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Hall decision out of Sharpe's hands

'There's nothing else I can do' to gain votes

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 1, 2008 at 2:13 p.m.

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Shannon Sharpe tries not to think about whether his career statistics are worthy of induction to the Hall.

Photo by Joe Mahoney / The Rocky/2003

Shannon Sharpe tries not to think about whether his career statistics are worthy of induction to the Hall.

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Will Shannon Sharpe be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?


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Shannon Sharpe already has a bet in place with one of his closest friends as to whether publicity-shy Gary Zimmerman will be able to speak for more than five minutes at today's Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

"That's the over-under," Sharpe declared.

Perhaps more intriguing: What are the odds Sharpe is standing in the same spot as Zimmerman next year, awaiting his yellow jacket?

Sharpe's first year of eligibility is 2009, and it's a strong crop of first-

timers with Rod Woodson, Bruce Smith and John Randle also on the ballot for the first time. Meanwhile, strong contenders Cris Carter and Derrick

Thomas are back for more.

Sharpe, the "Mouth from the South" who'll need five minutes just to clear his throat if he does get into the Hall, is doing everything he can to avoid getting caught up in the hype.

"I really, really try not to think about it," said Sharpe, who was the NFL's all- time leader among tight ends in receptions (815), touchdown catches (62) and receiving yards (10,060) when he retired in 2003. "It's hard. Because I know they're starting the process of however they do that. But whenever I start thinking about it, I let my mind go. I get up and do something else. I may grab a workout or go for a drive, because I don't want to think about it."

One reason he chooses not to dwell on the topic is that his career totals now are set in stone.

"There's nothing else I can do," Sharpe continued. "Eight hundred fifteen (catches) is going to be 815 in '09, '010, '011, '012 or '013. Ten thousand (yards) is going to be whatever it is. Three Super Bowl wins are going to be three Super Bowl wins. I can't get any more numbers or better numbers. And if they thought I did well enough, it'll happen; if not, it won't."

One of the factors working in Sharpe's favor is, not only did he compile gaudy statistics and win, he helped change the nature of the tight end position with his receiving skills.

At the same time, while his outspoken nature might have rubbed some the wrong way, he always was good copy. That might subconsciously factor into the mind of the writing bloc that votes for the Hall, whereas getting a read on Zimmerman was more difficult because he rarely spoke and had to let his play do the talking at a position that comes with no statistics.

"I'd be shocked if he's not a first-year- eligible pick," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "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."

Still, as Sharpe pointed out, "You've seen some of the guys you thought would be slam dunks and they weren't slam dunks."

Zimmerman is a classic example. He made two NFL All-Decade teams yet it still took him until his sixth year of eligibility to gain entry to Canton.

"It's always puzzled me, because if a player's voted among the best of his era, he should be among the best of his generation, but that's not always the case, and a lot of All-Decade players have fallen through the cracks," admitted Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News, a Hall voter 12 times.

Charlie Sanders, one the 2007 enshrinees, was named one of the top players of the '70s but had to wait 30 years to finally break through in his Hall candidacy. Emmitt Thomas, the great Kansas City Chiefs cornerback, retired in 1978 and finally will get his Hall bust this year, too.

"I think Sharpe's got a good shot," Gosselin said. "Right now, he's the top tight end in the history of the game. But this is a committee that ultimately doesn't embrace tight ends. It's tougher for tight ends, safeties and guards to get into the Hall of Fame. He's in a situation like Cris Carter, the second-all- time leading receiver. He didn't get in on the first ballot."

Gosselin said he hasn't studied 2009 potential finalists. "But I caution people against putting guys in as first-

ballot Hall of Famers, because there's a lot of good candidates and only a few spots. And whether they're a Hall of Famer the first, fifth or 29th time, it doesn't matter what ballot they get in. Everybody's in."

Whether it's too late for other Broncos with Hall of Fame aspirations remains to be seen, as well.

Linebacker Randy Gradishar missed out last year for the final time with the writers and now becomes a modern era candidate before the senior's committee. Running back Floyd Little had that designation and has come close to being one of the two senior nominees.

Louis Wright's candidacy hasn't seemed to gain much traction despite his All-Decade designation in the 1970s.

Running back Terrell Davis made it to the final 25 in his first year of eligibility last season, but his accomplishments might be tempered by his lack of longevity.

"We don't have T.D., we don't win two Super Bowls," Shanahan said. "Anybody that's been with Denver knows what type of career he had, but the type of playoffs he had was off the charts. You look at what kind of games he had in big-time playoff games, every playoff game. But there are always arguments for players that played a short career."

There will be equally compelling cases made for and against the likes of receiver Rod Smith, kicker Jason Elam and center Tom Nalen down the line. Shanahan, a potential future candidate himself, already has endorsed Smith, given the receiver's standing as perhaps the most productive undrafted wideout in NFL history.

"I don't know if it's based on wins and losses or what," said Smith, who won't be eligible for Hall status until 2012. "But I did everything I could and I would love to have a speech there one day. John started it off for us and, hopefully, every year we have people on the ballot, because the people in this organization have done an excellent job of putting top-notch players on the field."

Comments

  • August 1, 2008

    3:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bigbadthor writes:

    Of course he is going into the Hall of Fame, he redefined the TE position, him and Kellon Winslow will be the greatest pass catching TEs of alltime, they also need to call Steve Atwater, Gradishaw, and Wright name.

  • August 1, 2008

    3:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    bigbadthor, Gradishar just finished his final eligible year. He missed out again. He is no longer eligible.

  • August 1, 2008

    3:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Pigskin writes:

    The only reason Sharpe wouldn't get in next year is the Broncos bias. As the article states, he changed the position. He was the best, and most clutch, TE in the game.
    Shanahan letting him go to Baltimore was a travesty, but he picked up another ring there. If Sharpe played the majority of his career anywhere else, they'd already be casting the sculpture and engraving the nameplate.
    The committee will probably look upon his time in Denver as an afterthought.

  • August 1, 2008

    4:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Orange_Crush18 writes:

    DD - Gradishar is still eligible, although it is only through the senior committee. So the chances are much less. But Little and Gradishar still have a glimmer of hope. If it wasn't for the Denver anti-bias for the Hall they would have been in for sure. Anyway just thought I would post because I thought the exact same thing until I was corrected by my bro. Have a good one.

  • August 1, 2008

    7:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Orange_Crush18 thanks, I also looked into it. He could be brought in through the veterans committee, but his chances are very slim.

  • August 2, 2008

    12:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    boblarryj writes:

    Why doesn't anybody ever talk about Steve Atwater going into the hall of fame? In my mind, he's a better safety than Lynch.

    Atwater has eight Pro Bowls, six All-Pro team selections (2 unanimous), two Vince Lombardi Trophies, 1301 tackles over a 10 year Bronco career,(it took Ronnie Lott 11 years to break the 1000 tackle mark)...a selection to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1990s, a Denver Broncos Ring of Fame member with only 5 missed games over his Bronco career.

    Atwater's reputation as a fierce hitter and his leadership role as Captain of the Broncos defense, as well as his contributions during Super Bowls XXIV, XXXII, and XXXIII. Atwater was simply the most feared safety in the NFL when he played.

  • August 2, 2008

    10:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Kevin27 writes:

    Just like Orange_Crush18 said, it makes a big difference what team you played for in getting into the Hall. If Atwater had been a Cowboy, Steeler, or 49er, he would have been in on the first ballot no doubt. It's unfortunate that even the Pro Football Hall of Fame isn't immune to the politics that ruin so many other things we try to enjoy. Sharpe will get in if there is ANY justice at all. If you can get into the Hall as a Bronco, it just makes the accomplishment that much more impressive.