NFL HOF for active players
 

By Pete Prisco

I think it's a pretty good list. Only mentions players with six+ years of experience, which excludes a few notable guys like Ed Reed and Peppers.

Per the article...

Locks
Larry Allen
Champ Bailey
Tom Brady
Derrick Brooks
Isaac Bruce
Favre
Tony Gonzalez
Marvin Harrison
Walter Jones
Ray Lewis
Manning
Jonathan Ogden
Sapp
Strahan

Bubble
Dawkins
Rodney Harrison
Ty Law
John Lynch
TO
Orlando Pace
Rod Smith
Jason Taylor
LDT
Vinatieri

"Needs More Work"
Shaun Alexander
Alan Faneca
Torry Holt
Steve Hutchinson
Edge
Chad Johnson
Keenan McCardell
McNabb
Randy Moss
Simeon Rice
Richard Seymour
Fred Taylor
Urlacher

No Way
Ronde Barber
Bruschi
Warrick Dunn
Joe Horn
Kevin Mawae
McNair
Zach Thomas
Warner

I think Vinatieri should be a lock, but other than that I pretty much agree. Thoughts?

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

I would think Orlando Pace would be a lock

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Urlacher and LT should both be locks its not the Baseball HOF.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Urlacher and LT should both be locks its not the Baseball HOF.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree on LT2. Jury is still out on Urlacher IMO

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Pretty solid list. I dont think Eli Manning is a lock yet though. The funny thing is if the Ravens won the superbowl last year I think McNair would be a lock, which shows there's a fine line between "no way" and "lock."

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Isaac Bruce is far from a lock.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

i don't understand why simeon rice gets so little love. his career compares pretty well with strahans.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Surprised Corey Dillon is nowhere on the list. I can see him finishing in the top 7 in career rushing yds, and top 10 in rushing tds.

I view him at around 25%, but a few more years of good work could put him over the hump.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Bruce is not a lock. Tomlinson is. Vinatieri I think is too. Also Zach Thomas should be moved up from the No Way category, I think he's got a legit shot.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Isaac Bruce is far from a lock.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, but he should be considered. Best WR not named Jerry Rice for a while.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
i don't understand why simeon rice gets so little love. his career compares pretty well with strahans.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rice is a speed pass rushing specialist. Strahan is a much more complete player.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Bruce has to get in. He is miles ahead of other WR in the HOF.

Isaac Bruce: 887-13376-80
Art Monk: 940-12721-68 <-- widely considered best WR not in HOF
Michael Irvin: 750-11904-65
John Stallworth: 537-8723-63
Lynn Swann: 336-5462-51

Oh, and he's still playing.

LDT will be a lock with one or two more good years, which the author says in the article. He says it's a "formality" and he will be a lock soon.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

thoughts on corey dillon?

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Isaac Bruce is far from a lock.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, but he should be considered. Best WR not named Jerry Rice for a while.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...arrisonWTF.jpg

(Of course Issac gets in, just wanted to post that)

Cody

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
thoughts on corey dillon?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would put him below Curtis Martin and Tiki Barber. Martin should get in, but Tiki is very borderline. Plus Dillon isn't exactly loved by the media.

Stats are rushing yards, total yards, total td, rushing avg.

Martin: 14,104 - 17,433 - 100 - 4.0
Barber: 10,448 - 15,631 - 67 - 4.7
Dillon: 11,214 - 13,127 - 89 - 4.3

Compared to some other HOFers...

Marshall Faulk: 12,279 - 19,154 - 136 - 4.3
Marcus Allen: 12,234 - 17,645 - 144 - 4.1
Thurman Thomas: 12,074 - 16,532 - 88 - 4.2
Franco Harris: 12,120 - 14,407 - 100 - 4.1
John Riggins: 11,352 - 13,442 - 116 - 3.9
Larry Csonka: 8,081 - 8,901 - 68 - 4.3

Statistically he is very close, maybe a little short, but it's not the baseball HOF. I don't think Dillon gets in. Tiki probably doesn't either, although I would personally vote for Tiki to get in (but not Dillon).

LaDanian Tomlinson: 9,176 - 12,076 - 111 - 4.5.... in six years. Dillon played 10 years. Ye gods.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Bruce has to get in. He is miles ahead of other WR in the HOF.

Isaac Bruce: 887-13376-80
Art Monk: 940-12721-68 <-- widely considered best WR not in HOF
Michael Irvin: 750-11904-65
John Stallworth: 537-8723-63
Lynn Swann: 336-5462-51

Oh, and he's still playing.

LDT will be a lock with one or two more good years, which the author says in the article. He says it's a "formality" and he will be a lock soon.

[/ QUOTE ]

PF:

you are aware of era adjustments, right? I know you are - just confused why you would make such an argument.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
thoughts on corey dillon?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would put him below Curtis Martin and Tiki Barber. Martin should get in, but Tiki is very borderline. Plus Dillon isn't exactly loved by the media.

Stats are rushing yards, total yards, total td, rushing avg.

Martin: 14,104 - 17,433 - 100 - 4.0
Barber: 10,448 - 15,631 - 67 - 4.7
Dillon: 11,214 - 13,127 - 89 - 4.3

Compared to some other HOFers...

Marshall Faulk: 12,279 - 19,154 - 136 - 4.3
Marcus Allen: 12,234 - 17,645 - 144 - 4.1
Thurman Thomas: 12,074 - 16,532 - 88 - 4.2
Franco Harris: 12,120 - 14,407 - 100 - 4.1
John Riggins: 11,352 - 13,442 - 116 - 3.9
Larry Csonka: 8,081 - 8,901 - 68 - 4.3

Statistically he is very close, maybe a little short, but it's not the baseball HOF. I don't think Dillon gets in. Tiki probably doesn't either, although I would personally vote for Tiki to get in (but not Dillon).

LaDanian Tomlinson: 9,176 - 12,076 - 111 - 4.5.... in six years. Dillon played 10 years. Ye gods.

[/ QUOTE ]

1) Those LT2 numbers are so much sicker then I thought they were. I'd imagine they'll taper off some, but my god.

2) None of those guys mentioned seem to be HoF worthy really. Mostly because they have no major accomplishments to tout. The numbers are solid, but is it really enough to push Martin over the edge. I would hope so, but I'd bet even money if not a little less.

Also, with Tiki. Surely leaving when he did, however smart a business/long-term health move, is going to keep him out of the hall. If he'd played a few more years I'd think he'd have a stronger case. That said, his post-NFL position in the media might get him a few extra "buddy-votes".

Cody

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Why is everyone so high on Vinatieri for the HoF? He's a great kicker, but is he really better than other good kickers on Super Bowl winners?

Maybe I'm just bitter because people call him "the best clutch kicker of all time." I think a lot of his clutchness is simply chance; he's been put in the position to kick winning field goals in a couple of big games and has made them. But shouldn't excellent NFL kickers make those kicks routinely?

Plus, in the Super Bowl against Carolina, HE MISSED TWO FIELD GOALS FROM UNDER 37 YARDS. One was blocked, but still.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why is everyone so high on Vinatieri for the HoF? He's a great kicker, but is he really better than other good kickers on Super Bowl winners?

Maybe I'm just bitter because people call him "the best clutch kicker of all time." I think a lot of his clutchness is simply chance; he's been put in the position to kick winning field goals in a couple of big games and has made them. But shouldn't excellent NFL kickers make those kicks routinely?

Plus, in the Super Bowl against Carolina, HE MISSED TWO FIELD GOALS FROM UNDER 37 YARDS. One was blocked, but still.

[/ QUOTE ]

Image. Yeah it's mostly serendipity that he's put in those spots, and certainly the result of 22 players that aren't him, but still, making those kicks on the biggest stage lands you a large amount of name recognition.

Cody

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Thoughts on Zach Thomas?

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
1) Those LT2 numbers are so much sicker then I thought they were. I'd imagine they'll taper off some, but my god.

[/ QUOTE ]

there is a reasonably strong chance he'll never hit 1k yds rushing in a season again, 400touches a year for 6years is a brutal workload, and the dropoffs are massive when they happen

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why is everyone so high on Vinatieri for the HoF? He's a great kicker, but is he really better than other good kickers on Super Bowl winners?

Maybe I'm just bitter because people call him "the best clutch kicker of all time." I think a lot of his clutchness is simply chance; he's been put in the position to kick winning field goals in a couple of big games and has made them. But shouldn't excellent NFL kickers make those kicks routinely?

Plus, in the Super Bowl against Carolina, HE MISSED TWO FIELD GOALS FROM UNDER 37 YARDS. One was blocked, but still.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yah his best kick ever was the 1st one in the snow that forced OT & it's not close. The two SB kicks in domes where the game was tied to me are: "ok great but Hof?"

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
there is a reasonably strong chance he'll never hit 1k yds rushing in a season again

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand you're just trying to make a point about his heavy workload, but what would you consider a reasonably strong chance?

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Does Vinatieri deserve to go to the HOF? Probably not. Are sports writers smart enough to realize that he was basically in the right place at the right time and has somewhat luckboxed his way into his clutch kicker reputation? No.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Isaac Bruce is far from a lock.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, but he should be considered. Best WR not named Jerry Rice for a while.

[/ QUOTE ]
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...1er/excuse.jpg

(Of course Issac gets in, just wanted to post that)

Cody

[/ QUOTE ]

If Randy dosnt make it, thats a joke. He was the most dominant wr ever, not the best, but the most dominant. But, he mooned a crowd, so he dosnt deserve it, amirite?

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Thoughts on Zach Thomas?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think he has a decent chance. Better then a lot of the other guys listed above him.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
there is a reasonably strong chance he'll never hit 1k yds rushing in a season again

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand you're just trying to make a point about his heavy workload, but what would you consider a reasonably strong chance?

[/ QUOTE ]

somewhere in the 20-30% range just guessing

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Urlacher and LT should both be locks its not the Baseball HOF.

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh? You realize Canton is tougher to get into than Cooperstown right?

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
1) Those LT2 numbers are so much sicker then I thought they were. I'd imagine they'll taper off some, but my god.

[/ QUOTE ]

there is a reasonably strong chance he'll never hit 1k yds rushing in a season again, 400touches a year for 6years is a brutal workload, and the dropoffs are massive when they happen



[/ QUOTE ]

I think he's got a very good chance of easily passing that this year. He's playing in a very balanced offense with a great line and the best fullback in the game, and he still seems on top of his game. I don't doubt that he could start to wear down soon, but barring a big injury I don't see him falling short of 1k this season

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Does Vinatieri deserve to go to the HOF? Probably not. Are sports writers smart enough to realize that he was basically in the right place at the right time and has somewhat luckboxed his way into his clutch kicker reputation? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

We can argue either way about his Superbowl winners should are standard kicks everyone should make, but the two (especially to send the game to OT) in the Snowbowl vs. Raiders were insanely difficult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZcOzQXf6Hk

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

I agree, the one against the Raiders to tie it was, given the circumstances and the difficulty, probably the most clutch kick in NFL history. If any kicker ever deserved to get in, it's probably him. I just don't know if a kicker deserves to get in.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
I agree, the one against the Raiders to tie it was, given the circumstances and the difficulty, probably the most clutch kick in NFL history. If any kicker ever deserved to get in, it's probably him. I just don't know if a kicker deserves to get in.

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe Jan Stenerud is already in, no?

Ray Guy is definitely in as a punter.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Pace should be a lock.

As for Vinatieri, having a kicker that dependable changes your whole offense. You can take less risks in field goal range because you know you're most likely going to get some points, if all you need is 3. Giving teams that confidence, and then converting when called on, on the biggest stage over and over is very valuable. Plus, what's he at now, 4 rings? He's in.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

Warner and McNair will get consideration. They have both been MVP's of the league. McNair is still playing strong. Warner has the QB rating single season record. He won one super bowl and almost another. I don't know that either will get in, but it will certainly be talked about and they'll get votes. You can't say no way. Bruschi might be considered too, b/c o' the super bowl wins.
Also, where is Jamal Lewis? You think he has no chance also, doesn't even deserve mention?

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Isaac Bruce is far from a lock.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, but he should be considered. Best WR not named Jerry Rice for a while.

[/ QUOTE ]
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...1er/excuse.jpg

(Of course Issac gets in, just wanted to post that)

Cody

[/ QUOTE ]

If Randy dosnt make it, thats a joke. He was the most dominant wr ever, not the best, but the most dominant. But, he mooned a crowd, so he dosnt deserve it, amirite?

[/ QUOTE ]

Randy's going, no question when he's done. Maybe not first ballot (though I'd think so), but certainly second.

Cody

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
I would think Orlando Pace would be a lock

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes. Pace should be a sure thing IMO.

EDIT: I also rank McNabb higher. I'm not saying he is a lock, but he is good. I would put him in a bubble category.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
PF:

you are aware of era adjustments, right? I know you are - just confused why you would make such an argument.


[/ QUOTE ]

Of course I am... and I'm aware that the NFL HOF is not stat-obsessed like the MLB HOF.

But stats are still important, and Bruce has all-time great stats. He was also the #1 WR on one of the best offenses of all-time and has a ring. He is HOF.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why is everyone so high on Vinatieri for the HoF? He's a great kicker, but is he really better than other good kickers on Super Bowl winners?

[/ QUOTE ]

He is a great kicker, but obviously his "omg so clutch" image is exagerated, because clutch in general is exagerated.

But the HOF tells the story of pro football (so to speak) and it's impossible to tell that story without Vinatieri. That's HOF in my opinion.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
Thoughts on Zach Thomas?

[/ QUOTE ]

Same as the guy who wrote the article, excellent player but very borderline HOF. He has a shot at it but I personally would not vote for him.

Re: NFL HOF for active players
 

[ QUOTE ]
But the HOF tells the story of pro football (so to speak) and it's impossible to tell that story without Vinatieri. That's HOF in my opinion.

[/ QUOTE ]

PF, I don't know if you stole this quote or if it's a PF-original, but that's the best way I've ever heard the HoF described.

I think that line of thinking applies to a few others in the Hall, and I, for one, am fine with it, so long as it's the exception and not the rule.

Cody