Ring of Fame Possiblities

[montrose]

I was hoping to get some thoughts on a few former and current Broncos as it relates to the Broncos Ring of Fame. Here are a few former Broncos that could be considered, I'm going to assume Shannon Sharpe is a given. Feel free to add some other former Broncos you think yield consideration.

Matt Lepsis, OT
Pros: Played at a consistent level during his 11 years with the club, winning a Super Bowl and starting 113 games at LT and RT.
Cons: No Pro Bowls, was never a dominating OT. Did not play well is final season.

Al Wilson, LB
Pros: Passionate leader of the defense was named to several Pro Bowls during his tenure.
Cons: Was cut by Denver with his future TBD.

Trevor Pryce, DL
Pros: Named to several Pro Bowls and member of both Super Bowl teams.
Cons: Now playing with Baltimore and has had negative things to say about Mike Shanahan and the Broncos.

Ed McCaffrey, WR
Pros: One of the most popular players in team history was an integral member of both Super Bowl teams contributing any many ways,
Cons: Never put up dominating statistics as a receiver.

Gary Kubiak, OC
Pros: Spent over a decade in Denver helping to direct the best offenses in franchise history and win two Super Bowls.
Cons: Was never a head coach, didn't call all of the offensive plays during the Super Bowl wins.

What about some of these current Broncos? I'm assuming Rod Smith, Tom Nalen and Mike Shanahan are shoe ins.

Champ Bailey, CB
Pros: The best player at his position in the league during his tenure, named to Pro Bowl every year in Denver.
Cons: May depend on how many more years he plays in Denver.

John Lynch, S
Pros: A leader and consistent player named to Pro Bowl every year played in Denver.
Cons: Only played four seasons in Denver, not likely to play more than five.

Jason Elam, K
Pros: Holds team kicking records and tied longest FG in league history during long career in Denver that includes two championships.
Cons: Kickers don't get a ton of recognition.

As a reference, here are the current Ring of Famers: http://www.denverbroncos.com/pagephp?id=147

[rovolution]

Dont forget the old ballcoach as well, Dan Reeves.

Hes eligible the same time as Eddy and Shannon.

[TheChamp24]

McCaffrey, Wilson, Rod Smith, Champ, and Elam are the ones I see.

[montrose]

McCaffrey, Wilson, Rod Smith, Champ, and Elam are the ones I see.

That sounds pretty good to me, although I think you have to include Nalen and Shannon as well. Considering the 97 and 98 years were the best in team history - they should be well represented on the ring, IMO.

[jbiel]

I think Shanahan gets in, but I don't see Al Wilson getting in. He was definitely a great player but I don't see him being a Ring of Famer. I think you have to be on a different level and carry your team to another level, which Al Wilson never did.

[Bronco Yoda]

Maybe add a hyphenation behind Terrell Davis and add Howard Griffith.

Terrell Davis-Howard Griffith :)

[chickennob2]

I don't see any of these players making it. When John was inducted, I remember hearing that he was the new standard for ring of fame inductance. To have a chance, you have to mean as much to the franchise and do as much for the franchise as john elway did. None of these guys are there.

[B-Love]

Many people express malcontent over Rick Upchurch's exclusion for the Ring of Fame. I agree because he was the dominant Special Teams Player of his era. But he was not a great locker room guy, dropped alot of balls, and caused his fare share of controversy in 9 seasons in Orange. A tough one.

I think there are 10 teams that have some sort of Ring of Fame now, and I think we are the only one that does not have its' Leading Interception King in the Ring of Fame. Much love and respect to the completely ignored Steve Foley!!! Foley may have had better hands than Watson or McCaffrey too!! Playing opposite of Loudini got him some action, but Steve Foley has several positive factors.

Steve Foley CLEARLY had the best hands and ball skills of anyone who ever played in the Defensive Backfield for the Broncos. And he was PROBABLY the best 'form tackler' of anyone whoever played in the Denver Defensive backfield, except when he tried to tackle Earl Campbell.

Combine these two, with the fact that he is our franchise leading Interception King and I am surprised his name is never brought up.

[montrose]

I don't see any of these players making it. When John was inducted, I remember hearing that he was the new standard for ring of fame inductance. To have a chance, you have to mean as much to the franchise and do as much for the franchise as john elway did. None of these guys are there.

Actually that was the new standard for players having their number retired, according to Bowlen. Even since Elway retired, Mecklenburg, Smith, Zimmerman and Atwater have been inducted.

[Bronco Billy]

I'd think Rod Smith, Tom Nalen, Elam, Bailey, and Mike Shanahan. I'm hoping for Lynch and Wilson.

I'm not sure of the others. Eddie Mac was a fan fave, I just don't see it.

[Inkana7]

Actually that was the new standard for players having their number retired, according to Bowlen. Even since Elway retired, Mecklenburg, Smith, Zimmerman and Atwater have been inducted.

Can't forget TD last year.

[montrose]

Can't forget TD last year.

You are correct my friend.

[Atwater His Ass]

Maybe Ed and maybe Elam out of who you posted. Champ is a great player, but I'm not sure why everyone think he's a lock for the RoF? If he retired today I would not put him up there.

[chickennob2]

Actually that was the new standard for players having their number retired, according to Bowlen. Even since Elway retired, Mecklenburg, Smith, Zimmerman and Atwater have been inducted.

Well then I stand corrected.

[broncocalijohn]

It is bad enough that Simon Fletcher never got the credit with a Pro Bowl selection but to have his own team not put him up there is unexcusable. Yes, i am biased as I wear his jersey proudly, but what does he need to do more to get on the ROF? More sacks than anyone in the whole existence of the franchise!

[montrose]

It is bad enough that Simon Fletcher never got the credit with a Pro Bowl selection but to have his own team not put him up there is unexcusable. Yes, i am biased as I wear his jersey proudly, but what does he need to do more to get on the ROF? More sacks than anyone in the whole existence of the franchise!

Wow I never even realized that until looking it up in the record books. Fletcher was a bit before my time as was Rulon Jones. Perhaps some of the more senior Bronco-maniacs can chime in on those two as candidates.

While were on this topic of Broncos history by the way, does it still gnaw at anyone else besides me that Shannon played two years in Baltimore? I was watching highlights of a Super Bowl party the other day where Ray Lewis and Shannon were there and were introduced as former Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis with former Ravens great Shannon Sharpe. I almost threw up.

[24champ]

I don't think Al Wilson gets in the ROF. There are many other players way more deserving than Al.

[dbroncos31]

Al, Champ, Elam, Nalen, Rod, Sharpe, Shanny, and Darrent

[Bronco LB 59]

Lepsis' career is equivalent to Claudie Minor and Ken Lanier. He won't get in.

Wilson spent eight years here. That's actually quite a bit of time in NFL dog years, I think he gets in.

Pryce should be in. He compares favorably with the best defensive linemen in team history like Paul Smith. He excelled both inside and outside.

McCaffrey is not as strong of case as one might think. 1998-2000 were his only exceptional years in Denver, but his touchdown production in 1996/1997, his popularity, blocking and his toughness will get him over the top.

If Kubiak is going to be considered, it brings Joe Collier into the discussion.

Champ has had a Gary Zimmerman-caliber of impact on the Broncos. He's a likely HOF so ROF should be cake.

No on Lynch. He didn't have the Zimmerman impact to get into the Ring of Fame.

Elam is a shoo-in. Jim Turner's induction guarantees his spot.

[TheChamp24]

Maybe Ed and maybe Elam out of who you posted. Champ is a great player, but I'm not sure why everyone think he's a lock for the RoF? If he retired today I would not put him up there.

Champ is almost a lock because he is probably headed to Canton, and as a Bronco. He probably has 3 more years, on average, of playing like he is, and I'll say he'll get 10 interceptions during those 3 years. That brings his career total up to 52, and he will be 33. He probably could play 3-4 more years at safety, notching another 10-15 interceptions.
That would give him 62, and in the top 10 all time for interceptions.
Of course, there is the possibility that he can go back to his 2006 form and get 8 a year, and get in the Rod Woodson territory.

[Atwater His Ass]

Champ is almost a lock because he is probably headed to Canton, and as a Bronco. He probably has 3 more years, on average, of playing like he is, and I'll say he'll get 10 interceptions during those 3 years. That brings his career total up to 52, and he will be 33. He probably could play 3-4 more years at safety, notching another 10-15 interceptions.
That would give him 62, and in the top 10 all time for interceptions.
Of course, there is the possibility that he can go back to his 2006 form and get 8 a year, and get in the Rod Woodson territory.

Like I said. If he quit playing today I wouldn't put him in, which was the topic of the thread.

[The Moops]

Rick Upchurch has been way overlooked. But the guy that sticks out to me is Riley Odoms . . . his stats are better than HOFer Charlie Sanders despite he never played in a pass-happy offense....

[Bronco LB 59]

Rick Upchurch has been way overlooked. But the guy that sticks out to me is Riley Odoms . . . his stats are better than HOFer Charlie Sanders despite he never played in a pass-happy offense....

I agree. Odoms was well before his time. He had the size to be a star in today's game at the tight end position. His game film is impressive stuff.

[The Moops]

Just like the HOF in Canton, a lot of the great players from past eras are overlooked. Before we bring in the Trevor Pryces how about the Simon Fletchers . . .

[Broncojef]

Sharpe, Shanny, Rod and Elam