Senior Committee meets Mon to nominate 1 for election in ’17.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) August 15, 2016
Contributors Committee meets Tues to pick 2 for ’17. https://t.co/01ibgN4J38
What does this mean? Well, it's more complicated than you think (or than it probably should be). I'll paraphrase below, but to see the criteria for both Senior Committee and Contributors Committee, click here.
For as long as I can remember, there have been two Senior Committee selections up for consideration each year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, because there is a backlog of contributors that haven't even been considered, there were changes made to the hall of fame bylaws. Starting in 2015 and over the next five years, the Seniors Committee and Contributors Committee will alternate the number of nominees they will be allowed to select. See the link above for the nuts and bolts of how and why this is the way it is.
What does it mean for Denver this year?
Because the year for induction is 2017, the Senior Committee gets to select one player and the Contributors committee gets to select two players as finalists in consideration for election to the Hall of Fame.
When former Broncos running back Floyd Little made it to the Hall of Fame in 2010, he did so as a Senior Committee selection. Could other Broncos legends get the nod in the same way? Here's a list of players eligible to be selected by the Senior Committee:
Lionel Taylor, WR
Rich Jackson, DE
Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin, S
Randy Gradishar, ILB
Tom Jackson, OLB
Billy Thompson, S
Louis Wright, CB
So what about the Contributors Committee? A contributor is defined as any non-player or coach. The Broncos have one person who fits that bill and is Hall of Fame-worthy.
Big week; we will learn Tuesday if Pat Bowlen is to be a finalist for the 2017 HoF class. https://t.co/h9N4HbqmNc
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 15, 2016
Broncos Country, I don't want to get your hopes up (especially regarding the Hall of Fame), but Pat Bowlen's contributions to the game and the Denver Broncos are pretty damn undeniable. If Bowlen is selected by the contributor committee, he automatically becomes a finalist and isn't subject to the multiple rounds of winnowing down the nominees.
It's unlikely the Seniors Committee will select a Denver Bronco, but I honestly have to say that with two contributors being considered this year, Pat Bowlen has a legitimate chance of receiving football's highest honor. We'll just have to wait and see what happens this week.
HORSE TRACKS
With San Francisco coming to town this week, the Broncos are set to do work. Monday NFL training camp preview - Reunion between Martellus Bennett of New England Patriots, Jay Cutler of Chicago Bears | ESPN
Hillman is feeling a rookie's breath on his neck. Devontae Booker makes move towards backup back role | #9newds
Former Broncos public relations guru Jim Saccomano examines the importance of the preseason. Sundays with Sacco: The Meaning of Preseason | Denver Broncos
Don't bring that trash 'round Wade Phillips. Don't blitz Broncos' Phillips with criticism - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com
In case you needed a reminder from Thursday's game, the Chicago Bears aren't that good. It’s early, but Chicago Bears’ preseason report is bad news | Las Vegas Review-Journal
As Rod Smith taught all of Broncos Country, the practice squad is an opportunity, not a punishment. Practice squad a familiar path to roster for several Denver Broncos - AFC West- ESPN
2016 ring of fame inductee, Simon Fletcher, no doubt delivered a positive message to a group of optimists in Fort Morgan. Former Denver Bronco Simon Fletcher speaks to Fort Morgan Optimist Clubs about the value of work - Fort Morgan Times
It's Andrew Mason's mailbag! Mason's Mailbag: WR depth, the Hall of Fame Game, and more | Denver Broncos
Let's hope that Adam Gase uses 'ludicrous speed' a little more wisely than Rick Moranis did in Spaceballs. Ryan Tannehill says the Dolphins have a 'ludicrous speed' version of the no-huddle - CBSSports.com
Shocker: Gas mask bong guy has 'a lot to learn.' Adam Gase says Dolphins' first-round pick Laremy Tunsil has 'a lot to learn' | FOX Sports
On Sunday, Brock Osweiler took the field for his new team and it wasn't that great. Bless. What we learned: Osweiler underwhelms in debut - NFL.com
...but you can judge for yourself. We'll never forget you Brent! Every throw from Brock Osweiler's Texans' debut - NFL Videos
The Raiders suffered a loss in their win over the Cardinals on Saturday night. Mario Edwards Jr. could miss 4-6 weeks with hip strain | ProFootballTalk
Don't fight players on your own team. Bill Romanowski taught us all that years ago. Ron Rivera not happy with practice skirmish | ProFootballTalk
Patriots lose rookie receiver for a few weeks. Patriots rookie WR Malcolm Mitchell out 4 weeks after nasty elbow injury - CBSSports.com
With Brady going into exile at the start of the season, there are no plans to shore up the quarterback corps. Belichick not adding another quarterback, yet | ProFootballTalk
Entering his eleventh season, Finnegan is likely happy that his name is brought up in any context. Cortland Finnegan isn't ashamed to admit that he's seen as a 'dirtbag' | FOX Sports
Of all the games RGIII has played, his debut with the Browns was one of them. Hue Jackson doesn't give ringing endorsement of Robert Griffin's first start with Browns | FOX Sports
How stoked is Geno Smith over this news? Report: Geno Smith puncher IK Enemkpali out for 2016 with a torn ACL - CBSSports.com
Yet another team looking to reward someone for years of failure. I don't get it. Jeff Fisher downplays talk of contract extension | ProFootballTalk
What's up with Aaron Rodgers? Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay Packers again takes scout-team snaps | ESPN
When is Rex Ryan not mad about something? Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan takes exception to Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's tweet about sitting Andrew Luck for preseason game | ESPN
Poor Iggles. Carson Wentz hopes to play in Philadelphia Eagles' final preseason game despite rib injury | ESPN
Adele says no dice, NFL. Adele turns down Super Bowl halftime show and tells her fans why | FOX Sports