Shannon and TD among 25 semifinalists

[Denver Native (Carol)]

email from Mania

Two former Broncos, TE Shannon Sharpe and RB Terrell Davis, are among the 25 semifinalists being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.

Sharpe is one of four first-year eligible players among the semifinalists.

The Hall of Fame’s Board of Selectors chose the 25 semifinalists from the recently announced list of 133 preliminary nominees.

The results of the modern-era reduction vote to 15 finalists will be announced in early January.

The Class of 2009 will be determined at the Selection Committee's annual meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2009, in Tampa, Florida the day before Super Bowl XLIII. The election results are announced immediately following the meeting at a press conference at the Super Bowl media headquarters.

[Requiem / The Dagda]

Sharpe can come in.

[MOtorboat]

» Cris Carter, WR - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
» Roger Craig, RB - 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings,
» Terrell Davis, RB - 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
» 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
» Chris Doleman, DE/LB - 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
» Kevin Greene, LB/DE - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
» Russ Grimm, G - 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
» Ray Guy, P - 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
» Charles Haley, DE/LB - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
» Lester Hayes, CB - 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
» Cortez Kennedy, DT - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
» Bob Kuechenberg, G - 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
» Randall McDaniel, G - 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
» Art Modell, Owner - 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens
» John Randle, DT - 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks
» Andre Reed, WR - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
» Shannon Sharpe, TE - 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
» Bruce Smith, DE - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins
» Ken Stabler, QB - 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints
» Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner - 1989-2006 National Football League
» Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR - 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills
» Derrick Thomas, LB - 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
» Ralph Wilson, Owner - 1960-current Buffalo Bills
» Rod Woodson, CB/S - 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders

From nfl.com... http://www.nfl.com/halloffame/story?id=09000d5d80ccde18&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[frauschieze]

Sumbish. I didn't figure TD would make the semis this time.

[Italianmobstr7]

Rod Woodson, Chris Carter, Shannon Sharpe, Andre Reed, and the homer in me says TD. I know that those won't be the one's who get it, and I don't know a lot about the older players because I wasn't even born when some of them were playing. But Those are 5 guys that I think deserve it at some point or another.

[MOtorboat]

Bruce Smith is the only no-doubter.

I think Sharpe should be, but I dunno...

[Northman]

» Cris Carter, WR - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
» Roger Craig, RB - 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings,
» Terrell Davis, RB - 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
» 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
» Chris Doleman, DE/LB - 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
» Kevin Greene, LB/DE - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
» Russ Grimm, G - 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
» Ray Guy, P - 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
» Charles Haley, DE/LB - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
» Lester Hayes, CB - 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
» Cortez Kennedy, DT - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
» Bob Kuechenberg, G - 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
» Randall McDaniel, G - 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
» Art Modell, Owner - 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens
» John Randle, DT - 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks
» Andre Reed, WR - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
» Shannon Sharpe, TE - 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
» Bruce Smith, DE - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins
» Ken Stabler, QB - 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints
» Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner - 1989-2006 National Football League
» Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR - 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills
» Derrick Thomas, LB - 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
» Ralph Wilson, Owner - 1960-current Buffalo Bills
» Rod Woodson, CB/S - 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders

From nfl.com... http://www.nfl.com/halloffame/story?id=09000d5d80ccde18&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

A lot of good names on that list. I would love to see TD and Sharpe get in on the first try but im not holding my breathe.

I think this is more likely to be the ones inducted this year.

Shannon Sharpe
Rod Woodson
Cris Carter
Kevin Greene
Paul Tagliabue

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Woodson, Bruce and Shannon are locks. Carter should make it. TD has a shot, but I doubt it. Only 1 Bronco this time around.

[weazel]

I'm happy for TD and Shannon, but you know what...

**** the hall of fame

[Devilspawn]

General feeling is that there are four locks. Usually the Hall leaves one definite out. I say Chris Carter is that guy and goes in next year. So the final 6 will be:

Shannon Sharpe
Bruce Smith
Rod Woodson
Ray Guy
Ralph Wilson
Paul Tagliabue

Alternate Ray Guy will get screwed pick: Russ Grimm

If the greatest punter (or 2nd greatest for all the Sammy Baugh fans) doesn't get in...



**** the hall of fame

[slim]

Bruce Smith is the only no-doubter.

I think Sharpe should be, but I dunno...

If Sharpe is not inducted, then the whole thing is a joke.

[Shazam!]

Shannon will make it. idk about TD as his longevity is always in question.

Some will say it was the greatness of the OL than it was him.

I wonder when Steve Atwater will have his shot.

[Bronco Bible]

» Cris Carter, WR - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
» Roger Craig, RB - 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings,
» Terrell Davis, RB - 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
» 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
» Chris Doleman, DE/LB - 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
» Kevin Greene, LB/DE - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
» Russ Grimm, G - 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
» Ray Guy, P - 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
» Charles Haley, DE/LB - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
» Lester Hayes, CB - 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
» Cortez Kennedy, DT - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
» Bob Kuechenberg, G - 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
» Randall McDaniel, G - 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
» Art Modell, Owner - 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens
» John Randle, DT - 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks
» Andre Reed, WR - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
» Shannon Sharpe, TE - 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
» Bruce Smith, DE - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins
» Ken Stabler, QB - 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints
» Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner - 1989-2006 National Football League
» Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR - 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills
» Derrick Thomas, LB - 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
» Ralph Wilson, Owner - 1960-current Buffalo Bills
» Rod Woodson, CB/S - 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders

From nfl.com... http://www.nfl.com/halloffame/story?id=09000d5d80ccde18&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Steve Tasker is a joke for the HOF IMO

[Lonestar]

IN retirement date order..

locks
Should be
old timers desrving..

But we all KNOW that TD will not get in.. because of the east coast bias..

Bob Kuechenberg, G - 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
Ken Stabler, QB - 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints

Ray Guy, P - 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Lester Hayes, CB - 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Russ Grimm, G - 1981-1991 Washington Redskins

Roger Craig, RB - 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings,

Charles Haley, DE/LB - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys

Richard Dent, DE - 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR - 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills

Chris Doleman, DE/LB - 1985-1993, , 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers, 1999 Minnesota Vikings
Kevin Greene, LB/DE - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers,
Derrick Thomas, LB - 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

Cortez Kennedy, DT - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
Dermontti Dawson, C - 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Andre Reed, WR - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

Cris Carter, WR - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Terrell Davis, RB - 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
Randall McDaniel, G - 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First year class
Art Modell, Owner - 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens
John Randle, DT - 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks
Shannon Sharpe, TE -2000-01 Baltimore Ravens,1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos
Bruce Smith, DE - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins
Rod Woodson, CB/S - 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders


No class
Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner - 1989-2006 National Football League
Ralph Wilson, Owner - 1960-current Buffalo Bills

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/06/sharpe-among-hall-fame-finalists/

Sharpe among Hall of Fame finalists

Former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe was among 17 players and officials, including two senior nominees, to be named Tuesday afternoon as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

If Sharpe is elected, he would be the first tight end to be named on the first ballot.

Five modern-day players will be elected, and the two senior nominees will be voted yes or no.

Also reaching the finals were wide receiver Cris Carter, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end Richard Dent, guard Russ Grimm, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, guard Bob Kuechenberg, guard Randall McDaniel, defensive tackle John Randle, wide receiver Andre Reed, defensive end Bruce Smith, former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, linebacker Derrick Thomas, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson and cornerback Rod Woodson.

The senior nominees are wide receiver Bob Hayes and defensive end Claude Humphrey.

Former Broncos running back Terrell Davis was among the 25 semifinals but did not make the cut for the finals.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

That reminds me...I gotta re-up my tix so I'm guaranteed a seat.

[CrazyHorse]

If Gale Sayers can get into the HOF then Terrell Davis should too.

[TXBRONC]

I was a little surprised not see this posted anywhere. I know the greater issue at hand right now is getting a new head coach in place but this still deserves some play here at the BF.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/06/sharpe-among-hall-fame-finalists/

Sharpe a Hall finalist his first year eligible
Ex-tight end, 16 others will know their fate Jan. 31
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published January 6, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.

After what he called "a two- movie day," former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe got the news every player hopes to get.

He is one of 17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009. The list, announced Tuesday afternoon, will be trimmed to a minimum of four and a maximum of seven players or contributors at the Board of Selectors meeting Jan. 31 in Tampa, Fla. At most, five

modern-era players can be chosen to go with a maximum of two seniors nominees.

"I'll say it, I was very nervous," Sharpe said. "I'm excited, kind of like the lottery. You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket, so this is the last step before the final step. At least I have a one in (17) chance to be one of the guys.

"It's a huge accomplishment just to be on the list, a lot of hard work, it's amazing to be at this point, something my family would be excited about if I were to get that call."

Former Broncos running back Terrell Davis had made the list of 25 semifinalists but did not receive enough votes to make the list of finalists. Davis has been a semifinalist three times.

Sharpe, in his first year of eligibility, joins a marquee list of finalists that includes two other first-time eligibles, cornerback Rod Woodson and defensive end Bruce Smith.

"Rod and I played two years together in Baltimore and when I told him I was thinking about hanging it up the same year he was, we were joking like, 'Wouldn't it be cool to go in the Hall of Fame together?' " Sharpe said. "But that was just joking, I really didn't think about it at all until this year. When I went to (Gary Zimmerman's induction ceremony in August), it hit me. When I went to John's it really didn't dawn on me; I was kind of like finishing up when John (Elway) was going in."

Sharpe, who joined the Broncos in 1990, retired in 2003 as the all-time leader at his position in touchdown catches (62), receiving yards (10,060) and receptions (815). All three records since have been broken by Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez.

But in the mid-1990s, Sharpe was considered to be the player who redefined the position with three 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a four-year span.

During the 2008 season, now-former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of Sharpe: "I'd be shocked if he's not a first-year-

eligible pick. Look it up. Look at the Super Bowls. Look at the stats. Look at wins. Everything you want in a tight end, he's already accomplished."

Sharpe was part of two Super Bowl winners with the Broncos before playing on the Ravens team that won the Super Bowl to close the 2000 season. Sharpe also was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and had 10 seasons with at least 60 receptions, 11 seasons with at least 50.

"Right now you really try not to think too much about it, but it can be hard not to think about it once you start," Sharpe said. "There's really nothing you can do, though, you just hope - it's kind of like finishing a class, you've taken the test you hope in the end you've got good enough grades."

Also among the finalists are receiver Cris Carter, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end Richard Dent, guard Russ Grimm, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, guard Bob Kuechenberg, guard Randall McDaniel, defensive tackle John Randle, wide receiver Andre Reed, former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, linebacker Derrick Thomas and Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson.

The two senior nominees are receiver Bob Hayes and defensive end Claude Humphrey.

Elway and Zimmerman are the only players to have played at least five years with the Broncos to be at least five years with the Broncos to be enshrined in the Hall.

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News

[BroncoWave]

It was posted somewhere in another thread, but I think this warrants a thread of its own.

[PatricktheDookie]

It's already on page 3.