Broncos' best in special teams over the years

BEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS

1. Jason Elam, kicker: The Broncos’ all-time leading scorer was also Mr. Clutch. In his last Denver season alone he kicked four game-winning field goals.

2. Rick Upchurch, returner: Upchurch was one of the best returners ever, making two NFL all-decade teams, in the 1970s and 1980s.

3. Billy Thompson, returner: Thompson was versatile and effective. He is in the top seven in kickoff return average and punt return average.

4. Floyd Little, returner: He made the Pro Football Hall of Fame because he was a great running back, but has the highest punt return average in a season in Broncos history. He returned kickoffs too.

5. Jim Turner, kicker: If it wasn’t for Elam, Turner probably would be remembered as the top kicker in Broncos history.

6. Darrien Gordon, returner: Gordon has the highest punt return average in Broncos history, and his three punt return touchdowns are second in team history.

7. Tom Rouen, punter: The Broncos have never had a great punter, but Rouen was solid, and was the punter on the franchise’s 50th anniversary team.

8. Rich Karlis, kicker: Karlis actually was more accurate than Turner, and might have deserved to be ahead of him on the list.

9. Keith Burns, coverage: Burns had a long career out of being one of the best coverage men in the league — now he is a special teams coach for the Broncos.

10. Goldie Sellers, returner. Sellers wasn’t in Denver long (1966-67) but he still is the only player in Broncos history to return two kickoffs for a touchdown in his career.

BEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYS

1. Jason Elam gets the record, 1998

Late in the first half of a game against Jacksonville, the Broncos had Elam attempt a 63-yard field goal. He hit it, tying the NFL record set by Tom Dempsey in 1970.

2. Louis Wright returns blocked field goal for touchdown, 1985

Dennis Smith blocked a field goal in overtime against San Diego, but that was nullified because of a penalty. Smith blocked a field goal on the next play too, and Wright scooped it up for a 60-yard touchdown and the win.

3. Jim Turner’s tying field goal, 1973

The Broncos weren’t really on the map yet when Oakland came in for a “Monday Night Football” showdown. Turner’s 35-yard field goal late in the game gave the Broncos a monumental 23-23 tie.

4. Elam clutch in the Super Bowl, 1998

In the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXII against the Packers, Elam nailed a 51-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 17-7 lead. The field goal was the second-longest in Super Bowl history.

5. Terrell Davis tackle, 1995

The play didn’t count, but as far as importance goes, it was invaluable. During a preseason game at Tokyo against San Francisco, the little-known rookie opened eyes with a huge hit on the 49ers’ kickoff returner. That kick-started one of the greatest Broncos careers ever.

6. John Schultz’s playoff block, 1977

The Broncos were playing their first playoff game, and their first score came after John Schultz blocked a Steelers punt. It was recovered at the 17-yard line, four players later Rob Lytle scored, and Denver went on to win 34-21.

7. Todd Sauerbrun’s big hit against the Patriots, 2006

Punter Sauerbrun’s biggest play in a playoff win wasn’t even on a punt. He hit Patriots kickoff returner Ellis Hobbs and forced a fumble that set up a field goal just before halftime. That is Denver’s only playoff win since 1999.

8. Eddie Royal’s second vs. San Diego, 2009

With one kick return TD in the game already, Royal handled a funny hop to his right and cut to the left. He took it back right and went untouched for his second kick return TD of the game in a win that was Denver’s sixth straight to start the season.

9. Elam beats the clock, 2007

In the Broncos’ season opener, they never led until the clock ran out. After Denver completed a pass with no timeouts, the field-goal team had to sprint on the field to beat the clock. Elam calmly drilled a field goal, silencing the rabid Bills fans.

10. Rick Upchurch takes one back, 1976

Upchurch had eight punt-return touchdowns, and one had to be on the list. His longest was a 92-yard punt return for a kickoff in a 26-0 win against San Diego at Mile High Stadium.