Tag: No Fly Zone

Broncos will have a ‘No Fly Zone’ reunion on Sunday

The Broncos will recognize their “No Fly Zone” secondary before the Falcons game on Sunday.

Before Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos will recognize several members of “The No-Fly Zone” defense as part of the pregame festivities.

Former Broncos Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart, Bradley Roby and David Bruton will be present for the Week 11 tilt at Empower Field at Mile High.

According to the team’s official website, the former teammates will participate in the flag plant prior to kickoff, and be a part of the Salute to Service halftime relay race.

Game recognizes game, and current Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain was asked about the “No Fly Zone” on Wednesday.

“I watched them a lot growing up,” Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain said this week. “I always remember it was them and the ‘Legion of Boom.’ Those two secondaries were… They just kept on producing big-time numbers. I still communicate [with them]. I just saw Chris Harris for the first time when they came here to honor his name. I’ve talked with Talib a few times too. So it’s going to be pretty awesome to see them come back. I can’t wait to meet all of them. It’s going to be a great experience for sure.”

The No Fly Zone boasts a combined 10 Pro Bowl appearances and they were key members of the 2025 defense that led the team to a victory in Super Bowl 50.

Earlier this season, Harris signed a ceremonial contract with the Broncos to retire with the team which gave him his first NFL opportunity.

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Chris Harris signs ceremonial contract to retire a Bronco

Chris Harris signed a ceremonial contract to retire as a Bronco on Saturday and he will be honored by the team on Sunday.

After previously announcing his retirement from the NFL this spring, cornerback Chris Harris signed a ceremonial contract with the Denver Broncos on Saturday to retire as a Bronco.

Harris, 35, originally signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011. He went on to become one of the best cornerbacks in franchise history, emerging as a key member of the “No Fly Zone” secondary that helped the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

The Broncos recognized Harris at Saturday’s walk-through practice and the cornerback will be honored against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

“Broncos Country, I can’t wait to see you [Sunday],” Harris said in a video on the team’s official X page. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m going to get you all hyped before the game so make sure you get there early!”

Harris earned four Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro honors during his time in Denver. The cornerback broke up 86 passes and recorded 20 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns with the Broncos. Harris spent the final years of his career with the Chargers and New Orleans Saints before hanging up his cleats.

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Broncos share highlights from No Fly Zone’s preseason ‘Alt Cast’

Chris Harris and Aqib Talib hosted an ‘Alt Cast’ for the Broncos’ preseason game against the Packers last week. Check out the highlights.

Two members of the “No Fly Zone” secondary took a page out of Peyton and Eli Manning’s playbook last week.

Following the success of the “ManningCast,” former Denver Broncos cornerbacks Chris Harris and Aqib Talib joined James Palmer for an “Alt Cast” of last week’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

Due to the NFL’s broadcasting restrictions, the alternate broadcast was only available to stream in Colorado, but the team shared a few of the highlights on their Twitter/X page.

Talib reflected on the team’s 29-10 win over the Green Bay Packers during the 2015 season. That victory improved Denver to 7-0 and dropped Green Bay to 6-1:

Talib and Harris also reacted to Tim Patrick’s comeback from back-to-back injuries.

“Me and Chris knew he was going to be good because he would come out and he was the ultimate competition, man,” Talib said. “Every day, he tried to smash us.”

Update: The Broncos uploaded a 21-minute highlight video from the broadcast on their YouTube page:

The alternate broadcast was well-received by fans in Colorado.

Judging from Sunday’s success, this probably won’t be the last time we see an alternate broadcast for a Broncos preseason game.

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Pat Surtain expects ‘very exciting year’ for Broncos’ secondary

“It should be a very exciting year — the defense is going to fly around and make big-time plays,” Pat Surtain said.

The Denver Broncos may have a second iteration of the No Fly Zone bubbling.

In 2015 with Peyton Manning at quarterback, the team’s defense, specifically the secondary, led the way during the team’s Super Bowl run. The likes of Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, T.J. Ward, Bradley Roby, and Darian Stewart live on in Broncos Country’s heart forever.

Fast forward to 2022, and it appears second-year general manager George Paton’s taking a page out of his predecessor’s playbook. Instead of force-picking a QB during last year’s NFL draft, Paton drafted Patrick Surtain. Before the draft, Paton signed Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller in free agency, in addition to re-signing Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.

While Fuller’s deal is up, entering next season, the Broncos’ secondary remains stacked. Simmons and Jackson mesh well together on the backend of the defense, while Surtain and Darby are en elite 1-2 cornerback duo in a passing league. Then, K’Waun Williams is a sturdy nickel corner, and presumably a one-for-one replacement for the departing Bryce Callahan.

Surtain’s ready to put this theory into action.

“We have a lot of potential,” Surtain said last week. “We obviously added new key additions in the secondary and on the defense. It should be a very exciting year — the defense is going to fly around and make big-time plays. I’m very excited for the upcoming season.”

Another thing going for the defensive unit is the carryover from Vic Fangio’s defense to newly-hired Ejiro Evero’s. The latter is a part of the former’s coaching tree. That should help Surtain and Co. build on their promising 2021 campaign.

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