European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 27, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday january 27, 1990 the stars and stripes Page 23 superbowl xxiv mapping the Broncos prey. He led acc rookies by Barry Wilner new Orleans a Sec Luhcs of key members of the Denver Broncos who Eccl the san Francisco 49crs in the super bowl offence quarterback John Elway 7 29. 7th year. Stan Ford. First round pick first Overall by Colts traded to Broncos in 1983 draft 6-3.2i5 pounds. Elway docs not come off one of his better seasons but he has been hot in the playoffs. Elway threw for 3.051 Yards his fifth straight year Over 3,000. But he ranked Only seventh in acc passing statistics and had As Many incr Ceplina a touchdowns. 18. Once again he led acc quarterbacks in Rushing with 244 Yards. Running backs Bobby Humphrey 26 23. 1st year. Alabama. First round pick i7ih Overall in 1989 supplemental draft. 6-1.201. As a  ran for  51 Yards an seven touchdowns. He is dangerous in Side and out and is a decent receiver. He became starter in the fifth week and had five100-Yard games with a season High 128 against Phoenix in Rushing. He also has cracked ribs which could sideline him and almost certainly Ham per him against the 49crs. Sammy Winder 23 30. 6th  Mississippi. Fifth round pick. 1982. 5-11 203. Now a backup. Winder scored two touchdowns in the acc title game prompting him to postpone retirement for a year. He has not done Well in two previous super bowls. Meliin brat on 32 24. 1st . Fla. Seventh round pick. 1989. 6-1 225. Back from reconstructive knee surgery that Cost him a year at Miami. Brayton is a Fine receiver and Lough runner near the goal line. He s a decent Blocker. Sieve Seviell 30 26. 5th . First round pick. 1985, 6-3, 210. Scwll could be the key weapon out of the Backfield. Elway likes to go to Scwll on deep patterns and shovel passes and Scwll averaged 16.6 Yards a catch. Scwell s Speed must be handled by a defensive Back. Receivers Vance Johnson 82 26. 5th year. Ari Zona. Second round pick. 1985,5-11.185. The three Amigos basically became the one Amigo this year. Johnson had a terrific season with 76 catches for 1,069yards and seven scores. He probably de served a pro bowl spot. Among the mos popular Broncos he has become More versatile run Ning every kind of route. He must be watched when Elway is scram bling they always seem to be on the same Wavelength. We be gone to Johnson Vance a lot because he s been open a  Reeves said. He had a great  Mark Jackson so 26. 4th year Purdue sixth round pick. 1986. 5-10. 180. Jackson was a forgotten Man until he playoffs when he suddenly resurfaced. He is Denver s Best threat on straight Fly Pat terns but Elway likes to use him on slant ins and crossing patterns. Ricky Nattiel has been Hurt. Michae Young signed As a plan b free agent had two big catches in the championship game and has ably replaced Steve wat son but with More Speed. Tight end Clarence Kay 88 28, 6th . Seventh round pick 1984. 6-2. 237. Denver has been hurting at Light  barely played against Cleveland be cause of a strained thigh muscle and Pat Kelly Tore up his knee in the championship game. Kelly is reportedly out. A Fine Blocker with a penchant for Mak ing big catches Kay won t get As much at Tention As a receiver As would backup Orson Mobley. Mobley did All of his prac timing before the acc final at  to tight end and scored a touch Down. He in t As Good a Blocker As Kay. Cent Rkeith Kartz 72 26. 3rd year Cali fornia. Signed a free agent. 1987. 6 4, 270. Kartz be came a starter this year after backing up at several line positions in 1988,with 12 starts at right guard. When Bill Bryan went Down in training Camp. Kartz move to Center. He has improved through Kurt out the season particularly at handling nose tackles. Guard Doug Widell 67 23. 1st year bos ton College. Second round pick. 1989. 6-4. 287. Widell became a starter in mid season As the Broncos further bulked up their blocking unit. He in t As Strong pass blocking but that s not unusual fora Rookie. Can be beaten by a Quick rusher and the 49crs have several. Jim Juriga 66 25. 2nd year Illi Nois. Fourth round pick 1986, 6-6, 275. Also the backup at both tackle spots indicating Denver s Lack of depth Juriga replaced nine year Veteran Keith Bishop who started in the last two super bowl losses. Juriga lost the 1986 and 87 sea sons to a major knee injury which has Cost him quickness. But he is one of the strongest offensive linemen on the team. Tackles Gerald Perry 60 24. 2nd  u. Second round pick 1988, 6 6, 305. Perry has had some weight prob lems and some non football trouble but he has played decently. He s inconsistent though and will need help with the outside rushes of san Francisco s ends and linebackers. Ken under 76 30, 9th year. Flor Ida state. Fifth round pick. 1981, 6-3, 290. The steady Lanier has started 85straight regular season games since being named starter in 1982. A Good Power locker who can also Deal with Quick rushers Lanier makes All the plays if Notin a spectacular fashion. Defense nose tackle Greg Kragen 71 27. 5th year. Utah state. Sig Nedas free agent in 1985. 6-3, 265. Re member How those Little Guys on the Denver line would cerebral foot with All those stunts and strange alignments an get pushed around in big games for Krag Enget  defense under new coordinator Wade Phillips was the Stingi Estin the league. One reason was the improvement in the trenches. Kragen the supposedly undersized nose tackle had his Best year and made the pro bowl. He does t dominate two blockers the Way a Michael Dean Perry might but he consistently makes the required plays and blocks the lanes for opposing runners. End Alphonso Carreker 92 27. 6th car Florida state. Signed As plan b free agent 1989, 6-6,272. Carreker was unhappy in Greenbay and plan b served him Well. Head Little trouble supplanting Andre Townsend As a starter. Originally a bet Ter pass rusher Carreker was especially Strong against the run. Particular Carreker by sweeps. He also had Svi sacks. Ron Holmes 90 26. 5th year Washington. Acquired from Tampa Bay before season for mid round draft pick 6-4, 265. Holmes was an underrated and unfulfilled player with the bucs. He has flourished in Denver As the team s Best pass rusher up front. Holmes had eight sacks and helped Clear paths for the right linebackers who had big years. Linebacker Simon Fletcher 73 27. 5lh year Houston. Second round pick. Iv85, 6-5,240. Denver was outman cd at this Posi Tion in the super bowl losses. That prompted switching Fletcher from de to outside old. And he has been sensational. Fletcher had 105 tackles and a team High 12 sacks. He also was ignored for the pro bowl but belonged there. He s the Guy who figures to be in Joe Montana s face if any of the Broncos gel  Mecklenburg 77 29. 7th year Minnesota. Twelfth round pick 1983, 6-3,240. Mecklenburg had the Best season of his career and was an All pro. He no longer lines up in different spots each play. Phil lips put Mecklenburg at right inside la next to Fletcher left him there and the tandem was terrific. Mecklenburg led the team with 143 tackles and had 7% sacks. Rick Dennison 55 31. 8th year Colorado state. Signed As free agent 1982, 6-3. 220. A backup and special teams Demon until 1987, Dennison has been a full time player at left inside line Backer when Mecklenburg is healthy and replaced the injured Mecklenburg for parts of 1988. Michael Brooks 56 24, 3rd year Louisiana state. Third round pick. 1987,6 i. 235. Moved ahead of Veteran Jim Ryan late last year after finally being fully healthy. A knee injury that required reconstructive surgery in senior season at leu dropped Brooks from a Likely first Rounder. Teams tested Brooks All year and did t solve him. You Don t have to have outside line backers who dominate people and Are All Over the Field making tackles Phillip said. You have to have outside Guys who do their Job and that s what we  safeties Steve Atwater 27 23, 1st year a Kansas. First round pick 20th Overall. 1989, 6-3, 217. Atwater was sensational ranking behind Only chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas among defensive  was second on the Broncos with 129 tackles and led with 86 initial hits. His aggressiveness sets the tone for the secon Dary and indeed the entire defense. If the 49crs feel they can take advantage of the Rookie it in t Likely. Atwater has t Smith played like a first year Man All  Smith 49 29, 9lh year. Southern California. First round pick.1981. 6-3. 200. Smith made the pro bowl having his Best year. Ahard hitter and Good cover Man he handled Swift Eric Metcalf in the championship game Smith struggled in past playoffs. Not this year. He was All Over the Field against Cleveland picking off two passes and making 14 tackles. He might not get the publicity of Ronnie Lott his College teammate but he can be just As  Tyrone Braxton 34 24, 3rd  Dakota slate. Twelfth round pick. 1987, 5-11. 185. The safeties need to be Strong because neither cornerback is a Star. Braxton. A first Lime starter this year led the team with is interceptions. But can he handle Jerry Rice or John Taylor in a Man coverage scheme Braxton has been through the Mill be  knew i d be tested Braxton said. The first game the first pass was thrown right at me. I got a pick Wymon Henderson 24 27. 3rdyear, Nevada Las vegas. Signed As plan b free agent 1989,5-10. 186.a former Usel player Henderson did not become a starter in the nil until rejoined the Broncos. Known As a special teams player he is a hitter. His coverage skills will be tested  uses All four backups in Var ious situations. Kip Corrington and Dar Ren Carrington Are the most useful. Special teams kicker David Treadwell 9 22, 1st year Clemson. Acquired in Trade with . 1989, 6-1, 175. Last year. Tread Well was working fora chemical com Sipany. Now. He s a pro bowl kicker who scored 120 Points tops in the conference. He hit27 of 33 Field goals twice winning games with his kicks."1 Don t know what else i can get out of this season except a super bowl  he  Mike Horan 2 30. 6th year. Long each state. Signed As free agent. 1986, 6-0, 180. Horan in his third super bowl is steady not spectacular. He had 18 kicks inside the 20, and his 34.3 net was fourth in the acc. He has had Only two kicks blocked in six  has done exactly what we be asked of him Reeves said. Punting Isa very critical part of a game and it s not something we Overlook. Mike has Don every Well with a lot of kicks that got us out of  returners Ken Bell 35 24, 4th year Bosto College. Signed As free agent 1986, 5-10, 190. Denver does t have a return threat along the lines of san Francisco s John Taylor or Terry acc Flagler. Bell was eighth in acc Kickoff run backs at 20.1, and his longest was 33 Yards he was sixth in punt returns at 6.8, but Vance Johnson now handles those chores an has averaged 9 Yards in the playoffs. Tomorrow the 49er Treadwell