What do you remember most about the 2012 AFC Divisional Playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens?
A quick straw poll around the Mile High Sports offices on Wednesday earned a nearly universal two- or three-word response.
“Rahim Moore” or “Rahim [EXPLETIVE DELETED] Moore.”
One lone dissenter said, “Foxy taking a knee.”
No one remembered Peyton Manning‘s pick-six on Denver’s opening drive. Or his INT in OT that led to the eventual game-winning field goal.
And no one remembered what I remember most from that game.
Standing in the south stands, holding a beercicle and barely able to see the field through the crystalized exhalations in front of me, I remember one player from that game.
Trindon Holliday. Or, rather, Trindon [EXPLETIVE DELETED] Holliday.
How soon we forget his 90-yard punt return for a touchdown following Baltimore’s opening possession and his 104-yard kick return touchdown to open the second half to break a 21-all tie.
How soon we forget that without his two scores the Denver Broncos probably lose that game in regulation thanks to a third-quarter Ray Rice touchdown, not because Rahim Moore for one terrible play forgot the one job he had.
How soon we forget that without Holliday, Manning’s pick-six would be the play we all likely recall as the one that sunk Denver’s chance at a championship that year.
Yes, it’s easy to forget special teams.
Like the role they had in Denver’s AFC Championship victory en route to a Super Bowl 50 victory.
When Britton Colquitt saved a potential touchdown on a first-quarter punt return. And when he pinned New England inside their 20 four times in that game, and twice inside their 10. And when Stephen Gostkowski missed the PAT that proved to be the difference in the game. And when Brandon McManus was a perfect 4-for-4 on PATs and field goals (two apiece) combined in the game.
Special teams were the saviors twice in 2016, but all we want to talk about these days is the offensive line and the quarterbacks.
If Graham Gano doesn’t doink one off the upright (just like he did in Super Bowl 50), we might be talking about a totally different outcome on NFL Opening Night in 2016 (and the same for the Super Bowl) and the Broncos may have ended the season 8-8.
And if the NFL had changed the field goal leaping rule one year earlier, or Justin Simmons missed his timing by one-tenth of a second, or Will Parks was wearing black cleats, we’d be talking about the first losing season in Denver since 2010.
Yes, it’s easy to forget special teams.
Brandon McManus is doing his part to help us remember.
The kicker who’s nailed 82.9 percent of his kicks as a pro (including a perfect 26-for-26 inside the 30 and 46-of-47 inside the 40) has a second-round tender offer worth $2.746 million waiting in John Elway‘s office. But McManus wants a long-term deal. According to the Denver Post, it doesn’t sound like there’s much movement on that front.
McManus has limited options if Elway and the Broncos don’t want to budge on a long-term deal: Sign the deal or sit out. Not exactly great choices for a guy who aspires to be a team captain this season.
Yet he’s been at the facility every day – despite not having a signed contract – working hard and doing his part to be a leader on the special teams unit.
McManus doesn’t want us to forget what a crucial role specials teams plays in a team’s overall success.
New special teams coach Brock Olivo is doing his part to help us remember, as well.
If he brings even half the enthusiasm to the field that he brings to his press conferences, he’ll have the special teams unit ready to run through a brick wall at his command.
Olivio is the kind of coach players love to play hard for. Because love is exactly what he returns to them. In fact, he used the word seven times in his meeting with the media following Wednesday’s OTA practice.
He loves being reunited with his former player, De’Angelo Henderson, who played for him at Coastal Carolina. He loves the return skills another rookie, Carlos Henderson, brings to the table – specifically, he loves that Henderson runs angry. He loves that he has a head coach that’s invested in special teams. He loves that McManus wants to be a captain. Loves that he wants to be a leader. Loves that even without a contract McManus is at the facility every day.
About McManus, Olivo says, “He’s a very gregarious, outgoing guy, and guys like him. He’s got confidence, swag – people like that.”
Well, here’s news for Olivo. All that applies to him. And if his passion translates to play, we won’t be forgetting about Denver’s special teams unit this season.
Even John Elway and the personnel department – despite the McManus contract situation – is doing its part to keep special teams top of mind in Broncos Country.
Elway went out and drafted not one, not two, but three players who have the potential to be as explosive in the return game as Trindon Holliday was.
Olivo was thrilled by Elway’s draft weekend moves.
“I’ve got to say that John [Elway] and [director of player personnel] Matt [Russell] and all the guys did an awesome job in the draft, and we’re fired up because we’ve got some return potential,” Olivo said Wednesday. “So, yes, needless to say, we were all smiles after draft day.”
Special teams have given Broncos fans plenty of reasons to smile these past few years, but it’s easy to forget them, what with all the drama surrounding the left tackle and quarterback positions.
So, if John Elway did find the next Trindon Holliday in this year’s draft, and if Brandon McManus signs a long-term deal, and if Brock Olivo turns this special teams unit into one of the best in the NFL, let’s try and not forget.
