The semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 were announced Tuesday, and three Broncos made the list.
Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis and Karl Mecklenburg are among the 26 modern-era candidates still in the running to head to Canton, Ohio.
For Atwater and Mecklenburg, it’s the first time the two have been named semifinalists.
Atwater was voted to a franchise record-tying seven consecutive Pro Bowls during his career, serving as a defensive leader on the Broncos’ back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams.
Davis rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, including his 2,008-yard season in 1998 when he earned league MVP honors. He also was part of the Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII squads.
Mecklenburg spent 12 seasons with the Broncos, starting 141 career games, a total that includes all 16 games in a year during five different campaigns. He played in six Pro Bowls and helped the Broncos reach the postseason seven times, including three Super Bowl berths.
All three players are Broncos Ring of Famers.
The next step in the process sees the list shortened to 15 modern-era finalists with an announcement in January.
The final class will be named at the Hall of Fame Selection Committee’s annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 4, in Indianapolis the day before Super Bowl XLVI.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Karl Mecklenburg, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis
Dunno, greatness always seems to have the inside news … dunno if he makes it up or works there lol.
Orton package … no QB likes to share time. It would make sense … Ortons a better passer, Tebows a better closer.
Orton was probably just poison in the locker room … had to make it clear there was no goign back to everyoen … especially fans.
Orton shoulda been traded a long time ago for wateva … tebownites win again. Was stupid to go into this season with a guy u pretty much knew wasn’t gonna be around this year, whose stock was at the highest poitn of his career.
Good ridance to bad rubbish. See ya later snorton … got nothign against the person but the player was weak.
TRB
In 1983, the Denver Broncos drafted Karl Mecklenburg in the 12th round with the 310th pick overall. In spite of his low selection, Mecklenburg went on to become an integral part of the Broncos’ Super Bowl teams of the 1980s. He played in six Pro Bowls. His 79.5 sacks is the second highest total in franchise history. In 2001, during half time of a game against the Baltimore Ravens, he and Dennis Smith were inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. He is also in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and serves on the Broncos Alumni Council. Wiki says!
FTR
Good Bye Neck Beard.
FTR
anybody awake?
Did they ever mention who takes ortons spot? TRB
Let’s hope chicago picks up Orton so we can crush him at home. VonDoom will feast on some armadillo orton. Now that Orton is gone I’ll have to change my handle.
Washington may be the likely landing spot for Mr. Orton. I wouldn’t count out KC either…
Tebow or bust. (was gonna say Quinn. Don’t want to think of that possibility).
Den 23
SD 16
Ok, glad to see these three make the semi’s (they’ll find a way to not vote Davis in, other two might stand a slight chance though), but seriously, no Rod Smith. I coulda sworn he was elligable this year. If they can vote in Irvin at all, then Smith should be a first ballot HOF. He should at least make the semi’s based on stats alone and if you include his clutch play, leadership, and the fact that he is what the NFL asks for in its role models he should be a no brainer. But then again this is the HOF selection committee, the same ones that until recently didn’t know Denver existed.
Sorry for the late night rant, but had to get that off my chest before the whiskey (Strannahans) really kicks in.
GOOD MORNING AMERICA!!
Bay official score prediction Denver 24 – Battery Dead 7.
I reckon Norv Turner out of a job Monday morning. We get ahead stay ahead and rivers has meltdown when VonDoom go to work.
Come on lads win this we need to keep pressure on the Raiders.
PS well done for getting Orang removed. Was making it so tedious reading through the blogs.
Hello everyone, feels like forever since I made my last post. I choose not to post though because of the dysfunction that was going on in the blog. In the words of Adam Sandler in the Waterboy “I don’t like confrontations, I’m a virgo” lol. Anyways more on topic I am glad to see three broncos being acknowledged for the hall of fame, whether they are selected in or not. As everyone else has been covering, the committee seems to hate voting bronco players into the HOF. But we all know that lots of people, whether it be sports analysts, nfl committee members, or sports teams fans, dislike the broncos and only relish seeing the broncos fail. I swear it is one of the main reasons I became a bronco fan since I was like 4 years old lol. Anyways I know the broncos will continue their success and firmly believe we win in SD this time around. A friend of mine who is a die hard SD fan, even admitted that with Tebow starting he doesn’t feel good about the game. I hope Tebow has a breakout passing game here soon and this way the critics won’t be able to make excuses, even though I’m sure they call it a fluke or jump aboard the ship. Well enjoy everyone lets crush the electric out of the bolts. Go Broncos 4Eva Out.
The Broncos will sign rookie quarterback Adam Weber from their practice squad to replace Orton on the roster, according to two team sources.
Read more: Kyle Orton era in Denver ends when Broncos waive veteran quarterback – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_19396029#ixzz1eWgjwm83
Fox, Elway support of Tebow: Waiving Orton means action stronger than words
By MIKE KLIS | Denver Post November 22, 2011
What do words mean, anyway? By waiving veteran quarterback Kyle Orton, Broncos coach John Fox and front-office executive John Elway, without saying it, proclaimed Tim Tebow as their quarterback.
In the past week, Fox and Elway each made comments regarding Tebow that had fans wondering how much they support their quarterback.
Fox was talking about how Tebow was running the team’s new read-option offense last week when he said for emphasis that if the Broncos used a conventional offense, “(Tebow) would be screwed.” Oops. Fox’ quote went viral. He later said “he screwed up,” about saying Tebow “would be screwed.”
Elway was asked on his Monday morning radio show with 102.3 FM The Ticket if he had a better feeling about the team’s quarterback of the future than he did five weeks ago.
“”Um, no,” Elway said bluntly.
He then explained that while Tebow is making progress, the quarterback better start performing on third down. Tebow has a sparkling 4-1 record as a starter even though he is a woeful 6 of 43 passing on third down. That’s a 13.95 completion percentange. The blogesphere attacked Elway’s honesty.
But for all that was made of Fox’s and Elway’s words, their actions Tuesday spoke louder. Not only is Orton gone, he might wind up with the Chicago Bears. The Broncos play the Bears on Dec. 11. That game could have huge playoff implications for the Broncos. By letting Orton go, Fox and Elway are saying they believe Tebow can beat whatever team Orton plays for.
This move shouts support of Tebow.
Can anyone imagine the thoughts that will run through Orton’s mind when he is facing VONDOOM, knowing that he is NOT wearing a red practice jersey?
Better yet, VONDOOM’s thoughts at knowing that they are finally going to get a chance at hitting Orton!
Good morning all!
You should of heard the Chicago radio stations going crazy about getting Orton! What a bunch of losers! They were saying….”well does that mean we came out ahead in the Cutler trade then?”
Seriously? that’s the only thing you can come up with? You bunch of freaks! LMFAO! Well….I called in to the main radio station yesterday and said……”You can have Orton, and come Dec. 11th you’re going to realize why you originally sent him packing and why we don’t want him anymore! I know of 2 people on our defense that are just WAITING to hit him! # 58 and #92….So come on out to the Rocky Mountain State……Kyle can pay his respects then!
Freakin’ bunch of losers! Geeeez! This is the same city that blasted Jerk Face for not playing in the NFC championship game last year!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
I know this is probably the biggest “no brainer” comment ever posted, but I can only hope the boys are seeing blood in the water!
It time to start squeezing! It’s time to start choking out the rest of the division! It’s almost like you can sense the Broncos have their hands around the throats of the other divisional opponents……THEY JUST NEED TO SQUEEZE!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Hey Bay,
Just an FYI…..the eagle is leaving the nest today! LOL!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
I have a gut feeling that the remainder of this season is going to be a lot of fun on thr gridiron for our Broncos. They are going to continue to get better each week and our defense id going to give grave concern to/for the opposing qb’s. This end of this season is turning out to be a lot of fun to watch.
Not looking at the past, but wonder what it would have been like doing this from day one?
Another McD player bites the dust………..love it! Keep cleaning house of pretty much everything McD………..next cut, KM. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to complete a 16 game season………..he’s just too injury prone.
and I agree with patientbronco……………if Rod Smith is eligible, he should be on the ballot. The dude was a stud for our team for many years and put up some great numbers. When you needed a clutch catch, RS was the go-to guy…………Def one of my favorite broncos of all time………
Put me down for…..
Broncos. 24
Chargers 23
Hey Armadillo, will u go to Elways steakhouse now? Or is he still not showing your teenage crush enough love?
lol @ curtou
until elway professes his love for tebow, I think armadillo holds the grudge……..lol
All are great canidates for the HOF and would like to see all of them in there but if I had to pick one I’d say Davis. Even in his short career he put up outstanding numbers and without him I don’t think we win two Super Bowls.
I know that’s a biased opinion of a Bronco fan and I still think Rod Smith should be in there too, is he elgible yet?
Do the Bears fans really think Orton is “better” than Haine? I mean Orton is a veteran and stuff, but have they seeen what Orton plays like without a running game and defense? The Bears have Forte and a decent defense, but teams can shut down Forte and they know Kyle isn’t as mobile as Cutler so bring on the blitz. One thing Orton has going for him is he doesn’t care about the fans, so if he goes somewhere and stinks up the place he won’t care what the fans have to say about it haha. Had to get one last jab in there.
daddy, just believing in Elway as far as making the right decision for our QB long term, nothing else, don’t go all extrapolating on me, LOL.
By 2pm we’ll find out if Bowlen can save 2.5 mil or not, got stuff to do so I’ll find out later.
And TRB, 007 told us once he is an intern of sort with some sports network, definitely does not work with the Broncos, but may have some tidbits info from players and team personnel at times we are unaware of, but as long as it’s not confirmed through another news source I take it with a grain of salt.
27-10 DEN
ER 100+ yards receiving, TD
Von 4 sacks, 2 FF, FR, INT, TD
Doom 2 sacks
Ayers 2 sacks
Champ INT
McG 152yds rushing, TD
Tebow 190 yds passing, TD, 120yds rushing
lol @ risky………..I love the optimism bud……..looks like more of a wish list than a prediction though………hahaha
Would be nice to see……….
Bay just because you don’t listen to the same people I listen too. Doesn’t mean noone has gone to that take. All the national rado shows have the same take I do. Mike and Mike, Doug Gottieb, 980 am in dc, and so on and so on. So for you to come on here like im telling lies is juvenile. I know you like to be big man on campus but to try and shoot down my character on valid info is unfair. So guess when I said Shannon Sharpe was going to and did wear a Tebow jersey on air to show support was a lie too.
The Orton move doesn’t say Tebow is gonna be the QB of the future. It could be a trade in the off season that could shake up the AFC west and the NFC east. The Broncos and Redskins in a deal for Tebow. So if John can get the QB he wanted at the beginning of this season next season. They could trade Tebow to Shanny. on a interview with espn 980 in dc. Mike said he is look for a guy at the QB position that can spark us. Doc Walker the interviewer said sounds like you are talking about ur former teams new QB that everyone think Your old QB doesn’t want. Mike said the guy(Tebow) can play when the lights are on. We need a guy like that and if he is available not saying he is. If available though why not get him and see what he can do for us.
Hey but let other people tell it im just making up stories.
I stand by my comments about Kyle and why he is gone. I told ya’ll the only reason you saw Kyle over by McCoy and Tebow after the Detroit game was becuz of Champ!! Kyle was often seen cussing on every missed pass that Tebow threw. In the Detroit game Champ was seen standing by Kyle shaking his head. Saying you gotta help him. The was news in Detroit. Now why not in Denver is something that I can’t put my finger on.
What’s up Bronco country!!! Not sure which is better, cutting Orton or cutting Orang… How much does Bowlen stand to save if someone picks up Orang on waivers??? LOL!!!
007 – I would be shocked if Shanny made a play for Tebow.. The Skins will have a higher draft pick than us, and Shanny is on thin ice in DC. I don’t see him putting his career on the line for Tebow, like he did this year with Beck & Grossman… I see Shanny scouting his own QB in the draft like he did with Cutler..
I guess Orton had no interest in helping TT……….he was too busy sulking about losing his job. His character came through loud and clear.
@Tsunami Im not saying he gonna use a high draft pick on him. Noone would at this point. If the Broncos are gonna try and move Tebow it’s cuz they don’t want the distraction. So any team with interest can use a 3rd pick at best and get him.
Bowlen saves about 2.3 mil give or take a couple 100 thousand.
that’s a 3rd round pick.
FYI, taking it with a grain of salt does not equal lies, got up on the wrong side of the bed obviously…
And so did the fans……
Bowlen only saves money if Orton is picked off the waivers which he probably won’t, after 2pm today he is a FA and Bowlen saves nothing, just clarifying.
Wow I missed the whole South Dakota discussion. Did not know the connections with Strand, Stevencan, Gabe and since1972. I am in Sioux Falls. I believe that Brian_Schneider is from the brookings area. Strong Bronco support in So. Dak!
I just don’t see it.. We used a 1st on Tebow only to trade him for a third?? Altho, we’ve made some questionable business decsions before so…
As for Shanny, I just don’t see it.. The best way for a HC to buy a few more years is to draft a QB high in the draft, which is what I see Shanny doing
The most frustrating thing about the Orton situation, is if not for the lockout, we could have moved him SO easily during the draft….
But then again, if not for the lockout, we wouldn’t have gotten a rookie wage scale on the year that we had the highest draft pick in franchise history, so I guess it all evens out…
Hes not getting luck or Jones, so he’ll have to take Barkley.
Luck is going number one and Landry is going to be a Bronco.
OU – I don’t know, I still think our best move is using 3 out of our top 4 picks on defense, to include a DT and CB.. Building a great defense is never a thing that you’ll regret later, regardless if who our QB of the future is..
I’d rather give Weber a shot if Tebow doesn’t work out and build the defense, over wasting a high pick on a QB and asking him to step in year one a produce…
We’ve started a great foundation for a top D……….and I think we need to continue to build on that. A great D can take you places………
@S.D.Bronco30: You got that right, up here in Brookings. I see a few Broncos fans but everyone seems to be Packers or Vikings. I watced the history of the Denver Broncos and found out that they could’ve eneded up in I think it was Rapic City. The Broncos could’ve been located in South Dakota! It’s probably better that they didn’t though haha.
Hey Miami, we’ll give u Tebow for your first rounder.
So then we get a CB and Landry, done.
Oh and before anyone asks, the OU stands for Ohio University, not Oklahoma.
Hard to believe that Shanny would really want Tebow, his lack of accuracy throwing the ball would not suit his style of offense. Maybe Shanny’s ego is over riding his thought process and he is ignoring the facts. Like Elway said, it’s hard to believe you can win a world championship going 3/13 on 3rd down. Guess we will find out watching and hoping the rest of this season. At this point based on performance, I don’t see Tebow being the starting QB next year for the Broncos. He is a unique talent and though his dream is to be a QB in the NFL, if he truly means what he says about doing anything to help this team win, I’d love to see him stay a Bronco and be used in some creative ways to cause opposing defenses headaches. He may be too expensive to keep in that role. I think we will see Adam Weber get his chance before the season ends if things go sour, he could be the answer. Wish we had seen more of him in the preseason, what little we did see was impressive. May have been a fluke but maybe this kid too can play when the lights come on. Though it will never happen, I have this though in my head of two QB’s sharing the stage, that would make it very difficult for our opposition to game plan. Think outside the box, that’s how some teams have won championships. Go Broncos!
Actually Shanny taking tebow is not too farfetched, he will probably come at a bargain, knows elway well enough to make the trade too. Wants a guy with sparking ability. Also Tebow, is the kinda man elway can really utilize with his roll outs. Tebow is clearly better outisde of his pocket than it. Plus he wouldn’t bother tinkering with his motion, Tebows accuracy issues stem from throwing the bll a way he is not used too. He was pretty accurate in college, way more accurate than he has looked this season, and last season he was even passing better. If they truly wanna change his motion, it wont happen over night, can’t change something u have been doing for yers in 1 yr. He gotta get it out faster but if it aint broke don’t fix it. TRB
Tebow is the kind of guy SHANNY* can utilize with his roll outs.
You guys realize that Jeebus is frowning on us right now to even speak of such transactions…
For Shame For Shame!!! ;o)
Long Live VON TEBOW FOOTBALL!!!
FTC!!!