AFC West: Randy Gradishar
Five questions with Shannon Sharpe
Here we go:
How did you celebrate Saturday night in Dallas?
Shannon Sharpe: I went back to my room, ordered room service and went to bed. I’m not a big celebrator. I don’t drink, so I’m not a big partier. Now, I’ll have a get together back in my hometown some time with family and friends, but Saturday night was pretty basic. I talked to my family and best friend, but other than that, it was quiet.
What was Sunday like?
Mark J. Rebilas/US PresswireShannon Sharpe's brother -- former Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe -- will present Shannon at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.Who do you think will be the next Denver player to get into the Hall of Fame?
SS: I’d Say TD [Terrell Davis]. I think Randy Gradishar could get in at some point in the senior committee, but as far as the modern players, I think Terrell, and then followed closely by Rod Smith, should get in.
Who is going to present you into the Hall of Fame?
SS: My brother. If I could split it up, I’d have my brother and sister, but she doesn’t like talking in public. It will be my brother and there was never really any thought to it. It’s him.
What does you old quarterback, John Elway, need to do to fix the Broncos?
SS: As a former player, John will be smart about it. Even though he was a quarterback, John will know Denver needs to get as much defensive help as possible to help Elvis Dumervil. If they can do that, they should be able to get back on track.
Five questions with Floyd Little
The running back – who was the face of the Denver Broncos from 1968-75 – was elected into the hall of fame Saturday in what was likely his final chance to be elected.
Little is still in Miami as he and the other newly elected members are going through a hall of fame orientation. Tuesday, Little was measured for his hall of fame jackets and had photos taken for his bust for this summer’s enshrinement ceremony. Little took time out of his hectic schedule to play five questions:
How did you celebrate your election Saturday night? “We had a group of 11 friends and family who went to a steakhouse. My old friend, baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, was in Miami and he joined us. We had champagne and cake and we partied big time.”
How many calls of congratulations have you gotten since your election? My voice mail holds 60 messages and it is full. I have 150 emails. Many college teammates from Syracuse are calling and my Denver teammates are calling me. Two of the most special calls were from Vice President Joe Biden and Hall of Famer Joe Greene. He said I was the best player he ever played against. Joe Biden and I went to Syracuse together. He wants to come to the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Who is going to be your Hall of Fame presenter? “My son, Marc. He was the first guy to write a letter to the Hall of Fame asking why I wasn’t in. I told him if I ever made it, he’d be standing up there with me.”
Who will be the next Denver player elected? “It should either be Randy Gradishar or Shannon Sharpe.”
What should the Broncos do with receiver Brandon Marshall? “The tail can’t wag the dog. He didn’t play in the team’s last game but he played in the Pro Bowl. But I think they have to find a way to keep him. He’s the best receiver in the league, in my opinion. They have to find a way make it work.”
Broncos reveal 50th anniversary team
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
The Denver Broncos have released their all-time 50th Anniversary team that was chosen by fan voting. The team will be recognized Oct. 11 against New England.
It looks to me that the fans got this line right. There are some superstars on this team. Here’s the list:
First-team Offense
QB John Elway
RB Terrell Davis
RB Floyd Little
WR Ed McCaffrey
WR Rod Smith
TE Shannon Sharpe
OT Matt Lepsis
OT Gary Zimmerman
G Keith Bishop
G Mark Schlereth
C Tom Nalen
First-team Defense
DE Simon Fletcher
DE Rich Jackson
DT Trevor Pryce
DT Rubin Carter
LB Karl Mecklenburg
LB Randy Gradishar
LB Tom Jackson
CB Champ Bailey
CB Louis Wright
S Steve Atwater
S Dennis Smith
First-team Specialists
K Jason Elam
P Tom Rouen
Ret Rick Upchurch
Posted by ESPN.com' s Bill Williamson
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Here is reaction from some key figures in Gene Upshaw's NFL career who I caught up with today:
Former Oakland Raiders coach Tom Flores: "He was one of the all-time greats. He had it all. He became a leader and earned the respect of all of his teammates. True, die-hard Raiders fans remember Gene Upshaw as a dominant player."
Former Denver linebacker Tom Jackson: "It's a sad day for the NFL. Gene and John Hannah where the greatest guards I've ever faced. A lot of older players say they wish they would have played now because of the money difference. But I am honored to have played against a player like Gene Upshaw. The game was more pure then and Gene was a part of that. Gene played at 260 pounds but he was big for those days. He was big. Very rarely are the emotional leaders of a team the offensive linemen. But Gene was the emotional leader of those great Raiders' teams. He was a respected guy."
Former Denver linebacker Randy Gradishar: "Playing against Gene was always a difficult challenge. I took great pride in playing against the Raiders and I took great pride in playing against Gene Upshaw. Playing against Gene was a mind game. He could overpower you but he was very intelligent so he could outsmart opponents as well."
Former Minnesota defensive tackle Jim Marshall: "I had a lot of respect for Gene Upshaw as a player and as a person. As an older player we didn't all always agree with Gene but we knew he did his best. He did a lot of great things inside and outside of the game. My deepest sympathies go out to his wife and children. Gene was a good man."


