush cans on the sideline...tore me up ........ I still hate the cowboys

You know whats worse? Your not going to like this. But from 79-81 when i started to get into football i was a Cowboy fan. I loved Dorsett. But it was in 82 that i finally became a Bronco fan.

[Hogan11]

Originally Posted by Anubis

So Morton wasnt the starter?

Yeah he was...it's why they lost.

A lot of people attribute the success to Morton's arrival but I contend that the team was set up such that year that any average QB could've got the job done.

Charley Johnson retired after the 75 season w/ Little....he is still my fave Broncos QB of all time and I Know had he hung on, he would've got the job done (or at least fared better).

I'll admit to never liking Morton as well...so there's some bias in there, I'll admit it..but I won't retract it.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by Hogan11

Yeah he was...it's why they lost.

A lot of people attribute the success to Morton's arrival but I contend that the team was set up such that year that any average QB could've got the job done.

Charley Johnson retired after the 75 season w/ Little....he is still my fave Broncos QB of all time and I Know had he hung on, he would've got the job done (or at least fared better).

I'll admit to never liking Morton as well...so there's some bias in there, I'll admit it..but I won't retract it.

From what i saw of Morton later on i never liked either.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Anubis

You know whats worse? Your not going to like this. But from 79-81 when i started to get into football i was a Cowboy fan. I loved Dorsett. But it was in 82 that i finally became a Bronco fan.

well welcome to the good side ...........

[Hogan11]

Originally Posted by Anubis

From what i saw of Morton later on i never liked either.

The old joke after that Super Bowl was something like "He found God but couldn't find the endzone"......ranks right up there with other sub comedy like Speed Limit 55 Broncos 10, etc.