Clough: Von Miller the ‘greatest defensive player’ in Broncos history

One of the few bright spots scattered throughout the Denver Broncos 17-16 home loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday was linebacker Von Miller setting the franchise record for regular season sacks in a career.

And despite what 104.3 The Fan host Sandy Clough called a “season gone bad” for the Broncos, the achievement was one “well worth celebrating.”

“Von Miller is the greatest defensive player in the history of a franchise loaded not so much with great offensive players but certainly great defensive players going back to the late-1960s and Rich ‘Tombstone’ Jackson, who I believe should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Clough said after the game.

Miller, who earned his 98th career sack in the third quarter Saturday, passed Broncos Ring of Famer Simon Fletcher (97.5) for most in franchise history.

Fletcher, who was in attendance for the record-breaking moment, was featured in a congratulatory video displayed after Miller passed his mark.

“I saw the video. Simon and I have been buddies for five or six years now. He drove all the way down from Wyoming to see it, so it was incredible to have that type of support from a Broncos legend,” Miller said, adding that it was “good” to break the record while his “idol” watched on.

In a statement released by the Broncos, Fletcher said he could “think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

“It goes without saying that your work ethic, your commitment to the Colorado community, the way you both prepare for and play the game makes all who’ve ever worn the orange and blue extremely proud to have you as a teammate, brother, and friend,” Fletcher said. “I look forward to watching you play for years to come, as you add excitement to each Broncos contest.”

How long Miller might be playing in Denver might be up in the air, however, as trading the prolific pass rusher has been the subject of debate among Broncos Country.

Clough said after the game that Miller will be the subject trade rumors among those “especially desperate for change” and that they are “completely ill-founded.”

“All I have to say is two works: Khalil Mack. How did trading him work out for the Raiders?” Clough said.

Last week, the topic resurfaced after “The Drive” co-host Alfred “Big Al” Williams said the Broncos need to “do something drastic to change the outlook of this team.”

“So, what’s drastic? Trading Von Miller is drastic,” Williams said.

“Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley, who first brought up the subject of trading Miller this past offseason, said in order for the Broncos to make a “huge jump” everyone on the roster must be on the table.

“If you’re in John Elway’s position, everybody is tradeable. Everybody is open to being discussed when you’re looking to try to better your football team,” Stokley said. “You’re trying to take another step forward, a big step forward, sometimes you’ve got to look at your best players and say we’ve got to part with this guy to try to take it to the next level.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.