Broncos History: 1974 yearbook

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[@robertlamb759]

I was a game of the week mascot for week 13 vs. the Oilers in 1974. My picture is in Pro Magazine. I was next to Floyd Little and Ray May during the coin toss. I have a few 8x10's of myself in a Broncos Jr. uniform with a 2-bar helmet right in the middle of the field. It was a Mile High experience to remember.

[@lesschoenberger3070]

This is great, great memories I'm sure!

[@russbeard3665]

I was at every one of these home games and I definitely remember the 1st OT 35-35 tie against Steelers... what memories!

[@lesschoenberger3070]

Big Riley Odoms sure liked to spike that ball!

[@howardcosell2022]

He was emphatic with his spikes before anyone else in the league caught on

[@robertsprouse9282]

I was a U. Of Houston ticketholder, saw ODOMS(NFL FUTURE) play in the ASTRODOME when I was a pre-adolescent. I also saw DICKIE POST(AFL-NFL later), ROYCE BERRY(NFL), ELMO WRIGHT(NFL), WILSON WHITLEY(NFL), WADE PHILLIPS(NFL HEAD COACH/ AND ASSIST.), LARRY GATLIN(COINTRY MUSIC STAR), ART BRILES(NCAA HEAD COACH.. AND FOLLOWED BY CONTROVERSY), TOM BEER(AFL/NFL), KEN HEBERT(NFL) AND GARY "MOON" MULLINS...oh and WARREN McVEA(AFL/NFL). It was quite a time in the Astrodome..

[@myimorata7678]

Floyd Little and Otis Armstrong on the same team. Not bad.

[@lesschoenberger3070]

Yes, but Floyd was running out of gas and retired the next season.

[@howardcosell2022]

Otis and Floyd both left everything on the field. They held nothing back

[@keelerhastings7109]

When we were kids in K-Town playing football in Franklin Park , we played with no equipment, when Otis got the ball he ran so hard , you could see the dust trail he made , don't think about tackling him alone, once I got caught between Otis Armstrong and Harvey Blanks, I quit the game !

[@robertsprouse9282]

What is K-TOWN? He is from CHITOWN.

[@keelerhastings7109]

@@robertsprouse9282 K-Town is on the west side of Chitown , K- Town was the bottom of the bottom, these days it's almost deserted,

[@robertsprouse9282]

@@keelerhastings7109, what does the K stand for?

[@keelerhastings7109]

@@robertsprouse9282 all the street names begin with the Letter K, Kominsky, Kedvale , Karlov, keeler, Kolin, Kildare, Koster, Kenneth, Kolemar, Kilpatrick,

[@hardcorehouse]

RIP Otis Armstrong; forgotten by most outside D but top back good moves. Beat OJ for the rushing title in 74 I remember it well

[@howardcosell2022]

The only season where OJ didn't win the rushing title during his incredible 5 year run

[@hardcorehouse]

Otis also top back just didnt get the ball nearly as much nor did he have the electric co blocking for him. I met OJ summer 78 at studio 54 in New York City; nice guy took the time to speak with me when he didn't have to. Bigger than most half backs at 6'2" with wide shoulders and sprinter speed; arguably the best half back to ever play along w Walter

[@howardcosell2022]

@@hardcorehouse Otis ran violently and his running style was reminiscent of Walter. But his physical running style cut his career short. As for Simpson, despite what he later became known for, nobody was a better RB in his prime then OJ

[@hardcorehouse]

he didnt run violently he had great moves coupled w speed and balance, like the great greg pruit and oj not like walter. the biggest factor for any running back including OJ by the way, is getting enough carries. That only improved with OJ when his coach changed. He didnt didn't have a coach devoted to running the ball the way OJ did. Instead, he spent a lot of time blocking for f little and then he was injured sometimes

[@howardcosell2022]

@@hardcorehouse Otis was a FB when he entered the league. Even though he ran like a bigger man, he weighed under 200lbs. and was listed as a FB. He may have had the moves like a HB, but in the end, the punishment he endured cost him his longevity

[@mikevanriel7573]

One year after Facenda narrated a Broncos team highlight film, they went back to Bob Martin.

[@robertsprouse9282]

Unfortunately..yes.

[@colinaitken5090]

Cool uniforms

[@lesschoenberger3070]

1:33 notice how Alzado runs right past Ralston, doesn't want to even talk to him. I know Alzado was bitter because according to him Ralston ended Tombstone Jackson's career by making him practice on an injured knee in 1972, Ralston "wanted to see what everyone had" so according to Alzado he forced him to play even though his knee was hurt. Plus Lyle was one of the "Dirty Dozen", the players who helped railroad Ralston out of town so there was no love lost between those two!

[@denverbroncosarchive2263]

You’re correct. Such a shame Jackson’s career ended early. I wish Alzado and Jackson played together longer!😭😢

[@paulmicheldenverco1]

If Armstrong had been given the carries like other feature backs did in the NFL, he would have at least up there with Little and Davis, infact as you will learn if you have not already Armstrong led the NFL in rushing yards in 1974 and despite being injured the next year, he rand for over a thousand yards in '76. I think it's reasonable to figure he was as better back than Lytle in 1977 and should have gotten the lion's share of the carries. Lytle was good, but he should have been more of a change of pace back. If Floyd Little had been able to play two more seasons, would he have made a positive impact on the AFC Championship team?

[@triplennnoflaf]

Worst thing that happened to #24 Armstrong was after the 1976 season when Ralston did not resign for 3-5 more years. Broncos were so stupid to let him John go. 95% of the Bronco players loved Ralston. Then they hired a horrible coach in Red Miller who ruined Otis's career by drafting a horrific back in Rob Lytle with a first-round pick. Then they let Mike Current go in the expansion draft to the Buccaneer's. Bronco's offensive line got weak in a hurry, plus the injury to Marv Mongomery #74. When the Broncos went to the Superbowl in 1977 that was really Ralston's team, but Red Miller gets the credit. That should be wrong. Ralston should get ALL the Credit for that 1977 team. It would have helped if Charley Johnson was 3 years younger at the time to stay healthy for a full season. Red Miller never gave Armstrong the ball after he arrived in Denver. One thing I think happened was Armstrong was very affected psychologically when Darrly Stingley was injured against the Raiders and Jack Tatum in 1978. Stingley and Armstrong were good friends and teammates at Purdue in college in 1972. #24 R.I.P. Otis ''Legstrong'' Armstrong !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paulmicheldenverco1]

@@triplennnoflaf The Broncos treated Ralston like crap and after having the best record ever the players revolted, including including Alzado who hated Ralston with a white hot intensity that knew no reason. Even at twelve, I knew dumping Ralston a mistake and hiring an OL coach was a worse move. If they were shopping for a new coach they should have looked to St. Louis as the Broncos of 1977 were loaded for Air Coryell with Morton's arm and speed burners Jack Dolbin, Rick Upchurch and Haven Moses. Also there was 4x PB and 2x AP TE Riley Odoms. In the end Ralston should have been on the ring of fame because he laid the foundation for later success. It's too late now for him.