Hall of Famer Ward? Hines looking at retirement

by | Jan 9, 2012 | Hall of Fame, NFL Random Thoughts

This could be turning into a pretty good year for big-name retirements. There’s Jason Taylor for sure. Seems LaDainian Tomlinson is considering hanging it up. And if reports from around the Interwebs are true, Steelers wideout Hines Ward is about to say goodbye to the NFL, as well. (EDIT: Or perhaps not …)

Taylor and Tomlinson would seem to be sure thing inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at this point. But Ward is an interesting case. He’s close — right on the borderline either way. His numbers were very, very good, but was he that good? Or did he benefit from playing in the NFL as the game — and the long-time run-heavy Steelers — transitioned more and more toward the pass? (more…)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Names 2012 Finalists

by | Jan 7, 2012 | Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame named its 15 finalists for the Class of 2012, with guard Will Shields and coach Bill Parcells being first time finalists (Parcells was technically a finalist before, when coaches did not have to wait the five years, and is apparently considered a first time candidate again).

Joining Parcells and Shields as finalists from the modern era:

  • Jerome Bettis, RB
  • Tim Brown, WR
  • Cris Carter, WR
  • Dermontti Dawson, C
  • Eddie DeBartolo, Jr., Contributor
  • Chris Doleman, DE
  • Kevin Greene, OLB/DE
  • Charles Haley, DE
  • Cortez Kennedy, DT
  • Curtis Martin, RB
  • Andre Reed, WR
  • Willie Roaf, T
  • Aeneas Williams, CB

    • The only two we missed on were Aeneas Williams (who we had as a finalist last year), and DeBartolo, Jr. In their places we had picked coach Bill Cowher (who wasn’t even a semifinalist, presumably due to the belief he will resume coaching) and RB Terrell Davis.

    All five of our picks for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 are still in the running.

    Missing the cut from the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist list were:

  • Steve Atwater
  • Don Coryell
  • Roger Craig
  • Clay Matthews
  • Karl Mecklenburg
  • Donnie Shell
  • Paul Tagliabue
  • Steve Tasker
  • Ron Wolf
  • George Young

    • The list of finalists will be narrowed to 10, and then down to five on the Saturday before the Super Bowl, and those five will be voted on individually for inclusion along with Senior Candidates Jack Butler and Dick Stanfel.

    Follow up in the comments with your thoughts on the finalists…

    Jason Taylor: Hall of Fame Bound

    by | Jan 5, 2012 | Hall of Fame

    Recently in our Hall of Fame coverage we seem to be adding individual posts and polls for individual players that are worthy of conversation for the Hall of Fame (ignoring sure things like Brett Favre).

    Before last week’s game, Dolphins DE/LB Jason Taylor confirmed that he would retire at the end of the season. He finished his career with 139.5 sacks (6th all-time) in 233 games, 6 Pro Bowls and 3 First Team All-Pro selections. He recovered 29 fumbles (25th all-time) for 246 return yards (2nd all-time) and 6 TDs (1st all-time), and added 8 interceptions, of which 3 were returned for TDs.

    The numbers here make me think that it’s less of a question of whether he makes the Hall of Fame, but rather when he makes it–is he a first year guy, or does he have to wait a few years?

    Is Jason Taylor heading to the Hall of Fame?

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    NFL Hall of Fame names 26 semifinalists

    by | Nov 22, 2011 | Hall of Fame

    Will Shields and Bill Parcells are the two first-time semifinalists among the 26 candidates still alive and awaiting word of their potential enshrinement in the NFL Hall of Fame.

    Parcells had been a finalist before in 2001 and 2002, but the Hall is not counting those in its announcement because the rules have since changed, requiring coaches to be retired for five seasons.

    Normally the list would have been whittled down to 25 at this point, but the Hall’s bylaws allow for more when votes result in ties. (more…)

    2012 Football Hall of Fame Inductees

    by | Nov 22, 2011 | Hall of Fame

    This afternoon apparently marks the announcement of the semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012, and so far we’ve managed to not officially gone on record with our picks for this year.  So here goes…

    In 2011, we hit on 3 out of 5 picks (Sanders, Sharpe & Dent) while missing the obvious Marshall Faulk and the longshot Ed Sabol, while picking Dermontti Dawson and Tim Brown. So how will we do this year? Keep reading to find out…

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    Hester aims to be Hall’s first returner

    by | Nov 15, 2011 | Hall of Fame, NFL Random Thoughts

    Is Devin Hester Hall of Fame worthy?

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    I almost always read Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback column. Sports Illustrated’s top football guy always has some interesting nuggets.

    This week I was struck by a quote King got from Chicago return man Devin Hester, who lit up the Detroit Lions this weekend with an 82-yard punt return touchdown and numerous other long returns.

    Hester told King he wants to be the first returner in the league to get voted into the Hall of Fame. I thought the comment was interesting for a couple reasons. First, it’s an acknowledgement on the part of Hester that he is known almost solely for his return work, as his play at wide receiver has been average, at best.

    (more…)