In honor of his new book, Tales From the Broncos Sidelines, being released, Floyd Little recently took some time to answer select questions submitted by the fans from BroncosFreak.com. What follows is part 1 of 3:
Montrose: How would you compare yourself to some of the Broncos running backs of the past decade: Terrell Davis, Clinton Portis, Mike Anderson, and Tatum Bell to name a few?
I think they’re all tremendous players and have upheld the tradition of great Broncos running backs. But, it’s difficult for me to compare with today’s players, because I played during a time when the rules didn’t benefit the offense. To the contrary, the defense held the advantage. They were allowed to clothesline you, grab you around the neck and head, and hold you up so another player could take a shot at you. I think if I played now behind the Broncos zone-blocking scheme my numbers would be off the charts. We didn’t have the talent on offense that today’s Broncos have, but my teammates had tremendous passion for the game. Most were not Pro Bowl players, but they busted their butts on every play. I think just having another huge weapon like John Elway would have taken a lot of the pressure off me.
Mclark: How difficult was it to play for Lou Saban? Lou made a lot of questionable personnel moves during his tenure in Denver — did those moves (Curley Culp, Willie Brown, etc.) demoralize the Broncos?
I loved playing for Lou Saban. As I mention in my new book, Floyd Little’s Tales from the Broncos Sideline with sportswriter Tom Mackie, it took a while for me to realize that we were a lot alike. We were both very intense competitors who hated to lose. I thought Lou made some great decisions, especially trading for Rich Jackson in 1967, who, at the time was a backup linebacker for the Raiders. He also drafted Billy Thompson from a small school, one of the greatest Broncos ever. I understand he got rid of Curley Culp, but who knew he would become a good player? He was only with the club for one year and he didn’t start. So Lou traded him to Kansas City for something like a 3rd-or-4th-round draft pick that turned out to be guard Mike Schnitker, a local guy from Colorado who was pretty good. The questionable trades were when he tried to find quarterbacks. The Steve Tensi trade with San Diego was the biggest flop. He gave up our first round picks in 1968 and ’69 for Steve and he was only a backup.
Steve had it pretty rough during his short career in Denver. He was a tall, gutsy quarterback but everyone realized pretty quickly that he wasn’t worth those two first-rounders. The fans never let him forget it either. Unfortunately, he even endured a few death threats. One of them was from a deranged person who threatened to shoot him during a game from atop of the Holiday Inn that overlooked Mile High Stadium. None of us would stand near him during pre-game stretching or the National Anthem. Nothing ever came from it, but no one wanted to be struck by some stray bullet!
BroncoJoe: What is your greatest (favorite) memory during your playing days, and your worst memory (excluding not ever making the playoffs)?
The greatest memory was Floyd Little Day at Mile High Stadium during the 1972 season. It was something the fans had come up with to commemorate my accomplishments on the field and my charitable work off the field. It was an incredible honor to be recognized by the great fans of Denver, my teammates and the Broncos organization. There’s a great picture of that moment in my book. I’ve had a lot of great honors in my career, Pro Bowls, getting my number retired, the Ring of Fame, but nothing quite compares to that.
My worst memory is that infamous Buffalo game in 1968 when I got fired and re-hired in the same game. I had never been fired in my life and to be cut by coach Saban in front of 40,000 fans during a home game was something I’ll never forget. Then, I refused to leave the stadium and came back onto the field to make that catch to help win the game. What an emotional rollercoaster. Another bad memory was scoring my third TD of the game against the Vikings in ’72 with less than a minute left, only for us to lose in the last second. That game completely drained me emotionally, knowing my best wasn’t good enough. But, that’s football.
Mclark: What are your memories of playing the Raiders? What Raiders player did you dislike the most?
I have to laugh, because it’s not even close: Jack Tatum was the guy I disliked playing against the most because he always tried to hurt people. Today you can’t taunt a player, but Tatum taunted on every play. He really tried to destroy people and he loved to stand over you after a particularly vicious hit. I heard he mentioned me in a book he wrote, They Call Me Assassin, in which he really tried to hit me hard to put me out of the game. In fact, he hit me so hard my shoe flew off. Well, I wasn’t about to let someone like Tatum knock me out, so I shook it off, found my shoe, and went back into the game. I had a few friends on the Raiders, but Tatum wasn’t one of them. Unfortunately, we always played down to their level and only beat them a few times.
If you enjoy hearing these stories, I’d encourage you to pick up the book, where Floyd goes more in depth on most of this material and much more. Look for part 2 to be published on Monday, September 4.
For most football fans (especially casual ones) the 4th and final preseason game is an afterthought, possibly worth a look at the box score the next morning. But for many prospective NFL players, the 4th preseason game is the most important game of their lives. That’s because it’s the last chance for these players to show their coaches that they deserve to make the team and move up the depth chart.
With the Denver Broncos first cuts made to get the roster down to 75, here’s a preview of the other positions heading into the Broncos Thursday evening showdown with the Arizona Cardinals:
Quarterback
Locks: Jake Plummer, Jay Cutler
On the bubble: Bradlee Van Pelt
Pack now: Preston Parsons
Van Pelt may find himself caught in the numbers game due to the talent at other positions. If the Broncos feel comfortable with Parsons, knowing he may not be picked up by another team, they may release Van Pelt and go with two QB’s. Van Pelt can help his case by having a lights-out game against Arizona.
Running Back
Locks: Mike Bell, Tatum Bell, Kyle Johnson, Cecil Sapp
On the bubble: Cedric Cobbs, Ron Dayne, Damien Nash
Pack now: Brandon Miree
This is obviously the position with the most intrigue heading into Arizona as Mike Shanahan stated the starting halfback position is wide open. Eyes will be on Tatum Bell to show if he can shoulder the load as a full time back. Cobbs has the ability to come out of nowhere and steal the position from the 1st guy who came out of nowhere, Mike Bell. It will be interesting to see how Dayne, who received a signing bonus this offseason, effects the roster situation with Cobbs and Nash playing well in the preseason. At fullback, Sapp’s inability to stay healthy may allow for Johnson to head into week 1 as the starter although both will likely see extensive playing time throughout the season.
Wide Reciever
Locks: Rod Smith, Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall
On the bubble: Darius Watts, David Kircus, David Terrell, Todd Devoe, Charlie Adams
Pack now: Brian Clark
Despite his injury, Marshall is a near lock to make the team although he may not be the #3 receiver in week 1. Watts is a mystery as reports of his strong play at camp, along with a strong performance in the Broncos 1st preseason game, are compounded with very limited time in the Broncos other preseason games. At this point, he appears the #3 receiver but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him, #4, #5, #6, or released altogether. Kircus was a head turner early in camp but his performance has dropped recently and he’ll need a strong showing to secure a roster spot. Last year’s backups, Todd Devoe and Charlie Adams, are competing with David Terrell for what appears to be one position. Devoe may have the inside track but special teams should play a factor in determining who makes the roster. Brian Clark is a logical practice squad candidate.
Tight End
Locks: Stephen Alexander, Tony Scheffler
On the bubble: Nate Jackson, Chad Mustard
Jackson has played well in the preseason despite his constant inability to stay healthy. Should he continue to play well on offense and special teams, he’s likely to make the squad. Mustard hasn’t shown much in the preseason although the converted-tackle is in on the Broncos goal-line package which makes keeps him in contention for a roster spot.
Offensive Line
Locks: Matt Lepsis, Ben Hamilton, Tom Nalen, Cooper Carlsile, George Foster
On the bubble: Adam Meadows, Dwayne Carswell, Chris Kuper, Chris Myers, Greg Eslinger
Pack now: Taylor Whitley
This is a position in which the Broncos have good young talent that they may try to sneak onto the practice squad. Veterans Meadows and Carswell may be competing for one spot with youngsters Myers and Kuper competing for the other. Eslinger appears headed for the practice squad although a strong showing Thursday could convince the coaches otherwise he deserves to make the 53-man roster. The team could keep as few as six and as many as ten players at the position.
Defensive Line
Locks: Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, Michael Myers, Ebenezer Ekuban, Kenard Lang, Demetrin Veal, Elvis Dumervill
On the bubble: John Engelberger, Corey Jackson, Patrick Chukwruah, Antwon Burton
Pack now: Khaleed Vaughn, Amon Gordon
A position certain to have a lot of competition, depth chart status and roster spots will be on the line. Engelberger, Jackson, and Chukwurah may all be competing for one position
with Burton hoping to show the Broncos should keep a 4th interior tackle. Lang and Veal can secure starting positions to start the season, and Dumervill can work his way up the depth chart at any number of positions. Another deep group, the Broncos may be inclined to keep more talent on the defensive line than offensive line, as defensive lineman rotate much more than offensive lineman.
Linebackers
Locks: D.J. Williams, Al Wilson, Ian Gold, Keith Burns, Nate Webster
On the bubble: Cameron Vaughn, Louis Green
Pack now: Ray Wells
Webster has solidified a roster spot with his outstanding play in the preseason and Burns ability on special teams alone makes him invaluable, not even discussing his leadership ability. Vaughn has turned a lot of heads at camp but Louis Green has had a strong camp as well and they may be competing for just one position. Vaughn does have practice squad eligibity which may help Green.
Defensive Backs
Locks: Champ Bailey, Darrent Williams, John Lynch, Nick Ferguson, Sam Brandon, Domonique Foxworth
On the bubble: Karl Paymah, Roc Alexander, Curome Cox, Hamza Abdullah, Jeff Shoate
Pack now: Tyler Everett
It would take a floundering performance Friday for Paymah to miss the cut and Alexander appears to be in good shape as well. Cox and Abdullah appear to be competing for one position while Shoate is a longshot to make the team. Everett could be a candidate for the practice squad.
Specialists
Locks: Jason Elam, Todd Sauerbrun
On the bubble: Paul Ernster, Micah Knorr, Mike Leach
Ernster has the inside track on filling in for Sauerbrun over his four game suspension, but Knorr will get more opportunities on Thursday . Leach appears safe to serve as the team’s long snapper for another season unless another position player proves serviceable.
Yesterday, Mike Shanahan announced that the starting RB position is up for grabs, and it is between Mike Bell, Tatum Bell, Cedric Cobbs, and perhaps Ron Dayne. I plead with the Broncos go with a true featured back and will commit to feeding him the ball while he develops his rhythm each each. As well as the tandem of Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell worked last year at times, neither had the confidence that came with knowing they were going to be the guy going into a game. I wonder if even that subtle fear that a bad series might have caused them to run a bit more timid.
My thoughts on each:
Mike Bell - Mike is my favorite. First of all, I love his story. I love that he is from Denver. I love that, as the later rounds passed in the draft, he found himself hoping to not be picked so he could sign with the Broncos as a free agent. But even beyond that, I like the way he runs from the limited action we’ve seen. He hits the hole and takes what is there. He’s more interested in getting positive yards on each carry rather than breaking the big one. He doesn’t come down on first contact. Give this guy the ball, and let him wear down defenses in the thin air.
Tatum Bell - It sounds a bit contrary to what I said above, but I like Tatum’s ability to break the big run. Unfortunately for him, he’s got the stigma that he can’t carry the ball enough times to be a featured back. Shanahan must believe that, becuase he’s never given him more than 17 carries in a game. Still, with a career average of 5.3 yards a carry, he’s the one who makes the committee approach so tempting. You’re not sure what he can give you with 25 carries, but your always excited about what he might be able to do with one. If he could be a workhorse who could grind out positive yards on most carries, and still threaten to break it at any time, he’d be my choice.
Cedric Cobbs - Cobbs has looked good in preaseson, but he’s been running late in games against lesser talent. The Broncos liked him in college, but missed him in the draft. After an injury plagued rookie year with the Patriots, the Broncos still thought enough of him to pick him up and hold on to him on the practice squad last year. He certainly seems to have a shot, but I think he’s going to have to clearly outperform the Bells on Thursday night to get the nod.
Ron Dayne - Dayne looked pretty good last year in his limited action, but he’s the guy I least want to see carrying the ball at this point. The fact that he entered camp as the #1 guy, and fell to #3 before even getting injured says a lot. I’ve said it elsewhere, but it troubled me how easily he took Mike Bell’s jump to first string. It just doesn’t seem to me like he wants it, but if he ever wanted to prove otherwise, nows the time.
Having been born in 1970, my earliest Bronco memories go back to the super bowl run in 1977. As a result, I missed Floyd Little’s career by two years. I never got to see him play, but I’ve heard his name plenty of times in the last 30 years. After reading Floyd Little’s memoirs about the Broncos, Tales From the Broncos Sidelines, now I know why.
Floyd’s stories have given me a glimpse of the era of the Broncos that I didn’t get to see, and have built an even deeper appreciation for what the franchise has become since. I’m grateful to see that he continues to root so hard for a team that he gave so much of himself too. I hope that others can pick up the book and have a similar experience.
I think some of the motivation in writing the book was to make the case to be enshrined in Canton — and I think he deserves it. It’s both ridiculous and shameful that his bust isn’t there. Floyd Little might not have led the Broncos to glory in his playing days, but he certainly help lay the foundation for the championship years that have come since.
If I have one gripe about the book, it’s the title. As an every down back who also returned punts and kicks throughout his career, Floyd Little didn’t spend a whole lot of time on the sidelines. But I think I can let that one slide…
I’ve recently been in touch with Floyd Little. Floyd was the Broncos first great running back in the late 60s and early 70s, and one of the inaugural members of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
As you might have seen on the BroncosFreak home page, Floyd has recently released a book about his years with the Broncos — Tales From the Broncos Sidelines. My copy is on the way, and I can’t wait to read it.
To help promote the book, and some love for the Broncos, Floyd has agreed to do a Q&A with questions submitted by members of BroncosFreak. So, for the next two weeks, questions will be accepted on this thread at BroncosFreak. I will submit the best questions to him, plus maybe a few of my own. He will provide responses which I’ll post here on both sites. I am grateful and excited for his willingness to interact with us, and I hope you are too!
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