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Denver Native (Carol)
10-28-2008, 05:00 PM
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/oct/28/7-former-broncos-among-preliminary-hall-fame-nomin/

7 former Broncos among preliminary Hall of Fame nominees

Former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe is among the preliminary nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009 in his first year of eligibility.

Seven former Broncos made the list of 133 players, coaches and contributors. In addition to Sharpe on the list are safety Steve Atwater, running back Terrell Davis, linebackers Tom Jackson and Karl Mecklenburg, cornerback Louis Wright and coach Dan Reeves.

Sharpe retired as the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end. Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez passed him on the list earlier this season.

REB
10-28-2008, 05:07 PM
Players like Tom Jackson, Karl Mecklenburg and Louis Wright should already be in there, but we all know how that goes :tsk:

BroncoJoe
10-28-2008, 05:09 PM
Sharpe, even though he should be a no-brainer first ballot inductee, will probably be snubbed as well.

Screw Gonzalez.

Den21vsBal19
10-28-2008, 05:30 PM
Sharpe, even though he should be a no-brainer first ballot inductee, will probably be snubbed as well.

Screw Gonzalez.
I'm not so sure.........whilst I know all about the bias, the fact that Sharpe's in everyone's house every week, not mention his motor-mouth, ensures that he can't merely be 'over-looked' ;)

D1g1tal j1m
10-28-2008, 05:39 PM
Sharpe was a media personality and quote machine. He will be a Bronco that is a 1st ballot HOFer.

He looks like he can still get on the field to pad those stats to make them untouchable...

BroncoJoe
10-28-2008, 05:47 PM
I hope so, D1g1talJ1m and D21. I'm just very skeptical since a few (if not all :confused:) of his records have since been broken.

REB
10-28-2008, 05:52 PM
I'm not so sure.........whilst I know all about the bias, the fact that Sharpe's in everyone's house every week, not mention his motor-mouth, ensures that he can't merely be 'over-looked' ;)


I hear what you're saying, but it hasn't helped TJ all these years :tsk:


Sharpe should get in though.

Davii
10-28-2008, 06:03 PM
Sharpe is a first ballot inductee, no doubt.

All 7 are worthy of the honor, most should already be there!

TD is the only one with even slightly questionable credentials, but I can name at least one RB in the hall with less credentials.

Den21vsBal19
10-28-2008, 06:10 PM
Sharpe is a first ballot inductee, no doubt.

All 7 are worthy of the honor, most should already be there!

TD is the only one with even slightly questionable credentials, but I can name at least one RB in the hall with less credentials.
The great thing in TD's (eventual?) favour is that he is still pretty much the most effective RB in post season history, topped of course by a 3 score, Superbowl MVP performance.

Other than Emmitt Smith, I don't think anyone's even close

SmilinAssasSin27
10-28-2008, 06:13 PM
I already have tix on reserve to see Sharpe, Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson get inducted.

MOtorboat
10-28-2008, 06:21 PM
Sharpe is a first ballot inductee, no doubt.

All 7 are worthy of the honor, most should already be there!

TD is the only one with even slightly questionable credentials, but I can name at least one RB in the hall with less credentials.

You mean Gale Sayers? :coffee:

Davii
10-28-2008, 06:28 PM
You mean Gale Sayers? :coffee:

ding ding. I'm still trying to think of/find more with as short a career that's in the hall since I said "at least" one, but I knew I had the Sayers card in my back pocket if I got called on it.

Hobe
10-28-2008, 06:32 PM
Frankly, no Bronco player is a "no brainer" for the Hall. If Sharp goes in next year I will be mildly surprised. I don't think Tom Jackson, Karl Mecklenburg and Louis Wright have much of a chance. They will be snubbed like Gradishar and Little. I am still hoping for Atwater and Davis.

On the other hand, what the hell is Reeves doing on a hall of fame list?!? The Broncos made it to the Super Bowl three times because of Elway, and inspite of Reeves' narrow minded coach. :tsk:

BroncoWave
10-28-2008, 07:07 PM
Frankly, no Bronco player is a "no brainer" for the Hall. If Sharp goes in next year I will be mildly surprised. I don't think Tom Jackson, Karl Mecklenburg and Louis Wright have much of a chance. They will be snubbed like Gradishar and Little. I am still hoping for Atwater and Davis.

On the other hand, what the hell is Reeves doing on a hall of fame list?!? The Broncos made it to the Super Bowl three times because of Elway, and inspite of Reeves' narrow minded coach. :tsk:

Sharpe IS a no-brainer to get into the hall. The fact that he is on TV every week will really help him and even though Gonzo is breaking his records, Sharpe was easily the best TE of his generation. His 3 SB rings will help as well. I honestly think he is a mortal lock to make it.

Lonestar
10-28-2008, 07:13 PM
Sharpe IS a no-brainer to get into the hall. The fact that he is on TV every week will really help him and even though Gonzo is breaking his records, Sharpe was easily the best TE of his generation. His 3 SB rings will help as well. I honestly think he is a mortal lock to make it.

With HOF voters one never knows for sure.. Had he not played in BAL for a year I would have seriously bet against it. But that and him holding most of the TE records till this year should ensure his induction..

the rest of them will most likely not make the next cut..

Broncolingus
10-28-2008, 07:22 PM
Gradishar is still my '#1 Most Snubbed' of all so far...

"The Snowgoose" and Wright are are iffy and probably no...Atwater is going to be a stretch I think...

TD (unfortunately) no - although, I DO believe the in the 'Sayers Rule' though...

BroncoWave
10-28-2008, 07:27 PM
With HOF voters one never knows for sure.. Had he not played in BAL for a year I would have seriously bet against it. But that and him holding most of the TE records till this year should ensure his induction..

the rest of them will most likely not make the next cut..

I agree than none of the other Broncos have a chance. But Sharpe has the accomplishments, personality, and name recognition to make it IMO. The fact that Atwater isn't in is a felony but I don't see him ever making it.

broken12
10-28-2008, 11:42 PM
i disagree atwater should also be in he has stats comparible to all safeties in already and also look at the impact he had in the superbowl and on offenses in general coming over the middle he was a gamechanger atwater fo sho!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JKcatch724
10-29-2008, 03:39 AM
Sharpe will be the only one to make it. Any other team and there's a good chance six of em make it, if not all 7.

gobroncsnv
10-29-2008, 06:30 AM
Dickerson is in the hall because of his 2k yard season. No rings, barely any playoffs, let alone not very effective in them, because the teams that could beat the Rams only had to key on him. TD had it all, the rings, 2000 yards, best runner in playoffs... He should be there as fast as ANYbody else.

Flatinum
10-29-2008, 09:28 AM
If Gale Sayers (which I agree with) is in TD should be in. He put up better numbers and won more awards than Sayers did in the same period. TD's post season are sick. This alone should make him Hall worthy.

8 games (including 7 straight 100yd+ games, the only game he didn't rush for 100yds he ran for 91)

204 carries

1140 yds

5.6 ypc

12 tds

Also lost in there is the fact that Shanahan pulled him early in a couple of those games because the Broncos had big leagues.

Northman
10-29-2008, 09:28 AM
Players like Tom Jackson, Karl Mecklenburg and Louis Wright should already be in there, but we all know how that goes :tsk:

Tell me about it. Its a disgrace that Jackson isnt already there.

Northman
10-29-2008, 09:29 AM
If Gale Sayers (which I agree with) is in TD should be in. He put up better numbers and won more awards than Sayers did in the same period. TD's post season numbers will never be duplicated or passed imo. This alone should make him Hall worthy.

8 games (including 7 straight 100yd+ games, the only game he didn't rush for 100yds he ran for 91)

204 carries

1140 yds

5.6 ypc

12 tds

Also lost in there is the fact that Shanahan pulled him early in a couple of those games because the Broncos had big leagues.


Absolutely.

Lonestar
10-29-2008, 01:14 PM
If Gale Sayers (which I agree with) is in TD should be in. He put up better numbers and won more awards than Sayers did in the same period. TD's post season are sick. This alone should make him Hall worthy.

8 games (including 7 straight 100yd+ games, the only game he didn't rush for 100yds he ran for 91)

204 carries

1140 yds

5.6 ypc

12 tds

Also lost in there is the fact that Shanahan pulled him early in a couple of those games because the Broncos had big leagues.

How many games did he sit because of migraines..

Your correct about him being pulled because of big leads..

IMO he would have had another 800-1500 yards with all of the time he sat.

BroncoWave
10-29-2008, 03:24 PM
How many games did he sit because of migraines..

Your correct about him being pulled because of big leads..

IMO he would have had another 800-1500 yards with all of the time he sat.

Hell he won the MVP of SB XXXII playing with a migraine for a good part of the game. Imagine what his stats would have been in the game had he been healthy!

LRtagger
10-29-2008, 04:16 PM
On the other hand, what the hell is Reeves doing on a hall of fame list?!? The Broncos made it to the Super Bowl three times because of Elway, and inspite of Reeves' narrow minded coach. :tsk:

Not that I think Reeves should or will get in, but he also took Atlanta to a SB appearance. He took a Falcons team that was 3-13 in 1996 to 14-2 in 1998 and a SB berth. Pretty impressive IMO. He was also coach of the year that season.

He should at least be on the ballot, but I think his 0-4 record in SB's will keep him out.

Lonestar
10-29-2008, 05:36 PM
Hell he won the MVP of SB XXXII playing with a migraine for a good part of the game. Imagine what his stats would have been in the game had he been healthy!


I agree But the morons that vote for the HOF players will not remember it nor GIVE A crap about it..

I did a search one time and found out that 85% of the voters for the HOF were from East/west coasts and almost the rest were from east of the CHICAGO area..

these folks do not get to see the Broncos UNLESS they are playing their team.. So our players flat out do not get much exposure unless it is a NIGHT game and we all know we have sucked BIG time there over the past decade..

How many voters in DEN/ KC and SAN teams we play twice a year.

As compared to how many voters that see DAL/NYG/WAS/PHL twice a year..

Lonestar
10-29-2008, 05:39 PM
Not that I think Reeves should or will get in, but he also took Atlanta to a SB appearance. He took a Falcons team that was 3-13 in 1996 to 14-2 in 1998 and a SB berth. Pretty impressive IMO. He was also coach of the year that season.

He should at least be on the ballot, but I think his 0-4 record in SB's will keep him out.


he is a loser period.. anyone that could not see the talents of John Elway and make use of them on more than just 3rd and long is a moron..

had to have Mikey as a go between .
tried to trade John
drafted whats his name to replace John..

What a maroon..

If John had been allowed to play his passing game most of the Marino's records Farve just broke would have been Johns..

Den21vsBal19
10-29-2008, 06:10 PM
he is a loser period.. anyone that could not see the talents of John Elway and make use of them on more than just 3rd and long is a moron..

had to have Mikey as a go between .
tried to trade John
drafted whats his name to replace John..

What a maroon..

If John had been allowed to play his passing game most of the Marino's records Farve just broke would have been Johns..

Tommy Maddox :rofl:

56crash
10-30-2008, 10:34 AM
The great thing in TD's (eventual?) favour is that he is still pretty much the most effective RB in post season history, topped of course by a 3 score, Superbowl MVP performance.

Other than Emmitt Smith, I don't think anyone's even close

TD will get in IMO he is loved by the guys at NFL.NEt I think this will help soon enough ...

If sharp and TD get in this Year I am going I don't care how .... The party is on .

56crash
10-30-2008, 10:38 AM
Revees should be in in the HOF the guy was a big part of the NFL as a player and a Coach were talking a lot of SB's The guy seemed to understand how to do a lot with very little .

GEM
10-30-2008, 10:43 AM
I just watched the 1977 AFC Championship game last night, how Gradishar is not in, I don't know. He was all over the field. He was exciting. Sad how the players of that day have gotten snubbed. :tsk:

BroncoJoe
10-30-2008, 10:52 AM
Gradishar absolutely should be in. I visited the HOF a couple years ago for the first time. It is an embarrassment to the NFL that more Broncos aren't in there.

broncofaninfla
10-30-2008, 11:24 AM
Gradishar should absolutely be there. He was better than Jack Lambert at the time but Pittsburgh was a dynasty at the time. We went and lost one Super Bowl at that time. It’s an unfair measurable. Gradishar is truly one of the best MLB’s to EVER play the game

studbucket
10-30-2008, 04:34 PM
So, in order to better understand what the HoF committee goes through, and to learn more about the class this year, I put it upon myself to do what the committee does and narrow it down to 25 candidates. It was extremely difficult, but here is my list in alphabetical order.


Cornelius Bennett LB 1987-1995 Buffalo Bills, 1996-1998 Atlanta Falcons, 1999-2000 Indianapolis Colts
Gil Brandt Administrator 1960-1988 Dallas Cowboys, 1995-present National Football League
Lomas Brown T 1985-1995 Detroit Lions, 1996-1998 Arizona Cardinals, 1999 Cleveland Browns, 2000-2001 New York Giants, 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cris Carter* WR 1987-1989 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Don Coryell Coach 1973-1977 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
Dermontti Dawson C 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Richard Dent* DE 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Henry Ellard WR 1983-1993 Los Angeles Rams, 1994-1998 Washington Redskins, 1998 New England Patriots
Russ Grimm* G 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Ray Guy* P 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Tom Jackson LB 1973-1986 Denver Broncos
Randall McDaniel* G 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Karl Mecklenburg LB 1983-1994 Denver Broncos
Sam Mills LB 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-1997 Carolina Panthers
John Randle^ DT 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-2003 Seattle Seahawks
Andre Reed* WR 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Ed Sabol NFL Films Founder - NFL Films
Shannon Sharpe^ TE 1990-1999, 2002-2003 Denver Broncos, 2000-2001 Baltimore Ravens
Bruce Smith^ DE 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-2003 Washington Redskins
Paul Tagliabue* Commissioner 1989-2006 National Football League
Derrick Thomas* LB 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Ralph Wilson Owner 1959-Present Buffalo Bills
Steve Wisniewski G 1989-2001 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
Rod Woodson^ CB/S 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-2003 Oakland Raiders
Louis Wright CB 1975-1986 Denver Broncos


Next I might try to narrow it down to 15 players...feel free to pick my list apart, but try doing it yourself and see who you get.

On a side note, there were about 10-15 Scouts, presidents, officials, other staff, and offensive lineman that I had never heard of, and maybe unfairly left them out. I need to learn more about a few of the older guys. And yes, I did leave Terrell Davis and Steve Atwater off, for now...