The selection of tight end Shannon Sharpe to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame brings to 22 the number of former Bronco players (and one owner) represented within INVESCO Field at Mile High, and Sharpe’s entry probably precedes by just one year his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
If ever any player were a virtual lock for Canton honors, it is Sharpe.
There are seven tight ends in the Hall of Fame right now–Ozzie Newsome, Kellen Winslow, Jackie Smith, Mike Ditka, Dave Casper, John Mackey and Charley Sanders.
What each of those illustrious players has in common is that none of them has a single stat to match those of Shannon Sharpe.
His career recption total of 815 is higher than that of any of the others.
Ditto his 10,060 reception yards and his 62 career touchdowns.
But it is a team game, and the biggest stat of all is being a great player a leader on three Super Bowl teams, the back-to-back championship Bronco teams in 1997 and 1998, and one other crown while on sabbatical with the Baltimore Ravens, between his Bronco stints.
Just for good measure, Sharpe was named to the Pro Bowl eight times, and Charley Sanders comes the closest with seven, none of the others having more than five.
I remember when we drafted Sharpe, the first thing I noticed was that he caught so very many passes at Savannah State.
Big school or small, performance counts. They were trying to cover him there just as much as if he had been at the biggest school in the country, and Sharpe would not have caught all those passes if he had not had the ability to do so.
He was a locker room leader two ways, by an unflinching example of hard work, and also verbally, always quick to express his views and tell a teammate what he thought. Shannon would set things straight if he felt the need.
Sharpe’s work in the weight room is well documented.
But the little details are what separated him from others. When everyone else was eatling the team meal at our headquarters on a Wednesdsay or Thursday, Shannon was eating what he brought from home: broiled chicken, no skin, green vegetables, small portions. Very little variation. He told me if it was not boring, it probably was not very good for him.
He is the only player I have even seen on his hands and knees with one of those mini, hand-held vacuum cleaners, vacuuming out the bottom level, the shoe compartment, of his locker.
Neatness counts. Preparation is everything.
It is not uncommon even today for Sharpe to have a book of philosophy close at hand. He can hit you right between the eyes with blunt football talk one minute, and in the next quote a philosopher like Confucius or Fredrich Nietzsche.
There have been naturally great players, players upon whom greatness has been thrust by situation, and those who took what they had and just made themselves great players.
Shannon Sharpe took his ability and intellect and made himself a great player. He simply would not be denied, and he would not let his body deny him.
The Broncos have two world championship trophies in large part because of the contribution of Sharpe, a natural pass receiver who MADE himself a blocker good enough to anchor his end of the line in one of the greatest running games the NFL has ever seen.
He works just as hard preparing for his television work on CBS, and it shows on the air.
A great player and natural leader, Shannon Sharpe is a great addition to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, and they might just as well start working on that bronze statue in Canton as well.
Tags: Ring of Fame, Shannon Sharpe
I could see Baker being put on the practice squad, but I would hate for it to happen, because other teams will have the chance to cnatch him away. Fields is pretty big at 315lbs also. Thomas did say that he is going to put on weight to be Nt but I would like him better at DE because of his size athleticism and versatility. Crowder should put some weight on too, and play DE but I think he will play LB. Barret will make the team with McBath and Bruton, we will have one of the best secondaries for years to come with Bruton, McBath, Smith, and Josh Bell. I also heard that the eagles were trying to trade for Scheffler, how about getting Sheldon Brown out of that deal?
Hey, check out this post about trade rumors with the Eagles. I don’t think this would actually happen unless the deal was too good to resist, and we do not need to lose Graham.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11750285/rss
BroncosLax, Crowder IS a DE. He and Moss were having a hard time making the transition. Don’t forget about Jack Williams. He has a real shot at starting as a CB in the future (after Champ retires). Moulton as well.
I wouldn’t be surprised. He didn’t want him in New England.
Broncoslax, no, the Eagles have not talked to Denver about Sheff. It merely says that the Eagles and the Bills could benefit from a blocking TE (Graham). The article said that the Eagles already have a TE similar to Sheff. The article went on to say that they (the media) think that Denver could afford to part with Graham because they have the rookie Quinn on board. I disagree. Graham is still the best blocking TE in the league and Quinn could benefit under his tutelage. Also, the article was written by Michael Lombardi, who is a real prize with his lame analysis and hack type rumors. He is an idiot, IMO.
Well said Dynamicdave and I totally agree, but Greatness could be right. McD didn’t try to keep Graham when they were in NE.
The report about Sheffler was during the Draft in that the eagles were thinking about trading for him. Williams could be good, but I see Bell and Smith doing better.
BroncosLax, I like Williams ove Bell. Bell got torched a lot. Smith, I hope pans out.
Broncofanlvnm, I think the issue with New England and Graham was about money. They couldn’t fit him in under the cap. And keep in mind that They just picked up a new, young TE and belichoke was calling the shots, not McD. Belichoke was like Shanahan with his power kick. Are you the same blogger from Broncos True Fans? I know of a blogger in LV, NM from that site. I don’t blog there anymore but it sounds familiar?
No. That’s not me.
OK this needs to get straight for everyone.. McDaniels never did anything in NE to sign or resign players, he was the O.C., they have little to no say in that sort or thing, same with drafting guys.. its the GM and HC.. not an OC or DC
Trading Daniel Grahm would be stupid! He is the best blocking Tight End in the league, hands down. He is also a reliable option in the passing game, so why trade him. I am high on Quinn, but I just dont understand getting rid of a Champion, because that is what he did in New England. That is the kind of player we need to keep, and he is a Denver guy and loves it here, so keep Grahm in Blue and Orange! I would be very dissappointed if he was traded.
Bell was also a rookie and he beat out Williams to start, he gained experience covering the number 1 reciever on the other team, and could progress well.
BroncosLax, guess you have a point there. It will be competitive to say the least. I know Goodman is in his 8th year and Champ is in his 11th. Hopefully Champ can keep going like Darrell Green did.
lynch4prez, that’s what I was saying. Belichoke called the shots. McD had no say. Graham will stay, IMHO.
broncofanlvnm, yeah, I thought about it and his handle is nmbronco.
Well, I guess my little post got a little, brief chatter going. Man, I wish it was football season already, or at least training camp. These lulls in the news are murder.
why do you guys like Bell? He’s proven nothing to me. He just got burned a lot.
How about the new top story posted about McBath and Smith? I like to hear that these guys are excited to learn from Future Hall of Famers. Maybe they can become like Champ and Dawk. I cant say how much I liek seeing Dawkins in a Broncos Jersey, it looks better then when he was with the eagles. It just feels so right!
looks a lot better than the last Bronco to wear #20 ( cough, cough, Travis Henry, cough, cough )
Yeah, Travis was a “hack, hack.” (Sorry, had something caught in my throat).
wouldn’t it be cool if the NFL draft was set up like the NBA draft where they choose a ping-png ball?
yea, I think you can say he was a ( cough, cough joke, cough ) I bet Travis Henry is coughing just as bad as we are with the things he’s taken. LOL
Henry has plenty of time to heal. 10 years, I believe?
Hey Doc, are you going to watch the Nuggets tonight? I know basketball is off topic, but hey, they play the Lakers. I seriously dislike the Lakers. I rank them close to the Raiders in football for disliking.
yea, gotta watch every game thats televised. I’m lookin forward to J.R. Smith getting over 30 points. I’m just worried about Pau Gasol down low. I think we have soome match up problems down their. why don’t the Nuggets have a first round pick this year?
Thank you for getting off topic, with all the drama circulating around the Broncos, thank God we have the Nuggets! They are finally living up to potential, I hope we beat the Lakers in 6, I never have forgiven Kobe for the drama he started here a few years ago (cough, cough, rape, cough). But yeah Lets go Nuggets!
As for Henry, I feel bad, especially since he sags lol =P.
Broncoslax, 6? jow bout 4 like they did us last year.
oops, meant how not jow
Haha you guys are funny, yeah henry was meant to be the next big thing in Denver, haha look how that turned out. As for the Nuggets I hope they cream the Lakers, I agree with Dynamicdave they are the raiders of the NBA, but at least they can win some games. Would love to see the nuggets get up, but the cavs are the team to beat.
Haha just read this article about the nuggets, in the article they compare the players to the characters in Lost.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=NuggetsLakers-090519
The Lakers are the Raiders of the NBA ( except they win )
The Knicks are the Chargers of the NBA
The Celtics are the Chiefs of the NBA
Aussie, that’s so weird.
we should try to do that with the Broncos except with maybe a different T.V. show.
I get what your saying but what show?
I got it X-men, Dawkins is Wepaon X already what about the rest?
Yes, Nuggets in front!!!
or we could compare Broncos-to-nuggets
Dawkins is Beast. Champ is Gambit (like the thief/assasin, he steals interceptions). Doom is Cyclops (he’s always got his eye on the QB). DJ is Iceman (cold hearted towards the running backs). Ayers will be Wolverine.
Nuggets up 31-23.
Nice job Dynamicdave, but the Lakers are coming back, no! Go Nuggets!
Kobe playing crap 4/10 FG haha
Pau Gasol, 3 pts. couldn’t be happier.
54-55 Lakers at the half. Denver needs to pick it up! They were up by 13 and let them back in?
Nuggets down 54-55 at the half. if your not watching this game something is wrong with you.
dang it Dave, we posted at the same exact time! LOL
Uh, uh, I was 1st, ha, ha.
melo has over 20 points. I was looking for J.R. to have a big game.
I’m not much of a basketball fan… nor am I from Denver… So if someone could tell me… what is a “Nugget”… is it supposed to be refering to gold?…
Melo and Billups are doing their thing. 60-59 Denver. Hey, do we get paid for this????
Broncobailey99, yeah, like money in the bank. Denver Nuggets basketball team. Playing the Lakers for the Western Conference Title.
Since were talking about some b-ball now.
GO NUGGETS!!
nuggets up 53 to 49
No, 66-61 Denver
Carmelo makin it rain out there, im glad that Bynum already has 4 fouls and there keepin on the bench ( hes a beast, cant lie)
bronco#80, where are you watching the game? Are you time delayed?
BroncoBailey, I’m not from Denver, I’m in California. doesn’t mean you still can’t support our beloved Nuggets!