SB Nation Denver - 2012 Pro Football Hall Of Fame: Terrell Davis, Steve Atwater And Karl Mecklenburg Not Among Finalistshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2012-02-04T16:39:08-07:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23455642012-02-04T16:39:08-07:002012-02-04T16:39:08-07:002012 NFL Hall Of Fame: Former Seahawks DT Cortez Kennedy Makes Canton With 5 Others
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<p>The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Saturday evening that there will be five new members of inducted into the hallowed halls of Canton this August. Four linemen, one running back and one defensive back made it in:</p>
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<p>Congratulations Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, <span>Curtis Martin</span>, and <span>Willie Roaf</span>! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523PFHOF12">#PFHOF12</a></p>
— Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF/status/165934386372546561" data-datetime="2012-02-04T23:06:55+00:00">February 4, 2012</a>
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<p>Jack Butler was a cornerback for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> in the 1950s and made 52 career interceptions. He was the Senior Committee's selection. Dermontti Dawson was a center for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1990s. Chris Doleman was defensive end who played mostly with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> and accumulated 150.5 sacks in his career.</p>
<p>Cortez Kennedy played against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> during the 1990s as a defensive tackle for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. He had 58 career sacks. Curtis Martin was a running back for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a>, finishing with 14,101 rushing yards for fourth all-time. Willie Roaf played offensive tackle for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> and closed out his career with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>.</p>
<p>For Terrell Davis, Steve Atwater and Karl Mecklenburg must wait for another year of voting to get in. They made it to the semifinals but were cut during finals voting.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2012/2/4/2771658/nfl-hall-of-fame-2012-announcementRuss Oates2012-02-04T08:29:34-07:002012-02-04T08:29:34-07:002012 NFL Hall Of Fame Finalists Narrowed To Inductees On Saturday Night
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<p>The NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be announced on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. ET, and the halls of Canton will have anywhere from four to seven new members. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> won't have any as Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis and Karl Mecklenburg <a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2012/1/7/2689901/nfl-hall-of-fame-2012-finalists-denver-broncos/in/2345564">were cut during </a>the previous round of voting. However, the Broncos will certainly be familiar with several of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/2012/1/7/class-of-2012-finalists/">17 potential candidates</a>.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> receiver <span>Tim Brown</span>, who played with the team from 1998-2003, almost became a Broncos player in 1994 when <a target="_blank" href="http://articles.latimes.com/1994-03-12/sports/sp-33089_1_tim-brown">he signed an offer sheet</a>, but the Raiders wound up matching the offer. He had 143 receptions for 1,826 yards and 13 touchdowns in 31 games against the Broncos.</p>
<p>Cortez Kennedy spent his career (1990-2000) with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> back when they were an AFC West team. He had plenty of opportunities during the 90s to play against the Broncos.</p>
<p>Bill Parcells won his first Super Bowl with a victory over the Broncos in Jan. 1987 and then spent most of the 90s with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>.</p>
<p><span>Will Shields</span>, like Parcells, is in his first year of eligibility. He spent his entire career (1993-2006) with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, dealing with the Broncos' pass rush every season.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2012/2/4/2770670/nfl-hall-of-fame-2012-finalistsRuss Oates2012-01-07T12:52:15-07:002012-01-07T12:52:15-07:002012 Pro Football Hall Of Fame Finalists: Broncos' Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis And Karl Mecklenburg Fail To Make Cut
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<p>The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its <a target="_blank" href="http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/2012/1/7/class-of-2012-finalists/">finalists for the Class of 2012</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> were shut out on the list. Safety Steve Atwater, running back Terrell Davis and linebacker Karl Mecklenburg were among the <a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/11/22/2581538/2012-pro-football-hall-of-fame-semifinalists-terrell-davis-steve-atwater/in/2345564">semifinalists announced</a> back in November. After having Floyd Little and Shannon Sharpe inducted into Canton over the last two years, the Broncos will need to wait another time to add to the team's representation in the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Bill Parcells and Will Shields are the only first-year eligible candidates who made the final ballot.</p>
<p>Here is the complete list of finalists:</p>
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<p><span id="ctl12_lblContent"><span>Jerome Bettis</span> – Running Back – 1993-95 Los Angeles/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>, 1996-2005 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a><br> <br> <span>Tim Brown</span> – Wide Receiver/Kick Returner – 1988-2003 Los Angeles/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a>, 2004 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> <br> <br> Jack Butler* – Cornerback – 1951-59 Pittsburgh Steelers<br> <br> Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, 1990-2001 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>, 2002 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> <br> <br> Dermontti Dawson – Center – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers <br> <br> Edward DeBartolo, Jr. – Owner – 1977-2000 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> <br> <br> Chris Doleman – Defensive End/Linebacker – 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers<br> <br> Kevin Greene – Linebacker/Defensive End – 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, 1997 San Francisco 49ers<br> <br> Charles Haley – Defensive End/Linebacker – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a><br> <br> Cortez Kennedy – Defensive Tackle – 1990-2000 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a><br> <br> <span>Curtis Martin</span> – Running Back – 1995-97 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>, 1998-2005 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a><br> <br> Bill Parcells – Coach – 1983-1990 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys<br> <br> Andre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>, 2000 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> <br> <br> <span>Willie Roaf</span> – Tackle – 1993-2001 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>, 2002-05 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a><br> <br> <span>Will Shields</span> – Guard – 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs<br> <br> Dick Stanfel* – Guard – 1952-55 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, 1956-58 Washington Redskins<br> <br> Aeneas Williams – Cornerback/Safety – 1991-2000 Phoenix/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams</span></p>
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<p>The results of the final voting will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, the night before the Super Bowl.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2012/1/7/2689901/nfl-hall-of-fame-2012-finalists-denver-broncosRuss Oates2011-11-22T16:50:34-07:002011-11-22T16:50:34-07:00Pro Football Hall Of Fame 2012: Steve Atwater, Karl Mecklenburg Finally Among Semifinalists
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<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/2011/11/22/class-of-2012-semifinalists/">Pro Football Hall of Fame announced</a> on Tuesday its semifinalists for induction into the 2012 class. Two former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> reached the semifinal round for the first time in their eligibility periods: safety Steve Atwater and linebacker Karl Mecklenburg.</p>
<p>Atwater played the first 10 years of his career with the Broncos and was always known for his hard-hitting ways. The highlight he is perhaps best known for is his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvPxzQBIafo">punishing hit on Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye</a>.</p>
<p>Mecklenburg played in 180 career games, all with Denver, and finished with 79 career sacks, second best in team history. He rose from being a 12th round draft pick in 1983 to a six-time Pro Bowler and a defensive leader on teams that went to the Super Bowls. He and Atwater are both members of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.</p>
<p>Also joining the those former Broncos is running back Terrell Davis, who has been a semifinalists dating back to 2007.</p>
<p>The ranks of the eligible players has been thinning to the point that there are no sure-fire players for this upcoming election. Guys like <span>Tim Brown</span>, Cris Carter and <span>Curtis Martin</span> are right at the top, but these three Broncos could possibly slip into the mix.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Broncos, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com">Mile High Report</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/11/22/2581538/2012-pro-football-hall-of-fame-semifinalists-terrell-davis-steve-atwaterRuss Oates2011-09-28T13:32:22-06:002011-09-28T13:32:22-06:00Rod Smith Among Five Denver Broncos On Early 2012 Hall Of Fame List
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<p>From undrafted rookie free agent to Pro Football Hall of Famer--could that be former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> wide receiver <span>Rod Smith's</span> ultimate destination? Smith is in his<a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2011/09/28/five-broncos-on-preliminary-2012-hall-of-fame-list/9769/"> first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame</a>. Now, Smith will likely last for some time on the preliminary ballots, but it will be a tough struggle to make it to the final stages of voting.</p>↵<p>However, Smith does have a compelling case to eventually make it to that stage. That he was an undrafted free agent makes his stats quite incredible. He has 849 career receptions, 18th best all-time; his 11,389 receiving yards are good for 23rd all-time; and his 68 touchdowns are in a tie for 35th all-time with Hall of Famers Art Monk and Raymond Berry. </p>↵<p>Smith won two Super Bowls and made three Pro Bowls. Plus, he was a leader for the Broncos once John Elway and Terrell Davis were gone.</p>↵<p>If anything, Terrell Davis might move closer to being a finalist. He is eligible once again, along with former Broncos Karl Mecklenberg, Steve Atwater and coach Dan Reeves.</p>↵
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2011/9/28/2456091/rod-smith-pro-football-hall-of-fame-2012-terrell-davisRuss Oates