Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

By far the worst season of the John Elway era at 5-11 (Their only other losing season under #7 was a 7-9 campaign in 1994)

Denver had a similar SB hangover season in 1988, but while their 88 team had a knack for being blown out (particularly at Indy/New Orleans/Seattle) this version was snakebitten (8 losses by 8 points or less as well as a handful of losses they led at halftime)

Heck they weren’t even turnover prone (+7) and most 5-11 teams have more giveaways than takeaways

And yet with essentially the same roster in 1991 minus Gaston Green, these Broncos got within a couple of missed FG’s at Buffalo from another SB appearance

So what happened?

I think the #1 culprit on paper is the defense. In 1989, they were first in points allowed and third in yards allowed. They also had 46 sacks and 21 INT's. In 1990, they dropped to 23rd in points allowed and 20th in yards allowed. They also decreased in sacks (46 to 33) and INT's (21 to 10).

Tyrone Braxton (six INT's in 1989) missed most of the year due to injury. Also, they had less production from two re-treads they got on the defensive line from the NFC Norris. In 1989, Ron Holmes and Alphonso Carreker had 9 and 5.5 sacks, respectively. In 90, Carreker missed the whole year, and Holmes' production decreased to 3 sacks.

After that, it could have been a good old fashioned SB hangover. Remember, they got waxed the year before in New Orleans, and it was the third loss in four years in the big game. It had to have messed them up big time going into 1990.

Also, Reeves had been there ten years. Was his message getting stale? Or, were they sick of him? He could be too overbearing from what I have heard. I believe that the end of the 1990 season would have been a good time to move on from Reeves. They could have promoted Shanahan, or they could have went after someone like Mike Holmgren.

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:00 am

Tyrone Braxton (six INT's in 1989) missed most of the year due to injury. Also, they had less production from two re-treads they got on the defensive line from the NFC Norris. In 1989, Ron Holmes and Alphonso Carreker had 9 and 5.5 sacks, respectively. In 90, Carreker missed the whole year, and Holmes' production decreased to 3 sacks.

Also had a hole at inside linebacker, most of year Mecklenberg was moved to OLber in base, late in year moved back to SILB. And the guys other than Meck, Brooks and Fletcher ... were not all that good for one thing and were not healthy for another.


As you mentioned CB an issue... Robbins more of a safety tried to replace Baxton.

JohnTurney wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 1:18 pm

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:00 am

Tyrone Braxton (six INT's in 1989) missed most of the year due to injury. Also, they had less production from two re-treads they got on the defensive line from the NFC Norris. In 1989, Ron Holmes and Alphonso Carreker had 9 and 5.5 sacks, respectively. In 90, Carreker missed the whole year, and Holmes' production decreased to 3 sacks.

Also had a hole at inside linebacker, most of year Mecklenberg was moved to OLber in base, late in year moved back to SILB. And the guys other than Meck, Brooks and Fletcher ... were not all that good for one thing and were not healthy for another.


As you mentioned CB an issue... Robbins more of a safety tried to replace Baxton.

Was Dennis Smith any good? Also, Steve Atwater was there by that point.

Also had a hole at inside linebacker, most of year Mecklenberg was moved to OLber in base, late in year moved back to SILB. And the guys other than Meck, Brooks and Fletcher ... were not all that good for one thing and were not healthy for another.

They drafted Texas A&M's Jeroy Robinson in Round 4. In pre-season publications, he was expected to start at ILB, but he was in Phoenix by the end of the year. Then, after getting cut in training camp in 1991 (with SF) and 92 (with HOU), his career was over.

He wasn't the only defensive disappointment of that draft for Denver. They took DB Alton Montgomery in Round 2. I think they expected him to play CB, but he was more of a safety. He never really found a place in three years, and was traded to the Falcons in 1993. After three years there (only starting one game), he was out of the NFL.

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 1:36 pm Was Dennis Smith any good? Also, Steve Atwater was there by that point.

I think he was very good. They were a good tandem One of the best pair of safeties ...

JohnTurney wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 5:58 pm

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 1:36 pm Was Dennis Smith any good? Also, Steve Atwater was there by that point.

I think he was very good. They were a good tandem One of the best pair of safeties ...

Even before Atwater had been drafted, DS49 was already a 2x Pro Bowler and 2x All Pro

I thought Dennis Smith was better than Atwater ...

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 1:56 pm
They drafted Texas A&M's Jeroy Robinson in Round 4. In pre-season publications, he was expected to start at ILB, but he was in Phoenix by the end of the year. Then, after getting cut in training camp in 1991 (with SF) and 92 (with HOU), his career was over.

He wasn't the only defensive disappointment of that draft for Denver. They took DB Alton Montgomery in Round 2. I think they expected him to play CB, but he was more of a safety. He never really found a place in three years, and was traded to the Falcons in 1993. After three years there (only starting one game), he was out of the NFL.

Interesting ... good background info

also, Gerald Perry's criminal investigation couldn't have helped. He was a far better player than a lot of people give credit for but not a good guy ...

1989, 1992 and 1993 -- Pro Bowl level of play, but other years in trouble, hurt, head not in game.

Interesting ... good background info

also, Gerald Perry's criminal investigation couldn't have helped. He was a far better player than a lot of people give credit for but not a good guy ...

1989, 1992 and 1993 -- Pro Bowl level of play, but other years in trouble, hurt, head not in game.

Perry only played in eight games in 1990 (I imagine Darrell Hamilton started the others) before being traded the next year to the Rams for Gaston Green.

He also seemed to have an effect on Orson Mobley. I think he was talented, but never lived up to his potential. According to Pro Football Reference, his last year with Denver was 1990. I think he was in some other camps during the next couple years, but didn't make it.