The best first seasons in Broncos history: No 3 – Louis Vasquez

For Russell Wilson to be among the top four first-season players in Broncos history, he likely has to meet a lofty standard: be a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler.

Our No. 4 choice, Alfred Williams, became the initial first-year Bronco to earn those honors in 1996. The most recent is guard Louis Vasquez, who went where no Bronco guard had gone before: to All-Pro status.

The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder made an impression in every way.

“He’s probably the biggest human I’ve ever seen in my life and eats the most I’ve ever seen of anybody in my life,” guard Zane Beadles said in January 2014.

But Beadles was quick to add, “He’s a phenomenal player.”

How phenomenal? Well, he didn’t allow a sack in 19 games, including the postseason. He played 868 pass-protection snaps, per the data compiled by Pro Football Focus, and allowed just two hits of quarterback Peyton Manning and 17 total pressures. Only one other guard with at least 900 total snaps in 2013 didn’t allow a sack.

Permitting just one pressure every 51.1 pass-protection snaps was just part of Vasquez’s story in 2013. He was also a devastating run blocker, providing power at right guard working between center Manny Ramirez and right tackle Orlando Franklin.

“Just having great players around me helps,” Vasquez said in 2014.

In 2013, Denver’s pass-protection unit allowed the fewest sacks and the lowest sack rate in football. It was a significant reason why Peyton Manning walked away from the season with the NFL MVP and a bushel of single-season records.

Vasquez was one of the success stories of the Broncos’ free-agent strategy at the time: Don’t go after the No. 1 player on the market — and look a notch below.

In 2013, that netted Vasquez; a year later, it yielded safety T.J. Ward. Both became Pro Bowl selections.

During the 2013 free-agent window, Buffalo’s Andy Levitre was widely regarded as the top available guard. The contract the Tennessee Titans gave him reflected that: six years, $46.8 million with $16 million guaranteed.

Vasquez was the No. 2 option; Denver gave him a four-year deal with $13.5 million guaranteed. He would earn $18 million of the original $23-million reported figure.

It was big money for a guard. But it proved to be a wise investment.

For Vasquez, leaving the Chargers and joining Denver was a “business decision.”

“When I hit free agency, I had a chance to talk to the older guys (Nick) Hardwick, (Kris) Dielman, Philip Rivers,” Vasquez said nearly a year after signing with the Broncos. “They had some kind of experience in the free agency, but they gave me as much as they could. Dielman had the most to give me because he was in a similar situation. He stayed, but he told me it was a business decision. From the numerous teammates I asked at the time, they said, ‘Do what’s best for you.'”

Vasquez’s decision proved profitable from both a financial and football perspective. He earned life-changing money, All-Pro honors and a Super Bowl ring before injuries forced a premature end to his career in 2016.

Super Bowl 50 was Vasquez’s final game. Denver released him weeks later with one year left on his contract.

Thus, at age 28, his football career ended. But for a brief moment, he was the best guard the Broncos ever had.
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THE BEST FIRST SEASONS IN BRONCOS HISTORY:

• Honorable Mentions
• No. 5: Craig Morton, 1997
• No. 4: Alfred Williams
• Nos. 1-2: Coming later this week

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