Sports- NFL - 2005 - Denver Broncos Year-End Awards

		SPORTS-(BRONCOS) eStragand.com Presents: Denver Broncos 2005 Year-End Awards (note: the following paragraph is best read in NFL Films Guy Voice over a slow-motion replay of the Broncos running out of their inflatable Donkey Tunnel. Cue up the orchestral music, too.) After 7 months of professional tackle football, it all comes down to one paramount summation of the season that will define the very character of those brave gridiron warriors who have ventured to snap their chin strap. For it is for the first time in over four long, arduous seasons that we present to you... Too Much Talent... the story of the 2005 Denver Broncos Year-End Awards Not directed by Steve Sabol. The images and sumaries presented herein are the intellectual property of the NFL , the Denver Broncos and Pat Bowlen and are used without consent or, most importanly, monetary pay-outs. The expressed opinions that follow have no official value whatsoever and are simply the work of some asshole with a website. In a slight change, the eStragand 2005 Denver Broncos Year-End Awards banquet was held at Winston Hill's BBQ in Centennial, Colorado (coincedentally, a former All-Pro with the New York Jets who now sells BBQ). No Broncos personnel, players, coaches, cheerleaders or members of the press attended. Game of the Year- an award given to the most exciting, emotional game of the season. 01/14/06 vs. New England Patriots For the first time, Invesco Field at Mile High hosted a playoff game. The Broncos had to face no less that the 3-time Super Bowl Champs, the Patriots. The Broncos responded and won decisively, for their first playoff victory since Some Guy Who Sells Cars (or Bubby Brister for that matter) was playing. The game became a snoozer in the fourth quarter as the Broncos pulled away, but the fans and the team were filled with enough emotion upon realizing that the 7 year playoff vivtory drought was over. Player of the Year- awarded to the club's MVP. The one guy they absolutely NEEDED on the field, every week. #24- CB Champ Bailey Tied an NFL record with interceptions in 5 consecutive games. More importantly, played through injuries the entire year and became a team leader. His 20 yard INT return for a TD in Week 2 against the Chargers ingnitted the entire team and set the Broncos on their way to 13 wins. Offensive Player of the Year- awarded to the team's MVP on offense. If an offensive player garners "Player of the Year" recognition, then this award is replaced by "Defensive Player of the Year", and vice versa. For example, a player can NOT be "Player of the Year" AND "Defensive Player of the Year". #80- WR Rod Smith Jake Plummer's interception decrease was big news, but everytime the Bronco offense needed to get rolling, they'd go to Rod. He makes his living on the 8-20 yard crossing route. Passed the 10,000 yard career mark this season and without a doubt has landed the title "Best Receiver in Broncos History". Also responsible for the Blackjack Pizza commercials and combo deals. Coolest Moment of the Year- The one play or nifty thing that had you asking your friends: "Did you SEE that?!! Yay, football!" Champ Bailey's 99 yard INT retun - 01/14/06 vs. Patriots Beat out two strong contenders: Ron Dayne's 55 yard overtime gallop with Dallas and Bradlee Van Pelt's 8 yard TD against Kansas City. Bailey singlhandedly killed the Patriots chances when he picked off a Tom Brady pass in the endzone and ran it back to the 1 yard line. When it was happening, it appeared that he might step out of bounds or down it, which made the return all the more unbelievable. If you weren't cheering for that play, you are an old fuddy-duddy curmudgeon. Corey Dillon Award- the one day when you wished you weren't a Broncos fan. 9/11/05 vs. Miami Dolphins The Broncos never seemed to check out of their hotel, as they languished through the first half, then completely imploded and let Gus Frerotte and the Dolphins run over them. Plus up, down, sideways and under them. Rod Bernstine/Dale Carter Commemorative Award- award given to the newcomer who has little or no effect on the team, despite given a big contract and important status. #20 - Maurice Clarett A bit of stretch this year, since usually the award goes to some new slug who staggers through the regular season and eats up a roster spot. The team was fairly well-rounded and all of the new acquistions contributted. Thus, we have to go all the way back to mid-August and pre-season to select Maurice. Despite being national news, Clarett never fit in and didn't even carry the ball in pre-season. Wasn't really a "draft bust", since he was selected with a bonus pick. He was the one newcomer who had absolutely no effect whatsover on the team. Barely beat out Jerry Rice for the honor. Simon Fletcher Award- given to the one player who is often overlooked by the media, but is a vital contributor and in some cases, an impact player or cornerstone of the team. Occasionally goes by the title "my boy"... a title Simon had for years. #33- RB Ron Dayne Surprise of the year to me. Looked like a "fill out the roster" signing (like Garrison Hearst in the past), but actually looked good busting through the line. Ran with authority and accounted for two victories, despite a back-up role (vs. San Diego and at Dallas) Cheerleader of the Year (in Honor of Equality)- An award given to the brightest, most dependable..aww, hell.... it's just the Hottest Babe on the Sidelines in a White Skirt Award. Renee Herlocker The undisputed Search Engine Referral Queen of eStragand.com. Blah blah... "Renee + Herlocker", Renee Herlocker Pictures. Renee Herlocker in the Pro Bowl. Just remember, you heard about her here, first...wayyyy back in 2001. All those other testosterone MAXIM wannabe blog sites are late arrivals to the Renee party. But..this was likely her last year on the squad and we'll probably have to work in painful references to someone else next year. After reading the AFC Championship program, the early pick is Candace Jones. Let's see if her name grabs some traffic. So that's it for YOUR 13-3 2005 Denver Broncos. Despite falling short of a 7th Super Bowl berth, the season would have to considered a sucess. As I babbled about earlier, the talk all year long was of winning the division and winning A play-off game. Nobody expected the Donkies to win 13 games. Nobody expected them to host the AFC title game. Nobody expected Mike Anderson to plow his way to 1,000 yards while Tatum Bell also teased the mark. Nobody expected the relocated Browns linemen to do anything more than play Kavika Pittman or Leon Lett, but all four were contributers (Gerard Warren, Ebenezer Ekuban, Michael Myers and Courtney Brown). Plus, Todd Sauerbrun forced a fumble and Bradlee Van Pelt went balls-out into the KC endzone. Excellent year for the Donkies. On top of a division title, Mike Shanahan and friends all received commemorative Hawaiian shirts from the Pro Bowl. They'll have a first-place schedule, but most of the key personnel is returning for next year. They have TOO MUCH TALENT to disappear. I had a blast doing recaps this year. So until I leave Denver or get mauled by a wildcat, you're stuck with me doing Donkey Recaps for 2006! See you in August. Comment about this article. Contact The Asshole Who Wrote This! Back to Broncos 2005 Index 2005 Season Archive August 20 vs 49ers August 27 vs Colts September 02 vs Cardinals September 11 vs Dolphins September 18 vs Chargers September 26 vs Chiefs October 2 vs Jaguars October 9 vs Redskins October 16 vs Patriots October 23 vs Giants October 30 vs Eagles November 6 vs Bye Week November 13 vs Raiders November 20 vs Jets November 24 vs Cowboys December 4 vs Chiefs December 11 vs Ravens December 17 vs Bills December 24 vs Raiders December 31 vs Chargers January 10 vs Bye Week January 14 vs Patriots January 22 vs Steelers YEAR-END AWARDS 2006 NFL Draft Recap
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