We’re wrapping up the Top 5 run with a final list for special team players. This will include kickers, punters, returners, and gunners. That will make this list a bit hard to create, but that’s how it goes.
The clear choice for me was Jason Elam. The guy played for so long and was good for the whole time. He owns so many of the records for kicking in team history. After that, I went Ring of Fame with Rick Upchurch. Keith Burns is a guy who was such an outstanding special team captain that most fans
still remember his name. Not an easy task for a guy who mainly covered on kickoffs and punts. Tom Rouen is the obvious choice at punter. Marvin Mims Jr. despite only having a few years under his belt is making my list. I know he’s likely gone after this season, but the guy is a big play machine.
- Jason Elam
- Rick Upchurch
- Keith Burns
- Tom Rouen
- Marvin Mims Jr.
Here’s where our Mile High Report staff landed on the top five for special teamers:
Scotty Payne: Kickers with best legs and returners with the ability to take it all the way!
- Jason Elam
- Matt Prayer
- Marvin Mims Jr.
- Keith Burns
- Trindon Holliday
Chris Hart: Jason Elam tops the list for me due. Elam was a two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time All-Pro and Pro-Bowler and a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. Rick Upchurch was a terrific return specialist who also flashed some impressive playmaking ability on offense. Tom Rouen’s punting ability stands out and Keith Burns was a mainstay on Denver’s special teams during Denver’s back-to-back Super Bowl wins in the 1990s. Marvin Mims Jr., despite being a recent player in Broncos history, has already impressed greatly with his return skills.
- Jason Elam
- Rick Upchurch
- Tom Rouen
- Keith Burns
- Marvin Mims Jr.
Sadaraine: Elam was a trend setter at kicker. Rick Upchurch is who Marvin Mims Jr. wants to be when he grows up. Tom Rouen was a fabulous punter with amazingly flexible technique. Matt Prater and Brandon McManus both were clutch kickers with their own stamps on the record books.
- Jason Elam
- Rick Upchurch
- Tom Rouen
- Matt Prater
- Brandon McManus
Ian St. Clair: Elam was a lock anytime he kicked. Rouen was vital for field position in the Super Bowl years. Burns was a beast, and Upchurch was Devin Hester before Hester. And Mingo was the do-everything running back, returner, and kicker in the ‘60s. Yes, you read that right. Mingo was 72-of-119 on field goals (60.5%) and 111-of-116 for extra points (95.7%) for the Broncos. He also returned 18 punts for 214 yards (11.9 avg.) with one touchdown along with 34 kickoffs for 742 yards (21.8 avg.).
- Jason Elam
- Rich Upchurch
- Keith Burns
- Tom Rouen
- Gene Mingo
Surprisingly, I found this top five list to be rather difficult. There were so many great kickers to choose from, but I felt the need to include not just kicking specialists or return specialists and that wasn’t easy. How does your top five list for this area look? Share below.
