Perhaps stem-cell scientists have accidently sprouted wings on swine.
Besides the gnashing of teeth, hellions must be scraping snow off windshields.
Something is up, because Gary Zimmerman is freely giving media interviews, participating in promotions, putting himself out there in public, offering his opinions.
Clearly, induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame can change a man.
“The biggest thing is people kind of listen to me now,” Zimmerman said. “I’ve been coming out of my hole a little bit, because four years ago I wouldn’t have come out and done stuff like this.”
Zimmerman will be available to fans streaming into the south side of Invesco Field at Mile High for the Chargers-Broncos game today. The former Broncos star and forever Hall of Fame offensive tackle will join Chargers Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow and Reggie Rivers, a hall of famer in matters not exclusive to football, in encouraging fans to vote for the Hall of Fame class of 2010 as part of a Van Heusen-sponsored promotion.
A younger Zim might have considered such an event silly, regardless of perks. It makes sense that the limitless stratosphere of immortality would make one less resistant.
“I feel it’s important to get the word out to try and help the Broncos and help some of the other players,” Zim said. “Basically, just help out because there seems to be a West Coast bias (among Hall of Fame voters). I don’t know if it will help out, but it’s not going to hurt to try.”
It’s doubtful an outpouring of fan support for Shannon Sharpe today will influence Hall voters Kent Somers and John Clayton into squeezing the former Broncos tight end on their final five-man — and only five — modern-era ballot in a year when Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are locks, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, John Randle and Aeneas Williams are deserving, and Charles Haley, Richard Dent and Russ Grimm have been waiting.
Sharpe should get in anyway, but he may have to wait another year or two. For Broncos fans, it’s important that Hall voters rubber-stamp Floyd Little, who was placed on the finalists’ ballot by the powerful seniors committee.
“I think it is important for Floyd because it is probably his best realistic shot,” Zimmerman said. “For Shannon, I think the thing about him is you have Jerry Rice and Emmitt coming in, and how many offensive players are you going to vote in? I think it becomes a numbers game. That’s one thing I learned when I went through — it was how many at one position do you put in?”
Among former Broncos, Zimmerman is most supportive of inside linebacker Randy Gradishar, whose candidacy now rests in the hands of the seniors committee. Among non-Broncos, Zimmerman believes Chris Doleman, a former teammate in Minnesota, is the most overlooked.
“With the Vikings, every day we had battle roy-al!” Zimmerman said. (Yes, Zim will even drop the occasional exclamation point into his conversation these days.) “If you look at his stats, he’s right there with all the players up for nomination, but he’s not getting the pub because he played for three teams, and there’s not one team really pushing him.”
The top two bar-stool conversations in sports are, one, who was better: Montana or Elway? And two, is so-and-so a Hall of Famer?
I think next year will produce one of the most fascinating Hall of Fame debates in some time when Curtis Martin joins Terrell Davis for consideration.
It’s the classic comparison of a running back who was good if never great for a very long time (Martin) and a running back who was great for a very short time (Davis).
I think Martin is more deserving. Greatness can be debated, even for a running back who was the difference in the Broncos winning back-to-back Super Bowls. But there’s no sense arguing about 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. It’s just there, in black and white.
Then again, as Zimmerman will point out to all those who will be paying rapt attention today, why put in another player from the Eastern time zone when the Hall has been so tough on a Denver franchise that has played in six Super Bowls?
“I’m hoping people show how they feel, because there’s no way there should only be two Denver Broncos in right now,” Zimmerman said. “I hope this can help out. It’s not going to sway anyone’s vote. But if somebody is on the fence, maybe it can tilt him the right way.”
Eye on …
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
What: A scoring machine who has 52 touchdowns in the past three-plus seasons, including an NFL-best 12 this year, Jones-Drew passed up a touchdown last week against the New York Jets. He kneeled at the 1 to run out the clock and set up a gimme, game-winning field goal with no time remaining.
Background: Played at the same De La Salle High School (Concord, Calif.) powerhouse that produced Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams. Jones-Drew was Karl Dorrell’s leading rushing in each of his three seasons at UCLA. Jones-Drew topped all running backs with a 4.39 clocking in the 40 at the 2006 NFL combine, outsprinting the likes of Jerious Norwood, Leon Washington and Joseph Addai.
Klis’ take: Jones-Drew was taken with the No. 60 overall pick in the second round. With the No. 61 pick, the Broncos took Tony Scheffler. To think New England took Laurence Maroney at No. 21. Yet, New England has gone 45-12 in the regular season since taking the wrong running back while Jacksonville has gone 29-28.
At issue
Mike Shanahan’s next coaching gig
What: Shanahan was contacted a few weeks back by Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and more recently by a member of the Buffalo Bills’ front-office staff, according to an NFL source.
Klis’ take: No, Buffalo isn’t ideal. But don’t quickly dismiss the possibility of Shanahan considering the Bills’ job. All Shanahan wants is to coach in the NFL. By the way, his top competition for the next ideal NFL job may not be Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden. It may be the next Josh McDaniels. Owners have been trending toward the next coaching wunderkind. Shanahan will turn 58 before next season.
On the hot seat
Bud Adams, owner, Titans
When: Monday night, when Adams’ Tennessee Titans, formerly known as the Houston Oilers, visit Houston to play the Texans.
Why: What timing. This week, the 86- year-old Adams was fined $250,000 for his series of middle-finger gestures he flashed at the Buffalo Bills’ bench as his team finished up a 41-17 victory last week in Nashville, Tenn. This week, Adams returns to the city he jilted in 1997, when he moved the franchise to Tennessee after the city of Houston refused funding for a new stadium.
Ups and downs
THREE UP
1. Redskins: Rest up, Portis. Ladell Betts averaging 92 yards, 1 TD past two weeks.
2. Dolphins: Have gone 5-2 since 0-3 start as Ricky Williams is on pace for first 1,000-yard season since 2005.
3. Jaguars: Soft schedule has Jags suddenly in wild-card hunt.
THREE DOWN
1. Bills: No situation is worse than finishing season with interim coach.
2. Patriots: Three losses by combined 11 points.
3. Eagles: For Brian Westbrook’s long-term health, here’s hoping he sits out next two weeks.
