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Published on 05/02/2009 at Sat May 02 09:50.
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Moreno to wear #27 out of Respect

Posted Sat May 2nd by

There was speculation as to what number Knowshon Moreno would wear for the Broncos being that his number 24 at Georgia is held by fellow Bulldog Champ Bailey.  That has been all put to rest as Moreno will be the first Bronco to don Darrent William’s #27 since his tragic death back on the first day of 2007.  The number had been held from use out of repect to Williams and the events of his tragic death.

Moreno has already shown a great amount of character in going about the request.  Rather than lobby the Broncos, Knowshon placed a call to the Williams family to see if they would allow him to bring the number out of hiatus.  Darrent’s mother Rosalind, after speaking with Moreno and coming to an agreement that the new Bronco halfback would spend time at the Darrent Williams teen center said she was more than happy to allow the rookie to take her fallen son’s number. Moreno has already started wearing the 27 during the Broncos latest mini camp.

A classy way for the guy to start his career here in Denver, it’s already helped endear himself to many of the fans.  I like the gesture and hopefully this brings the right kind of attitude to the locker room and team moving forward.

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  • Kimber1911

    While I was upset initially at the drafting of Moreno, the more interviews I see, and the more I read about the man, the more I am impressed with his character and work ethic. He’s quietly confident and enormously talented, which is the best thing a player can be.

    I’m ecstatic that he is a Bronco.

  • Anthony

    CLASS ACT

  • http://www.IRABBroadcasting.com Poppa G

    I have close friends who are die hard Bronco fans… They hated Denver drafting Knowshon Moreno… I told them…He is a special kid and to be proud of that draft… This right here shows just how special he is… Great move Knowshon…

  • kerry

    thats great. total respect and maturity when asking such a request. much respect to Moreno. i thought 27 would be retired eventually in Williams name, if not in Williams name then Atwater. but thats gonna be cool to see 27 on the field again.

    lets just hope the Rookie Brandstater doesnt ask for number 7. he might suddenly disappear from Dove Valley forever. lol

  • Matt

    I know what jersey I’m going to be buying this season.

    Cheers to Moreno.

  • http://broncotalk.net RVG10

    Very classy! I believe Brandstater took #3. Surely better than #17, I can’t stand that number anymore (Thanks, Philip Rivers!)

  • broncoNM

    What a gesture! Great character… Oh yeah he was also the best RB in the draft…Not a bad start for McD’s newest offensive toy.

    matt-
    Agreed… i was going to hold off jersey shopping for awhile since being burned on my Cutler investment…But its too tempting not to get a #27 moreno jersey.

  • http://cdn0.sbnation.com/profile_images/111140/La_La_Mascot.jpg WhidbeyBronco

    Yep #27’s the way to go!
    Class act for a team that needs a good story we can all get on board with. For Atwater & DW!

  • OC Bronco

    I’m likin’ what’s happening at Dove Valley…..

    Knowshon has impressed from the first minute.

  • georgia

    Glad to see everyone getting behind him. This is just a glimpse of his character. Genuine, humble guy. I’ll be cheering for Knowshon and the Broncos next year!

  • jdkchem

    “I believe Brandstater took #3. Surely better than #17, I can’t stand that number anymore (Thanks, Philip Rivers!)”

    17 would have been an excellent choice – Steve DeBerg also from San Jose State.

  • robtink242

    yeah i’m not feeling #3 he should try #12

  • BroncoinVA9986

    classy……

  • SGT James Fleming

    Being raise in Georgia and a die heart Bulldog fan. Its a dream to be station here at Fort Carson, CO and to watch my favorite player moving to our team. I was sad when he left Georgia only as a sophmore. K Moreno will be better than Terrell Davis give him a year or two and he will be in the Pro Bowl. Chicago at Denver 3rd week of preseason can’t wait.

  • Bobby

    What a class act.. can’t wait to see him play

  • http://broncotalk.net Ian Henson

    Good story Josh, Moreno’s not going to surprise anyone this season. In a good way though, a Denver Broncos first round running back? That pick sent a collective, “Oh $#%!,” throughout the AFC West.

  • http://fft.com T-Money

    What would make this even better… On our Home opener when his name is called… Run out with a huge Darrent Williams flag. Subliminal messaging at it’s finest.

  • Pete

    I’m really excited about the maturity and respect that Moreno has displayed. And I’m glad he is showing the proper respect for the situation that was presented.
    HOWEVER
    I can’t imagine why people would speculate that #27 would be retired. I know that Darrent Williams was respected on the team, but honestly, he got torched game after game. He was an average at best CB in the NFL. Yes, it is tragic how he was slain, and I feel for his family and friends and teammates, but shouldn’t we retire a number for a players acumen on the football field, not because they died? Kinda like the Hall of Fame, you judge based on “on the field performance”, nothing else.
    I’m not looking to start a fight here, and I hope people recognize that.

  • Tom9798

    Just got back into Cripple Creek . . . .

    I’ll be the first to say I wasn’t happy with this pick at #12 because I thought K.M. would be there at #18 . . . . I really wanted Orakpo at #12 . . . and I probably went off too much about it . . . sorry . . . and I don’t want to hear any of this man-fetish crap . . . he is an asset to the Redskins and is going to run opposing Q.B’s ass’s into the ground . . .

    But in this case I will blame the hysteria of Draft day . . . . and the seven Fat Tire’s and the pint of Hornitos . . . so I got carried away . . . but probably none of you other sober/straight folks had anything to drink/smoke on draft day . . . like at noon . . . .

    After reading other blogs . . . watching some video . . . I am now convinced that K.M. was not only the best pick . . . but he would not have been there at #18 . . . the S.D. Chargers would have taken him . . . and it would have cost us dearly in the future . . .

    So hat’s off to McD for making the unpopular choice . . . as if he give’s a crap what you and I think . . . .

    K.M. showed a lot of class calling the William’s family for permission to wear #27 . . . this was huge . . . and will show with great pride! . . . .

    For all of you Bronco fan’s that have a #27 jersey with someone else’s name on the back . . . maybe Williams . . . or Steve Watson . . . . wear them with that same pride! . . . . T

  • Pete

    You mean Steve Atwater, a top 5 favorite player of mine =)

  • Tom9798

    Pete . . . Thanks . . . I meant Steve Atwater . . . T

  • Tom9798

    Pete and all . . . I meant Steve Atwater . . . and this is the second time I’ve blown his number . . . and I’ve been corrected both times fortunately . . . T

  • http://cdn0.sbnation.com/profile_images/111140/La_La_Mascot.jpg WhidbeyBronco

    Tom, I love moreno, I’d still have taken orakpo without blinking! But since we have him… I love the idea of another georgia bulldog running wild in big D
    Oh wow do I love it!!
    Still hasn’t anyone in the front office learned about the latest trend in drafting or should i say NOT drafting RB’s early…
    !!

    Wasn’t it that team way up in the Rockies that taught the world that lesson?

  • robtink242

    Pete
    Hey i rather see DWill play CB than Dre Bly. He was a kid and the time he spent with us he showed plenty of upside. He was a BALL HAWK. He brought life to our secondary, Al Wilson brought life to the front 7. and are defense was never the same.

  • Tom9798

    Whidbey and all . . . .

    I’m very excited about the season before us . . . . I had written blogs months before that said we would win the AFC West, Conference and Super Bowl . . . .

    I still feel the same way! . . . I know we have a tough schedule . . . . but this is not going to be the same team others have faced in the past . . . you know it and I know it . . . .

    Very possibly there could be shocking upset after another . . . . by our tenth game . . . the Bronco’s will be back among the AFC elite . . . where they belong . . .

    And still for us . . . . we will be under-dogs to who-ever we have to play . . . . we were that way against the defending SuperBowl Champion Green Bay Packers in 1998 after the 97’ season . . .

    Can you still remember the way you felt when we won that SuperBowl? . . . yeah . . . I screamed and yelled and cried . . . and I still do to this day . . . .

    Been too long not to be at the top . . . . T

  • Pete

    I grade D-Will and Dre about the same, except that D-Will had more fire about him, which we all liked. I think it’s the “Elway syndrome” in that nobody remembers Elway throwing picks or fumbling the ball, they only remember his TD’s and his Victories.
    Either way, I’m glad Moreno respects the sensitive situation surrounding him, and that’s maturity that a lot of people wouldn’t show, especially not rookies who are usually arrogant beyond belief. It is a great sign of maturity and poise.
    Again, hope nobody takes that wrong, I was a big fan of his and hoped that he got better, and who knows, maybe he would have, but he was taken from us too soon.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com herc rock

    Does Darrent Williams mom think she controls who wears the number?

  • http://cdn0.sbnation.com/profile_images/111140/La_La_Mascot.jpg WhidbeyBronco

    Funny Herc… your inappropriate comment came in 27th!!

    …makes the Twilight Zone sound, get a chill.

    Sleep well.

  • http://fft.com T-Money

    That’s just mess up. I also saw that Ayers is wearing 56 (al wilson).

  • http://fft.com T-Money

    Tom~

    Loving the optimism. Seems like you and I are the only ones that think this team is going to be good this year.

  • Tom9798

    Pete . . . . I don’t believe in any “Elway syndrome” . . . . I believe that all Bronco fan’s remember Elway’s career balanced with a heavy dose of humility . . .

    In Elway’s first game . . . he went one for six with an interception and was benched at halftime . . . brought the team to three superbowls and lost all three by scores that got worse with each one . . . 39-20, 42-10 and the most humiliating was the 55-10 pasting by the 49’ers where he threw for 108 yds. . . . two interceptions . . . and a QB rating of 19.4 . . . . although he is the only QB to start five Superbowls . . . he also threw at least one interception in all five . . . .

    So when we defeated the heavily favored defending Superbowl Champion Green Bay Packers . . . and Pat Bowlen hoisted the trophy and said, “This One’s for John,” . . . . there wasn’t one dry eye in Colorado . . . because this guy refused to give up . . . and time after time . . . in the face of adversity and humiliation . . . brought his team to the dance five times . . . maybe with not the results we had hoped for . . . but when it came to grit and determination . . . there was none better or more feared and respected . . . .

    Just ask any football fan in Cleveland about John Elway . . . .

    T-Money . . . . The cup is always half full . . . . T

  • http://myspace.com/paraleipsis jchase8410

    Tom

    I remember that Super Bowl well…I was in attendance that night, and got to witness Elway’s helicopter right in front of me. Let me tell you, it was an experience I will never forget

  • Tom9798

    jchase . . . wish I could have been there . . . but it was an experience that no Bronco fan will ever forget . . . . T

  • Pete

    Agreed, and trust me, I lived through the bad super bowls and then the wins. I did shed a tear when we won the super bowl. All I was trying to point out is that Williams was no better than Bly, yet Bly get’s run out of town, and everyone acts like Williams was another Champ Bailey, which I’m sorry he lost his life, but I hated watching Williams on the field. He constantly gave up play after play after play (ala Dre Bly). That’s why I mentioned the Elway Syndrome, which Elway himself admitted that lots of fans have, or do I need to find that interview clip?
    Williams dying was tragic and sad, but I honestly believe that had he lived, he’d eventually have been cut or traded, cause he just wasn’t any good as a cornerback in the NFL. Sorry I sound like an asshole, but it’s the truth.

  • Stav

    Favorite Denver SB memory? Easy Ed CRUSHING Green Bay LB Brian Williams to spring Howard Griffith and standing over him AND POINTING AT HIM. I must have watched that SB 15x already, and watched that block atleast 100x, I can never get over how he literally destroyed Williams.

    One bit of news, sorry if this was already posted but PFW is implying that Torrain is going to be cut. Not anything concrete but looks like it:

    http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2009/wrapup050309.htm

    Real quick on Moreno, #27, draft:

    I was against Moreno up until they drafted him, actually against an offensive player in the 1st round. But he was the best and his play will help both offense and defense. I think we’re looking at 1,200yds rushing, 400+yds receiving, 12 total TDs. ROY I worthy? Yes. Helps the defense, and Orton, yes.

    #27. I’m excited to see that number on the field again, especially with a bruising versatile RB. But also impressed with this guy’s conservative confidence. You know he’s excited with where he’s at but takes it all in with humility. I think this guy is going to end up scaring some people and looks like the type who just puts up numbers and let’s his performance do his talking.

    Final word on the draft. In the grand scheme of things, there are so many holes on this team that management attempted to address as many as possible. Before Moreno, no one can say they were excited about our backs, now we can all say that. Keep in mind that we signed a few FA’s for the line, then add in Ayers, and the UDFA’s (one or two potential steals), and we added some young DB’s for our AGING secondary and made an attempt to solidify our special teams (really, we can’t have Champ out there anymore making tackles on kickoffs, too much of a risk for injury). I see this as a two year plan and while I hate to discuss a future season, the 2010 draft looks to be the one where we draft focused on TWO POSITIONS, the way we expected them to as far as heavy defense, LBs and the DLine. You can’t realistically revamp/retool in one season. This team is changing its defensive scheme so we can’t just dump and draft replacements, they have to see who if any of the current players fit the system successfully. What happens if we keep Moss and he actually fits the 3-4 perfectly as an OLB and Elvis is actually a bad fit? What if Chris Baker is actually solid at NT or Andre Goodman shows his age at safety? We just don’t know so no one can expect the Broncos to go into the draft thinking we need to replace everyone we have on the line when they don’t know who will work the best with the new scheme. Its about patience and seeing which parts fit at first, not throw out all the parts and get new ones.

    None of us can listen to the national talking heads aka reporters whose job it is to cover multiple teams and not focus on one teams development. Those guys have skewed/narrow depth in what the Broncos are doing, I got no problem saying that I know more about the Broncos then John Clayton or Chris Mortenson, I’m on these boards, the DB home page, Denver Post (yeah, i said it), and MHR everyday. I think as devoted fans we have our finger on the pulse of what our team is doing so we don;t need to listen the crap that these guys spew since they are not even fully educated on the Broncos. The sniping on McD’s board and his comments? Why the hell should they care what other teams had on their boards or for their player evaluations?

    Sorry for the filibuster but I’m tired of hearing criticism from limited outside sources who don’t understand that in taking over the Broncos McD has to re-shape the team in his vision, change the culture, and the drafting/scheme philosophies of the past. This is a two year project in my opinion.

  • kerry

    Tom, quick question. based on everything this offseason, what makes you think that this team will be “Elite” this year?? because there is nothing to suggest that this team will win anything at all this year. i mean seriously if you are basing this year on what we did in 1997 against Green Bay, then you need to take a long hard look at this team. because we have nothing compared to the SB years. Orton is no Elway, Clady is no Zimmerman. Moreno is no TD. this team is far from contending this year. maybe next year this team can become a contender, this year is a total rebuilding year. 1997 was a long time ago and means nothing now. completely different team and era. optimism is one thing, unrealistic optimism is another.

  • DC

    kerry relax buddy. You can speculate all you want but none of use really knows if we are going to be an elite team or not. Stop hating plz its bad for your health. Check this out.
    http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d81016584/The-Carucci-report

  • Pete

    Kerry,
    I’m not Tom, but I see this season having 3 possible scenarios.
    #1 We go 4-12 which I think is most likely. There is a new Coach, new Defense, New Offense, New EVERYTHING. We have a ton of Rookies, AND we play in my opinion a top 3 hardest schedule. Even if we had Shanahan and Cutler, I still see us going 4-12 based on schedule alone.
    #2 We go 7-9/8-8 This would require us beating teams we really have no business beating, and/or sweeping teams we have the talent to beat (OAK/KC) as well as winning against CLE/CIN and possibly N.E. or SD. I don’t see that happening because we never sweep anyone anymore, and lately, the Chargers have had our number ,and former coaches never fair well going against N.E.
    #3 We surprise the world and go “from worst to first”. We see it every year, and even though last year we weren’t “worst”, this year we are SUPPOSE to be a laughing stock, so that qualifies. Maybe McDaniels puts it all together and lives up to the hype of his offensive mastery. Maybe Nolan turns our D into the Ravens D when he was in Baltimore. There is so many unknowns to this team that we could just as easily put a highly competitive team on the field, as there is a chance that we lay a turd week after week. This is my least likely scenario, but the one I can only wish upon wish happens.

    So there you have if folks, 3 perfectly viable scenarios that could happen, ranked in order from most likely to least likely.

  • Tom9798

    Kerry . . . . good question . . .

    It’s a gut feeling that I think more and more people are starting to feel . . .

    The last three years we wallowed in mediocrity . . . kind of the way the Bronco’s were in 93,94, and 95 . . . and I’m not feeling that mediocrity anymore . . .

    It’s a mindset thing that starts with the personnel . . . and the coaches . . . .

    Getting Hill and Goodman from the Dolphins was huge . . . they were instrumental in turning the crappy Dolphins into the AFC East Champion . . . and they will be sorely missed in Miami . . . it’s the mindset that they bring here . . .

    Same goes for Dawkins . . . incredible mindset that we stole from Philly . . . instrumental in five trips to the NFC Championship . . .

    I feel our mediocre special teams are going to be a lot better this year . . . and we already have incredible weapons on our Offense . . . .

    Getting Moreno . . . another Georgia running back reminds me of the way I felt when we got Terrell Davis from Georgia in 95’ . . . I have the feeling that him and Hillis are going to have great success . . . much the way that Davis and Howard Griffith had . . .

    I know the Defensive line and Linebackers are the intangible . . . but somehow I feel that getting Reid from the Colts and Fields from the 49’ers is going to play out well . . . and I feel there is probably a diamond or two in the rough from the UDFA’s . . . .
    And I think we already have the linebackers to get the job done . . .

    It’s all a matter of putting constant pressure on the opposing QB . . . we can’t let Brady, Rivers, Manning, Big Ben . . . et all . . . have any time to find a target . . . that is why I wanted Orakpo in the worst way . . . but I now feel that Moreno would not have been there at #18 . . . the Chargers would have taken him . . . and we would have paid for it in the future . . .

    I think we are going to have a great year and surprise a whole lot of people . . . . T

  • Tom9798

    Pete . . . I go with door number 3 . . . . T

  • Kawike

    On a completely unrelated note: what are you guys’ thoughts about DE Rulon Davis. He’s a 25 year old udfa out of cal who served as a marine in iraq. He has a great build, can stuff the run, and gets his hands up to block the ball. Obviously, being a marine, he’s going to be disciplined and responsible. So what do you think? Will he make the team, and if so, as a backup/special teams or push his way in for a starting job?
    Here’s a highlight video:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00CFaTZhL5M

  • broncoNM

    Stav-
    We share the same favorite SB memory. I too have watched that block by Easy Ed a hundred times…the point at the end is timeless.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iRfE3uL-lc

    Pete-
    my prediction is 9-7 so i guess i fall into category #2

  • http://fft.com T-Money

    There is to much in still up in the air to give predictions. Every year is a different Denver Broncos team. Every year we predict WAY to early and every year we are either disappointed or surprised. The schedule means nothing. Every team changes. Nobody saw Miami coming and there are always injuries like the Tom Brady and the Shaun Marramin(spelling) injuries. Don’t look into it to much just yet.

  • kerry

    DC:

    i speak reality about the Broncos and im hating? yeah whatever you say man. sorry i dont live in the blind fantasy land of the Broncos. i call it like i see it. and right now this team looks good, ON PAPER. and actually they dont look real good there either. and i checked your little video clip out, and for some reason it doesnt convince me at all because the games have to played. yeah COLLEGE highlights look great and all, but none of the players have touched a field in NFL game conditions. so ill hold my reservations until i see them play and not go by what Vic Carucci says.

    Pete:

    ive got a scenario too. we go 6-10, McDaniels pulls a Shanny and blames everybody else for the bad season because McDaniels thinks this isnt a rebuilding year. then some guys get fired and the process repeats itself. i heard the same song and dance last year about how great this team was gonna be. even Shanny guarenteed the playoffs. well sorry but i dont do the offseason optimism anymore. once i see the team play a regular season game, THEN ill go by what i see. right now i see nothing. one good thing though. at least the roster purge is happening and getting rid of the Shanny bums. thats a plus for sure.

  • DC

    Kerry, reality? who’s reality? yours? How can you say reality when nothings happened yet. Until we start losing I will still believe. I have no other choice. Win, Lose, or Tie Bronco till I die.

  • DC

    If it makes you feel any better at least we not Oakland. I had a hard time with Jay leaving and still do but I’m excited for the new regime. The only thing is I don’t ever seeing us be elite until we have a franchise QB. But you never know. Orton didn’t have the tools he has here. I think our Rookie Class looks good. Timesachangin’ . Go Broncos!!!

  • flbronc

    whatch think about going after foote? do we have enough cap space to bring him in?

  • Pete

    I can’t see us going after Foote. He’ll be way too expensive, plus we have DJ and I think Davis in the middle. Foote would be an upgrade, but I think he’ll be too much.

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    Has poor Dre Bly been signed by anyone? : (

    I mean I’m pretty sure someone in the NFL could use him?

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    (dee)

    Well, there has been contract talks. I have been talking to his agent and telling him that I will give hima 3 year, 300 dollar contract to mowe my lawn once a week. And I even offered him a fifty dollar signing bonus. He claims it’s one hell of a deal, and I’m supposed to be getting a phone call from his agent soon here on his decision…..

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