Comments for Zoneblitz.com http://www.zoneblitz.com Two Linemen, Dropping Into Coverage Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:00:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Comment on Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement by BSLO http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/06/voters-fans-frustrated-hall-fame-announcement/#comment-7530 BSLO Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:00:56 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1940#comment-7530 Fans always seem to get very up in arms about the announcement, but I completely agree with Paul's point. When there are so many deserving candidates and only 5 get in, that is just going to happen. One thing that really annoys me every year though is how biased the average fan is toward offensive players, especially at the skill positions. This year seems to be no different with a huge group of fans wondering why Cris Carter didn't get in, and many saying he should have made it in over Chris Doleman or Cortez Kennedy. Both Kennedy and Doleman were dominant at their positions for several years, and deserve to be in. Defensive players, even those on bad teams, deserve recognition and I'm glad that the hall balanced things out again this year. Fans always seem to get very up in arms about the announcement, but I completely agree with Paul’s point. When there are so many deserving candidates and only 5 get in, that is just going to happen. One thing that really annoys me every year though is how biased the average fan is toward offensive players, especially at the skill positions.

This year seems to be no different with a huge group of fans wondering why Cris Carter didn’t get in, and many saying he should have made it in over Chris Doleman or Cortez Kennedy. Both Kennedy and Doleman were dominant at their positions for several years, and deserve to be in. Defensive players, even those on bad teams, deserve recognition and I’m glad that the hall balanced things out again this year.

]]> Comment on Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement by Paul http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/06/voters-fans-frustrated-hall-fame-announcement/#comment-7529 Paul Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:29:17 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1940#comment-7529 Also several years ago the size of the panel was increased to 44 that brought new and more diverse people into the room as voters, which I believe was helpful to perhaps bring some fresh perspectives into the mix and break possible voting blocks/logjams among voters. The number could be increased but not at the expense or challenge of potentially losing what I believe to be the important role of a face to face meeting to discuss the candidates and vote, something baseball loses with 1000 mail in ballots. One idea I had was to rotate voters with staggered committee terms so perhaps have a pool of 60 voters but individuals who serve 4-5 year terms on a committee of 44 people, then voters would be off the committee for a few years replaced by someone else from the pool. That way the history of the debates are maintained year to year (with majority returning for each year), but also bring in fresh (or refreshed) voters each year and not the same group of 44 year after year. Also several years ago the size of the panel was increased to 44 that brought new and more diverse people into the room as voters, which I believe was helpful to perhaps bring some fresh perspectives into the mix and break possible voting blocks/logjams among voters. The number could be increased but not at the expense or challenge of potentially losing what I believe to be the important role of a face to face meeting to discuss the candidates and vote, something baseball loses with 1000 mail in ballots. One idea I had was to rotate voters with staggered committee terms so perhaps have a pool of 60 voters but individuals who serve 4-5 year terms on a committee of 44 people, then voters would be off the committee for a few years replaced by someone else from the pool. That way the history of the debates are maintained year to year (with majority returning for each year), but also bring in fresh (or refreshed) voters each year and not the same group of 44 year after year.

]]> Comment on Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement by Paul http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/06/voters-fans-frustrated-hall-fame-announcement/#comment-7528 Paul Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:18:57 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1940#comment-7528 I have been following these elections with some interest since 1994 and the controversies and criticisms about the results, process and voters occur almost every year as do the calls for allowing for more selection slots, have more voters, include players, poll the public, more open process etc…. Ah to remember the arguments over the senior candidates (one is not enough, who was nominated), Swann, Eller, Guy, Carson, Mont , not enough Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings (add your favorite team here). And having also watched the HOF election process for the other major sports I continue to think that pro football HOF does have the best process in place. The charges and complaints (often by those in the media, public and in cyberspace who have no idea how the elections are conducted and the limited spaces for electing players each year) are just common when you have so many deserving players and so few spots. I have been following these elections with some interest since 1994 and the controversies and criticisms about the results, process and voters occur almost every year as do the calls for allowing for more selection slots, have more voters, include players, poll the public, more open process etc…. Ah to remember the arguments over the senior candidates (one is not enough, who was nominated), Swann, Eller, Guy, Carson, Mont , not enough Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings (add your favorite team here). And having also watched the HOF election process for the other major sports I continue to think that pro football HOF does have the best process in place. The charges and complaints (often by those in the media, public and in cyberspace who have no idea how the elections are conducted and the limited spaces for electing players each year) are just common when you have so many deserving players and so few spots.

]]> Comment on Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced by Paul http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/04/pro-football-hall-fame-class-2012-announced/#comment-7527 Paul Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:04:43 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1935#comment-7527 "Bruce Matthews (#78) was 1st ballot in 2007 and like Ogden (#72) and Allen (#95) were ranked very closely together in the Top 100 Greatest Players. They’ll be there by 2014 at the latest with Shields. Strahan was #99 in the poll which included all 44 HOF voters." Matthews was a 10/14 player hence his qualifications were a little better then Ogden and Allen, who yes both have one SB ring but hard to say whether a SB to an OL helps their case. I would also note that Matthews faced a weaker group of 15 finalists in 2007 with no other strong 1st year candidates (and of which 4 of those 15 finalists have let to make HOF now five elections later). I say again among the 44 voters there will be great voting splitting in 2013 would could result in some deserving players not elected and some very surprising results. Also the recent trend towards the defense would appear to favor the likes of Strahan, Haley, Greene and maybe even Williams over the clusters of OL and WR that will be on the list of 15 finalists. “Bruce Matthews (#78) was 1st ballot in 2007 and like Ogden (#72) and Allen (#95) were ranked very closely together in the Top 100 Greatest Players. They’ll be there by 2014 at the latest with Shields. Strahan was #99 in the poll which included all 44 HOF voters.”

Matthews was a 10/14 player hence his qualifications were a little better then Ogden and Allen, who yes both have one SB ring but hard to say whether a SB to an OL helps their case. I would also note that Matthews faced a weaker group of 15 finalists in 2007 with no other strong 1st year candidates (and of which 4 of those 15 finalists have let to make HOF now five elections later).

I say again among the 44 voters there will be great voting splitting in 2013 would could result in some deserving players not elected and some very surprising results. Also the recent trend towards the defense would appear to favor the likes of Strahan, Haley, Greene and maybe even Williams over the clusters of OL and WR that will be on the list of 15 finalists.

]]> Comment on Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced by robert ewing http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/04/pro-football-hall-fame-class-2012-announced/#comment-7526 robert ewing Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:57:12 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1935#comment-7526 Ill be posting my senior nominee list within the next 2 months Ill be posting my senior nominee list within the next 2 months

]]> Comment on Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced by Paul http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/04/pro-football-hall-fame-class-2012-announced/#comment-7525 Paul Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:56:37 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1935#comment-7525 Again I do not see voters selecting as many as two or three 1st time players next year especially given the number of DL and OL positions (including those potential 1st year players) that will appear on the 15 finalist lists, just too much potential vote splitting. For example between Shields, Allen and Odgen and then between Sapp, Strahan and Haley. Also the years in which the voters selected 2 first time players is few and 3 first time players rare - and they included years with some of the top players in NFL history, which does not apply to any of the finalists next year. Again I do not see voters selecting as many as two or three 1st time players next year especially given the number of DL and OL positions (including those potential 1st year players) that will appear on the 15 finalist lists, just too much potential vote splitting. For example between Shields, Allen and Odgen and then between Sapp, Strahan and Haley. Also the years in which the voters selected 2 first time players is few and 3 first time players rare – and they included years with some of the top players in NFL history, which does not apply to any of the finalists next year.

]]> Comment on Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced by chris http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/04/pro-football-hall-fame-class-2012-announced/#comment-7522 chris Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:45:36 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1935#comment-7522 it is most likely going to be jerome bettis, warren sapp, michael strahan, andre reed, and bill parcells, with charles haley or allen or ogden as a wild-card or cris carter replacing reed if they want to go that route there, and senior nominees need to be good nominees for 2013 like jerry kramer and johnny robinson it is most likely going to be jerome bettis, warren sapp, michael strahan, andre reed, and bill parcells, with charles haley or allen or ogden as a wild-card or cris carter replacing reed if they want to go that route there, and senior nominees need to be good nominees for 2013 like jerry kramer and johnny robinson

]]> Comment on Pro Football Hall of Fame Names 2012 Finalists by Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement | Zoneblitz.com http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/01/07/pro-football-hall-of-fame-names-2012-finalists/#comment-7517 Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement | Zoneblitz.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:36:37 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/01/07/pro-football-hall-of-fame-names-2011-finalists/#comment-7517 [...] would say, however, that I don’t think they are necessarily the six MOST deserving players. And I don’t know that King would disagree with that either. He notes in another tweet [...] [...] would say, however, that I don’t think they are necessarily the six MOST deserving players. And I don’t know that King would disagree with that either. He notes in another tweet [...]

]]> Comment on Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced by Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement | Zoneblitz.com http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/04/pro-football-hall-fame-class-2012-announced/#comment-7507 Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement | Zoneblitz.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:17:53 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1935#comment-7507 [...] View Results  Loading ... Polls Archive « Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcementPublished February 6, 2012 | By [...] [...] View Results  Loading … Polls Archive « Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcementPublished February 6, 2012 | By [...]

]]> Comment on Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced by BSLO http://www.zoneblitz.com/2012/02/04/pro-football-hall-fame-class-2012-announced/#comment-7506 BSLO Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:30 +0000 http://www.zoneblitz.com/?p=1935#comment-7506 Well there were definitely some surprises this year, but ultimately all 5 modern-era inductees are well deserving, as was senior nominee Jack Butler. I too am a little bit confused as to why Dick Stanfel was not inducted, but the big surprise is definitely that no receivers were inducted once again. That being said, I am quite impressed by the fact that the hall has once again continued their recent trend of balancing the number of offensive and defensive players getting inducted each year. They have really cut down on the backlog on the defensive side of the ball, especially when it comes to pass rushers. Roaf and Dawson getting in was a nice surprise, as both were highly deserving. Doleman getting in over Haley was also a surprise to see, but personally I think they picked the player with the better overall career. Looking ahead to next year, I personally think they will load up on first-ballot inductees with Strahan, Allen and Ogden all getting inducted. While the hall has been slow to induct linemen in recent years, Ogden and Allen have something that the likes of McDaniel, Roaf, Dawson and Shields do not...Super Bowl rings. I think that this difference will be enough to vault them to first-ballot status. If the hall continues its trend of inducting at least 2 defensive players a year, I think that Strahan will be joined by Kevin Greene next year. I think Haley is a Russ Grimm-type candidate that will get stuck at the final 10 for a couple of years due to his lack of a consistent, long career. Call it a hunch. I don't believe Warren Sap gets in right away, although I do think he'll be inducted within 3-4 years. For the final candidate, I believe they will finally induct a receiver next year, and I believe that receiver will be Andre Reed. Bill Parcells is another possibility, but as with other contributor candidates, I believe that he may fall victim of being too easy to ignore given his unlimited years as a modern-era candidate. He should easily be the best coaching candidate for the next several years so there is no rush to induct him. In summary, I pick Reed, Allen, Ogden, Strahan and Greene for 2013. The seniors candidates are a total crapshoot, so I'll take a shot in the dark and go with Chuck Howley and L.C. Greenwood. Well there were definitely some surprises this year, but ultimately all 5 modern-era inductees are well deserving, as was senior nominee Jack Butler. I too am a little bit confused as to why Dick Stanfel was not inducted, but the big surprise is definitely that no receivers were inducted once again.

That being said, I am quite impressed by the fact that the hall has once again continued their recent trend of balancing the number of offensive and defensive players getting inducted each year. They have really cut down on the backlog on the defensive side of the ball, especially when it comes to pass rushers.

Roaf and Dawson getting in was a nice surprise, as both were highly deserving. Doleman getting in over Haley was also a surprise to see, but personally I think they picked the player with the better overall career.

Looking ahead to next year, I personally think they will load up on first-ballot inductees with Strahan, Allen and Ogden all getting inducted. While the hall has been slow to induct linemen in recent years, Ogden and Allen have something that the likes of McDaniel, Roaf, Dawson and Shields do not…Super Bowl rings. I think that this difference will be enough to vault them to first-ballot status. If the hall continues its trend of inducting at least 2 defensive players a year, I think that Strahan will be joined by Kevin Greene next year. I think Haley is a Russ Grimm-type candidate that will get stuck at the final 10 for a couple of years due to his lack of a consistent, long career. Call it a hunch. I don’t believe Warren Sap gets in right away, although I do think he’ll be inducted within 3-4 years.

For the final candidate, I believe they will finally induct a receiver next year, and I believe that receiver will be Andre Reed. Bill Parcells is another possibility, but as with other contributor candidates, I believe that he may fall victim of being too easy to ignore given his unlimited years as a modern-era candidate. He should easily be the best coaching candidate for the next several years so there is no rush to induct him.

In summary, I pick Reed, Allen, Ogden, Strahan and Greene for 2013. The seniors candidates are a total crapshoot, so I’ll take a shot in the dark and go with Chuck Howley and L.C. Greenwood.

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