BroncoManiac
11-26-2008, 10:19 AM
Former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe and running back Terrell Davis are among 25 semifinalists to be considered for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.
Sharpe is in his first year of eligibility since he retired in 2003.
Davis, a former Super Bowl and league MVP, has made the semifinalist list three times. He retired as the Broncos all-time leading rusher (7,607 yards).
Seven former Broncos were on the preliminary list of 133 players to be considered.
Cornerback Louis Wright, linebackers Karl Mecklenburg and Tom Jackson, safety Steve Atwater and former coach Dan Reeves also were on the preliminary list.
The semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 players, and those 15 will be considered for enshrinement Jan. 31 when the selectors meet in Tampa, Fla.
Sharpe retired in 2003 as the all-time leader at the position in touchdown catches (62), receiving yards (10,060) and receptions (815). All three tight end records since have been broken by Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez.
In the mid-1990s Sharpe re-defined the position with three 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a four-year span.
Earlier this year, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said: "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."
Shanahan also consistently has said the Broncos would not have won back-to-back Super Bowls without Davis.
Former Bills defensive end Bruce Smith and former Steelers and Ravens defensive back Rod Woodson also are first-year-eligible players among the 25 semifinalists.
Quarterback John Elway and tackle Gary Zimmerman are the only players to have played at least five years with the Broncos to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Zimmerman was in the Class of 2008.
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
Sharpe is in his first year of eligibility since he retired in 2003.
Davis, a former Super Bowl and league MVP, has made the semifinalist list three times. He retired as the Broncos all-time leading rusher (7,607 yards).
Seven former Broncos were on the preliminary list of 133 players to be considered.
Cornerback Louis Wright, linebackers Karl Mecklenburg and Tom Jackson, safety Steve Atwater and former coach Dan Reeves also were on the preliminary list.
The semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 players, and those 15 will be considered for enshrinement Jan. 31 when the selectors meet in Tampa, Fla.
Sharpe retired in 2003 as the all-time leader at the position in touchdown catches (62), receiving yards (10,060) and receptions (815). All three tight end records since have been broken by Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez.
In the mid-1990s Sharpe re-defined the position with three 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a four-year span.
Earlier this year, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said: "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."
Shanahan also consistently has said the Broncos would not have won back-to-back Super Bowls without Davis.
Former Bills defensive end Bruce Smith and former Steelers and Ravens defensive back Rod Woodson also are first-year-eligible players among the 25 semifinalists.
Quarterback John Elway and tackle Gary Zimmerman are the only players to have played at least five years with the Broncos to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Zimmerman was in the Class of 2008.
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News