Rod Smith vs Demaryius Thomas

[Peerless]

Wanted to change it up a bit and have a discussion on the two best receivers in franchise history.... (Well, I meant to say the BEST receiver in franchise history verses the SECOND best receiver ).


Rod Smith:

Went undrafted back in 1995 at the age of 25. Smaller measuring in at 6'0" 200lbs who was quick, but never blew anyone away.

Not one cell of him is a 'diva'. Instead he was a humble hardworker who looked everyday at his locker to make sure his name was over it, an indicator that he was still doing enough to be on the team.

Came from Missouri Southern - a no name college, but was a decent route runner.

Tallied up EIGHT 1,000 yard seasons, with TWO seasons of 100+ catches. He also led the league in 2001 with 113 receptions.

His best game (per Rod) was in Super Bowl 32 - where he didn't record a single catch or yard, but blocked his ass off for Super Bowl MVP Terrell Davis.

Played 13 seasons, while being productive late in his career (1000 yard seasons at age 34 and 35) until hip injuries really slowed him in his final season.

2× Super Bowl champion (XXXII, XXXIII) .

3× Pro Bowl (2000, 2001, 2005) .

2× Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2001) .

NFL receptions leader (2001) .

Denver Broncos Ring of Fame




Demaryius Thomas:

Drafted in the first rount in 2010 at the age of 23.

Freakishly big at 6'3" 220lbs with BURNER speed.

Grew up in a broken neighborhood and family. Stayed clean (unlike his mother), worked hard and became a humble man just like he is to this day.

Didn't really know how to run routes, as he came from Georgia Tech - where he ran about three of the same routes.

Currently has FIVE 1,000 yard sasons, with TWO seaons of 100+ catches. Has currently never lead the league in any receiving category.

His best game (not sure if claimed by him) was against AZ in 2014 with 8 catches 226yards and 2 TD's.

Currently playing in the NFL (now a free agent) is his ninth year. Production has slowed down around the age of 30-31.

Super Bowl champion (50)

5× Pro Bowl (2012–2016)

2× Second-team All-Pro (2013, 2014)





ROD SMITH

	Games	Receiving	Rushing	Total Yds			
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G	Ctch%	Rush	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	A/G	Touch	Y/Tch	YScm	RRTD	Fmb	AV
1995	25	DEN	wr	80	16	1	9	6	152	25.3	1	43	0.4	9.5	66.7%								6	25.3	152	1	0	1
1996	26	DEN	wr	80	10	1	28	16	237	14.8	2	49	1.6	23.7	57.1%	1	1	0	1	1.0	0.1	0.1	17	14.0	238	2	1	3
1997	27	DEN	WR	80	16	16	131	70	1180	16.9	12	78	4.4	73.8	53.4%	5	16	0	21	3.2	1.0	0.3	75	15.9	1196	12	3	15
1998	28	DEN	WR	80	16	16	139	86	1222	14.2	6	58	5.4	76.4	61.9%	6	63	0	37	10.5	3.9	0.4	92	14.0	1285	6	0	17
1999	29	DEN	WR	80	15	15	139	79	1020	12.9	4	71	5.3	68.0	56.8%								79	12.9	1020	4	1	9
2000*	30	DEN	wr	80	16	16	173	100	1602	16.0	8	49	6.3	100.1	57.8%	6	99	1	50	16.5	6.2	0.4	106	16.0	1701	9	1	17
2001*	31	DEN	WR	80	15	14	172	113	1343	11.9	11	65	7.5	89.5	65.7%	3	27	0	17	9.0	1.8	0.2	116	11.8	1370	11	1	15
2002	32	DEN	WR	80	16	16	147	89	1027	11.5	5	46	5.6	64.2	60.5%	6	9	0	9	1.5	0.6	0.4	95	10.9	1036	5	1	10
2003	33	DEN	WR	80	15	15	114	74	845	11.4	3	38	4.9	56.3	64.9%	10	98	0	26	9.8	6.5	0.7	84	11.2	943	3	0	11
2004	34	DEN	WR	80	16	16	136	79	1144	14.5	7	85	4.9	71.5	58.1%	5	33	0	14	6.6	2.1	0.3	84	14.0	1177	7	4	10
2005*	35	DEN	WR	80	16	16	126	85	1105	13.0	6	72	5.3	69.1	67.5%	1	7	0	7	7.0	0.4	0.1	86	12.9	1112	6	2	13
2006	36	DEN	WR	80	16	16	94	52	512	9.8	3	20	3.3	32.0	55.3%	1	-5	0	-5	-5.0	-0.3	0.1	53	9.6	507	3	2	5

Career				183	158	1408	849	11389	13.4	68	85	4.6	62.2		44	348	1	50	7.9	1.9	0.2	893	13.1	11737	69

DEMARYIUS THOMAS

	Games	Receiving	Rushing	Total Yds			
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G	Ctch%	Rush	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	A/G	Touch	Y/Tch	YScm	RRTD	Fmb	AV
2010	23	DEN	wr	88	10	2	39	22	283	12.9	2	31	2.2	28.3	56.4%	2	1	0	1	0.5	0.1	0.2	24	11.8	284	2	3	2
2011	24	DEN	wr	88	11	5	70	32	551	17.2	4	47	2.9	50.1	45.7%	1	5	0	5	5.0	0.5	0.1	33	16.8	556	4	0	4
2012*	25	DEN	WR	88	16	16	143	94	1434	15.3	10	71	5.9	89.6	65.7%								94	15.3	1434	10	3	13
2013*	26	DEN	WR	88	16	16	142	92	1430	15.5	14	78	5.8	89.4	64.8%								92	15.5	1430	14	2	14
2014*	27	DEN	WR	88	16	16	184	111	1619	14.6	11	86	6.9	101.2	60.3%								111	14.6	1619	11	0	16
2015	28	DEN	WR	88	16	16	177	105	1304	12.4	6	72	6.6	81.5	59.3%								105	12.4	1304	6	2	9
2016*	29	DEN	WR	88	16	16	144	90	1083	12.0	5	55	5.6	67.7	62.5%								90	12.0	1083	5	2	8
2017	30	DEN	WR	88	16	16	140	83	949	11.4	5	40	5.2	59.3	59.3%								83	11.4	949	5	1	7
2018	31	2TM			15	15	89	59	677	11.5	5	45	3.9	45.1	66.3%								59	11.5	677	5	0	5

Career				132	118	1128	688	9330	13.6	62	86	5.2	70.7		3	6	0	5	2.0	0.0	0.0	691	13.5	9336	62	1

So after looking at everything, who would you rather have if you had one game that they would be your #1 receiver?

Why do you think Rod aged so well compard to DT? Injuries? Bigger, faster, and stronger players in the newer age of football?

[DenverBlood]

I’m happy that we were fortunate enough to have both play for the Broncos for many years. Love them both.

[jflee66]

Looking back, I can only remember 1 dropped pass from RS. He probably had more, but I watched every game and can only remember 1. Broncos were lucky to have both.

[flosstein]

As with the comments above, both were great to watch and gave us some entertaining football to watch.

Instead of comparing, we should be celebrating them. Both were great Broncos in their respective eras.

Rod is a legend and all-time fan favorite. Still a major part of the organization with his mentoring of guys like DT!

DT has always been the consummate professional. On field and off. Big reason why he grew so close with PM. I would love to see him come back and continue the mentoring and motivating he was doing with the young guys.

[gerontion]

I would take Rod because he was great despite not having great physical tools. He was pure heart, fire, and work ethic. That being said both he and DT would be the starters on my all Broncos team.

[Freyaka]

Wanted to change it up a bit and have a discussion on the two best receivers in franchise history.... (Well, I meant to say the BEST receiver in franchise history verses the SECOND best receiver ).


Rod Smith:

Went undrafted back in 1995 at the age of 25. Smaller measuring in at 6'0" 200lbs who was quick, but never blew anyone away.

Not one cell of him is a 'diva'. Instead he was a humble hardworker who looked everyday at his locker to make sure his name was over it, an indicator that he was still doing enough to be on the team.

Came from Missouri Southern - a no name college, but was a decent route runner.

Tallied up EIGHT 1,000 yard seasons, with TWO seasons of 100+ catches. He also led the league in 2001 with 113 receptions.

His best game (per Rod) was in Super Bowl 32 - where he didn't record a single catch or yard, but blocked his ass off for Super Bowl MVP Terrell Davis.

Played 13 seasons, while being productive late in his career (1000 yard seasons at age 34 and 35) until hip injuries really slowed him in his final season.

2× Super Bowl champion (XXXII, XXXIII) .

3× Pro Bowl (2000, 2001, 2005) .

2× Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2001) .

NFL receptions leader (2001) .

Denver Broncos Ring of Fame




Demaryius Thomas:

Drafted in the first rount in 2010 at the age of 23.

Freakishly big at 6'3" 220lbs with BURNER speed.

Grew up in a broken neighborhood and family. Stayed clean (unlike his mother), worked hard and became a humble man just like he is to this day.

Didn't really know how to run routes, as he came from Georgia Tech - where he ran about three of the same routes.

Currently has FIVE 1,000 yard sasons, with TWO seaons of 100+ catches. Has currently never lead the league in any receiving category.

His best game (not sure if claimed by him) was against AZ in 2014 with 8 catches 226yards and 2 TD's.

Currently playing in the NFL (now a free agent) is his ninth year. Production has slowed down around the age of 30-31.

Super Bowl champion (50)

5× Pro Bowl (2012–2016)

2× Second-team All-Pro (2013, 2014)





ROD SMITH

	Games	Receiving	Rushing	Total Yds			
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G	Ctch%	Rush	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	A/G	Touch	Y/Tch	YScm	RRTD	Fmb	AV
1995	25	DEN	wr	80	16	1	9	6	152	25.3	1	43	0.4	9.5	66.7%								6	25.3	152	1	0	1
1996	26	DEN	wr	80	10	1	28	16	237	14.8	2	49	1.6	23.7	57.1%	1	1	0	1	1.0	0.1	0.1	17	14.0	238	2	1	3
1997	27	DEN	WR	80	16	16	131	70	1180	16.9	12	78	4.4	73.8	53.4%	5	16	0	21	3.2	1.0	0.3	75	15.9	1196	12	3	15
1998	28	DEN	WR	80	16	16	139	86	1222	14.2	6	58	5.4	76.4	61.9%	6	63	0	37	10.5	3.9	0.4	92	14.0	1285	6	0	17
1999	29	DEN	WR	80	15	15	139	79	1020	12.9	4	71	5.3	68.0	56.8%								79	12.9	1020	4	1	9
2000*	30	DEN	wr	80	16	16	173	100	1602	16.0	8	49	6.3	100.1	57.8%	6	99	1	50	16.5	6.2	0.4	106	16.0	1701	9	1	17
2001*	31	DEN	WR	80	15	14	172	113	1343	11.9	11	65	7.5	89.5	65.7%	3	27	0	17	9.0	1.8	0.2	116	11.8	1370	11	1	15
2002	32	DEN	WR	80	16	16	147	89	1027	11.5	5	46	5.6	64.2	60.5%	6	9	0	9	1.5	0.6	0.4	95	10.9	1036	5	1	10
2003	33	DEN	WR	80	15	15	114	74	845	11.4	3	38	4.9	56.3	64.9%	10	98	0	26	9.8	6.5	0.7	84	11.2	943	3	0	11
2004	34	DEN	WR	80	16	16	136	79	1144	14.5	7	85	4.9	71.5	58.1%	5	33	0	14	6.6	2.1	0.3	84	14.0	1177	7	4	10
2005*	35	DEN	WR	80	16	16	126	85	1105	13.0	6	72	5.3	69.1	67.5%	1	7	0	7	7.0	0.4	0.1	86	12.9	1112	6	2	13
2006	36	DEN	WR	80	16	16	94	52	512	9.8	3	20	3.3	32.0	55.3%	1	-5	0	-5	-5.0	-0.3	0.1	53	9.6	507	3	2	5

Career				183	158	1408	849	11389	13.4	68	85	4.6	62.2		44	348	1	50	7.9	1.9	0.2	893	13.1	11737	69

DEMARYIUS THOMAS

	Games	Receiving	Rushing	Total Yds			
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G	Ctch%	Rush	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	A/G	Touch	Y/Tch	YScm	RRTD	Fmb	AV
2010	23	DEN	wr	88	10	2	39	22	283	12.9	2	31	2.2	28.3	56.4%	2	1	0	1	0.5	0.1	0.2	24	11.8	284	2	3	2
2011	24	DEN	wr	88	11	5	70	32	551	17.2	4	47	2.9	50.1	45.7%	1	5	0	5	5.0	0.5	0.1	33	16.8	556	4	0	4
2012*	25	DEN	WR	88	16	16	143	94	1434	15.3	10	71	5.9	89.6	65.7%								94	15.3	1434	10	3	13
2013*	26	DEN	WR	88	16	16	142	92	1430	15.5	14	78	5.8	89.4	64.8%								92	15.5	1430	14	2	14
2014*	27	DEN	WR	88	16	16	184	111	1619	14.6	11	86	6.9	101.2	60.3%								111	14.6	1619	11	0	16
2015	28	DEN	WR	88	16	16	177	105	1304	12.4	6	72	6.6	81.5	59.3%								105	12.4	1304	6	2	9
2016*	29	DEN	WR	88	16	16	144	90	1083	12.0	5	55	5.6	67.7	62.5%								90	12.0	1083	5	2	8
2017	30	DEN	WR	88	16	16	140	83	949	11.4	5	40	5.2	59.3	59.3%								83	11.4	949	5	1	7
2018	31	2TM			15	15	89	59	677	11.5	5	45	3.9	45.1	66.3%								59	11.5	677	5	0	5

Career				132	118	1128	688	9330	13.6	62	86	5.2	70.7		3	6	0	5	2.0	0.0	0.0	691	13.5	9336	62	1

So after looking at everything, who would you rather have if you had one game that they would be your #1 receiver?

Why do you think Rod aged so well compard to DT? Injuries? Bigger, faster, and stronger players in the newer age of football?

I'd take DT in his prime vs Rod in his prime honestly. DT in his prime was flat out EXPLOSIVE. Rod was more consistent over time.

[Joshua2585]

I'd take Rod all day long... I like DT, but he doesn't compare to the passion and effort that Rod played with.

[skeeter01]

I don't ever remember face palming when watching Rod play....ever. I can think of at least three with DT. Rod is probably my very narrow 2nd favorite all time Bronco...very narrow 2nd. { I would want to win the ability to play 18 hole round of golf with him } Any way, I cannot dismiss that DT in is prime was a touch more explosive than Rod, so in a must win game, I would take DT, but for an entire season in their prime....due to all of the points made by everyone........I would take Rod HANDS DOWN !!!! Great question.

[BroncosDivision]

Rod Smith.

[DENVERSB50CHAMP]

Both......

[Zealander]

BMarsh is the most dominant WR I've ever seen in a Denver uniform...

[duhyaj]

Rod smith and it isn't even close, Thomas was fast strong and more athletic, lacked focus, was as soft as charmin toilet paper and got even worse as mommy got released from prison. Couldn't catch a cold if a leper sneezed on him for the past four years.

[Butler By'Note]

Looking back, I can only remember 1 dropped pass from RS. He probably had more, but I watched every game and can only remember 1. Broncos were lucky to have both.

I remember him dropping a lot of passes during the 97 season. Every time they threw to him in the playoffs I always held my breath because I was waiting for him to drop it.

But he did overcome that and I don't remember him dropping too many as his career went on.

[Spice 1]

DT is an all time Bronco, but Rod Smith is my pick.

[theshiverman]

Love DT , but id take Rod , the guy would show up and play every week, He was one heck of a WR, great hands, route runner, Great Run blocking WR, He was underated as a punt/KICK returner, he had a decent throwing arm and actually threw a few TDs and he was also the Broncos emergency QB. The play where Rod never gave up and runs down Carolina Rookie Julius Peppers and prevents him from scoring says every thing about what kind of player Rod Smith was, he just never gave up

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/11/s...on-return.html

BRONCOS 20, PANTHERS 17

Julius Peppers looked up and saw nothing but 104 yards of Mile High air between him and the end zone.

He only made it 101.

That pretty much defined yesterday for the Carolina Panthers, who came up just short, losing to the host Denver Broncos, 20-17.

Reuben Droughns ran for 193 yards for Denver (4-1). Jake Plummer made up for his fourth-and-goal interception to Peppers by throwing a 39-yard touchdown pass to Ashley Lelie for the winning points with 9 minutes 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

After Peppers, a 283-pound defensive end, picked off Plummer's pass 4 yards deep in his end zone with about seven minutes left in the third quarter, he took off down the sideline. He started running out of steam around the Denver 20 and cut inside.

Then he started looking backward and saw Broncos receiver Rod Smith chasing him down. Peppers stumbled, Smith pounced on him at the Denver 3, the ball rolled into the end zone and Smith recovered. Carolina (1-3) challenged the play and kept the ball when the referee, Larry Nemmers, ruled Peppers was down before he lost the ball. It was the longest interception return in N.F.L. history that was not a touchdown.