There are a lot of players through the years who had great NFL careers. Who belongs in the HOF is a subject that gets debated every year.
I’m a Bronco fan and think Shannon Sharpe belongs in the HOF. But when I looked at it from the perspective of other players who had great careers and didn’t make the HOF on the first ballot, it became harder for me to push for Sharpe.
Then again, I didn’t believe in Rod Woodson getting into the HOF on the first ballot. The only first-balloter I picked was Bruce Smith, and if you look at the numbers, he was dominant, Super Bowl ring or not.
I also had picked Randall McDaniel because he was a quality offensive linemen who had multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. Of the other picks I leaned toward, none of them made it in.
Next year, everyone knows Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are going to be like Elway: Their names will be mentioned, everyone will say “he’s in” and discussion will move on to others. Sharpe may end up waiting another year, but it doesn’t mean he won’t get in. Ask Michael Irvin how long he had to wait, and he won as many Super Bowls as Sharpe did.
As far as why certain Broncos don’t get in, it’s because they tend to fall under the radar for one reason or another. Floyd Little played on Bronco teams that were mostly mediocre and those who mostly played in the AFL don’t get recognition unless their teams were among the best. He may get in via the seniors committee at some point.
Randy Gradishar was considered to be part of a great unit, but it’s worth noting Paul Zimmerman was taking a closer look at Gradishar prior to his (Zimmerman’s) health issues.
I consider Ed McCaffrey to be one of my favorite Broncos of all time, but he’ll never get into the HOF. He just doesn’t have the full resume to justify it. Rod Smith will certainly be debated, but he’ll get measured against the likes of Irvin, Cris Carter (provided he gets in… he won’t next year with Rice on the ballot, and neither will Tim Brown) and whoever else among more recent receivers get in.
The Broncos O-line that had Gary Zimmerman was considered a strong unit and Tom Nalen is the only name who will come up to put in the HOF. Mark Schlereth is borderline and no way do Brian Habib or Tony Jones get in.
Steve Atwater plays a position that isn’t really glamorous and it’s going to take a hard push to get him in, as much as I think he should be looked at closely. Bill Romanowski may have gotten in, but who knows what HOF voters will think about his admitted steroid usage. Most others on that Denver D didn’t really have long careers.
If you go back to the 80’s defense, Karl Mecklenburg was getting votes but now is lost in a deep pool of linebackers. Rulon Jones was likely hurt because his career got cut short and, in the end, he really wasn’t dominant in terms of overall NFL players.
And finally, Terrell Davis: The longevity issue will come into play more with Emmitt Smith, Curtis Martin and others who had longer careers, and can easily be argued as being instrumental to their team’s success, coming up for vote. It’s going to take a hard push to get TD into the HOF, even with somebody I know who wasn’t a Bronco fan putting together a compelling argument for his inclusion.
Bottom line: The Broncos tend to suffer in terms of HOF consideration because, while many stand out in terms of great Bronco players, they tend to get lost in the shuffle when put among the great NFL players.
Sharpe will get in at some point. I believe Nalen will as well. The others mentioned… it’s going to require a hard push by a veteran sportswriter or two who doesn’t cover the Broncos exclusively, or it may require the seniors committee.
Oh, and as for Tagliabue: He may be waiting a long time. I’ve read more from sportswriters who are less convinced of Tags’ candidacy now than they were a year or two ago. And in my opinion, Tags is highly overrated as a HOF candidate.
You can read more of ratsportrm’s work on his blog, Raton Range Sports Guy.
