Gradishar must go in 1st!

[Mile High Mojoe]

I'm glad to see that Gradishar made the cut to the final 25. It's cool that Davis and Zimmerman made the list too. They both are deserving of consideration but it's going to be a real slam if either one goes in first. IMO if another Bronco goes in before Gradishar I think his chance may have come and gone. Too me it'll be a sham and a travesty because Gradishar was without a doubt the best defensive player the Broncos had from that era.

The selection committee loves guys who were on Super Bowl winning teams. Had the Broncos won one, Gradishar and many of the Broncos from his era would have been in the HOF years ago. Guys like Wright, and D. Smith chance of getting in probably would have doubled had they won just one. The same could be said for Mecklenberg, Smith and Atwater from the 80’s. The sport writers have always had a bias about the Broncos players and never had the same respect for them as the major market cities. Denver has had a great and storied history of great defensive units and defense players for almost 30 years. But since the Broncos aren’t located in LA, NY, SF or CHIC they been shut out because they don’t have the support of the major media.

I expected Davis and Zimmerman to be candidates one day and we know Sharpe will go in but we have to recognize Gradishar first, we must because if we don’t then the HOF to me is a just a Hall of Fraud. We all knew Elway would go in on the first ballot and maybe he should have been the first elected but the HOF must show the proper respect for Gradishar now and vote him in this year.

I wish I had the time to help watermock with his research project on Gradishar. I hope others will and contribute to this worthy cause. How many of you feel the same way about this issue?

[ColoradoDarin]

As much as I think Gradishar should be in the HoF, Zimmerman should have been a first balloter. Was a finalist last year, should have been a lock. Not one, but two NFL All-Decade teams, 7 Pro Bowls, 2 USFL All-Pros, Lombardi. He's over-looked for 2 reasons. 1 - a non-glamour position and 2 - a Bronco.

Since the inception of the all-decade team beginning in the 1960's, just 10 players have made consecutive all-decade teams. This group clearly represents the elite of the game, and they are:

Player - Decades - Hall of Fame?

Merlin Olsen 1960's & 1970's Yes, first ballot selection

Bob Lilly 1960's & 1970's Yes, first ballot selection

John Hannah 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Mike Webster 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Walter Payton 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Ted Hendricks 1970's & 1980's Yes, second ballot selection

Gary Zimmerman 1980's & 1990's Eligible in 2003

Jerry Rice 1980's & 1990's Not Yet Eligible

Reggie White 1980's & 1990's Yes, first ballot selection

Sean Landeta 1980's & 1990's Not Yet Eligible

Of the people who are eligible, Zimmerman is the only one not in the Hall of Fame.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mojoe

I wish I had the time to help watermock with his research project on Gradishar.

Jesus Christ, I feel like quitting the project now.

[Mile High Mojoe]

Originally Posted by B-Love

Jesus Christ, I feel like quitting the project now.

What makes you say that?

[Mile High Mojoe]

Originally Posted by ColoradoDarin

As much as I think Gradishar should be in the HoF, Zimmerman should have been a first balloter. Was a finalist last year, should have been a lock. Not one, but two NFL All-Decade teams, 7 Pro Bowls, 2 USFL All-Pros, Lombardi. He's over-looked for 2 reasons. 1 - a non-glamour position and 2 - a Bronco.

Since the inception of the all-decade team beginning in the 1960's, just 10 players have made consecutive all-decade teams. This group clearly represents the elite of the game, and they are:

Player - Decades - Hall of Fame?

Merlin Olsen 1960's & 1970's Yes, first ballot selection

Bob Lilly 1960's & 1970's Yes, first ballot selection

John Hannah 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Mike Webster 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Walter Payton 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Ted Hendricks 1970's & 1980's Yes, second ballot selection

Gary Zimmerman 1980's & 1990's Eligible in 2003

Jerry Rice 1980's & 1990's Not Yet Eligible

Reggie White 1980's & 1990's Yes, first ballot selection

Sean Landeta 1980's & 1990's Not Yet Eligible

Of the people who are eligible, Zimmerman is the only one not in the Hall of Fame.

Granted Zim paved the way for the ground game and the Super Bowl winning teams. I think he should go in and deservely so but in terms of what he contributed to the Broncos for the long haul he's a johnny come lately. Gradishar has to go in first, he was the best player pre Elway that the Broncos had on their team.

If he gets bumped this time I don't see him getting in at all, they'll pass him up for the more recent Bronco studs. If I had to choose between who goes in first it's just no contest here none.

[Atwater His Ass]

I don't understand why anyone would be upset if Davis or any Bronco went in before Gradishar. I know we all want to see our beloved Broncos get in, but to be dissapointed about a particular individual making it before someone else is just missing the point imo.

[Mile High Mojoe]

Originally Posted by Atwater His Ass

I don't understand why anyone would be upset if Davis or any Bronco went in before Gradishar. I know we all want to see our beloved Broncos get in, but to be dissapointed about a particular individual making it before someone else is just missing the point imo.

I saw Gradishar play the guy has been overlooked and shafted for way to long. He should of went in before Elway but his memory seems to keep fading in fans eyes. Of course I would be happy if Davis or Zim got in but I think you miss the point.

Gradishar will have to face yet another big slap in the face if one of them do and he doesn't. Time and distance have clouded the better judgement of fans who should know better if they really truly believe he doesn't go in ahead of them both.

I like what someone else posted here it's to bad all 3 can't go in because they all deserve it but this won't happen. The committees who vote on the candidates waited 44 years to finally put a Bronco in the HOF. What makes anyone think that if they pass on Gradishar this time that he'll ever get in? So given the choice between the 3 it has to GRADISHAR!

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by Atwater His Ass

I don't understand why anyone would be upset if Davis or any Bronco went in before Gradishar. I know we all want to see our beloved Broncos get in, but to be dissapointed about a particular individual making it before someone else is just missing the point imo.

C'mon man, show me something here.

Don't you understand that candidates are only eligible for so long?? Randy has 2 more years of eligibility left before he goes to the "slap in the face" seniors vote.

TD has LOTS OF YEARS left, and I think he'll get there. But for those of us who saw them all play, most of us want Randy first. And that is how it should be.

[Master___Pain]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mojoe

What makes you say that?

You called B-Love watermock.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

You called B-Love watermock.

[broncogary]

Mile High Mojoe

B-Love works hard putting together tape for submission to the Hall of Fame voting committee. If we could get our local voter to make a convincing presentation, Gradishar might get in.

I'm not sure who our voter is now, but you would have thought he would have had a chance when Schefter was around.

[Mile High Mojoe]

Originally Posted by broncogary

Mile High Mojoe

B-Love works hard putting together tape for submission to the Hall of Fame voting committee. If we could get our local voter to make a convincing presentation, Gradishar might get in.

I'm not sure who our voter is now, but you would have thought he would have had a chance when Schefter was around.

Sorry about the mix up ther, guess I can't believe any true fan would not want Gradishar in when he's only got 2 more chances before he goes to the veterans committee.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Atwater His Ass

I don't understand why anyone would be upset if Davis or any Bronco went in before Gradishar. I know we all want to see our beloved Broncos get in, but to be dissapointed about a particular individual making it before someone else is just missing the point imo.

why ? Gradishar has been over looked for so long , I tell you how good Randy was , Ray Lewis would have to use a step ladder just to kiss Randys ass .......

[SprintRightOption]

Both Zim and Gradishar deserve induction this year. I fear there is some unspoken rule about 2+ players from the same team in the same class, so they will probably choose Zim or nobody.

That stat above about twice all-decade members is pretty damning evidence that Zimmerman should've been a first-ballot guy. He retired a year before Elway, so he has been passed over 4 times already. FOUR? WTF?! Why do I get the feeling that he would've gotten the nod on the first ballot if he was signed by anyone else but Denver in 1993.

What is with the bias? The Broncos have had a bigger fanbase than average teams since 1977 and have been successful since 1975. Tampa Bay, the team that went 0-14 one season has a HOF guy who played in the same era as Gradishar, and he was elected years ago.

I say if Zimmerman, Gradishar, Atwater and Sharpe aren't all inducted within 10 years, they should blow the building up in Canton.

[Wes Mantooth]

Originally Posted by ColoradoDarin

As much as I think Gradishar should be in the HoF, Zimmerman should have been a first balloter. Was a finalist last year, should have been a lock. Not one, but two NFL All-Decade teams, 7 Pro Bowls, 2 USFL All-Pros, Lombardi. He's over-looked for 2 reasons. 1 - a non-glamour position and 2 - a Bronco.

Since the inception of the all-decade team beginning in the 1960's, just 10 players have made consecutive all-decade teams. This group clearly represents the elite of the game, and they are:

Player - Decades - Hall of Fame?

Merlin Olsen 1960's & 1970's Yes, first ballot selection

Bob Lilly 1960's & 1970's Yes, first ballot selection

John Hannah 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Mike Webster 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Walter Payton 1970's & 1980's Yes, first ballot selection

Ted Hendricks 1970's & 1980's Yes, second ballot selection

Gary Zimmerman 1980's & 1990's Eligible in 2003

Jerry Rice 1980's & 1990's Not Yet Eligible

Reggie White 1980's & 1990's Yes, first ballot selection

Sean Landeta 1980's & 1990's Not Yet Eligible

Of the people who are eligible, Zimmerman is the only one not in the Hall of Fame.

Agreed. Broncs don't win the first SB without him.

[Mile High Mojoe]

Originally Posted by yoakum3

Agreed. Broncs don't win the first SB without him.

I give credit to Zim without him we may not win the Super Bowls but Gradishar's years of service and dominate play have to be a factor on who goes in first. Zim if he doesn't get in this year I think he eventually will. Gradishars window may be closing and if it does it'd be a real kick in his nad's if he has to see a one of the newer candidates get in before him.

[loborugger]

Originally Posted by SprintRightOption

Both Zim and Gradishar deserve induction this year. I fear there is some unspoken rule about 2+ players from the same team in the same class, so they will probably choose Zim or nobody.

Last year Aikman and Wright went in. Maybe its a good sign.

What could help these guys as much as anything would be the continued success of the current Broncos squad. Success for our current Broncos keeps the team on people's minds which in turn will mean more attention for all Broncos players, current and past. If the boys could eack out a SB victory, that could go a lot further towards getting more Broncos in the HOF than any amount of lobbying and b****ing we could do.

[Tredici]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mojoe

The selection committee loves guys who were on Super Bowl winning teams. Had the Broncos won one, Gradishar and many of the Broncos from his era would have been in the HOF years ago.

This excuse is a bunch of bunk. See the ultimate loser Buffalo Bills.

[Dudeskey]

Originally Posted by Atwater His Ass

I don't understand why anyone would be upset if Davis or any Bronco went in before Gradishar.

Its unfair, the dude was a ****in' stud and has been snubbed for too long... Anyone that thinks davis should go in is a dickrider and you're demeaning the value of guys like Gradishar and Zimmerman. Granted he was a key part of us winning our SB's, but I wouldn't even put him in the same conversation as a Jim Brown, Emmit Smith or Walter Payton

[Florida_Bronco]

Originally Posted by Urinal_Cake

Its unfair, the dude was a ****in' stud and has been snubbed for too long... Anyone that thinks davis should go in is a dickrider and you're demeaning the value of guys like Gradishar and Zimmerman. Granted he was a key part of us winning our SB's, but I wouldn't even put him in the same conversation as a Jim Brown, Emmit Smith or Walter Payton

You're crazy dude.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by SprintRightOption

Both Zim and Gradishar deserve induction this year. I fear there is some unspoken rule about 2+ players from the same team in the same class, so they will probably choose Zim or nobody.

Montana, Ronnie Lott and Dave Wilcox all went in together.

Three 49ers in one class.

[Dudeskey]

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

You're crazy dude.

Whatever, man. I'm just calling it like I see it, TD isn't a HOF'er... not when you have Grad & Zim still waiting in line for their well-deserved honors

[Clockwork Orange]

I know this is a bit off topic, but can someone explain to me just how in the hell Joe Namath made it into the HOF? Seriously. I mean other than the fact that he played in NY.

[Dudeskey]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

I know this is a bit off topic, but can someone explain to me just how in the hell Joe Namath made it into the HOF? Seriously. I mean other than the fact that he played in NY.

Watch Little Nicky again

Seriously I have no idea why

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

I know this is a bit off topic, but can someone explain to me just how in the hell Joe Namath made it into the HOF? Seriously. I mean other than the fact that he played in NY.

His pass to Bobby Brady sealed the deal. Just his appearance in Bobby's bedroom was enough to get Bobby out of the sickbed, and to catch the game winner.

To me Namath's pass was overrated. Bobby had some major hops on that reception.