 | Sam AdamsSam Adams joined the Rocky Mountain News in 1996, first as the Denver Broncos beat reporter before taking his current role as sports notes columnist. The Colorado Association of Black Journalists voted Adams the Print Journalist of the Year award in 2003. |
- Print this
- Comments
- Change text size
- Subscribe to print edition
Elway willing to give Hall pass to 'T.D.'
If it were up to John Elway, his former teammate, Terrell Davis, would join him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But there will be some debating amongst voters when Davis, who gained 7,607 yards in only 81 regular season games, is eligible for election into the Class of 2007.
Davis rushed for 6,413 yards and 56 touchdowns in a four-year period (1995-98). He also earned the Most Valuable Player award in Super Bowl XXXII and league MVP honors in 1998, when he gained 2,008 yards.
Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman wrote of Davis' Hall of Fame chances in his on-line column, stating that the "matter of longevity -- sadly, only four productive seasons out of an injury-shortened seven-year career -- will ding him."
Elway, who was inducted in 2004, is willing to overlook the longevity factor.
"Yes, I do believe that Terrell should be in the Hall of Fame," Elway said on Monday. "Longevity . . . I think if you look at (former Oakland Raiders coach and 2006 Hall inductee) John Madden, you tie his longevity to it -- he coached for 10 years. If it's 10 years for a coach, what is it for a player?
"I think the impact Terrell had on the Denver Broncos is better than anybody's . . . I'm totally behind Terrell, and hopefully at some point and time he does get in."
NOTEWORTHY
"Got Your Number": 10 wins and one defeat for the Broncos in exhibition season openers played under coach Mike Shanahan.
The "Heat is On" is Tatum Bell: Now that a different Bell -- as in Mike -- is ringing in Shanahan's backfield, it's up to you to show everyone just how hungry No. 26 truly is to become the Broncos' No. 1 running back
The Rockies have been a punching bag to the Dodgers in Los Angeles this season, having lost four games by a combined score of 28-5 -- including Monday night's 7-2 defeat.
Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe is scheduled to sign autographs on Saturday (from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) at the DenverAutographs.com store in Colorado Mills, located at 14500 West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood. For more information call 303-462-1165.
I believe that only truly GREAT players deserve to be in the HOF. TD was very, very good, but not always the best player on the field. I never saw Gradishar but Atwater and Zimmerman should get in first in my opinion.
Posted by Dale Hanks on November 20, 2006 07:16 PMAfter looking closely at TD's career, I think you have to let him into the HOF. Look at what he accomplished in a short period of time---2000 yard season, league MVP, Super Bowl MVP, Two Super Bowl rings, pro bowls, over 7,000 yards rushing, the bulk of which came in a 4 year span. These are incredible accomplishments. In TD's case, you have to treat him like Kirby Puckett, who's in Cooperstown. I don't like comparing baseball to football, but Puckett had a short career also (10 years), but won a couple of championships and put up big numbers. But was TD's career really that short? The average NFL running back only lasts for about 5 years, TD played for 7 years. I think it's a bit unfair to lay the longevity label on TD considering the position he played. Besides QB, it's the toughest position in football, some may argue the toughest. He played as long as the average NFL running back, but was anything but average. Put him in the hall of fame.
Posted by Jason B. on August 25, 2006 06:05 PMHOF for TD, no way. Although he was one of the best backs during the short span he played the key here is its just too short. I read today's paper where Mr Adams lays down a lot of stats on TD's behalf but we all know that yards gained during the playoffs and in the Super Bowl do not count in a player's career stats. So with that being said, TD gained 7,607 yards with 65 td's. These are still impressive numbers for his short career but it was just too short. All you Bronco fans keep crying about only having one player in the HOF, there must be a reason for this or is it some kind of conspiracy! Give me a break!!!!!
Posted by Gary A Tropper on August 21, 2006 01:07 PMFirst I must say, yes Gradishar, Atwater, and Stink belong in the HOF, without a doubt. Now, subject at hand. How many backs have rushed for 2000 yard season's? I believe it's four. Won 2 Super Bowls, one of those being the MVP. And, a league MVP. Short lived? Definately. But, he was the missing link in Elway's Super Bowl quest. TD deserves to be in the Hall. There are other's with less in there file, that are in. As for Bo Jackson, bad comparison. Great back, definately. But, you can't say Bo is better. Where are his rings and MVP's?
Posted by Jeremy on August 19, 2006 02:14 AMOf course T.D. should get in! The guy could hit a home run and get the tough yards! You never had to bring in another back on third and short or goal line. If a guy dominates the game the way he did, { eight guys in the box ! } then isn't that what you look for? By the way, anyone who says # 7 is full of it is just another pool boy for Al Davis!
Posted by on August 11, 2006 09:52 AMT.D. vs The Kansas Comet. The numbers and years are very similar BUT the Comet never won the Bowls, MVP's, 2000yds etc. etc.
Also, T.D. should be the next bronco inducted into the HoF. Sad to say but our beloved team and QB never win a Bowl w/o T.D.
T.D. vs The Kansas Comet. The numbers and years are very similar BUT the Comet never won the Bowls, MVP's, 2000yds etc. etc.
Also, T.D. should be the next bronco inducted into the HoF. Sad to say but our beloved team and QB never win a Bowl w/o T.D.
As much as I would love to see T.D. in the Hall, his career was just too short. When he played, he was the best running back in football. But the Hall should be reserved for brilliant careers only. John Madden is a joke. Former Raiders, one a hall of famer, have said they would have won MOre SuperBowls if not for the dumb coach they had.
Posted by Avalanche_in.Az on August 10, 2006 10:14 AMT.D. - Maybe after some more reflection. Randy Gradishar, Gary Zimmerman and Steve Atwater - No Doubt! First those three, then we can talk about T.D.
Posted by Ron on August 8, 2006 10:12 PMHa! Must be a Fadiers fan. Bo Jackson was a backup. He was a tremendous athlete, but that's it. TD put the Broncos into a different category. We won because of his legs. However, his career was short lived. I say put him in! What would it hurt? And while we're at it, let's put in Gradishar as well. Randy is the guy we should be taling about anyways. Talk about a HOF snubb.
Posted by Ryan A. on August 8, 2006 02:32 PMIf you are the Super Bowl MVP, and the league MVP, that should set the table for you to go into the HOF. TD's career was cut short by Brian Griese, and that should be a factor. However, with that being said, if TD goes into the HOF before Gradishar, Mecklemburg, Zimmerman, or Stinky, that is a serious misjustice. Elway should be politiking for those guys first, before TD. Harry Carson in the HOF over Gradishar or Meck? You have got to be kidding me. Gradishar is ranked higher that Carson on the top 100 LBs of all time, and never missed a game in his career that was longer than Carson's. Meck is also ranked higher on that list, and had much better statistics than Carson. The HOF is a joke, and I am disappointed in Elway, TJ, Stinky, and TD for not calling the HOF out for a blatent prejudice against the Broncos. With the exception of Madden and Reggie White, this year's HOF class was far and away the weakest and most undeserving.
Posted by Jeff on August 8, 2006 02:01 PMAs usual, Elway is full of it. Bo Jackson was twice the player that Davis was. He won't make the hall. There are a lot of really good players out there. That's what they get paid to do. But not everyone is going to make it into the hall.
Posted by Jim W. on August 8, 2006 01:53 PM
