Shannon Sharpe delivers his induction speech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on August 6, 2011. (Photo courtesy of David Richard/UPI)

The Broncos now have four players in the HOF and that number will grow in the coming years.  Running back Terrell Davis, safety Steve Atwater and linebacker Randy Gradishar are expected to eventually get the nod, preferably sooner rather than later.

Joining Davis, Atwater and Gradishar as eligible (and deserving) HOF candidates over the next two years will be receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, kicker Jason Elam and safety John Lynch.  There are four players representing the Broncos in Canton, Ohio, and seven more that will all be eligible by the year 2014.

• Davis is the only running back in NFL history who has won a League MVP, Super Bowl MVP, rushed for 2,000 yards in a single season, won back-t0-back Super Bowls, and rushed for 100 yards in seven consecutive playoff games (winning all seven of them).

• Atwater started in fourteen postseason games (including two Super Bowls), was selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls and was the most-feared safety of his time.

• Gradishar, the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year, helped lead the Broncos to Super Bowl XII, was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was a two-time All American.

• Smith went undrafted in 1994 and would go on to have eight 1,000-yard seasons in Denver, leading the NFL in receptions in 2001.  A two-time Super Bowl champion, Smith was selected to three Pro Bowls and was on the receiving end of an eighty-yard touchdown catch in Super Bowl XXIII.

• Nalen helped six different Broncos running backs rushed for 1,000 yards in a single season, and Terrell Davis rushed for over 2,000 yards in 1998.  Taking snaps of Nalen, former Broncos quarterbacks John Elway, Jake Plummer and Brian Griese posted career-highs behind Nalen’s pass protection.  A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Nalen won two Super Bowls.

• Elam is one of just three players who have ever kicked a 63-yard field goal and was selected to three Pro Bowls during his career.  No player in NFL history has scored more points for one team than Elam did with Denver.  Elam won two Super Bowls with the Broncos.

• Lynch earned nine Pro Bowl selections during his career and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Broncos.  Lynch was twice named to the All Pro team and was one of the most feared tacklers of his time.

Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater (L) and Mario Haggan (R) celebrate Prater's game-winning overtime field goal against the New England Patriots during their NFL football game in Denver, Colorado October 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell)

Per Lindsay Jones, Matt Prater has signed his restricted free agent tender keeping him Denver.  Prater was easily the hottest commodity on the kicker market but teams knew the Broncos were going to pay to keep him and with a 2nd round pick coupled to that salary it was a price no other club was willing to pay.

After a shaky 1st season as the squad’s starting kicker and having to live in the newly formed shadow of Jason Elam, Prater went on to have a fantastic 2nd season and continued to improve the 3rd .  He finished his 2010 outing with an 88.9 Field Goal percentage with a long of 59.

The now veteran kicker out of Central Florida has been with the Broncos for four years prior to signing his tender this afternoon.

• Another second year Bronco, offensive lineman Zane Beadles is now on Twitter, be sure to give him a follow.  Beadles and fellow offensive lineman J.D. Walton were two of just four rookie offensive lineman to start fourteen or more games last season. [@ZaneBeadles on Twitter]

• Attorneys for the NFL and players suing the league sent dueling letters Thursday, responding to a judge’s request that the sides try to work out their differences before she rules on the lockout.  [NFL.com]

• Former Broncos placekicker Jason Elam recently sat down with the Denver Post to talk field goals, world travel and Tebowmania, among other things.  [DP]
  

  "All ready!" We miss you, Darrent. R.I.P. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

• University of Washington linebacker Mason Foster continued his NFL tour by visiting the Tennessee Titans today and is on his way to visit the Broncos, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.  [National Football Post]

• It seems just about all the experts are mocking Denver selecting Alabama defensive tackle Marcel Dareus, while Mike Klis of the Denver Post has them picking Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, an agent that’s ‘usually in the know’ is telling him it will be LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.  [Team's Official Blog, Klis on Twitter]

• Air Force Academy grad and Denver Bronco defensive tackle Ben Garland – who chose to pass up on his pilot slot to give him a chance to play in the NFL – must sit out another year and serve on active duty before he can apply to forgo his additional three years of active duty service for six years in the Reserve, due to his military commitment.  [Military Times]

• Sports Illustrated‘s Thomas Lake has the full details on the Darrent Williams murder, it is a heartbreaking read.  R.I.P. [SI]

I wrote an article a few months back before the Marshall trade that detailed my lack luster judgement when it comes to purchasing jerseys. The basic gist is that every player whose jersey I bought has been let go or traded (or retired, damn you Plummer). Every single purchase.

It is obvious that I am not capable of making these decisions alone, I mean I was this close to buying a Marcus Thomas jersey once. What the hell is wrong with me? Did I once unknowingly buy a Mike Shanahan jersey? It is clear that I need proper guidance, the only kind of guidance other Bronco fans can provide.

Aid me in my quest Bronco fans. Which player’s jersey should I buy for this season?

Don’t you even think Ryan Clady.

The Quest Begins

What about the future?

It is well known that Tim Tebow has been dominating the realm of jersey sales ever since he’s been drafted. Even Kyle bought a Tebow jersey. The Teebs is just that competitive. The guy hasn’t taken a live NFL snap and he’s beating up on Donovan McNabb and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees. While this is fantastic for my boy Tebow, I don’t think I’m feeling the bandwagon. I’ll need to look elsewhere for my new attire.

Looking far and Wide

Foot injuries be damned! Eric Decker is getting healthy and Demaryius Thomas is already back. Is a jersey purchase in order to cheers to good health? I don’t like to announce this, (due to my fear) but I have an Eddie Royal jersey. The thing is, I myself didn’t buy it, but I did get it before the start of the last season. Is no one safe?

Don’t be a hater

I can’t forget Matt Prater. Kickers are people too. After a rocky start, Prater has been solid and consistent for the past two seasons. However, with the exception of a few, how long to do kickers really last on a team? The wind still blows through the hole Jason Elam left in my heart (and wallet).

Help is around the Corner

There’s a slew of young defensive backs to choose from, Perrish ‘I got Potential’ Cox, Alphonso ‘I swear I’m better” Smith, Syd’quan ‘Just call me Sid’ Thomspon, and Tony ‘Give me a chance’ Carter.

Is is too late to get a Champ Bailey jersey? Or would I just be punching his ticket out of here? 

Brown Hair

Knowshon Moreno almost rushed for 1,000 yards last season behind an ailing offensive line and while sharing carries with Correll Buckhalter. This Georgia super star showed glimpses of greatness when he could get his feet underneath him. I think Moreno is primed for a great year if you can sustain his health and fitness for a full 16 games. Is that enough to win over my $80?

Beating the system

If all else fails I will use my powers for good.

I know I left a lot of players out, but it’s up to you to fill in the blanks for me. This is a big decision among fans (potentially catastrophic for me), so let’s here your stories and opinions.

I’d like to add my personal fan-based ‘thank you’ to ole #1…

Jason, you deserve to be in the Hall of Fame and I truly hope you get there; however, I admire you most for your outstanding character and personal witness. You have been an unapologetic Christian athlete long before it was cool for College QB’s to reference their faith. More importantly, you never held your beliefs over anyone, but rather lived by example. Thank you for the memories and thank you for that example.

Good luck and may God bless your ongoing mission work!

*****

And now, I must express my thanks to someone else. Someone that made Elam’s retirement as a Bronco possible. Because, two years removed from his organization and with almost none of the same faces both on the field and in the front office, Pat Bowlen still went out of his way to honor his former kicker in a way most players (let alone kickers) get a chance to do.

I think it speaks volumes for Mr. Bowlen and the type of organization he’s labored to create at Dove Valley.

My hats off to you Mr. Bowlen for caring not just for your team and your city, but for caring for your players as human beings and friends. Your character in this time as well as countless other times has clearly singled you out as both a deeply passionate and compassionate man.

Denver is lucky to have you. You are, hands down, the best owner in sport. Period.

Dear Josh McDaniels,

Remember that time when you sent that guy who appeared to be the future to the Windy City? Well whether or not it was a good deal remains to be seen. However, what is evident is that I lost out on two freaking $70 jerseys and a $15 “Got Cutler?” t-shirt.

His ostracism riled up Denver fans into fits of pyromania. That infamous August caused fans to cremate whatever memories they still obtained in an attempt to materialize their anger. The rest of your tenure has not led fans to dissimilar actions. If I owned a Kyle Orton jersey it would have been cauterized well before the fourth quarter of the final Chiefs game.

Coach, what you need to recognize is that good old Mike Shanahan was never a fan of keeping around the guys whose jersey’s people like to purchase. Josh, you’re not variating from this philosophy. Thank god they don’t make Mike Nolan jerseys.

2003: I bought a Clinton Portis jersey ($70).

2004: Clinton Portis was traded to the Redskins (which I’m not complaining about).

2005: I bought a Trevor Pryce as well as a Jake Plummer jersey ($140).

2006: Trevor Pryce was signed by the Ravens in free agency.

2007: Jake Plummer was traded to Tampa Bay and he decided to retire. Shortly soon after I purchased a Jason Elam jersey, a sure fire investment I thought ($70).

2008: Jason Elam was signed by the Falcons in free agency. So I bought a Jay Cutler jersey for myself, one for my girlfriend, and a “Got Cutler” t-shirt after his first full season starting ($160).

2009: McJayGate. My parents were generous enough to bestow me with a Brandon Marshall jersey that Christmas ($70).

Somewhere buried in my closet is $440 worth of throwback merchandize, please keep it from totaling $510. I’d like to see B-Marsh truck through San Fran’s secondary in London and Id like to see Elvis Dumervil wreak havoc in the backfield again.

Orton? Well he’d better be cheap and Tom Brandstater should get more looks come pre-season. Orton would still be fine if a guy like Sean Canfield or Jimmy Clausen is drafted. 

The bottom line is Coach, I’m more than willing to support you for another season as long as you don’t let Elvis leave the building.

Sincerely,

Mr. East

What about you Bronco nation? How many jersey casualties have you suffered over the years? How badly do you want to keep Doom and B-Marsh? Air it out!

NFL News & Notes

• House finally acknowledges it!  [With Leather]
• Charger lineman Jon Runyan will retire after this season and run for congress in New Jersey.  [ESPN]

Talks with the Broncos finally stopped and  Elam received the contract he was looking for back in his home state of Georgia from the Falcons.  That following season, Denver struggled mightily with then replacement and current kicker Matt Prater.  The 2nd year kicker completed only 73.5% of his field goals and even missed an extra point.   Jason proved to be what the Falcons paid for, the kicker with shoes in the hall of fame.  He was Mr. Accurate completing a career high 93.5% of his field goals.  Some of that can probably be attributed to playing in a dome, but he kicked brilliantly nonetheless.

Many Bronco fans and critics (myself included) said it was the wrong move to let Elam go.  He was reliable.  You never second guessed a field goal from inside 50 yards.  Even 50+ you were very confidant.  It was disheartening to watch a young kicker struggle with what was previously deemed easy kicks.  Letting Elam walk out the door only to struggle with Prater felt like the wrong move.

2009 has been a completely different story for the potential hall of famer.  Jason has struggled to say the least.  He currently sits at a career low 62.5% on FG attempts.  Not even his season following rehab from a devastating pelvis injury from a block during kickoff coverage saw numbers like this.  The Falcons are bringing in four kickers this week to compete for a job.  The list includes recently released Raven Steve Hauschka.  This comes the week after Elam missed a 35 yard attempt against the NY Giants in a game that went to overtime and saw Atlanta came away with a loss.

Head coach Mike Smith has stated that Elam may only be replaced on longer field goals.  The dropoff in his accuracy and relability has been startling.  While Matt Prater’s percentage here in Denver has slowly increased over last year.  He now sits at a respectable 78.9%.  It looks as if our old head coach and front office foreman may have been right on this one although it probably isn’t a franchise move Bronco nation wants to gloat over.  I’m willing to bet that I speak for many fans and wish Mr. Elam well in his endevevours as he will always be a Denver Bronco.  The guy that drilled a hall of fame 63 yard field goal in a playoff game no less.

Fans have been able to vote for the greatest players in Denver Broncos history position-by-position since June 6th, and today, the team announced the results. Scroll below to see the full Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team.

As you’ll see, there’s a heavy skew on the 90′s teams that won two Super Bowls, especially on offense. And deservedly so; the 1997 and 1998 teams weren’t just the greatest squad in Broncos history, they were two of the most talented rosters from top to bottom in NFL history.

This list is fairly solid, and closely mirrors my own roster. I would have liked to see Al Wilson at linebacker; he was the heart and soul of the Broncos defense for 8 years, but it’s hard to take any of those names off at the same time. Lionel Taylor makes more sense than Eddie Mac at WR to me.

What do you think Broncos fans? How does this team match your roster? Who was left off? Who doesn’t deserve to be on it? Dish it out in the comments. Press release (including the 2nd teamers) after the jump.

BRONCOS ANNOUNCE 50th ANNIVERSARY TEAM

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The 2009 NFL season marks the 50th anniversary of the Denver Broncos. To commemorate the past while embracing the future, the franchise has allowed its community of fans, an integral part of Broncos Country during the first 50 seasons, the chance to vote for their 50th Anniversary Denver Broncos Team.

From June 6 – Sept. 4, fans had the chance to make their voices heard by casting their votes online at www.DenverBroncos.com. The results are in, and here are the choices:

The first team will be honored in person during halftime of the team’s Legacy Game on Oct. 11 when the New England Patriots visit INVESCO Field at Mile High. In addition, one lucky voter will have the opportunity to join the 50th Anniversary Team during this ceremony. That winner will be announced at a later date.

The voting process was made possible by the Broncos’ online marketing partner, Akavit – the principle digital agency behind DenverBroncos.com and BroncosCountry.com. The interactive voting tool featured the Broncos’ history and highlights spanning the past 50 seasons through the use of video and additional multimedia. Each player was represented by their respective biography, statistics and photographs.

Along with the first team, the Broncos are also announcing a 50th Anniversary second team.

The second team-offense has Craig Morton lining up at quarterback, with Otis Armstrong and Sammy Winder at running back, Haven Moses and Lionel Taylor at wide receiver, and Riley Odoms at tight end. Rounding out the unit is the offensive line of Ken Lanier and Dave Studdard at offensive tackle, Ben Hamilton and Paul Howard at guard and Billy Bryan at center.

The second-team defense has a line of Rulon Jones and Alfred Williams at defensive end, and Greg Kragen and Paul Smith at defensive tackle. Al Wilson, Bill Romanowski and D.J. Williams are at linebacker. Ray Crockett and Willie Brown are the second-team cornerbacks, while Steve Foley and Goose Gonsoulin round out the defense at safety.

The second-team specialists are Jim Turner at kicker, Mike Horan at punter, and Billy Thompson at returner.

January

The 2007 season comes to an end, and the Broncos finish 7-9. Housecleaning is in order. Matt Lepsis retires. Immediately, Javon Walker says he wants out. Defensive top dog Jim Bates exits, along with Offensive top dog Mike Heimerdinger, although he left on his own terms. By the month’s end, Jay Cutler and company were already preparing for big things in 08.

February

The Broncos prepare for a relatively mild free agency, focusing on making decisions with their own people before the period begins February 29th. They let franchise kicker Jason Elam hit the market, along with LB Ian Gold and WR Javon Walker.

March

Marcus Thomas: Arrested. Walker gets paid way too much to suck for the Raiders. GM Ted Sundquist is surprisingly fired. Former LB Al Wilson sues the Broncos, ending any “56 is back!” hype. Elam finds new digs on the market, signing with the Falcons. The Broncos make their best free agent signing in C Casey Wiegmann.

Brandon Marshall slips on a McDonald’s bag wrestles with his brother hurts his arm.

April

The “easy-as-pie, we’re playing the tame NFC South and AFC East” schedule comes out. The Broncos trade for DT Dewayne Robertson. They sign WR Darrell Jackson.

Oh, and this little thing called the draft takes place, and I beg the Broncos to draft Ryan Clady. No, seriously, I beg and plead. Someone heard me. The draft is, how do you say, great success. The UDFAs aren’t half bad, either. And the Raiders suck.

May

Holy crap, Jay Cutler has diabetes. The team holds their QB Camp/Mini-Camp. The Broncos sign Michael Pittman after Travis Henry misses practice. The NFL says ‘adios‘ to the CBA. There’s a big break in the Darrent Williams murder case, and the Darrent Williams Teen Center statue of #27 is unveiled.

June

Brandon Marshall suspension rumors heat up as the details of his troubled history with the law bubble to the surface. Javon Walker gets in some trouble of his own. On the lighter side, Smack Talk Week unleashes major pwnage on the Raiders, Chiefs, and Chargers. Philip Rivers: Found.

Part II of our Year in Review will drop tomorrow, covering the months of July through December. We understand football is to be played for much of this period of time. We can’t wait.