ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Here are this week's "sound off" responses. The question was: Do former Denver tight end Shannon Sharpe and former Kansas City linebacker Derrick Thomas deserve induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? They are finalists. The voting is Saturday.

The overwhelming feedback was in support of both Sharpe and Thomas getting inducted. Here are some of your responses. Thanks to all of those who participated:

Luke from Aurora, CA: There is no question that Shannon Sharpe should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He paved the way for what the tight end position has been in recent times. He also held virtually every major NFL record at tight end when he retired, and he had three Super Bowl rings (two with the Broncos and one with the Ravens). It would be an embarrassment of epic proportions if Sharpe was not voted in during his first year of eligibility. Granted, the Hall of Fame is noted for disrespecting the Broncos, but if they were to shun Sharpe now, then the Hall of Fame should be officially abolished.

Dave from Denver: BW - I would vote both in. If it was one or the other, Sharpe would go first. Why? He changed the position into what it can be today. He blocked as well as caught passes. Yes he talked a lot of trash - the funny part is he backed it up. Coordinators had to plan for both Sharpe and Thomas. As we all know Thomas tragically left us long before anyone expected.

Joe From Denver, CO: Derrick Thomas, all heart and sentiment aside, is not worthy of the hall. His career just wasn't long enough and he provided 0 rings or SB appearances. He didn't rewrite the record books. If you vote a Thomas in I think you have to vote Gradishar and Terrell Davis in as well. Sharpe on the other hand has 2 SB's and was a key cog in the Ravens SB, retired with every meaningful record at his position, redefined his position.

Travis from Edmond, Oklahoma: Derrick Thomas did as much in a 10 year football career as some players do in a 15 to 20 year career. Hey may not have had all of the off the field attributes that you hope for, but on the field there may never have been a player so many teams feared besides Lawrence Taylor and Dick Butkis. There definately is no reason that he should not already be in the Hall, he was a prowl bowl player nearly all his career and deserves to be in historic Canton.

Dev from Kansas City: In a large opinion, Derrick Thomas as a Lawrence Taylor like pass rusher. My view is that if an individual can change the outcome of a team game, then he is an impact player. Now, if he can dominate and do this on a consistent basis, then he is worthy of the Hall of Fame. Derrick Thomas took over games and was the most feared pass rusher in the AFC West, AFC, maybe the entire NFL. Not voting him in would be as bad as Buck O'Neil missing Cooperstown. Cooperstown messed up and good ole Buck got a statue in the front instead. Don't do that to DT.

Matt Hubert from Erie, PA: As a Raiders fan, I have to shed negative bias to vote in a Bronco/Chief, but Shannon Sharpe and Derrick Thomas both did more than enough to earn my respect and approval as Hall of Famers. As an 8-time Pro Bowl selection and 3-time Super Bowl champion, Sharpe enjoyed both personal and team success over the course of his stellar 14-year career. He's 18th on the NFL's all-time receptions list (ahead of Hall of Famers such as James Lofton, Michael Irvin and Ozzie Newsome) and his 62 career receiving TDs ranks second all-time among tight ends. The late Derrick Thomas doesn't share Sharpe's Super Bowl pedigree, but the pass-rushing specialist was not the reason his Chiefs teams came up short. In his 11-year career, Thomas made 9 Pro Bowls and twice was a first-team All-Pro selection. He was the 1989 Rookie of the Year. The next year he set a record that still stands today, recording seven sacks in a game, on his way to leading the league in sacks for the season. His 126.5 career sacks ranks 11th all-time. Both players were game changers, individuals the opposition had to be aware of at all times. Both made their respective marks on the league, and both bought to be recognized for their contributions with induction into the Hall of Fame.

Daytona Beach: I have been a long time Chiefs fan adn feel Derrick Thomas should be in the hall already. There are not very many palyers in this game that could change the out come of a game the way he could.Even with teams game planning against him he could still get to the qb and noone has ever been as adept at stripping the ball along with the sack like he could. As for Shannon Sharpe, he should also make it into the hall. He was a great TE. He set the new standard for the position and Tony Gonzales expanded on it. All future TE's will be compaired to these 2. Over all when you talk about anyone that should be in the hall of fame you look at their numbers. Both players have the numbers to support their being in the hall of fame. You also look for players that are the so called game changers and they both fit that category too.

Maple Grove, MN: My comment is in regard to the Sound off: Hall of Fame version Both are clearly deserving of being inducted into the hall of fame! However, if I could only choose one it would be Shannon Sharpe. He's blocked for two 2,000 yard rushers (Terrell Davis and Jamal Lewis) and owned just about every pass catching record for a tight end when he retired. Not to mention he owns 3 superbowl rings. He is in the top 2 or 3 of his position all time. What more needs to be said? Brandon

Aaron from Fort Collins: I dont see how Shannon Sharpe doesnt get in the HOF. Since he's left, I wish we could get another TE like him but that is not likely to happen.

Jeff from Lafayette, LA: Sharpe in the hall for the first round? Definitely, the man reinvented the position and had some of the highest numbers for yards and catches for a tight end. Only Tony Gonzales has numbers to match since Sharpe retired. Sharpe as a major reason that the Broncos (finally) won two superbowls in a row. Sure, Elway and Davis were the reason that the Broncos won those games, but without Sharpe, there are only two receivers on the field. Sharpe was an important cog in that wheel. Thomas? I think we need a few more years to see if he should qualify. The game that Sharpe infuriated Thomas and was eventually thrown out says a lot. Thomas' unfortunate death was tragic, but the man was a hot-head that let emotions get in the way of a great career. I do think that Broncos like Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, Dennis Smith, Gary Zimmerman, et al. deserve a shot at the hall before Thomas.

Derek from Denver: Bill, I think you can make cases for both these players. Shannon Sharpe more so though. Shannon Sharpe was the best recieving tightened in the game, set several records, and has three superbowl rings. I think that puts him in that elite catagory that you're speaking of. Derek Thomas on the other hand, has the record for sacks in a single game. He was the best player, on a mediocre defense, but teams had to game plan against him. I would say that he was one of the few players that transformed the LB position and set the tone for the DeMarcus Wares of the world.

Dan from Syracuse: Thomas and Sharpe are BOTH deserving of the Hall. I'm a Raiders fan, so you know this is an 'unbiased' opinion. Not only did both players torture MY team for years on years, but every team they faced. Sharpe was/is of of the most complete tight ends to ever play the game, and Thomas could have EASILY gone done as one of the greatest to play the game, had his career and life not been cut tragically short. People try to knock Thomas for run support, but there's going
to be knocks on ANY player at ANY position. Sharpe was one of the hardest working players in the league and had a great knowledge for the game. Both men should EASILY be elected to the Hall.

Ray from El Paso TX: Shannon Sharpe should be in the HOF, no question. He revolutionized the position. How many players can say that? He retired the leading TE in NFL History in catches, TD's and yards. He also won 3 Super Bowls. Some will say that he didn't block very much or very good, I say that he was able to take teams out of packages by his alignment(See Super Bowl XXXII). He was a match-up nightmare for any team, one of the hardest workers, and a team leader. On a side note, why don't you include Cortez Kennedy. He was a lifetime AFC West guy. I know that Seattle left the division with the realignment, but I still think it bares at least a few words recognizing a man that made life hell for the AFC West for years.

John from Youngstown: Bill, first Shannon Sharpe was a beast. He not only set a couple records, but made linebackers and safties look like high school players on a weekly basis. The man was nearly unstoppable. Elway doesnt get his chance to play Green Bay without the likes of Sharpe (3rd and 10 to seal the game, Sharpe over the middle). And he has 3 SB rings. The late Derrick Thomas was a nightmare for opposing qb's during his outstanding career. I beleive he holds the record for most sacks in a single game, 7? I know you should never say never, but I dont think that record is going to be broke. I believe both of these superstars have done enough if not more than some guys already inshrined and both deserve bust in Canton.